Category:
Air Travel and Airlines

Wizz Air to fly on human waste

So there really is a European airline named Wizz Air (I had to check wikipedia to make sure it was real), and it recently announced that by 2030 "up to 10% of its flights could be powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) derived from human waste." From msn.com:

The concept of converting human waste into jet fuel might raise some eyebrows, but Firefly CEO James Hygate acknowledges the cringeworthy aspect while also lauding the potential of this resource. Hygate's frank description of the biosolids as "kind of disgusting" but "an amazing resource" underscores the pragmatic approach to utilizing the millions of tonnes of waste that have no intrinsic value.

Posted By: Alex - Fri Apr 19, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Excrement, Air Travel and Airlines

Defecation relief unit for aeroplane personnel

How do fighter pilots poop while in the air? I think the answer is that they try very hard not to, because if they have to go, they're going in their flight suit. Back in the 1950s Constantin Paul Lent, et al., tried to come up with an alternative. From their patent (No. 2,749,558):

This device relates to feces and urine elimination cabinets and more particularly to defecation relief devices used by aircraft pilots and other key flying personnel. More particularly it relates to feces and urine elimination cabinets which may find utilization in single pilot driven aircraft.

Comparatively speaking it is an easy matter to provide adequate latrines for the men in the forces on land and sea. When the time comes to eliminate, one just walks to the nearest comfort station. But in the Air Force the problem of elimination can not be always solved that easily especially by aviation pilots...

The applicants are cognizant that there are relief tubes provided on most all jet planes for urinating, but no single seat aircraft is equipped with a safe and sure means for defecation. When the pilot of the jet, due to accident or enemy action needs to eliminate, the problem of defecation becomes acute. The pilot must wait until he lands his craft; and quite often he must remain aloft for a considerable length of time before he has a chance to visit a comfort station on the ground. In many cases due to the physiological and psychological effects produced on the pilot by enemy action, he is forced to eliminate even before he has a chance to land his plane.


Posted By: Alex - Sun Mar 24, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Flight, Patents, Excrement, Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s

Early Bad Airline Passenger Behavior

I wonder what the first instance of bad behavior on a commercial flight might be? Such an incident probably happened as soon as commercial flights began. In any case, here's an early one.








Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 13, 2023 - Comments (3)
Category: Misbehavior, Rebellion, Acting-out and General Naughtiness, Air Travel and Airlines, 1960s

Combination Pillow and Crash Helmet

"The device thus formed is useful as a courtesy pillow for the comfort of airline passengers, and doubles as a crash helmet which may be put over the head of the passenger when he is forewarned of an impending crash landing."

More info: Patent No. 3,538,508

Posted By: Alex - Sat Sep 23, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Patents, Air Travel and Airlines, 1970s

United Airlines’ “Snowbird Flights”

It's still skiing season! Grab one of these package deals!

"Our Snowbird Toddy makes him feel at home, as it warms the cockles of his heart."



Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 27, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Skating, Sledding, Skiing and Other Wintertime Pursuits, Advertising, Air Travel and Airlines, 1970s

Suitcase-Size Wife

If it was allowed to save money on airfare by carrying your contortionist wife on as luggage and putting her in the overhead compartment, I'm sure some people would try it.

Omaha Morning World Herald - June 6, 1951

Posted By: Alex - Fri Jan 27, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Human Marvels, Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s

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Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

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Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1.

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