Curiosities
2,001 news found
CuriositiesSkyscanner survey: 2 out of 3 travellers forget something on the aircraft
Rome, Italy - Among the most singular items: wedding rings and a trombone
Nowadays passengers tend to be pretty absent-minded, as demonstrated by the last survey conducted by Skyscanner: 66% of the interviewees admitted they have forgotten some object on the aircraft at least... more
CuriositiesIndia: aircraft aborts takeoff procedure, there is a scorpion on board
Chennai, India - The animal stung a passenger, who suffered no consequences
An unusual inconvenience occurred today 02/07/2012 in an aircraft which was taking off from Chennai, in southern India: there was a scorpion in the cabin. The Bahrain-bound flight was meant to depart... more
CuriositiesAircraft debris on Alaskan glacier identified
Anchorage, Alaska - The plane is believed to be an Air Force Globemaster crashed in 1952
Some weeks ago an Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter spotted a wreckage on a glacier in the mountains east of Anchorage, Alaska (AVIONEWS). Investigators said the aircraft wreckage came... more
CuriositiesIndonesia: Sukhoi must look again at their preparation for demonstration flights
Moscow, Russia - This recommendation comes as another alleged sign of pilot mistakes
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 accident during a demonstrative flight in Indonesia (AVIONEWS) continues to make people talking about it. As well-known, according to declarations, the accident was caused by human... more
CuriositiesServicemen sentenced in Moscow for stealing MiG systems
Moscow, Russia - They tried to escape in 2011. Once captured, both asmitted their guilt.
Yuri Shcherabakov and Igor Solokhin, two former servicemen from Rostov-on-Don, Southern Russia, have been sentenced to three years in a penal colony for stealing navigation systems from Mikoyan Gurevich... more
CuriositiesU-2 aircraft spy pilot receives posthumous Silver Star award
Washington, USA - The U-2 design continues today as the Global Hawk
Captain Francis Gary Powers posthumously received the Silver Star, one of the US military highest decorations. The man has been awarded because of the heroism displayed while being held as a captive by... more
CuriositiesScottish Duchess retrieves the jewels lost at Glasgow Airport
Glasgow, United Kingdom - They were sold for a lot less than their value and ready to be up for auction
The Duchess of Argyll had lost every hope to retrieve the jewels lost in 2006 at Glasgow Airport, among which there was a Victorian tiara. But a few months ago she saw them reappearing among the objects... more
CuriositiesOld aircraft wreckage spotted on glacier in Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska - "We believe that there's a reason for JPAC to be involved"
Press agencies today reported a curious item of news. Some military officials had found what is believed to be old aircraft wreckage on the Knik Glacier. The wreckage was spotted during a helicopter flight... more
CuriositiesAircraft mistaken for a UFO during its transport to a naval base
Patuxent River, USA - It is the X-47B, Northrop Grumman-manufactured UAV
The acronym "UFO" stands for "Unidentified Flying Object", but sometimes there is not even the need that the object at issue is flying for someone to think they are involved in a "Close encounter". It... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner reveals traveller's attitude about the use of the cell phone on the aircraft
Rome, Italy - Using it? 86% said "No"
A new survey conducted by the flight search engine Skyscanner, reveals that 86% would like the use of the cell phone on the aircraft to be not allowed, because "It is annoying to hear other people's conversations". Some... more
CuriositiesBush senior will check out the last Nimitz class aircraft carrier
Washington, Usa - The ship, very different compared to early versions, bears the ex-president's name
The latest US Navy unit, the George W. Bush Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, will appear off the coast of Maine next weekend. When the USS Bush comes within several miles of Kennebunkport, the former president... more
CuriositiesStudy to discover how diseases transmit on an aircraft about to start
Atlanta, USA - In cooperation with Boeing and Delta Air Lines
Since in 2002 twenty passengers of an international flights were infected by a single passenger suffering from SARS, the topic of infective diseases transmission during passenger flights has reached a... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: what is important for the traveller? A quick link between the airport and the city
