Woolpert’s Post

Hey everyone, check out this insightful article about the latest happenings in the aircraft industry! The Farnborough airshow has been a hot spot for industry leaders to discuss the current supply chain challenges. It's a fascinating read and sheds light on the high-flying world of aviation. #AircraftIndustry #FarnboroughAirshow #SupplyChainChallenges https://ift.tt/Qu5Lbvg

Many are not aware that Air France's first few Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde aircraft were delivered in the airline's pre-1976 livery. Variations of this earlier color scheme had been used for decades by the French flag carrier. It was replaced by what could legitimately be called the very first "Euro-white" look. This is the design the company still uses, in slightly modified form, today. F-BTSC is seen here in the old livery, having been photographed in early 1976 at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Sadly is was -BTSC which became the first, and only, Concorde to be involved in a fatal crash (in the year 2000 on departure from this very airport). After a long grounding for safety modifications the Anglo-French supersonic transports were returned to service with Air France and British Airways in 2001. The type was then permanently grounded in 2003 due largely to continuing very low load factors during the worldwide air traffic downturn in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington D.C. Interested in legendary Pan Am? Check out my new Tuesday and Friday posts for the Pan Am Historical Foundation at: https://lnkd.in/eJ_ES-RF. My latest post-link: Boeing 747-121 N748PA "Clipper Crest of the Wave" (originally "Hornet") at Chicago O'Hare Airport. Would you be willing to contribute to help me continue creating these free daily educational airline-history posts (over 1,350 since 2017, and counting)? If so please go to: https://lnkd.in/ebnx6r7U. Any size gift is much appreciated and can be anonymous if you prefer. #aviation #aviationhistory #aircraft #airplanes #airlines #airlinehistory #airlinesandairplanes #civilaviation #aerospatiale #britishaircraftcorporation #bac #concorde #airfrance #airfranceklm #charlesdegaulleairport #cdg (Please note there is no trade connection between The Commercial Aviation History Consultancy and the owner of the webpage, and associated image, to which this photo-link will take you.) Airliners.net link, Photo by Jean-François Denis

Midlands airshow last weekend marked what appeared to be a significant shifting of attitudes, at least in some respects, towards the inclusion of vintage jets in UK air displays. For the first time since I can remember we had two swept-wing participants - the Saab Draken and the Folland Gnat - the former doing (what I believe was) its first full (albeit non-aerobatic) show for a supersonically-capable jet in UK skies since the fateful Hunter tragedy at Shoreham. These were joined by a third jet act, the JP3, with the trio representing a significant part of aviation history post-piston power. Well done to all involved for ensuring a safe show was enjoyed by all. However, it saddens me that the two British participants are privately funded and receive no national support to keep integral elements of UK aviation heritage airborne; with the RAF showing no support to historic jets since the sad demise of the Vintage Pair in 1986. Meanwhile, Sweden's efforts to keep elements from across its aviation spectrum alive far outshine our own non-existent jet support. I understand maintenance issues are significant (not forgetting that our own privately-owned Vampire was, through no fault of its UK team, unable to appear due to ongoing serviceability issues). Certainly, compounded with an apparently ever-increasing risk-averse culture, I doubt we will see jet types receiving the sort of government support that could enable them to keep flying safely for years to come. It's still a shame, however.

Did anybody manage to get over to Southport for the airshow this weekend? Anybody going to Farnborough? What about RIAT? Our CEO Jerrod Hartley has featured in the Aerospace Magazine Farnborough Edition, and it's well worth a read if you have a bit of time, and although he won't be in personal attendance at Farnborough, he will be down in Fairford for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT 2024) at the end of the week. https://lnkd.in/ek-UQhJK An airshow is a great opportunity to stand back and appreciate why we do what we do. Seeing these great machines in action is impressive, but also an opportunity for reflection. It wasn't really that long ago since Wilbur and Orville Wright created the first successful heavier than air flying machine, the Wright Flyer, in 1903, where it achieved a powered flight of 59 seconds covering a distance of 259 metres. It's incredible how far we've come in a relatively short space of time, with modern aircraft with incredible safety and performance profiles. Take the Eurofighter Typhoon for example, which entered service way back in 2003, with some mightily impressive stats: Top speed - Mach 2.0 (approx. 1,550 mph) Ceiling - 55,000 feet Climb Rate - 0 to 36,000 feet in under 90 seconds Acceleration - subsonic to Mach 1.5 in under 30 seconds Thrust - 40,000 lb (equivalent to the weight of over 13 VW Golfs) So, here's to all the hard work, dedication, creative thinking, and human ingenuity that have driven our progress over the past several hundred years. Let's also toast to the future, where we will continue to push boundaries and overcome new challenges with the same dedication and vigour. While the challenges of the future may differ from those of the past, our approach remains steadfast and committed to innovation and excellence. What's your favourite aircraft and why?

