BluFly 🛩

BluFly 🛩

@blufly.media

A humans-in-the-loop feed for the aviation community. If made by people and flying between the surface and the Kármán Line you'll find it on BluFly. Use the buttons below to read current issue. (📸 Harris & Ewing | @librarycongress.bsky.social)

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BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

We found this bittersweet story utterly charming. Noted Labradorian storyteller—and pilot—Dave Paddon describes the fatal loss of a B-24 Liberator during World War II with a life-affirming twist: « Land & Sea: A Plane Crash That Saved Lives » (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ 📹 ⚔️ 🥇 | 🔗 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

How does the song go? Something along the lines of 'if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere?' 🎶 Electra's EL2 takes New York, New York: « No Runway Required: Electra Takes Off and Lands Ultra Short Airplane at Manhattan Heliport » (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ ⚡️ 📰 🥇 | 🔗 electra.aero/news/no-runw...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Without apology, we are rerunning this image we first posted here two years ago. Why? Because it's our favourite Wright picture of all, from their « 1911 trip to the Kill Devil Hills, during which Orville set a soaring endurance record of 09:45 » (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ 📍 🇺🇸 🪽 | 🔗 www.loc.gov/resource/ppp...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

If you're lucky enough to visit the National Air & Space Museum, amongst the many treasures on display there is now an F-117 Nighthawk. Funny that it's really not that long ago official sources denied the aircraft even existed … (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ ⚔️ 📍 🇺🇸 🥇 | 🔗 airandspace.si.edu/stories/edit... | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

… and now it's public display. Certainly makes us wonder what exists today that we won't know about for another thirty or forty years. It's certain to be mind-blowing, as was the F-117 when it was first revealed to the public. (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ ⚔️ 📍 🇺🇸 | 🔗 airandspace.si.edu/newsroom/pre... | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

There are some here in the home office old enough to remember when an early example crashed in the Sequoia National Forest in California. If you're interested in entering the turn-back-time machine, here's some of the original reporting from July of 1986, via Newspapers.com. | 🛩️ ⚔️ 🪙 | 🧵

newspapers.comSecurity blackout surrounds crash of 'Stealth' fighterClipping found in The Herald-Times published in Bloomington, Indiana on 7/12/1986. Security blackout surrounds crash of 'Stealth' fighter
BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

We wonder what Bill Piper would think of blogs. 🤔 In particular, that the company that still bears his name has one, and a pretty good one at that. For example, the recent « NC7427H: A Piper J-3 Cub’s Journey » because what's not to love about a Cub on floats? | 🛩️ 🥇 | 🔗 www.piper.com/blog/nc7427h...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Recently, we haven't been shy about expressing our frustration with @bsky.app. However, credit where it's due, we think they have hit the mark with this feature. Check out the new buttons in our profile ⬆️ and/or read @alexbenzer.com’s new post ⬇️ on how to set up your own. Thanks, Bluesky folks. | 🦋

bsky.socialIntroducing Profile Links - BlueskyProfile links are a new way to highlight links at the top of your Bluesky profile. Show off your website, newsletter, other social accounts, or anywhere else you'd like people to find you.
BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

While the Shuttleworth Collection's « Engineering Weekend » is still quite a ways off, it's sure to be a sell-out event. So best save that date and/or sign up as soon as you can. If you do go, please consider posting your photos here. (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ 📅 📍 🇬🇧 🥇 | 🔗 www.shuttleworth.org/events/engin...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

When a wild December storm tore a chunk of the roof off Tillamook's historic Hangar B, it seemed a date with the wrecker's ball had been all but set. Not only were we wrong about that, but the date is near when it will once again be open to the public. 🎉 (📸 Port of Tillamook Bay) | 🛩️ 🎈 📅 📍🇺🇸 🥇

generalaviationnews.comTillamook Air Museum to Reopen Oct. 29Following a storm-related closure and a landmark $1 ownership transfer, the historic Tillamook Air Museum is reopening Oct. 29.
BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Our friends at Duncan Aviation have been at it again: « Believe It or Not, Duncan Aviation Proves Pigs Can Fly. » Yep, it's their latest, seventeen-colour flying work of art for Ripley Entertainment. No missing this one on the ramp. (📸 Duncan Aviation) | 🛩️ 🥇 | 🔗 duncanaviation.aero/news/believe...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

By Gabriel Leigh, aviation-oriented contributor for London-based Monocle: « Pets on a Plane: The Specialty Airline Making Travel Possible with Your Furry Companion » provides some practical advice for you and your four-legged frequent flyer. (📸 RetrievAir) | 🛩️ 🥇 | 🔗 monocle.com/business/fly... | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Although how to travel conveniently with your companion Great Danes does seem like something of a first-world problem, we hope you can forgive our never being able to resist the temptation to blend two of our favourite things: dogs 🐶 and airplanes. (📸 RetrievAir) | 🛩️ | 🔗 retrievair.com | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

This is what Mark posted about over the last couple of days. Look, @yocum137.bsky.social, he's building a Kitfox. 🦊 We'd love to hear more about this as the project evolves. Also, we added @airdisplays.com to our Verified Aviation starter pack. | 🛩️ | 🧵

Mark Jefferies Airdisplays@airdisplays.com

I’m building a kitfox 5, time wise I’m now over half way. All being well end of January complete except Avionics’s

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Official Account Alert 🫆 We've been following @evioaircraft.bsky.social for some time, but they've been very quiet posters. However, yesterday they announced this collaboration with TrueNoord, so we're taking the opportunity to re-introduce them and welcome them to @bsky.app. | 🛩️ ⚡️ 📰 | 🧵

