As a pilot for US Airways, I always believed there had to be a better way for single-aisle aircraft to fly long distances. I used to fly the Airbus A321 from Philadelphia (PHL) to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO), but even with two auxiliary center tanks, the A321’s advertised range of 3,000 nm (2,400 nm useful range) limited it to only transcontinental flights. I also flew the Boeing 757 from Brussels (BRU) to PHL many times, taking off with a full load of fuel, passengers and cargo at maximum takeoff weight every time.
NEWS Viewpoint: Airbus Should Build A Truly Long-Range 757 Replacement
Melanie aviation journey began at a young age, earning her first pilot certifications while still a teenager, before she ever held a driver’s license! As lead journalist at AIRLIVE.net, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the voice and editorial direction of the website. Her experience spans flight operations, air traffic coordination and emergency incident analysis.
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