News and other tidbits that Chad Cloman finds interesting enough to share
Back in 1956, test pilot Tom Attridge managed to shoot himself down while flying a fighter jet. He fired the bullets during a dive, went beneath them, then flew through them at Mach one as they slowed and their trajectory changed. The damage was bad enough that the plane crashed.
Link: http://www.aerofiles.com/…
(via Neatorama)
Knee Defenders are rubber grips that attach to the arms of an airplane tray table and prevent the person in front of you from reclining the seat, thus giving you more space to breath and move. Especially useful for big or tall people.
Link: http://www.gadgetduck.com/…
(via Lifehacker)
Here are some really neat pictures of the recent eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Brings back memories of Mount St. Helens, although I don’t remember the US shutting down its airspace like Europe has done.
Thanks to Josh for the link.
Link: http://www.boston.com/…
I’ve never put much thought into what it take to repossess commercial airplanes. The linked article is about Nick Popovich and his repo company, Sage-Popovich, Inc. Some of the repossessions require significant planning and a large team of people.
Link: http://www.airspacemag.com/…
(via Neatorama)
When falling great distances, the primary survival mechanism is luck. But don’t forget to clench your butt.
Link: http://www.origin.popularmechanics.com/…
(via Digg)
Airlines have had e-tickets for some time now, but it’s still necessary to get a printed boarding pass. Well, even that is on the way out. My friend Josh sent this screen print of his iPhone. It’s a “mobile boarding pass,” and the airline accepts it from the phone display.
The linked video footage shows the path of the airplane that veered off the runway and burst into flames on Saturday. Note the building that it narrowly missed—which happens to be a fire station. Apparently the quick fire response was a significant factor in everyone safely exiting the burning plane.
Link: http://www.truveo.com/…
Here’s a way to get a two-for-one deal on airline seats. It appears that Canada officially considers obesity to be a disability.
Thanks to Josh for this topic.
Link: http://www.reuters.com/…
A woman got belligerent and physically violent on a JetBlue flight, causing it to be diverted so she could be de-planed and arrested. She claims that she was in an alcohol-induced blackout and doesn’t remember the incident.
Link: http://www.examiner.com/…
(via The Consumerist)
Let’s see… a long flight, a bored computer hacker. Yup, it’s going to happen.
Link: http://www.wired.com/…
(via Engadget)
Smokers rejoice! Starting Aug. 4th, you can take cigarette lighters on an airplane. According to the article, 22,000 lighters are currently confiscated each day by airport security officials.
Link: http://consumerist.com/…
PayPal—it’s not just for eBay anymore.
Link: http://money.cnn.com/…
