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

Airborne 12.02.11: Boeing, American A/L, United and NTSB Lead The Week's News

Airborne Has More Fascinating Stories This Week For You -- And a Surprise!

We're continue to get RAVE reviews over the debut of Airborne... and great ideas as to where we need to broaden our horizons as we continue to develop this program. Episode Three continues the weekly series of Aero-News programs that are evolving into something even more amazing over the next few weeks. As matter of fact, this episode is solid 22 minutes in length! Keep in mind that we're still early in an evolving program of news offerings -- and that we at ANN don't play with the status quo very well or for very long. We have AGGRESSIVE and innovative plans for 'Airborne.' We will fi

GEnx-1B Engine Receives U.S. FAA 330-Minute ETOPS Approval

Engine For B787 Completed All Requirements For Over-Water Certification

The FAA has granted 330-minute extended-range, twin-engine operations (ETOPS) approval to 14 CFR Part 33.201 for the GEnx-1B engine, which will power the Boeing 787 aircraft. The GEnx-1B engine completed all requirements to achieve 330-minute ETOPS, including a demanding 3,000-cycle ground endurance test in April.

Marines Defend F-35B

Program's Two-Year 'Probation' Expected To End Early

Officials of the US Marine Corps, as they did with the Osprey program, are staunchly defending their new F-35B Joint Strike Fighters against program critics. It's being widely reported that a probationary status imposed in January by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be relaxed soon, as issues with the plane have been addressed.

JetBlue, WestJet Gain Slots At LaGuardia, Reagan National Airports

Pairs Acquired From Delta Airlines In DOT Mandated Auction

JetBlue Airways will gain additional slots at New York LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and WestJet Airlines will gain its first slots at LaGuardia. In a news release, the U.S. DOT said the two carriers have reached binding agreements with Delta Air Lines to acquire some of its operating authority, or “slots,” at the two airports.

Ball Aerospace To Study Solar Electric Propulsion

Selected by NASA to Explore Applications In Spacecraft

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. says it is one of five companies that will develop mission concepts for demonstrating solar electric propulsion in space, important for NASA's future deep space human exploration missions. The five companies were each awarded study contracts up to $600,000.

Court Overturns Ruling In Flight Attendant Integration Dispute

Suit Stemmed From Republic Airlines' Purchase Of Midwest Routes

The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in a case involving the integration of seniority lists of former Midwest Airlines flight attendants and those of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). The IBT represents flight attendants of regional carriers Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, all wholly owned subsidiaries of Republic Airways Holdings.

Law School Says RIFfed Air Force Majors Deserve Benefits

157 Released Near Retirement Lost Pensions, Medical Coverage

A large Air Force Reduction in Force (RIF) ordered by the Obama administration has resulted in some 157 USAF majors being involuntarily separated from the service without their retirement and medical benefits, according to the Chapman University of Military Law.

Stun Gun Disguised As Smart Phone Caught At LAX

Passenger Handed Over The Protection Device, Continued On Her Flight

A recent entry in the TSA blog tells of the discovery of a device which looked like a cute little pink smartphone ... but which gave a whole new meaning to “bad connection.” It was a stun gun. Law enforcement authorities responded to the incident and allowed the passenger to continue on her flight, after surrendering the item to TSA.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.04.11)

Aero Linx: National Association of Rocketry The best way to get more out of the exciting hobby of rocketry is to connect with other flyers. The National Association of Rocketry can get you connected to the cutting edge of the hobby so you can learn how to fly higher, faster, and better. The NAR is all about having fun and learning more with and about sport rockets. They are the oldest and largest sport rocketry organization in the world. Since 1957, over 90,000 serious sport rocket modelers have joined the NAR to take advantage of the fun and excitement of organized rocketry.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.04.11): Mass

Mass A fundamental property of an object comprising a numerical measure of its inertia; the amount of matter in the object. While an object's mass is constant (ignoring Relativity for this purpose), its weight will vary depending on its location. Mass can only be measured in conjunction with force and acceleration.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.04.11)

Aero-News Quote of the Day “As a result of the conditions we placed on the transfer between Delta and US Airways, consumers will benefit from new competition and services at both airports from airlines that previously had limited access, or no access at all, to those airports.” Source: US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in comments following the announcement that JetBlue Airways will gain additional slots at New York LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and WestJet Airlines will gain its first slots at LaGuardia.