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Editorials By Our Readers
 

Aerial Firefighting Management Is There A Better Way

Fighting forest fires poses a number of problems for fire management teams. Forest fires generally occur in remote, heavily wooded areas and in most cases are not easily accessible by vehicle or foot and don’t present an immediate water supply to assist in firefighting. For this reason, aircraft and helicopters have been used since World War II in aerial firefighting by flying in smokejumpers and for dropping fire retardant and or water    Read More Of This Story

   

 

 

Pilot Error! Or Was It Really Something Else That Caused The Crash?  

In no way does writing this article absolve any pilot of stupidity, mental laxity, or any other excuse they may have uttered—after the CRASH!  It is an explanation of sorts that all in the aviation community will understand and everyone else will appreciate.  I have seen some numbers that say from 60-90% of all aviation incidents, accidents, dents, dings, crashes, and fatalities are caused by pilot error, NTSB says 76%.  The number seems to get the highest when the Read More Of This Story

 
 

Suggestions To Improve Flight Safety and Security

Referring to the last aviation accident (Air France flight 447), I asked myself why, nowadays, is so difficult to obtain reliable (and sure) data from a flying plane in every flight condition. (also see FAA response and The International Aviation  Read More Of This Story

 
 

Don't Ask Don't Tell

I normally don’t get involved in political stories but after watching the Rachel Maddow show last night, I thought is was appropriate to write this letter and request that you post it. Rachel Maddow, which airs on MSNBC, introduced a guest named Lieutenant Colonel Victor J. Fehrenbach. Mr. Fehrenbach is a 19 year jet pilot for the military who flies the F-15E Strike Eagle. He has flown numerous missions against Taliban and Al-Qaida targets, including the longest combat  Read More Of This Story

 
 
 
 
 
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Sikorsky UH-60L Helicopter  

Sikorsky Rollouts Out CBP First UH-60L Helicopter

December 10, 2009 - Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, rolled out the first U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency (CBP) UH-60 A-A to L recapitalization aircraft at its Chase Field Operations Center in Texas. A major aviation facility for Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance, the Chase Field Operations Center also has become a pivotal location for aircraft overhaul, repair and upgrades for the  Read More Of This Story

     
Pratt & Whitney  

Support Growing On Halt To Pratt & Whitney Closings

December 10, 2009  Connecticut’s Congressional delegation sent a united message to President Barack Obama, asking him to “use every measure at your disposal” to convince United Technologies Corporation to keep its Cheshire and CARO Pratt & Whitney facilities open.  The letter was delivered to the White House as President Obama focused attention on the issue of joblessness across  Read More Of This Story

     
Garmin GTS 800   

Garmin Receives FAA Approval TAS And TCAS I Traffic Systems

December 10, 2009 - Garmin International the global leader in satellite navigation, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted an approved model list supplemental type certificate (AML-STC) for the Garmin’s TAS and TCAS I traffic systems, the GTS 800, GTS 820 and GTS 850. The initial AML-STC includes approximately 580 different aircraft makes and models and Garmin expects to add additional aircraft to the  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Predator B Guardian To Use For Counter Narcotics Operations

December 10, 2009 - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection took delivery unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the first maritime variant of the Predator B known as Guardian. To support future mission requirements, CBP in partnership with the Coast Guard in a joint program office, is exploring this maritime variant of its Predator B UAS to increase reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting acquisition capabilities in maritime Read More Of This Story

     
Boeing Completes 747-8 Freighter Engine Runs  

Boeing Completes 747-8 Freighter Engine Runs Successfully

December 10, 2009 - Boeing successfully completed the first engine runs for the 747-8 Freighter. The milestone marks another step in the 747 program's steady progress in preparing for flight test. "We are very pleased with the engines' performance during this test," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager of the 747 program. "The engines and all the systems performed as expected." Engine runs began slightly  Read More Of This Story

     
American Airlines Sponsors CRP Future Pilots  

American Airlines Sponsors CRP Future Pilots Inaugural Class

December 8, 2009 - Eight students from the inaugural class of the American Airlines sponsored CRP Future Pilots Flight School will take to the skies for their first solo flights. Each student will conduct three take offs and landings without assistance from their instructors. The solo flights will begin at 9 a.m. at the Dallas Executive Airport, 5125 Voyager Ave., Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. Four American Airlines pilots will also be on-hand   Read More Of This Story

