Curiosities
1,987 news found
CuriositiesA furry crocodile on board, the plane stays put
Rome, Italy - Two-hour delay for the passengers of the Ryanair flight from Rome-Ciampino to Bergamo-Orio al Serio
A strange event was happened this morning in the Rome-Ciampino airport. A Ryanair flight bound for Bergamo-Orio al Serio left with a delay of two hours since a flight attendant saw a big furry crocodile... more
CuriositiesSixth report on practical preparations for the EURO
Brussels, Belgium - Countdown for Cyprus and Malta
"With only five weeks to go before the adoption of the euro by Cyprus and Malta, the Commission made a final assessment of the state of practical preparations for the currency changeover in both countries.... more
CuriositiesAerospace terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>G as "GLONASS"<b>
Rome, Italy - Managed by the Russia Army is counterpart of GPS and Galileo
GLONASS (Russian: ??????? - ?????????? ????????????? ??????????? ???????; tr.: GLObal'naya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema; English: Global Navigation Satellite System) is a radio-based satellite... more
CuriositiesAerospace terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>N as "NOTAM"<b>
Rome, Italy - The quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen"
NOTAM is the quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen". NOTAMs are created and transmitted by government agencies under guidelines specified by Annex 15: Aeronautical Information Services of the Convention... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>A as "Alphabet"<b>
Rome, Italy - Used in the radio communications
The ICAO alphabet, more formally the international radiotelephony spelling alphabet, assigns words to letters of the alphabet for clearer enunciation. The paramount reason is to ensure intelligibility... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>F as "FADEC"<b>
Rome, Italy - It functions during all engine operations
FADEC (Full-Authority Digital Electronic Control) is a digital electronic fuel control for a gas turbine engine that functions during all engine operations, hence "Full-Authority". It includes the electronic... more
CuriositiesAerospace terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>E as "EGNOS"<b>
Rome, Italy - A precursor to Galileo
EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) is Europe’s first venture into satellite navigation. It augments the capabilities of the two military satellite navigation systems now operating, t... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>L as "LAHSO"<b>
Rome, Italy - Land And Hold Short Operations
LAHSO - Land And Hold Short Operations, operations which include simultaneous takeoff and landings and/or simultaneous landings when a landing aircraft is able and is instructed by the controller to hold... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>L as "LOAM"<b>
Rome, Italy - Laser Obstacle Avoidance System
The LOAM is a state-of-the-art navigational aid system for rotary wing platforms specifically designed by SELEX Communications (a Finmeccanica Group) to detect potentially dangerous obstacles placed in... more
CuriositiesAirAsia, renewed contract with Manchester United
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia - The low-cost airline signed the partnership also for 2008
Manchester United renewed its partnership with the Asian low-cost carrier AirAsia and Malaysia Tourism Board for 2008. On the airline plane reserved for the legendary "Red Devils" have drawn the images... more
CuriositiesAerospace terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>G as "Galileo"<b>
Rome, Italy - The Europe's major programme for satellite navigation
Galileo is the Europe's major programme for satellite navigation, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control with multi-mode coverage. The first experimental... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>F as "FMS"<b>
Rome, Italy - Flight Management System
FMS (Flight Management System) - A computer system that uses a large data base to allow routes to be programmed and fed into the system by means of a data loader. The system is constantly updated with... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>A as "Aster"<b>
Rome, Italy - In the field of Franco-Italian FSAF programme
The ASTER family of vertically launched missiles is being developed by MBDA within the Franco-Italian FSAF (Future Surface-to-Air Family) programme. Aster 30 will feature in a family of air defence... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>P as "PAR P-2090CM"<b>
Rome, Italy - Particularly useful for emergency applications
P.A.R. 2090C, designed by Galileo Avionica, is an X band, state-of-the-art ground controlled precision approach radar, particularly useful for emergency applications to allow the landing and taking off... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>M as "Mars Express"<b>
Rome, Italy - Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the satellite integration and testing
Mars Express is the European scientific probe to study the atmosphere of Mars and map the geology of its surface. Thales Alenia Space was responsible for the satellite integration and testing, and... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>G as "GAAA"<b>
Rome, Italy - Problems found in specific models of aircraft
General Aviation Airworthiness Alerts (Gaaa). Documents furnished by the FAA - Federal Aviation Administration - to technicians alerting them of problems that have been found in specific models of aircraft,... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>G as "GOCE"<b>
Rome, Italy - An ESA programme
