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Articles by William Rizzo
Ulysses’ Odyssey: Lessons for Platform Engineering
Ulysses’ Odyssey: Lessons for Platform Engineering sponsor-cncf,sponsored-post-contributed, Image from Bikolpo Chakma on Shutterstock. In Homer’s “Odyssey,” Ulysses embarks on a long and treacherous voyage home from Troy. His journey is one of courage, wit and endurance — facing storms, monsters and temptations at every turn. In today’s digital age, organizations pursuing platform engineering find themselves on a similarly epic journey. The destination?
Platform as a Product
In the evolving landscape of software development, platform engineering emerges as a pivotal discipline, transforming platforms into strategic assets. This talk delves into the concept of "Platform as a Product," exploring how treating internal platforms with the same rigor as customer-facing products can drive innovation, efficiency, and scalability.
Social Media Focus - Scott Bateman, Airline Pilot and More - NYCAviation
(Welcome to Social Media Focus. In this new series for NYCAviation, we will spend time and focus on a regular aviation social media poster. In this first installment, we meet and spend a little time with Scott Bateman. Scott is a current A350 and former 747 pilot for an airline based in the United Kingdom. Prior to that, he flew in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Scott also has a range of interests when not flying, all revealed in this article.
Join Us for #Avgeek Movie Night! This Week: Snakes On A Plane - NYCAviation
With most of us cooped up at home these days, it’s time we all had a little fun. If you’ve followed us for a while, you know that we’re big fans of aviation themed movies. So how about an #Avgeek Movie Night? Friday evenings at 9:00PM Eastern, 6:00PM Pacific we’ll watch an aviation themed movie together. Tweet along as we all watch from home. How It Works Step 1: Rent, purchase, or stream the movie from your outlet of choice. You could even go old school and play the DVD if you’d like.
When The Unthinkable Happens: A Memoir of Being a Witness to a Crash - NYCAviation
“Why do people go to air shows?” That was the question posed by a local reporter to a small group of aviation focused journalists. A group I was a part of. Another journalist from my group chimed in immediately. He spoke of the aircraft of our nation’s military. An air show is, after all, one of the few times we get to see a part of our nation’s military might in person. Next, he spoke of the warbirds, incredible flying machines in their own right from a bygone era.
The Legal Responsibility of Passengers During an Airplane Evacuation - NYCAviation
The importance of evacuating an airplane after an accident cannot be overstressed. Except when depleted of fuel, aircraft have a strong propensity to burn after impact. Once the aircraft starts burning, statistically you’ve got 90 seconds to get out of there alive. After that point, your chance of making it out alive drops precipitously, and after two minutes, statistically, you’re dead. Nearly 25 years ago, TWA 843 slammed back on the runway at JFK after aborting the takeoff.
Emotional Baggage: Passengers Taking Their Bags During Airline Emergencies - NYCAviation
Over the past several years, there have been multiple instances of air passengers retrieving their belongings before exiting an aircraft while under evacuation orders, despite instructions to leave these items behind. This has often brought swift rebukes from airline staff, industry professionals, media commentators, as well as fellow passengers. With the recent videos taken from inside Emirates Flight 521 as it was evacuated in Dubai last Aug.
Flying in Cargo Class: The Anatomy of an Air Freighter - NYCAviation
Passenger and cargo aircraft look very similar from a distance. With a few exceptions, the airplanes used as freighters are the same models frequent fliers are familiar with. As an airliner flies overhead, often the only way to tell it’s not hauling human cargo is the logo of a logistics company. Inside a freighter, it’s a whole other animal. A FedEx Boeing 777 freighter. Cargo can be loaded onto both the main and lower decks.
“The Wings of Man” at Walt Disney World - NYCAviation
Many visitors to the early days of Orlando’s Walt Disney World in the 1970s and 80s may remember a Tomorrowland ride called “If You Had Wings.” Like many of the attractions of that era, it was sponsored by a major American company, and this was no exception. If You Had Wings was a showcase for Eastern Air Lines, the “Official Airline of Walt Disney World from the park’s opening in 1971 through 1987.
