flying

Monster Machines: New Flying Petrol Station Will Be Open 24/7 Anywhere In The World

KC-135 Statofortress tanker planes have been refuelling fighter craft in-flight for more than 60 years. While such longevity is commendable, the US military’s fleet of mid-air refuellers is in desperate need of an update. And that’s where this new flying petrol station comes in.


Virgin America Installs New In-Flight System To Help You Get Laid

Richard Branson: eccentric billionaire, adrenaline junky, sworn enemy of neckties and now… matchmaker. That’s right — Richard Branson wants to get you laid. What’s more, he wants to get you laid in a goddamn aeroplane.


US Authorities Delay New Knives-On-Planes Policy

Last month, the US Transportation Security Administration announced that it was going to allow travellers to carry knives on planes once more, and the new rule was supposed to come into action on April 25. However, the TSA has delayed the introduction of the policy — and it’s not clear now when the new rule will actually take effect.


Overhauled Boeing 787 Dreamliner Officially Cleared For Take Off

Nearly four months after grounding the Dreamliner after its battery exploded into flames on the tarmac in Boston, the FAA has cleared the maligned Boeing 787 for commercial flights. The plane will be permitted to fly up to 180 minutes from its point of departure — the same clearance it had before.


Watching Bats Fly In Slow Motion Reveals Biological Badassery

We all know about echolocation, but way more is happening when a bat takes flight, and some bats don’t echolocate at all. So how do they have so much precision in their flying and what’s different about bats and birds?


FAA: No, You Can’t Take Down A Plane With An Android App

Remember how the internet got itself all riled up a few days ago when it found out that it would only take one rogue Android user to hack and take over an entire plane? Yeah, about that — it’s not true.


The Most Popular Seats On An Aeroplane Are At The Very Back

Where do you like sitting on an aeroplane? At the very front or the very back? At a window or an aisle? According to research by British Airways, the most popular seats on a Boeing 747 are 51B/51C, 52B/52C, 51H/51J and 52 H/52J. That’s all the way in the back of the plane.


How A Single Android Phone Can Hack An Entire Plane

If airlines were already keen to keep your phone switched off, things could be about to get even more militant. According to a talk by Hugo Teso at the Hack In The Box security conference, it’s possible to hack an entire plane using an Android smartphone. Gulp.


Making Weapons From Airport Duty-Free Stores

It’s widely acknowledged that the purpose of airport security isn’t to protect passengers from harm — it’s to stop major in-flight attacks that take down the plane. That doesn’t stop airports imposing plenty of silly security rules, but a report in Dutch newspaper Nu reveals just how easy it is to create dangerous tools from airport duty-free stores regardless.


Invisible Lightning Strikes Could Be Bombarding Planes With Radiation

Lightning is a terrifying yet majestic force of nature, especially when you see it from an aeroplane. But scientists have recently discovered that lightning can sometimes be invisible — and it could be bombarding planes with radiation as they fly.


Gizmodo Is Hiring a PHP Developer!

Take pride in writing clean code? We’re looking for an autonomous PHP developer to join our rapidly-growing team at Allure Media. Apply within.

World of Servers