History of Commercial Airplanes! The history of commercial airplanes is filled with remarkable milestones, from the first flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 to the development of the first jet airliner by the 1950s. We've witnessed groundbreaking achievements like the first scheduled flight in 1914, Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight in 1927, and the introduction of the Boeing 707 in 1957. Not to forget notable events such as Amelia Earhart's solo Atlantic flight in 1932 and the Concorde's first commercial flight in 1970. Fast forward to the present, with the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 revolutionizing air travel in the 2000s. As we look ahead, exciting prospects await, with the return of mainstream supersonic travel on the horizon. The future promises new milestones and innovations as we continue to push the boundaries of aviation. #AviationHistory #Innovation #FutureOfFlight

Today marks 97 years since a remarkable achievement in aviation history. On 20 May, at 7:40 AM local time, Charles Lindbergh embarked on the first-ever solo non-stop transatlantic flight! ✈️🌍 Charles had prepared for this feat well in advance. Just a day before, he conducted a trial eight-hour flight from San Diego to Saint Louis. The following day, he took off in the Spirit of St. Louis, a plane funded by sponsors, from the now-defunct Roosevelt Airfield in Garden City (Long Island, New York). His journey to Paris took an impressive 33.5 hours. For his achievement, he was awarded the Legion of Honour by French President Gaston Doumergue and was received at Buckingham Palace by King George V of Great Britain. In the USA, President Calvin Coolidge honoured Lindbergh with the Distinguished Flying Cross and appointed him a colonel in the Air Force. 🏅👑 Today, solo flights in piston aircraft over such long distances remain a remarkable achievement and the fulfilment of many people's dreams. However, as many as 2,000-3,000 jets cross "the pond" daily. The Atlantic Ocean is divided into six zones known as Oceanic Control Areas (OCA) and the management of oceanic traffic is almost a separate industry. The rise of stallite navigation and modern ways of tracking the position of aircraft as well as communicating between pilots and Air Traffic Control (CPDLC - Controller Pilot Data Link Communications and ADS - Automatic Dependent Surveillance) make it much easier today, but the need to safely separate such huge amounts of traffic with no radar or VHF-radio coverage, and the fact that aicraft fly so far away from any airport, still make the Atlantic Ocean a very special place for aviation. 🌍✈️ #CharlesLindbergh #AviationHistory #SpiritOfStLouis #TransatlanticFlight #ShanwickOCA #AviationLegends

✈ The first commercial passenger flight took place on 1st January 1914 between St. Petersburg and Tampa in Florida. The aircraft, a Benoist XIV piloted by Tony Jannus, carried a single passenger – Abram C. Pheil, the mayor of St. Petersburg. The flight lasted 23 minutes, covering 34 kilometres across Tampa Bay. 💸 The ticket for this flight was auctioned for $400, equivalent to over $10,000 today! This flight was groundbreaking, as it was organised by the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line, the first regularly scheduled airline offering public transport. Up until then, aircraft flights were predominantly military, experimental, or private endeavours. 🚀 Since then, commercial aviation has continued to evolve, connecting people across the globe. Bartolini Air is proud to be part of this dynamic industry, offering training for the best pilots across Europe, preparing them for the challenges of the aviation world. #History #Aviation #Travel #Technology #BartoliniAir #AviationHistory #Airlines #AviationPioneers #Flying #PilotTraining #AirTravel #Innovation #FloridaHistory

Hey everyone, check out this insightful article from The Guardian about the Farnborough airshow and how the aircraft industry is navigating supply chain challenges. It's a great read for anyone interested in the aviation sector! #aviationindustry #supplychainturbulence #Farnboroughairshow https://ift.tt/Qu5Lbvg

From aerospace to bearings on airplanes to glass and ceilings in airports, Saint-Gobain is everywhere! In honor of #NationalAviationDay we are highlighting just some of the ways we are part of the aviation industry.