     
United States Navy's Blue Angels  

Blue Angels Headline 2010 Vectren Dayton Air Show

December 8, 2009 - Vectren Dayton Air Show officials have learned that the world renowned US Navy Blue Angels will appear at the 2010 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger on July 17th and 18th. The announcement was made at the International Council of Air Shows’ annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last appearing in Dayton in 2006, the celebrated US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is eagerly sought after by air show venues   Read More Of This Story

     
IAM General Vice President Robert Roach  

Machinists Support NMB Voting Rule Change

December 8, 2009 - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. testified yesterday at the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) public hearing on the agency’s proposed change to rules governing union representation elections. “Every employee should be allowed to choose for themselves whether to vote yes, no or to abstain in union elections,” said Roach. “The government should not employ a process that assigns a viewpoint to voters who do not cast a ballot.”  Read More Of This Story

     
Effects of Wind Turbines On ATC System  

Contract Awarded To Reduce Effects of Wind Turbines On ATC System

December. 8, 2009 - Raytheon has been awarded a contract by the United Kingdom's NATS, formerly National Air Traffic Services, to conduct software modeling and field trials of technology that minimizes the effects of wind turbines on radar signals. "We are developing this much-needed technology with NATS to eliminate potential radar blackout zones near wind farms and enable the U.K. to continue its progress in developing safe, renewable energy resources," said Andy Zogg, Raytheon  Read More Of This Story

     
Air Traffic Control Tower  

FAA Solicits Bids For NextGen Contracts Worth $7 Billion

December 5, 2009 - The FAA is soliciting bids from companies interested in competing for NextGen support contracts with an approximate combined value of $7 billion, the largest award in the agency’s history. Under the umbrella awards, called System Engineering 2020 (SE2020), the FAA will award as many as five separate contracts for research and development and systems engineering work that will help the agency deliver NextGen. The SE2020  Read More Of This Story

     
AgustaWestland Grand Light Twin Helicopter  

MSA Of China Takes Delivery Of AgustaWestland Helicopters

December 5, 2009 - AgustaWestland announce the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of China has taken delivery of two Grand light twin helicopters during an official ceremony held at AgustaWstland's Vergiate facility in Italy. The MSA is responsible for monitoring all inland and coastal waters and these two helicopters will be dedicated to controlling and fighting water pollution. The aircraft  Read More Of This Story

     
Gulfstream G650  

Gulfstream G650 Jet Passes Initial Flight Tests

December 5, 2009 — Gulfstream Aerospace, announced that the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 has successfully completed its first series of flight tests. During a 1-hour and 45-minute flight, G650 project pilot Jake Howard and senior experimental test pilot Tom Horne, along with flight engineer Bill Osborne, tested the aircraft’s handling qualities, engine  Read More Of This Story

     
Beechcraft-A36  

FAA Proposes $4 Million Penalty On Spitfire Aviation Services

December 5, 2009 - The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $4 million civil penalty for Spitfire Aviation Services, LLC, of Fayetteville, Ark., for numerous violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The alleged violations include conducting at least 798 passenger-carrying revenue flights between November 2005 and October 2007, even though Spitfire held no  Read More Of This Story

     
Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy  

Dover AFB Completes C-5M Test In Surge Operations

December 5, 2009 - The C-5M Super Galaxy team has completed another stage of operational test and evaluation with the conclusion of surge operations at Dover AFB. The surge operations consisted of 31 days of delivering essential cargo and flying sorties nonstop, from Dover AFB to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, without refueling to test wartime contingency operations. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Boeing Apache Block III Helicopter Makes 1st Flight

December 5, 2009 - The Boeing Apache Block III program has completed the first flight of its structures test aircraft. The test, conducted November 23 in Mesa, demonstrated flight characteristics and handling maneuvers. Tests to continue to expand the helicopter's flight envelope are expected to continue for the next several weeks. Block III technologies being tested include the composite main rotor blade, composite horizontal stabilator, and -701D engines, which include an enhanced digital electronic control unit. The aircraft also features a split-torque face  Read More Of This Story

