This seems like lunacy to me, a million $ aircraft with no humans in the cockpit , even for a short demonstration flight. FOr me , the solution for not enough pilots for commuter airlines is to find, hire, train and dispatch human pilots, and pay them enough to keep their attention.

(Written on 17/04/2021)(Permalink)

it's a hard surface, dry, decent wind conditions, sunny day- the pilots and the aircraft were capable of a safe landing , and they did exactly that. Nice views of venice: lots of water thereabouts- lovely video.

(Written on 16/04/2021)(Permalink)

i have flown in and out of this deserted strip doing t % g's years ago. A few airlines used it for live landings as it is close to Miami International Airport. The grandiouse plans described above don't make sense now and they didn't make sense when first unveiled. Florida does not do infrastruture investments often or well or well-funded when funded. Its got a long east/west runway and you gotta pay attention to deer and aligator intrusions, and its all dark out there, except when heading east, then you can see Miami spread out: south to Homestead and north to Ft Lauderdale, a ribbon of light. Full moons over the everglades are spendid. Nice memories. Otherwise, what a dump

(Written on 15/04/2021)(Permalink)

not exactly thrilled by the barrier to see this story, either in the "you gotta pay to join to see this and all the other marelous stuff we got" or the "remove add blocker" barrier either. This is unseemly for such a classy site populated by avid aviation fans...They should drop their barriers, and maybe we will, maybe we won't become paying customers to them. If FlightAware becomes a pay for view site, of course i shall pay, for this is one of my daily habits, several times a day, habit.

(Written on 14/04/2021)(Permalink)

this is sensible because france and europe in particular, has an effective, extensive, reliable rail system that includes high speed rail. Comfortable seating, faster entry into the train rather than going fhrough airport check-ins, terminals in suburbs and city centers, cab and bus systems in place to speed travelers to destinations. Only a person who has never traveled on european trains would give a negative remark to this initiative from french lawmakers interested in reducing carbon emissions. Short distances- those equal to short haul airline flights are bound to be more pleasant, less stress origin-to - destination, cheaper, and better for our planet. Taking time to enjoy the trip is better for the psyche as well, especially for those of us who understand the science of emissions and global warming.

(Written on 12/04/2021)(Permalink)

except for salaries, boeing 737 have similar operating hourly costs, and $19 fares are silly from the get-go. For this happy bunch to succeed, and not become the latest version of Allegient or Spirit, except these folks have a little more seating room apparently, they must offer reliable on-time service- tough to do with such a small fleet starting up. It matters little the happy talk, the fashions for the stews, even the quality of the food or even the price of drinks and beer- enough on-time frequencies to cover delays and cancellations have to be present at the onset of service. Southwest began with a triangle and three 737's. And a good idea on pricing, with a similar environment this airline is entering. High fares, crummy service, entitled cabin crew,- you name it. Just do it right, lose the attitudes, and find a niche culture, and then spread to Kansas City pretty quick... I will pay for tickets on a better alternative company. show me show us all...

(Written on 08/04/2021)(Permalink)

perhaps.. it always depends on market timing and market conditions.

(Written on 06/04/2021)(Permalink)

i suppose that if Airbus had constructed and designed the 380 for cargo conversion, the operators now stuck with an unusable passenger airliner would like to alter the big bird to carry cargo. BUT, since airbus did not design for cargo conversion, the question is entirely moot. Fedex and UPS did option the 380 years ago but declined the options when the plane was revealed inadequate for the task.

(Written on 06/04/2021)(Permalink)

pilot error takes many forms. Hard to defend any pilot who ignores the "X" painted at the end of his mis-intended runway. Now, what is to be done with the pilots? ground them, retrain them. send them to their rooms?

(Written on 05/04/2021)(Permalink)

much of the allure of airline pilot evaporated long ago, and pilots are left with few worthwhile perks of the job beyond flying itself. Certainly, United Airlines is a collection of unpleasant policies and procedures, uncertain future, with the built-in unpleasantries of how first year pilots have to cope with the realities of this airline. A thousand pilots have walked away recently from this outfit, and a fair examination of that ought to concern the airline more than it seems to.

(Written on 04/04/2021)(Permalink)