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                                                                                January 2010
 
 
 
     
Aviation News In Video    
     
Inside the PiperSport - The New Light Sport Aircraft From Piper   ADS-B Watch  What Some Industry Experts Have To Say
     
   
     
     
Aviation News In Podcast    
 
1/29/2010 - Florida Airbase Used For Massive Staging Haiti Relief
 
1/29/210 - With launch day fast approaching, the STS-130 crew and launch team have their hands full with last minute preparations
 

1/12/2010 - Aging Controllers, Lax Rules Trouble FAA (NPR)

 
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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    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,  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   Read More Of This Story

 
 
     
Garmin G3X  

Garmin G3X Glass Cockpit Adds Engine Sensors And Autopilot Interface

January 20, 2010 - Garmin International Inc., today announced details for G3X engine information system (EIS) and integrated autopilot interface. The EIS and autopilot are designed specifically for the G3X and are an affordable way for experimental and light sport aircraft (LSA) pilots to bring Garmin integration and quality into their cockpit. The sensor kits are expected to be available for all popular Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, and Jabiru engines in February 2010. The G3X is a non-TSO?d, fully-customizable glass cockpit for installation in experimental kitbuilt and LSA. This announcement was made in conjunction with the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in   Read More Of This Story

     
 

Ireland?s Air Traffic Controllers Go Out On Strike

January 20, 2010 - On Tuesday The Irish Aviation Authority, (IAA) was formally notified by the air traffic controllers union, IMPACT that a work stoppage would begin today. The industrial action scheduled by IMPACT will involve work stoppages between 14.00 and 18.00 in Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports and will disrupt services at all airports. The IAA has apologizes to all members of the travelling public and to the airlines for the disruption this action  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Japan Airline President Resigns Company Files Bankruptcy

January 19, 2010 - Japan Airlines today, filed bankruptcy petition in Tokyo District Court. In addition the airline submitted an application with Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC) for support with restructuring the airline. Tokyo District Court entered an order allowing the airline to file bankruptcy and appointed ETIC and Eiji Katayama, Esq. as reorganization trustees. The petition will allow the airline to get some breathing room  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Irish Aviation Authority Suspends Striking Air Traffic Controllers

January 19, 2010 - The Irish Aviation Authority, (IAA) today suspended Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) who refuse to carry out normal assigned duties until their demands have been met. Since 1st January the ATCOs union, IMPACT has instructed controllers not to co-operate with a number of new technology projects unless the Authority commits to payment for these changes. The Irish Aviation Authority believes ATCO union?s agenda is to forcing the immediate payment of a 6% pay increase  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Boeing Partners To Identify Aviation Bioenergy Solutions

January 19, 2010 - Boeing and a collaborative of companies announced an agreement to establish a major research institution and demonstration project in Abu Dhabi dedicated to sustainable energy solutions. The Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project (SBRP) will use integrated saltwater agricultural systems to support the development and commercialization of biofuel sources for aviation and coproducts. The collaborative  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Airline Implements Bag Embargo To Haiti And Dominican Republic

January 19, 2009 - American Airlines said it will impose a 30 day bag embargo on all excess, oversize, and overweight baggage on flights to Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. This embargo will also apply to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when service resumes there. "American and American Eagle's intent is to provide the best customer service possible and to consider the needs of all passengers," said Peter Dolara,  Read More Of This Story

     
   

United Airline Faces Fines For Advertising Violations

January 19, 2010 - ?Our fare advertising rules are designed to ensure that consumers know how much they will pay for a ticket and are able to compare prices when choosing which carrier to fly,? said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. ?We expect airlines to comply with our rules and will continue to take enforcement action when necessary.? The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) assessed a $30,000 civil penalty against United Airlines for failing to disclose the full price Read More Of This Story

     
   

Sikorsky First S-70i Helicopter Nearing Completion

January 19, 2010 - The first S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, an international variant of the Black Hawk helicopter, is nearing completion on the assembly line at PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. company in Poland. The progress of the first international Black Hawk variant signals the launch of a new helicopter in the Sikorsky product line. Aircraft 0001, the first S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, was powered on for the first time a few weeks ago. Read More Of This Story

     
   

