Southwest Airlines Donates $300,000 In Travel To Help Make-A-Wish Foundation

January 31, 2011 - Southwest Airlines has contributed $300,000 in travel to the Make-A-Wish Foundation thanks to Southwest customers who participated in a Facebook Places promotion. The donation will assist the Make-A-Wish Foundation in granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions ? nearly 70 percent of its wishes include travel to the children?s  Read More

Court Ruling Helps Preserve Access To Santa Monica Airport

January 31, 2011 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)applauded a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. that marks another step in ensuring that business aviation will have continued access to Santa Monica Airport (SMO). In a decision handed down, the court ruled in favor of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) position that the most recent  Read More

Aerobatic Single Place Folding Wing Aircraft Makes First Flight

January 30, 2011 - Sonex Aircraft announced that the number one prototype of the new Onex single-place, folding-wing kit aircraft made its first flight on Friday at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI. Piloted by Sonex General Manager, CEO, and Onex designer Jeremy Monnett, the AeroVee-powered N111NX made an extensive flight  Read More

Hartsfield-Jackson Remains Busiest Airport In The World

January 30, 2011 - For the 13th consecutive year, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest passenger airport in the world and, for the fifth consecutive year, is also the world's busiest airport in terms of operations (landings and takeoffs). According to a year-end report issued on Thursday by the Airport, passenger  Read More

Lightspeed Aviation Provides $100,000 To Aviation Related Charities

January 30, 2011 - Twenty aviation-related charities are the beneficiaries of over $100,000 in grants awarded by Lightspeed Aviation Foundation for 2010. Midnight, February 11th is the deadline for existing or new aviation charities that may want to apply to be beneficiaries of the 2011 season. Founded in 1996 by a group of former Tektronix executives, Lightspeed Aviation was launched with a simple mission - to design and  Read More

Boeing Receives $1.6B Contract For P-8A Poseidon Aircraft

January 30, 2011 - Boeing has received a $1.6 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The LRIP 1 contract is for six P-8A aircraft, spares, logistics and training devices. The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.  Read More

Jeppesen, India?s Jet Airways Sign 5 Year EFB Class 2 Contract

January 28, 2011 - Jeppesen recently agreed to a five-year electronic flight bag (EFB), tailored digital charting and navigation service renewal contract with Jet Airways, a leading commercial carrier based in India. The agreement provides Jeppesen solutions for Jet Airways and its subsidiary carriers Jetlite and Jetkonnect. The  Read More

Proposed Change To Irish And UK Airspace Transition Altitude

January 28, 2011 - To make more efficient use of the airspace over Ireland and the UK, and to align airspace more closely with other nations, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have on Thursday notified the aviation industry of their intention to harmonize the Transition Altitude in both UK   Read More

EADS CEO Testifies Before SASC On The KC-X Competition Disclosure

January 28, 2011 - EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe on Thursday provided the Senate Armed Services Committee with a written statement outlining the company's response to the U.S. Air Force's disclosure of data in the KC-X competition. "I appreciate the thoughtful and careful manner in which the Committee has engaged on the issue of data disclosure in the KC-X competition," stated Sean O'Keefe, CEO of  Read More

FAA Approves Croatia As Meeting International Aviation Standards

January 28, 2011 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday announced that Croatia complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of a reassessment of Croatia?s civil aviation authority. Croatiahas made significant progress and is now upgraded from the Category 2 safety rating the country received in September 2008 to Category   Read More

Historic Aircraft Collection, Airport, And Endowment Donated To College

January 27, 2011 - Lake Erie College announced on Wednesday that it has received a multi-million dollar gift from Lake County resident, Gretchen Reed. The gift includes the Pheasant Run Airport located in Madison, Ohio, one of the largest vintage aircraft collections in the country and a significant endowment to support the property, planes and related  Read More

The 5Th And Final Flight Test For The G650 Aircraft Took To The Skies

January 27, 2011 - The fifth and final Gulfstream G650 flight-test aircraft took to the skies on Monday, flying for 2 hours and 46 minutes. All five aircraft that are part of the flight-test campaign have now entered the program. Serial Number (S/N) 6005 launched from the Savannah, Hilton Head International Airport at 12:07 p.m. local time with experimental test  Read More

