Curiosities
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CuriositiesMaiden flight anniversary of the Voisin N.2 celebrated today
Rome, Italy - The first engined-aircraft to fly performed its maiden flight on May 24, 1908
Maiden flight anniversary of the first engined-airplane, the Voisin N.2 manufactured by the producer Gabriel Voisin, is celebrated just today. In May that year, such aircraft endowed of an eight-cylinder... more
CuriositiesOne of Tanzi family's airplane is being sold
Parma, Italy - It has been decided by Extraordinary Commissioner Enrico Bondi
Parmalat Extraordinary Commissioner, Enrico Bondi, has decided to sell one of Tanzi family fleet's airplanes, a Cessna 172L, a protagonist of many meeting with relevant politicians. This aircraft would... more
Curiosities"Memphis Belle"'s commander has died
Ashville, USA - Robert Morgan's B-17 became a myth for allied forces after successfully accomplishing 25 missions in Europe
Commander of the famous B-17 US bomber named "Memphis Belle" during the Second World War, Col. Robert Morgan, died due to an accident just occurred while he was watching an airshow. The old Morgan, 85,... more
CuriositiesThe Boeing airplane that changed aviation reaches 50th anniversary milestone
Washington, USA - With this plane started the competition on commercial jets with McDonnell Douglas company
Fifty years ago, 15 of July 1954, Boeing unveiled the airplane that spawned the modern era of jet-powered commercial aviation. The Boeing 367-80, commonly known as the Dash 80, helped demonstrate the range... more
Curiosities12th of May 1926: Commander Nobile flyes over the North Pole on Board "Norge"
Rome, Italy - 78 years ago for the first time a dirigible over unexplored polar ice
The dirigible commanded by Italian explorer, Umberto Nobile, departed from Rome on April the 10th 1926, making the first flight across Artic, reached Alaskan coasts after 170 flight hours and 13,000 kilometres.... more
CuriositiesBoeing 767 pilot falls asleep on airplane controls
Tokyo, Japan - All Nippon Airways apologies
On 23 of March the pilot of a Boeing 767 aircraft, a 50 years old veteran with 12,000 flight hours, of All Nipppon Airways directed from Tokyo to Yamaguchi, fell asleep 20 minutes just after the take off... more
CuriositiesTook-off from Brindisi an humanitarian flight to Nassiriya
Brindisi, Italy – CONI will donate sport equipment
Has left the first humanitarian intervent base of Brindisi the flight, directed to Nassiriya, Iraq. It carries medicines, potabilizators, water purification filters, materials related with local programs... more
CuriositiesSpielberg working at "The Terminal", a movie about immigrants in US airports
Washington, USA - It will be out in America on 18 June
It is called "The Terminal", the latest Stephen Spielberg's movie, currently being finished, which will be out in America on 18 June. The theme is that of the condition of immigrants, represented through... more
CuriositiesGagarin's career saved by a pillow?
Moscow, Russia - His short height could have prejudiced the resounding success of a such famous Russian cosmonaut
After 43 years from Gagarin's launch in the space, it is known in Russia that not everything always was ok during his youngness spent as a fighter pilot in Russian Air Force. It seems in fact that Gagarin... more
CuriositiesCateratta operation's simulator inspired to the aviation's one
Stockholm, Sweden - It will increase new surgeons' accuracy
Stockholm St. Erik Hospital's researchers and doctors, have completed a simulator, developed in order to train new surgeons to perform cateratta operations, inspired to aviation simulators. Such system... more
CuriositiesGulf Air sponsors Barhain Gran Prix
Sakhir, Barhain - A sudden low altitude overflight by an A-340 scares attendance
On the occasion of the first historical F1 Gran Prix in Barhain, official sponsor of such event has been Gulf Air carrier. Most of public attendance appeared to be quite worried due to the flight show... more
CuriositiesVotes the Air Force One Republican?
