Checking the Warp Core

From Chief Inspector Matthew Kilkerr:
"[During an inspection of] the main fitting between the aft landing gear and the internal structure ... to help double check ... we used Magnaflux Zyglo and black light."

And it ended up looking like something straight out of Star Trek™!

Eureka Shows Her Stuff

Just found this video of Eureka taken by a visitor to the recent San Francisco Fleet Week 2009 air show.

Pilots Jim, Kate and Hans-Paul had a great time coming up with our act.

Among the maneuvers you can see in this video:
- Approach and brake in place
- Rotate in place (at 0:30)
- "Waggle" (at 1:30)
- "Nose Dive" (at 2:05)

We hope everyone enjoyed it!

Bisecting a Runway

It doesn't happen every day, but often we get permission to fly over an airport. When we do, you end up with amazing photos like these -- watching a jet land right beneath you!

(Photos courtesy Michael Cierpka)

Foggy Sunday Morning

Ground Crew Chief Michael Cierpka sent us these fantastic shots of the ship coming out of the hangar into the fog this morning.

Great Moments in Text Messaging

As she flew over their practice field the other day, Eureka received a special text message from the Los Gatos High School Marching Band. Band members sprinted into formation to spell the word "HI."

Well done! What else can you do? Do you take requests? (Hint: marriage proposal formation freelancing!)



And, not to rain on their parade (yes, marching band pun), but check out this message, part of Nancy Regan's "Just Say No" campaign, circa 1988, performed right here in front of our building* at Moffett Field!


Image courtesy of Moffett Historical Museum.

* Check it out - we used to have a big blue awning in our main entryway!

Special Missions track

Today the airship is doing a 12 hour 'special mission', internally known as "operation velcro". Full details later this week!

Man the ropes

Hangar entry the manual way!