“Wrapping up 131 here from Discovery — a really great mission. A lot of good science and a lot of good stuff delivered up to the station. Couldn’t be more proud of the teams,” said Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses. Moses described post-flight shuttle Discovery as “a very clean vehicle.”

Prior to the test flight, seven astronauts took a walk around the spacecraft that carried them more than six million miles. They paused to each express their thoughts about the mission and their gratitude to those on the ground who helped make the mission safe and successful.

“We had a lot of adversity but we overcame it all with some great team work,” said Mission Specialist Clayton Anderson, who participated in the mission’s three spacewalks and previously spent five months at the space station. “I’ve had two homecomings this flight. I got to go home to the International Space Station and now I get to come home to KSC. To all of you who helped get us up and bring us back, thank you so very much. God bless America.”

The astronauts returned to crew quarters aboard the silver Astrovan, the same vehicle that carried them to the launch pad for their liftoff. They are expected to return to their home base at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston tomorrow.

Discovery’s touchdown at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida came at 9:08 a.m. EDT on April 20, after a one-day delay due to weather.

Space shuttle Atlantis is poised to roll to Launch Pad 39A at 6 p.m. EDT today, weather permitting. The STS-132 crew will arrive tonight in preparation for their countdown dress rehearsal later in the week.

The Chicago-based aviation giant will boost production of its 777 aircraft from five per month to seven airplanes per month. Its 747 program’s planned production rate also increased to two airplanes per month from 1.5 per month in mid 2012.

“Market improvement and our conservatively managed approach to production have put us in a position where we see it necessary to raise aircraft output,” the company said. “Increasing our rate is the right thing to do to support our customers.”

The move won’t have a material impact on its 2010 company results, but Boeing will provide some comments when it releases its first-quarter results.

Sikorsky Aircraft, the US military contractor who created the original Black Hawk, purchased a Polish factory 2007. At the time, this factory was in a derelict condition, but afteran extensive overhaul, the factory rolled out the first combat helicopter. Within two years, the restored factory is expected to produce 20 helicopters annually. Black Hawks S-70i cost between £8 and £11 million pounds. It will be offered to the market after trials have been complete.

There are currently 2000 people employed at PZL Mielec, while Sikorsky employed some 17 000 people worldwide.

The Black Hawk is a military workhorse used by the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq. It has been sold to other countries and is also used in civilian rescue missions. Sikorsky also produces SH-60 or the Seahawk, as well as experimental types like the Sikorsky S-72 X-Wing. Sikorsky has supplied the helicopter for the President of the United States since 1957.

The Cessna Skyhawk is single-engine, four seater, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. Having started production in 1955, the Cessna 172 aircraft is still in production today to the delight of many pilots. There are a number of different Cessna 172 models, so be sure to check the specs of each individual plane before you buy. So what is so special about this little plane?

Brief History

The Cessna 172 began its life as simple tricycle undercarriage development of the taildragger 170. It had a fairly basic level of standard equipment. The overnight success of the plane helped to improve all aspects of the aircraft.

A list of major changes in models can be found below:

Today’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk

From spinner to tail, today’s Cessnas starts with a high-wing design that offers greater stability, improved visibility, sun blocking and inclement weather protection. This high-wing design also results in a simplified preflight inspection and easy access to pilot, passenger and cargo doors.

Exterier

The Cessna Skyhawk has rugged, shock-absorbing main landing gear that will help you grease the toughest airstrips. Hydraulically actuated disc brakes and a steerable nose-wheel design help make for controlled ground handling and maneuverability. The 172 Skyhawk comes equiped with a high-intensity discharge lamp. The lamp provides light discharge at five times the intensity of regular discharge lamps. They also last a lot longer while operating at far less power draw than traditional landing lights.

Interior

Today’s Cessna 172 Skyhwak features leather seats, advanced soundproofing, cabin air controls and enhanced multilevel ventilation. Today’s Cessna cabin is a a luxurious affair. It has been thoroughly refined.

Flight Control

The Cessna Skyhawk SP models come standard with the Garmin GFC 700 flight control system. It features airspeed hold, overspeed protection, pitch hold . The GFC 700 provides precise lateral and vertical guidance and capabilities formerly available only on the most sophisticated business jets.

Synthetic Vision

The Cessna Skyhawk SP features the Garmin’s G1000® Synthetic Vision Technology. This system will show the aircraft’s position in real-time 3-D images, giving you outstanding situational awareness even when flight conditions are less than outstanding. It displays synthetic terrain, flight hazards, flight-path markers and highway-in-the-sky, all on one easy-to-read avionics panel.

