GOP To Introduce Legislation To Kill Aviation Consumer Protection Rules

January 31, 2012 - Rep. Tom Graves announced he will introduce legislation to cancel a series of Department of Transportation (DOT) aviation consumer protection rules that include requiring airlines to show all costs at the time an airline ticket is purchased, providing baggage refunds, mandating that airlines cannot impose increases to a ticket once it has been purchased  Read More

FFDOA President Advocates For Armed Pilots In And Out Of The Cockpit

January 30, 2012 - Marcus Flagg, President of the Federal Flight Deck Officer Association (FFDOA), in a radio interview advocated that pilots that have been certified by the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program be able not only to carry a handgun in the cockpit but be allowed to carry their firearm concealed on their person to and   Read More

Rep. Hirono Introduces “Airline First Responder Workplace Fairness Act”

January 29, 2012 - On Wednesday, Rep. Mazie Hirono (D) of Hawaii Hirono introduced legislation the “Airline First Responder Workplace Fairness Act” that promotes fairness and safety to flight attendants. The bill, HR 3824, is to ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration addresses fatigue issues which could impair   Read More

Eurocopter Helicopter Sales Up By 12 Percent In 2011

January 28, 2012 - Eurocopter generated a record high annual turnover in 2011 as the company benefitted from long-term strategies of investing in innovation to keep its helicopter product line at the forefront, growing the international footprint, developing services businesses and optimizing internal operations. The deliveries  Read More

Frontier Airlines Names New CEO, President And Interim COO

January 28, 2012 - Frontier Airlines names key executive positions, David Siegel will join the Company as CEO, President, and interim Chief Operating Officer. In assuming these positions, Siegel will remain on the Republic Airways Board of Directors while stepping down as lead independent director. Siegel’s appointment is  Read More

NASA's J-2X Engine Kicks Off 2012 With Powerpack Testing

January 28, 2012 - A new series of tests on the engine that will help carry humans to deep space will begin next week at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in southern Mississippi. The tests on the J-2X engine bring NASA one step closer to the first human-rated liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen rocket engine to be developed in 40 years. Tests will focus on the  Read More

Cirrus Aircraft Offers Perspective Global Connect On 2012 Aircraft

January 27, 2012 -  New for 2012, all models of Cirrus Aircraft can now be equipped with Perspective Global Connect, an avionics enhancement that contributes to an already feature-rich cockpit. Perspective Global Connect provides access to the on-demand Iridium satellite network to obtain global communications  Read More

One Level Of Safety Needed In Flawed Flight Duty And Rest Regulations

January 26, 2012 - More than a dozen pilots from a number of ALPA pilot groups have been in Washington, D.C., working with Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Government Affairs staff aggressively lobbying members of Congress in support of “One Level of Safety” for cargo and passenger pilots. In just two weeks  Read More

NTSB Completes Study On Amateur Built Aircraft Accidents

January 25, 2012 - Throughout the 2011 calendar year, the National Transportation Safety Board has been conducting a study of Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft to evaluate the safety of this growing and innovative segment of general aviation. In addition to using the information gathered during its accident investigations, the NTSB   Read More

Groundbreaking For New Runway At Ft. Lauderdale International Airport

January 24, 2012 - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta helped break ground on Monday for a $791 million runway expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport which will create thousands of jobs. “This is one of the largest and most important airport construction projects in the country right  Read More

GE Reports $200 Billion In Jet Engine Backlog, Largest In Company History

January 23, 2012 - General Electric reported fourth quarter financial results and one number that jumped out was the staggering size of the company’s backlog, $200 billion in orders and commitments, the largest in GE history. What are some of the products in high demand? Start with GE Aviation. The world’s largest and most powerful commercial jet engine, GE90,  Read More

EU Aviation Safety Agency Calls For An Immediate Inspection Of The A380

January 22, 2012 - On Friday the European Aviation Safety Agency issued an airworthiness directive (AD) on the Airbus A380. The European Aviation Safety Agency is requiring owners and operators of Airbus A380 superjumbo jets after perform a detailed visual inspection of the wing rib feet" the metal brackets that connect the wing's ribs to its skin after Airbus found  Read More