New York City To Host Fifth Race In Red Bull Air Race

January 19, 2010 - This year marks the sixth year of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. The fifth race of the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship season will be held, in partnership with New York City, Jersey City, NJ and Liberty State Park, over the Hudson River on June 19 and 20. Races will also be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE; Perth, Australia, and Lisbon, Portugal. The Red Bull Air Race, (Red Bull popular energy drink) established in 2003 and created by Red Bull, is an international series of air races in which competitors have to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. Pilots fly individually against the clock and have to complete tight turns through a slalom course consisting of pylons, known  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Critical Supplies Airdropped To Haitian Earthquake Victims

January 19, 2010 - One of the greatest challenges in this relief operation has been lack of infrastructure, which has significantly slowed the delivery of supplies and workers to the greatest points of need in Haiti. Airdrop is one of many options the international community is using in order to create alternate distribution points that will enable aid to reach the people more quickly. Airmen from U.S. Southern Command's air component, Air Force South, conducted an airdrop mission on Monday in an effort to provide  Read More Of This Story

     

Alabama National Guard Unveils Its UH-72A Lakota Helicopters

January 19, 2010 - The introduction of four UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters will significantly enhance the Alabama Army National Guard?s ability to perform homeland security operations and carry out support missions within the state. These aircraft ? which are built at American Eurocopter?s Columbus, Mississippi facility for program prime contractor EADS North America ? are based at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Birmingham, where the initial two  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Achieves Initial Airworthiness Milestone

January 17, 2010 - Since the first flight in mid-December, the program has conducted 15 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.65. Nearly 60 hours of flying have been completed. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane's systems. Six different pilots have been behind the controls of the 787. Due to these gains Boeing has completed initial  Read More Of This Story

     
Global Hawk Collects Reconnaissance Data During Haiti Relief Efforts  

Global Hawk Collects Reconnaissance Data During Haiti Relief Efforts

January 17, 2010 - An RQ-4 Global Hawk is providing imagery to determine the extent of damage to earthquake-stricken Haiti and usability of its infrastructure, an Air Force official said during a Department of Defense Bloggers Roundtable. "A lot of images of destroyed buildings," said Col. Bradley G. Butz, the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing vice commander. They are looking at images of  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Southwest Airlines Pilots Volunteer To Share The Spirit Of Learning

January 15, 2010 - What do you want to be when you grow up? Perhaps Pilot is one of the answers. For many students across the country that might be closer than they dream. Southwest Airlines today announces the official takeoff of its award winning, Educational and Mentoring program, Adopt-A-Pilot! From January through May, fifth-grade students in more than 1,200 classes across the country will "adopt" Southwest   Read More Of This Story

     
 

Beechcraft King Air 350i Achieves FAA And EASA Certifications

January 15, 2010 - WICHITA, Kan. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) announced it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Type Certifications for the new Beechcraft King Air 350i turboprop. The King Air 350i sets the standard in cabin luxury, entertainment and flexibility while delivering unmatched fuel efficiency and the lowest operating cost per seat, making it one of the greenest aircraft available to business travelers  Read More Of This Story

     
 

CAAFI To Receive The Joseph Murphy Award

January 15, 2010 ? The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative (CAAFI), a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sponsored effort to develop environmentally-sound, sustainable-alternative jet fuels, has received ?one of the most coveted and valued honors? by a leading aviation-industry publication. Air Transport World?s Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award is given to   Read More Of This Story

     
 

Wachovia Files Lawsuit Against Owners Of Jet University And Simcenter

January 15, 2010 - Back in May Jet University, a flight training center located in Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport closed its doors due to what the owners, Henry George and Heath Cohen had reported was for financial reasons. The closing affect a total of 126 Jet University Students. The students angry, contacted law enforcement and the news media to express their anger. The students reported that they had paid their tuitions in full prior to the start of class, and had not received full training nor job placement as promised by  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Airmen Deploy To Aid Earthquake Hit Island Of Haiti

January 14 2010 - On Tuesday a major earthquake hit the island of Haiti, the earthquake reached 7.0 on the Richter Magnitude Scale, and it was Haiti?s most server quake in over a century. The quake hit just before 5 PM, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The quake destroyed property and it is estimated that over 45,000 people may have lost their lives, the U.S. State Department has been told to expect "serious loss of life. President Obama   Read More Of This Story

