Latest news with #MuseumofFlight
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
People are only just realising why we always board a plane from the left
When you board a plane, you'll always step onto the aircraft from the left - and it turns out there is a very good reason for this - and it's all to do with ships and boats As we gear up for the summer holiday rush and prepare to soak up the sun, there's a curious constant in our plane-boarding experience that might have escaped your notice. Whether you're buzzing with excitement or grappling with pre-flight jitters, you've probably never pondered why you always board an aircraft from the left-hand side. Despite the leaps in aviation technology, the boarding process has remained steadfastly the same, and Michael Oakley, managing editor of The Aviation Historian, has shed light on this intriguing tradition. Originally, commercial aircraft featured passenger doors on the left due to historical practices, but today it's all about operational efficiency. Speaking to Afar, Michael revealed: "Much of aviation terminology had its origins in maritime lore (rudder, cockpit, cabin, bulkhead, knots, etc), and similarly, the aeronautical ways of doing things owe a lot to sailing." He further explained: "Just as boats and ships have a port side – the side of the vessel conventionally adjacent to the dock when in port – aircraft are the same. Sensibly, people decided to continue to board on the port (or left) side." Boats were traditionally designed with the steering oar on the right side (starboard), leading to passengers and cargo being loaded onto the opposite side. This practice was carried over to aircraft until United Airlines in the 1930s and 40s decided to place their doors on the right. However, as air travel became more popular, it proved more efficient for everyone to board planes from the same side using the same terminals. "Since the pilot sits on the left, airports began to be built with gates on the left so the pilot could better judge distances as they taxied to the gate,' explained Matthew Burchette, senior curator at the Museum of Flight in Tukwila, Washington. He added: "As soon as more complex airports were developed, with passengers using Jetways as a means of walking directly aboard from the terminal, ground operations were a lot easier if every aircraft did the same thing in the same direction." This arrangement also makes life easier for airport ground staff, who can work on the right-hand side away from passengers, while passengers are kept clear of any machinery.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Crew-9 return sparks major interest in Western Washington
There were plenty of eyes throughout Western Washington as Crew-9 splashdown off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida Tuesday afternoon. Some of those eyes were staring at NASA's streaming of the splash down inside the Museum of Flight in Tukwila. 'I think this is really historic and I am glad that they are able to do this,' said Lucas from Seattle. Many museum staff also tuned in to the historic splash down, including Space Curator Geoff Nunn. 'I want them to get back safely,' Nunn said before Crew-9′s splashdown. Nunn has paid close attention to these astronauts' journey since June of 2024. He says that while their mission went longer than expected, the usual length of NASA missions is 6 months to a year. 'Again, they train for this stuff. And so while it was unexpected, they were certainly able to work the problem,' Nunn said. Nunn says he's seen a recent rise in public interest in aerospace across Western Washington, as well as with large companies like Boeing, whose first Starliner Capsule was used in this journey. 'Now there are all of these new players that are coming on board to help support NASA through programs like the commercial crew program,' Nunn said. With that said, Nunn says Boeing and these companies will have to work through the kinks of it all to get more space travel up and running. 'There are no doubt going to be challenges. Space is difficult. There are going to be scenarios where things don't go as expected, but it's really important for us to expand our ability to explore farther. So it is very exciting for me to see renewed interest in space and see so many more people getting into the game,' Nunn said.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Origin rocket engine arrives at Museum of Flight
Kent-based space exploration firm Blue Origin has donated one of its groundbreaking rocket engines to the Museum of Flight for a new display that's set up at the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery. The donation marks a new partnership with the museum. The prototype BE-3U engine was designed to power the upper stage of Blue Origin's giant reusable New Glenn rocket that launched for the first time only a couple of months ago. It stands about 15 feet tall and weighs over a ton. According to the museum, the engine is now one of the largest objects on display in its exhibit focusing on the latest in rocket science and space programs. KIRO 7 spoke to Timothy Hinerman, who is on the team that developed the BE3U rocket engine. Monday morning, he oversaw the delicate installation of the engine at the museum. He said he hopes the work with the Museum of Flight and the new display will inspire a new generation to space exploration. 'This is one of the early development units we have tested,' he said. 'It's already been hot-fired. We learned a bunch from it.' KIRO 7 also spoke to Geoff Nunn, a space curator at the museum. He watched the engine installation Monday morning and says Western Washington's space exploration ecosystem is a strong one. 'I think it's important that we recognize all the accomplishments that NASA makes, but we have that resilience in the addition of private players like Blue Origin,' he said. Nunn believes Blue Origin will be a leader in the field of space exploration for years to come, if not decades. 'They've managed to secure quite a few contracts as it is,' he told KIRO 7. 'I think they have a chance.' The installation comes about a month after Blue Origin announced it would be laying off 10 percent of its workforce. That's about 1,000 employees. The company has not specified how many Washington State employees would be impacted, but it maintains a large presence at one of its main offices in Kent.
