Tanker comparison makes Airbus look huge next to predecessor

Here is a comparison of the new KC-45A (shown as KC-30) against the KC-767 and KC-135. I saw this at globalsecurity.org It goes along with what I said about the comparable capabilities between aircraft. Oh well, I'm sure the Air Force is smart enough to know what it is doing. After all, they are home to the "Everybody Dance Now" Cadet.

Air Force stuns Boeing by awarding tanker contract to Northrop Grumman (Airbus)

After a long, highly controversial, highly political selection process, the US Air Force has chosen the Northrop Grumman/Airbus proposal in the KC-X program for replacement of their aging fleet of KC-135s. The new KC-45A will be a highly modified Airbus A330 that is expected to be built on home turf in Mobile, Alabama. That's their way of making it a "US product". I don't know who they are trying to fool.

The $40 billion project comes as a shock to many as Boeing has been the prime supplier of tanker aircraft for the Air Force for over 50 years. The 179 KC-45A's N.G./Airbus are expected to manufacture will cover the first of three phases required to eventually replace the entire Air Force tanker fleet.

I'm a little shocked by this whole thing. Now I know the Air Force and Boeing were awfully shady the first go around with this, but I always pictured the 767 as a closer match to the 707 as far as capabilities go. The A330 is huge. I would hope the KC-Z program procures some smaller, tactical refuelers.

Heritage File: Super Sabre pilots hang pants out to dry

I always loved the North American F-100 Super Sabre. The "Lead Sled" is by far my favorite Century Series fighter. When I saw this photo from airliners.net, it made me laugh because it reminded me of that scene from Mystery Science Theater 3000 where they said, "Hey, his legs are hanging out!"

New Atlanta terminal promises lots of glass and lost baggage

Officials at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport have unveiled information and photos of the much anticipated new International Terminal as seen from this photo from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The new $1.6 billion terminal, which is scheduled to open in 2011, is being touted for its soaring glass wing design and the fact that international passengers will not have to check their bags twice. So instead of handling your own bag to ensure its status, just give it to one of their many minimum wage porters at the curb side. Why not? Atlanta has no problem with misplacing luggage.

Cathay captain gets canned for low-pass caught on camera

The captain of a brand new Cathay Pacific 777-300ER is looking for a new job now after making a low-pass of the Boeing Everett Plant on departure for the delivery flight back to Hong Kong. I believe this happened about Janurary 30th. Video has now been leaked of the low-pass with some estimates placing the aircraft as low as 28 feet AGL. Apparently the chairman of the airline was on board at the time. Word-to-the-wise, don't do stupid stuff with your boss in the back seat.

GO! pilots hit snooze button, overfly destination

A GO! Airlines flight overshot it's destination in Hawaii earlier in the week and now there are reports that the pilots may have missed it because they were asleep in the cockpit. Both asleep? On a 25 min flight?!?! Where's B!tch!n Betty when you need her?

Video is from MSNBC, home of the aviation expert. "Planes takeoff and they land."

Comrades change drawers after crazy takeoff

How much runway does an IL-76 need for takeoff? Apparently the whole thing. Must be somewhere in England judging by the accents.

CRJ 1000 makes the 757-300 look stubby

These photos from Flightblogger are, I believe, the first known photos of the first CRJ 1000 by Bombardier. I remember when the 900 came out I thought it was too skinny and long. This one is almost obscene. It looks like it could snap in half. Forget the 757-300, it makes the Fairchild Metro look like a widebody.

Malibu turned glider, greases into Aspen

I meant to post this last week.

A Piper Malibu Mirage made an emergency landing into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport last week without a propeller. On about a 8 mile final into the airport, his prop sheared off the crankshaft. The pilot was unaware this happened because his windscreen had been covered in oil from the engine. Pretty dramatic pictures. He's quite lucky.

Swiss goes bouncy bouncy

I've been busy this last week, so I haven't had a chance to post anything new. When I saw this rough landing by a Swiss ARJ, I had to post it. Got to love those London City approaches!

A Note From The Editor

Today's installment of Contact Ground .9 will not be published in honor of the editor's birthday. See you tomorrow.

Captain Dan very friendly and very freaky

Family Airlines Director of Flight Operations, "Captain Dan" gives you the ins and outs of the airline run by a convicted felon running for Congress in Nevada. The ins and outs isn't the only thing he gives you though. I'm not sure when this low budget clip was originally shot, but he is definitely giving me the hi-fi creeps.

Gimli Glider deadsticks into retirement

The infamous Air Canada Boeing 767-200 involved in the Gimli Glider incident has finally glided into retirement under the hot Mojave Desert sun. Air Canada Flight 174 will always be remembered for lessons on fuel starvation, and the quick thinking of it's flight crew, which were able to deadstick the aircraft onto an abonded runway outside Winnepeg. An interesting article on this incident can be found here.

It was also the type of beautiful material perfect for a made-for-TV movie starring one of my favorite actors William Devane. In fact, I think that was how I first remember hearing anything about this as it happened when I was only 2 years old. Sleep tight, Gimli Glider.