Washington, USA - A bizarre proposal by USA Republican environment to add another "right" wing to the President's airplane
The Boeing 747-200B called Air Force One, the United States President's aircraft, would be involved in the Presidential electoral campaign. Nevertheless, such involvement would not regard aircraft's management... more
CuriositiesVenice autonomous police union plays April fool on airport security
Venice, Italy - A fake press release about an explosives detector was published
Venice's Sap (autonomous police union) played an April fool by publishing yesterday a fake press release concerning the installation of a new explosives detector at the Venice airport on 1 April. In the... more
CuriositiesPresident Bush training with the F-16
Washington, USA - Possibility of supporting other President aircraft already in service with a two-seats version is under consideration
President George W Bush has overcome some training weeks in Air National Guard, by performing some flights thanks to a F-16's simulator before real tests. United States President has underlined the fact... more
Curiosities88-year-old jumps from airplane on his birthday
Washington, USA - His son: "He did it on purpose", he had a brain tumor
He wanted to rent a plane similar to those on which he flew during World War II. An old American man, Joseph Frost, had decided to celebrate his 88th birthday this way. But when the biplane was approaching... more
CuriositiesSoya oil in place of kerosene?
Anaheim, USA - It is a recent discovery concerning bio-fuel performed by a group of scientists in California
Although researches for the development of ecological fuel based on vegetable substances (the so-called bio-fuels) are going on during time, recently it seems that some scientists have succeeded in the... more
CuriositiesSweden: rescued spy-airplane smashed down 50 years ago
Stockholm, Sweden – Recovered the crew remains
The relict of a Swedish spy-airplane smashed down in 1952 and pitched in the Baltic Sea, has been recovered by Swedish Navy, more than 50 years from its shooting down by the Soviets. The airplane, a DC-3,... more
CuriositiesGermany: Concorde of Air France exposed in a German museum
Sinsheim, Germany - Placed beside a Tupolev TU-44
Today in the Museum of the Transports of Sinsheim, city in the western part of Germany, is exposed a Concorde of the Air France, paid symbolically EUR 1. The Concorde has been placed in takeoff position... more
CuriositiesScience-fiction look for the Niki hostesses
Vienna, Austria - Inaugurated the new uniform "overeasy"
Niki, the Austrian low-cost carrier recently owned by the former Ferrari driver Niki Lauda, presented the new hostess uniform, named "overeasy". The uniforms are modelled on the TV series "Enterprise"... more
CuriositiesRyanair bands 8 passengers from its planes for life
Dublin, Ireland - They were smoking on board during flights
Ryanair banned for life from its planes 8 passengers caught smoking during flights. The air company did not diffuse the names of the offenders but, according to a spokeswoman, all of them came from the... more
CuriositiesLong-distance flight aboard of a single-engine helix airplane for two Chilean women
Santiago, Chile - Such brave ladies departed from Santiago want to reach Geneva by the end of April
Two some 60 years old women departed from Santiago of Chile on March 9 aboard of a small Bonanza F-33 single-engine helix airplane in order to accomplish a long-distance flight of more than 30,000 km which,... more
CuriositiesDeck landings to charity
Washington, USA - Control Squadron VS-32 "Maulers" members in support of unlucky kids
Control Squadron VS-32 "Maulers" staff, coming back from a six months long operative period aboard USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, has seized an opportunity for helping children in difficulty. In fact,... more
CuriositiesA Gulfstream III for Westlife
Rome, Italy - A private jet hyper-accessorized for the Irish boyband
These days Westlife bought for about EUR 6m a luxury jet Gulfstream III for their pleasure or working transfers. The aircraft, accessorized with plasma tv, playstation2, xbox and even with a small recording... more
CuriositiesMichael Jackson doesn't pay rental for his jets?