     
American Eagle Bombardier CRJ700 Regional Jet  

Bombardier To Sell 22 Regional Jets To American Eagle

December 3, 2009 - Bombardier Aerospace announced today that AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, the parent company of American Eagle Airlines, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas will acquire 22 CRJ700 regional jetliners. The transaction represents the conversion of 22 options held by the airline into a firm order contract. The airline’s fleet will grow to include 47 CRJ700 aircraft and Letter of Intent made public in September – now firm order contract. Based on the list price for   Read More Of This Story

     
Nigerian Eagle Airlines  

Delta Signs Memorandum Of Understanding With Nigerian Eagle

December 2, 2009 - Delta Air Lines and Nigerian Eagle Airlines today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore areas of commercial cooperation that will expand travel options between North America and Nigeria. The memorandum of understanding provides for the carriers to discuss marketing agreements that would allow their customers to benefit from frequent flyer program participation and for Nigerian Eagle to place its code on Delta-operated services between Abuja and New York-JFK via  Read More Of This Story

     
Solar Powered Elevated Runway Guard Lights  

Solar Runway Lights To Improve Airfield Safety In Middle East

December 2, 2009 – VICTORIA, BC, CANADA Carmanah Technologies Corporation has received an order valued at approximately USD $365,000 to supply solar powered elevated runway guard lights (ERGLs) to an air force base in the Middle East. The Carmanah ERGLs will provide 24-hour unidirectional flashing to aid in reducing airfield incursions at runway and taxiway intersections, improving safety and increasing operational capability at the base. As a portable or permanent stand-alone solution, the ERGL installs in minutes with no trenching, cabling, or external power required. Rugged construction delivers reliable performance in the harshest environments while withstanding extreme temperatures, rain, snow, ice, standing water, and wind velocities up to 300 mph (482 km/h). Recently  Read More Of This Story

     
Kenya Airways  

Kenya Airways Highest Time On Wings Powered By GE CF6 Engines

December 2, 2009 -GE Aviation has recognized Kenya Airways for achieving the highest time on wing for a CF6-80C2 engine in Africa. The Kenya Airways' CF6-80C2 engine was installed on a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in 2001 and has accumulated more than 35,000 flight hours and more than 6,400 cycles without a removal. Kenya Airways is the flag carrier airline of Kenya, based in Nairobi. It started operations on 4 February 1977,   Read More Of This Story

     
Radar Antenna Installed On Boeing P-8A Poseidon  

Radar Antenna Installed On Boeing P-8A Poseidon

December 2, 2009 - A Boeing and a Raytheon employee complete installation of an APY-10 radar antenna on P-8A Poseidon test aircraft T2 last month at the Boeing Developmental Center in Seattle. T2 is the P-8A program's primary mission system test article. Following completion of the next phase of radar installation and additional instrumentation, T2 will enter the U.S. Navy's flight test  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Kidnapped Three Year Old Boy Rescued By Coast Guard

December 1, 2009 - On Saturday, Paul Martikainen had a supervised visit with his son, Luke Finch at Riverfront Park in Cocoa Village. Martikainen was being supervised by a court appointed supervisor due to previous allegations of child abuse. The court appointed supervisor left Martikainen and his son unsupervised about 12:30 PM while he, the court appointed supervisor went across the street to a restaurant to eat lunch. That’s when Martikainen abducted his son. The police were Read More Of This Story

     
F-15E  

F-15E Accident Investigation Report Released By Air Force

December 1, 2009 - Two Air Force officers were killed July 18 in the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft, assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., was flying in support of coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan. The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time. A team of U.S. and coalition forces where immediately responded to the crash site, secured it and recovered the Airmen.  Read More Of This Story

 
 
 
 

Military Air Assets Exhibition & Conference MAASEC

March 29 - April 1, 2010, Jacksonville, Florida. The Military Air Assets Exhibition and Conference is the premier CONUS air show, conference and exhibition for the Department of Defense, joint service military, and Department of Homeland Security aviation community. The only military aviation event in the U.S. capable of providing unrivalled access to military leadership, program managers, acquisition executives and decision makers and an up close look at current and exciting new air assets.

