I love the Ilyushin IL-96 (and IL-86). With the older Aeroflot livery, it looks all Russian. This video shows off the IL-96T, the freighter version, at the Moscow Airshow in 2005. She takes off, does a fly-by and then lands. Love the sound of her four Aviadvigatel PS90 Pratt & Whitney PW2337 turbofans.
Although many view the IL-96 as a less safe aircraft, no fatal accidents has ever occurred with the aircraft type (no passengers have died in the IL-86 either). I have never been able to fly on one, but it is on my to-do list. Have any of you been able to experience flying on an IL-96 or IL-86?
The Boeing factory in Everett has lots of hard working people making some amazing airplanes. Photo by Boeing
A very happy labor day to everyone! According to the United States of labor, this day “is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”
Although the holiday has become a reminder it is the end of summer and start of the football season, I try to remember the reasoning behind it. Depending on what you currently think of unions now, our current working conditions would most likely be very different if unions did not fight hard for the working rights of Americans.
A very safe holiday for those who are celebrating and sorry to those that have to work today!
Lots of great stuff to check out at Vintage Aircraft Weekend at Paine Field this weekend.
If you are in the Seattle area this weekend and you like aviation, you probably want to stop by Paine Field (KPAE) to check out the Vintage Aircraft Weekend.
It is more than just looking at vintage airplanes on the ground. These babies can still fly and will show off their stuff. There will also be people who fly and work on the planes to be around to answer your questions and tell you stories.
Oh and there will be some pretty good food vendors there too.
If you are interested in checking it out, today they are open from 9:30am to 5:30pm and then open from 9:30am to 3:00pm on Sunday. To learn more, be sure to check out their website.
Aerial view of the DreamLifter and Future of Flight taken by Paine Field
Paine Field is in the process of building additional parking spots next to the Future of Flight. The hope is Boeing 787 Dreamliners will one day be parked there, but for a little over a week, a Boeing DreamLifter has been making it home. If you are in the Seattle area, this gives you a great opportunity to pretty close to a DreamLifter.
This photo was taken from the sky by the Paine Field Airport. Check out the shadow that the DreamLifter puts on the ground (zoomed in photo), it is quite impressive, just like the plane itself.
Allegiant Airlines Boeing 757 (N901NV) with full livery
A while back I was able to get a hold of a photo of a Boeing 757 with only the winglet painted with Allegiant Livery. Today I was sent a photo of the whole (ok, minus the nose) plane decked out in Allegiant livery.
As reported previously, Allegiant is looking to fly the planes to destinations in Hawaii. To date, they have not announced where they will fly.
I do not know when or where this photo was taken, but I do know the Allegiant livery looks dang good on a Boeing 757 in my opinion.
