RobiNZ Personal Blog

Dog walking, plane watching

I often walk Alfie around Waikumete Cemetery and aircraft flying over (on approach to Auckland Airport) are not uncommon. Today was different as it was an Air New Zealand 787-9 but much lower than normal and headed West which is rare. May not have noticed before had Aeropex, as was the sound which really got my attention.

The phone wide angle doesn't really convey it, but the altitude, attitude, sound and configuration were 'odd'. Normally aircraft pass over here about 5000-6000 ft heading East before looping around to land into the prevailing westerly wind.

A look at Flightradar24 showed it was recovering from a go-around on an eastern approach. That explains the odd direction and configuration!

Condolences to the crew of Atlas Air Flight 3591

A few weeks ago I ordered two new Flying Spaghetti Monster badges for my car(s). One for the new(er) Abarth and a replacement as a decade of NZ UV had got to the finish on the Bravo one. They were supposed to arrive about a week ago but I suspect may have been lost in a tragic accident.

I was listening to a local aviation podcast on Saturday and they mentioned an Amazon freight aircraft had crashed on a flight from Florida to Houston:

NTSB Takes Lead Investigating Crash of Amazon Air Cargo Plane

A widebody cargo plane hauling packages for Amazon with three people aboard abruptly plunged out of the sky and slammed into a bay Feb. 23 as it was preparing to land in Houston…

I checked the order tracking details and there was nothing after it left a Florida distribution centre before that crash. Given there are direct Houston – NZ flights it’s not unreasonable to think they were headed there.

When I queried the delivery Amazon immediately credited the full cost of the transaction, although they didn't say why, and suggested reordering. They could not just replace the items as the sale was through a third party vendor. They also offered to credit the cost of express shipping on the replacement order which I chose not to take advantage of.

The loss of a couple of bits of metal is nothing, three people lost their lives with untold impact on all those connected to them. It just made me think what a small, strangely connected, world we live in. It’s sad there is no deity, even a noodly one, to influence the fate of that flight. That we may learn from it, and prevent similar incidents in the future, is no compensation for the families and colleagues of those lost.

My condolences to all those lost on Flight 3591. Ramen.

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2019-12-21 Follow up from the preliminary investigation:

'Lord, you have my soul': Panic in cockpit moments before Atlas Air crash – Stuff.co.nz

“Shem Malmquist, a Boeing 777 captain at a different cargo airline and professor of advanced aircraft operations at the Florida Institute of Technology's College of Aeronautics, said based on this preliminary report it looks like the go-around switch was activated inadvertently, and it is possible that the first officer became disoriented.”

A QANTAS solar eclipse?

Cycling, waiting at the Takapuna lights, on a cloudless day…

And it went dark for a split second.

Looked up to see it was a QANTAS solar eclipse!

Around Oahu, Hawaii, by helicopter

When he heard I was going home, from Autodesk University, via Hawaii Shaan recommended a Blue Hawaiian Helicopter flight as a great way to see Oahu. Unfortunately, the pilot he knew (from some Autodesk related work) was not flying the only day I could do the flight, but the one I had was great anyway.

They fly modern Airbus Eco-Star helicopters with great visibility for all passengers but I was lucky to be allocated a front seat beside the pilot. That was a matter of luck as is decided by weight loading as much as anything. The five other passengers were a family (on holiday from Atlanta, Georgia) so they filled the back 4 seats and one beside me.

I love flying, but helicopters feels so different from aircraft. This turbine engine one was smooth, compared to the smaller IC engine type, but there is still that weird ‘hanging in space’ motion as they tilt to get forward motion.

We did a short ‘taxi flight’ along a taxiway before rapidly ascending.

It was a stunning day, Honolulu looked like a postcard picture in 3D!

Diamond Head, a must to visit later on, is so distinctive from any viewpoint.

The pilot recommended visiting Hanauma Bay. He said not to go on a Tuesday as it was ‘closed so the fish could go to school’. I thought he was joking…

Manana Island and Waimanalo Bay, look at that water!

