Richard Branson - World-of-Newave.info

Richard Branson - World-of-Newave.info World-of-Newave.info http://www.world-of-newave.info/ 2008-09-08T09:30:37Z Latest news and articles about Richard Branson Copyright (c)2004-2008.§/Newave SARL. All rights reserved. {AUTOS > MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES} - More Sniping Between Archrivals British Airways and Virgin Atlantic

Plenty of people cried foul when British Airways announced a deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, but the biggest whiner was Richard Branson. The loudmouthed head of Virgin Atlantic called his archrival's proposal a "monster monopoly," launching a war of words between the two airlines that makes the presidential campaign look downright civil. The deal, which includes Spanish carrier Iberia, is the airlines' second attempt to get cozy selling tickets on each others flights, pooling revenue on selected routes and combining their scheduling and marketing efforts. It's a bit like a merger but without the messy paperwork. It's also a bad idea because it will give the two airlines a dominant share of the market for key transatlantic routes, allowing them to raise fares. Branson spouted off against the deal the day it was announced, prompting Willy Walsh, the CEO of British Airways, to say hearing Branson gripe was like "listening to a broken record." Virgin fired back with a press release headlined "British Airways should know about broken records ? nothing's changed since they last failed to link up with American Airlines." These two make McCain and Obama look like best buds, and the latest spat is another chapter in the often brutal, always entertaining 17-year hatefest between the UK's two largest airlines.The sniping started in 1991 when the British government, hoping to keep Virgin Atlantic from tumbling into bankruptcy, lifted a 1970s-era rule limiting access to London's giant Heathrow airport. British Airways was none too happy to find itself suddenly competing with Virgin on some of its most lucrative business routes. The airline's CEO, always a bit of a drama queen, complained that the government's move amounted to "confiscation of property." Wah, wah, wah. That started a two-year throw-down between the two airlines that the British press -- always known for its restraint -- coined the "Dirty Tricks" campaign. Eager to ruin Virgin before it could make inroads at Heathrow, British Airways allegedly hacked Virgin's computers, used confidential data to poach customers and employees and hired a PR flack to spread nasty rumors about Virgin to tarnish its reputation with financiers and the public. Branson went on the offense, complaining to anyone with a pulse that British Airways wasn't playing fair. British Airways called him a desperate publicity whore. When an unflattering investigative report about British Airways aired on British television, the airline accused Virgin of planting the story and said as much in an internal employee newsletter. Branson, never one to miss a chance to get some ink, sued British Airways for libel. Back and forth it went, like a game of corporate ping-pong. At the end of the day, British Airways lost the case, apologized to Branson "unreservedly" and wrote a him a big check. Branson, of course, summoned the press to say he'd divided the money among employees in what he called the "British Airways Bonus." The whole sordid tale was recounted eight years ago in the book Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic. Mutual dislike aside, the two airlines aren't above getting into bed together when it suits their bottom lines. In 2006 the two companies were found to colluding in a price-fixing scheme on some transatlantic routes. Virgin got off without a fine, but British Airways had to pay out £271 million. But they're back at it again, providing the British press and air industry watchers with another round of laughs. It's always fun watching outrageously rich guys behave like children. Photo: Virgin Atlantic.

