Search found 10220 matches

by Max Q
Tue Apr 16, 2024 3:46 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: US military fleet retirement dates
Replies: 8
Views: 488

Re: US military fleet retirement dates

https://dayton247now.com/news/local/kc- ... collection



Thanks for that but what a shame, these aircraft should be airborne, not in a museum
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zanl188 wrote:
Max Q wrote:
Isn’t the KC10 already retired ?


In the process of being drawn down.

US Air Force Museum got one today:

https://dayton247now.com/news/local/kc- ... collection



Thanks for that but what a shame, these aircraft should be airborne, not in a museum

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:48 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: US military fleet retirement dates
Replies: 8
Views: 488

Re: US military fleet retirement dates

Isn’t the KC10 already retired ?

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:46 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options
Replies: 20
Views: 1510

Re: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options

-7 powered 727-200s must have been real slugs at 172000lbs At Continental we had -9 powered -200s with a MGTOW of 172500 and they were hardly overpowered Our -15 powered aircraft had a MGTOW of 190,500, they were good performers I still cringe when I read about -7 powered -200’s :knockout: Yes inst...

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:45 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options
Replies: 20
Views: 1510

Re: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options

-7 powered 727-200s must have been real slugs at 172000lbs At Continental we had -9 powered -200s with a MGTOW of 172500 and they were hardly overpowered Our -15 powered aircraft had a MGTOW of 190,500, they were good performers There were two or three -17 powered 727-200s at Air Mic in GUM. Seems ...

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:41 am
Forum: Helicopter Discussion Forum
Topic: AW 609 update ?
Replies: 2
Views: 169

Re: AW 609 update ?

It sure will. It took time to define the certification requirements as a brand new (and first) tiltrotor in the commercial area, probably like the Bell 525 with the FBW. It still has advantages over conventional architectures as being able to fly higher, above certain mountains for example, and sur...

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:37 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Wife and Husband Flight Crew
Replies: 16
Views: 886

Re: Wife and Husband Flight Crew

I actually think I'd prefer a married couple as a crew. They manage CRM at home, which makes a flight deck a breeze. Hmmm Have you ever been married?! Yes. And divorced. The same issues don't translate to flying. The positive aspects of relationships tend to - including both self preservation and k...

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by Max Q
Mon Apr 15, 2024 3:21 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Wife and Husband Flight Crew
Replies: 16
Views: 886

Re: Wife and Husband Flight Crew

On an AA flight a few weeks ago I was surprised when the FO made the preflight announcement and stated that the captain was his wife. I was surprised because I would have thought that people in intimate relationships wouldn't be allowed to fly together. I would think that if a couple had an argumen...

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by Max Q
Sun Apr 14, 2024 10:51 pm
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: wavy line on airbus wings
Replies: 14
Views: 805

Re: wavy line on airbus wings

On the trapezoidal skin section between the flaps, where the yehudi ends, on many A319s and A321s, what is the purpose of the distinctive wavy line where the skin thickness apparently increase, towards the rear of the section? To affect the boundary layer separation? To avoid fluttering of that thi...

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by Max Q
Sun Apr 14, 2024 3:54 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: wavy line on airbus wings
Replies: 14
Views: 805

Re: wavy line on airbus wings

On the trapezoidal skin section between the flaps, where the yehudi ends, on many A319s and A321s, what is the purpose of the distinctive wavy line where the skin thickness apparently increase, towards the rear of the section? To affect the boundary layer separation? To avoid fluttering of that thi...

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by Max Q
Sat Apr 13, 2024 6:38 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Wife and Husband Flight Crew
Replies: 16
Views: 886

Re: Wife and Husband Flight Crew

We had a married couple that flew together at Continental on the MD80, she was the Captain, I rode jumpseat with them a few times, very professional

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by Max Q
Wed Apr 10, 2024 1:38 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics
Replies: 24
Views: 860

Re: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics

DanT96 wrote:
eta unknown wrote:
IIRC QF flew the 743 SYD-LAX heavily load restricted for a brief time.


Could it do LAX-SYD nonstop though?



Yes, with no payload

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by Max Q
Sun Apr 07, 2024 10:41 pm
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics
Replies: 24
Views: 860

Re: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics

I remember seeing JA8102 at LHR around 88-90 so she must been either on a LHR-SVO-NRT or LHR-ANC-NRT flight. CX stopped in BAH from LGW OP didn't say anything about stops, BA flew 100s to Australia. .NA is pictured at SYD as late as 88 on here, in the days when multi-stops were order of the day. PA...

