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Okay, do math. This jet entered service in 1950s, and I'm told Air Force plans to keep it in service until 2040. I'm not sure I'll be in service then!

I'm talking about, of course, B-52 Stratofortress, long a pillar of America's Cold War nuclear deterrent. With new satellite-guided bombs that can be dropped from outside enemy air defenses and strike surgically, this old bird is still USA's main heavy-hauler in wartime. With its huge payload, it's also an excellent psychological weapon against potential enemies. Ever seen one take off? There is nothing more apocalyptically sinister-looking than a Buff rising from runway, a storm cloud of black exhaust behind it, enormous landing gear reaching down like talons of some prehistoric bird of prey.

You've probably seen mysterious new B-2 Stealth Bomber, flying-wing aircraft that flies around air shows like a huge boomerang but never lands because it's still too secret. The B-52 guys I spoke with joked that their old jets will perform a fly-by at Stealth's retirement ceremony.

The annual air show at Nellis Air Force Base is a two-day event (October 5th and 6th in 2002), and it's a good thing: you need that much time to see all of exhibits, and flightline is so huge that it takes half a day just to walk from one end of show to other.

Aviation Nation is an apt name for this event. It shows us how our tax dollars are being spent to protect nation, and it provides an entertaining look at military and civil aviation. Moreover, this year's show provided a history lesson.

We're coming up on 100th anniversary of birth of modern aviation (2003), which occurred when a fragile kite-like aircraft lifted off from a sand dune in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. To celebrate, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has built a beautiful replica of Wright Flyer and is taking it on tour around country. (See schedule at www.flight100.org/activities/tour.html.) The craft was on display in a hangar, surrounded by informative memorabilia and photographs. Just think: in one century we've advanced from kites to boomerangs!

If you’re fortunate enough to visit Florence for first time, but unfortunate enough to have only a single day to savour delights of this city, you will need to ensure that you have a plan.

So allow me be your guide for day and take you on a whistle stop tour of sights and sounds of Florence. I can’t promise you Uffizi in a day, but hopefully at end of tour you’ll feel like you’ve seen best of city. Your only problem will be deciding when to come back for more!

The first thing you’ll need before you start your tour is a map of city. The centre of Florence is pretty compact, so best way to see it, without missing a thing is by foot. If you don’t have a map or a guidebook and you’re not type that enjoys aimless wandering, make your first stop of day one of tourist offices where you can pick up a free map of Florence.

Starting off in main Piazza, you’ll easily spot famous Duomo, with its magnificent terracotta coloured cupola. If you are there early enough to avoid crowds and feel you can face 463 steps I’d recommend starting your tour by climbing up into dome for a spectacular view of city. The Duomo is probably most distinctive feature of Florence’s skyline and is result of years of work spanning six centuries.