I was reading a story about the test flights of a new plane today. Like almost always when I am on-line one story leads to another and pretty soon I am in a totally unrelated place from my start. Today I was led to another article about the storage of retired airliners in the desert. This is just another area where I find acute interest. One of the planes featured in the article was the famous or infamous 'Gimli Glider'
Some of you may remember the tale of the almost new Boeing 767 jet that had to land on a dragstrip when it accidentally ran out of fuel on a flight. But to most of you the jetliner registered as C-GAUN was little more than a run-of-the-mill widebody plane.

The incident on the pride of Air Canada jets happened way back in 1983. I remember the actual day it happened. I poured over the news reports and later the official reports trying to learn how in that modern era, a high-tech long-range plane, like a 767 could run short on fuel on a domestic flight in good weather while crossing southern Canada. I am amazed at how it successfully imitated a 173 ton glider.


Even though it was 25 years ago (July 23, 1983) most old timers at Air Canada and around the aviation community remember the details well. It all started with the discovery of a problem with part of the aircraft's flight management system. Basically that is a problem with the fuel gauges. It was a bad electrical connection, a faulty soldering joint.

That by itself is not enough to ground a plane, because the fuel can be measured manually. But this led to several problems.

• First none of the ground crew trained to do so, but the pilots would recheck the numbers.

• This introduced the 2nd problem. The pilots used an incorrect conversion method. The ground crew had used imperial measurements to compute the 767's fuel load as was common in Canada. Air Canada & in fact the whole country was just beginning the process of changing over to the metric system. This Air Canada 767 the first plane set up with the new system. The difference between the amounts calculated was huge.
  

The flight took off and was progressing normally. But as it crossed high over Red Lake, Ontario, a warning signal in the cockpit sounded, and suddenly the flight crew realized the error.

One engine failed, followed soon by the other. As that happened the generators supplying power for the aircraft's glass-panel avionics stopped too. Quickly the battery went dead which left the 195 seat airliners powerless.

With only a few mechanical backup instruments and unboosted flight controls the plane was descending at 2,000 feet-per-minute.

The Good News

Call it fate or just serendipity but one of the pilots on board that day was Captain Robert Pearson, also an expert glider pilot. He enjoyed this hobby on his days off. Still even with that skill there was no hope of keeping the plane in the air all the way to Winnipeg. Fortunately the other pilot, the co-pilot First Officer Maurice Quintal had been a pilot in the Air Force and knew of an abandoned base near their flight path -- in Gimli, Manitoba -- where he had once served.


Using their limited instruments Captain Pearson and First Officer Quintal successfully glided the plane toward the runway at Gimli. But as they neared on their silent approach the crew saw that spectators and campers were spread out, watching go-cart races on the abandoned runway.

There was nothing they could do. They were committed.

Still on a short final the crew realized they were going too fast and were too high to make the field and stop safely. Captain Pearson, making use of his gliding skills did something some pilots thought impossible. He put the plane into a hard side slip. This maneuver would cause the aircraft to lose altitude quickly without increasing the speed. In fact with the nose slightly up it might even help slow them a little.

It was a firm landing and the plane's nose landing gear collapsed. They were now skidding quickly down the runway sending up a shower of sparks. Captain Pearson could see two boys bicycling on the runway, in front of them. They were pedaling like crazy " "My heart leapt into my throat." He remembers. "One of the boys stared straight back at me in the cockpit."

Fortunately, the plane missed the boys and other onlookers coming to a stop 100 feet from where the spectators had set up their campers. Miraculously there were no injuries on the ground, nor to the extra light load of 61 passengers and eight crew on board the plane.

The plane was repaired a few days later, safely refueled and flown out eventually returning to service.

Both Pilots continued to fly and 1985 received the first-ever Federation Aeronautique Internationale Diploma for Outstanding Airmanship.

C-GAUN may have been just another jetliner to most people. But when she was retired almost a quarter of a century later in 2008, she was a legend and a "proud lady of the skies".

This story was also told in a book I have owned and enjoyed several times, "Free Fall" and later it was made into a TV movie staring William Devane. I have a copy of that as well. Think I watch it again tonight.

Today is Underdogs day.

Lets all celebrate the little guy.

NEVER FORGET

Singles Alert :

Tomorrow is Leap Day.

Legend has it that marriage-minded gals can propose to their boyfriends on February 29. And the guys must accept.

The exact origin is somewhat vague. But because February 29th, "leap day" is an unusual event, a lot of folklore and superstition are associated with it. According to folk tradition, on Leap years day women could propose marriage to men. On "The Ladies' Privilege " day the man either had to accept the proposal or pay the refused woman a substantial fee for turning her down. This was later accepted in English Common Law around 1288 by decree by Queen Margaret of Scotland. Not only that but the man risked bad fortune to themselves.

In the U.S. we have the similar Sadie Hawkins Day, where "women can pursue men". It was originated from Al Capp cartoon strip Li'l Abner. No official day is set but most agree it falls on the Saturday closest to November 9. I remember going to a high school dance in honor of that event.

