Hangar Chat

https://simpleflying.com/rolls-royces-electric-plane-breaks-the-world-speed-record/ World record now ratified. 345 mph.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2022/01/02/fueled-by-billionaire-dollars-nuclear-fusion-enters-a-new-age/?sh=7ccee58e29f3 Noel

Trusting the reviewers, I gave this movie a pass, but now seeing this, I suspect I might have liked this film quite a lot! And of course, I just cancelled the Disney subscription I had for the kids, since they pretty much stay on their phones now, and I had not watched the channel in months.. (Disney refunded me about $200) Guess I just might rent it, when the price comes down. Or maybe get Disney again?

I was hooked on Wing Commander from the very first game (which was amazing for the day). The movie--not so impressed. Anyway, since Star Citizen seems to be stalled and I don't like multiplayer games anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a Wing Commander type experience. I know you can get the games on GOG, but I've read where they don't actually run that well on modern computers.

I often think about Bing Crosby. And about the time I went to the same dentist as the twins, Philip and Dennis. And sitting in the waiting room with them. And with their mother Dixie. Back in 1949. Fast forward to 1957...the Bing Crosby Golf Tournament. Wow! More celebrities than I can count. My first time there and, for sure, I'm coming back some day. Fast forward to 1962. This was my third year working at The Crosby. Selling tickets, holding back the crowds (there were no fairway ropes in those days) and getting a chance to meet Bing at the Clambake Dinner. Rosemary Clooney, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bing himself. What a night. It was a male-only affair and I…

While were having coffee this morning my wife asked me if I remembered the old Orphan Annie comic strip. Wow! Did I ever and I couldn't stop the flood of other old comic strips that flooded my mind. How many of you remember these comic strips/radio shows? Tillie the Toiler Ozark Ike Joe Palooka The Gumps Gasoline Alley Smiling Jack Steve Canyon Terry and the pirates Sky King Archie Captain Midnight Dick Tracy Blondie and Dagwood The Captain and the Kids Lil' Abner I'll bet there are a dozen more I can't think of off the top of my head. Noel

Today in in 2008: British Airways Flight 38, a B-777, crash lands in Heathrow (London, England). All 152 aboard survive – first-ever B777 loss. Engines failed 2 mi from runway, crew skillfully managed to glide. Enquiry found ice clogged fuel flow, failure traced to design issue.

https://news.microsoft.com/2022/01/18/microsoft-to-acquire-activision-blizzard-to-bring-the-joy-and-community-of-gaming-to-everyone-across-every-device/ I wonder what Microsoft are up to, and if this will have any major impact on MSFS. One thing it does show is how much spare money Microsoft actually has. Message to mods, I don't know if this is posted in the right area of Avsim, move if necessary.

As I grow older it's a never-ending source of amazement to me how I can remember events in my life. Meeting Grady Mathews is one of those remembrances. I know that 99.9% of you have no idea who Grady Mathews was nor why he should be special to anyone, especially me. Let me try to explain. When I was seven years old my best friend's father bought a pool table. An old slate-top 5x10 Brunswick. He converted one of his chicken coops to hold it and "the pool room" was born. I played pool on that table 4-5 days a week for the next eight years. Back in those days "the game" was straight pool. He who sinks 125 balls first wins. The smaller 4x9 tables and the popularity …

A simple one page sign up at the the U.S. Post Office website here: https://special.usps.com/testkits Only thing you enter is your name and mailing address. The post office will leave 4 covid tests in your mailbox. Officially distribution starts Jan 19, but can sign up starting Jan 18, today. The tests will arrive sometime late January. These are the officially approved kind of tests and are fast and simple. First come, first served, smart to order immediately.