     
Vietnam War Air Force Pilot Missing In Action Identified  

Vietnam War Air Force Pilot Missing In Action Identified

January 13, 2010 - The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from September 26, 1959 to April 30, 1975. Officials with the Department of Defense POW Missing Personnel Office announced January 12, 2010, that the remains of an Air Force pilot, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his  Read More Of This Story

     
FAA Controllers Begin Using ADS-B Satellite Tracking   FAA Controllers Begin Using ADS-B Satellite Tracking

January 13, 2010 - Houston FAA air traffic controllers are beginning to use an improved satellite-based system ? Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) ? to more efficiently and safely separate and manage aircraft flying over the Gulf of Mexico. ?Safety is our highest priority at the U.S. Department of Transportation, and this new satellite-based technology will help the FAA improve the safety of flights over the  Read More Of This Story

     
Passenger On The "Do Not Board" List Boards Aircraft  

Passenger On The "Do Not Board" List Boards Aircraft

January 12, 2010 - Investigators are trying to figure out how a man who has Tuberculosis, a contagious disease that was placed on a "Do Not Board" list by the CDC was allowed to board a US Airways Flight 401 out of Philadelphia International Airport bound for San Francisco on Saturday. Tuberculosis or TB (short for Tubercle Bacillus) is a common and often deadly infectious disease caused  Read More Of This Story

     
  F-15?s Escort Hawaiian Airlines Flight 39

January 12, 2010 - A criminal complaint has been filed against Joseph Hedlund Johnson, 56, of Salem, Oregon charging him with the federal crime of interference with the performance and duties of a flight crew member or attendant. Johnson surrenders to authorities on Monday, January 11, 2010 and appear before U.S. Magistrate Dennis J. Hubel at 1:30 in Courtroom 9B. The crime of Read More Of This Story

     
 

FAA Confirms Isolair Sold Unapproved Parts Without PMA

January 12, 2010 - On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice to advise all aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, maintenance organizations, and parts distributors regarding the sale of unapproved High Cross Tubes that may have been purchased from Isolair, Inc. of Troutdale, Oregon that parts 9002-1 and 9002-2 were unapproved parts sold without FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval.  Read More Of This Story

     
Horizon Air Makes Aviation History With First WAAS Flight  

Horizon Air Makes Aviation History With First WAAS Flight

January 12, 2010 - "Horizon Air has long been committed to innovation and technical excellence, and we're particularly proud to be spearheading the use of this new technology, which holds the promise of benefiting many thousands of customers in years to come," said Jeff Pinneo, president and CEO. On Dec. 30, 2009, Horizon Air became the first scheduled-service passenger carrier to operate a flight using Wide Area  Read More Of This Story

     
FAA Approves Portable Oxygen Concentrators  

FAA Approves Portable Oxygen Concentrators

January 12, 2010 - Airline passengers now have additional options when it comes to oxygen concentrators. ?This is our latest step toward making air travel more accessible for people who need medical oxygen,? said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. ?We want these passengers to have as many options as possible while ensuring all of our safety guidelines are being met.? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced passengers needing medical oxygen now have the option of using four additional portable oxygen concentrators   Read More Of This Story

     
Loran-C Radio Navigation Services To End February 2010  

Loran-C Radio Navigation Services To End February 2010

January 12, 2010 - Aviation pilots who have used Loran-C, LOng RAnge Navigation for many years will find that on February 8, 2010, the low radio transmitters will not be in operation. LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radio navigation service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well as most of Alaska. Twenty-four U.S. LORAN-C stations work in partnership with Canadian and Russian  Read More Of This Story

     
F-15?s Escort AirTran Airways Flight 39   F-15?s Escort AirTran Airways Flight 39

January 9, 2010 - On Friday AirTran Airways flight 39, a Boeing 737-700 aircraft carrying 132 passengers and 5 crew members pushed back from the gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 9:48 a.m. EST and departed at 10:36 a.m. EST headed to San Francisco International Airport with a scheduled arrival time of 12:40 p.m. PST. During the flight, a male   Read More Of This Story