Los Angeles, USA - According to allegations he owes USD 50,000 for an air-transfer
Travel agent Cynthia Montgomery, who has been organizing Michael Jackson's transfers on board of small airplanes for three years, has sued the star - who has notoriously been having intense relations with... more
CuriositiesSpace Burial office opens in Taiwan
Taiwan, China - Celestis open a new office
Celestis, U.S. society operating since 1997 in space burial, opened a new office in Taiwan. This new office will take in charge all the orders of rich Chinese that would like to sand their ashes into space.... more
CuriositiesF-16 and Mig-29 follow F/A-18 in on-line auction
Washington, Usa - After the F/A-18 offered on tender on Ebay, even F-16 and Mig-29 appear
Auction of military airplanes seems now to be in vogue. After the Ebay’s announcement for a F/A-18 Hornet (see for details AVIONEWS), it has been the time of a F-16 Fighting Falcon two days ago. This a... more
CuriositiesManufacturing a helicopter? The Web and an old truck engine are sufficient
Hanoi, Vietnam - A Vietnamese farmer would have succeeded in it but authorities have confiscated his chopper
A Vietnamese farmer would have succeeded in manufacturing a helicopter by himself by using notions found on the internet. Nevertheless, authorities have prevent this brave 'engineer' from carry on his... more
CuriositiesHornet on Ebay for the highest bidder
Washington, USA - An F/A-18A for 'merely' USD 1m
A US Navy acrobatic squad F/A-18A Hornet (the Blue Angel) is being sold on the well known bidding provider on line site, Ebay. The company which has put it up for sale, Landa and Associates, states it... more
CuriositiesRace between an airplane and a motorbike, the latter wins
Madrid, Spain - Original competition takes place in Spain with an un unexpected result
250cc world champion Fonso Nieto, driving his Aprilia RSV 100R, challenged and defeated a C-101 airplane of the Spanish Air Force on a 1000 meters distance. The unusual challenge has taken place at the... more
CuriositiesThe Pacific hot-air balloon long-distance flight attempted by a Japanese person has failed
Tokyo, Japan - His balloon has landed on water at more than 1000 km distance from Japanese northern coast.
The oceanic long-distance flight attempt by a 54 years old Japanese (Michio Kanda) has failed (an attempt which has been already described on AVIONEWS ). His hot-air balloon, called "Milky Way 2", has... more
CuriositiesPaul McCartney is learning to fly an aircraft
London, England - It has been reported in "The Sun" magazine
The English singer, a former Beatles member, Paul McCartney is learning to fly an aircraft. In fact, he attended a pilot school in Lydd airport, Kent. The English star, according to his friends, is really... more
CuriositiesTwinning between Bari and New York under Saint Nicholas protection
New York, Usa - Ground Zero small church rebuilding project
Less than one week after 11th of September victims memorial exhibition, Mayor of Bari, Simone di Cagno Abbrescia, and Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, have met again thanks to the project to... more
CuriositiesUS Airways pilot mistook the airport
Pittsburgh, Usa - The carrier: no comment
The US carrier says "No comment" about its pilot, who taking-off from Pittsburgh and heading to State College, University Park airport on a daily flight, actually landed in the close by Mid-State Regional... more
CuriositiesBush Senior will parachute himself for the last time
Washington USA - For his 80th birthday
George Bush Senior 41st President of USA and father of the current one, announced in front of the National Museum of Naval Aviation public, Pensacola - Florida, that in June, he will parachute himself... more
CuriositiesEnglish granny survived a heart attack on board of an aircraft
London, Great Britain - 15 cardiologists arrived to rescue her
After a long convalescence the granny from Liverpool can now tell what happened to her a month ago, while she was flying to Florida to pay visit to her nephews. Last November Dorothy Penman, 67 years old,... more
Curiosities71 years ago there was the world record of height for tourism aircraft
Rome, Italy - In Rome, at Littorio airport
At Littorio airport (Rome), currently Urbe airport situated in via Salaria, (editor's note), Renato Donati on board of a Fiat AS.1 modified with an engine of the National Aviation Company C.7 of 180 hp,... more
CuriositiesRussia: stopped a Tupolev aircraft with a smuggle caviar cargo
Moscow, Russia - The authorities opened an enquiry
