Aviation
Airbus Beluga plane lands at Chennai airport for first time
CHENNAI: On Monday, a massive Airbus Beluga cargo plane (A300-608ST) refuelled at Chennai International Airport. This is the first time the plane has landed at the airport.
“The beautiful whale is here and with such awesomeness!” tweeted the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Today, the magnificent #Beluga No.2 (A300-608ST) landed for the maiden time at Chennai airport. The cargo carrier is an unusual visitor to this corner of the world and a sight to behold.”
According to an AAI spokesperson, the aircraft, which is not carrying cargo, is on its way to Thailand.
One of the largest planes in the world, Airbus Beluga cargo plane (A300-608ST), made a brief stopover at Chennai airport today. #Airbus #Beluga #Chennai #chennaiairport #aviation #aviationphotography #aviationlovers pic.twitter.com/VyWOnaC80B
— Commander Ashok Bijalwan ?? (@AshTheWiz) July 11, 2022
The aircraft, known as a super transporter, is an Airbus wide-body A300-600 aircraft that is typically used to transport aircraft or machine parts.
Beluga introduced in 1995.
The first beluga was introduced in 1995, and it has been around for 27 years. The previous model, the Beluga, was replaced two years ago by the New Beluga XL, which is now delivering Airbus component transportation within Europe and other places where Airbus Plants are specifically employed. Because the previous Beluga was in good shape, Airbus decided to convert it rather than retire it. This is now used as a cargo flight for general customers It is presently utilised to transport clients’ helicopters, machinery, and other essential goods.
AIRBUS BELUGA IN CHENNAI. Yes, you read that right. One of the worlds largest aircraft, only 5 ever built, is in Chennai. The Airbus A300-600ST #Beluga registered as F-GSTB flew in from Ahmedabad to #Chennai #aerowanderer #aviation #Beluga #Airbus #A300 #avgeek #FGSTB pic.twitter.com/aLBSy7tJO5
— Aerowanderer (@aerowanderer) July 11, 2022
Aviation
All passengers killed in plane crash, after pilot let his children to control the plane
When boarding a plane, passengers entrust their safety to the skilled hands of the pilot. However, tragedy struck when one of the flight ended in disaster as all passengers lost their lives in a horrific plane crash.
In 1994, during a flight from Moscow to Hong Kong, tragedy struck as an Aeroflot relief pilot made a fateful decision. In a move that would have devastating consequences, the pilot invited his own children into the cockpit to play with the controls. Little did anyone know, this seemingly innocent gesture would lead to the loss of all 75 lives aboard the aircraft.
It was a seemingly innocent act that led to catastrophic results. The relief pilot, Mr. Kudrinsky, invited his two children, Yana, 12, and Eldar, 15, into the cockpit during the late hours of the night. Little did anyone know, this simple gesture would set off a chain of events that would end in tragedy.
Once in the cockpit, the children were allowed to sit in the captain’s chair and play with the controls, unaware that they should have been disabled as the plane was in autopilot mode.
Eldar, perhaps in a moment of curiosity or innocence, held the control column down for a mere 30 seconds. Yet, in those brief moments, the autopilot disengaged, thrusting the aircraft into manual control.
By the time the pilots regained their seats and attempted to regain control, it was too late. Despite their efforts to pull the plane out of a dive, they overcorrected, causing the flight to climb almost vertically, ultimately stalling it.
Final moment Flight 593 crash
In the final moments, as the pilots struggled to stabilize the aircraft, Flight 593 crashed into the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountain range in southern Russia, completely obliterating the plane and claiming the lives of everyone on board.
Investigations revealed a chilling truth: there was no evidence of technical failure. Instead, the crash was attributed to the unthinkable decision to allow inexperienced hands to manipulate the controls of a commercial aircraft.
The black box recording captured the harrowing sequence of events, providing a grim reminder of the human cost of a lapse in judgment. In just over two minutes, the lives of all on board were tragically short, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and unanswered questions.
Aviation
American Airlines Flight Attendant Orders First-Class Traveler to use Economy Restroom
On a recent American Airlines flight from Chicago O’Hare to Phoenix, Pamela Hill-Veal, a retired circuit court judge, found herself at the center of a disturbing incident.
Despite traveling in First Class, she was directed by a flight attendant to use the Economy Class restroom, sparking allegations of racial discrimination. According to Hill-Veal, the ordeal began when she used the dedicated First Class lavatory during the flight. A flight attendant approached her, accusing her of slamming the door and issued a warning.
Despite remaining calm, Hill-Veal faced further confrontation when she attempted to use the First Class restroom again later in the flight. The situation escalated as the flight attendant persisted in berating Hill-Veal, who felt targeted due to her race. She highlighted the disparate treatment, noting that white passengers were not subjected to similar directives.
In a distressing turn, the flight attendant followed Hill-Veal to her seat and allegedly touched her while threatening arrest upon landing. This alarming encounter left Hill-Veal feeling humiliated and traumatized, impacting her ability to rest even after the flight.
American Airlines has responded, expressing a commitment to investigating the matter and addressing discrimination claims seriously. However, the incident underscores ongoing concerns about racial bias in air travel and the need for accountability in ensuring all passengers are treated with dignity and respect.
Aviation
Southwest CEO Signals Major Shift: Farewell to Open Seating
Southwest Airlines is contemplating a significant shift away from its traditional open seating policy, a move that could signal a departure from its long-standing business model.
The potential change, which would introduce assigned seating and premium seat options, is being considered to appeal to a younger demographic of travelers. This adjustment would mark one of the most substantial alterations for the carrier since its inception in 1971.
Unlike its competitors who have embraced premium seating offerings, Southwest has stuck to its open seating approach, albeit providing the option for early boarding at a fee. However, with rivals like United Airlines witnessing revenue growth from premium seating, Southwest is reevaluating its strategy. According to Forbes, the airline industry has seen a shift in customer preferences over time, prompting Southwest to reconsider its seating model designed during an era of lower load factors.
While Southwest CEO, Jordan,told to CNBC that he has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of premium seating, he acknowledges that the company is exploring various options. He emphasized that while it’s still early in the decision-making process, the initial results are promising, hinting at potential changes in the future.
Southwest currently operates with a single economy class cabin across its all-Boeing 737 fleet, with no assigned seating. However, the airline does offer the option for early boarding for passengers to secure their preferred seats for an additional fee. Over the years, Southwest has maintained a focus on simplicity and user-friendliness in its offerings, striving to minimize costs and complexity.
In contrast, competitors like Delta and United have capitalized on revenue growth from premium seating options such as business class, demonstrating strong upsell rates. Analysts have repeatedly questioned Southwest about the potential for introducing premium seating or additional fees, although the airline has traditionally refrained from charging for the first two checked bags.
For now, the only way Southwest passengers can secure their preferred seats is by paying for an earlier boarding position, as the airline continues to operate without assigned seating, allowing passengers to choose their seats upon boarding in a predetermined order.