Air Force Reinstates High-Altitude Rules Based On Human Performance Lab Data

January 22, 2012 - Airmen undergoing their fitness tests at high-altitude bases can breathe easier during fitness testing thanks to the efforts of Air Force Academy leaders and the Human Performance Laboratory. Changes to the Air Force Fitness testing program in 2010 didn't include an altitude adjustment, as the previous  Read More

Tuskegee Airman Laid To Rest At Arlington

January 22, 2012 - Family members, friends and fellow service members gathered on Friday to honor the life and contributions of an original Tuskegee Airmen. Retired Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, 90, a member of the 302nd Fighter Squadron during World War II, received full military honors including an F-16 Fighting Falcon flyover by 113th Wing, an Air National Guard unit of Washington, D.C. "The Tuskegee  Read More

FAA Breaks Ground For New Air Traffic Control Tower At A Fort Lauderdale Airport

January 19, 2012 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yesterday broke ground for a new $16.4 million, state-of-the-art airport traffic control tower at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The new tower, equipped with the latest radar, communications and weather technology, will enable air traffic controllers to Read More

ATR Shows Strong Growth For 2011 In The Regional Aircraft Market

January 19, 2012 – The Italian-French aircraft manufacturer ATR’s 2011 results attest to the structural changes in the regional transport market, making ATRs the new reference in this sector. ATRs represented more than 80% of regional airplane sales in 2011, confirming the domination of turboprop aircraft on regional routes. Their low fuel consumption, combined with comfort  Read More

Boeing's Wideband Global SATCON Satellite To Be Launch Later Today

January 19, 2012 - Boeing fourth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite the company delivered to the U.S. Air Force has successfully completed prelaunch testing and is ready for launch. WGS-4, the first spacecraft in the program's upgraded Block II series, is scheduled to launch today at 7:38 p.m. aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Read More

OSHA Orders Airtran Airways To Reinstate Pilot Under The Whistleblower Act

January 18, 2012 - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of Dallas, Texas-based Southwest Airlines Co., to reinstate a former pilot who was fired after reporting numerous mechanical concerns. The agency also has ordered that the pilot be paid more than $1 Read More

Airbus Sets Company Record In Aircraft Sales And Deliveries For 2011

January 17, 2012 - Airbus delivered 534 commercial aircraft to 88 customers (10 new) and booked 1,419 net orders in 2011, making it the most successful year in the company’s history, and the 10th in a row with a production increase. The 534 deliveries beat the previous record set in 2010 by 24 aircraft. Deliveries include a new record for 421 single aisle aircraft (401 in 2010)  Read More

Sikorsky Puts Together Supplier Team For S-97 Raider Helicopter Program

January 17, 2012 - Sikorsky Aircraft has selected 35 companies to join its team assembling two prototype S-97 RAIDER helicopters for evaluation by the U.S. military. Self-funded by Sikorsky and its team members, the RAIDER program will demonstrate the military applications of Sikorsky’s break-through X2 rotorcraft design, which proved its capability in 2010 to double the  Read More

Tuskegee Airman Honored During Ceremonial Brass Concert

January 17, 2012 - A member of the Tuskegee Airmen was honored during a concert by the United States Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass on Saturday at The First Academy Faith Hall. Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard R. Hall, Jr., a Winter Park native, was attending Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans when he was called to active duty in 1942 to serve with the Tuskegee Airmen. The  Read More

Court Denies Airlines Attempt To Stop Bank Loan Guarantees To Air India

January 15, 2012 - On Friday Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for Washington DC denied Airlines for America, formerly known as the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America injunction to block $3.4 billion loan guarantees to Air India to purchase 30 Boeing aircraft. This case was a collision of interests between domestic airlines, which seek to avoid  Read More

American Airlines Should Honor Flight Attendants Pension Obligations

January 15, 2012 - The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents more than 16,000 American Airlines flight attendants, called on American Airlines to honor its pension obligations to current employees. “We support the PBGC’s call to retain these   Read More

Boeing Achieves 737 Production Rate Increase

January 15, 2012 - Boeing has successfully achieved a production rate of 35 airplanes a month for the Next-Generation 737, with the delivery of the first airplane produced at the new rate to AWAS Aviation Services, Inc. Norwegian Air Shuttle will lease the airplane from AWAS. The 35th airplane to be built at the new rate is on schedule to roll out of the factory Read More

