Simple Ideas

An article about Virgin's Richard Branson supporting research into aircraft biofuel also mentioned a simple idea he had for reducing noise and fuel consumption at airports -- have push-back tugs actually taxi aircraft all the way to the runway.

Woman sets records for the wrong team

Interesting interview with Hanna Reitsch, a German test-pilot during WWII and close associate of Hitler. By the 50-mile rule, she was the first astronaut, almost 20 years before John Glenn achieved sub-orbital flight.