Airplanes

[CTG]

Considering the altitude dependence of sound barrier (~1050-1100 kmh at airliner's altitude) and the specifications of Airbus A330, I start to doubt the flightradar24 speed data published for the estimation game. However, the radar always shows some bigger airplanes (A330, A340, A380; B747, B777) beyond 1050 kmh. Experts will be asked about it.

Flightradar24 probably shows ground speed, while the capabilities of an airplane limit the air speed. Wind speed of 150 km/h is not unusual at cruising altitude, so an air speed of 900 km/h in tailwind can easily mean ground speed of 1050 km/h.

That sounds rationally. But since I saw some smaller and weaker planes - B737, A320 - over 1100, or even 1200 kmh (!!!), I don't really believe that data.

The minimal speed is also funny. When a huge cargo plane is full, the first minute after the takeoff always seems to be a scary "standstill".

[Usrin]

It could be checked if you compare speed data with this map: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rtavn0014.png

That's wind speed in knots (1 knot=1.85 km/h) in the level of 200 hPa pressure (11-12 km). Sometimes the speed of westerly winds reaches even of 300 km/h, and long-haul flights prefer to use these zones to reduce fuel usage & flight time.

Btw, if you see 1100-1200 km/h for an airplane flying westwards above Europe, the N Atlantic or N America, you can be sure that it's wrong data.

[zaqrack]

Yes, this is the reason why travel from Europe to China is usually 60-90 minutes shorter than the other direction.

[Chulk]

That sounds rationally.

You mean 'reasonable'. I think Ground Speed vs. Air speed and Heading East vs. West is probably what's messing up the numbers. It is important to define this because it could break Zak & Usrin tie...

[CTG]

Wednesday became my favorite day lately, having a nice B747-B757-B767-Avro RJ100 combo in the evening (within 20 minutes if they keep the departure plan).

[zaqrack]

The Avro is a cute little plane, I once flew it to Zurich. Better than turbo-propeller planes which are roughly the same size.

[CTG]

The Avro is a cute little plane, I once flew it to Zurich. Better than turbo-propeller planes which are roughly the same size.

Three things to mention:

- Even if it's small, it has 4 engines.
- The sound of Avro is quite unique, it reminds me a bit on a trolley bus.
- Avro is one of the very few airplanes in Open TTD's additional airplane pack being able to carry any kind of cargo stuff. Try to imagine it with livestock...

[alanrotoi]

I want to travel to the Eastern Island next summer but I fear about the junk plane I'll travel from Chile to the island.

I did travel in planes before but to do it over the pacific ocean for several hours... I don't like it 

[Chulk]

I want to travel to the Eastern Island next summer but I fear about the junk plane I'll travel from Chile to the island.

I did travel in planes before but to do it over the pacific ocean for several hours... I don't like it 

Easter, not Eastern. Do you know what plane will you be flying on?

[alanrotoi]

No, that scares me  because there aren't many tourist going there, so I guess they use an old junk

[dreadnaut]

Shouldn't be too bad: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mataveri_International_Airport

"The airport's single runway is 3,318 m (10,885 ft) long. The airport was once designated as an abort site for the U.S. Space Shuttle"

"LAN currently flies Boeing 767 aircraft to the island on its scheduled services."

[CTG]

"LAN currently flies Boeing 767 aircraft to the island on its scheduled services."

Unless it's an old 767 - this model was introduced in the early 80s.

As far as I remember, B767-300 was the largest airplane of Malév. It was fun to see the low-pass over the Danube in 2007.

[dreadnaut]

Was that just for show, or is the airport that much in the city centre?

[CTG]

Was that just for show, or is the airport that much in the city centre?

Traditional air show (+there was Red Bull Air Race)

[CTG]

El Al Airlines will come to Budapest with Boeing 747 once a week - just to kill Wizz Air's low cost flights between Budapest and Tel-Aviv. Even if I'm happy to see another Jumbo, I'm against that kind of business trickery.