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

Alleged Bin Laden Tape Claims Moussaoui Had 'No Connection At All' To 9/11

Voice Believed To Be Terrorist Leader Calls Confession "Void"

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 05.23.06 1830EDT: An audio tape believed to be the latest message from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden claims Zacarias Moussaoui was not involved with the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

PA TFR: 05.24.06

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8063 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 19:25 UTC Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Beginning Date and Time: May 24, 2006 at 17:45 UTC Ending Date and Time: May 24, 2006 at 23:25 UTC Reason for NOTAM: Temporary flight restrictions for VIP (Very Important Person) Movement Type: VIP Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A

OR TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8072 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 20:50 UTC Location: HERMISTON , Oregon 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: SEATTLE (ZSE) Automated Flight Service Station, 253-351-3520

Eclipse Aviation's Vern Raburn Accepts Collier Trophy

Company Honored For Innovation In General Aviation

Although they couldn't all attend the festivities in Washington, DC last week, employees at Eclipse Aviation were able to join with their families and watch, via satellite, as CEO Vern Raburn accepted the 2006 Robert J. Collier Trophy from David Ivey, president and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).

Russian Crews Recover CVR From Downed Armavia A320

Flight Data Recorder May Be Nearby

On Monday, Russian search crews recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the Armavia A320 that went down in the Black Sea almost three weeks ago.

NTSB Rules Flight Crew, ATC Errors Led To 2004 Air Ambulance Accident

Failed To Heed Terrain Procedures And Warnings

The National Transportation Safety Board ruled Tuesday that a combination of flight crew and air traffic control deficiencies led to the 2004 crash of an air ambulance near San Diego, CA.

Deal Between Northwest, Ground Workers Would Mean Job Losses

Tentative Agreement Goes Up For Vote In June

A last-minute deal reached last week between Northwest Airlines and ground workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers could mean as many as 700 of those workers would lose their jobs, the union said Monday.

Sport-Jet Builds Flight Time, Tucks Its Gear Up

Company Predicts Jet Should "Easily" Reach 340 KTAS

Last week, Aero-News reported on the first flight of the single-engine Excel-Jet Sport-Jet -- and Monday, ANN brought you an exclusive interview with company CEO Bob Bornhofen, who told us the plan was to keep the Sport-Jet flying... and, sure enough, one week after that first flight, the little jet is spending little time on the ground.

Second 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter Redelivered To JAL

Airline Has Eight On Order, With Four Options

Aero-News has learned that last weekend, Boeing and JAL International celebrated the completion and certification of the second 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter at a redelivery ceremony held in Xiamen, People's Republic of China.

Greek, Turkish Fighters Collide Over Aegean Sea

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 05.23.06 1330 EDT: One pilot is still unaccounted for after two F-16s -- one Greek, the other from NATO ally but historic rival Turkey -- collided over a disputed section of the southern Aegean Sea Tuesday. The Turkish pilot was able to eject safely and has been rescued, but helicopter crews are still searching for the pilot of the Greek jet -- one of two that was scrambled to intercept three Turkish aircraft.

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Tuesday 05.23.06

Thierry Pouille's Excellent Adventure

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 05.23.06 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 05.23.06 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Thierry Pouille's Excellent Adventure: 05.23.06 (ANN Special Feature, with Air Journey's Terry Pouille on his latest journey... across the Atlantic)

MO TFR: 05.29.06

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8012 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 12:52 UTC Location: Columbia (downtown), Missouri near COLUMBIA VOR/DME (COU) Beginning Date and Time: May 29, 2006 at 14:45 UTC Ending Date and Time: May 29, 2006 at 15:10 UTC Reason for NOTAM: A U.S.Army Black Daggers Parachute Team Demonstration Type: Airshow Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Columbia (COU) Air Traffic Control Tower, 573-442-1051

MO TFR: 05.26.06

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8013 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 12:52 UTC Location: Sedalia, Missouri near COLUMBIA VOR/DME (COU) Beginning Date and Time: May 26, 2006 at 16:00 UTC Ending Date and Time: May 26, 2006 at 17:00 UTC Reason for NOTAM: A U.S. Army Black Daggers Parachute Team Demonstration Type: Airshow Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Columbia (COU) Air Traffic Control Tower, 573-442-1051

