I want to talk about this plane, mainly because I’m interested in the plane. However, I haven’t kept up with ICI and posting about the recent trips the A380 made to the US, landing in New York and Los Angeles.

I ripped this from the DenverPost:

Denver was not on the U.S. itinerary, but before the jets could land on a regular basis, the airport would require improvements on the airfield and in the concourse at a cost of $13.8 million.

“We’d have to make improvements to the jetway system,” said DIA spokesman Chuck Cannon. “We’d have to add a second deck - we could do that for pretty minimal cost.”

Improvements would include another jetway on the mezzanine level for double-decker loading.

Taxiway shoulders would need to be widened and signs would need to be moved, which could be done for about $9 million. Upgrading the passenger-loading bridges on two gates would cost about $4.8 million, according to DIA and a U.S. Government Accountability Office report last year. The work would take about 18 months.

The A380 supposedly will require airports considerable amounts of money to handle this large plane, however, Denver seems like it can handle it quite easily on the cheap.

Which American airline will be the first to purchase an Airbus A380? I’m thinking whoever is first with China routes. United?

I’m happy to hear this bit of news as I have a 16 hour plus flying day in front of me from Japan.

“Reduced air pressure and oxygen levels on planes do not increase the risk of blood clots in the legs, a study says.

Previous research has suggested air passengers are at an increased risk of DVT because of the unique conditions.

But Leicester and Aberdeen university researchers said sitting for long periods was the main cause, and warned people about all forms of travel.

The study of 73 people was featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

One in 2,000 long-distance passengers will suffer a blood clot, which can be fatal if it reaches the lungs. ”

I worry about deep vein thrombosis, because Protein S Deficiency runs in my family. Although I have been cleared by a blood test I still worry about these things because of my love to travel.

Pilot Steve Fossett, who on Friday was more than halfway through his quest to set a record for the longest distance, nonstop flight, had his parachute on and was ready to bail out in case his plane broke apart due to extreme turbulence over India.

Source: Discovery

I predict they will overshoot the Baja peninsula to see how far they can go.

Pittsburgh is a wet sponge or at least it is on weekdays where its population soars. Then after 5pm and the weekends that sponge is rung dry.

In a growing urbanization trend sweeping cities across America, many people are enjoying the exciting life of living downtown. Is Pittsburgh one these cities? No, but the data is interesting. The two articles demonstrate the differences between the choices made of each cities population. Some choose the life of suburbia while others are dumping suburbia for downtown living.

This trend is still strong all along South Florida’s eastern shores for living in the up and coming city life.

Interesting demographic data for the City of Pittsburgh.

A successful launch of an unmanned test aircraft, dubbed
The National Experimental Supersonic Transport (NEXST1) aircraft, was launched from the Woomera Test Range in Southern Australia.

The aircraft is built and developed by Japanese National Aerospace Laboratory. Eventually the JNAL will build the supersonic jet to carry 300 passengers (twice as large as the concorde) and make flight time between New York and Tokyo in under 6 hours.

46th International Paris Air Show

Le Bourget, France

* 13 – 19 June 2005
* 13 – 16 June: Trade Visitors and Press Days
* 17 – 19 June: General Public Days

The world’s aviation leaders have gathered in France. The premier event for the aviation industry and aviation enthusiasts alike, the Paris Air Show is where the best in the business gather every other year to showcase the latest innovations in flight. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be showcased in a dedicated exhibit adjacent to the static aircraft displays of the 777-200LR Worldliner, a 747-400 Freighter and a KC-767A tanker aircraft.

“Boeing is entering the air show with tremendous momentum,” said Tod Hullin, Boeing senior vice president, Communications. “This is a company that’s on the move. Our financial performance has been strong, and the operating engine of the company is running on all cylinders,” he said.

Paris Air Show