     
  Helicopter Crash Kills Biologists And Pilot In Madera County

January 6, 2010 - Three Department of Fish and Game (DFG) employees and a contract helicopter pilot died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday. They were on a routine aerial deer survey when the crash occurred in a remote section of Madera County. An investigation is under way into the cause of the crash. The crash occurred at    Read More Of This Story

     
Mesa Air Group Files Chapter 11  

Mesa Air Group Files Chapter 11

January 6, 2010 - Mesa Air Group, Inc. announced that it has commenced a financial restructuring through the voluntary filing of petitions to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the ?Court?). During the restructuring, the Company will continue to operate as normal, without   Read More Of This Story

     
  JALways Terror In The Sky

January 6, 2009 - What would you do if you were a pilot who discovered that another pilot was so sick that he posed a serious threat to the safety of a flight? Let?s say you reported the sick pilot to the company management, but they did not respond to you. Would you persist in pursuing your cause at the risk of losing your job? If that scenario seems overly dramatic consider the fact that it happened and resulted in the death of an American pilot.
In June  Read More Of This Story
     
  Runway Overrun May Have Prevented Flight 331 Accident

January 1, 2010, - An American Airlines Flight 331 departed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, with a stop at Miami International Airport. Flight 331 then departed Miami for Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport. Flight 331 touched down at Kingston Jamaica approximately 10:00 pm local time, the aircraft overshot the end of the runway
Read More Of This Story
 

Aviation News Top Headliners

 
 

Five African American Pilots Share Their Experiences

Jan. 30, 2010--The Museum of Flight commemorates Black History Month with a February 6 panel discussion with current Air Force and Alaska Airline pilots. Moderated by Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Col. Bill Holloman III (ret.)The program is at 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater. Panelists will be available for autographs following the presentation. Books about African American pilots and astronauts, as well as other memorabilia, will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. The moderator for the panel, Lt. Col. Bill Holloman III (ret.) flew "Red Tail" P-51s with the 332nd Fighter Group in World War II--the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He continued flying during the Korean War and Vietnam, and he was the first black helicopter pilot  Read More Of This Story 

     
 

ATC Staffing Dangerously Low At Busy California FAA Facility

January 30, 2010 - The number of fully trained and certified air traffic controllers at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), the nation?s busiest Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control facility that handles the climb and approach phases of flight, has plummeted 26 percent in the last six years, according to new staffing information released today by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Making matters worse is the FAA?s local top management official at the facility, who issued a memo last Friday mandating the use of an untested piece of equipment designed to measure spacing between planes in  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Court Concludes IAA Must Pay Its Air Traffic Controllers

January 30, 2010 - Ireland?s Labor Court on Friday issued recommendations with regard to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) proposal to defer payments of pension fund and pay increases to its air traffic controllers. IAA had reported it could not pay the air traffic controllers a pay increase or pay into their pension fund because the IAA could not afford it. January 19th The Irish Aviation Authority, (IAA) was formally notified by the air traffic controllers union, IMPACT that a work stoppage would begin on this day. The stoppage involved Read More Of This Story

     
   

Pitt County Memorial Hospital Gets EC135 Eurocopter

January 29, 2010 ? North Carolina?s Pitt County Memorial Hospital received an EC135 from American Eurocopter in the first step of complete helicopter fleet upgrade for its EastCare air medical service. EastCare has been an operator of Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft since the mid-1980s, and will base the new EC135 at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport.  This helicopter will be joined in April and May by two EC145s to be delivered by American Eurocopter, which are to be located at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, N.C. ?We are proud  Read More Of This Story

     
    NBAA Applause Support By Congress For General Aviation

January 29, 2010 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) applauded the continuing momentum enjoyed by Congressional House and Senate General Aviation (GA) Caucuses, as demonstrated by recent developments among both groups. In recent months, lawmakers have formed the caucuses in support of all general aviation, including business aviation. The Senate GA Caucus formally launched in a Capitol Hill meeting attended by representatives from NBAA and other general aviation groups and hosted by
 Read More Of This Story
     
   