Airbus A330 MRTT Performs ?Wet Contacts? With Two F-18 Fighters

January 27, 2011 - The Airbus Military A330 MRTT has successfully passed fuel to receiver aircraft using the Fuselage Refueling Unit (FRU) for the first time ? meaning that all of the aircraft?s refueling systems have now been demonstrated. In a three hour 10 min sortie from Getafe near Madrid on 21st January, the Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) variant for the UK Royal Air  Read More

Canada?s DATS Receives AMO Certification On The SAAB 340 Aircraft

January 27, 2011 - Discovery Air Technical Services (DATS), a Discovery Air company, announced it has received its Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) Certificate from Transport Canada for the SAAB 340 aircraft. DATS is also announced that it has signed maintenance agreements for multiple aircraft with Sky Bahamas, a Caribbean operator based  Read More

Horizon Air Retiring Its Public Brand, Adopting Alaska Airlines' Eskimo

January 26, 2011 - Horizon Air announced on Tuesday it is retiring its public brand and will adopt the trademark Eskimo of its sister company, Alaska Airlines, on its fleet. The change follows a shift made earlier this year to a new business model that aligns more closely with the rest of the regional airline industry. Horizon Air is a regional low-cost airline based in SeaTac,  Read More

Allegiant Air Flight Attendants Vote Yes Dispatchers No To Unionizing

January 26, 2011 - Allegiant Airlines has received on Tuesday notification from the National Mediation Board (NMB) that the Transport Workers Union (TWU) failed to obtain the support of a majority of employees voting in the dispatcher election and thus, Allegiant's dispatchers will remain non-union. This is the first time Allegiant dispatchers have voted on union  Read More

Cessna Hits Stride With Skycatcher Light Sport Aircraft Deliveries

January 26, 2011 - Cessna Aircraft has reported at the annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, that it has received more than 60 Skycatcher light sport aircraft from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. In conjunction with its reassembly site at Yingling Aviation in Wichita, Kansa, Cessna has delivered more than 30 Skycatchers. ?Our U.S. reassembly facility is receiving Skycatchers from  Read More

Eurofighter Typhoon Achieves 100,000 Flying Hours

January 26, 2011 - Typhoon, the leading edge swing-role combat aircraft continues to protect the UK airspace around the clock. Across the world the six Air Forces who operate Typhoon have passed the significant milestone of 100,000 flying hours. The 100,000th hour was achieved in collaboration with the Nations? Air Forces in the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a combined fleet  Read More

FAA Warns Pilots Of Part 23 Aircraft Stall Warning Indicators In Icing Conditions

January 25, 2011-  The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin to inform pilots of normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category (part 23) airplanes certificated before 2000 of the potential hazards associated with stall warning characteristics in icing conditions. Part 23 contains airworthiness standards for airplanes in the normal, utility, aerobatic, and commuter   Read More

Boeing Begins Flight Testing UK Chinook MK4 Helicopter

January 25, 2011-  Boeing and its Boeing Defense UK subsidiary on Monday announced that the Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support team has begun flight testing the first Chinook Mk4 helicopter for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first flight took place on December 9 in Hampshire, England. "Project JULIUS, as the Mk4 program is known, will modernize the current Royal Air   Read More

Dispute Could Cost Aer Lingus Airlines Over $500,000 A Day

January 25, 2011 - The Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union (IMPACT) on Monday called on Aer Lingus management to come clean about how much it is spending on unnecessarily hiring aircraft and crews while it sends willing cabin crew home and leaves its own expensive assets lying idle. IMPACT is a trade union in the Republic of Ireland. It primarily organizes workers in education, health, local government and the civil  Read More

Improving Canada?s Air Transport Competitiveness

January 25, 2011-  On Thursday the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on the Canadian government to improve its global competitiveness in air transport, travel and tourism by working with industry to address issues of taxation and regulation, security and the environment. ?Air transport is key to Canada?s economy.  Canada is a great place to visit and to do business, but the country is losing its competitive edge.  Canada needs  Read More

FAA Dedicates New Airport Traffic Control Tower For LaGuardia Airport NY

January 24, 2011 - The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday dedicated a new airport traffic control tower for LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York that will replace the one that has served the airport since 1964. In 2010, air traffic controllers at LGA handled nearly 400,000 takeoffs and landings. "LaGuardia Airport plays an important role in our country's aviation  Read More

