Who wants to be the first to ZAP Osama?
The Pentagon is in the final stages of evaluating whether a new non-lethal weapon, which delivers a beam of energy that benignly burns, might be useful to U.S. forces in Iraq who want to control a crowd or stop an individual without inflicting injury.
If it is deployed to Iraq, the military's $51 million "Active Denial System," which looks like a satellite TV dish, would be mounted on an armored Humvee and dubbed, collectively, a "Sheriff."
Those who have been test-zapped say it causes a sensation similar to touching a hot light bulb, a burning feeling that stops instantly when the beam is shut off or the subject moves out of its way. It leaves neither a burn nor any residual pain.
"This capability is expected to save countless lives by providing a means to stop individuals without causing injury, before a deadly confrontation develops."
The device uses a transmitter to send a narrow beam of 95-GHz millimeter waves toward a subject. The energy penetrates less than 1/64th of an inch, heating up the skin's surface and causing a stinging sensation. A 2-second burst brings the spot to 130 degrees F. But the human pain reflex makes people pull away automatically after a second, GlobalSecurity.org wrote. To burn the skin, someone would have to endure the beam for 250 seconds.
Garcia, of the Air Force lab, said no one has been able to tough out the stinging for more than three seconds. He managed to stand two seconds before recoiling when he underwent a test application of the beam. "It hurt a lot," he said.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Get Ready to Fly From Peotone
Lincoln Airport project now awaits approval from FAA, governor -- about 6 to 9 months
Supporters of a third Chicago airport have finalized agreements with developers to finance, build and run the proposed Airport near south suburban Peotone.
As of Sept. 13, the clock is ticking for members of the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Coalition -- formerly the South Suburban Airport Coalition -- waiting to see if the proposal gets the green light from Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Proponents fear that if approval doesn't come in the next six to nine months, the developers, who plan to sink $200 million into the first phase of the airport's construction, will walk away.
If approved, the project could be completed by 2009 and it would likely dash Chicago officials' hopes of massive expansion at O'Hare International Airport, said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson.
Johnson, a staunch supporter of the Peotone project and opponent of O'Hare expansion, said the agreement means the realization of the coalition's goals are near.
"Folks, it's right in front of our eyes. The light at the end of the tunnel is so bright that I am handing out sunglasses to the people on this board," he said at a Sept. 14 Village Board meeting, which featured comments from Karl Ray, an executive project coordinator with from SNC-Lavalin, one of two private airport developers backing the proposal.
The state currently owns 1,715 of the estimated 4,000 acres needed for the Peotone airport. That property has cost the state nearly $20 million.
Supporters of a third Chicago airport have finalized agreements with developers to finance, build and run the proposed Airport near south suburban Peotone.
As of Sept. 13, the clock is ticking for members of the Abraham Lincoln National Airport Coalition -- formerly the South Suburban Airport Coalition -- waiting to see if the proposal gets the green light from Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Proponents fear that if approval doesn't come in the next six to nine months, the developers, who plan to sink $200 million into the first phase of the airport's construction, will walk away.
If approved, the project could be completed by 2009 and it would likely dash Chicago officials' hopes of massive expansion at O'Hare International Airport, said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson.
Johnson, a staunch supporter of the Peotone project and opponent of O'Hare expansion, said the agreement means the realization of the coalition's goals are near.
"Folks, it's right in front of our eyes. The light at the end of the tunnel is so bright that I am handing out sunglasses to the people on this board," he said at a Sept. 14 Village Board meeting, which featured comments from Karl Ray, an executive project coordinator with from SNC-Lavalin, one of two private airport developers backing the proposal.
The state currently owns 1,715 of the estimated 4,000 acres needed for the Peotone airport. That property has cost the state nearly $20 million.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
L-1011 from TV Show LOST
Former Delta Lockheed L-1011 N783DL
Those of you watching the new series LOST spotted the Delta color scheme on the wreckage in the first episode. The former Delta L-1011 N783DL was broken up at MHV and sections were barged to Hawaii for filming.
The aircraft was built in 1972 and entered service with Eastern as N308EA. I saw it at MIA as both Eastern and Delta.
It will be a lot harder to find it now for those of you that still need it!
Those of you watching the new series LOST spotted the Delta color scheme on the wreckage in the first episode. The former Delta L-1011 N783DL was broken up at MHV and sections were barged to Hawaii for filming.
The aircraft was built in 1972 and entered service with Eastern as N308EA. I saw it at MIA as both Eastern and Delta.
It will be a lot harder to find it now for those of you that still need it!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
I Feel Safer Already & So Does Osama
Flight diverted after passenger Cat Stevens found on watch list
We cant find Osama but we can sure stop the threat from this old 1970's singer. The US Government ordered a United Airlines jet flying from London to Washington rerouted to Bangor, Maine, on Tuesday so it could intercept a passenger, Yusuf Islam, the musician formerly known as Cat Stevens, officials said.
It would not have done any good to let the flight go on to Washington and stop him there. If that had happened he might have bumped into a fan of his named Ted Kennedy.
All I can say is the Cat better get ready to take the Peace Train!
We cant find Osama but we can sure stop the threat from this old 1970's singer. The US Government ordered a United Airlines jet flying from London to Washington rerouted to Bangor, Maine, on Tuesday so it could intercept a passenger, Yusuf Islam, the musician formerly known as Cat Stevens, officials said.
It would not have done any good to let the flight go on to Washington and stop him there. If that had happened he might have bumped into a fan of his named Ted Kennedy.
All I can say is the Cat better get ready to take the Peace Train!
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Ragbrai 2004
This year I was lucky to make an appearance
The photo is of Don Latus and myself at the Mississippi River in Clinton, IA, July 31, 2004 at the end of RAGBRAI.
To read the entire story go HERE
The photo is of Don Latus and myself at the Mississippi River in Clinton, IA, July 31, 2004 at the end of RAGBRAI.
To read the entire story go HERE
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Plane Spotting in South Africa
The Brit Spotter that posted this was glad he did not have to get real close to read this reg#.
At least this was a turboprop. It would be a shame to get eaten while trying to log spam!
At least this was a turboprop. It would be a shame to get eaten while trying to log spam!
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Another one bites the Dust!
US Airways Files for Bankruptcy
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - US Airways Group Inc. (UAIR), squeezed severely by low-cost rivals and soaring fuel prices and failing in its drive for new labor concessions, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday for the second time in two years. The airline sought protection from its creditors in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 18 months after emerging from Chapter 11 as a leaner carrier with new financing and a fresh focus on regional jet operations.
There is little expectation the airline will be able to borrow more money or find new equity partners during this bankruptcy, but some industry and corporate restructuring experts interviewed by Reuters in recent days give US Airways a fighting chance of being able to cut its way back to health. The U.S. seventh-largest airline is based in Arlington, Virginia, and employs 28,000 people.
It is expected to operate normally, at least in the very near term
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - US Airways Group Inc. (UAIR), squeezed severely by low-cost rivals and soaring fuel prices and failing in its drive for new labor concessions, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday for the second time in two years. The airline sought protection from its creditors in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 18 months after emerging from Chapter 11 as a leaner carrier with new financing and a fresh focus on regional jet operations.
There is little expectation the airline will be able to borrow more money or find new equity partners during this bankruptcy, but some industry and corporate restructuring experts interviewed by Reuters in recent days give US Airways a fighting chance of being able to cut its way back to health. The U.S. seventh-largest airline is based in Arlington, Virginia, and employs 28,000 people.
It is expected to operate normally, at least in the very near term
Monday, September 06, 2004
A Tale of Two Gin Mills
A drive in the country and a visit to a couple of my old haunts!
Sunday I took the TC for a little country drive my first stop was Sublette, Illinois near a spot that I worked at 30 years ago. This is a little town with a population of about 300 and I had not been back in 10 years or so and was looking forward to a cold beer at the Coachman Inn. This fine establishment was my local stop every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for five years. Over the years I would stop by and they would always remember me by name. It was a welcome stop.
When I got there I found it was closed, no sign of life at all. I saw a new bar in a building that used to be a Mobile gas station in time gone by, so I went in for a beer. What happened to the Coachman I asked? I was told that they had been closed now for about 10 years, and the Mobile station conversion bar had got their license. Another one of my drinking establishments gone!!
Onward to the big town of Utica, Illinois to Duffy's Tavern. This was another Friday, Saturday, Sunday place when I worked nearby. I had not stayed away from this place as long and knew it was still around. What I was not ready for was my first sight of the tornado damage from last April 20th. This place had really been hammered, one of the town's bars had been completely destroyed with several killed.
The bartender showed me a photograph book of all the damage to Duffy's. Most of the major stuff had been repaired by now. While sitting at the bar drinking a cold one I was watching the news reports on how Florida was getting battered by the latest hurricane. I could not help to wonder which of my favorite Florida establishments will not be there the next time I visit.
Sunday I took the TC for a little country drive my first stop was Sublette, Illinois near a spot that I worked at 30 years ago. This is a little town with a population of about 300 and I had not been back in 10 years or so and was looking forward to a cold beer at the Coachman Inn. This fine establishment was my local stop every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for five years. Over the years I would stop by and they would always remember me by name. It was a welcome stop.
When I got there I found it was closed, no sign of life at all. I saw a new bar in a building that used to be a Mobile gas station in time gone by, so I went in for a beer. What happened to the Coachman I asked? I was told that they had been closed now for about 10 years, and the Mobile station conversion bar had got their license. Another one of my drinking establishments gone!!
Onward to the big town of Utica, Illinois to Duffy's Tavern. This was another Friday, Saturday, Sunday place when I worked nearby. I had not stayed away from this place as long and knew it was still around. What I was not ready for was my first sight of the tornado damage from last April 20th. This place had really been hammered, one of the town's bars had been completely destroyed with several killed.
The bartender showed me a photograph book of all the damage to Duffy's. Most of the major stuff had been repaired by now. While sitting at the bar drinking a cold one I was watching the news reports on how Florida was getting battered by the latest hurricane. I could not help to wonder which of my favorite Florida establishments will not be there the next time I visit.
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Gulfstream 2 at Aurora
In my travels I came across this very sad looking Gulfstream at Aurora on Sunday. The only markings say G2 SP and U3RA5271
Does anyone know the identity of this aircraft?
Does anyone know the identity of this aircraft?
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