Kailua Bay

Never got a chance to drive the Likelike Highway, but this trip was a good reconnaissance for an upcoming bike ride.

 

Time spent ‘playing’ with Microsoft Flight Simulator meant I knew what most of these were. I liked how the pilot was open to answering questions, obviously had a patter but was happy to deviate from it.

The Kualoa area, a familiar sight from films and TV.

Typical of the small settlements on the North Shore.

Kahana Valley & the coast towards Hauula & Laie. Unfortunately he did a couple of very gentle turns to give us a better view here and ‘Dad” behind me said he was feeling motion sick. I don’t think he actually was but it meant no more aerobatic manoeuvres, even mild ones, for the rest of the trip.

 

Farming and horticulture as we followed the Kamehameha Highway back towards Pearl Harbour. This part of the flight tracks the same approach used by most of the Japanese attack aircraft.

Wheeler Army Airfield had more aircraft on the apron than the entire combined NZ Forces…

Before heading over Pearl Harbour we hopped over the ranges towards Nanakuli.

This basin is home to more Naval bases, including an odd arrangement of spaced out structures which turned out to be ammunition magazines.

We passed some massive communication antenna, hundreds of metres high.

An odd shaped bay, one of three identical, because they were ‘made’ for the resorts beside them…

It felt a bit eerie to fly into Pearl Harbour as had only seen previously on documentaries and movies about that ‘day of infamy’.

Flying over Ford Island towards the Missouri, at the dock, and Arizona Memorial.

Heading back to the airport

The odd layout of the airport is apparent, was a bit of hike to transfer from international to domestic on the way into the US.

And down, a smooth landing to end an awesome flight.

The flight track from Google Maps tracking my phone.

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Long after the flight I was mucking around in Google Earth and lined up this image comparison. Given it doesn’t simulate atmospherics it is remarkable how accurate it appears next to the real thing.

Aviation Overload 2 – Museum of Flight

As mentioned in the previous Aviation Overload post I rented a car to enable me to visit The Museum of Flight after the Boeing Factory tour. I had heard it was good, billed as “the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world!”, but was completely blown away how good it was. The Connie is just a carpark ornament!

The main exhibition hall, the “Great Gallery”, covers all eras of aviation from the Wright Flyer to Jet Aviation, next to it is the Lear Gallery, a significant space flight exhibit.

Every direction you look, more aircraft. Stare a bit longer, see even more aircraft!

Impressed to see both US Apollo and Soviet Soyuz space capsules.

The William E. Boeing Red Barn is the birth place of Boeing and shows how the first aircraft were built and the history of the company.

Great to see some artefacts of people I had read/heard about over the years like test pilot Tex Johnson’s cowboy flight boots. He was famous for both being a superb pilot and antics; most notably barrel rolling the 707 jet prototype in a demonstration flight over Seattle.

The “J. Elroy McCaw Personal Courage Wing” is a bit of an odd name for a stunning and sobering two story display. The first level is dedicated to showing the aircraft and aircrew (flight and support) of the First World War in interactive displays.

 

The upper level is the same theme but focuses on World War Two. The unique lighting is all artificial, deliberately chosen to preserve the delicate uniform, aircraft fabric and document materials in displays from damaging U.V.

The Aviation Pavilion is relatively new, 3 acres of covered outside gallery with about 40 aircraft on display and open to view. While I have stolen this next bit of text from their website, to save me typing a long list, all the photos are mine:

“For the first time, the Museum’s unrivaled collection of large commercial aircraft can be seen in one place. The airliner exhibit includes the world’s only presentation of the first Boeing 727, 737 and 747 jets, the first jet Air Force One, the extremely rare Boeing 247D and Douglas DC-2 airliners from the 1930s, the only Concorde on the West Coast, and the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The military line-up includes three big bombers—World War Two’s B-17F Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress, and the Cold War’s B-47 Stratojet; plus jet fighters spanning the wars from Korea to the Persian Gulf.”

