The Museum of Flight is presenting An Evening with Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger on Monday, March 8th from 7pm to 9pm in its William M. Allen Theater.

As many Readers may recall, “Sully” Sulenberger is the heroic airline pilot who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in January, 2009. He has over 40 years of flying experience in both commercial and military aviation.

Cost is $10 for non-members and $5 for members.

Here are the details:

WHAT: An evening with “Sully” Sullenberger

WHEN: Monday, Mar 8, 2010: 7:00pm-9:00pm

WHERE: Museum of Flight’s William M. Allen Theater, located at 9404 East Marginal Way S. in Seattle; Phone: 206.764.5720. Located north of Burien and south of downtown Seattle, at the south end of Boeing Field / King County Airport; Exit 158 off Interstate 5. Free Parking adjacent to the museum and Airpark.

INFO: From the museum’s website:

Now a legendary pilot for the dramatic events and emergency landing on the Hudson River of US Airways Flight 1549 in January 2009, Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III is a captain for US Airways, an author, and a lecturer. He has over 40 years of flying experience in both commercial and military aviation. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Sullenberger served as an instructor and Air Line Pilots Association safety chairman, accident investigator and national technical committee member. He has participated in several USAF and National Transportation Board accident investigations. He has a decades-long history of technical and academic contributions to the field of aviation safety.

Here’s a pretty cool video animation that utilizes the audio recording to re-construct the historic crash landing:

by Ralph Nichols

When the United States eventually returns to space after the shuttle program is retired next year, “we can go back to the moon and on to other planets,” Apollo 8 astronaut William A. Anders said at the Museum of Flight in Tukwila recently.

Anders, a retired major general in the US Air Force Reserve, was keynote speaker at a private luncheon hosted by the museum and the Seattle Symphony honoring the Apollo missions. It was held on the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 12 – the second mission to land men on the moon.

In remarks given between symphonic works at the concert, Anders, the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 8 mission – the first manned lunar orbit mission, recalled that President Kennedy, determined “to demonstrate that America was not second rate … and would not lose the missile gap,” would land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.

“And that was done,” added Anders, whose reflection on the Apollo 8 mission, “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth,” has become a famous quote.

Even more famous are his pictures, the first taken of the earth from the moon, including “Earthrise,” which he took on Christmas Eve, 1968:

“The space program today,” he said at the Museum of Flight, “has had some spectacular flights … and spectacular successes with the space shuttle. But the shuttle will be grounded next year.”

Now NASA is working on new space vehicles, and with the vision of companies like Boeing and leaders like Bill Allen, the long-time CEO of the aerospace giant, the United States “will go back into space.”

by Ralph Nichols

Most residents of the Pacific Northwest would think that Boy Scouts participating in a day-long event to earn a merit badge on a mostly sunny Saturday in late October would be hiking in the Cascade Mountains or exploring the Puget Sound shoreline.

But such was not the case on Oct. 24, when 160 scouts packed classrooms at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Center in SeaTac and visited the company’s hangar at Sea-Tac International Airport for a close look at a Boeing 737-700 – inside and out.

The first Aviation Merit Badge day, sponsored by Alaska Airlines in partnership with the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America, was by all accounts an overwhelming success, with many more scouts wanting to participate than there was space to accommodate.

During the day, Boy Scouts were introduced not only to the dynamics of flight and the basics of flying an airplane, but also to airport management, flight operations, air traffic control, and careers in aviation.

Aviation Merit Badge day came about, said Brad Tilden, president of Alaska Airlines (and an Eagle Scout and Highline High School graduate), because “we love to support the Boy Scouts.”

But a golfing auction that the airline sponsored to support scouting wasn’t quite the thing since “there are not a lot of golfers here.” The merit badge idea surfaced as company officials looked for new ways to support the scouts.

“Most of us in aviation remember something that sparked our interest,” Tilden said. “We hope this merit badge event is the spark for some of these scouts. We hope we have fun and that the scouts learn something about aviation.”

Noting that he felt the “energy” while walking around the Flight Operations Center and observing the scouts, Tilden added that he would “love” to do another aviation merit badge day for scouts – perhaps expanded to include girls next time.

Pat Craven, director of development and marketing for the Chief Seattle Council, said the event – “a first for the Boy Scouts and a first for Alaska Airlines,” which he described as “a great friend and partner of scouting” – was “really unique.”

