Forget Texas Hold ‘em tournaments. An Irish bookie is taking bets on whether Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner will fly before Airbus’ A400M military transport aircraft.
Both planes are supposed to take their maiden flights by the end of the year. Both programs have been hit by numerous delays. Some commentors are speculating that the flights may be pushed into next year, the bookmaker, Paddy Power, notes.
Paddy Power bills itself as Ireland’s largest bookmaker and a leading provider of gaming services. It’s offering odds of 1-to-2 that Boeing’s Dreamliner will take to the skies first.
It’s offering 6-to-4 odds that the Airbus A400M will fly first.
“This has the makings of a very interesting race with obviously billions on the line for both airlines,” Paddy Power said in a statement. “Our betting suggests that Boeing is the early leader, but this could obviously change very fast.”
Most frequent flier programs trade miles for things like free flights or stays in a hotel. But Finland’s biggest airline, Finnair Oyj, has come up with a new twist on its awards program. It’s offering free plastic surgery in exchange for air miles.
According to the airline’s Finnair Plus website, it takes 1.32 million points for lower lid surgery. The surgery would be performed by Nordstrom Hospital in Helsinki, Finland. A consultation with the hospital is needed first, according to the website.
Earning the 3.18 million points for breast augmentation surgery requires 120 round-trip, business-class flights between Helsinki and New York, according to Bloomberg.
Piper Aircraft representatives will be in Wichita Friday and Saturday to host an engineering job fair.
The Vero Beach, Fla.-based planemaker is seeking engineers for a variety of positions, it says, including airframe design, stress analysis, electrical and avionics design, mechanical systems, pwerplant design, instrumentation, aerodynamics or performance and manufacturing/industrial. Piper is also looking for a tool designer, estimator and director of manufacturing. The company has intermediate, senior and lead positions available.
The job fair will be held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 20 and 21st at the Broadview Hotel at 400 W. Douglas. The company says to e-mail a resume to wichitajobfair@piper.com to be considered for a scheduled interview.
