Aviation

Plane and helicopter collide mid-air in Buckinghamshire : Breaking News

According to metro news Seven fire crews have rushed to the scene following the crash, which occurred in Waddesdon.

After the mid-air collision, the wreck of each aircraft plunged from the sky and crashed into the grounds of Waddesdon Manor. Staff at Waddeson Manor were reportedly directing emergency services to the scene of the collision. Police, who were called at 12.06pm, erected a corden around the immediate area. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police, who were called to the incident shortly after midday, said: ‘Officers are currently at the scene of an air accident near the village of Waddesdon near Aylesbury.

Bucks and MK Fire service said: ‘Firefighters currently assisting other emergency services at scene of air accident near Waddesdon.

Air Accidents Investigation Branch informed. ‘Disruption to road network around Waddesdon likely for the rest of the day.’ The Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirmed that emergency services are at the scene of a mid-air collision involving an aircraft and a helicopter near Aylesbury.

Firefighters currently assisting other emergency services at scene of air accident near Waddesdon. Air Accidents Investigation Branch informed. Disruption to road network around Waddesdon likely for the rest of the day

— Bucks and MK Fire (@Bucksfire) November 17, 2017

Aviation

Airbus Plans Cockpit Toilet to Make Single-Pilot Operations a Reality

In a bold move aimed at cutting costs, Airbus is exploring the possibility of installing a potty-style toilet right behind the Captain’s seat on its A350 long-haul aircraft. According to the reports from paddleyourownkanoo.com

This proposal is part of the ongoing effort to implement Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), a concept that could revolutionize the aviation industry by reducing the number of pilots required on ultra-long-haul flights.

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Currently, on long flights, two pilots stay in the cockpit while the others rest in a separate compartment. However, under eMCO, one pilot could be alone in the cockpit for up to three hours while the other sleeps. The goal is to reduce crew costs and improve airline efficiency, as fewer pilots would be needed for these flights.

But this proposal has raised concerns from pilot unions, who worry about safety and the challenges of single-pilot operations. To address the issue of bathroom breaks, Airbus suggests installing a radio-equipped toilet in the cockpit, allowing the pilot to use it without leaving their seat.

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If the pilot needs to use the toilet, the second pilot would have to be woken up, terminating the eMCO process temporarily.

If successful, Airbus plans to begin testing this system on its A350 aircraft as soon as 2027, with single-pilot operations possibly being introduced on freighter Airbus A320s within the next five years.