Craven called it “an overwhelming success. We allotted space for 140 scouts, then expanded it to 160, and we still had a waiting list. Alaska is already talking about doing another one next year.

“We’re so excited that Alaska has done this for Boy Scouts. It’s such an exceptional opportunity for them to get an introduction to aviation and aviation careers. They’re still running an airline today, yet they have so many volunteers here doing this.”

by Mark Neuman

Tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 3rd) is your chance to attend a panel discussion with the first pilot of the Boeing 747, Brien Wygle, and the plane’s chief engineer, Joseph Sutter.

Sutter has been called “the father of the 747.”

The panel discussion, which starts at 2pm, will be in the William M. Allen Theater and is free with paid admission to the Museum.

A limited number of randomly chosen audience members will have the rare opportunity to tour the Museum’s 747 prototype – usually closed to the public – after the program.

This aircraft was the first 747 ever built – registration number 001. It first flew on February 9, 1969 over western Washington.

The growing worldwide demand for air travel during the 1960s led to the development of the 747, the first “Jumbo Jet.”

Merely recalling the early days of the 747 program “brings sweat to the palms of my hands,” Boeing’s then-president, William Allen, said years after the giant aircraft had been developed.

Aircraft Details of the first 747:

• Manufacturer: The Boeing Company
• Model: 747-121
• Year: 1969
• Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney JT9D, 43,500 lbs. thrust each
• Registration: N747001
• Serial Number: 20235
• Length: 231ft
• Height: 63ft
• Span: 196ft
• Wing Area: 5,500ft
• Empty Weight: 370,816lbs
• Gross Weight: 735,000lbs
• Cruise Speed: 640mph
• Range: 6,000 miles

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; Exit #158 off I-5 (on Boeing Field between downtown Seattle and SeaTac Airport).

The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for active military, $7.50 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5.

For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720, or visit www.museumofflight.org.

(Photos courtesy The Museum of Flight. All rights reserved.)

At 3:30pm Wednesday (4/29), a Boeing 777 returned and landed safely at Sea-Tac Airport after reporting an engine fire, then dumping its fuel over Puget Sound.

We raced to the airport in hopes of getting a photo, but, alas, we chose the wrong end of the runway, then were thwarted by Port of Seattle security from getting any closer.

Here’s the release issued by the Port:

Media Advisory Uppdate – 3:30pm

The aircraft emergency has landed safely.

At this time there appears to be no other problem.

The aircraft is taxiing to the gate.

Previously…..

Media Advisory – 3:25pm

Sea-Tac Airport is currently responding to an aircraft emergency at this time.

A Boeing 777 aircraft, identified as Asiana Flight #271 has reported an engine fire.

Currently the aircraft is dumping fuel before returning to the airport.

The aircraft is set to arrive on Sea-Tac’s 16 Center runway.

Rescue crews are in place for response.

We will respond with further information as it becomes available.

Aviation High School, currently housed at the former Olympic Elementary School building in Des Moines, has received a private donation of $4 million, moving it well on its path to flying and landing at the Museum of Flight in south Seattle.

According to Catherine Carbone-Rogers, director of communications for the Highline School District, Aviation High School will continue to be managed by Highline; the Seattle School Board has approved an interlocal agreement with Highline to locate the school within Seattle’s boundaries.

The identity of the donor will be revealed at a press conference this Thursday (March 26th), where “he will accept naming rights”; here’s more info from a press release:

Local officials, students, parents, school administrators, and general aviation advocates will join Highline Superintendent John Welch and Aviation High School Principal and CEO Reba Gilman as they announce the first major private donor investment in the relocation of Aviation High School to The Museum of Flight in South Seattle.

Aviation High School has adopted an ambitious plan to relocate to the Museum of Flight by 2012. Construction costs for the new facility are $43.5 million, of which about $20 million has been raised from public and private sources.

This announcement of a major anchor private donor is the first of what is expected to be several other major contributions from individuals and businesses prominent in the aviation, engineering, and technology sectors of the Pacific Northwest.

The major donor will be in attendance to be acknowledged for his sizable gift, and to accept the naming rights to this unique high school.

Aviation High School’s mission and vision is:

To prepare all students for college, career and citizenship through a personalized, rigorous and relevant learning experience that is facilitated in the context of aviation and aerospace.

