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

NATA Issues Call To Action To Prevent Contract Tower Closings

As Many As 238 Towers May Close Due To Sequestration

In a message to its members, NATA urges those in the aviation industry to contact their members of Congress and the FAA concerning the proposed closure of contractor-operated control towers across the country.

Bell Helicopter Will Be In Army's JMR/FVL Competition

Plans To Propose A Third-Generation Tilt-Rotor For The Joint Multi-Role/Future Vertical Lift Program

While Bell's partner on the V-22 Osprey program has plans to work with another helicopter manufacturer in the Joint Multi-Role/Future Vertical Lift (JMR/FVL) program, the company plans to move forward with a proposal to the Army for a third-generation tilt-rotor design. That word came from Bell Helicopter president and CEO John Garrison speaking Monday at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas.

Rockwell Collins Disappointed, But Prepared For Sequestration

Jones: Impact A 'Major Setback For The Aerospace And Defense Industry'

Rockwell Collins says the company is disappointed but prepared for sequestration – the result of leadership in Washington being unable to work out a deal before the March 1 deadline.

Bell Helicopter Introduces 407GT Mission Capability Boost

Unveils Armed Version Of The 407GX At Heli-Expo

An armed version of Bell's 407GX helicopter was unveiled Tuesday at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, NV, The Bell 407GT is a commercially-qualified aircraft that incorporates the performance and reliability of the Bell 407 platform with the Garmin G1000H flight deck. The 407GX can be equipped with infrared cameras, light munitions and precision weapons systems, including laser-guided rockets and missiles.

AW189 Passes 50 Minute 'Run Dry' Test

New Safety Benchmark For Helicopter Gearboxes

AgustaWestland has successfully demonstrated a 50-minute loss of oil ... or “run dry” ... capability for the AW189 main gearbox to EASA. The AW189 will be the first helicopter ever to enter service with such a capability, which is 20-minutes more than any other currently certified helicopter.

CAE Customizes Helicopter Pilot Training Curricula For Offshore Operations

Subject Matter Experts Have Integrated SOPs, Checklists, Other Requirements For The Oil And Gas Markets

CAE says it has significantly enhanced pilot training for helicopter operators serving the oil and gas market, customizing aircraft training curricula for offshore operations. The announcement came Tuesday at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

Air China Commits To Buy 31 Boeing Airliners

Order Includes 20 Next-Gen 737-800s

Air China has agreed to buy two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals, one 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 20 Next-Generation 737-800s, according to a Boeing news release issued Monday. In addition, Air China Cargo, a subsidiary of Air China, has agreed to buy eight 777 Freighters. The airline plans to expand its capacity to meet growing demand in Asia-Pacific and China, the most dynamic market for commercial airplanes.

StandardAero Named Rolls-Royce AMRO On RR300 Engine

One Of Six Authorized Repair Maintenance And Overhaul Centers Planned

StandardAero has been selected by Rolls-Royce to become an Authorized Repair Maintenance and Overhaul Center (AMROC) in support of the RR300 engine, both at its Winnipeg (Helicopters headquarters) and Singapore locations. Currently, the two companies are working to finalize the agreement details.

IAOPA Urges EASA To Roll Back GA Regulatory Burdens

Pushing For A Redefinition Of 'Commercial' Aviation In Europe

IAOPA has responded to European moves towards a general aviation safety strategy with a series of suggestions aimed at improving EASA regulation of GA and reducing unnecessary burdens on the industry. The Association is continuing its push for a redefinition of ‘commercial’ aviation which moves away from the all-encompassing EASA notion that virtually anything where money changes hands is commercial – including cost-sharing by private pilots, business-related flights, and group ownership of aircraft.

Milestone Aviation Group Surpasses $1 Billion In Leased Helicopters

Helicopter Industry Appears To Embrace 100% Operating Lease Financing

Helicopter leasing company Milestone Aviation Group said Monday at HAI’s Heli-Expo its portfolio of leased helicopters has surpassed $1 billion. Milestone is the first company ever to achieve this landmark. Since the company’s launch in August 2010, Milestone has closed more than 75 helicopter leases with 21 world-class operators in 20 countries, establishing itself as the world’s number one provider of helicopter leasing solutions.

