Next... Travel & Air

Dreamlining to the future

Although possibly media hyped because it is the newest and most advanced mode of commercial air travel, the Boeing Dreamliner does appear to be continually beset with problems.
However, as the biggest step forward in carting folk around the globe in the sky, for many years, what will be next?
The simple answer to this question is - whatever the military needs; because this is where the real research and development cash is invested. Commercial means commercial, and this in turn means profitability before invention. However, a bit like the cat walk models that parade in outfits no-one in your local high street will be seen wearing any time soon, adaptation of new technology will transfer from military usage to commercial manufacturing.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Dreamliner takes flight
It should also be noted that in a global economy with outsourced parts and components made anywhere at any given time, it is difficult for even the most clandestine governments to keep their plans secret. Indeed, the richest countries are likely to be making the flying vehicles for them anyway.

Helicopters

2014 - The AugustaWestland AW159 Wildcat
Originally known as the Future Lynx and the Lynx Wildcat prior to production, the AW159 is a new and improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter, which is currently in use. Initially, the helicopter will be used by the British Army in the battlefield and for search and rescue for the Royal Navy. Features will include Forward Looking Infra Red, 360 degree AESA surveillance RADAR and will travel at over 180 mph.
Will I Get a Go: If you’re drowning off Anglesey, the future King of England might hoik you out of the water for a ride in one. 
2015 – Bell Model 525 Relentless
 The Relentless will be the first commercial helicopter to incorporate fly-by-wire flight controls which will provide more comfort to the [mostly] super-rich passengers. It will have a Garmin touch-screen avionics suite, and will include the most improved hover performance to add to the streamlined five star comfort on board.
Will I Get a Go: Spend a couple of decades working your way up in a firm of lawyers or try the Euromillions.
2018 – Sikorsky CH-53K Super Stallion
 The Super Stallion will be a heavy lift transportation vehicle with a previously famous incarnation known as the Super Jolly Green Giant, which was used by the United States Air Force to haul people around and out of, Vietnam. The Super Stallion has a larger capacity for weight lifting and is an improved version of the S-80E. It has a third engine which will make it more powerful than the Sea Stallion, which is already in use by a variety of countries.
Will I Get a Go: The way things are heading, by 2018, if you are a journalist working in North Korea, you may be very grateful for an air-lift rendezvous with some such transport craft.

Strike Aircraft

Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master
Photo by Military Today
2014 - Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master
For something to be considered and advancement on an existing model, it invariably needs and update on technology. However, as this occurs markets often appear for less expensive variants. The market among poorer nations for light strike aircraft, not least for training purposes, has therefore increased as technology advances ahead of its existing requirements. The M-346 is an example of this and the Italian Air Force has several on order. They may be limited, but if a spitfire pilot from 1940 could jump into one of these, the Battle of Britain would have lasted for one sortie.
Will I Get a Go: If you do, make sure you press the ‘fire’ button first. And don’t miss.
2014 – HESA Shafaq
‘Before the Dawn’ is the more glamorously known moniker given by the Iranian military for their forthcoming light attack aircraft. Many of the bits and bobs will allegedly be supplied by Russia, who were involved with the initial research and development, for assembly by the Iranian military who have designed the aircraft. Little intelligence is available on the suspected final version.
Will I Get a Go: We would like to be optimistic, but no. You won’t.
Type 'Before The Dawn' into Google and you won't find pictures of secret Iranian aircraft, but you may find a picture of this attractive trio
2015 - Boeing F/A-18E/F Advanced Super Hornet
Designed and initially manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first took to the air in 1995. Constant advancements lead to this variant, due to be delivered to the US Navy for use on their carriers in 2015. It will have all the knobs and knockers available to the most advanced defence budgets. It can reach speeds of nearly 1,400mph (mach 1.8), and can climb to nearly 45,000 feet in an ear popping minute. 
Will I Get a Go: Think Tom Cruise in Top Gun – are you one of those chaps?
2015 – Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA)
The bracketed letters stand for, ‘Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces’, the T-50 is the name for the prototype. The Sukhoi aircraft is a twin-engine jet fighter being made for the Russian Air Force. It is one of very few stealth jet planes in production. It will also be able to ‘supercruise’, and will include advanced avionics such as an Active Electronically Scanned Array RADAR and an artificial intelligence system.
Will I Get a Go: The expected life-span is 30 thirty years, so you never know: Air shows, training for space travel, tourism flights to the stratosphere – it could all happen.
2018 – Chengdu J-20
Alternatively known as ‘Black Eagle’, the Chinese development will elevate the military capacity of China to a position around half a decade earlier than Western estimates place it. This is obviously a fairly scary thought for America. As if the possibility that it is based on a re-engineered Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, downed in the Bosnian-Kosovo conflict of 1999 and procured by Chinese intelligence agents. As a strike aircraft it will sit comfortably alongside anything of its time.
Will I Get a Go: Possibly, if you are young enough to do national service when China takes over.

Summer 2013

Below is a link  to the Virgin Galactic booking page, where you can fill in your details, pay your deposit and be part of the future. 
If, however, you don’t have a hand $200,000 lying around, you can save as you go, with vouchers from Richard’s other website on the left. All his other “Experiences” are also available if you want a less expensive thrill.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT

Other Helicopters Coming Soon

2013 - HAL Light Combat Helicopter (India)
2013 - HESA Shahed 285 / AH 85 Witness (Iran)
2013 - Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone (USA)
2014 - Mil Mi-38 (Russia)
2015 - Harbin Z-19 (China)

Helicopter Tour over London

You too can enjoy a passenger flight over the landmarks of London in a Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger helicopter. A good deal for two can be found at The Activity Superstore, who are currently charging £269, but it's worth checking their website at the link below for other offers.

Other Strike Aircraft Coming Soon

2013 - Boeing F15 Silent Eagle (USA)
2013 - Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback (Russia)
2013 - HAL Tejas (India)
2014 - Lockheed F-35 Lightening II (USA)
2015 - Boeing F/A-18E/F Advanced Super Hornet (USA)
2016 - Shenyang-J15 Flying Shark (China)

Flying Lessons

Everyone has to start somewhere, and at 43 locations around the UK you can enjoy an introduction flying lesson for just £99 with Buyagift.
For less than £1,500 you can enjoy a fighter jet flying experience in America. You can also fly at sub-sonic speeds in a Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum for as little as £11,000. But at those prices we would suggest you shop around!