XM Weather

In addition to the functions you’ll likely use most often with the optional XM Weather program – textual and graphical METARS, TAFs, NEXRAD radar, and graphical winds aloft – you also get lightning, cloud tops, freezing levels, and TFRs, as well as many other textual and graphical weather products. All this valuable information is automatically sent to your aircraft via the XM Satellite System and updated continuously to provide you with a near real-time picture of conditions you’ll encounter – or avoid – during your flight. Want even a little more reassurance? Range rings estimating your range with reserves and maximum range based on current fuel flow and wind conditions are readily available.

Engine

The new Cessna Skyhawks features a 180 horsepower engine harnessed to a McCauley propeller. The plane engine has a maximum speed of 126 knots (234 km/hr), a max cruise speed of 124 knots (230 km/hr) and a 730 fpm (223 mpm) rate of climb.

There are a lot of hidden costs involved – insurance, hangarage, maintenance etc. Unless you fly very regularly, it if often the more expensive option. And, like buying a second-hand car, a used plane needs to first be looked at carefully by an expert.

You should think about the following points carefully before you go any further in your quest to own your own airplane.

Buy versus Renting

Many people make their decision based on how much time they actually spend in their aircrafts flying year after year. For example, if you spend less than 50 hours per year flying it might be better for you if you simply rent an airplane as opposed to purchasing one. If; however, you spend more than that, it could be that you will find numerous advantages in purchasing an airplane, depending on the type that you purchase.

A lot of people will only account for the bulk sum of money required to buy a used aircraft. Don’t forget that you will need to spend money on upkeep and maintenance regularly.

To its advantage, rented airplanes have no commitments in terms of maintenance. You’re free to enjoy flying without any burden upon you.  Of course, that’s not to say that you need to actually perform the maintenance yourself if you don’t have time or you do not have the skills, but you do have the responsibility of paying for it as well as making sure that the work is performed properly. People with very busy schedules may find that this factor alone makes renting more advantageous.

Other feeds outside of maintenane are insurance as well as airplane storage and any airport fees that apply. You will also need to pay for fuel. The amount of money you plane costs in terms of these expenses will vary according to the type of plane you own but it is common to spend upwards of $3000 per year on these costs alone. This figure rises rapidly with your flying patterns and airplane.

Owning your own airplane isn’t just about saving money though. Don’t forget about having the freedom to leave any time, stay as long as you want, always find the plane in the condition you left it, know the plane and its maintenance history and to have the opportunity to fly aircraft types that are difficult to rent.

One of the biggest concerns with owning a used airplane is that if it breaks down, the costs will be massive. Fixing a plane is not like fixing a laptop. You will likely need a big sum of money to repair and often buying a new plane could be the more financially viable option.

Other Advantages of Owning

You are never truley free to fee whenever and wherever you want with rented aircrafts. The issue that tips most pilots over the edge is the availability of rented aircrafts. It is look booking a table at the city’s most popular restaurants – your not always going to get it!

Maybe pilots will be concerned with the level of maintenance provided to rented aircrafts. In terms of mechanical reliability, the unknown worries many people. If you owned your own plane, then you know they will be more reliable due to the level of personal attention they get.

Objective – Which Airplane Will Suit Me Most?

What is it about aviation that you are interested in. Are you keen on acrobatics, sightseeing, fun flying, short trips, or cross-country trips?

The best type and model depends on how you think you will be using your plane. Before you start shopping, defining exactly what you need can help narrow down the field.

Some of the questions that you should be asking yourself are:

• How many passengers will you typically carry?
• What type of airstrips will you land on?
• How far will you fly?
• re there certain styles such as antiques and classics that you find more appealing?
• How fast do you need to get there?
• Will you be flying in congested airspace?
• A How will your needs change over time?

What About Group Owned Planes

Group-Owned Aircraft – the Ideal Solution?

Many aircraft are owned by a group of pilots, and this may be the ideal solution. There is usually an initial outlay to buy into the group, then a monthly charge to cover maintenance and other ongoing costs, then an hourly rate for flying.

Part ownership means costs are lower, and the admin work is shared. It gives a new pilot a chance to gain experience, and there is also a good social side in many groups . It may be a solution even if only for the short term – and selling a share at a later date is always an option.

You should look into any group purchase carefully, since some are organised better than others. Find out how the particular group does things, and make sure the type of plane is one that he likes and will enjoy flying.

Buyer Inspection & Log Books

The choice is yours but whatever you decide, be sure to give the airplane a thorough inspection. Walk around the plane, look to see if the plane sit level. Look at paint for consistency, it may be a indicator of replacement parts. Make sure the paint’s not cracking or flaking.