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by Max Q
Sun Apr 07, 2024 10:37 pm
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics
Replies: 24
Views: 860

Re: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics

As far as I know, the 747-300 had the same maximum take-off weight as the 747-200, but was also heavier because of the stretched upper deck, which limited its range, which was why it sold poorly. The 747-400 came along not too long after. That’s correct, there were some Classics built with -400 eng...

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by Max Q
Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:36 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics
Replies: 24
Views: 860

Re: Longest passenger flights for 747 Classics

The B743 had a slightly higher MTOW than the B742, but only the final 8-10 B743’s were built with the 747-400 wings, engines, composites, and extra weight. They still had 3 pilots, and were flown by AI, TG, and RG. As far as I know, the 747-300 had the same maximum take-off weight as the 747-200, b...

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by Max Q
Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:28 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: A340-600 vs A350-1000 Boogies
Replies: 11
Views: 2010

Re: A340-600 vs A350-1000 Boogies

What’s interesting is the wheels on the rear bogie of the A350-1000 do not steer like those on all versions of the 777, with such a long aircraft you’d expect Airbus to incorporate that feature Indeed. It does affect tyre and landing gear wear. AFAIK the decision to not make them steerable was base...

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by Max Q
Sat Apr 06, 2024 4:37 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: F-35 now and then
Replies: 99
Views: 3629

Re: F-35 now and then

There would be far less controversy over the F35s unsuitability as a fighter if it hadn’t ‘magically’ had to fill in for the hundreds of F22s that were cancelled


I don’t think it would ever have been promoted as anything but a strike aircraft if the USAF hadn’t had their F22 plans eviscerated

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by Max Q
Sat Apr 06, 2024 4:27 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: A340-600 vs A350-1000 Boogies
Replies: 11
Views: 2010

Re: A340-600 vs A350-1000 Boogies

What’s interesting is the wheels on the rear bogie of the A350-1000 do not steer like those on all versions of the 777, with such a long aircraft you’d expect Airbus to incorporate that feature

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by Max Q
Sat Apr 06, 2024 1:23 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options
Replies: 20
Views: 1510

Re: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options

At EA we had -9 and -15 722s; the -9s were “lead sleds”. A friend flew a Valsan conversion, a rocket up when the wing ran out of lift. I imagine those Valsan Conversions were very nice, there’s a couple still flying in the UK including the last one built previously owned by FedEx They are fitted ou...

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by Max Q
Sat Apr 06, 2024 1:20 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options
Replies: 20
Views: 1510

Re: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options

I happen to have an old UA 727 manual and for their 727-200’s there were 3 versions listed in this edition: 727-200 Stretch MTOW 172.0 (JT8D-7B) 727-200 Advanced Primary MTOW 172.0 (JT8D-15) 727-200 Advanced Alternate Config II MTOW 190.5 (JT8D-15) I’m not an expert on their configurations, so I am...

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by Max Q
Sat Apr 06, 2024 1:16 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options
Replies: 20
Views: 1510

Re: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options

N1120A wrote:
Flying a non -15 727-200 on a hot day at Stapleton must have been a challenge.



Did plenty of that in -9 powered 200s, good view of both ends of the runway

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by Max Q
Fri Apr 05, 2024 3:15 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options
Replies: 20
Views: 1510

Re: United Airlines 727-222 gross weight options

-7 powered 727-200s must have been real slugs at 172000lbs

At Continental we had -9 powered -200s with a MGTOW of 172500 and they were hardly overpowered

Our -15 powered aircraft had a MGTOW of 190,500, they were good performers

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by Max Q
Fri Apr 05, 2024 3:10 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Larger airports without jetways/ small ones with….
Replies: 11
Views: 546

Re: Larger airports without jetways/ small ones with….

In the old days (late 60s.70s) there were no jetways in the Florida out stations, captains would point out the good looking girls walking across the ramp. Young FOs would only get narration. I flew with those FOs, now captains, complaining about jetways taking away the view. Times change Funny, Dou...

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by Max Q
Thu Apr 04, 2024 10:10 pm
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: Cathay’s 777-300s flying?
Replies: 6
Views: 2794

Cathay’s 777-300s flying?

Does Cathay still operate all its original 777-300 non ER aircraft with the RR engines ?

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by Max Q
Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:59 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Your favorite approach
Replies: 53
Views: 2290

Re: Your favorite approach

Just a quick memory among thousands. Approaching FCO on a very rainy morning after an all night flight from EWR the clouds parted momentarily to show an incredible view of the Vatican, seconds later we couldn’t see a thing, a snapshot in time

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by Max Q
Wed Apr 03, 2024 5:43 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: F-35 now and then
Replies: 99
Views: 3629

Re: F-35 now and then

Since the design was completely compromised for the STOVL mission enormously increasing its weight, drag and crippling its acceleration, top speed and maneuverability the B model should have been the only one produced, it’s a good Harrier replacement The Air Force and Navy would have been far better...

