Nov
23
    
Posted (Marianne) in Blog Articles on November-23-2008

A police investigation found that 10 government and airline officials were to blame for Brazil’s worst air disaster, saying they failed to train pilots properly, implement rainy day procedures or fully repair the airport’s drainage system.

TAM Flight 3054, an Airbus A320, landed in driving rain at Sao Paulo’s Congonhas airport in July 2007, speeding down the runway and crashing into a gas station and air cargo building at 109 mph (175 kph).

All 187 people aboard and 12 people on the ground died.

The police report blames government officials for the failure to set stricter rainy-day landing rules for the short runway or to fully repair its drainage system. Airline officials were blamed for poor pilot training.

TAM has said it had allowed planes to fly without a thrust reverser based on government-approved safety measures. It also said it followed Airbus maintenance rules that said the plane was safe to fly.

A separate investigation into the crash is being conducted by Brazil’s Air Force.


 
Nov
21
    
Posted (Aurus) in on November-21-2008

They’re here!

ActionJetz are cute, “younger” versions of well-known military aircraft, such as the A-10 Warthog, B-2 Spirit, F-16 Falcon, and F-18 Hornet.

Each model comes with a secret code card that lets you join the fun and exciting world of ActionJetz! Enter contests, buy items, play games, and fly high in your very own ActionJet!

Get your ActionJetz now this holiday season - the perfect gift for kids and the young at heart alike!


 
Nov
16
    
Posted (Marianne) in on November-16-2008

The international space station’s three crew members Sunday welcomed aboard space shuttle Endeavour’s seven astronauts, who arrived to help install more living areas and upgrade amenities.

The shuttle, which also brought mission specialist Sandra Magnus to replace station flight engineer Greg Chamitoff, had docked with the station just after 5 pm ET about 212 miles above northern India.

While at the station, the astronauts will increase the station’s living space with room for six instead of the current three. They’ll install more places to sleep, another bathroom, a better water system, more exercise equipment and a bigger refrigerator.

Besides Magnus and Ferguson, members of the shuttle crew are pilot Eric Boe and astronauts Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Steve Bowen, Don Petit and Shane Kimbrough.


 
Nov
13
    
Posted (Nina) in Blog Articles on November-13-2008

An F-16 fighter jet was destroyed after it caught fire during takeoff in a runway, U.S military reported. They added that the pilot pulled out of the planned takeoff early Wednesday morning and the fire was extinguished next to the runway at Joint Base Balad Air Base north of Baghdad, Iraq.

The pilot had no apparent injuries but was taken to the Air Force Theater Hospital for evaluation. The F-16 Falcon was assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing.

The military gave no cause for the fire and a safety board will be convened to investigate about the said incident.