Hard Landing in Narita Caught On Tape

An ANA airliner at Beijing Airport

Much of what we know about crash survivability feels highly theoretical until a caught-on-camera event like the one last week at Tokyo's Narita Airport. Would that the hull had done as well as the 193 passengers who were safely strapped into their seats.

Glad I Didn't Pack My Tiara

On a recent flight on Avianca, I retrieved my suitcase from the baggage carousel in Bogota only to see that the plastic ties securing the zippers closed were gone. Who removed them, I can't say. Perhaps it was just a security screener. Without a doubt, though, someone had gone through the contents of my bag, though nothing appeared to be missing.

Beijing to EU, Did Somebody Say Trade War?

Writing from Beijing

There's something about the frequency with which the expression, "trade war" was used this week at the meeting of the International Air Transport Association, that led me to believe this particular form of saber rattling was 100% intentional.

Airline Industry Challenges Prompt Potty Talk in Beijing

Writing from Beijing

I'm going to get vulgar here, but in my defense, I didn't start it. I'll lay the blame at the highly polished brogues of television personality Richard Quest. Spiffed up with just the right amount of French cuff revealed at the sleeves of his perfectly tailored suit jacket, Quest was clearly on a hunt for trouble on Monday at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Beijing.

A Little Back Story Goes a Long Way at Beijing Aviation Museum

Writing from Beijing

Advice for all non Chinese speaking visitors to the China Aviation Museum; bring a guide! Second tip, read all you can about China's aviation history before you go, including Gregory Crouch's China's Wings. Third and last; wear comfortable shoes.

New Yorkers Feeling the Shame Over Space Shuttle Damage

Writing from Beijing

Photo courtesy of collectSpace.com

I’m sorry, they did what? The space shuttle, Enterprise, on what was supposed to be literally its last voyage has quite literally barged into a railway bridge abutment, which resulted in a nice-sized ding in the historic aircraft’s right wingtip.