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/recreation/autos/magazines-and-e_zines/more-sniping-between-archrivals-british-airways-2008093421.htm 2008-09-01T12:47:40Z 2008-09-01T12:47:40Z Blog.Wired.Com http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/08/british-airways.html More Sniping Between Archrivals British Airways and Virgin Atlantic ^{{new window}} Blog.Wired.Com - Plenty of people cried foul when British Airways announced a deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, but the biggest whiner was Richard Branson. The loudmouthed head of Virgin Atlantic called his archrival's proposal a "monster monopoly," launching a war of words between the two airlines that makes the presidential campaign look downright civil. The deal, which includes Spanish carrier Iberia, is the airlines' second attempt to get cozy selling tickets on each others flights, pooling revenue on selected routes and combining their scheduling and marketing efforts. It's a bit like a merger but without the messy paperwork. It's also a bad idea because it will give the two airlines a dominant share of the market for key transatlantic routes, allowing them to raise fares. Branson spouted off against the deal the day it was announced, prompting Willy Walsh, the CEO of British Airways, to say hearing Branson gripe was like "listening to a broken record." Virgin fired back with a press release headlined "British Airways should know about broken records ? nothing's changed since they last failed to link up with American Airlines." These two make McCain and Obama look like best buds, and the latest spat is another chapter in the often brutal, always entertaining 17-year hatefest between the UK's two largest airlines.The sniping started in 1991 when the British government, hoping to keep Virgin Atlantic from tumbling into bankruptcy, lifted a 1970s-era rule limiting access to London's giant Heathrow airport. British Airways was none too happy to find itself suddenly competing with Virgin on some of its most lucrative business routes. The airline's CEO, always a bit of a drama queen, complained that the government's move amounted to "confiscation of property." Wah, wah, wah. That started a two-year throw-down between the two airlines that the British press -- always known for its restraint -- coined the "Dirty Tricks" campaign. Eager to ruin Virgin before it could make inroads at Heathrow, British Airways allegedly hacked Virgin's computers, used confidential data to poach customers and employees and hired a PR flack to spread nasty rumors about Virgin to tarnish its reputation with financiers and the public. Branson went on the offense, complaining to anyone with a pulse that British Airways wasn't playing fair. British Airways called him a desperate publicity whore. When an unflattering investigative report about British Airways aired on British television, the airline accused Virgin of planting the story and said as much in an internal employee newsletter. Branson, never one to miss a chance to get some ink, sued British Airways for libel. Back and forth it went, like a game of corporate ping-pong. At the end of the day, British Airways lost the case, apologized to Branson "unreservedly" and wrote a him a big check. Branson, of course, summoned the press to say he'd divided the money among employees in what he called the "British Airways Bonus." The whole sordid tale was recounted eight years ago in the book Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic. Mutual dislike aside, the two airlines aren't above getting into bed together when it suits their bottom lines. In 2006 the two companies were found to colluding in a price-fixing scheme on some transatlantic routes. Virgin got off without a fine, but British Airways had to pay out £271 million. But they're back at it again, providing the British press and air industry watchers with another round of laughs. It's always fun watching outrageously rich guys behave like children. Photo: Virgin Atlantic.

More Sniping Between Archrivals British Airways and Virgin Atlantic | Autopia from Wired.com {...} Plenty of people cried foul when British Airways announced a deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, but the biggest whiner was Richard Branson. The loudmouthed head of {...}

Indexed: September 1, 2008, 12:47 pm - Page Size: 60KB

Category: Recreation > Autos > Magazines and E-zines

]]> {AUTOS > MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES} - Longtime Enemies British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are at it Again

When British Airways (BA) announced earlier this month its deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, plenty of people cried foul. Leading the charge was Richard Branson, loud mouth CEO of BA archrival Virgin Atlantic, who called the plan a "monster monopoly." No surprise coming from a guy who taunts British Airways every chance he gets. The BA/AA deal, which also includes Spanish carrier Iberia, is the airlines' second attempt to get cozy by selling tickets on each others flights, pooling revenue on certain routes, and working together on scheduling and marketing. It's a bad idea, as it will give BA/AA dominant market share on many key transatlantic routes, allowing it to raise fares. Branson announced his opposition to the deal the day it was announced, and BA's CEO Willy Walsh responded by comparing his complaining to "listening to a broken record." Virgin fired back with a press release headlined "British Airways should know about broken records ? nothing's changed since they last failed to link up with American Airlines." These two make McCain and Obama look like best buds, and the bickering signals another flare-up in the oftentimes brutal, always entertaining 15-year hatefest between the UK's two largest airlines.It started in 1991, when the UK government, hoping to prevent a financially shaky Virgin Atlantic from tumbling into bankruptcy, lifted a 1970s-era rule limiting access to London's giant Heathrow airport. British Airways suddenly found itself competing with Virgin on some of its most lucrative business routes, and was none to happy about it. The drama-queen British Airways CEO complained that the government's move was nothing more than a "confiscation of property." Wah, wah, wah. The opening of Heathrow began a two-year throw down between the two airlines that the British press, which loves a juicy show, coined the "Dirty Tricks" campaign. Eager to ruin Virgin before it could make major inroads at Heathrow, British Airways allegedly hacked into Virgin's computers, using confidential company data to poach key customers and employees, and hired a PR flack to spread nasty rumors about Virgin designed to tarnish the airline's reputation with London's financial establishment and and the public. Branson went on the offense, complaining to anyone who would listen that British Airways wasn't playing fair ? British Airways responded by branding him a desperate publicity whore. When a not-so-kind investigative report about BA aired on British television, the airline accused Virgin of being involved, and said as much in an internal employee newsletter. Branson saw an opportunity, and sued British Airways for libel. LIke a game of corporate ping pong, back and forth they went. At the end of the day, British Airways was found to be in the wrong, apologized to Branson "unreservedly," and ponied up a multi-million pound settlement. Branson didn't miss the opportunity to rub it in BA's face, telling the press that he had divided the money among employees in what he called the "British Airways Bonus." A book about the battle, Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic, was published in 2000. Mutual dislike aside, the two airlines aren't above snuggling up when it suits them. In 2006 the two companies were found to be price-fixing on some transatlantic routes ? while Virgin was not fined, British Airways was forced to pay out £271 million. Photo: Virgin Atlantic