MiG-29 Fighter Soars Over The Pacific Northwest

January 24, 2011 - A former Ukranian MiG-29 fighter has become the second privately owned MiG-29 to fly, taking to the air over Washington six years after it left Eastern Europe. Capable of speeds of Mach 2.2 and altitudes of nearly 60,000ft, the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29 ?Fulcrum? is a far cry from the 1927-57 vintage airplanes that Historic Flight Foundation specializes in restoring. However, the opportunity to work on something Read More

LAN Airlines And TAM Airlines To Form Merger

January 24, 2011 - LAN Airlines And Tam Airlines TAM announced the signing of the binding agreements between both companies and their respective controlling shareholders, in line with the memorandum of understanding (the ?MOU?) signed on August 13, 2010. These binding agreements, include an Implementation Agreement and an Exchange Offer Agreement  Read More

Mexico Federal Police Receive Delivery On UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters

January 24, 2011 - The Department of State has delivered three UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to the Government of Mexico?s Federal Police (FP). Designed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. the aircraft are the first of six advanced helicopters designed to support Mexico?s  Read More

Was Comcast Behind Keith Olbermann's Departure?

January 23, 2011 - So for the next two years Keith Olbermann will be off television ?clearing the way for the 2012 elections.? Although he is free to take a job on the Internet or the radio, Olbermann is not allowed to discuss the reason for his departure. What is Comcast hiding from its customers? Why would they not want to be truthful with their viewers? It has been said   Read More

Families Of United Flight 93 Visit Somerset Where Plane Crashed On Sept. 11

January 23, 2011 - The Families of Flight 93 ? a group of family members of the passengers and crew who perished on United Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001 -- visited Northrop Grumman Corporation to tour Somerset (LPD 25), the ninth ship in the LPD 17 series of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships being built by the company. Somerset is Read More

Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty Lasering Flight On Approach To Green Airport

January 23, 2011 - Joseph Aquino, 31, Warwick, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on Friday to a federal charge of willfully interfering with the safe operation of an airborne commercial aircraft and endangering the safety of the 23 passengers and three crew members onboard. Aquino illuminated the cockpit of an incoming flight on final approach to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick with a laser  Read More

Mesa Air Receives Court Approval On Reorganization Plan

January 23, 2011 - The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved Mesa Air Group?s Plan of Reorganization, clearing the way for the airline?s emergence from Chapter 11. ?This is an exciting day for everyone at Mesa,? said Jonathan Ornstein, Mesa?s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mesa Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline based in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a FAA Part 121  Read More

Boeing To Layoff 1,100 Employees In Its C-17 Aircraft Production Plants

January 21, 2011 - As part of a transition announced last year, Boeing confirmed it will deliver 13 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters in 2011 as the company moves to a new production rate of 10 C-17s per year. Boeing will reduce the production program's work force by approximately 1,100 jobs through the end of 2012. The company delivered 14 C-17s in 2010. The  Read More

FAA Mandates CRM Training For 135 Operations

January 21, 2011 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finalized a rule that requires non-scheduled charter airlines and air taxis to train pilots and flight attendants in Crew Resource Management (CRM), a well-established concept that helps reduce human error in commercial aviation by teaching pilots, flight attendants and other aviation  Read More

PBS Frontline, ARSA Stands Up For Aircraft Contract Maintenance

January 20, 2011 ? ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod defended the aviation maintenance industry on the PBS Television series Frontline in a report entitled ?Flying Cheaper? that aired on January 18. MacLeod sat down with Frontline correspondent Miles O?Brien last November for a wide-ranging interview about   Read More

FAA, Laser Strikes On Airplane Cockpits Reach Record Numbers In 2010

January 20, 2011 - The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that the number of laser strikes on airplanes in 2010 nearly doubled from the previous year to more than 2,800. This is the highest number of incidents since we first began keeping track in 2005. Pointing a laser at an airplane is not a harmless prank, it is a technological assault on the pilot and a serious safety risk to passengers. Yet  Read More

KLM Flight Academy Selects APS Upset Recovery Training

January 20, 2011 - The KLM Flight Academy Selects APS Emergency Maneuver Training in Arizona to Provide Mandatory Upset Recovery Training Services to All their Airline Transport Pilot Program Students. A Report Issued by Boeing in July 2010 Identifies Loss of Control in-Flight (LOC-I) as the Cause of the Most Crash-Related Fatalities in Commercial Aviation Worldwide over the Past 10 Years. Effectively Delivered  Read More