Black Pilots, The Tuskegee Airmen Shattered The Myth In The Movie “Red Tails”

January 13, 2012 - The George Lucas film, “Red Tails”, about Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen premieres Friday, January 20, 2012. The storyline follows the lives of the 332nd Fighter Group who were called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard played by Oscar nominee Terrence Howard. Howard’s character is loosely based  Read More

Killed Highway Patrol Helicopter Pilot Did Not Report His Medical Condition

January 13, 2012 - NTSB's investigation completed on Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter, Bell 206B JetRanger, N96MP, that crashed near Clarkson Valley, Missouri killing private pilot, Sgt. Joe Schuengel, 47, concluded the helicopter ran out of fuel.  Additional findings also indicate the pilot was on antidepressants and other   Read More

EU Air Traffic Levels Continue To Be Impacted By Global Economic Recession

January 13, 2012 - There were 522,959 flights in Irish controlled airspace in 2011, according to statistics published by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). This represents a 2% increase on the 513,236 flights recorded in 2010. However, more significantly, the 2011 performance is 13% below the number of flights in 2008, the  Read More

Learjet To Expand Wichita Site And Workforce

January 13, 2012 - Sam Brownback, Kansas Governor, and Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft, on Tuesday announced the details of the further expansion of Bombardier's Learjet site in Wichita. The growth of the site includes the expansion of the Bombardier Flight Test Center, the establishment of a Bombardier Center of Excellence of Engineering and Information Technology  Read More

Thousands Of U.S. Aerospace Jobs Threaten By Airline Industry Lawsuit

January 12, 2012 - A decision is expected soon on a lawsuit filed by an airline industry trade group that has the potential to cost thousands of U.S. aerospace jobs and cripple the work of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The Airlines for America (formerly Air Transport Association Inc.), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, on November 16, 2011, filed  Read More

Alaska Airlines Receives 2012 Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award

January 12, 2012 - Air Transport World magazine has named Alaska Airlines the 2012 winner of its coveted Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award for outstanding public and community service. ATW's airline achievement awards, which recognize outstanding performance, innovation and service in commercial aviation, are among the longest running and most prestigious  Read More

Lufthansa Airlines To Begin Transatlantic Biosynthetic Fuel Fights

January 12, 2012 - After a six-month practical trial involving biosynthetic fuel, Lufthansa is pleased to announce the first positive results. In all, 1,187 biofuel flights were operated between Hamburg and Frankfurt. According to initial calculations, CO2 emissions were reduced by 1,471 tons. Total consumption of the biokerosene mix amounted to 1,556 tons. “Our burnFAIR project went off smoothly and  Read More

Lockheed EC-121 Super Constellation "Connie” Flies Home To Yanks Air Museum

January 11, 2012 - A Cold War hero will take to the skies once again as the world’s only flyable Lockheed EC-121 Super Constellation "Connie” flies home to Yanks Air Museum for permanent display on Saturday, January 14, 2012. The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven aircraft powered by four 18-cylinder radial Read More

Spirit Aerosystems Delivers First A350 XWB Center Fuselage To Airbus

January 11, 2012 - Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. has successfully delivered its first composite center fuselage section for the Airbus A350 XWB program. The upper and forward lower shell (Section 15) composite fuselage panels were joined in Spirit's Saint-Nazaire, France, facility before being delivered to Airbus. Spirit is the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane Read More

UK CAA Warns If Consumer Aviation Policy Not Put In Place Passengers Will Suffer

January 11, 2012 - The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised the Government that without a credible, long-term Aviation Policy Framework that focuses on consumers, not airlines or airports, and allows capacity to develop sustainably, it is likely that prices will rise, route choice will drop and the UK economy will suffer. Andrew Haines, CAA Chief Executive, said: “Additional capacity  Read More

OAG Projects Air Passenger Fares May Rise Up To 5.2% As A Result Of EU’s ETS

January 10, 2012 - OAG, the global leader in aviation intelligence and a UBM Aviation brand, on Monday released the latest in its series of Aviation Market Reports. This new report explores the implications of the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme for the aviation industry. Airlines operating flights within Europe  Read More

