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

KC-46A Enters Critical Design Review Phase

Program Manager Says New Tanker Aircraft Is 'On Track' For Design Review Late Next Year

The Air Force KC-46A program director described the critical development phases of the next-generation refueling aircraft during the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18.

US Navy Orders 3rd Phase Of P-8A Low-Rate Production, Bringing Total To 24

Boeing Receives $1.9 Billion Contract For 11 Poseidon Aircraft

The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a $1.9 billion contract for 11 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which will take the total fleet to 24 and bolster the service's anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Company Looks At Bonanza/Baron Seatbelt Airbag STC

Needs 50 Deposits To Begin The Process

Aircraft seatbelt and airbag company AmSafe has launched a program which it hopes will lead to an STC for a seatbelt airbag system for Bonanza 33/35 and Baron 55 series aircraft.

Airbus Strengthens Leadership Position With More Efficient Organization

More Agile Set-Up Is Designed To Boost Entrepreneurial Spirit

In line with its 2020 Vision, Airbus says it has laid out its plans for a more efficient and agile organization to be implemented by January 2013. This new organization aims to boost Airbus’ overall performance by shortening the lines of command, thus making the company more agile and capable of taking and implementing decisions faster.

NASA Selects Advanced Robotics Projects For Development

Proposals Range From Rover Improvements To Humanoid Robotic Systems

NASA has selected eight advanced robotics projects that will enable the agency's future missions. The projects, ranging from technologies for improving robotic planetary rovers to humanoid robotic systems, will support the development and use of robots for space exploration, as well as by manufacturers and businesses in the United States.

Joint Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check 'Pop-Up' Information Center Now Open at KIAD

Temporary Location On The Ticketing Level Of The Terminal

A temporary joint information center, located on the ticketing level of Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), has been opened by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the TSA. The temporary location will allow travelers to learn about how to participate in TSA Pre-Check and begin the application process for CBP's Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program.

Southlake Aviation Owner Awarded $32 Million In Congo Gold Smuggling Case

Houston-Based Oil Company Used Chartered Plane In A Effort To Help Congolese Warlord

In a civil trial that sounded like a real life James Bond spy novel, a Dallas County Jury awarded Southlake Aviation, owned by Dallas business executive David Disiere, $32.4 million in damages against Houston based oil company, CAMAC International, its subsidiary CAMAC Aviation, and Mickey Lawal CAMAC's Vice President of African Operations.

Mark Cherry Joins Aurora As President And COO

Previously With Sikorsky Aircraft As VP For Corporate Strategy And Synergy

Aurora Flight Sciences has appointed that Mark C. Cherry as president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective October 1, 2012. Mark succeeds John S. Langford, the company's founder, who will continue as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Former FAA Employee Tangled Up In Bureaucratic Red Tape

Agency Sent Paychecks After He Left, Holding Him Accountable For Taxes Withheld

A former FAA employee has found himself neck-deep and sinking in bureaucratic red tape after the agency sent him two paychecks following his resignation in 2009.

Flight Attendant Had Passenger's iPad In The Bag

Denies Stealing The Device, But She Was Arrested For The Theft

We’ve heard it before – there’s an app for that. But one flight attendant probably wishes it wasn't true. Wendy Ronelle Dye, 43, a flight attendant for Horizon Air, was arrested in Oregon City, OR, on Friday evening for the theft of a passenger's iPad.

AD: Fokker Services B.V. Airplanes

AD NUMBER: 2012-19-05

PRODUCT: Certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes.

AD: Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

AD NUMBER: 2012-18-07

PRODUCT: All Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-17, RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-Trent 892-17, RB211-Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 turbofan engines.

Airborne 09.25.12: More Aero-Scams, AA Maintenance Accusations, SpaceX Gets Real

Also: Aero-Orgs Seek Help From Obama, Redbird Hosts 2nd Migration, Pearl Harbor Cover-Up, Kids and Rockets, FA Steals iPad

As related in an earlier investigative report, ANN has uncovered what appears to be an enormous and ongoing scam offering aerial combat "Top Gun" type flight experiences to the public for highly discounted rates in the $300 to $400 price range. An interesting new development was the sudden appearance of a number of new, glowing reviews for the whole scheme... reviews that ANN has investigated and found to be totally bogus... You don't have to had read much about the state of air travel without having heard about the battles underwa

U.S. Says It Has Complied With WTO Ruling In Aircraft Dispute

U.S. Trade Representative's Office Says Hearings In Case Against EU Ongoing

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has sent notifications to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body detailing the United States’ timely compliance with the WTO’s recommendations in the large civil aircraft dispute with the European Union (EU) related to U.S. government subsidies to Boeing.

Boeing Delivers United Airlines' First 787 Dreamliner

United Is The First North American Carrier To Fly The 787

Boeing and United Airlines announced the delivery of the airline's first 787 Dreamliner on Monday. United is the first airline in North America to take delivery of the 787.

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report In Latest Cirrus Fatal Accident

Five Fatally Injured When The Airplane Went Down On Approach To Springfield, MO

The NTSB has issued a preliminary report in an accident which occurred last Saturday in Willard, MO. A Cirrus SR22 with five people on board went down while flying an instrument approach to Springfield-Branson National Airport (KSGF), Springfield, MO.

Senate Passes EU-ETS Exclusion Bill

Would Enable U.S. Airlines To Refrain From Participation In The Emissions Trading Scheme

The U.S. Senate last week passed S. 1956, which would allow the Transportation Secretary to direct U.S. airlines to not participate in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) because it violates international law and U.S. sovereignty. The move was lauded by industry groups, including Airlines for America (A4A).

Sinopec And Airbus To Develop Chinese Alternative Aviation Fuel

Partners Support Chinese Sustainable Alternative Fuel Standard And Supply

China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), one of China’s biggest energy companies and Airbus are developing and promoting renewable aviation fuel production for regular commercial use in China.

Southwest Jet Cleared By ATC Through Drop Zone

Passed A Small Group Of Skydivers Near Houston Hobby Airport

ATC reportedly cleared a Southwest Airlines 737 through an active skydiving drop zone last Thursday, with the pilot reporting that the airplane flew near a small group of skydivers in the area.

Teamsters Mobilize Outreach Effort To Tulsa American Airlines Mechanics

Union Members From Across The Country Canvass AA Mechanics In Organizing Drive

United Airlines (UA) mechanics represented by the Teamsters Union joined Teamster organizers and American Airlines (AA) mechanics in Tulsa for an outreach program in support of a campaign by AA mechanics to change their current union representation.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (09.25.12)

"Congress has spoken—U.S. airlines should not be subjected to this illegal scheme that amounts to little more than a cash grab for the European Union as none of the funds collected are required to be used for environmental purposes." Source: A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio.