by Lufthansa Flyer | Aug 21, 2017 | Eclipse, Featured, Photography |
Today’s eclipse that covered virtually the entire United States no doubt was an amazing spectacle to observe, and there are literally thousands if not millions of different perspectives that took place today.
For me, the perspective was from Michigan where we observed 81% totality. I didn’t want to take the chance of traveling to an area where there would be complete totality only to be shut out by the weather. In fact, about a 1/3rd of the path of totality was obscured with overcast conditions. Several friends made the trek and some came away not seeing the eclipse. I can at least say I finally saw one, if only part of it.
Though my photos may not be like so many others that are better due to the fact they had a better view of the eclipse, I can’t say that I’m unhappy with the results that I had from simply standing in my yard with tripod and camera doing the work.
So here is how I saw the eclipse today:
Today’s Eclipse sponsor in part by Apple Inc……
Totality in Grand Rapids, Michigan (81%) at 2:22p
by Lufthansa Flyer | Aug 18, 2017 | Air Berlin, Featured, Lufthansa |
Over the past 2 days, Lufthansa has been in formal talks with Air Berlin’s leadership regarding the sale of Air Berlin’s assets to LH. Though other bidders are expected to crop up including Ryanair, Thomas Cook and Easyjet, it appears that the battle for Air Berlin may be over before it even begins. While AB is publicly saying that it is possible that more than one suitor may be involved, it appears unlikely that a serious threat would be posed to LH’s chances at this point.
Already with an advantage thanks to the wet lease agreement currently in place for 40 AB aircraft, it looks as though Lufthansa will have little problem in taking over the lease on 90 of Air Berlin’s 140 aircraft, including the ones already under LH’s control.
Lufthansa is in solid win-win position at this point. Not only does it come through as a ‘Champion’ for keeping a German airline German, it will exponentially increase its Eurowings presence in Europe and the rest of world by immediately rebranding the AB birds into Eurowings and expanding their route network.
With German elections looming next month, it is also a fortunate public relations coup for the German gov’t by taking on an active role in bridging a €150 million loan to AB to remain solvent while the details of an LH take over are ironed out. Unlikely that the German gov’t at this point would support a sale of one of their flag carriers to Ireland’s Ryanair or an equally unattractive option in Easyjet, Thomas Cook, or others.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Aug 18, 2017 | Avgeek, Featured, History, Jumbolino, Swiss |
When flight LX7545 arrived in Zurich after a short hop from Geneva on August 15, it marked the end of an era in SWISS aviation. With the completion of this flight came the retirement of SWISS’ last Avro RJ100 aircraft, one of 21 that had served SWISS dutifully for 15 years. In addition to the RJ100, SWISS had also operated 4 of RJ85 variant.
During its 2 decades of service, this workhorse earned the nickname of ‘Jumbolino’ due to the fact that it hung 4 engines from its wings as it sought to imitate much larger aircraft even though it served as a short haul specialist.
SWISS’ last RJ100 arrives to a water cannon salute after completing its final flight. (Photo Credit: SWISS).
According to SWISS, the RJ100 fleet flew over 700,000 hours and operated well over a half-million flights during its successful tenure with the airline.
The retirement of the Jumbolino was primarily due to the addition of Bombardier C-series aircraft to the fleet. With the C-series, SWISS gains substantial operational improvement and capacity over the RJ100. Currently there are 10 C-Series (8 of the -100, and 2 of the -300 variant), with plans for 20 more to join the fleet by the end of next year.
3 RJ100s remain in service with Brussels Airlines but their retirement is planned before the end of the year. Lufthansa Group will no longer operate the aircraft type after SN retires their 3 birds.