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/recreation/autos/magazines-and-e_zines/longtime-enemies-british-airways-and-virgin-atlantic-20080821817.htm 2008-08-22T16:59:21Z 2008-08-22T16:59:21Z Blog.Wired.Com http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/08/british-airways.html Longtime Enemies British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are at it Again ^{{new window}} Blog.Wired.Com - When British Airways (BA) announced earlier this month its deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, plenty of people cried foul. Leading the charge was Richard Branson, loud mouth CEO of BA archrival Virgin Atlantic, who called the plan a "monster monopoly." No surprise coming from a guy who taunts British Airways every chance he gets. The BA/AA deal, which also includes Spanish carrier Iberia, is the airlines' second attempt to get cozy by selling tickets on each others flights, pooling revenue on certain routes, and working together on scheduling and marketing. It's a bad idea, as it will give BA/AA dominant market share on many key transatlantic routes, allowing it to raise fares. Branson announced his opposition to the deal the day it was announced, and BA's CEO Willy Walsh responded by comparing his complaining to "listening to a broken record." Virgin fired back with a press release headlined "British Airways should know about broken records ? nothing's changed since they last failed to link up with American Airlines." These two make McCain and Obama look like best buds, and the bickering signals another flare-up in the oftentimes brutal, always entertaining 15-year hatefest between the UK's two largest airlines.It started in 1991, when the UK government, hoping to prevent a financially shaky Virgin Atlantic from tumbling into bankruptcy, lifted a 1970s-era rule limiting access to London's giant Heathrow airport. British Airways suddenly found itself competing with Virgin on some of its most lucrative business routes, and was none to happy about it. The drama-queen British Airways CEO complained that the government's move was nothing more than a "confiscation of property." Wah, wah, wah. The opening of Heathrow began a two-year throw down between the two airlines that the British press, which loves a juicy show, coined the "Dirty Tricks" campaign. Eager to ruin Virgin before it could make major inroads at Heathrow, British Airways allegedly hacked into Virgin's computers, using confidential company data to poach key customers and employees, and hired a PR flack to spread nasty rumors about Virgin designed to tarnish the airline's reputation with London's financial establishment and and the public. Branson went on the offense, complaining to anyone who would listen that British Airways wasn't playing fair ? British Airways responded by branding him a desperate publicity whore. When a not-so-kind investigative report about BA aired on British television, the airline accused Virgin of being involved, and said as much in an internal employee newsletter. Branson saw an opportunity, and sued British Airways for libel. LIke a game of corporate ping pong, back and forth they went. At the end of the day, British Airways was found to be in the wrong, apologized to Branson "unreservedly," and ponied up a multi-million pound settlement. Branson didn't miss the opportunity to rub it in BA's face, telling the press that he had divided the money among employees in what he called the "British Airways Bonus." A book about the battle, Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic, was published in 2000. Mutual dislike aside, the two airlines aren't above snuggling up when it suits them. In 2006 the two companies were found to be price-fixing on some transatlantic routes ? while Virgin was not fined, British Airways was forced to pay out £271 million. Photo: Virgin Atlantic

Longtime Enemies British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are at it Again | Autopia from Wired.com {...} When British Airways (BA) announced earlier this month its deal to coordinate scheduling and marketing with American Airlines, plenty of people cried foul. Leading the charge was Richard Branson, loud {...}

Indexed: August 22, 2008, 4:59 pm - Page Size: 58KB

Category: Recreation > Autos > Magazines and E-zines

]]> {BREAKING NEWS > BUSINESS AND ECONOMY} - Virgin challenges BA's US tie-up

Sir Richard Branson writes to the US presidential hopefuls, opposing a proposed merger between BA and American Airlines.

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/news/breaking-news/business-and-economy/virgin-challenges-ba-s-us-tie-up-2008086286.htm 2008-08-10T13:29:35Z 2008-08-10T13:29:35Z News.Bbc.Co.Uk http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7552381.stm Virgin challenges BA's US tie-up ^{{new window}} News.Bbc.Co.Uk - Sir Richard Branson writes to the US presidential hopefuls, opposing a proposed merger between BA and American Airlines.

BBC NEWS | Business | Virgin challenges BA's US tie-up {...}

Published: August 10, 2008, 1:29 pm - Indexed: August 11, 2008, 1:51 pm - Page Size: 50KB

Category: News > Breaking News > Business and Economy

]]> {EUROPE > NEWS AND MEDIA} - Virgin challenges BA's US tie-up

Sir Richard Branson writes to the US presidential hopefuls, opposing a proposed merger between BA and American Airlines.