Rome, Italy - One in a ten is habitual customer of low-cost airlines
Travelling is not just a matter of prices, but above all a question of feeling. Nowadays airlines and tour operators offer an impressing range of services and prices, but is this really enough? What is... more
CuriositiesObama offers a ride on the presidential aircraft to Jon Bon Jovi
New York, USA - The singer is a strong supporter of the US President
The Air Force One, the aircraft utilized by the President of the United States for his travels, usually hosts the head of State's closest collaborators, members of the government and armed forces high... more
CuriositiesAircraft and environment: in Australia aircraft hit birds, kangaroos and turtles
Sydney, Australia - The number of animal-related incidents has increased
According to press reports, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau made an investigation about the bird-strikes in Australia. The number of this kind of incidents has increased as a consequence of the... more
CuriositiesAmelia Earhart did not crash: her aircraft has sent radio distress signals for days
Washington, USA - New investigations
The latest study about Amelia Earhart, the first woman who tried to fly around the world then disappearing in the Pacific in 1937, believes that she died as castaways after an emergency landing on an atoll. "Amelia... more
CuriositiesAircraft carriers and sports: hockey match after American basketball
Moscow, Russia - A demonstration of force dressed up as a sport competition
The Russian hockey league plans to hold a regular-season match on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. This operation seems to be a reply to the basketball match attended by Barack Obama on the flight... more
CuriositiesAircraft and history: HMS Coventry sinking 30th anniversary
London, United Kingdom - A short-but-bloody war which claimed hundreds of lives
"It's like a game of chess. You've got to give up some pieces to get checkmate in the end. I was one of those pieces. I realised why we were doing it. If necessary, we were the sacrifice rather than other... more
CuriositiesAircraft and transport: Bangor the airport of diverted flights
Bangor, USA - Because of its position, the hub is often used for emergency landings
The word "International" in the name "Bangor International Airport" could mislead someone, giving the image of an important and busy North-American hub, but actually the little Maine town's facility operates... more
CuriositiesPlymouth City Airport's equipment to be sold at auction
Plymouth, United Kingdom - Metal detectors and baggage trolleys for sale
The objects sold at auction in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, East England, on next July are for sure very particular: they are the facilities of the Plymouth City Airport. Sutton Harbour Holdings Ltd, the firm... more
CuriositiesBrazil: female pilot chases off passenger from the aircraft for making sexist comments
Sao Paolo, Brazil - Trip Airlines: "We don't accept disparaging remarks about our female employees"
A female pilot forced a passenger to get down before takeoff from the aircraft she was piloting: he was shouting several sexist comments. The company, the Brazilian Trip Airlines, communicated the fact... more
CuriositiesTupolev ANT-25: Russian factory to repair first non-stop Moscow/Vancouver flight aircraft
Moscow, Russia - 75th anniversary celebration on June 23, 2012
The famous Tupolev ANT-25 aircraft which made the first ever non-stop flight from Moscow to Vancouver in 1930 will be completely repaired at the Nizhny Novgorod aircraft repair plant. "Many experts... more
CuriositiesAircraft and transport: illegal immigrant arrested, for 20 years he worked for the Newark Airport security
Newark, USA - It's a 54 year old Nigerian man
Jerry Thomas for 20 years has been an exemplary employee of the Newark "Liberty" airport security service, to the extent that he was put in charge of a 30 persons team. But his real name is another one,... more
CuriositiesAircraft and security: Police arrest 18 month-old baby for international terrorism
New York, USA - JetBlue employees mistakenly indicated the child in Florida
A 18-month-old has been arrested in America for international terrorism. The news is true. Obviously, it has been a mistake and the baby, Riyanna, was freed together with her parents. Ryanna's mother... more
CuriositiesAirports and cities: the world "Funny" names
Rome, Italy - Skyscanner unveils the closer and farther airports to their denominations
