Aero-News Network: The aviation and aerospace world's daily/real-time news and information service

AeroNav Defends (Or Tries To) Decision To Charge For Digital Charts

Summary Of December 13th Meeting Released

A summary of the closed-to-the-media meeting between the FAA's digital chart provider AeroNav and representatives from dozens of companies who have built businesses based on the free use of those charts has been acquired by ANN. The tone of the meeting, at least from reading the summary, seems to be that charges for electronic chart data are coming, and companies can either be on board or find another line of business.

DOT IG Finds FAA Training Programs 'Lack Rigor'

Agency Should Be More Diligent In Identifying 'Poor Performing' Pilots

A report issued by the office of the DOT Inspector General on December 20 concludes that the FAA's oversight of air carrier training programs and pilot performance and proficiency programs "lacks the rigor needed to identify and track poor performing pilots and address potential program risks."

FedEx Pilots Join The Chorus On Pilot Fatigue Rule

Adds Their Voice To Those Saying Cargo Pilots Should Not Be Exempted

The FedEx Master Executive Council (MEC), the FedEx branch of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), issued a statement concerning the FAA's final regulations regarding airline pilot flight- and duty-time limitations and minimum rest requirements, calling the rule "a political failure."

U.S. Disappointed In EU ETS Court Decision

Officials Say They Have 'Strong Legal Objections'

A State Department official says that the U.S. Government is strongly opposed to the imposition of a European emissions cap-and-trade scheme on U.S. flagged airliners. The EU's highest court affirmed the Union's right to impose the fees in a decision handed down Wednesday.

ExpressJet Flight Attendants Vote To Approve Machinists Union

IAM Will Represent 2,160 FAs From The Regional Carrier

In an election prompted by the merger of ExpressJet Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) emerged as the clear winner in a contest to determine union representation rights for more than 2,160 flight attendants.

Kansas Aviation Museum Offers B-52 Flight Sim

Limited-Time Chance To Fly An Actual B-52G Simulator

The week after Christmas, the Kansas Aviation Museum will be host to the worlds only public access B-52G Simulator. The simulator replicates the experience of piloting the famous B-52 "Buff" with complete surround visuals and flight controls.

ANA Dreamliners To Serve Seattle

787s Will Fly Long-Haul Route From Japan

All Nippon Airways, Japan's largest airline and the launch customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, announced Wednesday that the first two US destinations it will serve with the new plane include Boeing's manufacturing home in Seattle, WA. The other is San Jose, CA. ANA says it will fly from Tokyo's Narita airport to both cities starting in fiscal 2012.

Decathlon Down During Aerobatic Recertification Flight

Military Flight Instructor Fatally Injured In Ohio Accident

A military flight instructor who had recently returned from duty with his National Guard unit in Iraq was fatally injured Thursday when the 2004 Decathlon he was flying went down in a harvested cornfield near Marysville, OH. Michael Scott Lakin, 42, was reportedly in the process of obtaining his aerobatic recertification when the accident occurred.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.24.11)

"(AeroNav) must comply with legislation and the High Performing Organization Plan to attain fully allowable cost recovery of compilation, database management and distribution of digital aeronautical products." Source: AeroNav planning manager Deborah Sullivan.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.24.11): Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS)

A system that provides current FAA weather and flight plan filing services to certified civil pilots, via personal computer, modem, or telephone access to the system.