Current Affairs
October 16, 2020
Small Business Pulse Survey
This is the result of a Census.gov small business survey conducted over the last week on the impact of COVID on small businesses across the country. You can slice and dice the results based on your interests. Enjoy!
Here’s a screen shot of one map:
October 16, 2020
Small Business Pulse Survey
This is the result of a Census.gov small business survey conducted over the last week on the impact of COVID on small businesses across the country. You can slice and dice the results based on your interests. Enjoy!
Here’s a screen shot of one map:
October 16, 2020
On My Holiday List
Airline Crew Spots ‘Guy In Jetpack’ Flying 6,000 Feet Over LAX In 2nd ‘Dangerous’ Incident
Probably available in those catalogues that compete with the airline magazines for reading during flights, or used to.
by Tyler Durden Thu, 10/15/2020 – 16:40
Another bizarre jetpack incident outside Los Angeles International Airport has left eyewitnesses and authorities scratching their heads. Recall that an initial mysterious incident over a month ago made headlines after a man soaring through the air via jetpack was seen an alarming mere 300 yards away from an American Airlines flight.
While the FBI is still investigating that first sighting, another incident occurred Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed. This new spotting occurred at about 1:45pm Wednesday, with “someone in a jet pack” was seen flying near a China Airlines flight at about 6,000 feet altitude, and seven miles northwest of LAX.
Jetpack illustrative file image, via Air Live
The flight crew alerted the tower to the new sighting, which once again has spurred speculation over if it’s the same individual, or perhaps a copycat.
An official FAA statement confirmed that “A China Airlines crew reported seeing what appeared to be someone in a jet pack at an approximate altitude of 6,000 feet, about seven miles northwest of Los Angeles International Airport.” Needless to say that’s an incredibly high altitude for what remains largely an experimental technology.
“The FAA alerted local law enforcement and will look into the report,” it added.
ABC News was quick to air audio of the urgent air traffic control call on Wednesday: “Flying object? Was it a UAV or or was it a jet pack?” someone is heard saying on the call. Air traffic control can also be heard notifying a nearby aircraft:
“There was a jet pack reported about seven miles west of you. There’s no way you can go and check that out can you?”
Aviation authorities are emphasizing that it remains illegal and highly dangerous to operate a jetpack in commercial airline space.
Possibly aiding the FBI and FAA investigation is that there’s likely only a handful of operable jetpacks in the world, especially ones capable of reaching 6,000 feet, which would have to be advanced, well tested, with the flyer having vast experience.
After all, this is not something that can be picked up at a local electronics store.
Again, this narrows things down to what must be a tiny handful of elite operators who own and are experienced with such equipment.
* * *
October 16, 2020
On My Holiday List
Airline Crew Spots ‘Guy In Jetpack’ Flying 6,000 Feet Over LAX In 2nd ‘Dangerous’ Incident
Probably available in those catalogues that compete with the airline magazines for reading during flights, or used to.
by Tyler Durden Thu, 10/15/2020 – 16:40
Another bizarre jetpack incident outside Los Angeles International Airport has left eyewitnesses and authorities scratching their heads. Recall that an initial mysterious incident over a month ago made headlines after a man soaring through the air via jetpack was seen an alarming mere 300 yards away from an American Airlines flight.
While the FBI is still investigating that first sighting, another incident occurred Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed. This new spotting occurred at about 1:45pm Wednesday, with “someone in a jet pack” was seen flying near a China Airlines flight at about 6,000 feet altitude, and seven miles northwest of LAX.
Jetpack illustrative file image, via Air Live
The flight crew alerted the tower to the new sighting, which once again has spurred speculation over if it’s the same individual, or perhaps a copycat.
An official FAA statement confirmed that “A China Airlines crew reported seeing what appeared to be someone in a jet pack at an approximate altitude of 6,000 feet, about seven miles northwest of Los Angeles International Airport.” Needless to say that’s an incredibly high altitude for what remains largely an experimental technology.
“The FAA alerted local law enforcement and will look into the report,” it added.
ABC News was quick to air audio of the urgent air traffic control call on Wednesday: “Flying object? Was it a UAV or or was it a jet pack?” someone is heard saying on the call. Air traffic control can also be heard notifying a nearby aircraft:
“There was a jet pack reported about seven miles west of you. There’s no way you can go and check that out can you?”
Aviation authorities are emphasizing that it remains illegal and highly dangerous to operate a jetpack in commercial airline space.
Possibly aiding the FBI and FAA investigation is that there’s likely only a handful of operable jetpacks in the world, especially ones capable of reaching 6,000 feet, which would have to be advanced, well tested, with the flyer having vast experience.
After all, this is not something that can be picked up at a local electronics store.
Again, this narrows things down to what must be a tiny handful of elite operators who own and are experienced with such equipment.
* * *
October 12, 2020
Class 8 Truck Orders Surge
Class 8 Truck Orders Soar, Up 145% Year Over Year
by Tyler Durden Mon, 10/12/2020 – 09:40
Orders for heavy duty Class 8 trucks soared again in September, according to preliminary data released by ACT Research. Orders totaled 31,100 units, up 60% sequentially and up 145% from a year prior. Finalized data will be released during the middle of October.
It is the order book’s highest level since late 2018, according to TT News. It’s also a positive looking trend that continues to make the case for a V-shaped economic recovery. Class 8 orders had seen significant pressure in the beginning of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst for ACT Research, commented: “Preliminary data show that September orders for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles posted positive readings for a fourth consecutive month, after 19 consecutive months of negative year-over-year comparisons. In aggregate, Classes 5-8 orders rose 49% from August and improved 88% compared to year-ago September.”
He continued: “As orders rebounded to relatively healthy levels early in Q3, most of those orders were targeted at filling open 2020 build slots. With most of that work done by the end of August, we suspect the lion’s share of September’s orders were booked into 2021.”YOY order growth has been accelerating since April
The medium duty market has also seen a ‘rising tide’ as a result, Vieth said: “There is a symbiotic relationship between heavy-duty freight rates and medium-duty demand, and clearly, the shift in consumer spending from experiences [services] to goods has been good for the providers of local trucking services.”
“My hunch is this is probably the large national guys coming in and doing their annual deal,” said ACT Research Vice President Steve Tam.The 2020 recovery from coronavirus-induced lows near April
“I think there is a bit more risk of that happening this time, happening more quickly. The reason is the whole labor dynamic. Their trucks are still out there [parked]. So we don’t need to add as many trucks as it might appear we are going to,” Tam noted said.
Tam concluded that the outlook remained strong: “If our freight forecast is correct, they are going to experience some very solid levels of profitability for the remainder of this year and for next year as well.”
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/class-8-truck-orders-soar-145-year-over-year
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