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December 11, 2007

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Successfully Launches NRO Satellite

Twelfth ULA Mission Of 2007; Another Scheduled December 20

Aero-News learned this week a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket successfully launched a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload at 1705 EST Monday from Space Launch Complex 41. This launch marks the fourth Atlas V EELV mission this year and the 12th ULA mission in 2007.

Details On Loss Of Boeing A160 Helo Sketchy

A small Boeing unmanned helicopter crashed Monday afternoon during a test flight at the planemaker's Advanced Systems test facility in Victorville, CA, burning about 1,600 square feet of ground but causing no injuries.

First Flight Remains On Track For Early 2008

It looks like Boeing may not have to delay its eagerly-awaited 787 program a second time. On Tuesday, the American planemaker assured customers and investors the composite-bodied aircraft remains on track for a first flight in early 2008, and entry into service by the end of 2008.

Say Idea Is Untested, And Possibly Illegal

Well, so much for that idea. A proposal hatched by the Bush administration three months ago to fine airlines for using runways during peak hours -- thus, in theory, more evenly spreading out departures and arrivals at New York-area airports -- appears headed for defeat.

BASE Jumper Wants To Land On His Feet... Without A 'Chute

Look! Up in the sky! It's not a bird, or a plane... or even a flying squirrel. It's Jeb Corliss, who wants to jump from a plane... reach terminal velocity... and land, without a parachute.

Notes Progress Against Foreign Competitor For KC-X Bid

Boeing announced on Monday it was making progress on delayed aerial refueling tankers for Italy and Japan, adding US Air Force officials could take a lesson from what it has learned.

Virgin America Fears Losing JFK Slots

Decision Coming Soon On Delay-Relieving Measures

Virgin America is trying to hold onto its landing slots at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after only four months of use, according to the San Francisco Business Times.

Getting Typed In A DC-3, With Dan Gryder

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 12.11.07 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 12.11.07 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Getting Typed In The DC-3: 12.11.07 (ANN Special Report, with flight instructor Dan Gryder)

Executive, Franklin Fields Affected

Two small airport developments are on hold in Sacramento County over the loss of a team of consultants working on their master plans, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/7079 Issue Date: December 11, 2007 at 1645 UTC Type: Hazards

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/7127 Issue Date: December 11, 2007 at 1923 UTC Type: Hazards

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 12.11.07

Liberty Aerospace gets a big boost from a deal in China.
United shareholders smile, but unions frown.
And Delta's non-union workers may not stay that way.

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 12.11.07

Liberty Aerospace gets a big boost from a deal in China.
United shareholders smile, but unions frown.
And Delta's non-union workers may not stay that way.

More AERO-Casts

ANN Special Feature: Dan Gryder, DC-3 Type Rating - 12.11.07

ANN's Paul Plack talks with Dan Gryder, a flight instructor based in Griffin, Georgia, who offers training, and even a type rating, in the legendary Douglas DC-3.

FMI:

More AERO-Casts

UAL Payout Boosts Airline Projections

But Analysts Say Upward Trend May Have Crested

As we near the end of domestic airlines' second profitable year in a row -- after five years losing $35 billion -- analysts believe that may be as good as it gets.

Bill Targets Working Illegal Aliens

A federal proposal to restrict immigrant workers who have access to secure areas at US airports could devastate the workforce at airports nationwide.

Electronic Boarding Passes "Print" To Wireless Devices

Passengers may soon no longer have to dig for a paper ticket, or worry about where they put their boarding passes before checking in for a flight. Continental Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration launched a program recently to test the use of electronic boarding passes on PDAs or cell phones.

Officials Believe BK117 Likely Went Down In Fjord

A search for a LifeGuard medevac helicopter missing for over a week in Alaska has been suspended.

HAI Announces Recipient Of 2008 Igor I. Sikorsky Humanitarian Award

County Of Los Angeles Fire Department Serves With Distinction

Helicopter Association International announced Monday the recipient of this year's Igor I. Sikorsky Humanitarian Award -- the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Air Operations Section, based in Pacoima, CA.

Mayor Doesn't, But May Not Have A Choice

The Topeka, KS City Council recently voted to buy an additional police helicopter... a move that infuriated Mayor Bill Bunten.

Many Afraid Failure To Speak English May Get You Zapped

Officials at Vancouver International Airport are combating an image problem -- namely, the fears of some travelers that if you don't speak English, you might get tasered.

New Classrooms, And High School Outreach Program

Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University is moving from its campus at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, to new digs in nearby Chandler.

Police Pinpoint Location, Man Found Minutes Later

As the ANN staff works diligently to ready our End-Of-Year coverage, one category of citizen has risen to the very top of our "Aero-Twerps" list for 2007: bozos who shine laser pointers at flying aircraft. And lo and behold, we have another one to tell you about.

Opens New Exhibit Spotlighting Achievements

The International Women's Air & Space Museum (IWASM) recently introduced a collectible deck of playing cards celebrating the achievements of women in aviation and space. Many of the photos used to create the deck are from the IWASM archives.

Locals Against Improving Italian Airport

No More Tourists, Please

In Siena, Italy a group of citizens say they are not interested in the expansion of their small airport... and feel things are just fine as they are, according to the International Herald Tribune.

Aero-Linx!

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society was formed in 1979 by a group of aviation enthusiasts interested in the preservation of Australian Aviation History.

Aero-Terms!

The point of a threaded fastener cut in the form of a cylinder. The length of the dog point is about one half of the diameter of the bolt, and its diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the bolt at the bottom of the threads.

"Evergreen Helicopters of Alaska is deeply saddened by the announcement made this afternoon by the ARCC and the Alaska State Troopers that they are suspending their search efforts. Along with everyone else in the community, we had hoped and prayed for a more positive outcome."

Source: From a release by Evergreen Helicopters, following the halt of the official search for its missing Eurocopter BK117. The helo went missing with four onboard December 3, and debris and the body of one of the persons onboard was recovered Saturday. Drift patterns based on winds, tides and waves in Passage Canal make it a strong possibility the helo crashed there, and that the body and the debris drifted west; Alaska State Troopers announced the search efforts were