SR71 Blackbird – USAF photo by Tech SGT Michael Haggerty – Source: www.af.mil
SR71 Blackbird – USAF photo by Tech SGT Michael Haggerty – Source: www.af.mil
It has happened today: a commercial aircraft – US Airways jet (A320) – has been compelled to land or ditch into the Hudson river as you can see on the last three videos. The aircraft has lost both engines after passing into a flock of birds. The pilot then carried out a perfect – as smooth as possible – ditching. Just a leg broken reported, a few injuries, nothing more even though the passengers had to walk along the wings in the frigid waters… That is the good news of the day!
Very special thanks to « Chacko » who added further information in the comments: « This guy Chelsey B. « Sully » Sullenberger, who put the plane in the water today is is an US Air Force Academy graduate who served in the Air Force from 1973 to 1980. He was an U.S. Air Force F-4 Phantom II fighter pilot who served as a flight leader and training officer in Europe and the Pacific. He was also the Blue Force mission commander during Red Flag exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. This is as per the USAF press service. »
This photo especially for Michel « Riri » (Hi, mate!).
Some called this fighter a/c « flat-bottom boat » with amusement, some said that the Earth was round to let the Jaguar take-off, and some others called the Jaguar an « aircraft for men ». Having worked on Mirage F1CRs and Jaguars as well, I was used to using the latter phrase. I loved the F1CR though I’ve always been captivated by the Jaguars’ way of working. This fighter was rough but efficient, and I even dare say « multirole in advance » for the RP36P photo pod fielded Jaguars’ squadrons many times in France and abroad.
Jaguars regularly carried out war missions, and I can easily understand why their pilots and mechanics were proud of having worked on such aircraft. (a special thought for the former 7th and 11th Fighter Wings)
Have a good day Riri, see you, mate!
Source: Photo – SIRPA AIR