MO TFR: 05.25.06

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8014 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 12:54 UTC Location: Fulton, Missouri near COLUMBIA VOR/DME (COU) Beginning Date and Time: May 25, 2006 at 18:15 UTC Ending Date and Time: May 25, 2006 at 19:15 UTC Reason for NOTAM: A U.S. Army Black Daggers Parachute Team Demonstration Type: Airshow Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Columbia (COU) Air Traffic Control Tower, 573-442-1051

MO TFR: 05.26.06 - 05.28.06

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8011 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 12:50 UTC Location: Columbia Regional Airport, Columbia, Missouri near COLUMBIA VOR/DME (COU) Beginning Date and Time: May 26, 2006 at 14:45 UTC Ending Date and Time: May 28, 2006 at 20:00 UTC Reason for NOTAM: The 2006 Salute to Veterans Celebration Air Show Type: Airshow Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Columbia (COU) Air Traffic Control Tower, 573-442-1051

FL TFR: 05.24.06

NOTAM Number: FDC 6/8057 Issue Date: May 22, 2006 at 18:56 UTC Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida Beginning Date and Time: May 24, 2006 at 21:41 UTC Ending Date and Time: May 24, 2006 at 23:58 UTC Reason for NOTAM: Space Operations Area Type: Space Operations Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Miami (ZMA) Center, 305-716-1589

Despite Alaska Controversy, Blakey Continues To Tout ADS-B

Says More Work Needs To Be Done On System

FAA Administrator Marion Blakey is on the lecture circuit, stumping for Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)... even though it appears the technology is in serious trouble in Alaska.

NASA Searching For A Better Heat Shield

Tests Underway At Ames Research Center

As NASA moves toward dismantling the space shuttle program by 2010 and gears up for the next phase of space exploration -- the moon, Mars and beyond -- scientists at the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA are hard at work trying to find the next generation heat shield.

B1900 Landing Gear Collapse Closes FLL For Hours

No One Injured In Weekend Incident

Nobody was hurt... but there were a few exciting moments this weekend for passengers aboard a Continental Connection flight from the Bahamas to Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

Lockheed Martin Receives Two Big MH-60R Production Contracts

Sensor Integration Deals Worth Combined $127 Million

Lockheed Martin announced Monday the company has received two production contracts from the US Navy to complete the integration of sensor and avionics systems on 12 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters and to begin integration work on 25 others.

Falling Ice Leaves Crater In NJ Lawn

Likely Came From Passing Airplane

New Jersey residents can perhaps be forgiven for lately looking up in the skies with some trepidation.

AirVenture 2006 Attendees Can Bid On Rare Mustang

No, Not A P-51... But This One's Cool, Too

This year's EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh promises to be a big event -- not just for aircraft lovers, but for automotive gearheads, too.

BAE Systems Delivers Four Jetstream 41s To Nepal's Yeti Airlines

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft announced Monday the company has concluded an agreement with Nepalese regional carrier Yeti Airlines for the long-term lease of four 29-seat Jetstream 41 regional turboprop airliners.

ANN's Daily Aero-Tips (05.23.06): VASI

Aero-Tips!

Over the years a number of visual guidance systems have been developed to help pilots avoid obstacles on final approach. Probably the most common design is the two-bar visual approach slope indicator -- commonly called the VASI.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.23.06)

Aero-Linx!

The Space Elevator gives the term "top floor" a whole new meaning. Will this thing really work?

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.23.06): FGS

Aero-Terms!

A Digital Flight Guidance System includes a pair of processors, each with its own memory means and arranged with common input and output means.

Aero-News Quote Of The Day (5.23.06)

"It's a real challenge."

Source: James Reuther, product manager of heat-shield testing at NASA's Ames Research Center, on designing a new heat shield capable of protecting the Crew Exploration Vehicle from the intense temperatures generated during reentry.