Test Pilot

1. From reader Bill Havener: In 1924 four U.S. Army Air Service biplanes named after American cities departed Seattle to conduct the first circumnavigation of the world. How many—if any—of those aircraft completed the journey?
2. The FAA claims that pilot impairment contributes to many more accidents than aircraft system failures. It recommends using the acronym, “I’M SAFE,” as a checklist of possible personal impairments that could compromise safety. What potential problem does each letter represent?
3. From reader George Shanks: Benjamin Foulois was a pilot and a U.S. Army general who served from 1898 to 1935. What important safety device that we use on every flight did he invent?
4. True or false? The humongous Consolidated B–36 Peacemaker was said—with respect to its engines—to have “six turning and four burning.” In other words, it had six turboprop and four turbojet engines.
5. From Richard Wilsher: True or false? When the Italian racing team traveled to the 1926 Schneider Trophy Race held in Hampton Roads, Virginia, the floats of their four Macchi M.39 seaplanes were allegedly filled with Chianti.
6. What is the name of that mythical haven of rest for departed souls of aviation heroes?
7. From reader Bruce Curtis: True or false? Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A340s were equipped with “body cupboards” to accommodate passengers who passed away during its ultra-long-haul flights.
8. The world’s longest runway is ______ feet long and is located at ______.

Test Pilot Answers

1. Chicago and New Orleans made it around the world. It took them 175 days during which they made 74 stops and covered about 27,550 sm. Boston and Seattle failed to complete the journey.
2. Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol (and drugs), Fatigue, and Emotional distress. It is recommended that each pilot preflight themselves for these factors prior to flight.
3. Having survived a 1910 aircraft crash that nearly ejected him, Foulois modified a Wright Model A Military Flyer with aviation’s first seatbelt.
4. False. The mammoth, 10-engine, intercontinental bomber of the Cold War era did not have any turboprop engines. It was powered by six 3,800-horsepower, Pratt & Whitney radial (piston) engines and four 5,200-pound-thrust, General Electric J-47 turbojets.
5. True. The Italians were unwilling to forego their passion for wine simply because the United States was still under Prohibition.
6. Valhalla.
7. True. The airline reasoned that the chance of someone expiring during a 19-hour, Newark-to-Singapore flight was not statistically insignificant. It is not known if a locker was ever used for its intended purpose.
8. The runway at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California is 24,852 feet long (15,000 foot paved plus a lakebed overrun) and was an occasional landing site for the space shuttle. The overrun consists of the natural surface of Rogers [dry] Lake.