Tag Archives: challenger

Building an America’s Cup Challenger

Ineos is a name I hadn’t heard until recently.  They took over the Sky cycling team and that was the first time I became aware of them.  I guess that sporting achievements are something that their management are quite focused on because, while waiting to catch the ferry at Portsmouth, I got a look at the building in these photos.  It is their America’s Cup challenger facility.  The building looks pretty impressive and I hope that the boat that they come up with is similarly so.  It would be good to see the cup make its way to the UK after all this time.

Boeing’s Fleet of Runabouts

While the big jets are what Boeing is known for, they have a number of other aircraft that they use for their own purposes.  I haven’t got all of these by any stretch of the imagination but I have come across a few at various times.  They have BBJs that they use for executive transport.  They also have some Bombardier Challengers that are able to promptly get people from A to B.

If you are looking a bit more locally, there is at least one Cessna Caravan that is used for various duties.  I am not sure what its role is exactly but I imagine it is a handy way of getting people around the northwest and it can probably also move parts up to a certain size if needed.

Another runabout is a Northrop T-38.  This can be used for chase duties but I also suspect it is a crew hack since it seems to make regular runs between BFI and Moses Lake without crossing paths with any of the test aircraft.  There are also T-33s used for chase work but, sadly, I have get close to any in action.  Just a distant overflight shot.  Hopefully I will see them before too long.

Any Expensive Jets Here?

C59F1981.jpgAirliners were not the only thing we got to see above LAX. On the south side of the field are some FBOs and they had an interesting selection of planes parked up on their ramps. As we passed overhead, it was a good time to see what was around. There were plenty of Gulfstreams on show. The view from above shows just how large the wing is on the largest of Savannah’s products. We also had some BBJs, a 757 that appeared to belong to a casino and some Cessnas, Challengers, Falcons and Hawkers. I am not sure I would be able to choose which one to use today. Maybe I will rotate them?

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