Random writing mostly related to the history and interpretation of the history of aviation. Sometimes extra to published articles, sometimes responses to other sources.
On the 11 September, 2013, at 7:24 pm, just at dusk, the Bristol
Military Biplane Boxkite replica VH-XKT flew for the first time.
Three years ago tonight.
The first flight in 2013.
Built by Project 2014, Group Captain Ron Gretton, AM, OAM, and Wing Commander Geoff Matthews, OAM, both RAAF Retired, for the RAAF Museum, this proved the aircraft worked, and it was to go on to be flown on
both days of the 2014 Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow at RAAF
Point Cook on the 1st and 2nd of March 2014.
Sadly the aircraft is currently grounded, but it did what it was designed to do.
An RAAF
Museum Archives image of one of the original Australian Army Boxkites at
RAAF Point Cook, circa 1914-15.
1. Often called 'The Miracle on the Hudson', it wasn't a 'miracle'. It was training, developed procedures, design. Behind that came experience, skill and lastly, luck - first bad, then good.
2. The successful forced landing on water wasn't one pilot's achievement, but the achievement of an aircraft crew, both cockpit and cabin crew, and those that trained them, those that legislated to ensure they had the tools training and experience to do an exceptional job. (Humans seem to need solo heroes. Don't forget those that give heroes the tools and backup.)
There's something called Cockpit (sometimes Crew) Resource Management. Worth a look, it's about teamwork and can apply in any team. It has not been about 'one pilot in charge in an airliner' for decades now. For instance, see: http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Crew_Resource_Management
3. 'They' weren't out to 'Sully' him. The (US') National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) portrayal in the film (and in the trailer, above) is a fictionalised film device to have an adversary and dramatic tension. There are a lot of questions, checking and paperwork after an airliner crash. Their job is not to blame or pillory the pilot or crew, but to gather data for future accident prevention.
It's the media where the pillorying occurs. (Captain Sullenberger believes it was, the NTSB weren't asked to be involved in the film making.) Unsurprisingly, there's been negative views from ex-NTSB members on this film. Whether that's fair or not the NTSB and their peers in Australia, Canada, the UK, Europe, New Zealand and so on are a key element that goes to make airlines flying as safe as it is for us. Enjoy the film, but remember: "Allyn Stewart, one of the film’s producers, told the New York Times that the film is not meant to be a documentary." Indeed.
[I generally don't touch modern airliner activities, but this accident is unarguably a part of aviation history, and too important to leave to a no-doubt gripping entertainment by 'Hanks'. Oh, sorry, actually a large team making a film.]
One of the rarest surviving aircraft is the sole remaining Savoia Marchetti SM 82 in the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle, near Rome.
727 were built, but it is remarkable that any survived from war service (commencing in 1940 on the Axis side) particularly as the aircraft was of mixed construction, but with an all-wooden wing structure - very viable as a design, but vulnerable to damage in service, weather and ultimately very tempting for burning after even a minor accident.
SM 82 PW MM.61187 is preserved in its silver post war colour scheme and configuration with Pratt & Whitney R1830 engines.
Some history here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoia-Marchetti_SM.82
Honoured to be asked to speak to the ‘Aviation Table’ of the private Athenaeum Club, Melbourne at the start of next month.
I'll be discussing how the Aeroplane Monthly feature 'Aircrew' topic is chosen by the editor, artist Ian Bott and myself, and how Ian and I research and compile the story of each particular aircraft crew task. I'll look be pleased to revisit some of the fascinating byways and challenges of researching the diverse jobs people have done in aircraft over the last century. Better drag my notes together!
With the sound of the giros winding down, Doug Hamilton's Lockheed 12 VH-HID is parked up for the night at Echuca during the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia this past weekend.
Just finishing up the draft of my paper "Tested Testers: Re-learning to fly the Boxkite." It's a look at the challenge to the team of flying replica Bristol Boxkite VH-XKT at RAAF Point Cook in 2013-4.
Looking pretty good, I think, lots of fascinating detail, thanks to the many people who've shared their insights, eperience and knowledge on the Boxkite from Project 2014.
The paper will be presented on Thursday 10 December at the Aviation Cultures Mk.II conference at the University of Sydney. I feel very privalaged to have been accepted to present.
It's also great that there are so many other great papers being presented, and I'm also looking forward to catching up with friends and colleagues old and new at the two-day event.
"Straight to the poolroom." One sacrifice on the recent whirlwind tour that was 'Wings Over Australia' with Dave Homewood (on which, more anon) was that I didn't manage to get to the RAAF Museum's Volunteer Christmas function. So I missed being handed this, which arrived, with a nice note from Mary Briggs in the post today.
Ten years volunteering at the RAAF Museum. That's as a host officer, museum guide, interactive display speaker, sometime aircraft cleaner, occasional researcher, and a few other things, I think.
It's been a fascinating ten years, sometimes seems a lot longer, and sometimes a lot shorter, but it's been a fascinating and educational experience. Thanks to everyone who's made it so.
James Kightly ('JDK') is a professional writer and journalist covering vintage aviation. For James' professional and contact details see James' home page. For James' aviation writing blog, see Vintage Aeroplane Writer. To contact James by e-mail see Contact!
The first flight in 2013. 
An RAAF
Museum Archives image of one of the original Australian Army Boxkites at
RAAF Point Cook, circa 1914-15.
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