EVIO Aircraft@evioaircraft.bsky.social

Today, EVIO joined the TrueNoord New Technology Hub, bringing our aircraft development perspective together with TrueNoord’s regional market expertise to help shape the next generation of regional aviation. https://ow.ly/vVwe50ZV7hJ

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Let's encourage @evioaircraft.bsky.social's future @bsky.app active participation with follows and lots of engagement with their posts. We've had them on our Verified Aviation Starter pack for a while, but this is also a good opportunity to re-introduce that as well. | 🛩️ | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

As we often say, we love concrete milestones achieved, ✅ and this definitely qualifies: the first Brazilian-built Gripen E has just flown, notably, at collaboration partner Embraer's Gavião Peixoto aerodrome. Saab's press release with link. (📸 Saab) | 🛩️ ⚔️ 🥇 | 🔗 www.saab.com/newsroom/pre...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Our ambition almost bested us this month, as we attempted one of our most ambitious undertakings to date. New analytics, charting—all sorts of bells 🔔 and whistles. 😗 In any event, a little late, and without further ado (we've all had enough 'do' for this month), here's the October issue. 💥 | 🛩️ 🥇

blufly.mediaOctober, 2026A humans-in-the-loop feed for the aviation community — if made by people and flying up to the Kármán Line you'll find it on BluFly 🛩️.
BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

An excellent story by UNR alumnus Luke Merlino writing for Nevada Today, the official newspaper of @unevadareno.bsky.social. Here at the home office, we're big fans of RC modelling—given it comes remarkably close to flying the real thing—and we think everybody wins in this one. | 🛩️ 📡 🥇

unr.eduAdults with disabilities learn to fly radio-controlled airplanesNevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities staff design accessible radio controllers for adults with disabilities
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BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

In addition to the bronze-coloured Junkers A50 Heritage 'Venezia' edition, the other star of the video is the Aeroporto Nicelli on the Venice Lido, with its Art Deco architecture and sumptuous grass runway. Yet another spot to visit someday. (📸 Nicelli S.R.L.) | 🛩️ 📍 🇮🇹 | 🔗 aeroportonicelli.com | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

For extra credit, in seemingly a nod to a past marketing collaboration, see if you can spot what appears to be the highly specialised Rimowa luggage making an appearance in the new Junkers video. (📸 Alan Wilson via Wikimedia under CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped.) | 🛩️ | 🔗 rimowa.com | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Here's the article from the @vanityfairitalia.bsky.social which covers the event in a suitably fashionista fashion. For those not fluent in Italian, not to worry: the article speaks the international language. | 🛩️ | 🧵

vanityfair.itUna notte al Nicelli: il party di Vanity Fair e Junkers durante la Mostra del Cinema di VeneziaAl Lido, Vanity Fair Italia e Junkers Aircraft hanno celebrato il volo con The Fly Experience, una serata tra musica, installazioni immersive e due A50 Heritage
BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Official Account Alert 🫆 We haven't done this in a *long* time. However, it's great to see @panasonic.aero here, and using @bsky.app's domain verification. They've been posting for about nine months, but we just stumbled on them. (📸 Panasonic Avionics Corporation) | 🛩️ | 🔗 panasonic.aero | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Candidly, we're old enough for this to be the Panasonic that comes to mind when their name is mentioned. They've come a long way since then. Also, the Lumix camera you may be using to capture great aviation images? That's the modern Panasonic, too. (📸 Panasonic Corporation) | 🔗 panasonic.com | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

« Electra today announced it successfully completed first-of-its-kind flights from a heliport on a commercial airport ramp at the Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport. » A fixed-wing aircraft operating from a heliport. 😳 Press release linked. (📸 Electra) | 🛩️ ⚡️ 📰 🥇 | 🔗 electra.aero/news/electra...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

… While that dream will sadly go unfulfilled 😢 surely there is somebody within eyeshot of this feed who would be the perfect candidate. If you end up being that person, all we ask in return is that you keep us posted on how it goes. It's sure to be amazing. 🤙🏻 Details with link above. | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

With this issue's focus on aerial firefighting, it's a good time to mention the US Forest Service has a 282-page “A History of the USDA Forest Service Aviation Program” in PDF, including its use of the C-23A Sherpa, pictured here at a 2019 event. (📸 See ALT) | 🛩️ 🥇 | 🔗 www.fs.usda.gov/sites/defaul...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Fun, but only peripherally related fact: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has taken over the Sherpa program. Kudos to them for painting their show pony in this wild livery. (📸 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada) | 🛩️ | 🔗 dehavilland.com/sherpa/

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BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

The developer also retained the period Crittall windows. The folks at Savills will show you around, keeping in mind the guide price for your 1,179 square metres of aviation history is just £5.4 million. London is calling, indeed. (📸 Wotton Works) | 🛩️ 📍 🇬🇧 | 🔗 search.savills.com/ca/en/proper... | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

Now known as the 'Wotton Works', the bones of the factory not only have been retained, but are now a highlighted architectural feature such that it’s nigh impossible to forget where you and your mid-life crisis Porsche are living. (📸 Wotton Works) | 🛩️ 📍 🇬🇧 | 🔗 wottonworks.com?utm_source=b... | 🧵

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

This is exciting: the first two RCAF CT-157 Siskin IIs have arrived in Canada. For those lucky enough to be able to attend Aero Gatineau-Ottawa this weekend, you will be able to see them in person. Full story and many more photos with link. (📸 SkyAlyne) | 🛩️ ⚔️ 📰 🥇 | 🔗 skyalyne.ca/latest-updat...

BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media

We are aware of many talented filmmakers within 'eyeshot' of this feed, and for these gifted folks, here's an opportunity to get that dream project off the ground with help from no less than @vimeo.com: details of their 'Short Film Grant' program are linked. | 🛩️ 🎬 🥇 | 🔗 vimeo.com/shortfilmgra...