FRIDAY PHOTOS: A New User Joins the NYCAviation Photo Hangar
Some great photos were added to the NYCAviation Photo Hangar this week. User Michael Wass uploaded and tagged the 25 photos needed to have his portfolio reviewed by our team of Dispatchers. Yesterday, all 25 photos in his portfolio were approved, and he now has unrestricted access to upload ot the Photo Hangar. Any additional photos he uploads will be immediately visible once they have been tagged.
Super Jumbo History at Boston Logan - NYCAviation
Aviation history was made on January 26, 2017 when the first arrival of an Airbus A380 touched down at Boston Logan International Airport. I was pleased to have been invited to the arrival ceremonies held by Emirates who operated the flight. This invitation allowed me the good fortune of having a front row seat to the event in more ways than one. The event was held in the new section of Terminal E, designed specifically to accommodate the largest of the large in the airliner world.
British Airways Announces Ft. Lauderdale As Their Newest US Destination - NYCAviation
In an announcement released to the press today, British Airways announced its latest United States destination to be Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport with flights departing from and returning to London Gatwick. Services will commence on July 6, 2017 and will operate with Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Mark Gale, CEO/Director of Aviation for Broward County said “This announcement has reiterated FLL’s status as an attractive, low-cost airport with a diverse portfolio of air service options.
Emirates Announces Fort Lauderdale as 11th US Destination - NYCAviation
In a press release issued earlier this morning, Emirates Airline announced its 11th US destination namely Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL). Scheduled daily service will commence on December 15, 2016. One of the driving factors of this new announcement is the relationship between Emirates and JetBlue Airways. Passengers arriving in South Florida will have access to destinations all over the US and much of Latin America through connecting flights on JetBlue.
So Long, Senior Fleet - NYCAviation
The scent was overwhelming. Lavender, periwinkle, and honeysuckle enveloped my senses as a group of stunning young ladies politely walked by, each one reaching out their soft hands into mine. A quick introduction, and off they went, being pulled back only in my mind. As I partook in this ritual, the Cathay Pacific receiving line, I could not help but think about the absurdity of it.
Survive an Aircraft Evacuation - NYCAviation
Fire and Smoke Can Kill You Fire and poisonous smoke can kill within minutes. There is no greater risk to an aircraft’s passengers and crew. When an aircraft evacuation is necessary, every second counts. As a passenger, the chances of experiencing an aircraft evacuation are slim. Modern transports, large and small, have an amazing safety record. When you board a flight heading to your favorite business or vacation destination, listen to the safety announcements and take them seriously.
The Route Launch Experience: Qatar Lands in Boston - NYCAviation
I pulled up to the Boston Park Plaza Hotel amid a chaotic scene. There were police officers, security, and protesters carrying signs and chanting. There were camera flashes from the moment I handed the car off to the valet all the way to the coat check, and dignitaries everywhere. I had arrived at the Qatar Boston Launch Gala. Okay, so maybe the whole “camera flashes” bit was a little (okay, a lot) embellished, but the rest is true.
Qatar Airways Begins Scheduled Service to Philadelphia with the A350 - NYCAviation
Wearing the livery of Qatar Airways, the first Airbus A350 XWB to begin scheduled service to the United States landed at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on the morning of Friday, January 1st. Flight 727 arrived in Philadelphia on time after a nonstop flight from Doha International Airport (DOH). After three hours on the ground, it took to the skies once more with a surprisingly quiet takeoff back to Doha.
Qatar Airways Begins Scheduled Service to Philadelphia with the A350
, the first Airbus A350 XWB to begin scheduled service to the United States landed at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on the morning of Friday, January 1st. Flight 727 arrived in Philadelphia on time after a nonstop flight from Doha International Airport (DOH). After three hours on the ground, it took to the skies once more with a surprisingly quiet takeoff back to Doha.
Emirates To Begin Serving Central America With World's Longest Flight - NYCAviation
On August 12, Emirates announced that daily service to Panama City, Panama (PTY) will commence on February 1, 2016. The westbound leg from Dubai (DXB) will surpass Qantas’ flight between Dallas-Fort Worth and Sydney as the world’s longest, and is scheduled at 17 hours 35 minutes (15 hours 45 minutes eastbound).
Four Engines vs. Two: The Surprising Mathematical Guarantee of Safety - NYCAviation
Jesse Pinkman may never have understood clearly the exact science behind his craft, but he learned to trust it and respect it as a way to improve his product. The science of the production and operation of the modern airliner is extensive and far reaching, with limited understanding by the public and even many aviation personnel. However, there is a basic principle in the hotrod community that applies equally to aviation – put a big enough engine on it, and it will fly.
