Plane Tales

A late night take off dissolves into a nightmare for a cargo crew flying a venerable Lockheed Electra as, one by one, their engines fail.

Image under Creative Commons licence, RuthAS.

A union dispute against an aggressive and ruthless employer can result in sadness, bitterness and broken lives.  Nij Demery was a senior union representative and then president of such a union during the longest industrial action in aviation history.  This is the final part of his story.

A union dispute against an aggressive and ruthless employer can result in sadness, bitterness and broken lives.  Nij Demery was a senior union representative and then president of such a union during the longest industrial action in aviation history.  This is the second part of his story.

A union dispute against an aggressive and ruthless employer can result in sadness, bitterness and broken lives.  Nij Demery was a senior union representative and then president of such a union during the longest industrial action in aviation history.  This is the first part of his story.

The second part of a two part Plane Tale about the ex fighter pilot and aviation photographer and publisher, Ian Black.

The first of a two part Plane Tale about the ex fighter pilot and aviation photographer and publisher, Ian Black.

Many might know this story of survival against all odds when a Uruguayan team from the Old Christians Rugby club fail to arrive at their destination.  Abandoned by the authorities high in the Andes, they choose life over death but only at a terrible cost to their consciences.

Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, sitting.

Images under Creative Commons licence, Pedro Escobal and Héctor Maffuche.

A steam pipe fitter from New York manages an incredible feat of flying skill, whilst under the influence, not once but twice!  So famous was he that they made a cocktail in his honour!

9/11 had devastating consequences but for those who were trying to get home, into the closed airspace of the United States, their diversions to unexpected destinations opened their eyes to the generosity of strangers.

Images under Creative Commons licence, Wally Gobetz and CFB Gander.

The Nazi Germans in the Netherlands were using starvation as retribution and air drops were the only way to save thousands.  The RAF and American bomber crews provide the solution.

A Lancaster bomber drops relief supplies to the Dutch people.

The people of the Netherlands spell out their thanks.