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

NATCA's Forrey Says FAA Hiring Problems Outweigh Labor Dispute

Terms Controller Retirements "An Attrition Tsunami"

Coming off the Tuesday report from DOT's inspector general, NATCA president Patrick Forrey had a Wednesday appointment to speak in Congress. In remarks to the House Subcommittee on Aviation, Forrey appeared to recognize the rhetoric in the union's fight with the FAA may be obscuring an important fact.

SkyWest Drops Purchase Bid For ExpressJet

New Continental Agreement Shores Up Carrier's Standing

Given the recent announcement of a new capacity agreement between Houston-based ExpressJet, and Continental Airlines -- its largest customer by far -- things appear to be looking up for the regional airline, at least as much as they can be in the current economic climate.

AD: Bombardier

AD NUMBER: 2008-12-10 MANUFACTURER: Bombardier SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-12-10 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above.

AD: Boeing

AD NUMBER: 2008-12-04 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-12-04 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes.

FAA Issues Inspection Call For Boeing Planes

Potential Fuel-System Issues Affect Hundreds Of Aircraft

A little-reported proposal from the FAA could have ramifications for a number of airlines. Last week, the FAA issued a notice for customers flying a variety of Boeing airliners, ordering them to check for a potential fuel-system problem.

Casualty Count In Sudan Airways Crash Lowered

But Cause Remains A Mystery

Investigators in the Sudan are still trying to reconcile varying witness accounts of the Tuesday night downing of a Sudan Airways plane. The Press Association cites the Sudan Civil Aviation Authority in reporting that 29 passengers and crewmembers died, but 171 escaped the burning plane.