Archives for December, 2006
Maryland museum works to acquire Martin Mars aircraft
Wednesday, December 27th, 2006
The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum has announced it is working to acquire one of the two remaining Martin Mars seaplanes from TimberWest Forest Corporation in British Columbia, Canada, and bring the aircraft back home to Middle River, Maryland, where the planes were manufactured between 1941 and 1945 at the Glenn L. Martin Company. The planes have been serving as water-bombers, fighting forest fires in the Northwest. The Mars aircraft are in excellent, airworthy, condition after more than 60 years of flying.
First Flight Made in New Class of Hot Air Blimp
Friday, December 15th, 2006
The Airship Alberto, prototype of an entirely new class of personal aircraft, made its historic first flight on October 27, 2006 in Amherst, MA. Designed and built by Skyacht Aircraft, Inc., Alberto is a hot air blimp, or airship, with a patented rigid, but foldable, structural frame. Unlike conventional blimps which use helium, the Personal Blimp is filled with hot air. Hot air is less expensive, easier to control, and allows the blimp to be deflated between flights.
F-35 Lightning II Completes First Flight
Friday, December 15th, 2006
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II lifted into the skies today for the first time, completing a successful inaugural flight and initiating the most comprehensive flight test program in military aviation history. The first F-35 Lightning II flew for the first time on Friday, Dec. 15. The plane is shown climbing out shortly after takeoff from Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. The stealthy, multi-service F-35 is the most powerful single-engine fighter in history, and is designed to replace the F-16, F/A-18 Hornet, the Harrier and the A-10.
Airbus A380 receives joint EASA & FAA Type Certification
Tuesday, December 12th, 2006
The world’s largest commercial airliner, the 555-seat Airbus A380, has received joint European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification on 12th December 2006. The certified aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.
New UH-72A Light Utility Helicopters delivered to U.S. Army
Monday, December 11th, 2006
EADS North America officially delivered the U.S. Army’s first UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter today, marking the beginning of this major defense program with a requirement for up to 322 rotary-wing aircraft and a potential total life-cycle value of over $2 billion. The initial UH-72A was received by the Army during a delivery and naming ceremony in Columbus, Mississippi, where the twin-engine helicopter will be produced.
Next generation A-10C Thunderbolt II arrives at Davis-Monthan
Saturday, December 2nd, 2006
The A-10C Thunderbolt II made its official roll-out debut here Nov. 29, revealing its transformation and its enhanced capabilities under the Precision Engagement program. The Precision Engagement program will offer the A-10 the most significant modifications it has ever received in its 30-year history, making it a more capable and survivable attack fighter, according to Maj. Dan Walls, 355th Training Squadron director of conversion training unit operations.