Comet Enthusiast

Thank you for these pictures. It was *really* a treat to finally see the new Flintstonian landing gear in action. Check the first picture in the series. The new landing gear (a major reason for the test flight) can clearly be seen just in front of, and just behind, the original (“revolutionary” in its own right) nose wheel.

The new gear (each element being about a foot long) which “kicks-in” on touchdown, is modeled on a well known biological mechanism, requiring just “a good massage” after landing for a fast turnaround.

Praise was given to the automated Problem Elucidation Reporting And Maintenance system (PERAM). One maintenance operative (who wishes to remain anonymous) said that as a parent, he’s quite familiar with the diagnostic lockout system. “If the ship’s not fully ready to go, it just puts its foot down and will not budge”.