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

SpaceX Launches NASA Demonstration Mission To Space Station

Mission Plan Calls For COTS 2-3 Flight To Be The First Commercial Delivery To ISS

The second demonstration mission for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program is under way as SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft lifted off Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 0344 EDT.

FAA's AIR-200/AIR-230 Targets High-Performance Warbirds... Again

Will No Longer Designees To Assist With Certificates

The FAA is targeting warbird operations... again. A memorandum issued May 21st by Terry Allen, Acting Manager, Production and Airworthiness Division, AIR-200 and prepared by the Airworthiness Certification Branch, AIR-230 has revised "Restrictions on the Issuance of Experimental Airworthiness Certificates for Sophisticated and High-Performance Former Military Aircraft."

Associate Members Advisory Council Holds First Board Meeting At EBACE

New Panel Discusses Issues And Shares Experiences In Key Areas

The EBAA Associate Member's Advisory Council (AMAC) held its first official Board Meeting at the recently-concluded EBACE gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. AMAC is designed to enable EBAA's Associate Members - comprising service providers offering a range of activities to include ground handling, financing and legal services - to help EBAA operators navigate the challenges associated with these activities.

Airline Pilot Arrested For Concealed Handgun

Piedmont Captain Stopped At Buffalo Airport

A Piedmont Airlines pilot was arrested at the Buffalo airport for carrying a concealed .357 and attempting to board a LaGuardia-bound flight. Brett Dieter had reportedly flown seven other flights since Wednesday with the handgun in his bag according to the Buffalo News. Dieter was charged after a TSA screener spotted the handgun concealed in his carry-on Friday morning.

ATAC Pilot Capt. Thomas Bennett Fatally Injured In Hawker Hunter Accident

Mk-58 Went Down During A Landing Attempt

Thomas "TC" Bennett, ATAC Hawker Hunter pilot and retired Naval Aviator, was fatally injured Friday afternoon when his Mk-58 Hawker Hunter went down near Naval Base Ventura County, CA while attempting to land. He was 57.

Long Island, NY Engine Overhaul Shop To Close Its Doors

Mattituck Services’ History Goes Back To 1946

Teledyne Technologies, parent company of Continental Engines is closing its engine overhaul shop at Mattituck, Long Island. The slow recovery being experienced by general aviation has meant the shop’s workload has been cut in half in recent years.

Sierra Nevada Corporation Opens Huntsville, Alabama Office

Expands Key Customer Support, Including NASA

Huntsville, Alabama is now home to one of America's fastest growing private companies, and the top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, NV, announced today at a reception for Huntsville business and community leaders at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, that the company has opened an office at 1525 Perimeter Parkway, in Huntsville.

Leaseback Of CTLS Powering Three Flight Schools

Retired UPS Executive Making Airplanes Available For Instruction

Flight schools are struggling across the USA to obtain financing to buy new aircraft to replace aging fleets of trainers. Yet Flight Design USA has found success with another method familiar to schools: the leaseback. Three aircraft are training students today in leased back CTLS Light-Sport Aircraft, but the financial arrangement is only part of the story.

Air Pacific To Be Rebranded 'Fiji Airways'

Back To The Future As Airline Reverts To 1958 Name

Fiji's national air carrier, Air Pacific, has announced a return to its 1958 name – Fiji Airways – to better reflect its dedication to transporting travelers to and from Fiji. The official name change, complete with branding and the introduction of new aircraft, is expected to take place by June 2013.

Nonprofit Hopes To Bring Airshow To Vero Beach

VRB Last Hosted Airshow Over Ten Years Ago

Vero Beach Municipal Airport Director Eric Menger said plans to host an airshow at Vero Beach are underway with three local Exchange Club chapters interested in sponsoring the event. Vero Beach Air Show Inc. is a nonprofit organization that includes members of the Indian River, Vero Beach and Treasure Coast chapters of the Exchange Club.

FAA Champions Child Safety As Summer Travel Season Nears

Partners With Aviation Community And Safety Advocates To Raise Awareness

As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Transportation Week and to kick off the summer travel season, the FAA has launched an education effort to help parents and caregivers make informed choices about their child’s safety when they fly.