 
 
 

   
       
  Track Santa's journey around the world on December 24th at 4 AM MST, and 6 AM EST on Christmas Eve. Visitors to the Web site can watch Santa as he prepares his sleigh, checks his list, and goes through all his preparations.

Children can call the NTS toll free number 877-446-6723. As soon as Santa takes off from the North Pole, track him with up-to-the-minute Google Earth reports.

Aviation News Top Headliners

 
 

Spanish Airline Air Comet Is Forced To Suspend Operations

December 23, 2009 - Spanish airline, Air Comet on Tuesday suspended all of its flights due to financial difficulties, which resulted in the approval of a London court approving Nord Bank of Germany to initiate foreclosure procedures against the airline. Thousands of passengers have been affected and hundreds of employees are with out jobs. ir Comet, formerly Air Plus Comet is located at Madrid Barajas International Airport in the capital of Madrid, Spain. It operates scheduled long-haul  Read More Of This Story

     
Rockwell To Provide Avionics And Pilot Controls On Russia Aircraft  

Rockwell To Provide Avionics And Pilot Controls On Russia Aircraft

December 22, 2009 - Russian based Irkut Corporation, part of United Aircraft Corporation has chosen Rockwell Collins to provide avionics and pilot controls for the new MC-21 family of single-aisle aircraft. The first of three aircraft variants is due to enter service in 2016. "The MC-21 represents an excellent opportunity and important strategic win for us as we aim to further strengthen our relationships  Read More Of This Story

     
  Consumer Rule Limits Airline Tarmac Delays

December 22, 2009 - “Airline passengers have rights, and these new rules will require airlines to live up to their obligation to treat their customers fairly,” said. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood who announced a new rule that significantly strengthens protections afforded to consumers by, among other things, establishing a hard time limit after which U.S. airlines must allow passengers to deplane from domestic flights. The new rule prohibits U.S. airlines operating domestic flights 
Read More Of This Story
     
Kidnapper Arrested Involving Lakeland Pilot  

Kidnapper Arrested Involving Lakeland Pilot

December 20, 2009 - On Friday, the FBI arrested Stobert Lindell Holt, age 42, on charges of first degree murder, kidnapping and extortion. Back on April 1, 2008, Robert Arthur Wiles disappeared from his fathers business, National Flight Services, an aircraft maintenance company located at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Florida. Wiles, age 26 at the time, was employed with the company as a business development manager and aircraft pilot. Two days after Wiles disappearance the family received a ransom note. However no further demands were ever made for a ransom. Holt was a former employee with National Flight Services, a business Wiles' father Thomas Wiles owned. Read More Of This Story

     
Rolls Royce Engines Powered Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Historic Flight  

Rolls Royce Engines Powered Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Historic Flight

December 20, 2009 - Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner historic first flight was powered by Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines, the latest generation in the successful Trent family. The Trent 1000 is the latest member of the Rolls-Royce Trent family to take to the skies. Trent engine technology has accumulated more than 37 million flying hours since the first Trent entered service in 1995. At take off each Trent 1000 engine generated as much power as 1,000 family cars. Rolls-Royce has a long track record of reducing the environmental impact of its products and Read More Of This Story

     
Local Authors Present Seattle's Commercial Aviation 1908-1941   

Local Authors Present Seattle's Commercial Aviation 1908-1941

December 19, 2009 - Seattle was a hub of aviation long before it became "JetCity." On Dec. 26 at 2 p.m., Seattle authors Ed Davies and Steve Ellis present a program based upon their new book, "Seattle Commercial Aviation 1908 - 1941." The program draws from hundreds of photographs gathered for the book, which illustrates Seattle aviation from the earliest dirigible flights to the arrival of commercial airmail and the airlines. The authors   Read More Of This Story

     
 

Negotiations Unsuccessful Between Ryanair And Boeing

December 19, 2009 - Ryanair, has reported negotiations with Boeing for an order of up to 200 new B737-800 series aircraft for delivery during the period 2013-2016 cannot be successfully concluded prior to the end of the calendar year and accordingly the Board of Ryanair have confirmed that its negotiations with Boeing have terminated unsuccessfully. Ryanair confirmed that the breakdown of these negotiations will not effect its plans to take delivery of 112 B737-800 aircraft during the next 3 calendar years 2010 (48), 2011 (37) and 2012 (27) Read More Of This Story

