We shouldn't forget basic stuff like windsocks or windsocks

Here is a modern winsock.

Red 01-03-06

And here comes the dusty wind for the windsock
dusty wind(it should play automatically, but it doesn't → now it does)

eteam 01-06-05

Hello Red, I found some description on how to make a windsack. I will make one, because I am not sure, if we really should use the kite as a windsack. The kite may have to serve as a passenger plane again and I guess it's easier to sew a windsack than build an airplane.
Even though - last week we met some nice retired pilots who are building a real size model of the Winnie Mae (Lockheed 5C Vega flown by Wiley Post around the world - originally completely built out of wood) at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn - and they made it seem possible to build anything.

— eteam 2006/01/06 22:36

We have a major problem on runway 1 - Call Animal Control - Hummmm we don't have a animal control person.
Red 02-07-06

Hi Red, that's what they call Foreign Object Damage Prevention. Is that an antelope on the runway? I checked on a website, antelopes can run as fast as 95 km per hour. But I could not find the average ground speed for an airplane after touchdown. Now I am wondering, if the antelope could outrun an airplane on the ground? What do you think? — Franzy 2006/02/09 21:41

Hi Franzy, According to what I have found out Large Jets land at around 166 knots which is around 191 MPH and the antelope is 60 MPH. I don't think they can out run it.
Red 02-20-06

March 8, 2006
Hi Red, this low quality home video a passenger sent us from a stay at IAM shows you are right. (Even though this particular antelope could also be just a very lame one.)
Franzy

I really like the Galaxy® display at Sky Harbor International Airport. I don't know if we have a place where we could set one up, but we should look into it. hajoe 03-08-06

With more and more passengers planning to arrive and depart from International Airport Montello, we should work on a general improvement of the quality of most of our rides (runways, taxi ways, feeding dirt roads). True, there is nothing smoother than the automated people mover, but this trip is an exception. Otherwise the rides at IAM are rough and we get a lot of unwanted aircraft response during touchdowns and take offs. It was obvious before, but the last roughness assessment report shows: we have to smooth things out. Franzy 03-09-06

Airport security checkpoints are tricky terrains these days.
Add the impulsiveness, curiosity, wariness, and “interesting”
priorities of a child to the mix, and you might get the following…

Here are som tips from independent traveler

 1. Explain that there may be armed guards and security dogs in the airport; let them know that the guards are there to protect them, and that the dogs are working, so they might not be able to pet them.
 2. Inform the kids that they are not in trouble or in danger, but that the search is not "play." 
 3. Make it clear that jokes about bombs or attacks are against the law and will be taken very seriously.
 4. Explain that their bags will be put through an X-ray machine, and will be returned to them on the other side of the gate. 
 5. Explain that they will need to wait in line, and to wait for instructions either from you or from security personnel before putting their bags in the machine. 
 6. Dress the kids so there is absolutely no chance they will set off a metal detector.
 7. Have them empty their pockets, placing all items in a carry-on bag. 
 8. Let them know that you may be searched (that a guard may ask you to take off your shoes or jacket, open your bags, etc.), and give them instruction on what to do if you are pulled aside to be searched.
9. Send the kids ahead of you through the security checkpoint so you can see them at all times.
10. Tell them that if they don't understand anything, to ask you or the security person.
11. Have your kids memorize your first and last name, and give them instructions on what to do in case you are separated.

Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane but only a high school diploma to fix one.
Reassurance for those of us who fly routinely in our jobs.
After every flight, Quantas pilots fill out a form, called a “gripe sheet,” which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft.
The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.
Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor.
Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilot (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.
By the way, Quantas is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Can not reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search. (Whoah! Engine #3 is always the left wing outboard position…..#4 is inboard left, #1 is inboard right and #2 is outboard right wing)

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last …

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget!
Red 10-04-06


Red, yesterday at a party I told this joke: Mouse in cockpit - Cat installed. No one laughed. Now I know. You kind of have to be an airport employee to get it.
Funny that you posted the same joke today.
— Franzy 2006/10/04 19:29
P.S. Since this is the SAFTEY section it's important to remember when and where to tell the jokes. Instead of being funny, the TSA wants their passengers to be smart and: Think. see here Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats are taken very seriously. Flights have been turned around so unruly passengers could be removed. In January, a 21-year-old woman was jailed for joking about bombs in her luggage. “This is a warning for everybody who wants to play stupid jokes not to do that,” she told reporters after being released on bond. “I wasn't thinking. That was my problem.”