FlightTester

Awesome photo of the F-14 Tomcat #BigFighter

In safety-critical domains—aviation, submarines, space systems—there’s no room for “maverick” leaders who see engineering rigor as an obstacle. Physics doesn’t bend to charisma. Systems thinking and disciplined risk management are non-negotiable.

So cool! Believe this is a first for commercial aviation.

Here's Why The Boeing 777x Needs Folding Wingtips Boeing's new 777x has faced lots of delays on its way to being delivered to airlines. But its need for folding wingtips has been evident from the start.

Here's Why The Boeing 777x Needs Folding Wingtips

The next time you’re at an airport looking at aircraft, you’re likely seeing technology developed with NASA funding. Aerospace research delivers a direct return on taxpayer investment in R&D. The engine chevrons below are a great example.

Good looking X-Planes! Super cool.

Test pilots rock!

NASA was instrumental in developing chevron technology. Through its Quiet Aircraft Technology program, NASA performed the CFD modeling and wind tunnel testing that validated chevrons. Boeing and GE adapted these results for the 787’s production engines.

Chevrons promote a smoother mixing of the high-speed exhaust with cooler bypass air. By controlling turbulence at the nozzle exit, they reduce shear layer noise—especially noticeable during takeoff and landing when community noise is most critical.

Ever notice the serrated edges on the Boeing 787 engine nacelle? They’re called chevrons and their purpose is to reduce jet noise by controlling how engine exhaust mixes with ambient air. This design is now a signature feature of quieter, more efficient airliners.

Hybrid VTOL definitely the way to go for special mission aircraft. Battery electric still promising for the civil use case. Good stuff!

XQ-67A Demonstrates Autonomy and Datalink Interoperability During High Desert Flight Test AFRL’s XQ-67A, a second-generation Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP), successfully demonstrated integration of government reference autonomy during a recent flight test in the California High De...

XQ-67A Demonstrates Autonomy and Datalink Interoperability During High Desert Flight Test | General Atomics

www.ga.com/xq-67a-demon...

Love this!!

So cool! Quantum NAV leverages extreme sensitivity of quantum phenomena, particularly atom interferometry, to create highly accurate IMUs that can provide precise pos. & velocity data w/ out needing ext references like GPS. This makes them a promising solution for NAV in hostile environments.

A Secretive US Space Plane Will Soon Test Quantum Navigation Technology The space plane’s test flight will advance development of a new navigation technology based on electromagnetic wave interference.

The space plane’s test flight will advance development of a new navigation technology based on electromagnetic wave interference. www.wired.com/story/a-secr...

NASA’s F-14 program played a formative role in the research, development, and in-flight validation of the DFCS concepts. It served as a testbed for transitioning the Tomcat from analog augmentation to digital control, significantly enhancing safety and maneuvering capability in operational use.

Did you ever notice the upward and downward tips on the wing of a 737-9? That’s the Split Scimitar Winglet which reduces induced drag by modifying the spanwise lift distribution. The result is a measurable improvement in aero efficiency, often translating to fuel savings of 1.5–2% per flight.

WATCH: Landing gear of American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver airport, passengers evacuated

Big Fighter Friday!

YouTube video by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15 Streak Eagle(Historic Footage)

In 1975, the F-15 Streak Eagle demonstrated superior climb performance at Grand Forks AFB, setting eight time-to-climb records, including a maximum altitude of 98,425 ft (30,040 m). These flights validated sustained climb rates and thrust-to-weight optimization. youtu.be/_akMhjIdCoU

YouTube video by MCritChaser MI-8 Dangerous Takeoff in High and Hot Environment

Speaking of the dangers of helicopters when operating in high and hot environments - especially mountain rescue. Holy cow!!! youtube.com/shorts/j1DAF...

The podcast doesn't go into much detail about those elements, but here's a video clip of the rescue to drive those points home!

wow - thanks!

Beta advances stepwise certification approach with propeller approval from FAA eVTOL developer worked with Hartzell on first FAA-certified prop for an electric aircraft

For eVTOL developer Beta Technologies, "chunking" the FAA certification process is a way to burn down development risk while also allowing it to sell its electric motors to other aircraft developers. FAA approval of Hartzell's AAM propeller advances this strategy: theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

I’ll check this out. Most people don’t realize how complex a high-altitude mountain rescue is. Limited power margins, unpredictable wind shifts, and risks like loss of tail rotor authority create significant challenges. Each maneuver requires careful management of performance and control limits.

Think about the loads: with over 1.2 million pounds at MTOW, the A380 wing root and wing box carry some of the largest bending moments in civil aviation—designed to withstand extreme maneuver and gust loads while optimizing structural weight.

The A380 was the first commercial jet to feature a combined load alleviation system, using ailerons and spoilers to reduce both maneuver and turbulence loads. This advanced system improves structural efficiency and reduces fatigue, validated through extensive flight testing.

Possibly IT related. Banner on main website:

Alaska Airlines requests ground stop for all mainline aircraft, FAA says Alaska Airlines has requested a ground stop for all its mainline aircraft, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) status page said on Sunday.

Intetesting. No details why that im aware of. www.reuters.com/world/us/ala...

Great shot!