     
 

Thai Airways Executive Board Chairman Under Investigation

December 19, 2009 - Thai Airways has reported that its executive board would launch an investigation into a report that the Thai Executive Chairman, Wallop Bhukkanasut, his wife and others had traveled from Tokyo to Bangkok on November 14, 2009, with 40 pieces of luggage weighing a combined 500 kilograms in which they evaded paying a luggage fee of $6,024, a revenue lost for the financially struggling carrier and that they did not pay a government customs declaration tax by having their baggage delivered to the lost and found at  Read More Of This Story

     
Lisbon, Portugal To Host 2010 Red Bull Air Race  

Lisbon, Portugal To Host 2010 Red Bull Air Race

December 18, 2009 - The city of Lisbon will make its debut on the Red Bull Air Race calendar in 2010 when the World Championship makes a highly anticipated return to Portugal. “We were keen to keep Portugal on the calendar and Lisbon was able to fulfil all the requirements needed to host a race and take the Red Bull Air Race World Championship to the next level. We are looking forward to the partnership with Portugal’s capital city and racing in a new and spectacular location,” said Bernd Loidl, CEO of Red Bull Air Race. Portugal has proved to be a popular fixture on the race calendar with cities of Porto and Gaia providing an incredible venue for the Red Bull Air Race for the last three years, attracting record crowd numbers. Both cities have played a critical role in the growth and development of   Read More Of This Story

     
  Alaska Airlines IAMAW Approves Partial Contract Extension

December 18, 2009, - Alaska Airlines announced on Thursday International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) have ratified a two-year contract extension. The airline's 2,800 clerical, office and passenger service employees, who are also represented by the IAMAW, rejected an identical two-year extension proposal. Read More Of This Story
     
 

Sikorsky S-76D Helicopter Begins Production

December 18, 2009, - The first S-76D helicopter airframe has entered production on the assembly line at Aero Vodochody (Aero) in the Czech Republic in preparation for the customer deliveries planned to begin in 2011. The first S-76D helicopter airframe – serial number 761004 – had its fuselage joined and then entered final assembly at Aero. The fuselage is scheduled to depart Aero in April 2010 for delivery to Sikorsky Global Helicopters facility in Coatesville, Penn., where final assembly Read More Of This Story

     
Eurocopter EC175 Helicopter Makes Maiden Flight Over Marignane  

Eurocopter EC175 Helicopter Makes First Flight Over Marignane

December 18, 2009 - "It's an immense pleasure to see the EC175 soaring through the skies," declared Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. Eurocopter EC175 helicopter, the latest member of the Eurocopter range, performed its official maiden flight in the skies above Marignane on Thursday. At the controls were Alain Di Bianca, Eurocopter Experimental Test Pilot, as well as Michel Oswald and Patrick Bremont, Flight Test Engineers. Officials, industrial partners, launch customers and Eurocopter employees were all on hand for the event. This newest  Read More Of This Story

     
 

British Air Carrier Flyglobespan Airlines Closes Its Doors

December 18, 2009 - Low cost British air carrier, Flyglobespan Airlines, Scotland's biggest airline has cancelled all fights and is no longer in operation, leaving thousands abroad stranded and over 550 employees with out jobs. Bruce Cartwright from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) court administrators said there was no choice other than to cease flights and make redundancies. He said that everything was being done to ensure that 4,500 Read More Of This Story

     
Employees At Qantas Airlines Will Stage A Industrial Action  

Employees At Qantas Airlines Will Stage A Industrial Action

December 16, 2009 - Australia - Professional engineers at Qantas and Jetstar will commence the next stage of protected industrial action tomorrow in pursuit of better recognition of their crucial role in maintaining the safe and efficient operation of the airline’s fleet. Groups of engineers working at Qantas’ heavy maintenance facilities in Sydney, Brisbane and Avalon will begin stopping work for periods of up to five business days throughout the rest of December and into January. The engineers’ union, the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Makes Historic First Flight

