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March 25, 2009

Emergency AD: Sikorsky

AD NUMBER: 2009-07-53 MANUFACTURER: Sikorsky SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-07-53 SUMMARY: This Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the failure of 2 main gearbox filter bowl assembly mounting studs (studs) that were found broken during a fatal accident investigation in Canada. Prior to the accident, the manufacturer was investigating a July 2008 incident that also involved broken studs. In both cases, the broken studs resulted in rapid loss of oil.

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-08 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-08 SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767 airplanes.

Modified 747 Can Carry A LOT Of Fire Retardant

Evergreen International Aviation tells ANN the company's modified Boeing 747-200 'Supertanker' is now available to assist world firefighting agencies during the 2009 season and beyond.

Despite Concerns, Cessna Reaffirms Commitment To Program

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report on the March 19 loss of Cessna's second Model 162 SkyCatcher prototype, stating the aircraft was in a "rapid and disorienting spin" when the test pilot onboard elected to deploy the plane's emergency Ballistic Recovery System parachute.

No Word Yet On Pilot's Fate

Officials have identified the pilot killed when a Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor crashed near Edwards Air Force Base Wednesday morning.

Turbofan Mounted On 747-100 Testbed

The new GEnx-2B jet engine for Boeing's new 747-8 aircraft has begun flight-testing on GE Aviation's 747 flying test-bed.

More Lasers Being Pointed At Planes Near Sea-Tac

Police Already Have One Suspect

Yet another laser beam was recently pointed towards the cockpit of an airplane flying near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport... and what's worse, is the latest incident may involve a repeat offender.

58 LUHs In Service With Army, ANG

After a somewhat difficult gestation process, it appears the US Army's growing fleet of UH-72A Lakota helicopters is coming into its own. Those Light Utility Helicopters recently passed the 10,000 flight-hour milestone in military service, according to manufacturer EADS North America.

Shift To National Labor Relations Board Now Being Debated

Claiming a possible shift in union representation could negatively impact its future operations, this week FedEx Corp. said if legislation is passed to allow unions in to the company, FedEx would be forced to cancel a large order for Boeing's 777 Freighter.

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-11 MANUFACTURER: Empresa SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-11 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-15 MANUFACTURER: Fokker SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-15 SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Fokker Model F.27 Mark 050 airplanes.

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-19 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-19 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes.

AD: Boeing

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-20 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-20 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200, 757-200PF, and 757-300 series airplanes.

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-21 MANUFACTURER: Bombardier SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-21 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

AD NUMBER: 2009-06-22 MANUFACTURER: Airbus SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2009-06-22 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

From The Front Lines, With USAF Colonel Jacqui Marty

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 03.25.09 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 03.25.09 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- From The Front Lines: 03.25.09 (ANN Special Report, with US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jacqui Marty.)

Vendors, Get YOUR News In Now!

The Aircraft Electronics Association tells ANN this year's AEA Convention is sure to be a can't-miss event in the aviation industry... and Aero-News will be on site in Dallas, TX next week, throughout the 2009 Conference and Trade Show, to bring our readers the latest news and developments in the aircraft electronics industry.

Will Hold 'En Banc' Hearing In May Regarding Into February 12 Downing Near Buffalo

The National Transportation Safety Board announced Wednesday it will hold a three-day public hearing into the events surrounding the February 12 downing of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in Clarence Center, NY. The "en banc" hearing -- meaning all NTSB Members will sit on the Board of Inquiry -- will be conducted May 12-14 in Washington, DC. The NTSB also issued the following update on the investigation into the fatal crash that claimed the lives of the 49 persons onboard, as well as one on the ground. Of particular note is the Board's belief that, contrary to s

Report: Babbitt To Be Named FAA Administrator

Former ALPA President Offered Job Weeks Ago, Sources Say

It appears we're close to learning who the next person to lead the Federal Aviation Administration will be. Citing unidentified industry officials and others close to the matter, the Wall Street Journal reports former pilots union leader Randy Babbitt has been tapped to lead the agency.

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 03.25.09

The FAA grounds Sikorsky S-92s for hardware changes.
Investigators probe two weekend crashes.
And airline service resumes over Alaska.

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 03.25.09

The FAA grounds Sikorsky S-92s for hardware changes.
Investigators probe two weekend crashes.
And airline service resumes over Alaska.

More AERO-Casts

ANN Special Feature: Stories from The War Front - 03.25.09

US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jacqui Marty shares anecdotes from her perspective as a woman flying KC-10 tankers on 159 combat and combat support sorties in three major theaters. (From the 2009 n

More AERO-Casts

Aero-TV: ANG's Refueling 'Boss' -- Boom Operator Simulation System

A Very Cost-Effective Approach to "Boomer" Training Employed by The Air National Guard

Meet the BOSS... the Air National Guard's prototypical effort to develop a KC-135 Boom Operator Simulation System. Designed to provide "a high fidelity, fully DMO (Distributed Mission Operations) capable squadron level boom operator simulator for KC-135 squadrons," this is a collaborative effort designed to maximize training capabilities while (at the same time) minimizing the costlier aspects of keeping KC135 "Boomers" trained on their equipment and many different types of aircraft they may be asked to interact with.

