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

HAI Announces New Partner Services Program

B-To-B Tool Adds Value To Association Membership, Association Says

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) on May 1 announced its new HAI Partner Services Program — a business-to-business tool that allows HAI members to offer discounts and value-added opportunities exclusively to their fellow HAI members.

Delta Connection Flight Attendants At Compass Airlines Ratify First Contract

Approval Comes On The Eve Of Carrier's Sixth Anniversary

Six years after Compass Airlines began commercial operations, Compass flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), ratified their first contract today with an overwhelming 99 percent of those participating voting in favor of the five-year agreement. The agreement, reached with the assistance of the National Mediation Board, provides immediate economic improvements as well as enhanced job security and protections.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants File For Mediation

Contract Became Amendable One Year Ago

Alaska Airlines flight attendants have filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB). Wednesday was the one-year anniversary of the contract's amendable date.

Plant-Based Jet Fuel Delivered To USAF Research Laboratory For Testing

Successful Construction And Operation Of New Demonstration Plant Under $1.5 Million FAA Award Produces Drop-In Jet Fuel From 100% Renewable Plant Sugars

One hundred gallons of bio-based jet fuel has been delivered to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for testing purposes by bio-fuel producer Virent. Product testing will begin at Wright Patterson Air Force Base to validate Virent’s jet fuel against the standards required for qualification and approval of new aviation turbine fuels established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The validation plan includes fit-for-purpose, fuel system and combustor rig testing.

Army Says Kiowa Warrior Upgrades Alter Aircraft Profile

First Major Modernization For The Aircraft In Two Decades

The newly updated Kiowa Warrior aircraft, the OH-58F, made a ceremonial "first flight," April 30, at Redstone Arsenal, AL. With new cockpit and sensor modifications installed, the OH-58F represents the first major upgrade or modernization to the Kiowa Warrior in 20 years. The "cockpit and sensor upgrade program," called CASUP, converts OH-58D Kiowa Warriors into OH-58F models.

Rural VA Airport Told To Stop Using 'Unlicensed Runway'

Had Allowed Glider Operations On Grass Area Adjacent To Paved Runway

Glider pilots operating at Waynesboro's Eagle's Nest Airport routinely used the grassy area parallel to the airport's paved runway for landings, saying they preferred to land on the grass to avoid hitting runway lights with their wings.

Air Tractor Reports Strong Start For 2013

President Jim Hirsch Reports That The Aircraft Manufacturing Company Is On Track For Another Strong Year Of Production And Sales

Air Tractor president Jim Hirsch reports that the aircraft manufacturing company is on track for another strong year of production and sales in 2013. "First quarter 2013 orders and aircraft production is robust, Hirsch says. "We are seeing a continuation of the strong demand that we experienced in 2012."

Pilot Involved In Accident Admits To Alcohol Use

Plane Struck Power Line Near Dayton, OH, After Running Out Of Fuel

The pilot of a Mooney M20E which ran out of fuel and struck a power line during an emergency landing just outside Dayton, OH, on March 11 admitted that he had consumed alcohol before initiating the flight. Neither the pilot or his passenger were fatally injured in the accident.

NASA Rover Prototype Set To Explore Greenland Ice Sheet

Autonomous GROVER Will Help Scientist Understand Changes In The Ice

NASA's newest scientific rover is set for testing May 3 through June 8 in the highest part of Greenland. The robot known as GROVER, which stands for both Greenland Rover and Goddard Remotely Operated Vehicle for Exploration and Research, will roam the frigid landscape collecting measurements to help scientists better understand changes in the massive ice sheet. This autonomous, solar-powered robot carries a ground-penetrating radar to study how snow accumulates, adding layer upon layer to the ice sheet over time.

AD: Eurocopter France Helicopters

AD NUMBER: 2013-08-17

PRODUCT: Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, andSA-366G1 helicopters.

AD: The Boeing Company Airplanes

AD NUMBER: 2013-08-18

PRODUCT: Certain Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER series airplanes.

