Random Aviation Thoughts 12/05/08

• Here's some video of Singapore Air Force F-16s taking off and landing on a public highway during a military exercise.
• Don't miss this video the Quest Kodiak at Oshkosh in 2007. It's a good walk-thru of an aircraft that will be supporting missionary aviation for the next generation. Here's an infomercial on the Kodiak.
• It looks like Airbus has been spying on Boeing. They managed the most complete analysis of a competitor's aircraft that's never flown (the 787 Dreamliner) that anyone has ever seen. Airbus examined and published every mistake and flaw that Boeing ever made with this design and Boeing's not too happy about it. Meanwhile, the sleek new 787 will likely be delayed yet again.
  
• How about a real-life flying laser cannon? Boeing announced another successful ground test of its Airborne Laser prototype, a laser cannon installed on a 747. The point is to shoot down enemy missiles and such.
• Why didn't the automaker CEOs fly commercial instead of driving to Washington in hybrid cars (after flying private jets the first time)? Supposedly for security reasons. If the CEO flies commercial that plane could be hijacked, they say. Right. I'm sure that's the real reason.
  
• Some experts want the F-35 to become an electronic attack/jamming aircraft. Hmmm… maybe.
• Top 50 NASA photos of all time. Wow.