Sean Tucker To MC The 8th Annual 'Living Legends of Aviation'

January 19, 2011 - Considered the most prestigious and important recognition event of aviation, it?s an intimate, memorable, and historic evening of entertainment. The 8th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards, presented by Learjet, will be held on January 21st at the Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA. The 8th Annual 'Living Read More

Rockwell Collins To Open Support Center In China

January 19, 2011 - As China?s commercial aviation industry continues to transform into a larger player in the global marketplace, Rockwell Collins, a pioneer in communication and aviation electronics solutions with a presence in China that dates back nearly 30 years, has further expanded its offerings in the region with the opening  Read More

Boeing Sets 787 First Delivery For Third Quarter 2011

January 19, 2011 - Boeing announced on Tuesday that it expects delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner in the third quarter of this year. The new delivery date reflects the impact of an in-flight incident during testing last November and includes the time required to produce, install and test updated software and new electrical power distribution panels in the flight test and production airplanes. During approach to Laredo,  Read More

US Airways Pilots Held Protest Rally Over Pace Of Contract Talks

January 19, 2011 - The US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), representing the pilots of US Airways, picketed on Tuesday at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport to bring attention to what it sees as US Airways? deliberate efforts to drag out contract negotiations and keep concessionary labor contracts in place long past their intended duration. Since September 11, 2001, US Airways has twice filed for bankruptcy.  Read More

Sikorsky Unveils Virtual Reality CH-53K Helicopter

January 18, 2011 - Sikorsky Aircraft unveiled a state-of-the-art virtual reality center for the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter program, an innovative tool to help identify gaps in a three-dimensional digital environment prior to experimental assembly. Through this advanced design tool, the program expects to realize cost savings and greater efficiency that can minimize   Read More

Airbus Hits Record Aircraft Deliveries In 2010

January 18, 2011 - Airbus has increased its production output for the ninth year in a row and achieved a new company record of 510 (2009: 498) commercial aircraft deliveries to 94 customers (of which 19 were new). Deliveries included 401 A320 Family aircraft, 91 A330/A340s and 18 A380s. In its military division, Airbus delivered 20 light and medium military and transport aircraft (CN235 and C295), exceeding the  Read More

Air National Guard To Test Anti-Missile System On KC-135

January 18, 2011 - Northrop Grumman and the Air National Guard have initiated modifications to a KC-135 air refueling aircraft in preparation for the Operational Utility Evaluation of the company's Guardian anti-missile system. The Guardian system incorporates the company's proven AN/AAQ-24(V) infrared countermeasures defensive aid system in a pod-based configuration. The AN/AAQ-24 is currently installed on over 500 fixed  Read More

Seaplane Operators Unite To Build Harbor Hub In Vancouver

January 18, 2011 - Vancouver's commercial seaplane operators are applying to Port Metro Vancouver to construct a new multi-modal passenger terminal in Vancouver Harbor to serve seaplanes, helicopters and any future passenger ferries. The application is being spearheaded by the Vancouver Commercial Seaplane Operators' Association (VCSOA) representing eight seaplane companies who together  Read More

Smoke And Fumes In The Cockpit Continues To Be A Problem

January 17, 2011 - Unfortunately, with all the safeguards built into modern aircraft and the operational requirements placed on the air carriers to maintain the aircraft in accordance with the instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), and the operators continuous airworthiness maintenance programs (CAMP), smoke and or fumes in the cabin and cockpits  Read More

2010 Tied For Warmest Year On Record

January 17, 2011 - Global surface temperatures in 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest on record, according to an analysis released by researchers at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York. The two years differed by less than 0.018 degrees Fahrenheit. The difference is smaller than the uncertainty in comparing the temperatures of recent years, putting them into a statistical tie. In the new analysis, the next  Read More

Groen Brothers Aviation To Manufacture Gyroplane In China

January 17, 2011 - Groen Brothers Aviation, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Groen Brothers Aviation International, formed to participate in the joint venture, has entered into an agreement with Guangzhou Suntrans Aviation Science and Technology Co., ("Suntrans") to form a Cooperative Joint Venture ("CJV"). The CJV will be named Foshan Suntrans-Groen Aviation Co., Ltd. ("FSG Aviation"). The CJV will be a limited liability company formed under the laws  Read More

