The cannons keeping airplanes safe, one chicken at a time
Canada's National Research Council has an armory of compressed air cannons to test aircraft components - using aerospace-grade poultry as ammunition.
Aerial ballet: How airplanes fill up with fuel mid-air
Aerial refueling is a standard operation, but a challenging and critical one, for air forces around the world. It has become a force multiplier -- boosting range and ability -- in mission planning and execution.
How Satellite-Based Aircraft Tracking Will Revolutionize Flying
Aireon, the newly operational space-based aircraft tracking network could be the most important development in locating planes since radar was invented in World War II.
Meet Janet, the Most Mysterious Airline in the World
"Janet" is a callsign shrouded in mystery, for an airline that really isn’t an airline, with a fleet that bears no logos, based in plain sight at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport.
Inside Air Canada’s cloud-surfing photo shoot
"This is not an ordinary flight," says veteran Air Canada Captain Dave Butler. "We're going to have some fun today." Air Canada had taken a 787 Dreamliner out of normal operation to be an actual runway model for its new corporate rebrand during a complex two-day photo shoot. The final product is pure glamor, but the meticulous creation is a side of the airline industry few get to see.
Awesome Prototype Planes: 1949 to 2017
Aircraft manufacturers have produced some magnificent planes throughout aviation's history, and while many have ruled the skies, some have barely left the ground. In fact, there have been a number of fascinating aviation projects that were canceled for political, financial and technical reasons. On some occasions, designers just came up against the inexorable march of technological advancement, having built the wrong plane for the times.
Cult Carpet
You just never know how it’s going to turn out when you open yourself up to the universe. Especially if the center of your universe happens to be Portland. The one in Oregon, on the U.S. West Coast, famous for food trucks, hipsters, roses, museums, rampant creativity, and its “Keep Portland Weird” sign. A city that’s lovingly satirized by the absurdly witty TV show Portlandia. A very different place. Right, the universe. Well, just like those of us who have lived in our homes for more than 20 years, the good folks at Portland International Airport (PDX) and the Port of Portland decided it was time to replace the carpet in their terminals.
Hello, Goodbye – The Last Boeing 747-400D
In Japan, April 1 is most certainly not April Fools’ Day. April 1 is actually the start of the financial year for Japanese companies. And along with this fiscal reset, April 1 is the day that groups of recent graduates begin their careers with a new company, a loyal relationship that may very well be life-long. This unique recruitment culture is called Shinsotsu.