Another night of travel misery across Britain as -8C freeze paralyses motorways, railways and airports – with some …

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Writer

British families heading home from their Christmas holidays or travelling to visit more relatives today have been hit by travel chaos as the country was blanketed by up to four inches of snow.

Some of Britain’s busiest motorways were closed, drivers faced dangerous conditions on many routes and thousands of homes were left without power after temperatures plunged to -5C (23F) overnight. 

Drivers in the East Midlands were left at a standstill for more than seven hours in huge tailbacks on the A14, while the RAC had a dozen callouts relating to one pothole damaging vehicles on part of the M25 around London.

Western Power Networks said more than 14,000 properties had been cut off while SSE had 10,000 customers without power – and passengers leaving London Luton Airport were facing an average delay of 80 minutes.

London City departures were facing an average delay of 40 minutes, while it was 50 minutes at Stansted this morning. Bristol and Manchester airports also faced delays today as dozens of flights were affected by the snow.

Rail passengers across Britain faced disruption as services returned for many today, with problems reported around London, Oxford and Edinburgh. Conditions will be even colder tonight as temperatures fall to -8C (18F). 

A recovery lorry became stuck after going to help other lorries on the A14 in Northampton this afternoon

Sheep are driven to another field in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, after overnight snow caused problems across Britain

An easyJet plane is de-iced at London

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5214479/Motorways-closed-thousands-left-without-power.html

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Can Boeing Lead the S&P 500 Higher Again in 2018?

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Writer

The year 2017 has been an overwhelming one for The Boeing Co. BA , with the aerospace giant winning a series of billion-dollar orders for commercial jets. In addition, being one of the largest defense contractors, with a market cap of more than $175 billion, this market mover has led the SP 500 index to new highs multiple times in 2017. Evidently, Boeing’s share price has surged 89.7% so far this year, which more than quadrupled the SP 500’s gain of 20.1%.

Compared to its arch-rival Airbus Group EADSY as well as other peers like Lockheed Martin Corp. LMT and General Dynamics Corp. GD , this was a notable achievement for Boeing, since none of these stocks gained more than 55% year to date. The company also delivered the latest model of renowned 737 fleet – the 737 Max – in May 2017. Ever since, the company has been witnessing solid order growth for this particular model from varied customers.

Below we have discussed the factors which have helped Boeing outperform the broader market this year. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .

(Looking for the Best Stocks for 2018? Be among the first to see our Top Ten Stocks for 2018 portfolio here .)

Commercial Orders: A

Article source: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/can-boeing-lead-the-sp-500-higher-again-in-2018-cm897374

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Symphony of Toys carries the magic of the season

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Writer

Magic is in the air at Symphony of Toys on Cherokee Street just off the Marietta square.

If you’ve never visited this “old world shop with a modern twist,” brace yourself for a throw back to childhood. Push open the door to tinkling bells and carousel tunes.

Experience the magic as games, puppets, model airplanes, kites and wind chimes — stacked floor to ceiling — seemingly come to life in this cozy three-room “wonder emporium.”

Meet owners Randall and Michele Smith and you’ll quickly discover why customers love “Marietta’s neighborhood toy store.” The Smiths opened Symphony of Toys in 2008. Both retired teachers, they believe that education can be fun if taught in a way that draws kids in and keeps them engaged.

“Our shop is truly the gift of love,” says Randall. “We’ve received so much from this community over the years, and we wanted a chance to help the area grow in love and kindness. If one child remembers love and kindness here, then we’ve given back to the next generation.”

The shop offers unique toys from around the world made to instill creativity and stimulate the senses. The shop carries brands like Ravensburger, Usborne, Lego, Playmobile, Melissa and Doug, Gund, Tolo, Fisher Price, Toysmith, Bruder, and Channel Craft. Play is encouraged here as Randall has been known to get on the floor with children for almost an hour to demonstrate toys and explain games.

“I went in on my way to a birthday party, told Randall what I was looking for, and within

Article source: http://www.mdjonline.com/cobblife/symphony-of-toys-carries-the-magic-of-the-season/article_8c83488c-eb14-11e7-9fac-f755cdd21641.html

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Top 25 Aviation Stories of 2017

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Writer

The past two years are turning out to be the best ever for GA aircraft in need of an autopilot upgrade. First came Dynon in 2016. The EAA gained STC approval for the formerly Experimental-only EFIS D10A, leading the way for it to be added to certified aircraft. Following that victory, autopilot makers immediately began work to bring the safety-enhancing gear to other Part 23 aircraft.

Just prior to the AirVenture this past summer, Garmin announced the GFC500 and GFC 600. A week later came word that Genesys Aerosystems (formerly S-TEC), BendixKing, TruTrak and Trio Avionics also planned to add new systems in the under-$20,000 marketplace. Here’s a glimpse at what’s available:

Genesys Aerosystems new S-TEC 3100 Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) was developed for FAA Part 23 single- and twin-engine aircraft. Initial research identified the Cessna 182, 210, Beechcraft Bonanza and Piper Saratoga as the four lead candidates to earn FAA STCs.