Just remember today is a day where odd events may occur.


What are you planning for this “extra day.” ?

Here are a dozen ideas.

1. Learn one song on the piano. You know you took lessons as a kid. You have always wanted to and it will make you look really cool while hanging out.

2. Make something cool out of paper. Origami skills will come in handy when you baby sit.

3. Ride a horse. I mean, when’s the last time you rode a horse?

4. Read a book.

5. Organize your pictures. You’ve put it off long enough.

6. Make your own personalized T-shirt.

7. Grill up the biggest steak you can find.

8. Memorize the lyrics to “Stairway to Heaven” ..no wait you've already done that.

9. Go for a walk … in that woods but bundle up it's cold.

10. Call your mom and talk she'll love you for it.

11. Take your significant other shopping for no reason.

12. Visit old friends.

We Will Never Forget


Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
December 7th 1941
2,403 people died that day, 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians. Another 1,178 were wounded.

Rocket For Sale

A follow-up to my previous post. I was browsing the Evel Knievel news and I saw this.


Evel Knievel Skycycle Snake River Rocket For Sale


The X-2 Skycycle steam powered rocket, designed to jump the Grand Canyon but failed in an attempt to rocket across the Snake River Canyon. Actually the rocket itself worked. The jump failed when the chute deployed shortly after launch and pulled the whole thing back into the edge of the river. It was never used again.

As you might expect, there is a bit of damage, but hey it's a piece of history.

For a small donation of $5,000,000 dollars this could be yours.

Takers?

'Rocket Man'

Evel Knievel lived an exciting life, but it took its toll.

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel was 69. But it wasn't one of his stunts that cost Evel Knievel his life... it was all of them. Riddled with scars from his many attempted daredevil feats, Knievel's health had failed him the past few years. He suffered from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, that had scarred his lungs.

Knievel underwent a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C -- which he believed he contracted through a blood transfusion from an earlier injury. He had also suffered two strokes in recently.

He will be missed especially during the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in Butte, Montana, his home town

I never met "Evel Knievel ", but I did actually meet his son Robbie who at one time was following in his footsteps doing motorcycle stunts.

In April this year, Knievel announced that he "believed in Jesus Christ" for the first time. He professed his personal faith in Christ at services in the Crystal Cathedral in California.

I think I will watch this movie tonight.
Join me !

For those who made our Freedom a reality
Thank youWe will never forget !!

I have taken the past couple days off. Actually I was just plain tired and just didn't feel like writing. Tonight I am going to catch-up a little so I need to borrow a blog phrase. This is a "Mind Dump" post.


NewSpring on Sunday:

I hope you were there, but if not, I really wish you had been at NewSpring this week.

First we changed the counter ( before services ) to 8 minutes this week only because the lead in song was Stairway to Heaven (yes LED ZEP ) and like they said, "You just don't cut Stairway in the middle".

Then the band came out and kicked it up a notch with a super heavy set. Including Cochise by Audioslave. After a couple more songs the lights went down even more and a video started. It was a series of man on the street interviews via video about if Hell was a real place. It was surprising what people said. During the interviews the band played an instrumental version of Hells Bells _ AC/DC very loud in spots yet soft when the people on the video spoke. And then we had PYRO --FIRE FIRE and all over the place. It was the wildest thing ever at NewSpring.

At the end of the video six guys walked out to a nearly dark stage as pallbearers with a coffin. Perry started preaching from inside it . That was cool. Then popped out a few minutes later. Over 120 people got saved. AMAZING

You've GOT to watch the podcast .



Underdog the Movie:

If you know me or read this blog you know I am crazy about cartoons. One of the greatest cartoons was about a dog with super powers. Underdog .

Speed of lightning, Roar of thunder ... There's no need to fear...Underdog is here.

I was excited when I heard they were making this into a movie. I was not disappointed. GO SEE THIS !!!!

Kristie and I went Monday night and it ROCKED !!!!!!




National S'mores Day :

Friday is the day to celebrate a great snack. It's National S'mores Day

Take couple of graham crackers, a marshmallow and add a piece of chocolate and you’ve got a masterpiece .

Hershey Candies says Friday is National S’mores Day, so lets all eat one of the sweet, gooey, crunchy wonders.




Remembering Hiroshima :

Monday was Hiroshima Day. It's been 62 years since we told the world about the atomic age. I visited there years ago and there are still visible reminders everywhere.

Pray it never has to happen again.

Today is friday the 13th.

A day full of danger and fear. Ok it's just a silly superstition. It's a funny source of amusement more than anything else. We all make jokes about Friday the 13th and kiddingly instruct everyone to use greater caution.
Still there are some who allow their fears to prevent them from engaging in activities, people who suffer from the phoebia Triskaidekaphobia or fear of the number thirteen.
Why is Friday regarded as bad luck — some theories link it to Christian events such as the Crucifixion.