Emirates Continues Its Foray Into North America - NYCAviation
Emirates is engaged in a long-term plan to service at least 20 cities in the United States; it is now halfway toward that goal. On March 24, the airline announced new service from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to its Dubai (DXB) hub, effective September 1, 2015.
Boeing 747 Flies Once More From Minneapolis-St. Paul - NYCAviation
The Boeing 747 has long been a fixture at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. She has been in service over 44 years, primarily with Northwest Airlines and now with Delta. With the Delta purchase of Northwest and Delta restructuring its fleet, MSP has seen their three-to-four times a day 747 service dwindle down to twice a month maintenance or charter flights. Boeing 747 service at Minneapolis-St. Paul started when Northwest Airlines received the 27th 747-100 in April of 1970.
The Little Airport That Could: La Guardia's Tri-Jet Heavies - NYCAviation
The NYCAviation.com domain name was purchased in the Spring of 2003. That year saw the birth of our message boards, a listing of short news events, and our first article that September. In terms of age, this article is almost the biggest “#ThrowbackThursday” possible for us, being the third-ever to appear on our site over a decade ago. First published on January 4th of 2004, it epitomizes our roots of aviation enthusiast content. Reading this today is just as interesting to me as it was then.
Flying with the One Percent
A few weeks ago, for the first time in my life, I walked up to a bar and ordered myself a cocktail. On an airplane, I mean. You can wax nostalgic about the long-ago days of the Pan Am flying boats, when tuxedoed stewards served caviar on the finest china, and passengers retired to Pullman-style sleeping bunks (only 37 hours from New York to Rio!). But the truth is, up in the forward cabins of the world’s elite airlines, flying has never been more downright luxurious than it is right now.
British Airways Launches 787 Service to PHL - NYCAviation
More articles by William Rizzo » Written by: William Rizzo Tags: Boeing 787 Dreamliner, British Airways, London Heathrow, Philadelphia, spotlight On July 1, British Airways introduced Boeing 787 service into Philadelphia International Airport with Flight 69V, the second of two daily non-stops from London Heathrow.
REVIEW: A Touch of Class, British Airways Style - NYCAviation
When my family and I originally booked our vacation to South Africa, we were going to be spending some time in Kwazulu-Natal and, following that, would need to get to Cape Town. From our previous trip to South Africa on British Airways, we had accrued some air miles that we really couldn’t find a use for until it came time to search for a flight from Durban to Cape Town.
OPINION: What Makes a Great-Looking Jetliner? - NYCAviation
Here, watch me backpedal. The first thing I need to backpedal about is my verdict on the looks of the new Boeing 787 “Dreamliner.” “Aesthetically it’s no 747, but it’s a handsome plane,” I wrote of the 787 previously in a column. “Confident in a way not unlike its older and smaller sibling, the 757.” Confident, maybe, but have you taken a look at that tail? It’s too small, out of proportion with the rest of the jet. And its odd, too-sharp curvature gives the plane a fishlike appearance.
WE GAAN: The Horror and Absurdity of History’s Worst Plane Crash - NYCAviation
Most people have never heard of Tenerife, a pan-shaped speck in the Atlantic. It’s one of the Canary Islands, a volcanic chain governed by the Spanish, clustered a few hundred miles off the coast of Morocco. The big town on Tenerife is Santa Cruz, and its airport, beneath a set of cascading hillsides, is called Los Rodeos. There, on March 27, 1977, two Boeing 747s — one belonging to KLM, the other to Pan Am — collided on a foggy runway.
Record-Breaking Launch for Boeing’s New 777X
At the Dubai Airshow early Sunday morning, Boeing officially announced the 777X. With orders from the three major Middle Eastern airlines, along with a previously announced commitment from Lufthansa, the type quickly became the fastest-selling widebody aircraft in history. Etihad Airways started the party off with an order for 25 of the new 777Xs, with a mix of 17 of the 777-9X and 8 of the 777-8X. That announcement was quickly followed by another featuring both Qatar Airways and Emirates.
