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

Black Hawk Down In Northern Italy, Four Confirmed Lost

Helo Was On Training Mission

A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near the northern Italian city of Treviso on Thursday, killing at least four men and injuring six, according to the US Army.

NATCA Takes FAA To Task For 'Creative' Math

Says Agency Missed October Safety Goal By 36 Percent

Not so fast. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said Wednesday the number of serious incidents of aircraft getting too close in the air rose sharply last month, exceeding the Federal Aviation Administration’s goal for the month by 36 percent... despite the FAA's claims of a reduction in such incidents.

United CFO Says Escalating Fuel Prices Could Ground Aircraft

They Can Only Raise Fares So Much

In what may prove to be the first of many such announcements from major US airlines, an executive with United Airlines said Wednesday the carrier could be forced to ground up to 100 planes, if customer demand falls off due to soaring fuel prices.

Small Fire Ignites During Demolition Work At SLC-40

SpaceX Says No Personnel Injured, No Damage To Surrounding Property

While awaiting the arrival of shuttle Discovery back at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, some of the assembled media were also drawn to the sound of sirens in the vicinity of SpaceX's Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).

Model Airplanes In AZ Grounded By Lack Of Field

Tucson-Area Club Searching For New Base

An Arizona model airplane club fears it will soon have to disband, after 30 years, if it can't find a new field to fly their planes from.

GAMA Announces YTD Deliveries And Billings

Total Shipments Up, But Pistons Slip Yet Again

On Thursday, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the third quarter numbers for general aviation shipments and billings. Compared to this time last year, total shipments rose 1.7 percent to 2,909 units, while industry wide billings for new airplanes rose to $15.1 billion.

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Thursday 11.08.07

Catching Tiger (Aircraft) By The Tail: True Flight Aerospace CEO Kevin Lancaster

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 11.08.07 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 11.08.07 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Bringing The Tiger Back: 11.08.07 (ANN Special Report, with Kevin Lancaster, chief executive officer of True Flight Aerospace.)

EAA To Raffle Not One... But TWO Aircraft For 2008

SR20, Rotorway Kit Top List Of Sweepstakes Prizes

Straight wing or rotary? That's a question entrants in the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual sweepstakes may have to consider. For the first time, there are two new aircraft that top the list of prizes in the contest, which officially opened November 1 and ends August 3, 2008 -- the final day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

TX TFR: 11.11.07

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/3383 Issue Date: November 07, 2007 at 0137 UTC Location: Waco, Texas Beginning Date and Time: November 11, 2007 at 1910 UTC Ending Date and Time: November 11, 2007 at 2235 UTC Reason for NOTAM: Temporary flight restrictions for VIP (Very Important Person) Movement Type: VIP Replaced NOTAM(s): 7/3332: due to instruction changes within part b.

EASA, Transport Canada Officials Assert Q400s Are Safe

Say Latest Gear-Related Incident Not Due To A Design Flaw

A joint meeting between representatives of the European Aviation Safety Agency, Transport Canada, planemaker Bombardier and component manufacturer Goodrich determined Wednesday an October 27 incident involving a Scandinavian Airlines Dash 8 Q400 turboprop was not caused by a design flaw in the aircraft's right maingear assembly.

Qantas Closely Monitoring Dreamliner Progress

Says Six-Month Delay Is Acceptable, But Any Longer Poses A Problem

Once bitten, twice shy... but still optimistic. That's how Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon characterized the Australian airline's attitude towards Boeing's announcement of a six-month, production-related delay to its 787 Dreamliner program.

Delta's Bastian Calls Possible Merger A 'Front-Burner' Issue

New Supplier Will Produce Non-OEM Parts For Carrier

He's not saying if, and he's not saying when... but Ed Bastian, chief financial officer for Delta Air Lines, says the possibility the nation's third-largest airline might grow bigger by buying another carrier remains a "front-burner" issue.

Brazilian Airline Suspends Flights

BRA Needs Cash To Remain In Operation

This is the last thing the oft-beleaguered Brazilian airline industry needed. This week, BRA Transportes Aereos (BRA) announced it has suspended all flights -- a move the airline hopes will be temporary, as it seeks a massive infusion of operating capital.

Report: Over 15,000 Want Off TSA Watch List

"No-Fly" Appeals Often End With No Results

Earlier this week, ANN reported on the case of Robert Campbell... a former airline captain, who has been on the TSA's infamous "No Fly" list since 2005. Campbell has tried almost everything to get his name off the list, including appealing to lawmakers for resolution, with little result.

Deadline For WAI Scholarships Approaching

$355,000 In Scholarship Money Available

Women in Aviation, International's (WAI) annual scholarship opportunities total $355,000 for 2008, but to qualify, interested individuals must apply by December 1, 2007.

'We Looked Around, And Nobody Was There'

Obama Charter Lands At Wrong IA Airport

Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama is used to being greeted by crowds whereever he goes... which made his arrival Tuesday night in Des Moines, IA a bit disquieting.

Wait For Us! Germany Wants In On The Moon Game, Too

Lunar Skies May Soon Become Crowded

Sheesh... it seems EVERYONE wants to get to the moon nowadays.

USAF Thunderbirds Receive First Upgraded F-16

Eleven Fighters To Receive Block 52 Upgrades, Smoke Systems Instead Of Guns

Officials at Hill Air Force Base in Utah rolled out the first of 11 specially-configured F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.

Boeing To Spotlight Advanced Range Of Products, Services At Dubai 2007

High Hopes For Big Air Show

Boeing plans to spotlight a wide range of products and services at this year's Dubai Air Show, producing record sales across commercial and defense markets. The show runs from November 11-15.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (11.08.07): Displaced Threshold

Aero-Terms!

The beginning of the usable portion of a runway. Located at a point other than the designated beginning of a runway. Often, a threshold is displaced to accommodate obstructions at the approach end of the runway, such as trees, while leaving the displaced portion usable for takeoff.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (11.08.07)

"To leave individuals in this purgatory is un-American."

Source: New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who says she plans to introduce legislation soon to streamline the process required for a person to request their name be taken off the TSA's "No-Fly" list. Since February, over 15,000 people have asked the TSA to remove their names from the list... and the resulting gridlock has stymied efforts to accommodate those requests.