 

The history of commercial aviation, including the first Boeing 747 and 787, in a photo.

The first Air Force One jet, a Boeing 707.

Oh, and inside a Space Shuttle mock-up.

While the Boeing Factory was awesome to see, this was a stunning way to follow it up. So glad I got that car!

Aviation Overload 1 – Boeing

I don’t remember precisely when I was given this book but, judging from the 1973 publication date, it was probably some time in 1974.

It was, is, a comprehensive guide to the (then) history, current production (70s) and possible future (about the mid 80s-2000s!) of Jet Aircraft. The ‘future’ predicted then included vertical take-off domestic flights from city centre airports and supersonic/hypersonic international flights. If only!

In addition to aircraft and airports it featured lots of pictures of aircraft being designed and built. I found it fascinating, even obscure technical topics like navigation and approach systems which it covers in a surprising level of detail.

I would have bet the Boeing factory was in there but, although their aircraft feature prominently, the assembly pictures are all from McDonnell Douglas, Airbus or BAC! Nonetheless, decades later… the eight year old who read that book was not going to miss his only chance to see a US commercial aircraft plant.

Getting there, my first drive in the USA!

The Boeing Factory is about 40km North of the city, where I was staying, but I also wanted to visit the, completely independent, Museum of Flight which is about about 15km South.

Although there were a tours for both the Hotel concierge recommended renting a car as better (and cheaper) option.

I’ve cycled in the USA, so ridden on the ‘wrong side’, but never driven there before. Although I would have liked to try the Mustang I parked next to in the Boeing carpark (below) it was probably better my rental was the rather staid Nissan Sentra, no longer sold new in NZ, beside it.

It was fine, if forgettable, and certainly economical enough. They were rather generous reading the current fuel level on collection, it was nearer half than the quarter tank noted, so after about 100km I didn’t get billed for gas even though I didn’t add any.

I found adapting to ‘wrong’ side driving fine. Having HERE maps (my preference because they use off-line data) phone GPS and voice directions helped immensely. Suspect I was the only one on the road being told about motorway exits (thanks to ‘British’ voice) and turn distances in metres/kilometres but I found it easier to relate to them irrespective of the miles on signs! The HERE speed limit warnings also worked flawlessly, no tickets!

By the end of the day I was glad to have taken this option. The flexibility of not being locked into tour time restrictions was great.

Future of Flight & Boeing Tour

The Future of Flight Foundation (non-profit) run the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Factory Tours. Their Center has a theatre (for a short intro film to Boeing Tour), store, café, roof top observation deck and an exhibition space. It contains some small aircraft, aircraft components (and part fuselages), engines, a Space Station module and educational displays on aircraft production. From there you jump on a bus around the Paine Field Airport airside perimeter to the Boeing factory itself.

Boeing Factory Tour

Photos don’t really convey the scale of the place but I worked out the Everett Assembly Building alone (399,480 m²) is about the same area as all The Warehouse Stores in New Zealand or forty Rugby stadium fields. It is the largest building in the world by volume.

Unfortunately they don’t allow photos on the airfield tour bus or inside so only have a few of the outside. Although the pace is regimented, due to security, you do get a good view during the tour, from walkways above the factory floor, and plenty of time to take it all in.

The scale of the place and complexity of the assembly jigs was impressive. The engineering of the production process is as impressive as the final product.

We saw 777, 747-8 freighters and 767 (actually KC-46A Pegasus tankers for US Air Force) being assembled in one bay and 787 in another. The 737 are assembled at other sites. The differences between the old ‘riveted’ metal aircraft and ‘spun’ composite 787 production process is very noticeable.

It was awesome to see; although flying is ‘routine’ the skill, technology and dedication which make it possible is far from that. One thing I didn’t mention; having flown to the US on Hawaiian Airbus A330…

The main Everett assembly factory. The (tiny looking) aircraft parked outside (rh corner) is a 787-9 like Air New Zealand fly.