The company wanted to ensure the S-TEC 3100 would easily integrate with both legacy analog avionics such as HSIs and DGs, as well as complete EFIS displays. The S-TEC 3100 features envelope protection and straight and level recovery, the option for a 2- or 3-axis autopilot system with flight director and optional built-in yaw damper.

Trio Avionics received STC approval for its Pro Pilot autopilot in the Cessna 172, 175 and 182. Installation kits are available for $2,000, while the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot kit runs $5,000. The STC includes the autopilot, servos, harness, circuit breaker, power switch, and

Article source: https://www.flyingmag.com/top-25-aviation-stories-2017

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End of the Line: Bizjets to Beer Cans

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Writer

With the FAA mandate for ADS-B equipage looming at the beginning of 2020, there is debate within the industry as to whether this added expense will precipitate a major retirement of elderly business aircraft, those whose diminished value and use would scarcely justify the cost of the upgrade. Some believe the cost of equipage could drop so much by the deadline that many of those owners will indeed make the move to upgrade their aircraft, which are still perfectly capable of flight despite their age.

Indeed, the longevity displayed by most business aircraft is surprising many in the industry. “They’re living longer that we ever expected them to,” industry analyst Rolland Vincent told AIN. “We updated our so-called survivor curve for the industry, meaning how long does an aircraft stay in operation. The curve goes to zero just beyond 50 years, and that’s unheard of.”

Yet, in the back of every owner’s mind is the fact that some day their aircraft will take its final flight, and for many, that end destination is an aircraft dismantler.

Currently in the U.S. there are four major general aviation salvage yards: Alliance Air Parts, White Industries, MTW Aerospace, and Dodson International Aircraft Parts (see sidebar). It’s a tightly knit industry where everyone seems to know everyone else, or in some cases, are even related.

Terry White, owner of Missouri-based, White Industries, is considered by many to be the elder statesman of the industry. At 80 years old, he has been in the airplane salvage business since the

Article source: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-12-26/end-line-bizjets-beer-cans

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Step back from a protectionist pratfall, Mr. Trump

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Writer

“We understand that both of our countries are stronger when we join forces in matters of international commerce,” a smiling President Trump told a beaming Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the White House in February. “We will coordinate closely to protect jobs in our hemisphere and keep wealth on our continent.”

Trump also promised that day to work with Trudeau toward “a stronger trading relationship between the United States and Canada.”

This week, the Trump administration is instead beating up a well-known Canadian aircraft maker to deter it from doing business here. This is no way to make America great.

The Trump administration has proposed punitive duties on the sale of Bombardier aircraft in the U.S., at the behest of rival manufacturer Boeing. Boeing had brought a complaint before the U.S. International Trade Commission against Bombardier after the Canadian company made a deal to sell Delta Airlines 75 C Series aircraft. Boeing thought the reported $20 million per plane that Delta was reportedly paying was too low a figure, and argued that its competitor should be punished for collecting subsidies from the Canadian government and then allegedly selling at below cost.

The Trump administration has taken Boeing’s side, and is urging the trade commission to impose a 300 percent duty on the sales, which would quadruple the price.

We urge the Trump administration to withdraw its support for this protectionist move, for it is a dangerous and irresponsible course. The 300 percent duty will strike all fair-minded people as ludicrous. But it is

Article source: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/step-back-from-a-protectionist-pratfall-mr-trump/article/2644175

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December 25 in Twilight Zone History: Remembering TZ creator, writer, producer and host Rod Serling on his birthday

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Writer

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Today, December 25th, This Day in Twilight Zone History celebrates the birth of the man whose name has become synonymous with vision, creativity, wit and social responsibility – a writer who brought us five years (and many future decades) of true brilliance on network, syndicated, and streaming television: Mr. Rod Serling, born on this day in 1924.

In his rare leisurely moments, Rod loved to construct model airplanes.  Note his five Emmy awards on the wall. He would collect a sixth.  

Born in Syracuse, New York and raised in nearby Binghamton, NY, young Rod was a human sponge – soaking up the world around him with unquenchable curiosity. He loved Binghamton – the fact that he knew everyone’s name, the town square and its carousel, his marvelous teachers, his loving parents, his brother Robert. Nostalgia for that town would forever influence his writing (see “Walking Distance,” “A Stop at Willoughby”).

What many people don’t realize (and what was completely missing from the two biographies written about him) is that Serling had a terrific sense of humor. He was one of those guys you see at parties who not only tells the best jokes but speaks in all the appropriate dialects. And although he was nervous about being on camera for the Zone, inside he secretly relished those moments in the bright lights. A writer as star: what a concept!

Rod Serling in his backyard in

Article source: http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/december-25-in-twilight-zone-history-remembering-tz-creator-writer-producer-and-host-rod

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