The GOCE, Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer is a ESA (European Space Agency) programme dedicated to measuring the Earth's gravity field and modelling the geoid with extremely high... more
CuriositiesCanada: a new astounding Winter sport, the HangBoard
Montreal, Canada - A sport that embraces three different activities
A new astounding Winter sport arrives from Canada and it is being global successfuls. We are talking about HangBoard, a sport that embraces three different activities like snowboard, hang-gliding and mountainbike. For... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>E as "Elettra Twin Flyers"<b>
Rome, Italy - Suitable for border and maritime surveillance missions
By being an unmanned platform, able to stand with the adverse weather conditions and to operate with low-cost, makes the ELETTRA Twin Flyers a very versatile product suitable for border and maritime surveillance... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>R as "Rosetta"<b>
Rome, Italy - Launched in 2004, it will reach the target in 2014
Rosetta is a probe designed to reach and study the nucleus of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during one of its periodic visits to the inner Solar System. Thales Alenia Space, a Finmeccanica company,... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>R as "RAN-40L"<b>
Rome, Italy - It ensures instrumental detection of aircraft up to 400 Km in range and up to 30 Km in height
RAN-40L, produced by SELEX Sistemi Integrati, is an advanced D-band, fully Solid State Phased Array, 3D Air Surveillance Radar that ensures instrumental detection of aircraft up to 400 Km in range and... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>M as "Meteor"<b>
Rome, Italy - It will fit out Eurofighter Typhoon, SAAB Gripen and Rafale multirole fighters
Meteor, produced by MBDA, a Finmeccanica company, will meet the requirements of six European Nations for a superior Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile system to excel in all future combat scenarios... more
Curiosities"Cambia e vola a New York" contest
Rome, Italy - Announced by American Airlines and Travelex foreign exchange company
Those who, from November 15 to next January 15, will change money in the aireports of Rome-Ciampino or Rome-Fiumicino, might win one of the five air tickets provided by American Airlines in cooperation... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>M as "Marte"<b>
Rome, Italy - For ASUW helicopters
Marte, produced by MBDA, Finmeccanica Group, is a medium-range anti-ship missile designed for the new generation of naval anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare (ASUW) helicopters employed to support... more
CuriositiesWhat a joy travelling as a King
Berlin, Germany - The airplanes of Abdullah bin Abdelaziz, sovereign of Saudi Arabia
After last Wednesday's Roman visit and his meeting with the Pope, king Abdullah bin Abdelaziz, sovereign of Saudi Arabia, took off headed to Berlin, where he landed with its personal aircraft, a B-747.... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>A as "ALE-9"<b>
Rome, Italy - Designed by SELEX Sistemi Integrati
ALE-9 or MSSR ( Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar) Antenna is a Planar Antenna for Secondary Surveillance Radar (Monopulse or S* Mode), used in systems for controlling enroute or approaching aircraft,... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>M as "MCS - Mission Core System"<b>
Rome, Italy - For the M-346 advanced trainers
The MCS - Mission Core System is a state-of-the-art, open architecture, highly flexible avionic suite developed by Galileo Avionica for the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainers. The Mission Core System... more
CuriositiesAeronautical terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>F as "FALCO"<b>
Rome, Italy - A unique system for optronic and electronic surveillance roles
The FALCO UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) System is a Medium Altitude Endurance & Tactical UAV designed by Galileo Avionica for optronic and electronic surveillance roles. The basic mission is target detection,... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>M come "Mirach 100/5"<b>
Rome, Italy - Defense Electronics
MIRACH 100/5 is a high subsonic aerial target, used for advanced training of surface-to-air missile battery groups and weapon system qualification, designed by Galileo Avionica. The Mirach 100/5 System... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>A as "Autogyro"<b>
Rome, Italy - From the idea to create an aircraft that could never stall
An Autogyro is a type of rotorcraft invented by Juan de la Cierva in 1919, making its first successful flight on January 9, 1923 at Cuatro Vientos Airfield in Madrid, Spain. The lift for an autogyro is... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>S come "Sicral"<b>
Rome, Italy - In service since May 2001
Sicral is the first Italian system for secure military communications. The system operates in the UHF, SHF and EHF/Ka bands and has been in service since May 2001. Sicral is based on innovative technologies... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>I as INS<b>
Rome, Italy - A long-range navigation system
INS (Inertial Navigation System) a form of computerized long-range navigation system that is entirely independent of outside signals. The exact latitude and longitude of the aircraft is entered into the... more
CuriositiesWar plane recovery (2): the work began about two years ago
Udine, Italy - The pilot's remains stay currently in the mortuary chapel of the Portogruaro cemetery, near Venice
