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Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Tuesday 07.05.11

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 07.05.11 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program)

ASTM Aviation Fuel Standard Now Specifies Bioderived Components

Revised Standards Approved July 1

Renewable fuels can now be blended with conventional commercial and military jet (or gas turbine) fuel through requirements in the newly issued edition of ASTM D7566-11, Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons.

Hersman To Be Nominated For Another Hitch At NTSB

President Obama Will Ask The Current Chair To Stay On For Another Two-Year Term

President Obama will nominate Deborah A.P. Hersman for another term at the NTSB, the White House said last week. Hersman has been with the board since 2004.

U.S. Airlines May Be Eying A Buying Spree

Looking To Replace Older, Less Efficient Aircraft With Newer Airbus, Boeing Models

The recent surge in commercial jet orders, particularly for the Airbus A320neo at the Paris Air Show, may be just the tip of the iceberg as U.S. airlines reportedly are prepping major fleet upgrades. Fuel economy would appear to be at the root of the plans to transition out of older airplanes.

NTSB Lays Blame For 2009 State Police Helo Accident On The Pilot

Cites Department Policies As Contributing To The Fatal Crash

In its probable cause report, the NTSB cites a New Mexico State Police pilot's decision making as the primary cause for an accident which fatally injured two and seriously hurt one.

FAA Publishes New Regulations On Lightning Protection

Two Levels Of Protection For Systems Based On Known Failures

The FAA has amended the lightning protection airworthiness standards by establishing new lightning protection regulations.

Solar Impulse Team Eyes Med Crossing

Flight Would Be Next Tuneup For Circumnavigation Attempt

The Solar Impulse team is reportedly considering an attempt to cross the Mediterranean sea next year as a tuneup to its planned 2014 circumnavigation attempt.

SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft Returns To Florida

On Public Display Through July 10 At Air Force Space And Missile History Center

Now through July 10, the SpaceX Dragon will make its first public appearance in Florida since its historic inaugural flight. SpaceX, in coordination with the Air Force Space and Missile History Center, will host a public viewing of the Dragon capsule through July 10 on the grounds of the History Center.

Sonex Down Near Atlanta, Pilot Fatally Injured

Witnesses Say There Was "No Indication" Anything Was Wrong With The Airplane

An 84-year-old pilot was fatally injured Saturday morning when the Sonex he was flying went down shortly after takeoff for reasons that are not yet clear.

Air Force Identifies Nellis Pilot In F-16C Mishap

Test And Evaluation Instructor Had More Than 300 Combat Hours To His Credit

Air Force officials have identified the pilot involved in an aircraft mishap near Caliente, NV, June 28 as Capt. Eric Ziegler, 30, an operational test and evaluation instructor pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base.

Denver Weather Downs C182, Blows Down Hangar

Officials Say Microbursts Are The Most Likely Explanation

A pilot flying a Cessna 182 on a aerial photography mission near Denver was fatally injured last Wednesday afternoon when severe weather moving through the area apparently caused the airplane to impact the ground.

Bell Helicopter Lands Signed Contracts At Paris Air Show

Deal Spans Product Line, Several Countries

Bell Helicopter announced Thursday that it received 18 signed contracts for new helicopter sales during the week of the Paris Air Show.

Aero-TV: Blue Goose Aviation -- Teaching Fun, Safe, Mountain Flying

Mountain Flying Is A Whole Different Kind of Aviation...

Women in Aviation International is gaining a reputation for one of the most complete and diverse annual conferences in the industry, but also works to make sure it's not just women who feel welcome. Any exhibitor who might play a role in expanding employment opportunities is welcome. One who came in 2011 was Joe Kuberka, President of Blue Goose Aviation.

ANA, Boeing Begin 787 Service Readiness Validation In Japan

First Dreamliner Touched Down In Japan Sunday. Plane To Start Flying Actual Routes

The 4th of July is just another day on the calendar in Japan, which allowed Boeing and ANA to begin an important validation of their readiness for the 787 Dreamliner's entry into service on Monday.

Kansas, Alaska Senators Call For Protection Of Privacy For GA

Bipartisan Effort Underway To Save BARR Program

Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Mark Begich (D-AK) led a group of their colleagues in sending a letter late last week to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood opposing a recent proposal by the FAA to eliminate current privacy protections for general aviation pilots, allowing the public to access their aircraft movements in real-time.

Tiger Airways Australia Suspended By CASA

Agency Has Five Working Days To File Court Papers To Extend The Grounding

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA) suspended the operations of Tiger Airways Australia Pty Ltd on Saturday 2 July 2011. The action was taken because CASA believes permitting the airline to continue to fly poses a serious and imminent risk to air safety.

Minnesota Supreme Court Will Hear Prokop v. Cirrus

Outcome Uncertain, Appeals Court Could Be Overturned

In what legal analysts are saying is something of a surprise move, the Minnesota Supreme Court has agreed to hear Prokov v. Cirrus, in which an appeals court ruled in favor of the planemaker earlier this year.

Brigadier General Chuck Yeager To Participate At AirVenture 2011

Numerous Special Appearances Planned Throughout The Week

One of aviation’s true living legends, Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager USAF (ret.), has confirmed his plans to attend EAA AirVenture 2011.

GPS Coalition Reviews LightSquared's 'Recommendations' Document

Says Based On Facts, Wireless Company's Alternative Plans Lacks Credibility

In a document released last Friday, The Coalition To Save Our GPS presented a review of wireless company Lightsquared's proposal to allow it to continue to establish a nationwide wireless broadband service.

NASA Completes Mirror Polishing For James Webb Space Telescope

Accuracies Of Less Than One-Millionth Of An Inch Required

Mirrors are a critical part of a telescope. The quality is crucial, so completion of mirror polishing represents a major milestone. All of the mirrors that will fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have been polished so the observatory can see objects as far away as the first galaxies in the universe.