New Airline Service Seeks to TAME the New York to South American Market - NYCAviation
After months of waiting, TAME Airlines is scheduled to begin service to New York next week. The much anticipated service will connect John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE). This new service begins on November 22nd and will operate 6 times a week using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. From Guayaquil, Tame offers connections to destinations both within Ecuador and around Latin America using their fleet of Airbus and Embraer aircraft.
Flight Review: British Airways Boeing 787 From Newark
British Airways has a massive presence at New York’s JFK International Airport, with what seems like hourly shuttle service on the Boeing 747-400 service between Queens and London’s Heathrow Airport. On the other side of the Island of Manhattan, however, Newark Liberty may just hold your best option to get from New York to London in luxury.
The New Class of Airliners: An Overview of Aviation's Near Future
Over the next decade, manufactures from all across the world are readying their next generation of aircraft, or preparing to enter the market for the very first time. From small regional jets to the next generation of the legendary Boeing 777, lets take a look at all the new aircraft you might find yourself as a passenger on in the next few years.
Photos: Landing Gear Issue Damages China Airlines Cargo 747 at JFK
China Airlines Cargo Flight 5392 landed at JFK Wednesday morning and had a difficult time taxiing due to an issue with their landing gear. A passing Aeromexico aircraft informed them that on of their left mains “looked a little funny”. The gear of the 747-400F (registered B-18720) had not fully deployed due to a hydraulic failure. The crew made no mention of the issue, and may not have known about it at all, until after they landed.
Emirates Announces First Trans-Atlantic Flight from JFK to Milan
UPDATE 10:00 AM: From 2006-2008, Emirates operated a flight from Hamburg to New York. Therefore, the flight announced Monday will be their first trans-Atlantic flight since 2007, not first ever. Emirates on Monday announced their first trans-Atlantic route, operating between New York (JFK) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) starting on October 1, 2013. The flight will be operated on the Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, while the two daily flights to Dubai (DXB) will remain on the Airbus A380.
First Time On A 747 at NYCAviation
Flying, at least commercially, is sort of humdrum for me these days. I guess that when you fly at least four times a month for two years, the magic of rocketing through the sky five miles up in a chair wears off. It doesn’t help either that there isn’t much I haven’t done, when it comes to flying. Aviation has been incredibly good to me over the years in that regard.
British Airways Discriminated Against Flight Attendant Who Wore Cross, Court Rules
Crucifix-wearing UK woman wins European rights case (via AFP) A British Airways employee suffered discrimination at work over the wearing of a cross, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday. But at the same time the court decided against three other people from Britain who had filed cases claiming their religious rights had been violated. Nadia Eweida…
TSA: Ford Engine Blocks Okay For Carry-Ons
From snow globes to cranberry sauce, the TSA has rules prohibiting all sorts of items from your carry-on luggage, but somehow it seems they left engine blocks off the list. So this week some Ford employees decided to demonstrate the tinyness of the company’s new 3-cylinder Ecoboost engine by packing one into a standard carry-on suitcase and flying it from Detroit to LAX for the upcoming Los Angeles Car Show. And it worked.
Bahraini Prince Arrested At Heathrow After Drunken Plane Rage
Putting an end to the theory that every member of the Arabian noble class owns at least one private jumbo jet, 29-year-old Bahraini billionaire Mubarak Hamad caught a ride home from London on a British Airways flight like a regular poor person! Or at least he tried. Shortly after boarding, Hamad allegedly charged into the cockpit while screaming of shoddy service. He refused to go back to mixing with the genpop in first class.
For Sale: One Armenian Airline, Includes Lightly Used Superjet
More articles by NYCAviation Staff » Written by: NYCAviation Staff Tags: airline sale, Armavia, for sale, Superjet 100 The Armenian owner of Superjet launch customer Armavia Airlines says he is seeking a buyer, probably from outside the relatively poor, landlocked Eurasian nation. Meanwhile, says it has worked out an agreement with Armavia to take back the SSJ-100 they had reportedly returned due to reliability issues.
The History of Airline Baggage Tags
Have you ever given much thought to that barcoded strip of paper looped around the handle of your checked suitcase? Me neither, and FYI, it’s not even paper. Slate columnist/pilot Mark Vanhoenacker explains the history of the automated baggage tag and how it helps our luggage arrive on the same flight as us 99.97 percent of the time. [Slate]
Baby Born on Emirates Flight Named After Airline
More articles by admin » Tags: babies, Emirates, Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), spotlight A baby born on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Manila has been named “EK” in honor of the airline’s two-letter IATA code. Flight 322, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER (A6-EBL, per The Aviation Herald), was over the Gulf of Thailand when mom went into labor several weeks earlier than anticipated.
