When SABENA went bust in 2001, the successor SN Brussels airlines went for a different livery. However, the SABENA livery was a good recognition point for the local populace in former Belgian colonies in Africa. But I rate "SABENA" as the best ever abbreviation ("Such A Bl**dy Experience, Never Again"). Second only after the airline of Honduras, SAHSA ("Stay At Home, Stay Alive") which we were fortunate to have "experienced" in the 1970s.

(Written on 22/10/2021)(Permalink)

And from across the Pond, on a slow Friday afternoon. Reading through the "breaking/break" (wrong) and braking/braked/stopped discussion, it was a joy to see the English language at work, followed by an "unbroken" string of breaking jokes. So, back to the headline. How far from the runway did the 'plane stall? one foot above? one hundred feet above. Makes you wonder what constitutes a "near miss"..

(Written on 22/10/2021)(Permalink)

That works. Shame but a reflection of modern economics.

(Written on 22/10/2021)(Permalink)

The 737 history has a number of instances of "learning after two or three fatal incidents". For example, the 737 "rudder hard-over" problem was merely a suspicion at first, because the resulting craters were so small because of the "straight-in" collisions with terra firms - US585 in Colorado in 1991 and USAir427 in Pennsylvania in 1994. It wasn't until Eastwind 517 survived the next incident in 1996 that the evidence from an intact airframe could be studied and analysed - leading to a fix of the rudder actuator problem. An airframe consists of millions of components flying in formation. With the focus on "the Max", I am surprised if this is the only "slight problem early in life of this airframe" to be reported. I am sure that Boeing's build quality is on top form and a source of pride for the manufacturer. I mean, they would not be shipping out airframes with debris littered inside, would they?

(Written on 22/10/2021)(Permalink)

Interesting choice of words; more like "live unvaccinated and let die."

(Written on 15/10/2021)(Permalink)

Excellent news; a worth evolution beyond the old 747-400 fleet. With today's USA announcement about vaccinated travel, we'll be booking with BA over the weekend for 2022.

(Written on 15/10/2021)(Permalink)

"Natural immunity tends to evolve slowly after a lot of deaths...

(Written on 15/10/2021)(Permalink)

Presumably there are roles where they don't face the public - most of whom definitely WANT vaccinated staff supporting/serving/greeting/carrying them. PC question - can you still pay tribute to the person who serves you??

(Written on 15/10/2021)(Permalink)

Remember that the A380NEO programme died during gestation.

(Written on 09/10/2021)(Permalink)

Please don't push Boeing to launch another half-developed airframe onto the world!

(Written on 08/10/2021)(Permalink)