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/regional/europe/united-kingdom/news-and-media/virgin-challenges-ba-s-us-tie-up-2008085105.htm 2008-08-10T11:52:29Z 2008-08-10T11:52:29Z News.Bbc.Co.Uk http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7552381.stm Virgin challenges BA's US tie-up ^{{new window}} News.Bbc.Co.Uk - Sir Richard Branson writes to the US presidential hopefuls, opposing a proposed merger between BA and American Airlines.

BBC NEWS | Business | Virgin challenges BA's US tie-up {...}

Published: August 10, 2008, 11:52 am - Indexed: August 10, 2008, 12:57 pm - Page Size: 49KB

Category: Regional > Europe > United Kingdom > News and Media

]]> {AUTOS > MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES} - One Small Step for Richard Branson, One Giant Leap For Virgin Galactic

Richard Branson calls it "one of the most beautiful and extraordinary aviation vehicles ever developed." And while this may be a little on the loquacious side, there's no doubt that today's unveiling of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo in the Mojave desert is big news. WhiteKnightTwo, which has been named Eve in honor of Branson's mother, is the carrier aircraft that will be be used to help carry SpaceShipTwo in orbit, and is a key part of Virgin Galactic's plan to make commercial space travel a reality. It has a maximum altitude of over 50,000 feet, driven by four very powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, and at 140 feet, WhiteKnightTwo's wingspan is the largest of any carbon composite aircraft every built. Beyond that, it just looks cool. With its graceful wings and sleek shape, it's destined to be one of the sexiest things in the sky. Wired Science is blogging live from Mojave and is all over this story, so check over there regularly for updates and more info. And for you fellow airline geeks out there, a whole mess of VIP's flew out for the event this morning. They were on a shiny new A320 operated by -- you guessed it -- Virgin America. More photos after the jump.

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/recreation/autos/magazines-and-e_zines/one-small-step-for-richard-branson-one-giant-leap-2008089172.htm 2008-08-06T22:23:42Z 2008-08-06T22:23:42Z Blog.Wired.Com http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/07/one-giant-step.html One Small Step for Richard Branson, One Giant Leap For Virgin Galactic ^{{new window}} Blog.Wired.Com - Richard Branson calls it "one of the most beautiful and extraordinary aviation vehicles ever developed." And while this may be a little on the loquacious side, there's no doubt that today's unveiling of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo in the Mojave desert is big news. WhiteKnightTwo, which has been named Eve in honor of Branson's mother, is the carrier aircraft that will be be used to help carry SpaceShipTwo in orbit, and is a key part of Virgin Galactic's plan to make commercial space travel a reality. It has a maximum altitude of over 50,000 feet, driven by four very powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, and at 140 feet, WhiteKnightTwo's wingspan is the largest of any carbon composite aircraft every built. Beyond that, it just looks cool. With its graceful wings and sleek shape, it's destined to be one of the sexiest things in the sky. Wired Science is blogging live from Mojave and is all over this story, so check over there regularly for updates and more info. And for you fellow airline geeks out there, a whole mess of VIP's flew out for the event this morning. They were on a shiny new A320 operated by -- you guessed it -- Virgin America. More photos after the jump.

One Small Step for Richard Branson, One Giant Leap For Virgin Galactic | Autopia from Wired.com {...} Richard Branson calls it one of the most beautiful and extraordinary aviation vehicles ever developed. And while this may be a little on the loquacious side, there's no doubt that {...}

Indexed: August 6, 2008, 10:23 pm - Page Size: 63KB

Category: Recreation > Autos > Magazines and E-zines

]]> {AUTOS > MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES} - Live From Oshkosh Wisconsin! The Greatest Aviation Show On Earth.

