Saturday, January 12, 2013

Boeing 307 Stratoliner

The Boeing 307 Stratoliner made it first successful flight on December 31, 1938, followed by production deliveries to Pan American Airways (Pan-Am) and Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) in 1940. The aircraft were manned by 5 crew members, including a flight engineer, and held capacity for 33 passengers. It was the first commercial airliner able to provide a pressurized cabin, allowing it to fly at 20,000 feet, and avoid many adverse weather conditions.

The Clipper Flying Cloud, shown in the photograph above, was one of three delivered to Pan-Am in March 1940, and was used for commercial scheduled flights between Miami and Latin America. The Clipper Flying Cloud is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Virginia - it's the only remaining Stratoliner in flying condition, of the original 10 ever built.




(for more photos of aircraft displayed a the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, click here.)

Friday, January 4, 2013

MiamiSeaplane N84114

 














This MiamiSeaplane is a fixed wing, four-seat, single engine, Cessna 172K Skyhawk Seaplane. It’s one of several seaplanes operated by MiamiSeaplane Tours & Charters, offering spectacular aerial views of the Miami Skyline, South Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and the Miami Coastline. It’s an exclusive way to see South Florida from an intimately unique vantage point, and a chance to enjoy the thrilling water takeoff and landing experience these aircraft provide.