Date Posted: 2012-04-04 23:24:33.
Subject: Meiya Air Headquartered in Sanya & Seaplane
Name: samward
Message: On March 26th, Meiya Air headquartered in Sanya & seaplane delivery and order signing ceremony mainly organized by Sanya Municipal People’s Government and CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration, assisted by Meiya Air Co., Ltd. was held in Sanya. Vice Mayor of Sanya Zhou Gaoming participated the ceremony entrusted by Mayor of Sanya Wang Yong. Vice Director of CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration Qin Xisheng, Stationmaster of CAAC Sanya Air Traffic Management Station Lan Jianqiong, Director of CAAC Sanya Safety Oversight Administration An Yingze, Division Chief of GA Department of CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration Feng Hongsheng, Director of Sanya Development and Reform Commission Zhang Li, Director of Financial Bureau of Sanya Xu Huanzhong, Director of Urban Planning Bureau of Sanya Su Jinming, Director of Sanya Resource Bureau of Land and environment Cheng Chunman, Director of Transportation Bureau of Sanya Huang Xinghai, Director of Sanya Marine Fishery Agency Zhang Huazhong, Director of Sanya Maritime Safety Administration Zhang Xipeng, Director of Sanya Land Reserve Center Ji Duanrong, Chairman of Sanya Urban Investment and Development Co., Ltd. Li Wei, International Sales Vice President of Cessna Aircraft Company Bill Harris, and Commercial Officer of American Consulate General Guangzhou Jay Biggs have participated the ceremony.

General Manager of Meiya Air Deng Jun introduced: Meiya Air is a complete GA operation industry chain integrated with the GA policy and tourism resources in Hainan and Sanya. It will drive the subsidiary project constructions. Meiya Air headquarter is composed with four parts as Sanya International Seaplane Center, Meiya Air Industrial Park, Meiya Air Seaplane Operation and Passenger Center and Meiya Air Headquarter Office Building and Living Area. Meiya Air business takes seaplane and amphibian aircraft as main type, combines with major projects such as air tour, air exhibition, flight carnival, aircraft sales, FBO and flight training etc.

In this two Cessna208 aircrafts delivery ceremony, Vice Mayor Zhou Gaoming on behalf of Sanya Government said: the development of Meiya Air program can greatly improve the tourism environment of Sanya and bring social capital. Meanwhile, it can also enhance the high-standard tourism image of Sanya, and increase employment and tax revenue. It will play a dual role to stimulate both the tourism and GA industry in Sanya and Hainan. It will also transfer the land economy of Sanya to marine economy which has innovative significance.

On that day, Meiya Air continued signing the order of 10 aircrafts with the world’s largest GA aircraft manufacturer Cessna. Until 2015, Meiya Air plans to have a fleet of 20 aircrafts in Sanya.

The vice director of CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration Qin Xisheng concluded: as the first seaplane commercial operation project in China, Meiya Air headquartered in Sanya signifies that Sanya made an important step in the development of GA.

Date Posted: 2005-09-07 15:44:23.
Subject: Please identify mystery UK all-grey prop plane
Name:
Message: Please help solve this mystery which has been intriguing me for a long time.

In the summer of 1987 (or thereabouts) I was a student in Durham city, Durham county, UK. One day I was sitting at my desk next to the window working. I was on the top floor of a tall long terrace of houses of three or four stories (I think the street was called Old elvet), which was on the edge of shallow valley so that I was overlooking the meadows towards the river. (Not the very steep valley near the cathedral).

I happened to look up, and was surprised to see a small airplane silently coming in a glide towards me (to be exact it was a little to one side) with the engine switched off. It was about to crash into the terrace of houses, but at literally the last second the engine was switched on and it just managed to hop over the roofs. I had not heard it before, so it may have had the engine turned off for a long time.

The aircraft was unusual. It was painted all over in the same shade of light grey - the same shade as an overcast sky. I presume this was to camoflage it against the sky. I do not remember any identification letters. It also had what I think might be called a rotary engine as I could see the piston cases arranged in a circle around the propellar shaft. The wings were fixed at the roof of the cabin. It was not a Cesna or any modern plane. It looked like something out of the 1930s or 1940s perhaps.

I would like to know, not so much which brand of plane it was, but who owned it?

It might perhaps have been a local Air Cadets group doing a training run, but this seemed incredibly dangerous to do, since if the engine had not started, or if there had been a slight miscalculation by the pilot, then he/she would have crashed and probably died.