It might not be the biggest air show in the world, but its definitely got charm. Today is the start of AirVenture, an annual show that brings over 560,000 visitors to the charming city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin (population 65,000) to see everything from classic warbirds to restored antiques to homebuilts and ultralights. While the show isn't exactly Paris or Farnborough, big, no one would call it small. AirVenture's Dick Knapinski says that over the course of the week more than 8,000 aircraft will be flying in for the event. And we mean that literally. AirVenture is a fly-in show, the world's largest, and that means all of the aircraft on exhibit are touching down rather than being trucked in. "It would be interesting to get an aerial map of Oshkosh in the days leading up to the show," Knapinski says of the air traffic influx. We're betting the air traffic controllers sorting it all out are less enthusiastic. AirVenture, which is run by the Experimental Aircraft Association, began in 1953 with just a handful of handmade planes and a whopping 100 registered visitors. But word travels fast, and by the end of the decade the event had to be move from Milwaukee to a bigger space at the Rockford Illinois airport. Over the decades the show continued to grow, and by the 1990's had become one of the biggies on the air show circuit. Knapinski says that while some of the biz jet makers close deals in Oshkosh, that's not really what AirVenture is about. "Paris is where the big deals are made, AirVenture is people come to celebrate flying," he gushes. He says many families bring three generations to the show, and get this: over 40,000 of them camp on the grounds. It's like a a big ol' aviation family reunion. There will be 800 exhibitors at AirVenture, 1,000 forums and lectures, and what Knapinski describes as some of the most dazzling air shows in the nation. That's cool, but what about the planes? Visitors will see everything from the Boeing Dreamlifter to a V-22 Osprey, a Lockheed U-2 Spyplane to a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 and the Goodyear blimp. Each day, visitors can sign up for flights on a 1929 Ford tri-motor, a B-17 G Flying Fortress, or a Bell 47 Helicopter (they're the ones that you always see on M*A*S*H There's plenty to see on the experimental aircraft front, too. A Velocity rear propeller composite plane; the ICON A5, an amphibious vehicle that can be folded up and tossed in your garage for easy storage; and a guy from New Zealand will be demonstrating his personal jet pack, which Knapinski says can stay in the air for nearly 30 minutes. Oh yeah, Richard Branson is swinging by on Tuesday, to talk about Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo, which got unveiled in the Mojave desert earlier today. Photo: AirVenture/EAA

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/recreation/autos/magazines-and-e_zines/live-from-oshkosh-wisconsin-the-greatest-aviation-2008083891.htm 2008-08-06T22:23:25Z 2008-08-06T22:23:25Z Blog.Wired.Com http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/07/live-from-oshko.html Live From Oshkosh Wisconsin! The Greatest Aviation Show On Earth. ^{{new window}} Blog.Wired.Com - It might not be the biggest air show in the world, but its definitely got charm. Today is the start of AirVenture, an annual show that brings over 560,000 visitors to the charming city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin (population 65,000) to see everything from classic warbirds to restored antiques to homebuilts and ultralights. While the show isn't exactly Paris or Farnborough, big, no one would call it small. AirVenture's Dick Knapinski says that over the course of the week more than 8,000 aircraft will be flying in for the event. And we mean that literally. AirVenture is a fly-in show, the world's largest, and that means all of the aircraft on exhibit are touching down rather than being trucked in. "It would be interesting to get an aerial map of Oshkosh in the days leading up to the show," Knapinski says of the air traffic influx. We're betting the air traffic controllers sorting it all out are less enthusiastic. AirVenture, which is run by the Experimental Aircraft Association, began in 1953 with just a handful of handmade planes and a whopping 100 registered visitors. But word travels fast, and by the end of the decade the event had to be move from Milwaukee to a bigger space at the Rockford Illinois airport. Over the decades the show continued to grow, and by the 1990's had become one of the biggies on the air show circuit. Knapinski says that while some of the biz jet makers close deals in Oshkosh, that's not really what AirVenture is about. "Paris is where the big deals are made, AirVenture is people come to celebrate flying," he gushes. He says many families bring three generations to the show, and get this: over 40,000 of them camp on the grounds. It's like a a big ol' aviation family reunion. There will be 800 exhibitors at AirVenture, 1,000 forums and lectures, and what Knapinski describes as some of the most dazzling air shows in the nation. That's cool, but what about the planes? Visitors will see everything from the Boeing Dreamlifter to a V-22 Osprey, a Lockheed U-2 Spyplane to a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 and the Goodyear blimp. Each day, visitors can sign up for flights on a 1929 Ford tri-motor, a B-17 G Flying Fortress, or a Bell 47 Helicopter (they're the ones that you always see on M*A*S*H There's plenty to see on the experimental aircraft front, too. A Velocity rear propeller composite plane; the ICON A5, an amphibious vehicle that can be folded up and tossed in your garage for easy storage; and a guy from New Zealand will be demonstrating his personal jet pack, which Knapinski says can stay in the air for nearly 30 minutes. Oh yeah, Richard Branson is swinging by on Tuesday, to talk about Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo, which got unveiled in the Mojave desert earlier today. Photo: AirVenture/EAA

Live From Oshkosh Wisconsin! The Greatest Aviation Show On Earth. | Autopia from Wired.com {...} It might not be the biggest air show in the world, but its definitely got charm. Today is the start of AirVenture, an annual show that brings over 560,000 visitors {...}

Indexed: August 6, 2008, 10:23 pm - Page Size: 59KB

Category: Recreation > Autos > Magazines and E-zines

]]> {AUTOS > MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES} - One Small Step for Richard Branson, One Giant Leap For Virgin Galactic