Paint shops opposite, big paint shops!

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Seattle, Autodesk University 2017 & Hawaii Travel Index

Vale, Capt. John’s final flight

A couple of years ago I wrote about a relatives amazing retirement project. After a lifetime of amateur and professional flying yesterday John made his last flight.

Don’t really know the details yet, beyond what was in the newspaper report, but as with all aircraft related accidents there will be a full investigation. It was a real shock and great loss to his family, friends and the Waikato aviation community.

Vale Captain John, OLFLYA, you’ll be missed.

Below: John in command of a Cessna Crusader twin between Matamata & Hamilton. I took this from the co-pilot seat on a flight where, closely supervised, he let me have a short turn at the controls. The only time, so far at least, I’ve flown an aircraft that wasn’t a computer simulation.

Not sure how long this will be on-line, Stuff Media’s (CHRISTINE CORNEGE / FAIRFAX MEDIA NZ) video of the Funeral

White Island Adventure

At one stage I had considered jetting off to a tropical island this week. It was a turbine engine, albeit in a helicopter, and geothermal, rather than tropical, heat but White Island was an amazing place to visit.

I have seen it on several travel shows and recently heard a great history of the sulphur miners, and their unfortunate demise, on Graeme Hill’s Radio Live show Outsiders with Gerard Hindmarsh - The White Island Tragedy (audio link)

I had rung to see if any flights were happening, but there were no other bookings and a minimum of two. The curse of travelling solo...

Maybe I shouldn't have stopped on top of the hill, Kihi Point overlooking Ohope, to take this photo but I did and it proved to be quite expensive. Looking at a perfect day I decided what the hell... a phone call… next stop the local airport.

Rather indulgent, just Mark (the pilot) & I so make that VERY indulgent, but worth every cent. They say you should buy experiences, not things, and it was an unforgettable one.

Totally recommend http://www.whiteislandvolcano.co.nz

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Take off, look at the day

Heading towards Moutohora (Whale) Island

Whakaari (White) Island looking spectacular. The full Māori name for the island is 'Te Puia o Whakaari', meaning 'The Dramatic Volcano.'

Visiting ‘hell’ on a heavenly day! (photo of me and our Airbus chariot by Mark)

The boat trippers give a good idea of scale, we walked about 1km from the landing spot to the crater lake.

Swimming definitely not recommended…

The sulphur they came to harvest is still being ejected.

View through the remains of the sulphur processing factory, can’t imagine living and working here. Hate to think how the miners died, hope it was quick.

And then it was time to prep for take-off. Mark was great, giving good overview of the history, geology, ecology and for answering my stupid helicopter questions!

Over Whale Island again.

And back to the (impressive new) base.

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Mark mentioned mountain biking… no… I didn’t… wouldn’t… but Kelly McGarry did.

Kelly vs The Volcano: A Memorial film from CoLab Creative on Vimeo.

The American Concordes that never flew

This kid had a scale model of the swing wing Boeing 2707, wish I still did!

BBC - Future - The American Concordes that never flew

It was one of the most ambitious aircraft design projects in history, so what happened to the US plans to master supersonic passenger flight?

The amazing Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown

I've been listening to old BBC Desert Island Discs recently. Heard this one featuring Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown on the way to work this* morning (recorded when he was 95).

Kirsty Young's guest is former Royal Navy test pilot Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown - the programme's 3000th edition.

The Fleet Air Arm's most decorated pilot, his life reads like a handbook in beating the odds.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04nvgq1

Licensing means they cut most the music from the Podcast (leaving 10 second clips) but it was great to hear him recount some of the exploits which determined his choice of music.

Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown flew 487 different types of aircraft, made 2,407 (aircraft carrier) deck landings at sea and 2,721 take-offs, world records unlikely ever to be broken

Then listened to this “The Airside TV Podcast” episode on the way home, mentioning he’d died and a few more of his incredible achievements. What are the odds!

An amazing man, amazing life.

* Feb 26th 2016