ALPA Released Safety And Security Priorities For 2010

January 29, 2010 - The Air Line Pilots Association, (ALPA) released its aviation safety and security priorities for 2010. Topping the list are shifting to trust-based aviation security, improving qualifications and training for pilots, and combating pilot fatigue. ?ALPA pilots? dedication and professionalism have helped to create the foundation for an extraordinarily safe and secure mode of transportation,? said Capt. John Prater, ALPA?s president.  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Domestic Air Fares Fell 14.4 Percent From 2008

January 29, 2010 - Average domestic air fares in the third quarter of 2009 fell to their lowest July-to-September level since 2005, dropping 14.4 percent from the third quarter of 2008 in the largest year-to-year decline on record, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported yesterday. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reports average fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage  Read More Of This Story

     
   

Passenger Arrested Attempting To Open Aircraft Door In Flight

January 28, 2010, Gregory Thomas Burns, age 33, a Sydney Center, New York, man, was arrested this morning on charges of interference with flight crew and attendants for his conduct aboard United Airlines Flight 223 on January 23, 2010, U.S. Attorney David M. Gaouette and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge James H. Davis announced. Burns, whose was charged in a sealed Criminal Complaint, was arrested without incident. Burns appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver this afternoon where he was advised of the charges pending against him. He is next scheduled to be in court on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. for a detention and preliminary hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland. Read More Of This Story

     
 

FAA And NORAD To Control Airspace Around Super Bowl XLIV

January 28, 2010 - The FAA has established a ?Temporary Flight Restriction? (TFR) around Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida for the Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010. NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense Command fighters will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the skies around the stadium in Miami for game day. ?Exercise Amalgam Virgo 10-Miami? will be held Thursday in the Greater Miami area to allow interagency partners the chance to practice temporary flight restriction violation procedures. ?Amalgam Virgo 10.1-Miami? comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Flight Attendants Call For Stronger Counterterrorism Provisions

January 28, 2010 - Washington, DC - The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) is calling for tightened aviation security after an attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day exposed weaknesses in the current system. On December 25th a 23 year old Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab arrested for attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport by attaching device attached to his body. As the flight was approaching Detroit  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Air New Zealand Offering Lie-down Seats In Economy

January 28 2010 - Air New Zealand to offer on its Boeing 777-300 lie-flat economy seating on its international flights when it introduces revolutionary, Kiwi designed lie-flat economy and ground breaking premium economy seats, together with enhanced comforts for those wanting the ultimate in luxurious Business Premier travel later this year. Air New Zealand unrevealed its prototype designs in a full-scale Boeing 777-300 cabin inside its design innovation centre in Auckland's CBD, just a few hundred metres from its  Read More Of This Story

     
 

IATA Reports Airlines Faced The Worst Year In History In 2009

January 27, 2010 - ?In terms of demand, 2009 goes into the history books as the worst year the industry has ever seen. We have permanently lost 2.5 years of growth in passenger markets and 3.5 years of growth in the freight business,? said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA?s Director General and CEO. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported December and full-year 2009 demand statistics for international scheduled air traffic that showed the industry ending 2009 with the largest ever post-war decline. Passenger demand for the full year was down 3.5 percent with an average load factor of  Read More Of This Story

     
  Purdue University Acquires Fleet Of Cirrus SR20 Aircraft

January 27, 2010 - Cirrus Aircraft announced today the sale of 16 of its 2010 SR20 model aircraft to Purdue University?s Department of Aviation Technology. The 600 students currently enrolled in the Purdue program will utilize the new Cirrus fleet daily to obtain hands-on flying experience, earn a private pilot certificate, instrument rating and ultimately a commercial type rating. "Purdue's choice of Cirrus Aircraft for its training and research programs speaks to its commitment to the best available 
Read More Of This Story
     
 

Scalable Beam Radar Successfully Demonstrated Aboard F-16

January 27, 2010 - Northrop Grumman Corporation in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force, has successfully completed a series of demonstration flights of its Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) installed in the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.  The demonstration was in support of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) feasibility study. "Almost two years ago Northrop Grumman said that air forces of the future will necessarily gravitate toward using AESA technology ? especially through  Read More Of This Story

