Up in the sky again
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 9, 2005
Boeing’s flying a bunch of us over to Montana today to demonstrate technology that — I’m lead to believe — will reduce noise during takeoffs and landings. Some of this is stuff I’ve written about before, such as the scalloped chevrons that will be on the trailing end of the engine exhaust outlets on the new 787. Boeing (along with Goodrich, GE and NASA) is testing all this on a 777 belonging to All Nippon Airways.
We’re supposed to get a briefing from Walt Gillette, the 787 engineering guru, here in a bit. I like Walt — he’s a good guy AND a Herald subscriber. Be like Walt. Buy the paper. Trained professionals are standing by at 425-339-3200 to take your calls. (heh heh)
OK, that was this week’s pitch on behalf of the circulation department. Back to aerospace.
One of the reporters on the plane (Mike Meecham from AvWeek) is asking a lot of questions about cell phone service. This Connexion One plane is the one Boeing is using to test the technology. (Suppose I should try it too while we’re up here … hmm… ) As you may have read in my column this morning (if not, here’s the link: http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/08/10/100bus_corliss001.cfm) Herald readers don’t think much of the concept. Here are a couple more comments I meant to get online last night:
“While I am certain I could use the time productively ifI had access to my cell phone, I have learned to value this quiet time … (to) catch up on my business-realted reading materials … indulge in a good novel and sometimes I even strike up a conversation with my seatmate. … I’d like to preserve this little bit of ‘down’ time.” Renee Radcliff Sinclair, Lynnwood
“Call me old fashioned, but with rare exception, I see no need to transfer the already tight quarters of airplane seating into a phone booth with a party line.” — Jack Krolak, Everett