Long term space travel is hazardous to your health. The destruction of red blood cells is a problem that will have to be solved before long term space living or missions to Mars and beyond are planned. The human body evolved over a long period of time to live on this planet. It wasn't made to live a long time in space. So even if we can do it, should we do it? Undoubtedly there will be volunteers to do it. But enough to colonize Mars? https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/01/we-dont-know-why-but-being-in-space-causes-us-to-destroy-our-blood/ Noel

The post on PMDG's 737 development work reminds me of two things: 1. The quote: "do not let perfection be the enemy of the good" 2. Why you rarely see software developed from Germany The first is self explanatory and not necessarily a bad thing I suppose. The second refers to the German tendency to generally over engineer everything. By the time they reach their high standard of quality, especially in the area of software development where versions come out frequently (looking at you Asobo) it's already obsolete. --- There is a joke of a German tank commander who was captured and was talking to a GI captor in World War II. GI: So I heard a German tank …

Even Monkeys 🙈🙉

I've booked him a luxury suite at the Analemma Tower. He's going to love it, he's going to be hanging from an asteroid 31,068 miles above the planets surface. The orbital pattern will take him on a figure of eight over various cities. Think of all the birds he will be able to look down on. 👍 https://www.forbes.com/sites/bridaineparnell/2017/03/29/skyscraper_suspended_on_asteroid/?sh=7773bc1f5194

There was an enormous underwater volcanic eruption in the South Pacific near Tonga at 04:10 GMT today. 13 hours later and the shockwave reached me in northern England. Quite remarkable.

In the below image, I'm trying to identify the gauge circled in RED. It is not a standard gauge on a PA-38 Tomahawk, and I'm wondering if any of you can tell what it might be. I *think* it might be cylinder head temperature but I'm not sure. Any ideas welcomed...

If this is too inflammatory just take it down no worries. Just curious how this might shake out, and then duplicate it for non RW pilot simmers.

For the simmers among us that own cats (or are rather owned by them😝), how do you manage not to have surprises from them, in both your sim rig and your apartment/house? Reason: after taking care of a friend's kitten (and some personal issues I'm still striving to get over), now I've got a very soft spot for them. And no, the cat never came to my apartment: I went to his just to make sure he had enough water and food, and playing a bit with him....

I know I said I was going to take a break from posting here, but... ...I've just learned that a very old friend has passed away. He and I worked together some 50 years ago. And he taught me to be ever grateful for the sacrifices made by so many on behalf of freedom. He had a nephew in WWII. His nephew's name was Ira. Ever seen the famous photo of the flag raising on Iwo Jima? His nephew, Ira Hayes, is the Marine on the far left. I'll always remember you Don. And I'll always remember Ira. Thanks for sharing those memories with me. May God bless you both. Doug

Looks like Eviation's Alice electric aircraft boasting a range of 450 miles and 250 knots with a max payload of 2500 pounds is in final testing before its flight program begins. Currently conducting high speed taxi checks and final testing. Design is somewhat different to earlier configurations. No wing tip props now, they have been moved to the rear, and now a nose wheel rather than the previous tail dragger. Beautiful looking aircraft. Slight glitch with one engine the other day that wouldn't start but part from that testing is going well. 150 aircraft currently ordered. Cape Air and DHL two of the customers. https://www.eviation.co/…

A man walks into an antique store and starts looking around. Suddenly, he gazes upon the most stunning bronze statue of a Siamese cat. He asks the store owner how much he wants for the statue. The store owner replies "It's $200 for the statue and $2000 for the story that goes with it." The man replies "I really don't care about the story, but I do want the statue." As the man is paying for the statue, the shop owner says "All right, but I guarantee you will be back for the story." The man walks out of the shop and starts down the street carrying the cat statue. When he comes to the crosswalk, he happens to glance behind him and sees 3 or 4 cats sitting about 1…

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/single-pilot-planes/index.html

53 seconds on a good day. Now that will take some beating. Westray to Papa West Ray. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westray_to_Papa_Westray_flight#:~:text=The Loganair Westray to Papa,fastest flight is 53 seconds. "The Loganair Westray to Papa Westray route is the shortest scheduled passenger flight in the world. Flights on the route are scheduled for one and a half minutes, and actual flying time is closer to one minute. The record for the fastest flight is 53 seconds. The route is flown by Loganair, a Scottish regional airline that serves Scotland's Highlands and islands. It is also part of a connector flight that links the island of Westray and the town…

I have just discovered that the high-quality KingAir magazine is a free download, including back issues. Not just about the KingAir, but lots of great general aviation reading as well which was of interest to me. Thought I should share. Cheers. https://kingairmagazine.com/issue-archive/

Anyone know what these rotating things at Edinburgh airport EGPH are ... ? https://i.gyazo.com/b14f884c15e2a705a6db524151fdde5e.mp4