AVIATION.

Incident: British Airways A380 G-XLEB enroute on May 5th 2016, the square tyre.

A British Airways Airbus A380-800, registration G-XLEB performing flight BA-32 from Hong Kong (China) to London Heathrow, EN (UK), was climbing out of Hong Kong close to reaching the top of climb when the crew received a tyre pressure indication. The crew decided to continue the flight to London and requested a tow tug to be available for landing in case the aircraft would not be able to taxi on its own. The aircraft landed safely on Heathrow’s runway 09L and taxied to the gate. The aft right outboard body tyre caused a lot of head scratching trying to explain how the stunning square shape of the damaged tyre came together.

(the original of the photo does not exhibit any indication of photoshopping).

‘It is a bit mysterious…, an interesting phenomenon.’

'The deflated tyre would have been round when the aircraft touched down, it would not have rotated on four square edges as the picture would have us believe. The round wheel would have rotated on the flat ground, with the deflated tyre wobbling around the wheel.’

'The tyre has taken this shape after the aircraft came to a halt.’

'The aircraft weight is on the wheel - made from a well-designed light but strong aluminium alloy. You can see that the wheel is not damaged at all, as it is designed to take this weight.’

'The effect of the weight on the deflated tyre is the same as when you squeeze a rubber ring toy with different intensity, it can turn into a different shape.’

'In an A380, for this particular situation, it happens to be squarish. In a 747, for instance, the load of the aircraft does not give rise to this particular shape.’

'The reason for the deflation could have been overheating brakes over-pressurising the tyre and making it burst - though that’s unlikely as the pilots receive a warning if the brakes are too hot - or a foreign object on the runway at Hong Kong cutting into the tyre. In all these cases pilots are well trained to handle the situation safely.’

The aircraft was never in danger.

'To lose one [wheel] is no big deal.’

She was known as “Queen Bess”. She was Invited to important events and often interviewed by newspapers. She performed in air shows and was admired by the public.

A public library in Chicago was named in Coleman’s honor, as are roads at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California, Tampa international airport in Florida, and at Frankfurt International Airport. 

Bessie Coleman Middle School in Cedar Hill in Texas is named for her.

Bessie Coleman Boulevard in Waxahachie, Texas, (where she lived as a child) is named in her honor.

B. Coleman Aviation, a Fixed Base Operator based at Gary/Chicago International Airport is named in her honor.

Several Bessie Coleman Scholarship Awards have been established for high school seniors planning on careers in aviation.

The U.S. Postal Service issued a 32-cent stamp honoring Coleman in 1995. The Bessie Coleman Commemorative is the 18th in the U.S. Postal Service Black Heritage series.

In 2006, she was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, arguably aviation’s most prestigious honor.

Source

Veteran Astronaut Kevin Ford Departs NASA

Kevin Ford is reflected and inverted in a blob of water, during his five-month Expedition 33/34 increment. Photo Credit: NASA Astronaut Kevin Ford—who piloted one of the twilight missions of shuttle Discovery’s glittering career, before commanding the International Space Station (ISS) for over 100 days—departed NASA on Friday, 29 January. The retired Air Force colonel had spent more than 15 years…

The unique Pepsi Concorde.

In 1996, Pepsi struck a deal with Air France to promote their re-branding and new corporate logo, so an Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde, tail number F-BTSD (affectionately referred to as “Sierra Delta”) was painted in their colors as the high point of a massive marketing campaign. 

Due to the heat generated by Mach +2 flight, Concordes were supposed to keep an almost all-white lively, so this new blue one forced pilots to stay at Mach 1.7 so the plane would not experience problems. 

The work we do, and will continue in 2016, helps the United States maintain its world leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. Here’s an overview of what we have planned for the coming year:

Our Journey to Mars

We’re developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by 2025 and Mars in the 2030s. Mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and robotic and human exploration as we expand our presence into the solar system. Its formation and evolution are comparable to Earth, helping us learn more about our own planet’s history and future.

Work and Research on the International Space Station

The International Space Station is a unique place – a convergence of science, technology and human innovation that demonstrates new technologies and makes research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. In 2016, we will continue our groundbreaking research on the orbiting laboratory.

Returning Human Spaceflight Launches to American Soil

Our Commercial Crew Program is working with the American aerospace industry as companies develop and operate a new generation of spacecraft and launch systems capable of carrying crews to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Commercial transportation to and from the station will provide expanded utility, additional research time and broader opportunities of discovery on the orbiting laboratory.

Studying Our Earth Right Now

We use the vantage point of space to increase our understanding of our home planet, improve lives and safeguard our future. In 2016, we will continue to monitor Earth’s vital signs from land, air and space with a fleet of satellites and ambitious airborne and ground-based observation campaigns.

Fostering Groundbreaking Technology Development

Sustained investments in NASA technology advances our space exploration, science and aeronautics capabilities. Our technology development also supports the nation’s innovation economy by creating solutions that generate tangible benefits for life on earth. In 2016, we will continue to invest in the future of innovation.

Breakthroughs in Aeronautics

Thanks to our advancements in aeronautics, today’s aviation industry is better equipped than ever to safely and efficiently transport all those passengers to their destinations. In fact, every U.S. aircraft flying today and every U.S. air traffic control tower uses NASA-developed technology in some way. In 2016, we will continue making these breakthroughs in aeronautics.

Discoveries in Our Solar System and Beyond

This year we will continue exploring our solar system and beyond to unravel the mysteries of our universe. We are looking to answer key questions about our home planet, neighboring planets in our solar system and more!

Happy new year

Shuttle mate/demate facility at Edwards, California