A military TU-154 with a precious cargo composed by half ton sturgeon, 5 tons of red caviar and 160 kg of black caviar has been stopped last Saturday in the Russian city of Khabarovsk, just before the... more
CuriositiesCheck-in and Christmas fruit cake
Washington, Usa - A metropolitan legend
With the alarm for terrorism that is circulating in those days it is normal to have doubts about what can be put in a suitcase, but lately a voice was circulating saying that the traditional cakes (the... more
CuriositiesContinental Airlines donated historic DC-3 aircraft to the Lone Star Flight Museum
Houston, Usa - In the occasion of 100 years after the first successful airplane flight
Exactly 100 years after the first successful airplane flight, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) was helping to perpetuate the legacy of flight by donating its award-winning, historic, 63-year-old DC-3 aircraft... more
CuriositiesRecord auction for Concorde
London, Uk - Collected more than EUR 1m, that will be given in beneficence
A beneficence auction with Concorde's parts and objects held yesterday in London, near the Bohnams Auctions at the Olympia Exhibition Center, has allowed to collect a sum much more higher than that of... more
CuriositiesThe Air Force One cannot be attacked by missiles
Washington Usa - Says Loren Thompson, a military analyst
The U.S. President's aircraft cannot be attacked by missiles. That is what Loren Thompson, a military analyst, stated in an interview with the Washington Post. The only danger of yesterday's Bush's journey... more
CuriositiesOne of the Concordes in exhibition in Filton (Great Britain)
London, England - Prince Andrew took part to the landing
The "legendary" Concorde goes back "home". One of the seven BA Concordes landed in Filton, near Bristol, where it was built 30 years ago. This is its final destination, where it will be exhibited. Thousands... more
CuriositiesBurbank Glendale Pasadena Airport to change name
Burbank, Usa - It will be named after the Usa showman Bob Hope
The authorities of Burbank, Glendale e Pasadena are about to realize the dream of the great Usa comic actor Bob Hope, recently passed away at the age of 100 years. He desired that an airport was given... more
CuriositiesSpace tourism in Russia
Moscow, Russia - The plane could move up to 1,000 passengers
Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) presented yesterday at the opening of an international exhibition "Aviation and Astronautics-2003", a plan of a unique space-plane. The airplane is capable to carry passengers... more
CuriositiesNew method for the handling of the A-380 Glare
Rome, Italy - Its the new Ipfa transport system
Airbus has introduced a new method for the handling of the Glare, the composite elastic made of aluminium and fiber glass used for the covering of the higher shell of the A-380 fuselage. Initially those... more
CuriositiesA bored alligator goes for a stroll in the plane
New York, Usa - Alligator wonders out the cage in the hold of an AA flight
Pushed by the need of "stretching its legs" an alligator has been found strolling around the hold of an American Airlines flight from Miami to Newark, New Jersey, while its owner was comfortably sitting... more
Curiosities"Longlegs" defend themselves: invented "anti-reclining" seat device
Washington, Usa - Excogitated appliance to protect tall people's knees
Ira Goldman, a 1.90 metre American tall man, tired by now of suffering during flights, invented a device that if put on the arm of the table, will stop the passenger in front from reclining the seat. The... more
CuriositiesEngland: rescuers attacked by llamas
London, Uk - Eventful hundredth mission of rescue for medical team
It was their hundredth rescue mission but they could not sure have celebrated this goal in a more original way. The medical team that was about to fly the 72-year-old Graham Bailey to the hospital had... more
CuriositiesEnds trip around the world for raising money
Florida, Usa - USD 12,000 raised for ALS research
Carol Ann Garratt returned to Florida after a 41,000-mile flight around the world on board of a Mooney M-20 airplane. The trip started in early February from Kissimmee. She flew over the South Seas, then... more
CuriositiesEnglish man flies in a hang-glider with his hawks
London, Uk - It took years to the falconer Jonathan Marshall to achieve the objective
Jonathan Marshall loves the birds since his childhood and has been a falconer since he was 15. The 35-year-old Englishman is the protagonist of an exceptional performance: flying in a hang-glider with... more