I also had a very tenuous 'romantic' link (an unwanted and unwelcome link both then and now) with someone whom I have recently learn had become extremely successful in the entertainments industry at that time. So I have wondered if it was a spy plane used by the tabloid press or some freelancers to try to take a snap of me? (OK, so maybe I'm paranoid!)

Could anyone tell me anything about this mystery plane please? Thanks.

Date Posted: 2012-12-27 03:45:55.
Subject: MiG-21 - still unpleasant surprise at Cope India e
Name: michael82
Message: Draft copy of the exercise Cope India report says:
While the superb performances of IAF Sukhoi-30s were somewhat anticipated, the performance of MiG-21Bison came as a major “unpleasant surprise” to the USAF officials. It also validates the claim of the Russian officials that they are capable of successfully converting “second generation” late-model MiG-21bis fighters to “fourth generation combat platforms”. Inherently the significant positive attributes enjoyed by MiG-21s were their dog fighting ability in WVR (Within Visual Range) combat. even the earlier models had a low corner velocity of 556 kilometers per hour and at Mach 0.5 had an instantaneous turn rate of 11.1 degrees per second. The MiG-21Bison with more powerful R-25 engines not only considerably bettered this performance but it may also be credited with “jackrabbit” acceleration, a very critical attribute in WVR combat.

Something in-line to:
ef="http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Performance-Practice-Unexploited-maneuverability/dp/8660210174/ref" class="usrwhite">http://www.amazon.com/Fighter-Performance-Practice-Unexploited-maneuverability/dp/8660210174/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356439329&sr=1-1

Among many fourth generations attributes added to the IAF MiG-21Bison design, the incorporation of HMS (Helmet Mounted Sight) and high-off-boresight R-73RDM2 NBVR/WVR (Near Beyond Visual Range/Within Visual Range) AAMs (Air-to-Air Missiles) have turned it into a “Great equalizer” in the WVR combat scenario. Conceptually a small number of MiG-21Bisons maintaining “radar silence” can be guided towards their aerial target by a couple of Sukhoi-30s by secure data links in accordance with MFFC (Mixed Fighter Force Concept). Upon entering into an WVR combat envelope the MiG-21Bisons armed with HMS and deadly NBVR/WVR missiles had the capability of destroying even fifth-generation fighters alike F/A-22 Raptor as assessed by high-profile Fighter Analyst Ben Lambeth of RAND Corporation. According to Lambeth “in visual combat everybody dies at the same rate.” F/A-22 also has to slow down if forced into a WVR combat scenario and loses the advantage of its super-cruise attributes. The situation further complicates if the IAF Sukhoi-30s have acquired the capability of providing target illumination for RVV-Ae (AA-12 Adder) BVR missiles being launched from IAF MiG-21Bisons at extended ranges.

Date Posted: 2012-03-03 20:51:20.
Subject: China’s Business Jet Market explodes
Name: aaachina
Message: The otherwise dormant Chinese business jet market has come to a turning point, triggered by the air control relax reform. This week, Airbus and Boeing have held their press conference, predicting that each of them will sell over 5 business jets to China each year, while Bombardier also showed that over the next 10 years, total sales of business jets in China will reach over 600 units.

According to Li Bing, sales superintendent of Boeing Greater China, government, large corporates, business leaders etc are their main clients. This year Boeing is expected to deliver 3 business jets, mainly to VIP charters such as Hainan Airlines, and Air China. Upto now Boeing has sold 195 business jets worldwide. Although only with 8 Boeing jets, China is among the fastest growing regions.

Comparatively, Airbus’s business jet marketing in China is much quicker. Among its 170 sets of business jets sold worldwide, China owned 20. This year Airbus has already sold 2 jets to China, to be delivered to DeerJet and Southern Airlines. Last year, Airbus sold 15 business jets worldwide, China took 15%.

The largest business jets represented by BBJ (Boeing) and ACJ (Airbus) with dozens of passenger capacity, have a space 4 times that of smaller ones such as Bombardier and Gulfstream. Their flight range is also much longer. However, with the convenience of spareparts and repair service sharing of their mainstream jets, their operation cost is yet lower than those smaller jets, therefore the big business jets of Boeing and Airbus have been securing their position as the topmost business jet suppliers.

In the myriad of business aircraft types, helicopter is also an important member. euroCopter, world’s largest helicopter manufacturer said, along with the opening of the low sky, demand of helicopters in China will also be released, which is suppressed for too long.