December 16, 2009 - The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the sky for the first time on Tuesday, ushering a new era in air travel as it departed before an estimated crowd of more than 12,000 employees and guests from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will see six airplanes flying nearly around the clock and around the globe, with the airplane's first delivery scheduled for fourth quarter 2010.The newest member of the Boeing family of commercial jetliners took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. at  Read More Of This Story

     
 

NBA Dwight Howard To Endorse AirTran Airways

December 16, 2009 - AirTran Airways announced the signing of Orlando Magic All-Star Center Dwight Howard. The Olympic gold medalist, 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Champion and leader of the 2009 Eastern Conference Champions will be featured in radio spots, online advertising and high-impact billboards. To officially kick off this partnership, Howard, along with AirTran Airways and Orlando Magic executives, unveiled "Magic 1" a one-of-a-kind Boeing 717 painted in the Magic's colors in Orlando. "Dwight Howard is one of the most outstanding young athletes in sports today. His accomplishments on the court and his community involvement off the court make him a great fit for AirTran Airways and what we strive to do as the  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Thirteen Air Carriers Sign Fuel Agreement With Rentech

December 16, 2009 - Rentech, Inc. announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with thirteen domestic and international passenger and cargo carriers that is intended to serve as a framework for a future definitive supply agreement for certified jet fuel from Rentech's proposed synthetic fuels and power facility in Adams County, Mississippi ("Natchez Project"). The non-binding MOU signed by Rentech and Air Canada, AirTran Airways, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, FedEx  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Airline Passenger Employment Down 3.7

December 16, 2010 - U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 3.7 percent fewer workers in October 2009 than in October 2008, the 16th consecutive decrease in full-time equivalent employee (FTE) levels for the scheduled passenger carriers from the same month of the previous year, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported. FTE calculations count two part-time employees as one full-time employee. BTS, a part of the Research   Read More Of This Story

     
 

Gulf Air Comprehensive Measures To Reduce Its Carbon Footprint

December 16, 2009 - Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has introduced a series of initiatives, which will result in an annual reduction of around 33,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its aircraft. The significant fuel reductions are expected from the proactive initiatives being rolled out by the Gulf Air Fuel Conservation Committee, which is exclusively charged with looking at ways for the airline to reduce its carbon foot print. Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Samer Majali said,  Read More Of This Story

     
 

British Airways Prepares For Holiday Labor Strike

December 15, 2009 -   British Airways is commencing legal action in an attempt to protect customers from the massive stress and disruption threatened by Unite's decision to call a 12-day strike from December 22. The airline has today written to Unite, highlighting irregularities in the union's strike ballot, which the airline believes renders the ballot invalid. The airline called on Unite to call off the industrial action by 2pm today.  The union has not done so and British Airways is now seeking an injunction to prevent the strike going ahead. Today's letter was  Read More Of This Story

     
Vanderbilt LifeFlight Pilots Equipped With ITT Night Vision  

Vanderbilt LifeFlight Pilots Equipped With ITT Night Vision

December 15, 2009 - Vanderbilt LifeFlight pilots are now using the latest night vision technology once reserved for military operations.  ITT Night Vision F4949 provides the flight crew superior, image intensifier technology. With the ability to enhance light 10,000 times, the air ambulance service's new night vision essentially turns night into day. “You can see a lit cigarette 10 miles away,” said Wilson Matthews, R.N., E.M.T., chief flight nurse for LifeFlight's base in Lebanon, Tenn., who is part of the night vision transition.  Read More Of This Story

     
 

OSHA Cites American Airlines Over Death Of Worker At MIA

December 15, 2009 - On Monday Occupational Safety And Health Administration (OSHA) cited American Airlines over an employee death and two other OSHA violations. Thomas Jukovich "Smiley", age 43, of Miami FL, was employed for American Airlines as a Ramp Manager for customer service when on May 19, 2009, while on ladder servicing a red-eye flight to Sao Paolo, Brazil, Jukovich fell onto the rain drenched tarmac at Miami International Airport. Firefighters stationed at the airport reported that Jukovich was already dead when they arrived to the accident site. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that they found three serious violations while investigating death of Thomas Jukovich at American Airlines at Miami International Airport.  1) Employees exposed to a fall hazard, 2) The airline failed to assess workplace hazards requiring protective equipment, 3) The airline didn't ensure employees wore protective footwear while operating the luggage lift  Read More Of This Story