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Investigation Into Montana PC-12 Downing Continues

AOPA ASF Cautions Against "Jumping To Conclusions"

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board recovered a piece of evidence Tuesday they hope might shed new light on why a Pilatus PC-12/45 crashed near an airport in Butte, MT this weekend: the engine performance recorder.

Eurocontrol Puts GPS-Based ATC Into Limited Service

SESAR Won't Be Fully Compatible With NextGen

Europe is getting started on its own version of Next-Generation Air Traffic Control, dubbed "SESAR."

And Oh Yeah... There Was That One Phone Call...

NASA reports the crews of space shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station took a "break" Thursday, in and around transfer work ahead of Wednesday's farewell and undocking of the shuttle. The 10 spacefarers also talked with President Barack Obama joined by school children at the White House.

A Very Cost-Effective Approach to "Boomer" Training Employed by The Air National Guard

Entertainment Systems Can Still Be Dangerous, Safety Advocates Say

Despite their growing popularity, one need not look far into the past to see an example of what can go wrong with inflight entertainment (IFE) systems onboard commercial airliners. It was just under 11 years ago that Swissair Flight 111 went into the Atlantic near Nova Scotia after an electrical fire broke out in the cabin, caused by arcing in the system's wiring.

Alenia, Goodrich And Fokker Elmo Earn Work On Program

Bombardier Aerospace announced Tuesday three European suppliers to its CSeries aircraft program. Alenia Aeronautica of Italy, Fokker Elmo of the Netherlands and Goodrich Actuation Systems of the United Kingdom, will provide key components and systems for the upcoming narrowbody airliner.

Most Of All, Kellner Wants Revamped Railway Labor Act

In a recent interview with Houston Chronicle business columnist Loren Steffy, Continental CEO Larry Kellner came right out and said what many of his counterparts in the US airline industry may be thinking to themselves. With the government stepping in to regulate the banking industry... why not increase regulation of US airlines?

Cirrus Aircraft Names Bentley VP Of Int'l Sales

Started With Planemaker In 1997 As Sales Support Director

On Tuesday, Cirrus Aircraft named Ian Bentley to the post of Vice President and Managing Director of International Sales. Cirrus currently delivers aircraft in more than 50 countries around the world, and the company tells ANN Bentley brings key experience and market knowledge to Cirrus' corporate strategy of additional penetration into incumbent international markets and expansion into new ones.

Will Be Presented With Ambassador Of Exploration Award On Thursday

NASA will honor astronaut Thomas K. "Ken" Mattingly, II, with the presentation of an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program. During a ceremony on Thursday, March 26, Mattingly will accept the award at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University in Alabama and present it for display at the university.

But Customer Relationship Management Makes Frequent Fliers Feel Special

If you've been exposed to aviation jargon, you're probably familiar with the term 'CRM.' "Crew Resource Management" was in the spotlight during the US Airways ditching in the Hudson River, and flight schools sometimes refer to it as "Cockpit Resource Management" for single-pilot operations.

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Takes A Bow

The fourth and final pair of massive solar arrays, built by Lockheed Martin at its Space Systems facility in Sunnyvale, have been installed on the International Space Station by the crew of the space shuttle Discovery. The two new arrays have been deployed and are generating electricity.

Aero-Linx!

The 12th TFW Association, consists of former officers, enlisted, and civilians (both contract and civil service), male and female, who were assigned or attached to the 12th TFW, 12th CSG, or a tenant unit that provided support to the 12th TFW while the air wing was located at MacDill AFB, FL; Cam Ranh Bay, RVN; or Phu Cat, RVN. This also includes the widows of those who served in the 12th TFW, and there are many.

Aero-Terms!

The Van Allen radiation belts are two doughnut-shaped belts of ionized gas (plasma) that circle the Earth. The belts are caused by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind (stream of ions, electrically charged particles that are emitted by the sun).

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (03.26.09)

"It's important to remember that except for the extremely rare single-point catastrophic failure, aviation accidents are almost invariably the result of a chain of events and decisions. The National Transportation Safety Board is extremely good at accident reconstruction, but it will take them months to find and then unravel all the links in this accident's chain."

Source: AOPA Air Safety Foundation President Bruce Landsberg. As speculation runs wild about possible causes of Sunday's downing of a Pilatus PC-12 near Butte, MT, the ASF cautioned Tuesday against anyone jumping to conclusions regarding causes, when the investigation has barely started.