Recent data showed that currently China has no more than 100 private jets, while the U.S. has more than 18000 business aircrafts.

At the moment, the Beijing Capital Airlines, which is a joint venture of Hainan Airlines and Beijing Capital Tourism, is the largest business jet operator, Its predecessor was the DeerJet. Capital Airlines has 24 business jets, and hence has the largest fleet in Asia Pacific region, accounting for 90% of China’s total fleet. To meet with the market change of wealth redistribution to the Orient, China Airlines, eastern Airlines and Southern Airlines are also planning for the business aviation.

China Airlines plans to set up a joint venture with the Beijing Municipal Government to operate VIP chartering. A new type of BBJ jet will be purchased. Previously the China Airlines has only 4 Gulfstream jets under management. eastern Airlines invested RMB 50 million in a business jet charter company in 2008, and plans to increase its fleet to 3 this year. Southern Airlines, until now not yet involved in business aviation, has also planned to procure a ACJ business jet, and will probably found an independent business jet company.

However, air control in China has impeded the business jet chartering. Passengers are unable to drive directly to beside the jet to get aboard, nor can they alter their route at the last moment. In addition, apart from a few cities with business jet terminals, the rest of Chinese cities have no specialized facilities for business charters. These two factors have become the two largest barriers towards successful development of the Chinese business aviation market and industry, therefore, industry insiders predict that it needs time before the market will really take off.

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Mr Chen Minghua, CeO of AAA (www.helioslab.org)

Date Posted: 2009-05-18 13:41:28.
Subject: The worst plane ever to fly
Name: jetwhiz
Message:
True, the V-22 has overcome many difficulties in its time, many of which plagued V/STOL aircraft for well over half a century. A significant portion of the V-22's life was spent attempting to overcome these issues, and many of them have been worked out ... at the cost of many lives.

The design is far from new and revolutionary, however. The American X-18 and X-19 (Curtiss X-200), in particular, did an excellent job spearheading the future V-22 design and principles. I think the X-19 could have easily been the first V-22, if Curtiss had been willing to put more interest and funding into the project (the military was certainly interested even back then). Many countries had also been toying with the idea, at various levels of success; the Russian Yak-38, for instance, was even successful enough to enter 'combat'.

The first decade of the V-22's life were relatively pathetic. Many more modifications, training exercises and desperate attempts at keeping the project alive have allowed the V-22 to limp its way into the history books, but I personally find it to be far from an impressive aircraft. I guess it isn't entirely the Osprey's fault that it had such a rough start, and the military seems to be gung-ho about it. The bottom line is that they e='font-style: italic;'>really need this design, and so it's pretty much guaranteed to succeed.

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~JetWhiz

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 -- 11:58:04 AM PDT

Date Posted: 2008-08-23 04:22:54.
Subject: Aircraft that should return to the air
Name: v_bomber
Message: TSR2 it was MORe advanced than the tornado and it origanated from a 1956 order (english eletric actually began work in the late 40s!!! Thinking that ot would be wanted) It was more advanced than f111 they were worried that if we exported it f111 sales would fall dramitically It got everything right and was better than the order specification. The first prototype flew over 20 flights but there were many prototypes after it.

The second prototype would never fly; the government, in the Budget Day announcement on the 6th of April 1965, announced that the TSR.2 programme was to be terminated immediately. The aircrew were at the time having lunch in a pub near Boscombe Down; on hearing the shocking announcement they rushed back to the airfield in an attempt to get XR220 into the air and to at least present the government with a second flying prototype. This was not to be; permission was denied. While the management of BAC were informed before the budget speech was made, they were forbidden to tell their employees, who then had to hear the news on the radio. The House of Commons was in uproar over the cancellation; but no debate could take place during the budget speech so not only had the government treated BAC's workforce with contempt, they had tried to slip a major defence project cancellation past the opposition. A debate one week later in the house was a rough ride for Denis Healey (the new Defence Minister), who tried to justify the cancellation on the basis that the F-111 could be bought more cheaply, though he could not state a cost or exact timescale for the buy. Healey has since stated that getting American backing for an International Monetary Fund loan was not a reason behind the British order for the F-111 instead of continuing the TSR.2 programme. However, the TSR.2 was certainly a serious worry to the Americans, being vastly more capable than the F-111 and could have made a serious dent in the F-111's export prospects. A denial from a politician, as the TSR.2 programme showed on numerous individual occasions, is not worth the paper they refuse to write it on.