NCCU Dean And Tuskegee Airman, Dr. Stewart B. Fulbright Dies At 91

January 10, 2012 - Dr. Stewart B. Fulbright, 92, a Tuskegee Airman during World War II who later became the first dean of the School of Business at North Carolina Central University, died in Durham on January 1. Born in Springfield, Mo., in 1919, Dr. Fulbright attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., graduating in 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in French. He remained at Lincoln as an instructor in French. In early 1943  Read More

ITT Exelis Forms Leadership Team To Build FAA’s NextGen Communications System

January 10, 2012 - ITT Exelis has announced its pursuit team for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Data Communications Integrated Services (DCIS) contract. DCIS is the second major step in building NextGen, the FAA’s comprehensive, long-term plan to modernize today’s radar-based air traffic control system with satellite-based surveillance and navigation and new ground technologies. It will allow planes to Read More

EU Aircraft Operators Call For Fair And Equitable Implementation Of EU ETS

January 9, 2012 – The European aviation business community renews its support for market-based measures on entry into the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), as part of a multi-prong approach to mitigating the rise of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. However the European Business Aviation Read More

Eurocopter's EC175 Exceeds Targets With A 30 Percent Increase In Performance

January 9, 2012 - In releasing EC175 enhanced performance specifications, Eurocopter announced a baseline payload/radius-of-action capacity with 16 passengers at 135 nautical miles when configured for offshore oil and gas missions, out-performing any medium-lift helicopter on the market in terms of competitiveness. This represents a 30 percent performance increase compared with the initial performance baseline. For longer  Read More

Balloon Accident Kills 11, One Of New Zealand’s Deadliest Air Accidents In History

January 8, 2012 - A Cameron A-210 hot air balloon operated by Early Morning Balloons carrying 11 people crashed into power lines and then caught fire killing all onboard on Saturday in a rural town of Clareville near the township of Carterton, New Zealand. This was New Zealand’s deadliest air crash in nearly 50 years. It appears that the pilot, Lance Hopping may have been caught in a downdraft that forced the balloon onto power lines. The pilot was able to Read More

Coast Guard, Bahamian Officials Locate Downed Aircraft And Its Crew

January 8, 2012 - Coast Guard crews, and partner agencies respond to a downed single engine Cirrus type aircraft with two people aboard in the waters approximately 2 miles west of Andros, Bahamas, Saturday. Richard McGlaughlin, 59, and Elaine McGlaughlin, 25, made a distress call over the radio stating their aircraft was going down  Read More

New Law Eases Airport Screening For Troops, Families

January 8, 2012 - President Barack Obama signed a bill into law to streamline airport screening procedures for service members and their families traveling on official orders. The Risk-based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act gives the Transportation Security Administration six months to develop and implement a plan to expedite screening services for  Read More

New Mexico And Its 'Air' Roots

January 8, 2012 - On Friday the state of New Mexico celebrated its centennial. Though the Air Force officially made its appearance in the Tularosa Basin in February 1942 with the construction of Alamogordo Army Airfield, the air power roots of America were established only 150 miles from Holloman four years after New Mexico's admittance into the union in 1912 as the 47th state. America's first deployment and operational use of military air power did Read More

Boeing Expects 2012 To Be "Year Of The 737 Max"

January 5, 2012 - Boeing booked 805 net commercial airplane orders in 2011, fueled by a late flurry of record-breaking deals. The company also delivered 477 airplanes, ending the year with a strong backlog of 3,771 unfilled commercial orders. "This past year was one of the most exciting and important years in Boeing's history  Read More

MSP International Airport’s Terminal 1-Lindbergh Turns 50

January 5, 2012 - Minneapolis, St. Paul (MSP) International Airport’s Terminal 1-Lindbergh celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, a monument to the sweeping changes that have altered aviation, the airport and world as a whole in the past five decades. “When the terminal opened in January 1962, the aviation industry was still highly regulated, commercial air fares  Read More

Boeing To Close Witchita Facility By The End Of 2013

January 5, 2012 - The Boeing Company announced that the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) facility in Wichita will close by the end of 2013. The Wichita facility currently employs more than 2,160 employees. "The decision to close our Wichita facility was difficult but ultimately was based on a thorough study of the current and future market environment and our ability to remain competitive  Read More