The wear on the paint is a good indicator of how the plane has been treated. Has it been left outside baking in the sun and buried under snow, or has it been stored in a covered hangar? Also look for dents, rust and missing pieces.  A plane that has not been maintained well will tend to run into problems very quickly.

Go inside the cabin. How well do the doors close? What is the general feel of the interior? Is it well worn? Does it have an odor? Look at the avionics.

Does the plane have a Mode C transponder? Does the plane have an emergency locator transmitter? If it is missing either, find out why.

As a final step of the buyer’s inspection, examine the log books. Look for the frequency of flights, repairs and inspections.

LogBook Checklist

• Research all AD notes
• Check service bulletin compliance. Make recommendation for complying with significant ones that have not been done
• Check logbooks for damage history
• Check annual inspection entry for proper signoff
• Check for IFR recertification
• Compare engine, airframe, and propeller serial numbers with those in logbooks
• Verify engine and propeller times since major overhaul

Once you’ve decided that the airplane looks like a keeper then you will want to get an official prepurchase inspection conducted. Some mechanics refuse to do “prepurchase” inspections.

You should be prepared to provide your mechanic with a detailed list of things you want done during the inspection. At the end of this article is a checklist of items that I recommend including as part of every prepurchase inspection.

By asking your mechanic do a detailed job on the prepurchase, you’ll know that the airplane is safe to fly, and be reasonably confident that nothing major is going to cause you any grief in the foreseeable future. A cursory inspection, or none at all, can leave you open to all sorts of problems that are preventable.

Sharing the flight duties with Andre Borschberg, the duo will attempt non-stop flight, only touching down to change pilots.

Solar Impulse plans to fly an around the world trip in late 2012 or early 2013. Charles Lindbergh was the first man to attempt a non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and Piccard believes that recreating this epic flight using only solar power will be a wonderful promotion tool for alternative energy.

Piccard said: “People need solutions, not problems. So we have to demonstrate the solutions. We have to show that it’s possible to do great things.”

“A few months after the earthquake in Sichuan, there was a major earthquake in Japan but they had few casualties because helicopters were sent in large numbers.”

Civilian helicopters are seen as a disaster relief work and also for construction work in cities and in situations where road conditions limit other forms of transportation.

Foreign firms have rushed to take advantage of the sudden helicopter boom. Agusta Westland, the Italian manufacturer, has established a joint venture with Jiangxi Changhe Aviation Industries Corporation to build A109E light twin-engined helicopters to China.

Pegasus, the US kit helicopter manufacturer, has also signed a deal with Shanghai Fei Tian. “China is poised to become the world’s largest single market for light helicopters,” noted Robert Zummo, the chief executive. Sikorsky, another helicopter manufacturer, said it had “been busy in China for the past few years”.

A joint venture with EADS, the French defence firm, delivered its first Eurocopter helicopters over Christmas, in a sign of China’s intent to dramatically boost its production.

However, Professor Li said China still had “a long way to go” before it would be able to build a helicopter from scratch without Western input.

“We are still a long way behind the developed countries, especially in engine technology,” he said. “We cannot produce the same hardness and elasticity in our steel and the engines often overheat,” he added.

“It is still too early to say when China will become a leading global manufacturer of helicopters, but it is bound to be one. China will have advantages in manufacturing helicopters just as it has in manufacturing everything else,” he said.

Unlike conventional jet engines that use air to spray their fuel into the compressed air that then ignites to produce the thrust needed to move forward. The MagLevAir will create the minimum speed needed for the scramjet to operate, and allow the aircraft to take off once it has been catapulted into the air.

The MagLevAir was designed for the use at smaller airports where space is limited. Residents who live nearby airports will welcome the reduction in noise levels.

Amongst the spectators of the maiden grace was Mitsuo Moromotto, All Nippon Airways’ vice president. The Japanese carrier is first on the list to receive Boeing’s new 787.

Mitsuo Moromotto said: “After watching the grace and chance the pilots, I see overconfident Boeing module be healthy to deliver our airplane on time. This grace is a travel to go forward.”

Boeing already has some 840 orders for the 787 Dreamliner, though the delay in the information and the global scheme crisis has resulted in 83 cancellations in 2009.

What has truly appealed to buyers is Boeing’s promise of Brobdingnagian render savings. This well designed aircraft is prefabricated mostly of composite materials and thus has a modify mass when compared to other kindred models.

It is expected that the longest range variant of the 787 module be healthy to fly to over 5 000 km at a cruising pace of 903 km/h.
There is indeed such to look forward to, and it is easy to understand why the Dreamliner has received so such attention. However, there is ease a way to go and hopefully there module be no more delays.