Geek Out

Flying Sharks Attacking New Zealand Pilots

Gizmodo AU

Those flying sharks. Although they look like an innocent and entertaining helium toy, our Kiwi cousins are discovering another truth – they’re savage killers intent on taking down Kiwi aircraft.


January 4, 2012
Geek Out

This Is The Scariest Way To Land A Jet

Landing a 767 on its belly is one thing — and definitely no easy feat. But what about crash-landing an old-as-hell Iranian F-5 fighter with its nose scraping the dirt?


December 28, 2011
Geek Out

It’s Like A Ginormous Slingshot, But For Planes

How do you get a 45,000 pound plane up to launch speed on a 270-foot aircraft carrier runway? With a giant, steam-powered catapults of course. Jörg Sprave would be so proud.


December 14, 2011
News

Trillion-Dollar Jet Has Thirteen Expensive Flaws

The most expensive weapons program in U.S. history is about to get a lot pricier.


December 5, 2011
Geek Out

Inside The New Qantas 787 Dreamliners

Gizmodo AU

Despite having production delays from hell and question marks over its validity, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner finally starting flying back in October this year. And after ordering 50 of the new planes, Qantas has given us a glimpse of the inside of the new aircraft, which is scheduled to begin flying in 2014.


November 1, 2011
Geek Out

How To Stop A Jet Dead In Its Tracks In Two Seconds

So how does one park a 9000kg aircraft travelling 130 knots on the roiling deck of the USS Ronald Reagan? Very careful aim and the incredible assistance of Mark 7 Mod 3 arresting gear.


October 26, 2011
Geek Out

Beleaguered Flight Crews Could Soon Bunk With The Cargo

Traveling in first class provides a welcome respite from the huddled masses in coach, but now flight crews have their own private place to escape from passengers in all classes. TIMCO Aerosystems designed this Crew Rest Module for Austrian Airlines that stashes in the plane’s cargo hold, providing a quiet place to escape on a long haul flight.


Geek Out

The F-22 Is Back, Baby!

That was quick! With zero explanation, The World’s Most Expensive Plane™ is back in the air, despite a persistent, possibly deadly oxygen deprivation problem. How long will the $US24,000,000,000,000 fleet stay operational? Who knows! [AFP]


Science

Giz Explains: How Stealth Works

Stealth bombers are not invisible — far from it, in fact. The Northrop Grumman-designed B-2 Spirit has a hard-to-ignore 50m wingspan and a thin, disk-like silhouette that makes it look like a cross between a stingray and an alien craft from a summer blockbuster.


October 22, 2011
News

Could Boeing’s Miracle Plane Make Flying Suck Less?

On Wednesday Boeing’s long-delayed, carbon-fibre, fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner will finally make its first passenger flight: a haul from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Time to find out if the Dreamliner can make flying better for everyone.