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/recreation/autos/magazines-and-e_zines/one-small-step-for-richard-branson-one-giant-leap-20080794633.htm 2008-07-30T15:47:33Z 2008-07-30T15:47:33Z Blog.Wired.Com http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/07/one-giant-step.html One Small Step for Richard Branson, One Giant Leap For Virgin Galactic ^{{new window}} Blog.Wired.Com - Richard Branson calls it "one of the most beautiful and extraordinary aviation vehicles ever developed." And while this may be a little on the loquacious side, there's no doubt that today's unveiling of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo in the Mojave desert is big news. WhiteKnightTwo, which has been named Eve in honor of Branson's mother, is the carrier aircraft that will be be used to help carry SpaceShipTwo in orbit, and is a key part of Virgin Galactic's plan to make commercial space travel a reality. It has a maximum altitude of over 50,000 feet, driven by four very powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, and at 140 feet, WhiteKnightTwo's wingspan is the largest of any carbon composite aircraft every built. Beyond that, it just looks cool. With its graceful wings and sleek shape, it's destined to be one of the sexiest things in the sky. Wired Science is blogging live from Mojave and is all over this story, so check over there regularly for updates and more info. And for you fellow airline geeks out there, a whole mess of VIP's flew out for the event this morning. They were on a shiny new A320 operated by -- you guessed it -- Virgin America. More photos after the jump.

One Small Step for Richard Branson, One Giant Leap For Virgin Galactic | Autopia from Wired.com {...} Richard Branson calls it one of the most beautiful and extraordinary aviation vehicles ever developed. And while this may be a little on the loquacious side, there's no doubt that {...}

Indexed: July 30, 2008, 3:47 pm - Page Size: 62KB

Category: Recreation > Autos > Magazines and E-zines

]]> {AUTOS > MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES} - Live From Oshkosh Wisconsin! The Greatest Aviation Show On Earth.

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/recreation/autos/magazines-and-e_zines/live-from-oshkosh-wisconsin-the-greatest-aviation-20080719735.htm 2008-07-30T15:47:32Z 2008-07-30T15:47:32Z Blog.Wired.Com http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/07/live-from-oshko.html Live From Oshkosh Wisconsin! The Greatest Aviation Show On Earth. ^{{new window}} Blog.Wired.Com - It might not be the biggest air show in the world, but its definitely got charm. Today is the start of AirVenture, an annual show that brings over 560,000 visitors to the charming city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin (population 65,000) to see everything from classic warbirds to restored antiques to homebuilts and ultralights. While the show isn't exactly Paris or Farnborough, big, no one would call it small. AirVenture's Dick Knapinski says that over the course of the week more than 8,000 aircraft will be flying in for the event. And we mean that literally. AirVenture is a fly-in show, the world's largest, and that means all of the aircraft on exhibit are touching down rather than being trucked in. "It would be interesting to get an aerial map of Oshkosh in the days leading up to the show," Knapinski says of the air traffic influx. We're betting the air traffic controllers sorting it all out are less enthusiastic. AirVenture, which is run by the Experimental Aircraft Association, began in 1953 with just a handful of handmade planes and a whopping 100 registered visitors. But word travels fast, and by the end of the decade the event had to be move from Milwaukee to a bigger space at the Rockford Illinois airport. Over the decades the show continued to grow, and by the 1990's had become one of the biggies on the air show circuit. Knapinski says that while some of the biz jet makers close deals in Oshkosh, that's not really what AirVenture is about. "Paris is where the big deals are made, AirVenture is people come to celebrate flying," he gushes. He says many families bring three generations to the show, and get this: over 40,000 of them camp on the grounds. It's like a a big ol' aviation family reunion. There will be 800 exhibitors at AirVenture, 1,000 forums and lectures, and what Knapinski describes as some of the most dazzling air shows in the nation. That's cool, but what about the planes? Visitors will see everything from the Boeing Dreamlifter to a V-22 Osprey, a Lockheed U-2 Spyplane to a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 and the Goodyear blimp. Each day, visitors can sign up for flights on a 1929 Ford tri-motor, a B-17 G Flying Fortress, or a Bell 47 Helicopter (they're the ones that you always see on M*A*S*H There's plenty to see on the experimental aircraft front, too. A Velocity rear propeller composite plane; the ICON A5, an amphibious vehicle that can be folded up and tossed in your garage for easy storage; and a guy from New Zealand will be demonstrating his personal jet pack, which Knapinski says can stay in the air for nearly 30 minutes. Oh yeah, Richard Branson is swinging by on Tuesday, to talk about Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo, which got unveiled in the Mojave desert earlier today. Photo: AirVenture/EAA

Live From Oshkosh Wisconsin! The Greatest Aviation Show On Earth. | Autopia from Wired.com {...} It might not be the biggest air show in the world, but its definitely got charm. Today is the start of AirVenture, an annual show that brings over 560,000 visitors {...}

Indexed: July 30, 2008, 3:47 pm - Page Size: 58KB

Category: Recreation > Autos > Magazines and E-zines

]]> {LITERATURE > CYBERPUNK} - All about "Eve": Virgin Galactic mothership unveiled.

