Hide/Show Archive Navigation.

All News

September 16, 2008

NTSB Urges Better Maintenance, Pilot Training For Parachute Jump Operators

Issues Probable Cause Report In July 2006 Twin Otter Downing

The National Transportation Safety Board released Tuesday its special investigation report identifying several recurring safety issues with parachute jump operations, and recommending improvements in aircraft maintenance and pilot training.

CTS800-4N Powers Sikorsky X2 Prototype; Slated For Use In Future Lynx Helo Fleet

The Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50/50 joint venture between Honeywell and Rolls-Royce, has achieved European Aviation Safety Agency Type Certification for the CTS800-4N engine that will power the UK’s Future Lynx helicopter fleet.

State Troopers Were Onboard Plane

We admit, this is the kind of story that appeals to our sense of schadenfreude... though as pilots, perhaps we may be forgiven for feeling some "shameful joy" upon hearing about a man who apparently 'tagged' the wrong low-flying aircraft with a handheld laser beam.

Fueling Probe Contract Worth Roughly $2 Million

Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced Monday a contract to supply the US Air Force with 13 aerial refueling assemblies for H-60 helicopters.

MAVEN To Head To Red Planet In Late 2013

NASA has selected a Mars robotic mission that will provide information about the Red Planet's atmosphere, climate history and potential habitability in greater detail than ever before.

As Airlines Fly Less, They're Employing Fewer People

The tide has finally turned. After reporting 17 consecutive months of increased employee ranks at the nation's airlines, the US Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced Tuesday scheduled passenger airlines employed 0.8 percent fewer workers in July 2008 than in July 2007.

Media Says Flaps To Blame In Spanair Accident

Investigators Warn Final Cause Has Not Been Determined

A number of Spanish newspapers reported Tuesday the Spanair plane that crashed on takeoff last month in Madrid did not have its flaps properly deployed... though officials have not released any official statements to that effect, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Protest Airline's Latest Effort To Bleed Customers Dry

Saying that United Airlines management is trying to treat its customers as ATMs, on Monday the carrier's pilots said they strongly oppose the airline's plan to double the fee it charges passengers for checking a second bag.

Some Flights Scrubbed Due To Ike

NASA for the first time last week used microgravity research flights aboard commercially-owned aircraft to test hardware and technologies. These flights, on an airplane operated by the Zero Gravity Corporation, simulated the weightless conditions of space.

Is There A Pilot Shortage? With AIR Inc.'s Kit Darby

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 09.16.08 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 09.16.08 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Is There A Pilot Shortage? 09.16.08 (ANN Special Report, with Kit Darby of Aviation Information Resources.)

Flights To Shift To New Gates Beginning At 0400 Local

After more than three years of planning, design and construction, the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) is set to open its new North Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) on Wednesday, September 17.

Carrier Doesn't Want Inefficient Planes... But Someone Might

AAR announced this week it has been selected by United Airlines to remarket and provide technical advisory services for United's fleet of wholly-owned Boeing 737 aircraft, which the company has previously announced will be retired from service.

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 09.16.08

Insurance giant AIG sees its stock price collapse.
Houston airports stagger back to their feet following Ike.
And NASA hurries to clean up Mission Control in time for Atlantis.

More AERO-Casts

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 09.16.08

Insurance giant AIG sees its stock price collapse.
Houston airports stagger back to their feet following Ike.
And NASA hurries to clean up Mission Control in time for Atlantis.

More AERO-Casts

ANN Special Feature: Kit Darby, AIR, Inc. - 09.16.08

Kit Darby of Aviation Information Resources discusses what's expected to be a long-term industry shortage of new pilots. (From FAA Forecast Conference, March 2008.)

FMI:

More AERO-Casts

Aero-TV Gets Rev'ed Up Over The RotaMax Rotary Powerplant

Rotary Motivations: The RotaMax Powerplant Program

In the midst of all the amazing things that comprise the annal Oshkosh Fly-In, Aero-TV took some time out at the 2008 rendition to talk with Eric Barger, president of RotaMax Rotary Engines. This company is introducing a line of aviation rotaries based on a long-established, non-automotive design. The company recently signed a tentative OEM agreement to furnish a twin-rotor powerplant for an upcoming light-sport aircraft.

More Videos

Aero-TV Gets Rev'ed Up Over The RotaMax Rotary Powerplant

Rotary Motivations: The RotaMax Powerplant Program

In the midst of all the amazing things that comprise the annal Oshkosh Fly-In, Aero-TV took some time out at the 2008 rendition to talk with Eric Barger, President of RotaMax Rotary Engines.

IAM To Boeing: 'It's The Outsourcing, Stupid'

Given the ever-slackening US economy and mass layoffs at several airlines and manufacturers, one would think now wouldn't be the best time for labor unions to take a hard line in demanding better and compensation. For the most part, you'd be right... but workers on strike at Boeing say they have the power.

FAA To Pay Airport $400K To Help Fight NIMBYs

Money Will Cover Costs Incurred In Legal Challenges

Officials with Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) in Connecticut are trying to move forward with a renovation project, which includes federally-mandated runway safety zones. But the airport is $235,000 dollars in debt, largely due to legal challenges to the airport's runway expansion by the adjacent town of East Haven.

Presidential Candidate Slams Opponent; In Other News, Sky Is Still Blue

We thought the Pentagon's recent decision to cancel the competition to build the next US Air Force tanker would end the debate for a while. It turns out all it's done is move the soap opera to a different channel.

French Paper Reports Two Fewer Deliveries In '08

The Airbus A380 superjumbo has already faced two development delays totalling almost two years. Airbus recently made a slight downward revisions in production numbers in May, but insists there will be no more delays, despite new rumors.

Will Now Charge $50 For Second Bag

How high will they go? We shudder to ponder the possibilities. Now that United Airlines passengers are getting accustomed to paying $25 to check a second bag on domestic flights, parent UAL Corp announced Monday it's doubling the fee to $50 one-way.

Recon Missions Assist In Rescue Efforts

Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Texas Wing launched dozens of flights Monday to take photographs of damage in Houston, Galveston and other parts of east Texas, after Hurricane Ike devastated the state when it made landfall early Saturday.

Linden Blue Among Speakers At "Spectrum Of Aviation" Meeting

The Lindbergh Foundation announced Monday three prominent leaders from the aviation community will speak at its "Spectrum of Aviation" hangar party at the Golden Wings Museum at the Anoka County Airport in Blaine, MN on Saturday, September 27.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (09.16.08)

Aero-Linx!

The aim of this site is to try to keep track of preserved Axis aircraft and projects aiming at preserving and restoring Axis aircraft. Currently this site contains more than 1950 entries and some 1750 photos.

Aero-Terms!

Optical depth is a measure of the transparency of a ring system. When a ring is "optically thick" (i.e., the optical depth is large), the ring is nearly opaque and very little light passes through. When a ring is "optically thin" (i.e., the optical depth is small), very little material is present and most of the light passes through.

"This is a good example of why manufacturing is leaving the country."

Source: University of Maryland international business professor Peter Morici, commenting on the ongoing strike by 27,000 Boeing workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.