Will The Truthers Finally Give Up?

Of course they won't. But that won't let the facts stop them from insisting that the government is behind everything. Years after their twin towers theories had been debunked, they hung their hats on the theory that the gubmint blew up 7 World Trade Center intentionally. And the thing that they never could give a plausible explanation to was, why? And yet, they grind along, with a story that's more interesting than the facts support. It's time to move on.

Government scientists rebut conspiracy theories, say fire brought down trade center building -- Newsday.com

Technorati tags: politics, conspiracy, trade center, truth

Illumination Old School

A headlamp from an antique Ford Model T as seen on display in Hartford, Wisconsin.

Look! A Panda!

On a recent trip to San Diego, I had the opportunity to visit the wonderful San Diego Zoo. This is one of the zoos that the Chinese government has allowed to keep pandas, so this is not a common sight.

Igniting a Passion?

After my father's death, my mom, brother and I moved to northern New Jersey, right under the final approach path to Teterboro Airport. Day after day, countless airplanes flew down the street, and I just had to stop and look up at every one of them. One day, the Goodyear Blimp passed overhead, and it was so low I could swear I could reach up and touch it!

Here, two youngsters observe the departure of 55 Piper Comanches leaving Watertown Municipal Aiport for Oshkosh and the EAA AirVenture. Could these be future aviators?

Incident at Watertown Municipal

At about 3:45 pm this afternoon, a Cirrus airplane, reported to have 2 aboard, attempted a landing on runway 29 at Watertown Municipal Airport. The airplane appeared to abort the landing and lost control as it tried to climb out, veering to the left and crashing into a row of hangers. It is not known the extent of injuries at this time to those on board or any on the ground. It is very fortunate that the plane crashed there as it just missed crashing into 15 to 20 parked aircraft on the ramp that were assembled in preparation to travel to Oshkosh tomorrow. More information as I get it.

UPDATE: So far it has been reported that 2 people were aboard and both suffered non-fatal injuries although their exact condition is not known. This was a terrifying incident; Watertown was hosting a Piper Comanche gathering, and 3 dozen planes were parked on the ramp just behind my vantage point. Additionally there were several dozen people gathered in the main hanger for a barbeque. It could have been a disaster.

UPDATE 2: The occupants of the plane were a man and his wife. The injuries have been reported as non-life threatening. The plane was a Cirrus SR-22, which is equipped with seatbelt airbags. Those airbags may very well have saved two lives today. Very good news indeed.

FINAL UPDATE: A hero emerged from the incident yesterday. Curtis Loontjer, an employee of Wisconsin Aviation (the Fixed Based Operator), acted quickly and without regard for his own safety when he went into the crash and rescued the airplane's occupants. If not for his efforts, there would be no happy ending. A picture as published in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel can be found here. As you can see, nothing remains but the engine and firewall. My favorite rental plane, a Cessna 152, is in the background. Also of note, the Cirrus is equipped with a ballistic recovery parachute powered by a rocket booster. During the incident, the booster cooked off and fired, causing some very scary moments. Something will need to be done to reduce the risk of cookoff in these boosters in the future.

Technorati tags: aircraft, accident, watertown, wisconsin

Every Young Aviator's Dream

I have seen the Navy Blue Angels just once in my life thus far, back in 1982 at Lakehurst NAS, New Jersey. Back then they flew the old A-4F Skyhawk, not one of the more memorable jet fighters, but awesome all the same.

Brian Terwilliger is a film maker who has taken his passion for aviation and put it on film in his critically acclaimed "One Six Right". Earlier this year, he was offered a ride in one of the Angels' F/A-18 Hornets and he takes us along for the ride.

I'm off for vacation for a week, and I will be attending EAA Airventure Oshkosh for the very first time. It's yet another thing I've wanted to do my whole life. I hope to have plenty of material when I get back. Meanwhile, enjoy the film.

Flying Full Circle | A Dream Come True Ride with the Blue Angels

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

I had been looking forward for a long time for the opportunity to visit this fine ballpark. Oriole Park was groundbreaking as the first of the "retro-modern" line of baseball stadia built in the last 15 years. It's success launched a series of similar stadia with distinctive features and built in downtown areas that highlighted that city's classic buildings.

I found Oriole Park to be everything it's advertised to be. Other than some slight weathering of the seats, the park still shines like new.

By the way, can you name the players who wore those numbers for the Orioles?

Moon Day

Thirty-nine years ago today, mankind changed forever. Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, shares his thoughts.

Myself, I was a young lad of five. I distinctly remember where I was that day. It was at my aunt and uncle's cabin near a lake somewhere in New Jersey. The reception was a little shaky, but I was awestruck when the caption on the television said "Live From the Moon".

Tranquility Base | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

We were no longer bound to one planet, one place, troglodytes adhering to the surface of Earth. We became a space-dwelling species.

Technorati tags: space, moon, nasa, cool stuff, plait

Dive

Thankfully, not one of the hotels that I stay in on the road.

Dothan, Alabama.

Grand Rapids

The central concourse of Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Smaller airports always more pleasurable than the large ones. Must have something to do with far fewer passengers per square foot.