Design, Certification And Manufacturing Processes Come Under Scrutiny 

At a news conference today, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman identified the origin of the Jan. 7 battery fire that occurred on a Japan Airlines 787 parked at Boston Logan Airport, and said that a focus of the investigation will be on the design and certification requirements of the battery system. "U.S. airlines carry about two million people through the skies safely every day, which has been achieved in large part through design redundancy and layers of defense," said Hersman. "Our task now is to see if enough - and appropriate - layers of defense and adequate checks were built into the design, certification and manufacturing of this battery."

Not For Testing, Airplane To Be Repositioned From Fort Worth To Seattle

The FAA has approved a one-time ferry flight one of Boeing's Dreamliners, but no passengers will be on board. The flight, which will reposition one of the airplanes from Boeing's paint facility in Fort Worth, TX back to Renton, WA today (Thursday) will be the first since all of the airplanes were grounded due to a series of incidents with the electrical system on the plane.

Union Honors Life And Legacy Of flight attendant Hired By United Airlines In 1944

The Association of flight attendants-CWA (AFA) issued a statement Tuesday after the passing of AFA's last remaining founding member, Edith Edna Lauterbach. "Today, the flight attendant community lost our hero, our guiding light - Edith Lauterbach," the statement said. "As our heavy hearts remember our friend and trailblazing founder, we reflect on Edith's contributions to our profession and our union each and every day."

2nd Generation Of Airliners To Include Primus Epic 2 System

Embraer's second generation of E-Jets, planned to enter service in 2018, will be delivered with Honeywell's Primus Epic 2 integrated avionics system. Embraer says the decision is an important milestone in the program that is expected to be launched later this year. Last month, Embraer selected Pratt & Whitney as the engine supplier.

Option Aircraft Is 18th of 36 Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft USCG Will Acquire

The U.S. Coast Guard has exercised a contract option to purchase the service's 18th HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft from prime contractor EADS North America. The HC-144A is based on the Airbus Military CN235 tactical airlifter. More than 230 CN235 aircraft are currently being operated by 29 countries.

The Carrier Has Leased The Aircraft From GECAS

Maldivian carrier Villa Air, commercially known as FlyMe, is about to become the very first operator of an ATR -600 series aircraft in the archipelago. The airline will start operating an ATR 72-600 which has been delivered to the US-based lessor GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services Limited), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing company of GE, who is leasing the aircraft to Villa Air.

Visiongain Expects The Sector To Reach $24.6 Billion This Year

A new report from UK-based analysis firm Visiongain indicates that the global commercial aircraft gas turbine engine market will reach a value of $24.6 billion in 2013, as engine manufacturers seek to up their production rates to meet the demand from airlines for new aircraft by providing engines which improve flight performance and meet noise and environmental regulations.

International Growth Will Be A Focus Area

Joseph J. Trotti has joined American International Group (AIG) as President and CEO of its Aerospace division, part of AIG’s Global Specialty business. Mr. Trotti is responsible for all aspects of AIG’s Aerospace business and will be instrumental in driving the division’s growth in the Asia Pacific region, Canada, Continental Europe, and Latin America.

Hope To Recoup Some Lost Revenue From Cancelled Flights

They bought the airplanes, and now they can't use them. So some airlines are reportedly starting to consider "asking" Boeing to help them out with lost revenue from cancelled flights.

Will Become President And CEO After Emergence From Bankruptcy

Pinnacle Airlines Corp. has named Ryan Gumm as senior vice president and chief operating officer, effective Feb. 5, 2013. Upon the Company's emergence from bankruptcy, Gumm will become president and chief executive officer, and John Spanjers will retire.