Sunday, 24 February 2013

Aviation Humor; B787


Thursday, 21 February 2013

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Qantas Pilots Behind the scenes - A Pilots Story

How Does An Airplane Fly?


You look up in the sky and wonder. How does an object obviously heavier than air, fly?
I bet at one point in your life you might have asked yourself that Question, especially for those of us that have a special fondness for flight. For some very curious folks like me, its one of the major reasons i made up my mind to know more and go into aviation. From there you enjoy the thrill and find your passion, you branch out to either become an air traffic controller, pilot, an engineer, a dispatcher, even doctors, lawyers and journalist can freely specialise in the industry.
These machinces suspends in the air for several hours defying the laws of gravity. Another funny fact is, airplanes come in different shapes and sizes. From very light single engine props to Heavy Jets like the 777s, 747s and A380s and let's not forget the jets design for military purposes as well as helicoptors. They are all termed "HEAVIER THAN AIR AIRCRAFTS"
Okay back to our main issue. How do Airplanes fly? Well in summary physics has the answer (that's way I indulge every wannabe pilot to take their physics lessons seriously). As for those who would become aeronautic engineers they go indept by applying mathematical theories and calculations to why an airplane flies.
There are four fundamental principles of flight
-Lift
-Weight
-Drag
-Thrust

These forces oppose each other and create a balance that keeps the aircraft in flight. I.e LIFT is opposed by the WEIGHT of the aircraft. THRUST is opposed by DRAG. These forces obeys newtons' 3rd law which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Airplanes
The wings of an airplane is also a major contributing factor that helps the aircraft create lift.
Example. When a B737 hurdles down the runway, air passes through the wings. From the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wings both above and below the wings. The air that passes above the wings passes with high speed and travels further with low pressure, while the air that passes below the wings of the aircraft passes at a lower speed with higher pressure. This process is what creates lift and is known as Bernoulli's principle which states that within an airflow of constant energy, when air flows through a region of lower pressure it speeds up and vice versa.
As the pilot moves his yoke towards him/her the ANGLE OF ATTACK is increased. The higher the Angle of Attack the more the pressure and the more the lift. Note that there is a degree to which a pilot can increase his Angle Of Attack. Any angle above the prescribed is know as critical angle of attack you could tilt the yolk and loose speed and enter a STALL.
Aircraft wing surface area is Dependent on the size of the aircraft. The bigger the aircraft the more thrust and wing surface area required to lift the aircraft.

For Helicopters.
I understand the basics of helicopter flight as well as its controls  movement. I had to seat on the left to have a visual comprehension, so all I know is on the surface.
 Rotor wings aircraft obey the same fundamental principles of flight. They are only different by design. Rotor heads generate lift as well as provide thrust for the helicopter. The Rotor is turned by an engine-driven shaft. Air passes through the rotor blades "just as we explained in the airplane section above" the air above the blades moves at high speeds and pushes air downward to create lift. By tilting the rotor forward, i.e pushing the cyclic forward, the downward flow is tilted backward, producing thrust for forward flight. Some helicopters have more than one rotor and a few have rotors turned by gas jets at the tips.
For a comprehensive explanation visit http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/rotary/helis.htm

Monday, 18 February 2013

AIB Releases Investigative Reports for Dana Air 9J-992; and 8 other Final Reports


Finally, The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released its preliminary report on the Dana Air 9J-992 Accident which claimed over 159 lives in June last year, in addition to several other air accidents dating back almost 10 years.
Updated reports released include those for:
  1. Updated report on Accident involving Dana 9J-992, Reg. 5N-RAM, Crash in Lagos,3 June 2012.
  2. Report on the Accident Involving DHL 727-200 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria On 7th September 2006
  3. Report on Bristow Helicopters Accident Bell 412 EP Registration 5N-BIQ at Qua Iboe Terminal Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria on 3rd August 2007
  4. Report on the Accident involving Belview B737-200, Reg 5N-BFN at Lisa Village, Ogun State, Nigeria on 22nd October 2005
  5. Report on the Accident to AERO CONTRACTOR NIGERIA LIMITED AS 365 N2 Registration 5N-BJF at Bonny Airstrip, Bayelsa State, Nigeria on 24th March 2008
  6. Report on the Accident Involving TAMPICO Club 9 Aircraft, Reg. 5N-CBF at Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria on 10th October 2006
  7. Report on the Accident Involving TAMPICO Club 9 Registration No. 5N-CAV Which occurred on the 22nd July, 2008
  8. Report on the Serious Incident involving A BAGGAGE TRACTOR (DOUGLAS) Towing Tug NO. 55/2 and parked Aircraft B737-200 at D-43 Avio-bridge on the Ramp at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria on the 15th January 2008
  9. Report on the Accident to ADC Airlines B737-200, Reg 5N-BFK at Tungar Madaki, Abuja on the 29th October,2006

click here to see reports

The Great Mystery!

Actually, i have asked myself this question a thousand times. looooooolz......
I still dont have an answer tho.

Aero Acquires 10yr old Dash 8-Q400.


One of Nigeria’s major airlines, Aero Contractors, will be taking delivery of Dash 8-Q400.
The new generation aircraft is equipped with the latest naviagational facilities with lower fuel burn, thus making the aircraft more efficient, environmentally friendly and easier to maintain.
“Aero is an airline that prides itself to strict maintenance schedule of their aircrafts, as prescribed by the manufacturers and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The airline owns six 737-400s, six 737-500s and one Dash 8-Q400. There are also rumors that says, aero is seeking to get a Boeing 737-700. Awesome!