     
  Harrison Ford Received Legends Aviation Legacy Award

January 27, 2010 - Harrison Ford on Friday received the ?Legends Aviation Legacy Award? at the 6th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards ceremonies at the Beverly Hilton for his continued work with the Young Eagles program, generosity and his love for aviation. The event is produced by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy. The Kiddie Hawk Air Academy is a tax exempt organization incorporated and based in Colorado. The goal of the academy is to instill in kids from 4 to 9 years of age
Read More Of This Story
     
 

Charleston AFB Used As Hub For Haitian Earthquake Relief

January 27, 2010 - Officials from the 437th Airlift Wing here established a C-17 Globemaster III stage at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina to manage aircrews supporting Operation Unified Response following the Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti. "As support for Operation Unified Response became a large operation, it became beneficial to establish the stage to meet the large number of aircrews to run a smooth and efficient operation," said Lt. Col. Johnny Johnson, the 437th AW  Read More Of This Story

 

Medford Man Convicted Of Lasering Into A State Police Helicopter

January 26, 2010 - Gerard Sasso of Medford, MA. was convicted today of shining a laser beam into a State Police helicopter that was escorting a liquid natural gas tanker (LNG) through Boston Harbor. Gerard Sasso, 51, of Medford, Massachusetts, was convicted today in U.S. District Court following a one-week jury trial of shining a powerful green laser beam into a State Police helicopter that was escorting a liquid natural gas tanker (LNG) through Boston Harbor, forcing the helicopter to abandon its escort mission. Gerard Sasso was convicted of one count of willfully interfering with an aircraft operator with  Read More Of This Story

     
 

OSHA Proposes $71,000 In Fines Against Schweizer Aircraft Corp

January 26, 2010 - Syracuse, N.Y. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $71,000 in fines against Schweizer Aircraft Corp., for alleged willful, repeat and serious violations of safety and health standards following inspections of the company's Horseheads, New York,  helicopter manufacturing plant. OSHA found workers were exposed to electrocution hazards from the company's failure to first de-energize live electrical parts before having employees work on them.  Read More Of This Story

     
 

John Travolta Makes Second Trip Earthquake Torn Haiti

January 26, 2010 - Actor John Travolta along with his wife Kelly Preston on Monday made good on his promise to fly humanitarian relief to earthquake-ravaged nation of Haiti, on a Qantas Airlines Boeing 707 which was sponsored by the airline. The humanitarian relief included food, medical supplies, medical personnel and relief volunteers. Travolta was grateful to Qantas Airlines for allowing him the use of their passenger aircraft. ?I want to thank Qantas Airlines and its chief executive Alan Joyce. Alan is allowing me to fly Read More Of This Story

     
   

Unlicensed 74 Years Old Pilot Has Landed In Trouble

January 26, 2010- Teddy Ernest Mayfield a 74 years old Oregon man, who some believe is D. B. Cooper, the man who November 24, 1971, hijacked a Northwest Orient Boeing 727 aircraft that extorted $200,000 from its owner. Leaped from the airborne 727 with 21 pounds of $20 bills strapped to his torso and has never been found. Has once again, violated FAA regulations when he piloted his single engine airplane from Eugene Airport to Independence Airport on June 19, 2008, without being properly licensed. Mayfield Has a long history of FAA violations and a criminal past that includes armed robbery and stealing and aircraft and flying it across state lines. Read More Of This Story

     
 

Ex Air Force Major Mary Jane Seeks Boeing 747 From Saudi Arabian

January 26, 2010 - Dixon, CA. Martin Pearl Publishing announced the release of Plane Jane, by Robert Fischer. A 271 page aviation-themed adventure follows fictional ex Air Force Major Mary Jane as she seeks to repossess a luxury Boeing 747 from a rich and powerful Saudi Prince. Partnered with another recently discharged Air Force Pilot, Jesus Martinez, Mary quickly finds herself immersed in Saudi Arabian culture and intrigue as her quest takes on twists and surprises. Plane Jane is not only a great adventure story, it also mixes in contemporary themes and issues such as the role of women in the military and in Saudi culture. The aviation scenes are technically accurate, as is the depiction of life in Saudi Arabia. Takes the reader right into the character?s world of the Air Force and Saudi Arabia in a thrilling race to its unexpected conclusion. Plane Jane is an "edge of your seat? adventure story, full of plot twists and surprises. The aviation scenes are very realistic and the   Read More Of This Story