Paris-Vatry Disney is the last among the "Equivocal" airports to add to Ryanair's destinations, but Skyscanner (website for researching flights) unveils the the French air station is not the only airport... more
CuriositiesRoyal Flying Corps centenary: honour to WWI air aces
London, United Kingdom - An historic reality which is often far from fiction
"The enemy was not ready for this kind of war, thus it used artillery. More than 600 rounds of explosive shells were fired against us during a 40-minute crossing and re-crossing of the lines. I lost my... more
CuriositiesFat woman forced to pay for two tickets to get on board
New Orleans, USA - She felt humiliated and sues Southwest Airlines
Kenlie Tiggeman, 31, New Orleans, a woman who made headlines last spring, has launched an online invective against air carrier Southwest Airlines which last November forced her to purchase two tickets... more
CuriositiesHeavy metal aircraft with Bruce Dickinson
London, UK - MRO base and new jobs in south Wales
Bruce Dickinson, the famous heavy metal "Iron Maiden" band singer, is also a qualified commercial pilot. Now the singer heads Cardiff Aviation Ltd, a new MRO service which will be based at the Twin Peaks... more
CuriositiesThe perfect seat on an airplane is 6A (VIDEO)
Rome, Italy - Skyscanner unveils the most preferred and least chosen seats among passengers
A new survey conducted by Skyscanner.it, Italian flight search website, unveils that there is a strong request about choice of seats on an airplane. The study covering 1000 passengers between different... more
CuriositiesA woman behind India's new ICBM
Delhi, India - "There is no gender-discrimination in technology"
Tessy Thomas, 49, a scientist from India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is the woman who has played a key role in the making of India's most potent long-range nuclear ballistic... more
CuriositiesShuttle "Discovery" flew over Washington
Washington, USA - Is a new space colonisation era going to start?
As previously announced (AVIONEWS) the Space Shuttle "Discovery" accomplished its final mission over the American capital, greeted by thousands of onlookers from building roofs. The Boeing 747 which... more
CuriositiesSkyscanner: desire to visit Belfast increases by over 20%, also from Italy
Rome, Italy - Due to opening of new visitor centre dedicated to "Titanic" (a century since its sinking)
Skyscanner, reference website in Europe for travel search, has unveiled a marked increase in flights search to Belfast, due to the opening of a new visitor centre dedicated to "Titanic" and on the occasion... more
CuriositiesSupermarine Spitfire aircraft flies again over Kent
Biggin Hill, United Kingdom - Eight years and two million pounds to restore it
Some countries in the world are used to appreciating more than just commercial demonstrations of modern aircraft. Some countries enhance their past aviation glories with all the passion and the nostalgia... more
CuriositiesAntonov An-225 airplane takes off from Milan
Wichita, USA - Unique in the world, it is the biggest aircraft ever built
The only Antonov An-225 still in service, the world's largest freighter aircraft launched during the '80s to carry the Soviet space shuttle "Buran", has landed at Wichita airport, United States. It... more
CuriositiesSalvage mission for Saturn V rocket engines
London, UK - A private initiative to commemorate the first men on the Moon
Jeff Bezos, boss of Amazon.com, has launched a curious initiative to raise from the sea floor one or more of the Saturn V engines which carried Apollo 11 mission out of the atmosphere with a 2 minutes... more
Curiosities"3rd Red Bull Flugtag"- "A day with wings": the 35 teams are ready to take off next June 10 at Milan seadrome
Milan, Italy - Prepare to see into the Milan's skies busy from the original flying tools
It's all ready for the "3rd Red Bull Flugtag- A day with wings" the most amazing air competition in the world, planned at the Milan's seadrome next June 10. 917 projects have been presented out of 5000... more
CuriositiesVideo. Aircraft, helicopters and anything flies: the recent C-130 crash makes these images up to date
Rome, Italy - When human mistake or a technical failure become tragedy
Between the serious and the facetious, the weekly feature by AVIONEWS continues, a collection of web videos related to aviation world, conventional and sporting: gags and funny situations, but also a warning... more
CuriositiesSeeking the lost aircraft: following the traces of Amelia Earhart (VIDEO)
Washington, USA - "She flew to an altitude of 14,000 feet and the legend began"