Court Sanctions Retirement Of 8 PAL Flight Pursers

January 17, 2011 - Eight (8) flight pursers of Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be retired by the airline management effective January 16, 2011 after a Makati court removed all legal obstacles for their separation from service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 55. A flight purser is someone that usually oversees the flight attendants. Like a supervisor. The flight purser is very much like a flight attendant, that is insuring and assisting passengers are  Read More

Eurocopter Expands Operations In South East Asia

January 16, 2011 - Eurocopter South East Asia (ESEA) unveiled its new 8,200-square meter Singapore facility, which is a key element for the growth strategy of this Eurocopter regional affiliate in the dynamic South East Asia helicopter marketplace. Located in Singapore?s redeveloped Seletar Aerospace Park, this facility provides a 25 percent increase in office space   Read More

Airline And Hospital Sponsor Colorado Ski Trip For Amputee Children

January 16, 2011 - A special group of Texas teenagers will soon hit the ski slopes in Winter Park, Colo., for a week, as American Airlines and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children team up once again for the 30th annual ski trip. This year, 14 teens with amputations will participate in the all-expenses-paid ski trip, including a ski program designed just for them.  Read More

Flight Attendant Fashions New "Style In The Aisle" Exhibit Opens

January 15, 2011 - The Museum's acclaimed Style in the Aisle temporary exhibit returns with exciting new flair. Style in the Aisle reveals the professional world of flight attendants and the popular cultures that influenced the job and its fashions. Created by The Museum of Flight, this delightful display of airline memorabilia and vintage uniforms spans from the nurse togs of the 1930s to the fab fashions inspired in the 1960s and 1970s.  Read More

STAT MedEvac Of PA Purchases Five Eurocopters To Upgrade Fleet

January 15, 2011 - STAT MedEvac orders five more twin-engine helicopters, the order consist of three EC135 helicopters and two EC145 helicopters and is part of an ongoing strategy at STAT to continually upgrade its fleet with the latest aircraft and the newest technology. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2012. STAT MedEvac has been a Eurocopter customer since 1984 and it became the first air medical Read More

Stanford And IATA To Offer Distance Learning Aviation Program

January 14, 2011 - The Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD) at Stanford University and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Thursday signed an agreement to develop and deliver a distance learning aviation management program. This one of a kind offering will combine  Read More

Women In Aviation Announce Pioneer Hall Of Fame Inductees For 2011

January 14, 2011 - Women in Aviation, International has announced the new members of its Pioneer Hall of Fame. These women will be inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame during WAI's 22nd Annual International Conference which will be held on February 24-26, 2011, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The  Read More

AAMS Responds To FAA Air Ambulance Safety NPRM

January 14, 2011 - The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) has officially filed its comments with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in response to the FAA?s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), ?Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations, Part 91 Helicopter Operations, and Part 135 Aircraft Operations; Safety Initiatives and Miscellaneous Amendments.? Summary of  Read More

Employee Sentenced Attempting To Corrupt TSA Computer Database

January 14, 2011 - Douglas James Duchak, age 47, formerly of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced by U.S. Circuit Court Judge David M. Ebel to serve 24 months in federal prison for attempting intentionally to damage a protected computer while he was employed by a private company that held a government contract. Duchak was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison  Read More

American Airlines Flight 2253 Runway Overrun Update

January 13, 2011 - In its continuing investigation of the runway overrun of a jetliner in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the National Transportation Safety Board has developed the following factual information. At about 11:38 am MT on Wednesday, December 29, American Airlines flight 2253, a B-757-200 (N668AA) inbound from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, ran off the   Read More

NTSB Adopts Airbag Study For General Aviation Aircraft

January 13, 2011 - The National Transportation Safety Board adopted a study that concluded that general aviation (GA) airplanes equipped with airbags provide additional protection to occupants in accidents involving survivable forward impacts. Airbags are designed to mitigate head and upper body injuries and are installed in the lap belt or shoulder harness portions  Read More

Southwest Pilots Begin Flying RNP Efficient Procedures At 11 Airports

January 13, 2011 - Now ready for departure, Southwest Airlines' Pilots begin Required Navigation Performance (RNP) efficient flight procedures at 11 airports nationwide. This major milestone is to reduce environmental impact with a more efficient operation and to assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on NextGen initiatives. It is the culmination of a four-year project with partners Boeing, GE, and Honeywell.  Read More