     
 

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 Crashes Off The Cost Of Beirut

January 25, 2010 ? One of Africa?s largest airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Flight 409, crashes off the cost of Beirut today. Ethiopian Airlines, Flight 409 departed from Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport at about 2:35 AM, the Boeing 737-800 was carrying 83 passengers and 7 crewmembers on board under heavy rain and thunder storms for Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. About 2:40 AM the jetliner disappeared from radar and crashed into the sea in what witnesses described as a ball of fire. The recharge site is two miles west of the  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Delta To Refurbish Its Old Aircraft Instead Of Purchasing New

Jan 25, 2010 - "Rather than invest in new aircraft, Delta will be spending its capital to improve the quality and consistency of the on-board product and efficiency of the aircraft we already own." said Ed Bastian, Delta's president. Delta Air Lines will invest $1 billion, or about $300 million per year, through mid-2013 to improve the customer experience in the air and on the ground. The capital investment will improve the consistency and level of service provided to Delta's BusinessElite, First Class and elite-level flyers, as well as increasing the efficiency of the airline's fleet.  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Unruly Passenger Causes United Flight To Divert To Colorado

January 24, 2010 - United Airlines Flight 223 passenger attempts to open exit door in aircraft at 30,000 feet. On Saturday United Airlines Flight 223 departed Dulles International Airport Washington, D.C., at or about 3:30 PM for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas Nevada. Flight 223 was clear by air traffic control to climb and maintain 30,000 feet.  About 1 hour and 15 minutes into the flight around 4:45 PM a male passenger, 6 feet tall, 270 pounds with blond hair and unshaved face, who had    Read More Of This Story

     
 

Holland Michigan College Students Killed In Plane Crash

January 24, 2010 - On January 17, 2010, at about 10 AM, 23 year old Hope College student David O. Otai and his passenger, 20 year old Emma E. Biagioni, also a student departed Tulip City Airport Holland, Michigan in a Cessna 172. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, tragically killing both students when the aircraft impacted the snow covered terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near the airport. Otai was an FAA licensed commercial instrument rated pilot. At the time of the accident  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Singapore Airshow To Host Global Aerospace And Defense Exhibitions

January 24, 2010 - Singapore Airshow 2010 will take place from February 2 though 7 2010. The first four days of the airshow are dedicated to trade visitors. The last two days over the weekend, February 6 and 7, have been set aside for the public where families can expect fun-filled days with activities taking place on ground and flying performances in the skies over Changi Exhibition Centre. The traditional 60-minute aerial display will include an extra 30 minutes. With two slots, the weekend timings  Read More Of This Story

     
 

American Airlines Flight Attendants Unable To Reach Agreement

January 24, 2010 - After eleven consecutive days of bargaining, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) and American Airlines have not reached an agreement. The Federal Mediator overseeing the negotiations has directed the parties to resume lockdown negotiations for five days in Washington, DC at the National Mediation Board beginning on Saturday, February 27. "We have worked extremely hard and bargained in good faith over eleven days, but there has  Read More Of This Story

     
  TSA Worker Terminated Over White Substance In Baggy

January 24, 2010 - While going through airport screening at Philadelphia International Airport, on January 5, 2010, Rebecca Solomon, age 22, a student at University of Michigan who was on her way back to school from winter break became a victim of a joke played on her by a Transportation Security Administration worker.
 Read More Of This Story
     
 

Ireland?s Air Traffic Controllers Return To Work Under Court Supervision

January 23, 2010 ? On Friday, Ireland?s Labor Court mediated the actions taken by the Irish Aviation Authority and Ireland?s air traffic controllers. The court laid out stipulations that all parties agreed to. The Irish Aviation Authority has reported Irelands Air Traffic Controllers have returned back to work and those Air Traffic Controllers that were suspended were restored to active employment effective 1800 hours on Friday January 22, 2010.  Read More Of This Story

     
   

