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

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/5810 Issue Date: May 01, 2008 at 1630 UTC Location: 3 MI SW OF TORREON , New Mexico Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: ALBUQUERQUE (ZAB) Center, 505-856-4500

Two Lost In T-38C Downing At SPS

USAF Stands Down Trainers For Investigation

Two pilots were killed Thursday morning when their T-38C Talon training jet crashed at Sheppard Air Force Base, just north of Wichita Falls, TX.

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/5809 Issue Date: May 01, 2008 at 1623 UTC Location: WICHITA FALLS , Texas near WICHITA FALLS VORTAC (SPS) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: Temporary flight restrictions Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: FORT WORTH (ZFW) Center, 817-858-7503

'Mission Virgin Galactic' Launched To Inspire British Students

Winning Team Will Be Flown To US To Witness SS2 Launch

Earlier this week, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Aeronautical Society and Virgin Galactic joined to launch "Mission Virgin Galactic," billed as a truly innovative National Schools Competition.

Ouch! RAF Pilot Puts Eurofighter On Its Belly

Advanced Fighter Lands Gear-Up At China Lake

A Royal Air Force pilot will forever carry the dubious honor of making the first belly landing in a new state-of-art Eurofighter Typhoon.

US Strikes Known al-Qaida Target In Somalia

But Will Not Confirm Reports Top Terrorist Was Killed

A Pentagon spokesman confirms US Central Command conducted a strike against a known al-Qaida target in Somalia Wednesday... but officials would not confirm news reports that the strike killed Aden Hashi Ayro, the head of al-Qaida in Somalia, nor the means used in the strike.

AOPA, NBAA Reassert Need For Swift Action On FAA Modernization

Angel Flight Applauds Amendment To Extend Liability Protections

Even though further debate on the Senate's plan for FAA reauthorization is stalled temporarily, that doesn't mean everyone is standing still. At a news conference Thursday, the leaders of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined with Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Charles Grassley (R-IA) to appeal for the swift passage of S.1300, and thank the senators for their efforts.

Quest Aircraft Begins Flight Training Program

FITS Approved Program Provides Scenario-Based Training

Quest Aircraft tells ANN four pilots have completed the Initial Training Course for the Kodiak since the company received FAA/Industry Training Standard (FITS) approval for its program earlier this year. Quest designed its own training program after reviewing other approved programs and with input from experienced industry professionals.

Family Suspects Engine Problems In Fatal Oklahoma Accident

Turbine Legend Impacted Turnpike On Tuesday

The son of a pilot killed in Tuesday in the crash of a Turbine Legend experimental aircraft near Tulsa, OK says the plane was experiencing engine problems his father was attempting to fix.

Senate Stalls On Debate Of FAA Funding Bill

Take A Whiff... You Can Smell The Political Process...

Well, that didn't take very long. The Senate's bill to reauthorize funding for the FAA stalled in debate Wednesday, after lawmakers clashed on a proposal to more tightly regulate pension funding rules for airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines Settles With Mesa Over go! Pricing

Mesa Must Pay $52.5 Million, But Not Admit Wrongdoing

In an agreement marking the end of a contentious legal battle, on Wednesday Hawaiian Airlines announced it reached a settlement of its lawsuit with Mesa Air Group, Inc., regarding Mesa's misuse of confidential and proprietary information obtained during Hawaiian's Chapter 11 plan of reorganization in 2004.

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Thursday 05.01.08

Getting Pilots Into The Right Seat, With Kansas State University's Dr. Kurt Barnhart

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 05.01.08 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 05.01.08 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Getting Pilots Into The Right Seat At Mesaba: 05.01.08 (ANN Special Report, with Dr. Kurt Barnhart, professor and head of the Aviation D

Delta Pilots Start Voting On Merger-Friendly Contract

But New Deal Would Not Cover Northwest's 5,000 Pilots

Some 7,400 pilots at Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines started voting Thursday on a new contract that would give them pay raises, and an equity stake in a merged Delta/Northwest Airlines megacarrier... but the deal leaves pilots at Northwest out in the cold.

