Tag Archives: flight

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Dancing on Thin Ice, Happy End #9.1, Canada, 2012 / Bristol freighter broke through ice while landing in 1956, all survived.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Bamboo in the Wine, Happy End #31.1, USA, 2012 / Cessna T50 bamboo bomber ran out of fuel in the 60s, all on board survived and walked over frozen river to Fort Yukon.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
The Scenic Route to Nowhere, Happy End #3.1, Mexico, 2010 / Grumman Albatross, no official report as used for drug trafficking, locals say all survived.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Forces at Work, Happy End #2.1, Canada, 2010 / Douglas C3 stalled at take-off on skis in deep snow, all 6 survived. February 1950.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Knock on Wood, Happy End #11.3, USA, 2012 / Fairchild C-82 with total electrical failure, all survived for three days at -50°F (-45°C).

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Passion is Rebel to Reason, Happy End #4.1, West Sahara, 2011 / Avro Shackleton Pelican, 25y SAAF, forced landing on flight to UK, all 19 saved by Polisario Rebels in July of 1994.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Never Eat More than You Can Lift, Happy End #5.1, Canada, 2011 / Curtiss C46 Commando, nicknamed Mrs. Piggy as she could load so much freight, including pigs. All survived, 1979.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Fuel of Life, Happy End #6.1, Canada, 2011 / Curtiss C46 Commando, lost engine power on a fuel run, all survived in 1977.

Happy End: Photos of Miraculous Airplane Crashes where All the Passengers Survived history flight airplanes
Life is a Tide, Happy End #8.1, USA, 2012 / The pilot swam to shore with favorable tides in 1947 and is still alive 65 years later.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention this post made my palms sweat a bit while writing the details, but despite the unnerving visuals of these downed aircraft, each one of these photographs by Dietmar Eckell tells the story of a genuine miracle. In his series Happy End Eckell captures incredible moments in aviation history where planes went down and everyone walked away or was rescued shortly thereafter. Above are just a selection of photos, many more of which can be found over on his website, where you can also explore Eckell’s unceasing fascination with abandoned locations and objects. He’s currently raising money over on Indiegogo to print a 96-page book complete with 50 photos and accompanied by facts about each plane and the story of the survivors. (via laughing squid)

The BioniCopter: A Robotic Dragonfly by Festo

The BioniCopter: A Robotic Dragonfly by Festo robotics insects flight

The BioniCopter is the latest robotic marvel from German technology firm Festo, a company known for the creation of numerous devices that mimic wildlife including birds, jellyfish and penguins. Meant to mimic the motions of a dragonfly the BioniCopter is capable of flying in all directions including backward, and can also hover indefinitely in the same spot. Via Festo:

In addition to control of the shared flapping frequency and twisting of the individual wings, each of the four wings also features an amplitude controller. The tilt of the wings determines the direction of thrust. Amplitude control allows the intensity of the thrust to be regulated. When combined, the remote-controlled dragonfly can assume almost any position in space. [... ] This unique way of flying is made possible by the lightweight construction and the integration of functions: components such as sensors, actuators and mechanical components as well as open- and closed-loop control systems are installed in a very tight space and adapted to one another. With the remote-controlled dragonfly, Festo demonstrates wireless real-time communication, a continuous exchange of information, as well as the ability to combine different sensor evaluations and identify complex events and critical states.

While many other remote-controlled dragonflies exist, many of which are available commercially as toys, the BioniCopter is the first device that can mimic the function of a plane, a helicopter, and a glider all in the same device. Learn more at Festo. (via rhumboogie)

By Christopher on April 14, 2013 • flight insects robotics

Five Hours of Plane Landings in 30 Seconds at San Diego International Airport

Five Hours of Plane Landings in 30 Seconds at San Diego International Airport video art timelapse flight airplanes

Shot just outside the San Diego Internation Airport on Black Friday this remarkable time-lapse captures every landing over a five hour period from 10:30am through 3pm. The video is of course a composite, photographer and film professor Cy Kuckenbaker shot the individual planes against a clear blue sky and then used a process called chroma key (ie. green screen) to make the sky transparent and layer the planes on top a separate video of clouds.

Kuckenbaker tells PetaPixel he was inspired by Ho-Yeol Ryu’s famous composite image of airplanes taking off at Hannover Airport. See much more at PetaPixel.

Update: Kuckenbaker released a new video 90 airplanes taking off in 30 seconds.

By Christopher on December 2, 2012 • airplanes flight timelapse video art

Everything is Incredible: A Man Ravaged by Polio Spends his Life Building a Helicopter from Trash

Everything is Incredible: A Man Ravaged by Polio Spends his Life Building a Helicopter from Trash recycling flight documentary

I honestly have no idea where or when I first saw this film, but it’s stuck with me for over a year, and unable to find it again after searching the past few days I turned to Jason Sondi over at Vimeo. Armed with my vague description, and despite never having seen it himself, he found it in about 10 seconds.

Everything is Incredible is a short documentary by Tyler Bastian, Trevor Hill and Tim Skousen about a man named Agustín from Siguatepeque, Honduras who was struck with polio at a young age. His body ravaged from disease, he was left unable to walk and spent most of his life working as a shoemaker in what is described as near-poverty. Possibly plagued by childhood dreams of flight, in 1958 he embarked on his life’s work: the construction of a crude, custom-designed helicopter made completely from trash with the exception of a few pieces of rebar purchased from a hardware store. Even the chains he uses to power the propeller were forged by hand. The filmmakers do a wonderful job interviewing local residents and family for their reactions that vary from hope to despair. I find this video to be both very beautiful and very sad as it discusses what is gained and what is sacrificed through the act of devotion and creation, yet I’m left feeling a profound sense of love for Agustín, which is perhaps why it’s stuck with me for so long. Definitely worth 10 minutes of your time. Thanks Jason.

Also, if you liked this, check out the exceedingly bizarre Welcome to Planet Earth: The UFO Welcome Center.

Update: In response to recent attention the filmmakers have launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise enough funds help Agustín with living expenses by purchasing the helicopter and his home. He will of course retain both through the end of his life, but with the funds raised from the campaign the helicopter itself would be preserved in his memory. Go donate, I did.

By Christopher on September 11, 2012 • documentary flight recycling

‘Jetman’ Yvet Rossy Conquers the Sky Above the Swiss Alps

Jetman Yvet Rossy Conquers the Sky Above the Swiss Alps Switzerland stunts flight airplanes

In this unbelievable new video, Swiss pilot Yves Rossy (previously) is seen soaring above the Alps strapped to his one-of-a-kind jet-propelled wing craft. It’s incredible to me that after well over a century of manned flight, we continue to make technological advances like this. My son after seeing this: “Dad, next time is it our turn?” Rossy was filmed by aerial camera operator Evert Cloetens. (via devour)

By Christopher on April 18, 2012 • airplanes flight stunts Switzerland

Flying People in New York City

Flying People in New York City New York flight advertising

How fun is this? The marketing team behind the movie Chronicle built three RC planes in the shape of human beings and flew them around New York City to create the illusion of superheroes zooming around iconic landmarks. Say what you will about this being a viral marketing ploy, I would much rather watch this than a 60-second trailer on TV. Well done. And also, I want one. (via gizmodo)