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'The distant flash of lightning howling through the thunder' ex RAF ligthning pilot recalling lightning of 1973 through thunder

Date Posted: 2008-08-06 05:40:57.
Subject: replacment for F-15
Name: v_bomber
Message:
zeetoboy's right about old planes being brought back consider the big aircraft graveyards in the desert they are kept so that in a state of an emergency the usaaf can take them if they are needed and fight. If you need proof just watch clarksons extreme machines thatll tell you the truth

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Harrys the name hows lifes the catch phrase!

Date Posted: 2006-08-29 18:16:50.
Subject: What is the name of this airplane
Name: buffman54
Message: 1; Yes I forgot about the F2Y. And yes I should have made it clear I was talking about civilian passenger and cargo planes not military aircraft. I don't remember for sure about the trouble with the skis after they were retracted. But I do believe that it was dropped more because there was no need for it than because of problems with the plane itself. The vibration problem could have been worked out if there had been a real need for such a plane. To my knowledge there have been no new attempts to build a jet seaplane in twenty or more years, civilian or military. I may be wrong because I really have not been looking for any thing of that kind. But I've seen nothing in any newpaper or on TV or magazines of any kind.
2; It is very possible that it is a SA-16 Grumman Albatross. I knew that it was a seaplane(flyingboat) but I'm not that up on them. So I went suffing to see if I could find it on the web. I came across a picture of the Sikorsky S-43 and it looked close enough to me to be what is in the picture the man had posted. The PBY is the only one I know without trying.

Date Posted: 2006-08-02 03:16:35.
Subject: The Vulcan to the Sky Project
Name: floppyarms
Message: The Avro Vulcan XH558 is the only surviving example of Britain’s Cold War V-Bomber fleet that is capable of being returned to flight. The Vulcan to the Sky project is a registered charity whose aim is to engage in this objective. Our company, Vin de Terre, has taken on the mission to raise £350,000 within four weeks to help bring the Vulcan to the stage of Roll Out – where the plane can take to the runway.

The Vulcan Bomber gained its deserved recognition after a dangerous mission to the Falkland Islands where it travelled 4000 miles beyond its range in order to carry out the bombing of a small target. However the aging nature of the plane meant that it was unable to compete with the new genre of aircraft emerging and thus the phase of the Vulcan died out, but the bravery of the crew and importance of the Vulcan led it take a crucial part in British history.

The project was promoting itself at the RAF Waddington air show on the 2nd July 2006. Vin de Terre’s managing director was at the show, and being an ex serviceman of the air force he still has a passionate interest in planes. Vin de Terre specialises in personalised wine labelling, we create unique individual labels as per the client’s request. With this in mind we have developed a label for the Vulcan to the Sky so that people can purchase the labelled wine bottles priced at £10 and the profit made from their sale will go to the Vulcan to the Sky project.

The personalised wine label unique to the Vulcan to the Sky will enable the customer to have a role in the restoration as well a memento of the Vulcan itself. Customers will be able to purchase the labelled bottles directly from us via our website www.savethevulcan.co.uk.

Let me know your thoughts

Hanifa

Date Posted: 2005-09-11 04:31:10.
Subject: the F-15 eagle
Name:
Message: The only thing that I can say that is bad about the US Air Force, is the fact that in some units there isn't the proper leadership in place to make that unit outstanding. now as for the rest of the Air Force, I don't see how the F-15 is so under rated like alot of people on this website claim it to be. Alot of people on this website make suggestions about different aircraft from different countries going up against those of the US. Now if must know, alot of competitions a held at different times through out the year not just between units with in the USAF but also between the US and other countries. and so far the only countries that can rival us is Israel and Russia. These are just the facts. I personally believe that Israel has the best pilots in the world. because they are fighting for GOD in their belief. So they will stop at nothing in order to kill their enemies. At some point I would not be surprised if Israel decides to take on us. I mean the only way that the us can beat them is with shear numbers. Also There are times when the US takes F-15's and puts them against Aircraft from around the world. and at times those countries have asked the US to not use the radar on the F-15 in order to make it a fair fight. Now you say that the F-15 isn't worth anything. I disagree. I believe it is still the one of the best aircraft out there. To be able to continue to gain altitude while vertical is a feat in itself.

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e='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;' align='center'>Tony Rogue aka Trigun5

e'>Tony Rogue aka Trigun5