Airborne 05.03.13: Santa Monica Madness, 'Planes' At Oshkosh, 747 Down In Bagram

Also: WingX, ForeFlight, Cessna Sovereign Production Bird Flies, ATR 600 Series Cert, Gamera II Tries Again, Despicablimp!

After a meeting that lasted more than four hours on April 30, the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously for a proposed 250-percent increase in landing fees at the city’s general aviation airport, Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO). A brand new high flying animated adventure film will be ready for take off at this year's AirVenture in Oshkosh. Those attending the EAA spectacular this year will have the opportunity to experience a Special Preview Screening of the Disney animated feature "Planes" at the Fly-In Theater o

President Obama Says Congress Was Wrong To End FAA Furloughs As They Did

Said Bill Passed Last Week Would Delay Needed Airport Improvement Projects

President Obama said during a news conference Tuesday that Congress essentially had a knee-jerk reaction to the possibility of delays at airports caused by furloughs of air traffic controllers, and that legislation allowing the FAA to shift funds from AIP grants would delay needed airport improvement projects.

FAA Tells ICON It Needs Additional Information

Company Filed Petition For Weight Exemption For Spin Resistant Airframe Last Year

In May 2012, ICON aircraft petitioned the FAA for an exemption that would permit ICON Aircraft to incorporate a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) in the ICON A5 at a weight above the current Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) definition.

Success Continues As NASA's Orion Parachute Tests Get More Difficult

Tests Wednesday Simulated Two Types Of Parachute Failures

A test version of NASA's Orion spacecraft safely landed during a simulation of two types of parachute failures Wednesday. In the test, conducted in Yuma, AZ, the mock capsule was traveling about 250 mph when the parachutes were deployed. That is the highest speed the craft has experienced as part of the test series designed to certify Orion's parachute system for carrying humans.

JAL President Says Airline Is Working On Dreamliner Mods

Offers Customers An Apology For 'Inconvenience' Caused By Airplane's Grounding

The president of Japan Airlines (JAL) has posted a letter on the company's website concerning the progress being made towards the resumption of revenue flights by the carrier's Dreamliners.

Klyde Morris 05.03.2013

This May Be A Case Of 'Be Careful What You Wish For', Klyde

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Confirming A350 XWB Safety With Lightning Strike Evaluations

Tests A Key Required Step In Preparations For This Next-Generation Airbus Jetliner's Maiden Flight

Lightning strike tests ... called “electromagnetic hazard” evaluations ... were conducted last month at Airbus’ Clément Ader facility in Colomiers, France. The tests involved the second A350 XWB flight test aircraft, MSN3, to demonstrate necessary protection levels in case of lightning strikes while aloft.

NetJets Takes Delivery Of Its First Signature Series Phenom 300

Plans Announced For Signature Series Phenom 300s In The U.S.

NetJets has taken delivery of its first NetJets Signature Series Phenom 300 aircraft from Embraer Executive Jets ... the first light cabin NetJets Signature Series aircraft to enter the marketplace. NetJets formally accepted the aircraft at a special delivery ceremony at Embraer Executive Jets’ Customer and Delivery Center in Melbourne, Florida.

National Airlines Identifies Those Lost In Bagram 747 Accident

Says The Airplane Was Properly Loaded And Checked

National Airlines has identified the seven crewmembers who were fatally injured when a Boeing 747-400 operating in support of the U.S. military in Afghanistan went down Monday.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (05.03.13)

“ACI-NA supported other common sense bipartisan legislation that did not use AIP to eliminate the furloughs. Airports agree that passenger delays and inconvenience cannot continue, but raiding capital funding to pay for FAA operations is unprecedented and does not take into account the need to make critical safety, security and capacity improvements." Source: Statement by ACI-NA Board Chair David N. Edwards, Jr.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.03.13): Handoff

An action taken to transfer the radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another if the aircraft will enter the receiving controller's airspace and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred.