Getting quality sleep on a plane can be tricky, more so when you are in the cramped quarters of economy class. But Boeing may just change that with a new recently patented upright sleeping contraption. Continue reading… “Boeing’s ‘cuddle chair’ that could revolutionize sleeping on airplanes”
SurfAir
SurfAir is a new airline hoping to deliver some overdue disruption to the not-so-friendly skies.The fast growing year old company is a subscription-based model for private planes, but it’s at a price point that could actually be accessible for frequent fliers.
IXION Windowless Jet Concept
It depends on what you think about the IXION Windowless Jet Concept, it either has no windows, or it has all the windows. Cameras on the exterior of this as-yet-unbuilt jet would provide jaw-dropping 360-degree views of what you would be seeing if your airplane were a transparent glass tube shuttling through the sky. (Video)
Continue reading… “IXION Windowless Jet Concept could be the airplane of the future”
We’ve all been there!
Almost everyone complains about flying in economy class, and most times with good reason. There are ten strategies to fly more comfortably, or at least get the seat you want.
Continue reading… “Top 10 ways to get a better airplane seat”
Solar Impulse
The goal of Solar Impulse is to fly around the world using no fuel other than sunlight. But before the solar plane circumnavigates the globe they will fly across the U.S. Solar Impulse took off on May 3 proving that airplanes can fly long distances on nothing more than sunshine. (Photos)
Continue reading… “Airplane flies across U.S. powered by sunshine”
Airplanes are banned from flying during Azan.
The parliament in Iran has banned airplanes from flying in the country during the Azan call to Islamic prayer and allowed to take off only after 30 minutes has passed to give passengers time to fulfill their religious duties, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Wednesday.
Continue reading… “Iran bans flights during Azan call to Islamic prayer”
The current rule does prohibits the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) wants the Federal Aviation Administration to relax its long-standing rule against the use of portable electronic devices on airplanes during takeoff and landing. The agency has traditionally claimed the rule is necessary to avoid interference with an airplane’s instruments, but it is currently reconsidering the policy.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYs215TgI7c&hd=1[/youtube]
Academic and industry researchers have been working for decades on control algorithms for autonomous helicopters — robotic helicopters that pilot themselves, rather than requiring remote human guidance. Dozens of research teams have competed in a series of autonomous-helicopter challenges posed by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI); progress has been so rapid that the last two challenges have involved indoor navigation without the use of GPS.
Continue reading… “MIT’s autonomous robotic plane’s indoor flight: Video”
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/5368967[/vimeo]
How may airplanes fly above our heads everyday?
Aaron Koblin knows the answer: It can be more than 19,000 in the United States. And thanks to his wizardry with FAA data, we can see how these aircraft drift from city to city in this mesmerizing computer visualization.
Continue reading… “A visualization of airplane flight paths in the U.S.”
Get out of the way!
A UK insurance company has found the perfect way for pedestrians and drivers to resent cyclists even more. It’s created the Hornster bicycle which features a triumvirate of horns on the handle bars capable of blasting out a deafening 178 decibel honk…
Continue reading… “The World’s Loudest Bike Horn Is More Deafening Than a 747 Taking Off”
Laser attacks on planes continue got grow.
Despite increased penalties for anyone caught doing it, the number of dangerous laser assaults on aircraft cockpits continues to grow at an alarming rate.
Continue reading… “Despite greater penalties, laser assualts on planes continue to grow”
Radiation is all around you on an airplange.
Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster, you’ve probably heard me and other people talk about the radiation exposure we experience in everyday life. All humans, throughout history, have been exposed to background radiation produced constantly by the natural environment. Then there’s added exposures from modern sources: X-rays and medical scans, living near power plants (both coal and nuclear, and the coal is actually worse), and flying in airplanes…
Continue reading… “How much radiation are you exposed to on a plane?”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.