Liberty Aerospace Updates Aero-TV On The XL-2 Program

Are The Hard Times Behind Them?

To all appearances, things would seem to be looking up at Liberty Aerospace. With the recently announced availability of the Aspen EFIS system, and the announcement of a new advanced XL2 Vanguard Edition, Liberty hopes to be one of the survivors in an increasingly problematic GA market.

Neighborhood Group Opposes New SLE Helo School

Appeals To City For Concessions

McNary Field at Salem, OR is widely considered to be one of the more underutilized, towered fields in the region. It's been even quieter since the bankruptcy of Silver State Helicopters grounded the company's swarm of R22s in early February.

Airbus CEO Says A380 Production Schedule Under 'Major Review'

Reconsiders Goal Of 45 Deliveries Per Year By 2010

Airbus CEO Tom Enders revealed Tuesday that the company's challenges with the A380 superjumbo may not be over. The Associated Press reports Enders was on hand for the opening of an Airbus material and logistics center in Dubai when he announced a "major review" of the A380's delivery schedule is underway.

'Flying Vet' Detained After Landing Near Bush Ranch

Wife Denies Maurice Kirk Violated P-49

He's at it again. Authorities in central Texas are questioning British pilot Maurice Kirk, after the infamous "Flying Vet" landed his single-engine plane six miles from President Bush's ranch in Crawford last week. The Secret Service will probably want to have a few words with him, too.

Pratt & Whitney Selects Goodrich For Geared Turbofan Nacelles

Will Supply Systems For Mitsubishi Regional Jet, Bombardier's CSeries

This week, Pratt & Whitney selected Goodrich Corporation to be the exclusive provider of the complete nacelle systems for its new Geared Turbofan engine for both the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) and the Bombardier CSeries aircraft families. The award is expected to generate more than $5 billion in original equipment and aftermarket revenue for Goodrich during the 25-year period following entry into service.

Regulators To Brief Industry On Key Charter Issues

Session To Be Held At 2008 NATA Air Charter Summit

The National Air Transportation Association tells ANN that FAA officials directly responsible for the oversight of Part 135 on-demand air charter operators will provide an in-depth review of upcoming regulatory changes during a special session at the 2008 NATA Air Charter Summit.

Lindbergh Foundation's Online Auction Kicks Off

Bidding For 12 Items Runs Through May 15

The Lindbergh Foundation announced Wednesday that, in connection with its 31st annual Lindbergh Award Celebration in May, several one-of-a-kind items will be available for on-line bidding. Kelley Welf, Director of Communications for the Foundation, confirmed that online bidding for 12 unique items opened April 30 at the Foundation's website, and will close on May 15 at 1600 CDT.

Aussie BASE Jumpers Land In Arms Of The Law

One Lands In Front Of Police Car

The whole point of BASE-jumping at 0300 in the morning is to reduce the chances of getting caught performing an illegal parachute jump. Unfortunately for two jumpers in Australia, the whole point of nighttime police patrols is to catch people who feel emboldened to violate the law at 0300.

Cessna 400 Headlines Company's Participation At Athens Airshow

Newest Offering To Be Shown Alongside Caravan, Skylane

Cessna announced Wednesday it will bring its new Cessna 400 to headline its participation at ICARUS Aero Expo Athens 2008 in June during the 24th International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association world assembly.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.01.08)

Aero-Linx!

Although designed for modelers, this site is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in Japanese military aviation. Tons of photos, including museum pieces and crash sites, intel reports and research articles await the SERIOUS history buff.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.01.08): Back-Taxi

Aero-Terms!

A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the runway or at some point before reaching the runway end for the purpose of departure or to exit the runway.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.01.08)

"...It's not like other things at the airport. They're not here and gone. They circle, circle, circle. There were times I'd be lying in bed and the helicopter would come flying overhead every 15 minutes."

Source: Randy Lawrence, a neighbor of McNary Field in Salem, OR. McNary is widely considered to be one of the more underutilized, towered fields in the region. It's been even quieter since the bankruptcy of Silver State Helicopters grounded the company's swarm of R22s in early February... but NIMBYs voted April 22 to fight the resumption of helicopter training at the field.