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by Max Q
Wed Apr 03, 2024 5:35 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Your favorite approach
Replies: 53
Views: 2290

Re: Your favorite approach

I can't point to any one approach, but I have a few I really enjoy. HKG ILS 25R with RNAV transition on a clear day. A challenging approach given the terrain, the speed constraints, the slightly steeper glideslope, and the typical turbulence making the speed dance around. Amazing views of the high ...

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 02, 2024 6:20 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: NASA DC-8-72, almost last flight?
Replies: 14
Views: 1526

Re: NASA DC-8-72, almost last flight?

I’ve never seen a DC8 as immaculate as NASA’s, along with their SOFIA 747SP it’s a shame to see them go

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by Max Q
Tue Apr 02, 2024 6:11 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Engine body moves around crankshaft?
Replies: 8
Views: 2124

Re: Engine body moves around crankshaft?

WesternDC6B wrote:
mga707 wrote:
AA737-823 wrote:
The so-called "rotary radial."
Because what you really want is a giant metal gyroscope out front!


Spewing castor oil (lubricant) all over you, the pilot!


The side effect was perfect digestive processes. <-- using a polite term



Have you read Derek Robinson ?

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by Max Q
Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:33 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: United Airlines Fleet Discussion - 2024
Replies: 1222
Views: 188376

Re: United Airlines Fleet Discussion - 2024

If there’s one category of aircraft UA is short on its large capacity types on international service, I think they could easily double their 77W fleet


I believe an order for the 779 would work very well

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by Max Q
Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:28 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Your favorite approach
Replies: 53
Views: 2290

Re: Your favorite approach

The river visual to the southerly runway at DCA was challenging but very enjoyable, especially in the 727

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by Max Q
Mon Apr 01, 2024 1:26 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: How was Alitalia in the 2000s
Replies: 13
Views: 706

Re: How was Alitalia in the 2000s

I remember buying a fully refundable ticket on Alitalia I didn’t use, took over a year to get my money back!

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by Max Q
Sun Mar 31, 2024 4:54 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: How was Alitalia in the 2000s
Replies: 13
Views: 706

Re: How bad was Alitalia in the 2000s

Between Cranky Flier dubbing it "The Worst Airline Ever" and a website literally titled Alitaliasucks.com, how bad was Alitalia really by the 2000s (in terms of service quality, public perception, financials, etc)? Alitalia's was profitable in 1997 and that was pretty much it. In the earl...

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by Max Q
Sun Mar 31, 2024 1:28 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Your favorite approach
Replies: 53
Views: 2290

Re: Your favorite approach

Runway 27 into SAN is both an incredible view, from both sides, and not nearly as hard to fly as many make it out to be. Just use what you have to slow the airplane down. It's also nice to know I'm home. The arrival and approach from the north into MEX is also quite impressive. Agree with everythin...

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by Max Q
Sat Mar 30, 2024 4:14 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Your favorite approach
Replies: 53
Views: 2290

Re: Your favorite approach

IGS 13 Kai Tak Right downwind slam dunk to 8L at HNL All approaches to LAX and SFO, loved the challenge and the views Rwy 27 at SAN, great view 22L circle to land 29 at EWR All approaches to all runways at Rio De Janeiro, spectacular Same with arriving into Milan and Rome Slam dunk high right downwi...

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by Max Q
Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:23 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: Same model fighters now vs 1994
Replies: 6
Views: 571

Re: Same model fighters now vs 1994

No one has answered the question yet !

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by Max Q
Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:47 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: United Airlines Network - 2024
Replies: 1216
Views: 165630

Re: United Airlines Network - 2024

Another runway repaving project at EWR, not sure on the start date. https://www.nj.com/news/2024/03/get-ready-for-a-smoother-landing-newark-airports-busiest-runway-is-getting-repaved.html I wish during the pandemic the Port Authority took the initiative and replaced one of EWR's runway with concret...

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by Max Q
Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:33 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: No APU on taxi in
Replies: 50
Views: 3012

Re: No APU on taxi in

The 757 was incredible, you could park it on the ramp in Las Vegas unpowered for hours in the summertime, cabin temperatures would go over 150F Get on the aircraft, start the APU, turn on the packs you could cool it down to 75F in 20 minutes Until I flew that aircraft I’d never experienced one you c...

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by Max Q
Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:26 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Are commercial airline pilots the highest paid profession in the USA?
Replies: 68
Views: 4165

Re: Are commercial airline pilots the highest paid profession in the USA?