To be the premier public high school of choice for students in King County and the region who wish to pursue their passion for aviation and aerospace in a learning environment that prepares them for higher education, citizenship, and work.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle, near Boeing Field, and Aviation High School is currently located at 615 South 200th Street in Des Moines – an 11.6 mile flight:

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Aside from making airplanes and being blasted by Sir Richard Branson, Boeing has a collection of talented musicians who make up the Boeing Orchestra of Flight.

They’re seeking more musicians, and here’s some info from their press release:

The Boeing Orchestra of flight is a volunteer ,community orchestra open to all adult instrumentalists, including musicians not affiliated with Boeing. We have been performing in the Puget Sound area since 1983.

We strive to provide a fun, non-competitive and improvement-oriented experience for our members. Our music includes works from the Baroque and classical to contemporary Broadway and Hollywood film scores.

We would particularly like to invite string players, double reed players, and percussionists to join us.

There are no auditions required. Musicians who perhaps have not played for some time are definitely encouraged to return to their instrument and lend their talents to the group. We strive to provide a fun, non-competitive and improvement oriented organization.

Musicians young and old are welcome with the following qualifications:

You should be able to:

• Read music for your instrument
• Play at a high school level or better
• Be willing to commit to the rehearsal and concert schedules
• Be able to get to and from rehearsals and concerts

Dues are $70 for the season (September to June), or $35 for the combined Fall and Christmas series or $35 for the combined Winter and Spring series of concerts. You are welcome to come play with us for a rehearsal, or just listen, before you join the orchestra.

Rehearsals are Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. and are held in Boeing’s South Park Cafeteria, the 15-35 Bldg. The first rehearsal of the Fall Series is in September on the first Monday after Labor Day. Rehearsals continue weekly (except during the Christmas break) through the end of the season, usually in June.

The South Park facility can be seen from the air in Google Maps.

For more information, e-mail Paul at pandmo@msn.com.

You can learn more about us at http://www/flightorchestra.org

BURIEN – The accused gunman who shot an retired Boeing employee and Navy veteran on his doorstep Sunday faced a judge Monday who assigned a $250,000 bail. 

Investigators believe Steven E. Tuimaseve shot Frank Curtis at point-blank range after Curtis refused to let him use the phone when he showed up at his doorstep at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Investigators said Curtis, 78, was asleep when he heard someone knocking at the door at his home in the 200 block of SW 116th Street in the Top Hat neighborhood between White Center and Burien.

Answering the door, he saw a man he didn’t recognize standing there, asking to use the phone.

The victim refused to let the man inside because he didn’t know him and because he appeared to be intoxicated. Tuimaseve then allegedly shot Curtis through the glass door, hitting him in the shoulder.

Curtis was hospitalized with shoulder injuries and powder burns to his face. He is expected to recover.

Members of the victim’s family were awakened by the shot and called police. The gunman was arrested a short while later about a block away.

Sean Winchester, a friend of the victim, said the victim did not know the gunman, and the only apparent motive was that he was upset over the victim’s refusal to let him use a phone.

Even so, the victim’s son Sean Curtis said he saw the warning signs long before the shooting took place.

He said Tuimaseve spent a lot of time at the family’s next-door neighbor’s home and was part of a group that brought “noise and garbage” to the neighborhood.

Sean said he never spoke to Tuimaseve, but said he’s had several run-ins with others who frequented his neighbor’s house.

“The conversations have always been confrontational. I was confronted by several males who shouted out racist comments at me. Everything is our fault,” he wrote in an email to KOMO 4 News.

Sean said the neighbor’s home is notorious for hosting wild parties with “…loud music to the point where knick-knacks in our house vibrate on the shelves, drug use (the smell of marijuana can be smelled to the point where we have to shut our windows).”

Sean said he has been reporting the trash issue to environmental health officials and the noise disturbances to the police, but a permanent solution has yet to be found.

Tuimaseve, 25, is a convicted felon who was placed on active supervision by the state Department of Corrections after being released from jail about a year ago. His record includes several felony convictions, including assault, attempted robbery and domestic violence.

Winchester described the victim as a “good man,” a 20-year veteran of the Navy and retired Boeing machinist who “wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“When things got bad for me, when the economy tanked, they took care of me for a while, and now I’m here doing what I can for the family,” he said.

SOURCE:

• KOMO News

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