Finnish Border Guard Orders AgustaWestland AW119Ke Helicopter

January 23, 2010 - The Finnish Border Guard has ordered a fourth AgustaWestland AW119Ke single engine helicopter. The Finnish Border Guard chose the AW119Ke in 2008 to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement program. All four helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and fire fighting. The Finnish Border Guard is the national security agency responsible for enforcing the security of Finland's borders. It is a military organization,  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Human Error To Blame For Army Black Hawk Crash

January 23, 2010 - Back on August 19, 2010, An Army MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky crashed into the side of Colorado's second-highest mountain, Mount Massive, in Leadville, Colorado around 2 PM. while conducting a routine mountain and environmental training. All four onboard were killed in the accident. All were assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. On Friday the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, at Fort Rucker, Alabama released its report on the crash. The report indicated the  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Russian Aircraft Transports FAA Mobile Control Tower To Haiti

January 23, 2010 - In a true demonstration of the international support of the relief efforts in Haiti, U.S. Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration officials paired with a Russian airlift contractor on Thursday to deliver a mobile air traffic control tower out of Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida to the Aeroport Toussaint L'Ouverture in Port-au-Prince. The structure will be used until a permanent facility can be rebuilt, according to FAA  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Two Rounds Of Pilot Layoffs At American Airlines

January 23, 2010 - American Airlines has reported today that up to 175 pilots will be laid off. On Friday American sent out notices to 80 pilots informing them that they will lose their jobs at the end of February and the remainder sometime in middle spring 2010. Officials said there could be a second round of furloughs in the spring. The carrier further stated the impact of the economy and reduction in capacity over the last 18 months, coupled with lower than expected pilot attrition, and has  Read More Of This Story

     
 

FAA Sends Temporary Air Traffic Control Tower To Haiti

January 21, 2010 - At the request of the Haitian government, the Department of Transportation?s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) dispatched a portable, temporary control tower to Haiti today to help assist with aircraft operations at Port-au-Prince International Airport. The tower is being transported aboard a large, chartered cargo aircraft and FAA technicians will install and prepare it for service which will take about 48 hours once it arrives in Port-au-Prince. ?This tower is a visible representation of the Department?s contribution to our government?s swift and considerable efforts to help Haiti deal with this terrible tragedy,? said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. ?We had great support from the  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Piper Enters The LSA Market By Unveiling The PiperSport

January 21, 2010 ? Piper Aircraft announced details and unveiled its all new PiperSport aircraft today, underscoring its foray into the Light Sport Aviation segment with a world class aircraft that speaks to Piper?s heritage in bringing seminal, entry-level airplanes to market while offering features and performance normally found in more expensive, high-end aircraft. Piper President & CEO Kevin J. Gould made the announcement during a news conference held here this morning at the Sebring U.S Sport Aviation Expo 2010.  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Air France Overweight Passenger Policy Still Unclear

January 21, 2010 - A number of British tabloids over the week had reported in the news media that the French air carrier, Air France, requires its overweight passengers to pay for a second seat onboard their aircraft. If the passenger did not pay for the extra seat he or she would then be prevented from boarding for 'safety reasons'. Opposed to the information disclosed in the press, Air France has denied this claim and has stated ?Air France has no intention of making heavier passengers pay for a  Read More Of This Story

     
 

Hawaiian Airlines Unions Have Contract Agreements

January 20, 2010 - Hawaiian has reached agreements with its pilots? union, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), flight attendants? union, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), dispatchers? union, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Clerical Division (IAM-C). Hawaiian is continuing to work with its IAM ? Mechanics Division on a new agreement, its last remaining work group in contract negotiations. Hawaiian Read More Of This Story

     
  Zenair Begins Deliveries Of Light Weight Aluminum Floats

January 20, 2010 - Less than a year after announcing it would be returning its float production to North America, Zenair Ltd. has begun deliveries of its light-weight all-aluminum floats. Following the announcement at AirVenture 2009, the design upgrades and production tooling took place in the fall of 2009, including preparation of new assembly drawings for floats sold as kits. Manufacturing of the amphibious floats started in November, with the first ready-to-assemble kit delivered in  Read More Of This Story

     
 

 

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