Gulfstream G650 Marks Aviation History With Flight Control System

January 13, 2011 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. test pilots and flight-test  engineers recently made business-aviation history when they flew the Gulfstream G650 flight-test aircraft for the first time using only an electrically powered, fly-by-wire backup flight-control actuation system Gulfstream?s Serial Number (S/N) 6001 flew for a total of 3 hours and 33 minutes on Dec. 21, 2010. Test pilots Jake Howard and Gary Freeman   Read More

The Importance Of Properly Inflated Aircraft Tires

January 12, 2011 - The FAA sent out a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) to stresses the importance of ensuring aircraft tires are properly inflated and that there are potential consequences of improper tire pressure which can have on the performance of aircraft operations during Taxi, Takeoff and Landing. The probable causes of numerous accidents have highlighted  Read More

Vought Aircraft Machinists Awarded Million In Back Pay

January 12, 2011 - An arbitrator recently ruled that members of Local 735 in Nashville, TN, were not properly compensated by their employer Vought Aircraft, and awarded them more than $1 million in back vacation pay. In September 2008, after months of negotiations for a new contract, Local 735 members rejected Vought?s final proposal and voted to strike. The strike lasted  Read More

Boeing Begins Final Assembly Of The One Thousand B-767

January 12, 2011 - Final assembly started on Monday on the 1,000th Boeing 767 airplane. Workers marked the milestone with a celebration at the Everett, Washington factory. Final assembly is the last step of the production process before the airplane rolls out of the factory on its way to the paint hangar and the Everett Delivery Center for ground and flight tests. "This milestone is a credit to every employee who had a  Read More

Miami Dade Police Receive Third AS350B3 Eurocopter

January 12, 2011 - American Eurocopter delivered another AS350 B3 helicopter to the Miami-Dade Police Department?s (MDPD) Aviation Unit. This is the third of four AS350 B3?s that have been ordered by the agency. The first AS350 B3 was delivered in 2008, and the MDPD will receive their fourth AS350 B3 later this year. The AS350 B3 is a powerful and reliable aircraft that has become the platform of choice for Law  Read More

ATI Airlines Elects New President

January 11, 2011 - Air Transport Services Group, announced Jim Hobson is retiring after more than 12 years at Air Transport International and that Cynthia Treadwell-McConnell has been elected as president of Air Transport International, a cargo airline subsidiary of ATSG. Air Transport International is an airline based in Little Rock, Arkansas. It operates worldwide cargo and combi charters for the express   Read More

DOT Provides Guidance To Airlines On Code Share Disclosure Requirements

January 11, 2011 - Department of Transportation?s (DOT) Aviation Enforcement Office on Monday provided guidance to airlines and ticket agents about the requirement for notifying passengers if a flight they are selling is being operated under a code-sharing arrangement. A recent amendment to section 41712, which has for some  Read More

Evergreen Airlines Pilots Authorize Union To Call Strike

January 11, 2011 - The crewmembers of Evergreen International Airlines, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int?l (ALPA), resoundingly support conducting a lawful strike if an agreement is not reached with their management. Evergreen International Airlines is a cargo airline based in McMinnville, Oregon, USA. It operates contract freight services, offering charters and scheduled flights, as well as wet lease services.  Read More

Risk Expert To Provide Keynote At Aviation Safety Conference

January 11, 2011 - A world renowned expert on reducing human error in aircraft operations will be a keynote speaker at a major aviation safety conference in Vancouver. Organizers of the 2011 CHC Safety & Quality Summit organizers are pleased to announce that Dr. Tony Kern, CEO of Convergent Performance, will be a keynote speaker at this year's event, March 28 ? 30, 2011. Kern, a former pilot  Read More

Utah Highway Patrol Completes Training In Eurocopter?s AS350 Simulator

January 10, 2011 - Grand Prairie, Texas - American Eurocopter announced that pilots from the Utah Highway Patrol Aero Bureau have completed the inaugural training course conducted in the company?s new AS350 Flight and Mission Simulator. The Aero Bureau is the first customer to utilize the new simulator in support of their training efforts. The AS350 Flight and  Read More

UPS Airlines? President Bob Lekites Retiring After 36 Years Of Service

January 10, 2010 - UPS announced that Robert L. "Bob" Lekites, president of UPS Airlines, is retiring after 36 years of service at the global logistics company. Mitch Nichols, vice president of UPS Air Group operations, has been named to replace Lekites. As president of UPS Airlines, Lekites had responsibility for all aspects of the company's airline operations as well as  Read More

