Aerospace

This video game-inspired guy stole the real aircraft, and the result was shocking.

The plane was stolen from the tarmac by one of the Alaska personnel. He was inspired by the video game and felt competent flying it, so he stole it and the outcome was unexpected.

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2022

Dawal

This video game-inspired guy stole the real aircraft, and the result was shocking.

This incident occurred in 2018, when one of the Alaska Ground handling employees took the bombardier Q-400 aircraft at Seattle International Airport. No one knows how he managed to steal the large aircraft.

Here is the story of how he managed to steal it. According to Richard Russell, a 29-year-old man who spoke with the ATC, he has had video game experience. He described the sensation of flying actual planes and killing himself as “insane.” A new surveillance video reveals the moment a baggage handler at Seattle International Airport stole an Alaska Airlines plane before deliberately crashing it on a secluded island and killing himself.

A video from 2018 shows a man stealing an Alaska Airlines Q400 plane from Seattle International Airport. Richard Russell, 29, worked as a baggage handler at the airport and had access to aircraft on the tarmac. He pushed back the aircraft, boarded inside, took control, rolled to the runway, and took off. Controllers try to persuade him to return to land, but he ultimately decides to crash.

He can be seen wearing a black T-shirt with the words ‘The Sky’s No Limit’ printed on the back. He grabs his backpack and continues.

More than five hours later, he is then seen making it out onto the tarmac in the cargo area of the airport and then using a tow vehicle to push the propeller aircraft back out onto a taxiway.

Air traffic control started to sense something was not right, and tried to make contact with the plane, but received no response.

Meanwhile, Russell’s co-workers can be seen walking nearby, oblivious to the fact that he is about to get behind the controls of the plane.

Russell can be seen opening the cabin door to the Q400 Turboprop and jumping into the cockpit and taking off.

‘Seattle ground Horizon guy. About to take off. It’s gonna be crazy,’ he radios the control tower.

Video shot from the ground later shows him performing stunts over Puget Sound.

‘Hey, I found myself in a predicament. I’m in the air right now. And just gonna soar around,’ he can be heard saying over the radio.

On air traffic control recordings, Russel can be heard speaking with controllers who attempt to persuade him to make a safe landing.

Russell can also be heard joking with air traffic controllers.

At one point, he even asked air traffic controllers: ‘Hey do you think if I land this successfully Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?’

The air traffic controller, trying to keep him on side, replied ‘you know, I think they would give you a job doing anything if you could pull this off’, to which Russell replied: ‘Yeah right! Nah, I’m a white guy.’

Air traffic controllers can also be heard begging Russell to land the plane and try to give him directions to a runway where he can put the plane down in one piece.

Check the video for more details :

‘There is the runway just off your right side in about a mile, do you see that?’ the traffic controller said.

‘Oh those guys will try to rough me up if I try land there…,’ Russell replied. ‘I think I might mess something up there too. I wouldn’t want to do that. Oh they probably have got anti-aircraft.’

‘They don’t have any of that things, we’re just trying to find you a safe landing spot,’ said the traffic controller.

Russell informed the air traffic controller that he wasn’t ‘quite ready’ to land the jet.

‘But holy smokes, I need to quit staring at the fuel because it’s running out fast,’ he continued.

‘OK, Rich, could you start a left turn and we’ll move you down to the south-east?’ replied the traffic controller.

‘This is definitely life in prison, huh?’ Russell responded. ‘I’m hoping it’s for a guy like myself.’

While still in the air, Russel is heard telling traffic controllers that he is “just a broken guy,” before assuring them that he is preparing for “life in prison.”

Two F-15 fighter planes were deployed from Portland to intercept the plane’minutes’ after it took off.

They were unsuccessful, and Russell intentionally crashed the jet on an island some 30 miles away, killing himself, one hour and 13 minutes after takeoff.

Sheriff Paul Pastor described the incident as a “joyride gone horribly wrong” at the time. He stated that the man “did something dumb and may have paid with his life.”

Witnesses said they saw the plane perform barrel rolls and loop-the-loops as military planes diverted it away from densely populated areas.

According to the FBI, there was no proof that Russell had ever gotten flight training, but he was familiar with the checklist for starting an aeroplane after watching instructional videos online.

Russell is heard on cockpit audio records informing air traffic controllers that he didn’t need as much assistance piloting the aircraft because he had previously played video games.

‘Despite receiving information about Russell’s background, potential pressures, and personal life, no factor gave a clear motivation for Russell’s actions,’ according to the study.

He became concerned about the upcoming circumstances, and he considered crashing the plane.

Tell us what you think about the accident.

Courtesy : https://www.king5.com, more source

Aerospace

Saudia Enters a New Era Through Major Re-Brand Strategy

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2023

Dawal

Jeddah, Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, revealed its new brand identity and livery during a milestone event in Jeddah, in the presence of Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, and leaders from both the public and private sectors, as well as prominent media correspondents and aviation experts. This new identity is in line with a wider strategic digital transformation plan aimed at strengthening the airline’s support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.

The new brand color identity, comprised of green, blue, and sand, represents Saudia’s aim to expand its fleet and destinations, connecting the world to Saudi Arabia, and emphasizing the Kingdom’s authenticity and deep-rooted values.