Friday was alluded to as bad as far back as the late 14th century in the Canterbury Tales("And on a Friday fell all this is chance"), but most references generally start around the mid-17th century:

* "Now Friday came, you old wives say, Of all the week's the unluckiest day." (1656)

* Beginning a sea voyage: "Sailors are many of them superstitious . . . A voyage begun [on a Friday] is sure to be an unfortunate one." (1823)

* Getting married: "As to Friday, a couple married on that day are doomed to a cat-and-dog life." (1879)

* Starting a new job: "Servants who go into their situations on Friday, never go to stay." (1923)

The reason behind the number thirteen is similarly obscure. There are many different sources, the most common stemming from, the Last Supper, at which Judas Iscariot was said to have been the thirteenth guest to sit at the table.

* "The old story runs, that the last individual of the thirteen who takes a seat has the greatest chance of being the 'doomed one'." (1839)

By the late 19th century the superstition surrounding thirteen had become even more general, with people going out of their ways to avoid anything designated by the number thirteen, such as hotel rooms.

Once again this was avoided by renumbering of rooms in hotels, and misnumbering the floors above the 12th floor in multi-story buildings so that the 13th floor became the 14th floors.

I do not believe in Luck good or bad in the traditional way. I do believe in random events that can be shaped by actions of self and others ( in that we make our own luck )

I hope you have a great day today and get a kick out the jokes.

But please don't think it serious.

Here is another interesting auction item. First it was a plane then a town. Now here is a space ship.

On Saturday in Paris a Soviet capsule covered with scorch marks from it's return to earth will be auctioned.

At 2.7 metres (8.75 feet) long and 1.6 metres (5.2 feet) wide, the 2.4-tonne capsule is one of a batch of seven launched by Soyuz rocket between 1985 and 1991. This one spent two-weeks touring the cosmos.

The price is expected to be between 30,000 and 35,000 euros (39,000 and 45,500 dollars).

This is not the first of the capsules to be auctioned. One already in Paris and the other in the United States. This sale coincides with this years Paris Air Show. ( the largest in the world)

Other rare aerospace memorabilia is up for bid too. Including NASA pictures of the US Gemini and Apollo missions and documents from the Wright Brothers, Louis Bleriot and other aviation pioneers.

Wouldn't it be cool to own a space ship?

Today is D-day plus 63 years.

I know a couple of guys who were there. Thanks Gentlemen for doing what you did so we all can live and worship free.

This year is the 24th anniversary of the series and last week Canadian TV hosted a special. I am looking for a copy. Maybe YouTube in a few days Why is 24th so big? 24= 2-4 an inside show joke. ( the photo on the above right is from the special )

Bob & Doug McKenzie were created as a skit for the Canadian tv show "SCTV". Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis. The original intent was to protest government regulations calling for identifiable Canadian .

“The Great White North”, staring Bob & Doug made them instant national heroes. They played stereotypical Canadian dim wits. Their dialogue was spiced with things like, “Eh?”, “Hoser”, and “Take off!” They guzzled beer, loved donuts and of course ate pounds of back bacon. They became so popular that “The Great White North” remained in the SCTV lineup of skits until the end . Thomas and Moranis were eventually made members of the Order of Canada for their contribution to Canadian culture. They’ve been likened to Laurel and Hardy by the many.

They also produce two albums. In 1981, on a $5000 budget, Thomas & Moranis recorded “Great White North” the album. Moranis insisted that a song be included. “Take Off” (featuring Geddy Lee of Rush) got plenty of radio play, and album sales soared. The album even made the Billboard top ten in The U.S.

In 1983 they starred in a film, “Strange Brew”along with Oscar winner Max Von Sydow. It became an overnight cult classic, and rumors of a sequel have floated around the Internet for years.

Okay, hosers, guess you’ll have to wait and see, eh?”

“Take off eh?”

Did they really find King Herod's tomb? Israeli archaeologist today claim to have located the possible location of the burial place on a flattened hilltop in the Desert south of Jerusalem.
On the site they have been exploring since the 1970s, where the monarch had built a palace.
They found a sarcophagus,which we all remember from "Night at the Museum" , although there were no bones in the container it's location and ornate appearance indicated it is indeed Herod's. Further research is needed on the ruins and it's inscription for full verification.

Hordes (Hebrew: הוֹרְדוֹס, hoɾðos; Greek: ἡρῴdης, hērōdēs; trad. English: Herod), also known as Herod I or Herod the Great, was a Roman client king of Judaea (ca. 74 BC – ca. 4 BC )
better known as King Herod the biblical monarch became the ruler of the Holy Land under the Romans around 40 B.C. The wall he built around the Old City of Jerusalem during the time of the Jewish Second Temple is the one that can be seen today. Herod was the king at the time of the birth of Christ and is the one who asked the Three Magi to return with new of that event, but it was his son Herod Antipas ( also called Herod)who played a role in the story of John the Baptist.