The more important things need money to be rebuilt. Antonov is one of the Ukrainian companies that brought lots of revenue to Ukraine and the AN-225 was one of the big revenue sources. It wouldn’t surprise me if they are building a replacement for the 225 now.

(Written on 12/16/2022)(Permalink)

I believe that those conversions are being done at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

(Written on 12/09/2022)(Permalink)

I can guarantee that the Bluetooth transmitter isn’t the problem since Bluetooth signals are in the industrial frequency band, far away from aviation frequencies. The so called problem is the battery. Yes, lithium batteries can be a potential fire hazard, but, simply using a alkaline button battery will fix the problem. However, I agree with the others on this post that it’s more likely the lost baggage embarrassment for the airlines.

(Written on 11/04/2022)(Permalink)

Unfortunately, because of the way the UN governs itself, allowing one nation to veto the votes in the security council, it will never get its act together.

(Written on 10/07/2022)(Permalink)

Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that the pilot was able to eject.

(Written on 09/16/2022)(Permalink)

It’s not just the airlines. It’s the entire industry. There are personnel shortages in all aspects of airline and airport operations. Folks retired during the pandemic because they could and because of forced personnel reductions and now these folks are not returning. The airlines and all parts of airport operations are having to hire and train new people to do all of those jobs that folks retired from. I was in a different industry, Information Technology, I got a great retirement package and never looked back. Many of these folks got the same and they aren’t looking back.

(Written on 08/26/2022)(Permalink)

Frankly, they have to do something about overbooking. When you have personnel shortages in just about all aspects of your operation, you can’t expect transporting services to support all of those passengers. Frankly, I’m surprised we have heard of a bad crash or some other nasty problem on the airways.

(Written on 08/26/2022)(Permalink)

I saw my first one at Dulles. Even looking from the observation deck that plane looked huge. Sorry to see it go. It certainly was the Queen of the skies.

(Written on 08/26/2022)(Permalink)

Outstanding!!

(Written on 08/05/2022)(Permalink)

Part of the problem is that the AN-124 hauled what can be called specialized cargo. The C-5 and the C-17 hauls some of that. But, most air cargo is flown by UPS and FedEx which tend to use the 747 and DC-10 cargo variants.

(Written on 07/22/2022)(Permalink)