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Ah, tis grand to see the end of 2008 and feel the fresh breath of the start of 2009! Now, if only Congress and the Federal Government can hold tight and not do anything crazy, perhaps we all will survive the next year. Faint hope I fear.
With the House, Senate and Presidency held by the Democrats I assume we can expect more, not less, government interference in our lives. And this is not good for aviation. With the TSA on the march, and members of Congress chastising bizjet ownership, the economy in shambles and higher taxes coming for the "rich", I suspect things will get tighter for us next year.
With this in mind I pledge to keep a weather eye on all the goings on in aviation and keep you, my loyal readers, aprised of the happenings of general aviation.
Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!
JetAviator7
"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.
Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.
As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."
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“RINCON CHIAROSCURO”
Tucson, Arizona, twilight, New Year’s Eve 2008
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Even as fuel costs have tumbled, airlines are tightening the screws on the flying public, which they figure will now put up with just about anything. (Though once we have a look at passenger traffic data for December, we’ll see just how much air-travel demand is falling, and will continue to fall in 2009).
Here’s an example of the current mess: I need to get from Tucson to the ridiculously named George Bush “Intercontinental” Airport, preferably early in the morning of Jan. 7, in time for a 10.30 meeting at the airport.
That’s about 900 miles, incidentally.
No can do. Instead, I’ll need to fly in the day before and spend the night.
Fares? On Orbitz.com just a few minutes ago, here was the range among various airlines for that one-way flight (all requiring stops): $1,124 to $489.
Southwest Airlines, not listed on Orbitz, came in at a more sensible $226, but it requires a stop in Los Angeles and it arrives not at Houston Intergalactic (oops, I mean “Intercontinental”) but at Houston Hobby Airport.
Why not consider the option of taking the train, as so many people are suggesting these days?
Ha-ha: The best Amtrak can do is get me from Tucson to Houston on Jan. 8, and the trip requires 26 and a half hours. The fare is $115 for a seat, and $891 if you want a sleeping compartment.
And how about the bus? Well, I can board a good old Greyhound at 6:30 a.m. on the 6th and arrive in Houston a mere 26 hours later, after transferring buses in El Paso and again in Dallas.
And sorry, but I can’t get it out of my mind that during the summer, shortly after Greyhound began a marketing campaign saying there is no “air rage” on the bus, a lunatic on a Greyhound bus in Canada literally chopped the head off a sleeping passenger.
Hey, if that can happen in peace-loving Canada, no way I’m taking my chances in the middle of the night in El Paso.
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When everyone rushed to see the latest Star Wars movies I went along too, and must admit I was fascinated by these unmanned surveillance drones used by The Dark Side. Recently an article in Barnstormers called back into my memory those drones.
It turns out that during the mid to late 90s Bombardier developed something called "Sentinel and Guardian", or the CL-327 advanced vertical takeoff and landing surveillance system for gathering intelligence. And man does it look like those hovering drones from Star Wars.
The CL-327 Guardian is powered by a 125 shp Williams WTS117-5 turboshaft engine, which drives 13 ft diameter counter-rotating rotors. Gross takeoff weight is 772 lb, with an empty weight of 331 lb. Maximum endurance is reported at 6.25 hours, and the maximum cruise speed is given as 85 kt.
Cool ... take a look for yourself:
Sometimes its fun just to relax and imagine the future.
Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!
JetAviator7
Cape Hatteras
Breathe deep, mine eyes, the frosty saga of eternal suns
From unseen depths and dreams undreamt,
I sing the gleaming cantos of unvanquished space
By thought I embrace the universal
With wings of mind I sail the infinitude
Glory! 'tis the stars which beckon man's spirit and set our souls adrift!
— Hart Crane, 1930
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