plane

Wayne Newton's Plane Left To Gather Dust In A Michigan Airport

He may be Mr. Las Vegas but that's not where his plane is located. Wayne Newton's private plane has been sitting at an airport in Michigan for the past three years and according to local reports he hasn't been paying his storage bills. The president of Oakland Air in Oakland County, Michigan says that he is owed $61,360 in storage fees. The plane has been for sale for several years. Oakland Air president Joe Borgesen told MLive.com that a potential buyer came to check out the plane a while ago but that found that the unmaintained plane was full of black mold. The Fokker F28-1000 which was built in 1969 was once valued at over $2 million but is now said to be only good for scrap.

UPDATE: TMZ spoke with Wayne Newton's representative who said that that Newton has spent more than $700,000 in repairs to repair the plane and it still doesn't work.

Gallery: Celebrity Pilots

Tags: fokker plane, FokkerPlane, mr las vegas, MrLasVegas, plane, wayne newton, WayneNewton

Ivana Trump Yanked Off Palm Beach Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Many people get frustrated flying over the holidays but not too many people have a meltdown and get dragged off a plane. Ivana Trump was reportedly dragged off a flight headed to New York City on Saturday afternoon at Palm Beach International Airport. The ex-wife of Donald Trump was removed from the plane because she screamed and cursed at children.

According to a piece in the Sun-Sentinel, she was in first class and was angry because children were "running up and down the aisle and screaming." The article goes on to say that flight attendants tried to calm her down by offering her another seat and headphones but she only became more upset. The plane was just about to leave the gate, but like an angry dad in a car, the pilot decided to turn the plane around. She was asked to voluntarily leave the plane, refused, and was physically removed by deputies. Trump hasn't been charged in the incident and her driver picked her up at the airport soon after.

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Tags: ivana trump, IvanaTrump, palm beach, PalmBeach, plane

MySky Aircraft Available For Order

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

MySky Aircraft, Inc., developer of the MS-1 second-generation light sport aircraft, has announced that orders are now being accepted for the new airplane. The first deliveries of production models are expected in November, 2010. The all-composite plane has a fighter-style bubble canopy and a side stick control. It has a cruise speed of 120 knots with a range of 636 nautical miles.

The MS-1 Mentor model comes equipped with front panel flight and engine instruments, ELT, nav lights and wing tip strobes, and has a base price of $124,500. The MS-1 Elite is equipped with the MySky Flight Information Center in both front and back panel, back up analog airspeed and altimeter indicators, magnetic compass, Garmin VHF com with intercom, and GTX-327 encoding transponder. The base price of the MS-1 Elite is $132,500. Upgrade options are available, including Porsche-style leather-and-rosewood interior, AmSafe seat belts with airbags, night flight package, and flight automation options. MS-1 customers may secure their positions on a first come, first served basis with a refundable deposit of $3000.

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Tags: aircraft, airplane, plane

Dunhill Fighter Provenance Fountain Pen

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Writing Instruments, Men's Style

The new Fighter Provenance Fountain Pen from London-based luxury goods firm Dunhill does not take its name in vain: the limited edition writing instrument is made from the original aluminum engine casing taken from the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine of the legendary World War II Spitfire MK1 fighter plane. Produced in very small numbers due to the scarcity of the material, the pen's details also reflect this iconic aircraft - the bolt and rivet effects in the original aluminum; the tapered edges echoing the aerodynamics; and a window feature on the side of the barrel displaying level of ink and even the pen clip design directly references the shape of the spitfire propeller. The cap is also created using plexiglass which is exactly the same material used for the bubble canopy of the late 1930's and early 1940's fighter planes. The pen nib is 18 carat gold with rhodium plating and the instrument is presented in a lacquered Alfred Dunhill display box.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Dunhill, fighter plane, FighterPlane, Fountain Pen, FountainPen, London, plane, Rolls-Royce, Spitfire, World War II, WorldWarIi

US Airways Unveils Envoy Suite

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

This week USA Airways unveiled the latest seating option for business class travelers on trans-Atlantic flights. The Envoy Suite offers four abreast seating in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone design in a business class cabin. The redesigned cabin layout allows each customer to face forward and away from the aisle in a lie-flat, 180° recline seat with direct aisle access. The seats offer a panel that includes a 110-volt universal power outlet, satellite telephone and USB port as well as an entertainment system with a 12.1" adjustable touch-screen. The Envoy Suite will make its debut on one of US Airways` Airbus A330-200 aircraft in December 2009 with the remainder of the A330-200 fleet installation completed by summer 2011 for a total of 15 aircraft. Each A330-200 will offer 20 Envoy Suites.