Or, as an old friend did with a UA DC-8, fly Seattle to NY at F190. In the pre-fuel crisis days, it was noticed. Asked by his CP why he flew at F190 answered, “I didn’t want get out all those low altitude charts”. Familiar, we had pilots who would partially extend the speed brakes for the entire fl...

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by Max Q
Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:22 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device
Replies: 25
Views: 2398

Re: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device

Everything I have read over the years states that the mere design of the 777-200ER/300 wing made winglets unnecessary or at least not worth the additional weight nor cost. The wing performs quite well and gives off little vortex. And I'm glad about that. I still like the looks of a good ol' fashion...

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by Max Q
Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:20 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device
Replies: 25
Views: 2398

Re: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device

Dassault spent years bragging at every sales opportunity, every trade show that winglets weren’t necessary on their perfect wing. Years on, they tested winglets and found even their wing, perfect for donkey’s years, benefitted. It’s just a shame they ruin the Falcon’s incredible good looks They do,...

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by Max Q
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:02 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Widebodies with ‘human rated’ lower galley elevators flying today ?
Replies: 14
Views: 1326

Re: Widebodies with ‘human rated’ lower galley elevators flying today ?

I was in the Navy, on leave and going out west to visit family. I noticed the elevators, and in those great times before Karens and overdone security, I was put in one of the elevators and sent below-decks to see the galley operation on an L-1011. It was of course fascinating to me, being the tech ...

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by Max Q
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:41 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device
Replies: 25
Views: 2398

Re: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device

GalaxyFlyer wrote:
Dassault spent years bragging at every sales opportunity, every trade show that winglets weren’t necessary on their perfect wing. Years on, they tested winglets and found even their wing, perfect for donkey’s years, benefitted.




It’s just a shame they ruin the Falcon’s incredible good looks

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by Max Q
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:37 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Are commercial airline pilots the highest paid profession in the USA?
Replies: 68
Views: 4165

Re: Are commercial airline pilots the highest paid profession in the USA?

Are commercial airline pilots the highest paid profession in the US? I would say no, but that depends on a lot of definitions. First of all, how do you define "commercial airline pilot"? If, like much of the uninformed public, you only count the Big 3 as "real" airline pilots*, ...

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by Max Q
Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:56 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: No APU on taxi in
Replies: 50
Views: 3012

Re: No APU on taxi in

The 727 APU barely coped with keeping the cabin cool in the summer although much better than the sweat box MD80

It made a big difference if you could connect ground power as the APU always prioritized electrics, once that was off loaded it was far more effective

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by Max Q
Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:49 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device
Replies: 25
Views: 2398

Re: Boeing 777-200/ER Wingtip Device

Everything I have read over the years states that the mere design of the 777-200ER/300 wing made winglets unnecessary or at least not worth the additional weight nor cost. The wing performs quite well and gives off little vortex. And I'm glad about that. I still like the looks of a good ol' fashion...

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by Max Q
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:20 am
Forum: Technical/Operations
Topic: Can Cargo airlines fly above FL410?
Replies: 46
Views: 2724

Re: Can Cargo airlines fly above FL410?

If I remember correctly Concorde could maintain a cabin altitude below 10,000 feet with one cabin window completely gone, not two though ! Pretty sure the 747 can maintain cabin pressure at a safe level with at least one out as well? The broken window becomes the outflow valve, which closes fully. ...

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by Max Q
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:18 am
Forum: Travel, Polls & Preferences
Topic: Airports With Near-Maxed Out Capacity
Replies: 27
Views: 2497

Re: Airports With Near-Maxed Out Capacity

Kai Tak certainly was for many years

Sadly no more

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by Max Q
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:15 am
Forum: Helicopter Discussion Forum
Topic: AW 609 update ?
Replies: 2
Views: 169

AW 609 update ?

Over two decades in development now, will this aircraft ever be certified ?

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by Max Q
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:11 am
Forum: Military Aviation & Space Flight
Topic: Re engining the C17
Replies: 58
Views: 3282

Re: Re engining the C17

Converting the C17 to a twin is never going to happen, it would cost a fortune, you’d basically be designing, engineering and building a new aircraft using some components of the original to end up with a less capable aircraft Its not realistic to do so by stating its unique capabilities haven’t bee...

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by Max Q
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:03 am
Forum: Civil Aviation
Topic: United Airlines Network - 2024
Replies: 1216
Views: 165630

Re: United Airlines Network - 2024

I looked at EWR around the same time in May that IAD upgages, but EWR remains a 77E. I believe EWR-CPT will become the longest scheduled 772 flight by any airline worldwide, a title it's taking away from EWR-DXB. UA currently flies 777-200ERs on SFO - SYD which is a GC distance of 7,417 miles, EWR ...

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