Aerospace
planes, jets, rockets, space
@aviationdoctor.eth
Anon, do you like to get high?
Like, really high?
Then you will love the Perlan II, an experimental glider that aims to fly at 90,000 ft (27 km), higher than even the record-holding powered aircraft, the supersonic Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (85,000 ft / 26 km).
In 2018, the Perlan II already flew at 76,000 ft (23 km), just above the Lockheed U-2 which holds the highest altitude record for a subsonic flight.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windward_Performance_Perlan_II
4 replies
1 recast
22 reactions
@barrydyne
About Helicopters this 1945 article says: “Designs flourish, but public has to wait for practical family model”
1 reply
0 recast
2 reactions
@clone
US air traffic control still runs on Windows 95 and floppy disks
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/06/faa-to-retire-floppy-disks-and-windows-95-amid-air-traffic-control-overhaul/
1 reply
0 recast
2 reactions
@zachharris.eth
The ordinal of imperial measurement is called a thou (1/1000 of an inch). This is micron level of precision and often used in aerospace. @july did you ever encounter this term in any applied context?
0 reply
0 recast
0 reaction
@july
Scaled Composites makes the weirdest stuff
But they do know how to make them fly
Scaled Composite Model 401 / Model 437
1 reply
0 recast
8 reactions
2 replies
2 recasts
4 reactions
0 reply
0 recast
2 reactions
@aviationdoctor.eth
Had an MRO client call me yesterday asking for how the new tariffs will affect their supply chain and operating costs.
Many parts cross borders multiple times before any aircraft is final assembled, and of course the aftermarket spares also need unhindered circulation to keep those aircraft in service flying worldwide, wherever they may break down and need repair.
The backlog for new aircraft at Airbus and Boeing is already on the order of 11–12 years, well after the pandemic wreaked havoc on the just-in-time supply chains of OEMs and tier-1/2 suppliers.
It’ll be interesting to watch all the second-order effects of the new tariffs
Case in point: https://search.app/mQKwXgmTB5S1HZcr6
1 reply
0 recast
6 reactions