More Indian Women Earning Pilot Certificates

Many Following Childhood Dreams To learn To Fly

An increasing number of women in India are taking up flying as a hobby ... many following childhood dreams of learning to fly. For others, it is increasing exposure to airplanes and aviation that are sparking their interest.

AD: Airbus A319 And A320 Airplanes

AD NUMBER: 2012-09-12

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-111, -211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, and -131 airplanes; equipped with an additional center tank (ACT)

AD: Cessna Model 210 Airplanes

AD NUMBER: 2012-10-04

PRODUCT: Certain Cessna Aircraft Company Models 210G, T210G, 210H, T210H, 210J, T210J, 210K, T210K, 210L, T210L, 210M, T210M, 210N, T210N, P210N, 210R, T210R, and P210R airplanes.

FAA Proposes A Significant Rewrite Of Part 145

AEA Calls The Changes 'Potentially Damaging'

The FAA has put forth a proposal to make wholesale changes to the avionics industry, and a major trade organization says those changes would have damaging and costly repercussions. The agency proposes to remove radio and instrument ratings and allow airframe-rated repair stations to work on radio and instrument components without qualifications or ratings.

Aero-TV: CubCrafters 2012 -- Refining an Iconic Airframe

Packing As Much Airplane Into The 'LSA' Category As The FAA Will Allow

Every year, of late, the same old names show up in a list of LSA builders who seem to be standing up to the test of time. 'CubCrafters" Is one that flirts with the top of the list, every time. With offerings for certificated, experimental and LSA airframes, CubCrafters has established a tough rep for building tough planes that fly well, and perform even better. CubCrafters operates in a modern 40,000 square foot facility on the edge of McAllister Field Airport in Yakima, Washington. They say that it's an idyllic spot for flying and testing their planes... "Big skies, punctuated on t

Coalition Establishes Aviation Educator Hall Of Fame

Diverse Group Of Supporters Provides Credibility, Neutrality In The Selection Process

A group of more than 20 aviation organizations and individuals led by a three-member Board of Directors recently established the Aviation Educator Hall of Fame (AEHOF).

Judge Delays Ruling On AA Contract Negotiations

Deadline For Decision On Contract Rejections Extended By Two Weeks

American Airlines will have to wait an additional two weeks to learn of a bankruptcy judge's decision on its request to reject its union's contracts.

NATA's Byer Blasts 'Pop-Up' Presidential TFRs

Recent Last-Minute Trip To New York City Caused 'Chaos' In Surrounding Airspace

NATA's Vice President Eric Byer wrote on his blog "Inside Washington" on Monday that a last-minute Presidential visit to New York City the previous Monday "threw the aviation community into turmoil."

Douglas Gilliss Fatally Injured In L39 Accident

Aircraft Went Down On Departure Friday

Red Steel Jet Team pilot Douglas Gilliss was fatally injured Friday afternoon when the Aero Vodochody L39 he was flying to Van Nuys, CA went down on takeoff from Boulder City Airport in Nevada. Also fatally injured was a passenger aboard the aircraft, 65-year-old Richard A. Winslow of Palm Desert, CA.

Air Canada Pilots Dispute Goes To Arbitration

Ten Days Of Negotiations Failed To Produce A New Agreement

A ten-day effort by Air Canada pilots to negotiate a new agreement with the airline has failed, sending the dispute to federally-legislated arbitration.

Two Cessnas Intercepted Near Camp David

Both Pilots Interviewed By Law Enforcement

Military aircraft under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted two Cessna 172 general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of Camp David, MD, May 18. The permanent restricted area over the Presidential retreat had been expanded with a TFR due to the G-8 summit being held there over the weekend.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (05.22.12)

"Even worse is that as we embark upon the 2012 presidential election season these pop-up TFRs will only become more rampant. TFRs will be thrown up left and right between now and Election Day, with little warning and clear disregard for the livelihoods and businesses these air space restrictions disrupt. Source: Blog post by NATA VP Eric Byer.