Today was an amazing day out at Mojave Spaceport. Burt Rutan, Sir Richard Branson, and a bevy of space celebs (including Dr. Buzz Aldrin) gathered for the launch of Virgin Galactic's twin-hulled mothership, "Eve," named after Sir Richard's own mom -- who formally christened WhiteKnightTwo with the pop of a champagne bottle. Branson explained that the spaceliner was also named "Eve" because she was conceived as an historic first for humankind. The Boing Boing tv crew was there, and we'll be airing video hijinks later this week. For now... here are a few random iphone snaps, and I twittered until my daggone fingers fell off (first tweet in series, and last tweet in series). Here is coverage from other blog-pals we ran into out there: Mojave historian and photographer Alan Radecki has posts up at MOJAVE SKIES GIZMODO's Brian Lam took some fantastic photos (including some goof-off shots I dumped on Flickr), and has a dreamy little video up. Over at WIRED: Photographer Dave Bullock and astrobiologist/space evangelist Loretta Hidalgo checked in with images and first-person accounts. She's going on the maiden voyage with her husband, George T. Whitesides of the National Space Society, for their honeymoon. Dude. Tell me that's not cool. Update: More from Bullock here. The fine fellas at JAUNTED. More photos from Dave Malkoff of CBS News. (Space-helmet-tip of thanks: Charles Ogilvie and Abby Lunardini)...

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/arts/literature/genres/cyberpunk/all-about-eve-virgin-galactic-mothership-unveiled-20080744541.htm 2008-07-29T23:24:35Z 2008-07-29T23:24:35Z Boingboing.Net http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/28/all-about-eve-virgin.html All about "Eve": Virgin Galactic mothership unveiled. ^{{new window}} Www.Boingboing.Net - Today was an amazing day out at Mojave Spaceport. Burt Rutan, Sir Richard Branson, and a bevy of space celebs (including Dr. Buzz Aldrin) gathered for the launch of Virgin Galactic's twin-hulled mothership, "Eve," named after Sir Richard's own mom -- who formally christened WhiteKnightTwo with the pop of a champagne bottle. Branson explained that the spaceliner was also named "Eve" because she was conceived as an historic first for humankind. The Boing Boing tv crew was there, and we'll be airing video hijinks later this week. For now... here are a few random iphone snaps, and I twittered until my daggone fingers fell off (first tweet in series, and last tweet in series). Here is coverage from other blog-pals we ran into out there: Mojave historian and photographer Alan Radecki has posts up at MOJAVE SKIES GIZMODO's Brian Lam took some fantastic photos (including some goof-off shots I dumped on Flickr), and has a dreamy little video up. Over at WIRED: Photographer Dave Bullock and astrobiologist/space evangelist Loretta Hidalgo checked in with images and first-person accounts. She's going on the maiden voyage with her husband, George T. Whitesides of the National Space Society, for their honeymoon. Dude. Tell me that's not cool. Update: More from Bullock here. The fine fellas at JAUNTED. More photos from Dave Malkoff of CBS News. (Space-helmet-tip of thanks: Charles Ogilvie and Abby Lunardini)...

All about "Eve": Virgin Galactic mothership unveiled. - Boing Boing {...}

Published: July 29, 2008, 11:24 pm - Indexed: July 30, 2008, 3:25 pm - Page Size: 57KB

Category: Arts > Literature > Genres > Cyberpunk

]]> {NEWS > BREAKING NEWS} - Gallery: Virgin Galactic Unveils 'White Knight Two' Launch Vehicle