Mesaba Airlines Fined For Failing To Provide Wheelchair Services

January 8, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) assessed a civil penalty against Mesaba Aviation for violating 14 CFR Part 382 (Part 382) rules which protect air travelers with disabilities. The carrier was assessed a civil penalty of $125,000. Mesaba Airlines is an American regional airline based in Eagan,  Read More

Passengers Overpowers Hijacker On Turkish Airlines Flight TK1754

January 8, 2011 - On Wednesday the national flag airline carrier of Turkey, Turkish Airlines, Flight TK1754 departed Oslo Garedermoen Airport, Oslo, Norway in a Airbus A320 at 3:50 PM local time. The aircraft climbed to its cruising altitude without incident for Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, Turkey. As the pilot began to  Read More

Royal Australian Air Force Receives Four Boeing Super Hornets

January 7, 2010 - Boeing delivered four new F/A-18F Super Hornets to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley in December, expanding the RAAF's fleet of the advanced multirole fighters to 15. The delivery enabled the RAAF's achievement of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) with its first Super Hornet squadron, the Amberley-based No. 1. Boeing has delivered all 15 Super  Read More

Eurocopter Modernize 36 AS350 Ecureuil Helicopters

January 7, 2011 - The Helic?pteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary of Eurocopter signed a contract for a major upgrade program on the Brazilian Army?s fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils. This modernization includes the rebuilding of three of these aircraft. This activity, involving AS350s operated by the Brazilian Army Aviation Command (Comando de Avia??o do  Read More

American Airlines And The Online Travel Agency Debate

January 6, 2010 - American Airlines and the online travel agencies want the American people to be a part of this big debate between American Airlines, Orbitz, Expedia and now Sabre Travel. None of these companies appear to be open and honest with the American people as to what the real issues are and how this will impact travelers. They toy with the American people with press  Read More

Sen. Stevens Plane Crash, NTSB Issues ELT Recommendations

January 6, 2011 - The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday issued two safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration requiring a detailed inspection of all emergency locator transmitters (ELT) installed on general aviation aircraft to ensure that their mountings maintain their retention capabilities during an accident sequence. An  Read More

Canada Approves G450 And G350 To Operate At 45,000 Feet

January 6, 2011 - Gulfstream Aerospace recently received approval from Transport Canada for the company?s large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 and G350 aircraft to operate at their maximum cruise altitude of 45,000 feet. Transport Canada normally restricts flight to 41,000 feet or below, unless special conditions have been met to ensure against rapid depressurization of  Read More

ARSA Sets Record Straight For Future Of Aviation Advisory Committee

January 6, 2011 - The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) submitted comments for consideration by the Department of Transportation?s Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC). ARSA?s submission was in response to misstatements about contract maintenance made during the Labor and World-class Workforce Subcommittee?s  Read More

Pan American Flight 281 Hijacker Sentenced

January 5, 2011 - Luis Armando Pe?a Soltren was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years in prison for his participation in the November 24, 1968, hijacking of Puerto Rico bound Pan American flight 281 to Havana, Cuba. After almost 41 years as a fugitive, Pe?a Soltren, 67, a U.S. citizen, voluntarily returned to the United States in October 2009 and surrendered to federal authorities. Pe?a Soltren pled guilty in March before U.S. Read More

Northrop Completes Second Flight Test Phase Of The MR-TCDL

January 5, 2011 - Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed the second flight test phase of the Multi-Role Tactical Common Data Link (MR-TCDL) system, which provides real-time networking connectivity to warfighters and commanders by enabling extremely fast exchange of data via ground, airborne and satellite networks. This  Read More

Relief Flight With Medical Supplies Headed To Pakistan?s Flood Victims

January 5, 2011 - Boeing again has partnered with Qatar Airways and the non-profit global health and disaster relief organization AmeriCares to deliver a second consignment of relief supplies to areas in Pakistan that are still recovering from the massive floods that ravaged the country in August. The first shipment was delivered in September 2010. The 2010 Pakistan floods began in July 2010 following heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan  Read More

