The RJ Revolution – The First Supersonic Bomber – The Wrights or Whitehead – June 22, 0213

“Robert Novell’s Third Dimension Blog”

Hello and Good Evening—This week I have three separate items to talk about as I continue to look for answers on the RJ revolution, scope clause provisions, and the future of regional airlines in the US. I hope to have more detailed information by mid-July on all of the items above but until then let’s talk about what I do know.

The “RJ Revolution” is alive and well, as we have talked about in the last two articles, but that which continues to bother me is the following:

Will the unions regulate not only the growth of the regional airlines, but also control their potential for success in a free market economy. Are the unions now taking the place of the Civil Aeronautics Board, which was phased out in 1984? It is agreed that the carriers who sign the “Capacity Purchase Agreements” with the network carriers will make money but what about the people, and their families, who depend on the future of the model?

The object of the CPA is to reduce the cost the network carrier pays and minimize the problems associated with the work force that are found in the unionized model of the parent organization. This being true can we assume that all who work for a network carrier’s regional airline will have a place with the main line carrier, and protected seniority, if they pay their dues working for a regional? If the answer is no then should we not be concerned about the quality and longevity of the business model that has been created?

Are the remaining network carriers, in conjunction with their regional carriers, going to control the future of air commerce in the US?

I will have more facts to share, and more editorializing to do, in future articles but for now let’s take some time to think about where the regional airlines are headed. There are no 19 seat/30 seat airliners being produced, no 50 seat turboprops being manufactured, and no 50 seat jets being manufactured. What are the options for a regional airline when it comes to equipment should someone chose to compete against the anointed ones? Is this someone going to salvage the RJ-200s from the desert and bring them back to life?

Interesting to be sure………………………..

CONVAIR B-58A HUSTLER

The U.S. Air Force’s first operational supersonic bomber, the B-58 made its initial flight on Nov. 11, 1956. In addition to the Hustler’s delta wing shape, distinctive features included a sophisticated inertial guidance navigation and bombing system, a slender “wasp-waist” fuselage and an extensive use of heat-resistant honeycomb sandwich skin panels in the wings and fuselage. Since the thin fuselage prevented the carrying of bombs internally, a droppable, two-component pod beneath the fuselage contained a nuclear weapon — along with extra fuel, reconnaissance equipment or other specialized gear. The B-58 crew consisted of a pilot, navigator/bombardier and defense systems operator.

Convair built 116 B-58s: 30 test and pre-production aircraft and 86 for operational service. Hustlers flew in the Strategic Air Command between 1960 and 1970. Setting 19 world speed and altitude records, B-58s also won five different aviation trophies.

The B-58A on display in the museum, which is pictured above, set three speed records while flying from Los Angeles to New York and back on March 5, 1962. For this effort, the crew received the Bendix and Mackay Trophies for 1962.

Source Document

Who Was First? The Wrights or Whitehead?

The debate on who was first to fly continues. I have seen a lot of recent press given to this gentleman so I thought I would put this out for your consideration; however, there is a reason the Wrights had the Smithsonian sign an agreement authenticating the fact that they were the first to fly before allowing them to display the Wright flyer. They knew there would be constant challenges to their claim and always someone would have the facts to support it – or so they would say. Below is a link to a very good article on the subject and I invite you to take a few minutes to digest the contents and decide for yourself.

Thats it for now and thanks for stopping by and allowing us, here at the 3DB, to share time with you. Have a good weekend, fly safe, protect yourself, your family, and your profession.

Robert Novell

June 22, 2013