: Photo courtesy of Virgin GalacticMOJAVE, California -- After years of secretive construction, Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic presented the first stage of its commercial launch platform, White Knight Two, today at the Mojave Air and Space Port. After Scaled Composites put the rocket plane Space Ship One (SS1) into suborbital spaceflight twice in 2004, thus winning the Ansari X-Prize, Virgin Galactic placed an order for 12 similar spacecraft capable of carrying six passengers and two crew members into space. Before those ships can get into space, however, they will need a lift up -- which is what White Knight Two will provide. White Knight Two is a dual-hull quad-engine aircraft roughly three times larger than the original White Knight. WK2 employs a different tail construction, using a cruciform instead of the WK's "T" style. The engines and cockpits are also located in different areas compared to the original White Knight. Virgin America flew Wired.com out to the Mojave Air and Space Port in their new plane christened My Other Ride's a Spaceship. We grabbed these photos for your viewing enjoyment. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comSir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan hang out of the cockpit windows of White Knight Two. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comA proud Burt Rutan looks over the window of White Knight Two during its unveiling at the Mojave Air and Space Port on Monday morning.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comSir Richard Branson gives an ecstatic thumbs-up during White Knight Two's unveiling Monday.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.com Virgin Galactic's new suborbital launch platform sits ready on the tarmac at the Mojave Air and Space Port.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comBuzz Aldrin and his wife, Lois, step onto the tarmac in front of Virgin America's new plane, named My Other Ride's a Spaceship.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.com Sir Richard Branson hops out of the cockpit door of White Knight Two. Being constructed entirely of carbon fiber and other composites, a typical door is not included.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comRichard Branson and his mother, Eve, officially name the White Knight Two, which bears her name. No photographers were injured during the christening.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.com White Knight Two's nose art features a scantily clad buxom blonde whom Branson said was modeled after his mother when she was younger.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comOne of the few parts not constructed completely from carbon composite is this Pratt & Whitney PW300 engine. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comInside the wheel well. a hatch was left open providing a glimpse into the internal construction of White Knight Two.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comThe smooth lines of the wheel well show the lack of fasteners that differentiate composite construction from the standard aluminum fuselage most airplanes employ.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comA portion of the carbon fiber composite that the plane is built out of can be seen clearly. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comThe cruciform tail is one of the differences between White Knight Two and White Knight One, which had a T-shape tail.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comSir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan sit side by side during the unveiling of White Knight Two at the Mojave Air and Space Port.

http://articles.world-of-newave.info/news/breaking-news/gallery-virgin-galactic-unveils-white-knight-two-20080752534.htm 2008-07-29T05:00:00Z 2008-07-29T05:00:00Z Wired.Com http://www.wired.com/science/space/multimedia/2008/07/gallery_virgin_galactic Gallery: Virgin Galactic Unveils 'White Knight Two' Launch Vehicle ^{{new window}} Www.Wired.Com - : Photo courtesy of Virgin GalacticMOJAVE, California -- After years of secretive construction, Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic presented the first stage of its commercial launch platform, White Knight Two, today at the Mojave Air and Space Port. After Scaled Composites put the rocket plane Space Ship One (SS1) into suborbital spaceflight twice in 2004, thus winning the Ansari X-Prize, Virgin Galactic placed an order for 12 similar spacecraft capable of carrying six passengers and two crew members into space. Before those ships can get into space, however, they will need a lift up -- which is what White Knight Two will provide. White Knight Two is a dual-hull quad-engine aircraft roughly three times larger than the original White Knight. WK2 employs a different tail construction, using a cruciform instead of the WK's "T" style. The engines and cockpits are also located in different areas compared to the original White Knight. Virgin America flew Wired.com out to the Mojave Air and Space Port in their new plane christened My Other Ride's a Spaceship. We grabbed these photos for your viewing enjoyment. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comSir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan hang out of the cockpit windows of White Knight Two. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comA proud Burt Rutan looks over the window of White Knight Two during its unveiling at the Mojave Air and Space Port on Monday morning.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comSir Richard Branson gives an ecstatic thumbs-up during White Knight Two's unveiling Monday.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.com Virgin Galactic's new suborbital launch platform sits ready on the tarmac at the Mojave Air and Space Port.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comBuzz Aldrin and his wife, Lois, step onto the tarmac in front of Virgin America's new plane, named My Other Ride's a Spaceship.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.com Sir Richard Branson hops out of the cockpit door of White Knight Two. Being constructed entirely of carbon fiber and other composites, a typical door is not included.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comRichard Branson and his mother, Eve, officially name the White Knight Two, which bears her name. No photographers were injured during the christening.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.com White Knight Two's nose art features a scantily clad buxom blonde whom Branson said was modeled after his mother when she was younger.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comOne of the few parts not constructed completely from carbon composite is this Pratt & Whitney PW300 engine. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comInside the wheel well. a hatch was left open providing a glimpse into the internal construction of White Knight Two.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comThe smooth lines of the wheel well show the lack of fasteners that differentiate composite construction from the standard aluminum fuselage most airplanes employ.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comA portion of the carbon fiber composite that the plane is built out of can be seen clearly. : Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comThe cruciform tail is one of the differences between White Knight Two and White Knight One, which had a T-shape tail.: Photo: Dave Bullock/Wired.comSir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan sit side by side during the unveiling of White Knight Two at the Mojave Air and Space Port.

After years of secretive construction, Scaled Composites and Virgin Galactic presented the first stage of their commercial launch platform, White Knight Two, today at the Mojave Air and Space Port. {...}

Published: July 29, 2008, 5:00 am - Indexed: July 30, 2008, 4:22 pm - Page Size: 35KB

Category: News > Breaking News

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