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Tags: business class, BusinessClass, envoy, plane, seat options, SeatOptions, travel, us airways, UsAirways

Top Class Turboprop: The Daher-Socata TBM 850

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Taking advantage of the burgeoning interest in top-drawer turboprops, seen by many to be a more economical alternative to jets in tough times, comes the $2.8 million Daher-Socata TBM 850 (above). The stylish plane, the product of a merger between Socata, founded in 1911, and French aerospace firm Daher, offers the advantages of the cruising speeds typical of light jets, but with the economical direct operating costs of a single-engine turboprop. And of course it's a lot cheaper. Equipped with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A engine offering responsive handling and sporty performance, the TBM 850 can climb to 31,000 ft in as little as 20 minutes, fly over 1,400 nautical miles, and slip into a 2,000-ft. airstrip or a mountain runway. It accommodates six people including pilot and co-pilot in its luxurious, air-conditioned cabin.

[via JamesList]

Tags: aerospace, Daher-Socata, jet, plane, private jet, PrivateJet, turboprop

Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350i

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

The new Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350i (above) is an updated, luxury version of a turboprop plane that's been a big seller since 1964. The economic crisis has caused many corporations to consider swapping expensive jets for more efficient and less costly turboprops like the classic King Air. Beechcraft has added in luxury features and finishes found on much more expensive Hawker business jets to make the $6.6 million King Air 350i a competitive choice. It's billed as is the most luxurious, most comfortable and most capable turbine aircraft ever offered in its class, period. The company compares it to a Range Rover - very refined with rugged underpinnings and exemplary safety features. With the most flexible and technologically advanced cabin ever introduced in a twin turboprop, the plane can ferry 9 passengers in the morning and then be reconfigured into an ultra-luxe VIP shuttle for 2 that same afternoon.

Tags: Beechcraft, business jet, BusinessJet, Hawker, Hawker Beechcraft, HawkerBeechcraft, jet, plane, private jet, private plane, PrivateJet, PrivatePlane, turboprop

Challenging Economy Doesn't Stop Plans For The World's Most Lavish Private Jet

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Wealth

One of the world's richest men, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of Saudi Arabia has been divesting himself of his hotel assets lately but one thing he doesn't seem to be set to give up is his Airbus A380 which will be the first private jet for this model. He hasn't officially said that he is the owner of the plane but just about everyone is certain that the Saudi prince will be making this his new flying palace. We've been covering this one for a while, including the rumor that the exterior will be painted gold. Now some interior plans have been revealed including a special cylindrical elevator will carry his Rolls-Royce into his own on-board garage. The plane will also include a Turkish bath, concert hall, ample private quarters and a boardroom. One amazing detail is the airplane equivalent of a glass-bottom board, a floor made from a giant screen that will show where the plane is flying over. The lavish plane is said to cost around $488 million. More images are up over at Gadling.

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Tags: airbus a380, AirbusA380, alwaleedbintalal, plane, prince alwaleed bin talal, PrinceAlwaleedBinTalal

Lufthansa Enlists the Ritz-Carlton to make Gourmet Airplane Food

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Wings

You don't often hear "gourmet" and "airplane food" in the same title, but that's because Lufthansa hasn't teamed up with the chefs of The Ritz-Carlton until now!

Naturally, creating meals that can be mass produced and still impress at 30,000+ feet is quite the culinary challenge. Some of the best chefs in the industry, including Denver's Andrés Jiménez, New York's Thomas Surowka and Jacques Sorci, DC's David Serus, San Francisco's Nathan Beriau, Boston's Clayton Van Hooijdonk, and Ritz-Carlton Vice President, Culinary Corporate Chef George McNeill teamed up to create the finest airline dining experience we've ever seen, and they held an event at the NYC loft home (above) of Barry Appelman (father of the AOL Instant Messenger) and Ildiko Sragli to kick off the collaboration and allow guests to sample the culinary masterpieces!

The First Class and Business Class menus on Lufthansa flights will now include items like:

Omelette with Mushroom Ragout, Potato Rösti, and Bacon
Smoked Trout Mousse with Poached Leeks and Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette
Seared Cod in Artichoke and Carrot Broth with Roasted Garlic
Spinach Stuffed Gnocchi with sautéed Cremini Mushrooms and Pine Nuts in a Vegetable Butter Sauce

Have a look through our gallery below to see some of the mouth-watering dishes that will now be available in First and Business Class on Lufthansa flights!

Gallery: Food by the Ritz-Carlton for Lufthansa Airlines

Tags: airplanes, dining, food, lufthansa, plane, ritz-carlton, travel

Nicolas Sarkozy's New Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

France's fashionable leader Nicolas Sarkozy isn't going to let the economy stand in the way of his new plane. The London Times reports that Sarkozy will be getting a new Airbus A330-200 plane that is bigger than the planes used by other European leaders but not as big as President Obama's Boeing 747-200 otherwise known as Air Force One. The ten-year-old plane was bought from Air Caraibes, the Caribbean airline, and will be outfitted with desks for Sarkozy and a secretary, a meeting room for 12 people and seating for 60 passengers as well as a bedroom and a private bathroom.