On December 28,1920, a 23 year old nurse buys for one dollar a 10 minutes long touristic flight over Los Angeles. Impressed by this experience, the young woman manages to save money for flying lesson,... more
CuriositiesIndian Air Force plagued by air crashes
Delhi, India - "Safety improved to check their recurrence in future"
The Indian military aviation (IAF, Indian Air Force) has suffered 33 air accidents during the last three years, for a total of 31 fatalities. In particular, India has lost a Sapecat Jaguar, two Mirage... more
CuriositiesRed Arrows will fly as seven after recent tragedies
London, United Kingdom - First team female pilot Kirsty Moore grounded
After being involved in recent tragedies (the death of Jon Egging, 33, who crashed into a river (AVIONEWS) and Sean Cunningham, 35, who was ejected up to 60 meters (AVIONEWS) while his airplane was still... more
CuriositiesVideo. Aircraft, helicopters, and anything flies... "Be careful, penguins on board"
New York, USA - The strange announcement by a Delta aircraft captain
Between serious and facetious, the weekly feature by AVIONEWS continues, a collection of web videos related to aviation world, conventional and sporting: gags and funny situations, but also a warning from... more
CuriositiesAir Partner Italia analyses the passengers market of private airplanes
Milan, Italy - The main factors of the customer's choice
It prefers easy hours, absence of intermediate stops, proximity of departing and arriving airport and cost factor, the Italian customer of Private Jet. It's emerged from an analysis on the use of private... more
CuriositiesVideo. Aircraft, helicopters and anything flies
Rome, Italy - Be careful of hand baggage compartment
Between serious and facetious, the weekly feature by AVIONEWS continues, a collection of web videos related to aviation world, conventional and sporting: gags and funny situations, but also a warning from... more
CuriositiesVIDEO. Aircraft, helicopters and anything flies: the funniest...
Rome, Italy - Between serious and facetious, an AVIONEWS feature
Between serious and facetious, the new feature of AVIONEWS continues. A collection of the funniest videos diffused on web related to sport and conventional aviation world: jokes and funny situations but... more
CuriositiesItalian Skyscanner: survey unveils who are less appreciated fellow travellers in airplane
Rome, Italy - The curious ranking
The travel moment for the most part of times represents a relax period, hours to sleep, with interesting hobbies or with pleasant chat. Sometimes it happens to make journeys to forget and for different... more
CuriositiesSex and high altitude: that shameless worm that feed passengers fantasies...
Cincinnati, USA - Sometime some small airline allows it but it could become a real business
Notoriously have sex on an high altitude airplane stimulates the erotic fantasies of many people. Sometimes happens that an air company make of this desire its main business, as happened in past in Russia,... more
CuriositiesCheers to oneworld, as best alliance again for in-flight wine
Milan, Italy - Qantas collected all the main prizes on offer for airlines of this edition
Judges at a leading international wine-tasting competition have raised their glasses to the oneworld alliance and many of its member airlines once again. They have for the third year running selected... more
CuriositiesThe Italian football teams of division A choose Darwin Airline; organization of charter ad hoc airplanes during 2012
Lugano, Switzerland - It's a sector of activity in a strong expansion that records increasing requests
The Darwin Airline's strategy for 2012 aims at the expansion of the charter ad hoc flight's sector. The Swiss regional airline has already been chosen by Napoli Calcio for away to Siena of last January... more
CuriositiesCold doesn't stop flights research from Italy
Rome, Italy - Just a small 1% flexion said Skyscanner in its relation
Skyscanner (Skyscanner.it, a web resource to compare flights over Europe) Italian users made a research above Italian flights confirmed that critic and actual weather condition didn't influenced online... more
CuriositiesAirplanes tendency. Which are the best international and national routes?
Rome, Italy - Skyscanner reveals the results in connection research done in January, 2012
Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.it), cheap flights web resource, published results of its users test about flights, done in January 2012. The podium London, Paris and New York occupy the first three positions... more