Era Training Center Giving Away AW139 Pilot Familiarization Course

Includes 60 Hours Of Ground School And 12 Hours Sim Time

Visitors to the Era Training Center booth at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, NV, will have an opportunity to register to win an AW139 pilot familiarization training course. The course includes sixty (60) hours of ground school and twelve (12) hours of flight simulator training device time; equivalent to the hours required for the AW139 initial pilot course, excluding the in-aircraft flight training.

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While Aviation World Praises 7000nm L-IV Flight... Insurance Co Cancels Policy

The Amazing Journey of N6ZQ Was Met With Acclaim... By All But 'Aerospace Insurance Managers'

ANN told you the amazing tale, just a few days ago, of a retired airline pilot who spent 8 years building a Lancair IV, specifically configured, to attempt and conquer a number of world records. Over the weekend, that amazing flyer, Bill Harrelson, flew over 38 hours from Guam to Jacksonville, FL and set what appears to be a pretty impressive record. Unfortunately, his insurance carrier doesn't seem to give a damn about what an enormous feat this was and has since canceled his policy... for both his beloved globe-girdling Lancair IV AND his also-well-traveled Lancair 320.

Aero-TV: Light Sport Fractional?-Aviation Access Project Tackles LSA ‘Ownership'

Another Fractional Concept Comes to Aviation... This Time, To The LSA Market

There have been a great number of interesting, even innovative, attempts to get pilots into airplanes... either as owners, renters, part-owners or the like. The latest wave of alternate ownership concepts all seem to revolve around some measure of "Fractional Ownership..." and the latest endeavor is clearly aimed at the entry level LSA market. Called the Aviation Access Project, the program claims to encompass five "components."

Sikorsky Announces Sale Of 30 Helicopters To Milestone Aviation Group

Another 26 Going To The Bristow Group

Sikorsky announced two major deals at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, NV Tuesday. The company inked agreements for 30 aircraft with Milestone Aviation Group, and 26 to be delivered to The Bristow Group.

AgustaWestland Unveils Revolutionary 'Project Zero'

Electric-Powered Tilt Rotor Technology Demonstrator Is Already Flying

AgustaWestland has unveiled its “Project Zero” tilt rotor technology demonstrator, giving an insight into what advanced rotorcraft of the future may look like. This, however, is no paper study. The technology demonstrator was designed and built in less than 6 months and has already secretly flown several times in 2011 and 2012, demonstrating AgustaWestland’s advanced rotorcraft technology.

Rolls-Royce Launches Latest M250 Engine Variant

Commercial, Military Helicopters Early Adopters For New Powerplant

Rolls-Royce has launched the latest variant of its M250 engine – the M250-C47E at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas this week. The company has secured a commercial launch commitment for one new and two current aircraft applications, with a customer announcement expected at Heli-Expo.

First New Citation Sovereign Rolls Out Of Cessna Assembly

One Of Six New Cessnas That Will Become Available This Year

The first production New Citation Sovereign rolled off Cessna's production line in the company's Wichita, KS, manufacturing facility Monday. The New Citation Sovereign is one of six new Cessna aircraft expected to hit the market this year.

Blue Angels Say They Will 'Wait Until The Last Minute' To Cancel Shows

April Appearances Already Scratched, Training Continues

The Navy's Blue Angels say they won't be cancelling the entire air show season just yet, but it looks like the team's April performances have already been scratched.

Bell Helicopter Introduces The 412EPI

Company Claims New Variant Boosts Performance And Reliability

An upgrade to one of the Bell Helicopter's best-known aircraft has been unveiled at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas ... the new Bell 412EPI. In rolling out the new variant, the company says the upgrade improves the Bell 412EP platform with the Bell BasiX Pro fully integrated glass flight deck, which provides critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and safety.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (03.06.13)

"The Navy will wait until the last possible moment before making cancellations beyond April. The Blue Angels are currently training so that if the decision to cancel the April shows is reversed, the team can continue to perform and inspire future generations of Sailors and Marines." Source: Statement on the Blue Angels' Facebook page.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (03.06.13): Rabbit

High-intensity flasher system installed at many large airports. The flashers consist of a series of brilliant blue-white bursts of light flashing in sequence along the approach lights, giving the effect of a ball of light traveling toward the runway.