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NASA's aircraft modifications make planes 70 percent quieter
While NASA's research often makes headlines for advancements that could facilitate space exploration -- like, say, more portable nuclear reactors or X-ray navigation -- it also looks into tech to help us here on Earth, too. The agency just completed a series of flights testing out new airframe components that could reduce the noise they generate when landing by over 70 percent. That could mean quieter airports and happier communities surrounding them, and consequently fewer noise complaints to the FAA.
Steve's private jet is back in the air
Steve Jobs is flying again. Literally. Last April the Wall Street Journal freaked out a bit when they went through Apple's SEC reports and saw that Apple only reimbursed Steve Jobs for US$4000 in flight expenses for his private Gulfstream V jet from July to December 2008.The $4000 reimbursement was a paltry sum compared to the $580,000 Steve was reimbursed for travel on his jet during the January to June 2008 period. The $4000 reimbursement was due to several reasons, notably Jobs being sick, but also because he didn't need to fly all over the world closing iPhone 3G deals with international carriers. For those that see Jobs' Gulfstream expenses as directly "integral to negotiations with international carriers and supply chain partners," you'll be happy to hear that Jobs has racked up $127,000 in Gulfstream expenses from January to March of this year, according to Apple most recent SEC filing. So why is Jobs flying all around on Apple business again? We know he was in New York several times to talk to publishers about putting their content on the iPad, beyond that, it's anyone's guess.
Flight Display Systems shows off the first Blu-ray player for planes
With Blu-ray coming to our automobiles it's only proper that we should enjoy the same accoutrements in the air. Currently on display at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE)Flight Display Systems has been shipping these out since April -- sorry for the delay in noticing, but we had to ditch the Engadget Force One for flight sharing, you know how it is -- to all those willing to pay the $4,879 price tag. For that price you can expect this beauty to slide in right where a DVD player used to fit, providing up to 1080p Blu-ray and DVD playback, an interface to Flight Display Systems Cabin Management System controls, IR remote or RS-485 control, plus Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio decoding. If discs aren't up to par for your Gulfstream, check after the break for the Jet Jukebox HD media server, sending up MPEG-1, -2 and -4 encoded video at up to 1080i resolution for $6,055.[Via Flight Global]