In parallel to the rebrand, Saudia has also undertaken a huge digital transformation, entirely enhancing the customer digital experience. Saudia leads among international airlines in operating generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a virtual assistant, named “SAUDIA”, being one of the first of its kind in the region. Saudia will enable guests to complete the entire transaction through this efficient process by the end of the year.

The ambitious, long-planned digital transformation, fully improves customer experience but also allow more streamlined operations and processes while ensuring the highest levels of protection of guests’ personal data, through strong partnerships with global leading companies.

His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said: “We are experiencing a new era and a very exciting time for Saudia. Our airline has evolved from a Douglas DC-3 aircraft in 1945, to a 140-aircraft modern fleet serving over 100 destinations, becoming one of the largest airline in the region.

The name and logo of Saudia are integral parts of the Kingdom’s aviation history and development, and our people share a special emotional connection with the brand. We have incorporated this rich heritage into our new identity, adding elements that reflect our visionary approach, poised to captivate the world.”

Saudia is not only rolling out a fully integrated digital program and revamping its look, it is also effectively and quickly helping advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, collaborating with all industry stakeholders to achieve the targets of the National Aviation Strategy. The strategy aims to turn Saudi Arabia into a leader in the global industry, by enhancing the customer experience, improving safety and working towards a more sustainable future, in line with Saudia’s expansion goals to bring around 330 million visitors to the Kingdom by 2030.

Aerospace

By 2026, Dubai hopes to have a fully functioning flying taxi service.

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2023

Dawal

By constructing a fully operating flying taxi network by 2026, Dubai aspires to be the city that leads the future of flying taxis.

According to the Khaleej Times, an English-language newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates, the CEO of Skyports, which builds landing infrastructure for these aerial taxis, said Wednesday that he believed the city would be the first in the world to integrate a “fully-developed network” of flying taxis into its public transportation network.

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According to a news release on its website, Skyports originally announced plans to develop the vertiports – launching pads for these airborne taxis — in February. There are plans to build four landing sites near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina.

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Four vertiport sites located near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina, which are currently being considered by Skyports Infrastructure and RTA, were presented to a senior delegation which included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accompanied by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These initial locations will connect four of Dubai’s most popular – and populous – areas, providing high-speed, zero-emissions connectivity.

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The air mobility exposition demonstrates the RTA and Skyports Infrastructure’s planned roadmap for developing a vertiport network in Dubai for launch by 2026, including a concept for how future vertiport infrastructure may look and how it will integrate with existing transportation, including the RTA’s Dubai Metro network and Dubai International Airport.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of The Public Transport Agency at RTA, said, “The RTA’s plan for aerial taxis is in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips in Dubai driverless by 2030. The project aims to roll out a new mobility service driven by pioneering technology to ease the mobility of individuals across urban areas in a safe, smooth, and sustainable manner integrated with the public transport network in Dubai. The service is set to be operational by 2026.

Aerospace

HAL Plans Batch Upgrades for Sukhoi-30MKI Fleet

Published

4 days ago

September 29, 2023

Sana khan

HAL Plans Batch Upgrades for Sukhoi-30MKI Fleet

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace and military firm, is planning a significant modernization programme to improve the capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft fleet. This massive project, which is set to begin in fiscal year 2026-27.

The cockpit of the Sukhoi-30MKI has been completely redesigned as the main point of this upgrade effort. In a state-of-the-art makeover, new-generation touch widescreen checks will replace the present cockpit displays. This improvement is expected to improve pilot situational awareness, data visualization, and control over the aircraft’s systems, leading to a more responsive and accessible interface.

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The addition of a new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system produced locally for the programme is critical to the upgrade plan. In electronic warfare settings, this radar technology is critical for improving targeting precision and performance. It improves the Sukhoi-30MKI’s ability to operate effectively in difficult operational conditions by improving detection and tracking capabilities.

Along with the radar update, the mission control computer—a crucial part of the aircraft’s avionics suite—will also see significant advancements. Given the updated Sukhoi-30MKI’s powerful radar system and new display infrastructure, these improvements are crucial to guaranteeing seamless integration and top performance.

Additionally, the modernization programme anticipates an improved arsenal of weaponry that may include advanced electronic defenses and ammunition. A powerful asset in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, this improvement will considerably increase the aircraft’s combat effectiveness.

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The modernization project planned by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) represents a significant stride in India’s quest for enhanced air combat capabilities and technological self-reliance. With the comprehensive redesign of the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft fleet, encompassing cutting-edge cockpit displays, an indigenous AESA radar system, and an upgraded mission control computer, the Indian Air Force is on track to secure a formidable edge in contemporary aerial warfare.

This strategic initiative not only strengthens the Sukhoi-30MKI’s capabilities but also underscores India’s commitment to innovation and defense technology development.

In the pursuit of its ambitious upgrade plan, HAL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, places a pivotal emphasis on successfully securing the much-needed approvals and financial sanctions from both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

This visionary project, if granted the necessary green light, is set to unfold over the course of multiple years, signifying a long-term commitment and dedication to a transformative goal. The overarching objective is nothing short of remarkable: to meticulously convert the entire existing fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft into the cutting-edge Super-30 variant, with the ambitious deadline set for the year 2034. The meticulous execution of this grand undertaking will proceed at a steady and methodical pace, with an annual target of transforming 20 to 25 aircraft.

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