     
Rockwell Collins Head-Up Display (HUD)  

Rockwell Collins HGS Approved For CAT I Landings

December 15, 2009 - Rockwell Collins Head-Up Display (HUD) featuring advanced technology that uses an innovative optical system to present flight information to the pilot that overlays the real world as the pilot looks through the windshield has been approved through its Head-Up Guidance System (HGS) for CAT I landings. The Head-Up Guidance System (HGS) technology is capable of conducting reduced Category I (CAT I) landing minima as authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Technology and Procedures Division.  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Cessna Aircraft Today Announced Closing Of Plants Cutting Personnel

December 14, 23009 - Cessna Aircraft today announced to its employees it is beginning a six to 24-month process to transition work from its facility in Columbus, Ga. to Cessna facilities in Independence, Kansas and Mexico. The Columbus facility will close at the end of the transition process. Cessna will also accelerate its plans to move sub-assembly work from its Wichita facilities to facilities in Mexico. Cessna has already taken several steps to reduce their capacity including closing facilities in Bend, OR and Toledo, OH and consolidating facilities in Columbus, GA and in Wichita. The transition process of work from their Columbus and Wichita  Read More Of This Story

     
Business Traveler Magazine Readers Voted Air Canada With Top Honors  

Business Traveler Magazine Readers Voted Air Canada With Top Honors

December 14, 2009 - Air Canada has won four top honors in Business Traveler's "Best in Business Travel" award program, the most first place awards won by any airline in the world in the influential magazine's annual reader survey. Best flight attendants, best in-flight services in North America, best airline for business class service and best North American airline for international travel. "Air Canada won more prestigious Business Traveler's top awards this year than any other airline. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our transformation, which is still on-going - especially to our . Read More Of This Story

     
 

Emirates Airlines Takes Delivery Of Sixth Airbus A380

December 14, 2009 - United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Airlines takes delivery of its sixth Airbus A380 aircraft. The colossal aircraft landed in Dubai late last night after travelling from the Jurgen Thomas Delivery Centre in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft is currently being fitted with the airline’s service hallmarks at Emirates’ world class engineering facility, in preparation for entry into service. Taking delivery of this mammoth plane Adel Al Redha, Emirates' Executive Vice President Engineering and Operations said: “The delivery of our sixth A380 aircraft is  Read More Of This Story

     
Hawaiian Airlines Reaches Agreement With IAM-C Union  

Hawaiian Airlines Reaches Agreement With IAM-C Union

December 14, 2009 - Hawaiian Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – Clerical Division (IAM-C) announced a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract that would provide increased compensation for Hawaiian’s largest single work group as well as operational improvements for the company. Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, Read More Of This Story

     
 

BTS Reports Airline Passenger Traffic Up 0.8 From A Year Ago

December 13, 2009 –  The number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines in September 2009 increased by 0.8 percent from September 2008, growing by 0.5 million to 54.7 million, the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has reported. September was the first month with an increase in passengers from the  Read More Of This Story

     
Challenger 605 jet  

Enhanced Vision System On Challenger 605 Receives FAA Certification

December 13, 2009 - Bombardier Aerospace announced the company has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS) and Head-up Display (HUD) for the Challenger 605 jet. BEVS provides pilots with significantly improved situational awareness and the ability to observe runway lights and the runway environment in difficult  Read More Of This Story

     
Republic Airways  

Republic Makes Organizational Changes Denver Operations

December 13, 2009 - Republic Airways announced that the company would make organizational changes that would consolidate approximately 140 operations employees currently based in Denver and is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2010. Positions to be relocated include dispatchers, engineers, crew schedulers and other operations functions. Republic Airways further reported that it will add up to 300 full-time  Read More Of This Story

     
Northwest Airlines  

The United States Achieves Open Shies With Japan

December 13, 2009 - “Achieving Open Skies with Japan, a major U.S. transportation and trade partner, has been a long-standing U.S. goal and is good news for air travelers and businesses on both sides of the Pacific,” said Secretary LaHood. “Once this agreement takes effect, American and Japanese consumers, airlines and economies will enjoy the benefits of competitive pricing and more convenient service.” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced on Friday that the  Read More Of This Story

