Video footage of fire containment efforts shows a California Air National Guard plane “dropping a line of fire retardant on the Palisades Fire.”
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Azerbaijan Blames Russia for Plane Crash and Rebukes Kremlin
The leader of Azerbaijan criticized the Russian response to the crash of a passenger jet that Azerbaijani officials said had most likely been hit by Russian air defenses.
Why you shouldn’t be afraid of flying, according to a flight expert : Short Wave
There are many statistics out there that prove that flying on a commercial airplane is safe, that plane crashes are overall pretty unlikely. Still, up to an estimated 40% of Americans feel some fear at the thought of flying. So, amid the travel rush of the holiday season, we ask MIT aeronautical engineer Mark Drela: How does a plane lift off and stay up in the air? Interested in more stories on physics? Email us at shortwave@npr.org. We’d love to hear from you!Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Grading the make: Airbus Military A400M
The testing program for the Airbus Military A400M airlifter has begun, including test engine runs on November 23rd and taxiing at Airbus Military’s Seville, Spain plant.
Engine and systems tests on four Europrop International (EPI) TP400 turboprops progressed from low to full take-off power.
Initial testing runs at low speed were performed on the aircraft’s braking and steering systems, normal, alternate and emergency braking systems; the anti-skid system; and the nosewheel steering and reverse power. Test included electrical and on-board data networks, 180 degree turns and reverse taxiing.
Mexicana Airlines Suspension
Since 2002, Compania Mexicana de Aviacion AKA Mexicana Airlines has been the only carrier offering direct service from Sacramento International Airport to Mexico, but now all Mexicana Airlines flights between Sacramento and Mexico will be suspended in August due to a company downsize. Flights in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose will also be affected.
Fighting for its survival, the company faces even more possible layoffs and pay cuts. Pilots and fight attendants staged a labor demonstration in Mexico City on Sunday.
The latest PR release said that Mexicana Airlines Presents Unions With Reorganization Plan with two alternatives:
“The first is the option to enter into a new collective contract to secure the CMA’s long-term financial viability. This would imply accepting cuts of 41% and 39% in wages and fringe benefits for pilots and flight attendants, respectively. This alternative also calls for additional cost-cutting measures, including downsizing 40% of the airline’s pilots and flight attendants. On the upside, it incorporates a profit-sharing plan whereby the unions would get a percentage of any operating profits that exceed 5% of the company’s total revenues.
As a second alternative, stockholders have offered to sell CMA to its unions for the token sum of $1 peso, proving them convinced of the vital role these labor organizations will play in the future of the company. As the only entities capable of turning the situation around, CMA’s management have stated that it would be willing to transfer control of the airline to its unions. “