Archives for May, 2007
Petro Balabuyev, top designer of world’s biggest aircraft, dead at age 75
Thursday, May 17th, 2007
Petro Balabuyev, a lead designer of the world’s largest aircraft, the An-225, died Thursday, the Antonov aviation design bureau said. He was 75. Balabuyev headed the Kyiv-based bureau for almost 20 years, and was the top designer for many aircraft, including the An-225 and the An-124-100.
The six-engine An-225, which first flew in 1988, is capable of carrying 250 tonnes of cargo for a distance of about 4,500 kilometres. The An-124-100 has a capacity of about 150 tonnes. Both planes are also noted for their ability to land smoothly at poorly equipped airports.
F-117 pioneer test pilot passes away at 70
Saturday, May 5th, 2007
Retired Lt. Col. Robert ‘Bob’ Riedenauer, 70, passed away April 23 at his home in Palmdale, Calif. following a lengthy battle with cancer. Coincidentally, Col. Riedenauer was to have been honored that day by the city with the naming of an F-104 aircraft after him at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Air Force Plant 42.
Walter Schirra, 1923-2007
Thursday, May 3rd, 2007
Wally Schirra, the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, has died. He was 84 years old. Schirra’s NASA career began with his selection as one of the original seven Mercury astronauts in 1959 and spans the period from Americas first tentative steps into space to the missions to the moon.
Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Unveiled
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007
The first Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, being built for the U.S. Navy by prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation, made its first public appearance at rollout ceremonies here today. The E-2D was designed in New York and built in St. Augustine. The new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, in development by Northrop Grumman since 2001 and unveiled on April 30, has been the U.S. Navy’s number one aviation priority. It will make its first flight this summer.