     
GE Aircraft Engine  

GE To Begin Certification Testing Of Its New H80 Turboprop Engine

December 12, 2009 – GE Aviation will begin certification testing of their new H80 turboprop engine. The GE H80 turboprop engine, which will produce up to 800 shaft horsepower (shp) to power utility, agriculture and business and general aviation aircraft. Component testing of the H80 engine has been underway for several months, and GE has recently started aeromechanical and performance testing on test engines. "The results from  Read More Of This Story

     
Airbus A350 XWB  

United Places Order For 25 Airbus A350 And 25 Boeing 787

Dec. 12, 2009 – United Airlines announced a significant investment in the company’s future with a widebody aircraft order that will enable the carrier to reduce operating costs and better match aircraft to key markets it serves, while providing its customers with state-of-the-art cabin comfort. The new technology aircraft will reduce fuel burn and environmental impact, while enabling service to a broader array of international destinations. United ordered 25 Airbus A350 XWB  Read More Of This Story

     
X-51A WaveRider gets first ride aboard B-52  

X-51A WaveRider Gets First Ride Aboard B-52

December 12, 2009 - The X-51A Waverider was carried aloft for the first time December 9, 2009, by an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52 Stratofortress over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The test was a key milestone in preparation for the X-51 to light its supersonic combustion ramjet engine and propel the WaverRider at hypersonic speed for about five minutes, before plunging into the Pacific Ocean. "This was a great day for the program," said Charlie Brink, X-51A program manager with  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Airbus A400M Military Airlifter Completes First Flight

December 12, 2009 - Chief Test Pilot Military, Edward "Ed" Strongman, piloted Airbus first Military A400M military airlifter in Seville, Spain yesterday after departing at 10:15 AM local time, completing a successful maiden flight lasting 3 hours 47 minutes and landed at 14:02 local time. The flight was supported by Experimental Test Pilot Ignacio "Nacho" Lombo. The engineering team on board included Senior Flight Test Engineer Jean-Philippe Cottet   Read More Of This Story

     
 

IATA Addressed Aviation Environmental Goals In Copenhagen

December 11, 2009 - Copenhagen - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) brought the aviation industry’s environmental goals to Copenhagen. Airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and manufacturers are calling for a global approach to reducing aviation emissions and are united in a commitment to improve fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5% per year to 2020, stabilize carbon emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth and to a net reduction in carbon emissions of 50% by 2050 compared to 2005. “We are the only global industry coming to Copenhagen with a strong track record and a commitment to cut our emissions in half by 2050. These goals clearly show that the aviation industry is even ahead of its regulators  Read More Of This Story

     
Miami Dade Police Eurocopter  

Miami Dade Police Receives Second Eurocopter

December 11, 2009 - American Eurocopter delivered another AS350B3 helicopter to the Miami-Dade Police Department’s (MDPD) Aviation Unit. This is the second of four AS350B3s that have been ordered. The aircraft will join the department’s Special Patrol Bureau’s Aviation Unit that includes a fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft. The first AS350B3 was delivered last December and the MDPD  Read More Of This Story

     
Lakota Light Utility Helicopter (LUH)   EADS Awarded $247 Million Contract On Lakota Light Utility Helicopter

December 11, 2009 - The U.S. Army awarded $247.2 million contract to EADS North America for  the Lakota Light Utility Helicopter. A helicopter equipped to provide medical evacuation, personnel transport and multimission applications. "The Army has great confidence in the Light Utility Helicopter program, and to preserve the momentum of this successful ACAT-1 system, we awarded the Fiscal Year 2010 contract at the earliest point allowed,"  
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Colgan Air Crash Flight 3407  

FAA Reluctant Raising Co-pilot Minimum Fight Hours For Airlines

December 11, 2009 - On Thursday before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Aviation on the Federal Aviation Administration’s Safety Programs, Federal Aviation Administrator, Randy Babbitt expressed some reluctance in changing FAA regulations on the number of flight hours required in order to be a co-pilot flying with the airlines. “We do not believe that simply raising quantity — the total number   Read More Of This Story

 
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