On April 15th the United States delivered a Caravan Combat Aircraft to Lebanon in an effort to help Lebanon protect it's people and borders.  The aircraft is equipped with advanced night and day sensing equipment, as well as Hellfire missiles.

The U.S. Departments of State and Defense worked hard to hurry up the delivery of the aircraft, along with other military equipment, in an effort to show steadfast support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese Air Force.

Military aid to Lebanon by Obama's administration is increasing from $90.7M to $189.1M next year, and this aircraft will be used for ground support for the Lebanese Air Force, particularly in urban areas.

It is interesting how general aviation aircraft find their way into the military arsenals, and I hope that the administration will continue to promote general aviation in every way possible.  If it means arming a Piper Cub I say - hey, what the heck!

Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!

JetAviator7

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

Nothrup Grumman, a defense contractor, has entered into an agreement with an Abhu Dhabi company to develop unmanned aerial vehicles, it was announced recently. One of the projects will develop an unmanned helicopter gunship, amongst other types of vehicles.

For the Gulf countries these vehicles make a lot of sense in terms of anti-submarine, anti-mine, border patrol, chemical detection and climate changes.  It is expected the business should grow to some $8.7B per year. 

It is interesting to note that the U.S. Army developed the first unmanned aerial vehicle concept in 1918 to travel across enemy lines in World War I.  But in the 1990s these vehicles became more useful as unblinking eyes-in-the-sky over Iraq and Afghanistan.

The unmanned helicopter is known as Fire Scout, and will begin evaluation by the Navy with entry into service by the end of the year.

Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!

JetAviator7

P = The problem logged by the pilot.
S = The solution logged by the mechanic.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

Ah, I can hardly await. The Australians have decided to invest $6M at an airport in Brisbane to develop the unmanned aircraft business.  It will open in January next year and employ some 35 scientists from the Queensland University of Technology in a joint venture with the Brisbane Airport Authority.

Before we get to worked up, the truth is these are rather small aircraft being developed for special purpose use such as powerline patrol, search and rescue and bushfire fighting. The development of these aircraft will create new aviation jobs and will range in size from a small dog to a large jetski.

While the Aussies are developing peaceful use pilotless aircraft, the Chinese are developing military pilotless aircraft for themselves. The truth is technology marches forward, and I can not believe it will be too long before we see pilotless large commercial aircraft.

Not in my lifetime, I hope.

Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!

JetAviator7

To invent a plane is nothing.
To build one is something.
To fly is everything.
-- Otto Lilienthal

I have been critical of the criticism of Congressional attacks on the use of business jets for some time now. I began my aviation career before the first business jet, the Lear 23, came into existence.  With the introduction of that aircraft businessmen immediately saw the multiplying effect created through the use of business aircraft, particularly business jets, and a boom in corporate aviation ensued.

While I left the corporate aviation world to start my own aviation insurance business, I have remained close with many in this wonderful occupation. I have seen first hand the benefits of corporate flight departments, and the way most of the corporate jets are used. Corporate flight operations are as professional as, and perhaps more so, than the airlines are.  These are not frills for most companies, but rather a business tool.

But way in the background is the smiling image of the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. A recent report by Judicial Watch using documents obtained under the Freedom of Information act reveal a prim donna who uses military aircraft as her personal shuttle service.

One Department of Defense official complained about the "hidden cots" associated with the Speaker's last minute changes and cancellations.  Personnel wind up preparing the aircraft for the trip, crews commute from great distances to fly the aircraft, meals are prepared all in anticipation of a trip. Then, at the last moment, the Speaker changes her mind and cancels the trip.

In other documents correspondence detailing demands from Speaker Pelosi's intermediary s for certain aircraft and expressing outrage when the requested military aircraft were unavailable.  On another occasion Speaker Pelosi requested three military aircraft to transport herself and other members of Congress to the funeral of Rep. Jones.

And the list goes on.  You can find more details about this at the Judicail Watch website, including the documents referenced in the report.

The most requested aircraft was a Gulfstream GV.  Wish I could live like that.

Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!

JetAviator7

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."

As an old DC-3 jock I sure hate to see one of these beautiful aircraft destroyed, particularly a Basler modified DC-3 with PT-6s on it. But that is not all this airplane had. 

In addition to the turbine modification it carried a 12.3mm machine gun which could be aimed and operated with infra red images as targets.  This was a drug cartel fighting aircraft operated by the Columbian government.

Unfortunately a Columbian policeman packed his undies with a grenade, thinking nothing would go wrong.  Well, as the old rule states "Anything that can go wrong WILL go wrong".  And that is exactly what happened.

While taxiing out for takeoff the grenade exploded, tearing this beautiful aircraft in half and injuring 8 people.  What an idiot!

Best advice - leave your grenades at home.

Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!

JetAviator7

Death is just nature's way of telling you to watch your airspeed. — Anon

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