What happened to Air India flight 171?

 Last words, I am losing power and cannot get lift!

The loss of power could be a major mechanical failure, or it could be that the aircraft was too heavy with luggage, more than was expected?

Another factor was how long this Boeing dream liner had to move down the runway to get lift, it seemed to take-off midway thus it had nowhere to go but crash were it did! 

The death toll was 241, with one survivor and on the ground between 42 to 90 may have been burned to death?

The last alternative is that of terrorism and the suspicion of the one survivor who failed to rescue anyone but himself from the aircraft stunned or not!

Alternative Energy.

Diesel and bio-Fuel.

Most of the machines that are working today around the world are operated by Diesel engines, until recently this was thought to be the best performance fuel over that of petrol?

Many nations want to use alternative energy over that of the fossil fuels of coal, gas and oil, but two factors come to the fore?

One cost and two much of what we have in alternative energy will not power the plethora of machines in existence around the world?

When Diesel invented his first engine it was powered by peanut oil and this has lead to much research into various forms of bio-fuel mixtures, lead by the aviation industry! Cost is the main factor in the production of hybrids other than motor cars and it may be some time before we will get over our new pollution problems?

Electric engines are and can be made across the board in relation to the railways, the main problems is again cost as in the GWR Padding to Swansea plan being cancelled in the U.K. The other is that third rail is susceptible to the weather from slipping leaf fall to frost, ice and snow fall?

Eurocopter EC-135/145.

Most Versatile.

The EC-135 is perhaps one of the most reliable and versatile helicopters ever built. Used by the emergency services, police, air ambulances, line inspections it is fuel officiant and has good seating options for a compact light machine. 

As far as I know military versions are in use in other countries. The helicopter has built up a reputation of being it is easy to operate for the trained pilots and push around.

This was all very true up until the Glasgow, Scotland crash on the Clutha pub. We still do not know the cause of this tragic crash, it has been suggested it ran out of fuel? Normally the most feared failure in a helicopter is the Jesus nut in the rotor area.

It's called the Jesus nut, because when it fails you will be calling on his name.

So we will have to wait and see what the enquiry into this crash finds.

Since the grounding of the EC-135, I have only seen the Wales Air Ambulance G-WASN make two dashes over Swansea City. But I have not seen the Heddlu pronounced (Hethli)/police G-WONN flying.

The EC-145 is a slightly larger version and I expect it uses similar components to the EC-135.

Tuesday 4th March 2014.

 It would seem that the EC-135's are back flying again with the Police and Air Ambulance services.

Dreamliner V Airbus A350.

Which is better?

With the continuing problems being experienced by the U.S. Boeing 787-7/8 Dream liner it could be coming to its own demise, when European Airbus A350 roles off the production lines?

The Boeing has seen so many delays and a battery fire problem, that one is suprized that they have bothered to press on with it. Where as the Airbus will probably take the market. 

It would seem that Boeing has placed to much on the 787, while it relies on its sales of the 737 to back up. The other failure I think is its lack to develop the 747 to challenge the Airbus A380. I suppose we will have to waite and see?