by captjeff | Jul 18, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
In the post WW2 era the Farnborough Airshow was a fabulous and exciting window into the amazing world of advanced jet fighters and in 1952 test pilot John Derry was flying one of the most advanced prototypes there. This is his story.
Test Pilot John Derry.
The Sea Vixen with it’s unusual offset pilot’s canopy.
The aftermath of the DH110 crash.
Images through Creative Commons licence with thanks to the National Library of Austria, the United States Navy, The Crown (Gov UK) and Kaboldy.
by captjeff | Jul 17, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
Following my previous story concerning the tragic murder of both pilots on the flight deck, the son of First Officer Ray Andress wrote and told me the story from his side. Steve Andress went on to become a USAF pilot and is now flies for a major legacy airline. He also tells us of the work his mother undertook to ban the use of flight insurance vending machines at airports to deter others with murderous intent and we hear of a couple of other awful murder cases involving air travel.
Captain Steve Andress
With thanks to Steve for the photographs of his father which heads this story and of himself. The image of a flight insurance vending machine under a Creative Commons licence.
by captjeff | Jul 1, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
Two dramatic and awful incidents when unsuspecting pilots are attacked on the Flight Deck, enough to put shivers down the spine. The title image is of Francisco Paula Gonzales, one of the murderers.
The Pacific Air Lines F27 that was involved in the tragedy of flight 773.
An Eastern Air Lines DC9.
The Eastern Airlines Training Centre plaque.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to The Beaver County Times and Jon Proctor. The EAL plaque image is, unfortunately, unattributed.
by captjeff | Jun 22, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
The dream of flight began with makeshift wings bound to men’s arms which, like Icarus from Green mythology failed, often with deadly results. This is the story of the pioneers who took to the air under their own power.
Zaschka’s Human-Power Aircraft, Berlin 1934.
SUMPAC was the first successful human powered aircraft.
The Gossamer Albatross II is seen here during a test flight at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Centre, Edwards, California.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Madrid, Museo del Prado, Popular Science, Nimbus227 and NASA.
by captjeff | Jun 18, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
The Vickers VC10 was an aircraft that was ahead of its time. Sleek, fast and powerful it was designed to please an airline which then turned its back on it. However, the VC10 won the hearts of many.
The RAF version of the VC10, the K3.
The VC10 flight deck including the ‘voice activated throttles’!
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Bahnfrend, Steve Fitzgerald and Chris Lofting.
by captjeff | Jun 9, 2018 | Plane Tales
Podcast (pt): Download
Despite being injured during a civil war and losing the sight of an eye, Carlos Dardano became a B737 Captain for TACA. On descent into New Orleans, he strayed into a thunderstorm with disastrous consequences. The fate of the aircraft its crew and passengers now depended on the flying skills of the Captain.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to US Gov, NTSB and other sources.