SkyWest Purchases Four CRJ700 NextGen Regional Jets

January 5, 2011 - Bombardier Aerospace announced that SkyWest Airlines has placed a firm order for four CRJ700 NextGen airliners. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest Airlines under the Delta Connection banner in a dual-class configuration with 65 seats. Based on the list price of the CRJ700 NextGen airliner, the contract is valued at approximately $148 million US. SkyWest Airlines, Inc. is a North American regional airline headquartered in St. George,  Read More

FAA Light-Sport Aircraft Safety Seminar-2011

January 4, 2011 - Welcome to a new year and in celebration, FAA Production Studios based on the Sun 'n Fun campus at Lakeland Linder airport has a talented lineup of speakers for its annual Light-Sport Aircraft Seminar on January 8th. The FAA Production Studios at Sun 'n Fun has become a well-known fixture at the popular spring airshow. Throughout the year the FAA  Read More

FAA Approves ToughWriter Flight Deck Printer On The Boeing 767 Aircraft

January 4, 2011 - The Test & Measurement Product Group of Astro-Med, Inc. has announced the award of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to retrofit its ToughWriter 4 Flight Deck Printer into Boeing 767-200, -300 and -300F Series aircraft. The required modifications and approval flights  Read More

World Fuel Services Completes Acquisition Of The Hiller Group

January 4, 2011 - World Fuel Services Corporation announced on Monday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, World Fuel Services, Inc., has completed the previously announced acquisition of The Hiller Group, Inc. and certain affiliates ("Hiller"), a leading U.S. general aviation fuel distribution business. "The Hiller acquisition further   Read More

The Association Of Flight Attendants Has New Leadership

January 4, 2011 - Veda Shook took office as Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) International President on January 1, while Sara Nelson took over as International Vice President, and Kevin Creighan entered his second full term as International Secretary-Treasurer. ?We have a clear vision for our future,? said  Read More

Sex Flights Gets Grounded By The Civil Aviation Authority

January 3, 2011 - United Kingdom's aviation regulator body the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has refused to recertify Mile High Flights, an air charter company located in Gloucestershire, a county in South West England for allowing its passengers to have sex while in-flight. The Mile High Club (or MHC) is a slang term  Read More

International Passengers Are Entitled To Compensation For Tarmac Delays

January 3, 2011 - International airline passengers, under the Montreal Convention of 1999 ratified by the U.S. in 2003 (and which replaced the Warsaw Convention), now have legal rights that are in some ways superior to the rights of passengers on U.S. domestic flights. International air travel covered by this treaty includes  Read More

Honda Achieves First Flight Of FAA Conforming HondaJet

January 3, 2011 - Honda Aircraft Company announced that it has successfully completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming HondaJet advanced light business jet. The event is a significant step in Honda's aerospace program leading to delivery of aircraft in 2012. The first conforming HondaJet lifted off, December 20, 2010, at 15:31 EST from Honda Aircraft Company's world  Read More

NTSB To Review Emergency Certificate Actions Regulations

January 3, 2011 - The NTSB has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking comments from the public regarding amendments to its procedural rules dealing with review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate actions and its rules concerning applications for fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The NTSB listed three  Read More

Russian Jet Burst Into A Ball Of Fire Just Before Takeoff

January 2, 2011 - Russian emergency ministry officials have reported that three people have died and 43 have been injured when a Russian passenger jet, Tupolev Tu-154, operated by Kogalymavia Airlines, bound for Moscow exploded on Saturday after an engine caught fire while the aircraft was taxiing for take off at Surgut Airport in Siberia. Soviet  Read More

Flight Design Seeking New Representatives To Better Serve Customers

January 2, 2011 ? Light-Sport Aircraft market leader Flight Design is pursuing additional professional organizations as representatives as the country slowly emerges from two years of deep recession. Building on dealers added during the downturn, the new initiative includes both aircraft sales outlets and service centers for the entire United States and aims to  Read More

NTSB Update On Jackson Hole B-757 Runway Overrun Incident

January 1, 2011 - In its continuing investigation of the runway overrun of a jetliner in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the National Transportation Safety Board has developed the following factual information. At about 11:38 am MT on Wednesday, December 29, American Airlines Flight 2253, a B-757-200 (N668AA) inbound from   Read More

Wayne County Airport Saves Millions Trough Bond Refinancing

January 1, 2011 - Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), operator of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), has closed on an extensive refinancing program resulting in a present-value savings to the Authority of approximately $51.7 million. The refinancing, which represents the first time that WCAA has been in  Read More