Simple Flying - History

British Biplane: The Story Of The Sopwith Camel

Alexander Mitchell — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 20:45:12 GMT

The Sopwith Camel was undeniably one of the most recognizable aircraft of the First World War. The biplane fighter entered service with the Royal Air Force in June 1917, and would not retire until January 1920.

Rare Rear-Engined Quadjet: The Story Of The Lockheed JetStar

Sumit Singh — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:45:12 GMT

The Lockheed Jetstar was flown by a diverse range of operators over the years, and saw success in both military and civilian fields. Flying with designation C-140 with the US Air Force and designations L-329 and L-1329 for business services, the rear-engined quadjet saw a 19-year production run between 1961 and 1980.

Wooden Wonder: The Story Of The De Havilland DH.98 'Mosquito'

Mark Finlay — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:45:12 GMT

While the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane are likely better known, the de Havilland Mosquito may just be the aircraft that best epitomizes the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. While the Nazi war machine rapidly built up in Germany, the British Air Ministry was seeking out a short to medium-range bomber to counter the growing threat.

Reeve Aleutian Airways Flight 8: A Cabin Crew Perspective

Patricia Green — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:45:12 GMT

It was June 8, 1983 and Reeve Aleutian Airways flight 8 was preparing to leave from Cold Bay Airport, Alaska. The Lockheed L-188 Electra was headed for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with cargo and ten passengers onboard. The passengers were mostly hunters and anglers. Captain James Gibson was flying that day, along with first officer Gary Lintner and flight engineer Gerald 'Moose' Laurin. In the cabin were flight attendants Wendy Kroon and Victoria Fredenhagen.

Did You Know About The Boeing 727's Re-Engining Program?

Chris Loh — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 12:45:12 GMT

Fitting an existing aircraft type with new engines has been one approach adopted by planemakers to offer more efficient offerings to airline customers. This approach has obvious advantages: Minimum recertification is required while the re-engined jets are easily integrated into the existing fleet alongside older variants. Both Airbus and Boeing have re-engined certain commercial aircraft families.

What Caused TWA Flight 800 To Explode In Mid-Air?

Dr. Omar Memon — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 11:45:12 GMT

On July 17, 1996, Trans World Airlines Flight 800 exploded and crashed in the Atlantic Ocean 12 minutes after takeoff from New York’s JFK Airport. It was a scheduled flight from New York to Rome with a stopover in Paris onboard a carrier’s Boeing 747-100 (N93119). All 230 passengers and crew members onboard Flight 800 perished. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) speculated a terrorist attack was the cause of the crash.

Known For Its Forward-Swept Wings: The Story Of The HFB 320 Hansa Jet

Steven Walker — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 04:15:12 GMT

The HFB 320 Hansa Jet was Germany's first business jet, and the first business jet with forward-swept wings. That was one of its many quirks, which ultimately limited its success.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Enters 75th Year Celebrating Record Results

Joe Kunzler — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 13:30:12 GMT

Simple Flying was at the January 25 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) kick-off of the airport’s 75th anniversary commemoration. SEA and the Port of Seattle, which manages the airport, intend to have a year-long stream of celebrations not just of the 75 years of history made but of being made.

Mil V-12: The Story Of The Largest Helicopter Ever Built

Mark Finlay — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 11:15:12 GMT

The Mil V-12 had the potential to change air travel forever. For a number of reasons, the gigantic helicopter fell far short of its lofty promises but gave engineers a unique window into the world of large-scale rotorcraft.

What Happened To US Carrier Western Airlines?

Mark Finlay — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 10:15:14 GMT

Founded on April 17, 1926, Western Airlines was a California-based airline that operated flights throughout the western United States and Canada. Later, the airline added flights to significant population center's on the East Coast and flew internationally to London, England.