Overall the cost of the plane is expected to be 176 million euros (around $227 million) including the refit and the plane should come into service next year. The Times article says that Sarkozy wanted a new plane but went with a used one to save money. The new plane is part of an official fleet in which six Falcon corporate jets will be swapped out for a pair of Falcon 7Xs and four Falcon 2000s.

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Tags: airbus, france, nicolas sarkozy, NicolasSarkozy, plane

Classic de Havilland Twin Otter Flies Again

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

A Canadian company is reviving the classic de Havilland Twin Otter turboprop plane that's beloved for its ability to fly and land in any kind of climate. After a 20-year lapse Viking Air will be offering the 19-seater planes this summer at a starting price of $3.9 million. The new Twin Otter Series 400 has been upgraded with modern technology to improve performance and safety while sticking to classic looks and functionality. It's a highly maneuverable, rugged and versatile aircraft which can be flown safely at various speeds from 80 to 160 knots. The high winged 52-ft. plane is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney turbine engines and can be equipped with wheels, floats, skis, or tundra tires to land on water, sand, snow or even the shortest and roughest of runways. It's also available with a luxe VIP interior.

Tags: de Haviland Twin Otter, DeHavilandTwinOtter, Plane, Twin Otter, TwinOtter, Viking Air, VikingAir

Bonhams To Auction Off Historic Warbird Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Auctions

We see a lot of vintage cars on this site but not so many vintage planes. Bonhams in London is set to auction off a very collectible plane on April 20, a two-seat Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire. The plane is airworthy and comes from a private source but will be auctioned at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, near London. The plane has an estimated value of £1.5 million. This Spitfire has been restored and is a historic Warbird ready to fly. It was delivered to the Royal Air Force's No 33 Maintenance Unit at Lyneham in Wiltshire and later sold in 1948 to the South African Air Force and was eventually rediscovered in a Cape Town scrap yard. General Aviation News reports that it is the second Spitfire offered by Bonhams within the past seven months. A non-airworthy Spitfire sold for around £1.1 million.

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Tags: auction, plane, spitfire, warbird

NASCAR Champ Gets A New Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Celebrity Shopping, Sports

NASCAR champ Clint Bowyer got an early Christmas present this week when he took delivery Monday of his Beechcraft Premier IA. Bowyer, a Kansas native, was in Wichita for the delivery. He toured the Hawker Beechcraft manufacturing plant and signed autographs for employees. Bowyer plans to use the single-pilot business jet to help him keep up with the demanding schedule of being a race car. Bowyer is a three-year veteran of NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series and drives a Chevrolet Impala for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. His new purchase doesn't sit well with everyone. Given the troubles plaguing NASCAR this season at least one blogger finds his extravagance to be in poor taste.

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Tags: beechcraft, nascar, plane, private plane, PrivatePlane

Old Bomber Seeks New Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Usually when I hear of something in need of a home it's a kitten or maybe a puppy. Today's homeless item is a bit bigger, it's Texas Raiders, a member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). This World War II B-17 Bomber is one of 12 still capable of flight and it is losing its Houston home. Aero-News Network reports that the owner of the hangar that houses Texas Raiders will terminate the lease effective November 30, 2008 leaving the $3.5 million plane homeless. The CAF Gulf Coast Wing has to vacate the hanger and the vintage bomber is not flightworthy so another hangar is needed to complete the restoration process. They are seeking anyone in the Houston area who can offer a standard lease or donation agreement to allow the bomber to remain in Houston. Else it will have to go to go to the Commemorative Air Force Headquarters in Midland, Texas and will have to be partially dismantled basically undoing six years of volunteer restoration. It last flew in November 2001 to celebrate the opening of the National D-day Museum in New Orleans, LA.

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Tags: bomber, plane, world war ii, WorldWarIi

Keep Your Money In A Safe Place, Buy A Plane With It

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

In these days when it seems like not a lot of people are in a plane buying mood, LoPresti Aviation makers of the LoPresit Fury, have created a Fury buyer-protection plan. Basically, instead of using your deposit and putting that money toward keeping the business afloat, they will have potential Fury buyers instead secure a position with a Certificate of Deposit in the customer's name.This way only the customer can access the money and it earns interest until the plane is ready. There is no penalty for canceling an order and the customer can access the CD whenever they need to. Basically it's like putting your money in a nice safe CD and then blowing it all on a plane. But hey, it's not like you were going to put it in the stock market anyway.

[via General Aviation News]

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Tags: fury, lopresti, plane