Among these there was also Kurt Niederhagen, who after has been hit and after a rapid nosedive fell to the ground. It was a terrible impact, the plane wreckage and remains pilot have been found even in... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>C as "Cassini-Huygens"<b>
Rome, Italy - An international joint programme
Cassini-Huygens is a joint-programme among NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) and ASI (Italian Space Agency) to study Saturn and its nine major moon. The spacecraft, launched into orbit on October 15th,... more
CuriositiesWar plane recovery: the pilot has got a name, he was an ace of the Luftwaffe
Udine, Italy - Shot down by American fighters on January 30th, 1944
After the rescue of the Messerschmitt BF-109, occured the last October 20th, in the city of Concordia Saggitaria (Venice), also the remains of the German pilot shot down by US fighters on January 30th,... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>S as "Stealth"<b>
Rome, Italy - A combination of tactical, technical and technological devices
Stealth is a technology belonging to the sub-discipline of electronic countermeasures which covers a range of techniques used with aircraft, ships and missiles, in order to make them less visible (ideally... more
CuriositiesAir France strike: the Holy Father remains without gift
Rome, Italy - Lost in Paris, in the suitcase of the Paraguay's President
Nicanor Duarte Frutos, the President of Paraguay put up a bad show, but not for his will. He went in Rome via Paris with his delegation of 16 people (included his wife) in an official travel, which also... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>G as GCA<b>
Rome, Italy - Usage of the term GCA by pilotos is discourage
GSA - Ground Controlled Approach, a radar approach system operated from the ground by air traffic control personnel transmitting instruction to the pilot by radio. The approach may be conducted with... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>T as "TAB"</b>
Rome, Italy - It helps the pilot in first operations
TAB, a small, movable control hinged to the trailing edge of one of an airplane's primary flight control surface. Tabs can be used to help the pilot move the primary control surface, or they can be... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>H as "Hub"</b>
Rome, Italy - A success development model
The Spoke-Hub distribution paradigm (or model or network) in which all routes moves along spokes, passing through a central hub, arranged similarly to a bicycle wheel. The "Hub-spoke" model is most frequently... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs...<b>H as "HSI"</b>
Rome, Italy - Electronic flight and navigation instrument
HSI (Horizontal Situational Indicator), an electronic flight and navigation instrument that shows the pilot the proper changes to make in directional flight. An HSI shows the pilot the relationship... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>O as "Orthopter"</b>
Rome, Italy - Today only experimental
Orthopter, heavier-than-air craft that is propelled by the flapping of wings. Heavier-than-air craft is a non-buoyant aircraft that requires a source of power to hold it aloft and to propel it. The... more
CuriositiesSkydiving centre for Muslims
Tehran, Iran - Also women can experience the jump
At the Payam International Airport, 60 kilometres from the capital Tehran, PAAviation (Paravaran Asseman Aviation), a company which has been operating for over 35 years in the aviation sector in Iran and... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>S as "Slot"</b>
Rome, Italy - Assoclearance is in charge for the slots management of Italian airports
CEE Regulation n°95/93 of the Counsil on January 18th, 1993, on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports, defines "Slot" as a time-slotted queueing model where each time slot can... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>M as Missile (cruise missile)</b>
Rome, Italy - For long range and low altitude missions
A Cruise Missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift (see AVIONEWS) for most of its flight path and whose primary mission is to carry an ordnance... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>B as "Balloon"</b>
Rome, Italy - "Fast as the wind, lighter than air"
The "Montgolfier" is a balloon that uses hot air to create the lifting force. It is the simplest of the flying machines with the exception of the hang-glider and paraglider. The envelope is in the shape... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>A as Aerodyne</b>
Rome, Italy - The heavier-than-air craft
Aerodyne are the heavier-than-air craft. They must find some way to push air or gas downwards, so that a reaction occurs (by Newton's laws of motion) to push the aircraft upwards. This dynamic movement... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs... <b>A as Aerostat</b>
Rome, Italy - The lighter-than-air craft
"Suspended in the sky, magically soaring, weightless, timeless" Aerostats, fast as the wind, lighter than air: generally called "Lighter-than-air craft", are the aircraft that get a buoyancy according... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs...
Rome, Italy - A as "Aircraft"
Aircraft, is defined any weight-carrying device designed to be supported by the air. The "14 Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR), Part I "Aeronautics and Space" - "Definitions and Abbreviations" defines... more
CuriositiesAeronautic terminology in dribs and drabs...
Rome, Italy - A as "Aeronautics"
"The meaning of a word can always accept new ideas, as long as these are excluded from the sense of other words, representing the meaning something of essentially negative and differential (Ferdinand De... more