British Airways Steward Jailed 6 Months for Fake Bomb Threat
A British Airways steward who wrote a threatening message on the back of a toilet door during a flight from London to the Japanese capital of Tokyo has been sentenced to jail for six months, police said on Tuesday. He admitted making the threat in an attempt to impress his employer.
Superjet Launch Customer Armavia Returns Unreliable Plane to Sukhoi
Armenian airline Armavia has decided to return its Sukhoi Superjet 100 because the new aircraft is below the required standards, local media reported on Monday, in what is a major blow for the Russian aircraft manufacturer which is still working to overcome a deadly plane crash earlier this year. Armavia was the launch customer for the Sukhoi Superjet 100, the first civil aircraft to be built by a Russian aircraft manufacturer since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Sukhoi Delivers 10th Superjet 100 to Aeroflot
Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has delivered its 10th Sukhoi Superjet 100 to Aeroflot, the company said on Wednesday. Other airlines are expected to start using the aircraft later this year. Sukhoi President Vladimir Prisyazhnyuk said the aircraft manufacturer delivered its 10th production aircraft to Russian airline Aeroflot on Saturday during a meeting in Ulyanovsk, a city in Ulyanovsk Oblast in western Russia, where the companies signed the “Act of Delivery & Acceptance” document.
TWA L-1011 Catches Fire at JFK: July 30 in Aviation History
More articles by NYCAviation Staff » Written by: NYCAviation Staff Tags: ANA, ANA Flight 58, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Lockheed L-1011, plane crashes, Trygve Gran, TWA Flight 843 1992: TWA Flight 843, a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar (N11002) departing New York’s JFK Airport (JFK) for San Francisco (SFO), aborts takeoff shortly after liftoff, skids off the end of Runway 13R and burns. Despite the fire and only three available exits, all 280 passengers and 12 crew manage to escape with their lives.
World's First Jet Takes Off in Nazi Germany: July 18: Aviation History
1914: the U.S. Congress forms the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, formerly known as the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps. Six name changes and 33 years later, it would become the United States Air Force. 1914: A French pilot, Maurice Guillaux, completes Australia’s first official airmail flight, carrying 1,785 letters, some Lipton Tea and OT Lemon Squash. 1915: Near Chicago, Katherine Stinson becomes the first female pilot to fly a loop the loop.
Interjet Firms Up Order for Five SuperJet SSJ100 Aircraft
Mexican airline Interjet has become the first North American customer to place a firm order for the Russian-built SuperJet SSJ100 airliner. Interjet’s first SuperJet is scheduled for delivery “by the end of the year,” the manufacturer said. The deal, announced on Tuesday from the Farnborough International Airshow, follows a January 2011 commitment from Interjet for 15 of the aircraft along with options for five more.
Airbus A380 Wing Cracks: Who Is Paying? - NYCAviation
The wing crack issue that has plagued the Airbus A380 over recent months is going to cost millions of dollars to correct, but who is actually responsible for the repair costs? The cost to Airbus for researching the cracks, developing a fix and implementing the modified design for future wings is currently sitting at more than US$315 million. To implement the permanent fix on existing aircraft, Airbus estimates that it will take eight weeks if the repairs are completed in one go.
Did An Emirates A380 Nearly Crash In Canada After Running Out of Fuel? Not Even Close - NYCAviation
If you read any of the media reports immediately after the event, you certainly would have believed that Emirates Flight 241 was in peril due to a low fuel emergency on June 1. According to the Aviation Herald, widespread media reports said the aircraft had nearly crashed, completely ran out of fuel or landed with just 5,000 lbs of fuel remaining (below final fuel reserve).
Video: Brisk Wind Tries to Help 747 Fly One Last Time - NYCAviation
So Long, Senior Fleet Today marks the end of an era as Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways flies its last scheduled passenger 747-400 flight and retires the final 3 aircraft. Columnist Justin Schlecter takes a look back at his 7 years spent flyin...
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