Small World

Wow. I don’t live far from you at all. I often see lots of traffic going in/out of and around the small airport near me. The most common choppers are the NJSP S-76. Military types would see the UH-60 be the most common. There is the occasional CH-53 and UH-1 from what I would expect to be Willow Grove. One fellow around here has a T-6 and flies it often. C-130’s will often caravan in flights of three to five at low level, but not at night. I bet the three you described were UH-60’s or CH-53’s. The CH-53 was the loudest helo I have ever heard.

Walkway

I am wondering why the walkway is painted in that crazy pattern.

It’s nice, but not necessary.

VTOL is a nice capability to have in a fighter, but comes at a significant cost in performance. While these technologies are improving, the acquisition costs are escalating as well. Many would claim the Harrier killed more U.S. Marines than the enemy ever did.

In a transport role, VTOL is very helpful with the same constraints. The V-22’s safety record isn’t the best. However, the V-22 is a trailblazing design. I would focus on those types of roles for VTOL development and not fighters.

STOL characteristics should be incorporated into every tactical aircraft.

Syrian pilot defects to Jordan with MiG-21

via Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/21/us-syria-crisis-aircraft-idUSBRE85K0JZ20120621

Rare Photos

Nice photo session!
Wouldn’t mind seeing Five Cocks up in the air at the same time, that lifter is a monster.

Not in the air, but together and imposing nonetheless

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Aeroflot/Antonov-An-22-Antei/1142153/L/&sid=0def82cfcab0601fa2cc660227bd2045

Both in flight?

We need to see a pic of both airframes in flight. 😀