Delta Jets Collide (But It Could Have Been Way Worse)

Good morning! Speaking of aviation mishaps, today marks 116 years since the world’s first fatal airplane accident. On September 17, 1908, during a demonstration in Virginia, a modified Wright Brothers aircraft crashed, leaving Orville Wright seriously injured and tragically killing U.S. Army Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge. Selfridge, a pioneer in aviation and collaborator with Alexander Graham Bell, had become the first Army officer to fly solo in a powered aircraft the previous year. His death was a major loss for the Army’s aviation efforts; he was only 26 years old ✈

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Too Close for Comfort: Delta Jets Collide in Atlanta

• Around the Skies: Draco is back! (sort of), Boeing machinists reject new contract, Prince George starts flying lessons, First flight for a new Northrop Grumman aircraft, Joby seeks air taxi operator certification in the Middle East

• PilotTube: Why is the German Luftwaffe in Texas?

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Delta Jets Collide at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

On September 10, 2024 (moments after last week’s flybuyer email was sent out) two Delta Air Lines planes got a little too close for comfort on the ground at Atlanta's International Airport. An Airbus A350, en route to Tokyo, gracefully clipped a much smaller Bombardier CRJ-900 while both planes were taxiing. The Bombardier, headed for Louisiana, had its tail knocked clean off. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

The Airbus, weighing in at a hefty 600,000 pounds with fuel, made short work of the CRJ-900, a mere 70,000-pound regional jet. The CRJ’s tail didn’t stand a chance, ending up on top of the aircraft’s empennage. Despite this less-than-ideal situation, both planes made it back to the terminal and passengers were rebooked on other flights.

While passengers deplaned and airport officials scrambled to figure out what just happened, social media lit up with photos of the wreckage. The FAA and NTSB are both looking into what led to this rather dramatic meet-up on the ramp, but airport operations carried on with little disruption.

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AROUND THE SKIES

Exciting news! Airbus Poland and Draco Aircraft signed an agreement to transfer all intellectual property rights, the type certificate and tooling for all 'Wilga' models. Originally produced over 1,000 times by Airbus Poland's predecessor, PZL Warszawa, YouTuber Mike Patey made the Wilga famous by transforming his into the groundbreaking HyperSTOL “Draco” aircraft a few years back. Now, Draco Aircraft is seeking investors to bring a certified Draco to the market, both in Europe and the United States.

Boeing’s machinists rejected a new contract and opted to strike, bringing production to a halt and adding to the company's existing struggles. Despite Boeing offering a 25% wage increase over four years, workers were unimpressed by the lack of pension restoration and other key benefits, leading to further tension in the aerospace giant’s efforts to recover from previous financial woes.

Prince George, continuing the royal family's flying tradition, began flight lessons at the age of 11, taking off from White Waltham Airfield in a Piper PA-28 last week. The young lad flew with an instructor while his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, watched from the ground.

The Northrop Grumman Model 437 Vanguard just had its first flight — the 437 is an experimental military aircraft designed by Scaled Composites and Northrop Grumman for multi-role and cost-effective manned and unmanned operations. Its primary purpose is to support the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, offering versatility in combat scenarios with a range of 3,000 nautical miles and the ability to carry up to 2,000 pounds of payload.

Joby Aviation has officially begun the process to become the first certified air taxi operator in the Middle East, aiming to start operations in the UAE by 2026. With plans to fly its electric air taxis in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Joby is working closely with local aviation authorities to lay the groundwork for a future air taxi network in the region.

PilotTube

Did you know that the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) trains their fighter pilots in Texas? This video tells us why 🤔

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