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July 18, 2012

NBAA's Carr To Testify On TSA Screening Of Foreign Flight Students

Hearing To Be Held Wednesday On Capitol Hill

A House Committee on Homeland Security subcommittee will hold a hearing Wednesday morning regarding the process used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to screen student pilot candidates from other countries.

General Norman Schwartz Joins MC-130E Crew On A Training Flight

When Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz climbed aboard the MC-130E Combat Talon I at Hurlburt Field in Florida July 12, for his last flight as an active duty officer, he immediately began to reminisce on his flying career with special operations and the C-130 Hercules community. "This is more than a little sentimental for me to be back in this seat again," the general said.

Optional Features Include Turbulence Detection, Ground Clutter Suppression

A new solid-state weather radar was unveiled Monday by Garmin which the company says affordably brings advanced Doppler-enabled features to general aviation aircraft. The GWX 70 combines exceptional range and adjustable scanning profiles with precision target definition for accurate, real-time weather analysis in the cockpit.

Oshkosh Fly-In Is "Hometown Crowd" For World's Largest Air Show Team

Team RV, the world's largest formation aerobatic team, will fill the sky for aviation fans from around the globe at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. With Monday and Wednesday performances, this diverse group of civilian aviators in their RV series aircraft intends to exceed expectations of even the most seasoned air show enthusiasts.

Nonprofit Organization Promotes Citizen Science And Space Exploration

The United States Rocket Academy welcomed last week's announcement that XCOR Aerospace will establish a new Commercial Space Research and Development Center in Midland, Texas. "Texas is on the verge of becoming the Space State," said United States Rocket Academy chairman Edward Wright. "XCOR will be the fourth company testing fully reusable suborbital rocketships in Texas."

United Steel Workers Had Represented Pre-Merger Pinnacle And Colgan Flight Attendants

Flight attendants at the new Pinnacle Airlines have elected the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) as their union following the merger of Pinnacle, Mesaba and Colgan. AFA will represent the nearly 1,800 flight attendants at the merged carrier.

Just A Few More Days Before Aviation's Eyes Turn To Wisconsin

Anticipation Building As 2012 Event Salutes Greatest Generation, Iconic Aircraft

In just a few days, more than 10,000 aircraft and hundreds of thousands of attendees will descend on Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture 2012, which begins Monday, July 23, and runs through Sunday, July 29.

Pankl Aerospace Named The Winner Of Sikorsky Innovations First Entrepreneurial Challenge

A portfolio of potentially transformational technologies packaged into an aircraft technology demonstrator named H.E.R.O. has won the first Sikorsky Innovations Entrepreneurial Challenge competition for Pankl Aerospace Innovations, a newly formed spin-off entity of Pankl Aerospace based in Cerritos, CA. The H.E.R.O. technology demonstrator features active camouflage, bionically inspired rotor blades, and advanced aerodynamics.

Curiosity On Target For Touchdown In Early August

NASA's most advanced planetary rover is on a precise course for an early August landing beside a Martian mountain to begin two years of unprecedented scientific detective work. However, getting the Curiosity rover to the surface of Mars will not be easy.

Nearly 600 Test Flights Conducted So Far In 2012

The F-35 program accrued the highest number of test points in a single month during June, an accomplishment indicative of the program's ongoing maturation. Additionally, for the 18th consecutive month the F-35 test program remained ahead of plan, according to a progress report released by prime contractor Lockheed Martin.

Minor Damage To Both Airplanes, No One Was Injured

A Boeing 737-700 flying for Arik Airlines collided with a C-130 belonging to the Nigerian Air Force on the tarmac at Jos airport Saturday, resulting in what the airline described as minor damage to both airplanes and no injuries.

Meeting In Miami Builds On Regional Support Strategy

Building on its regional support strategy that aims to bring realistic, affordable and convenient support options to customers in further-afield geographic markets BAE Systems Regional Aircraft recently concluded its second Americas Region Operators Conference.

NEW Twice-Weekly Airborne 07.17.12: NTSB's E-AB Recommendations, Garmin, Rotax -- OSHKOSH!!!

Also: Pilot Shortage?, ICON A5, WingX, New ISS Crew, Masten Video!, Aero car... and More!!!

With Oshkosh just around the corner, the NTSB has issued a lengthy list of recommendations to the FAA concerning the operation of Experimental and Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft. Garmin, who has been strangely silent for most of 2012, has finally broken that silence with three new product announcements. Boeing’s annual Pilot and Technician Outlook, released last week, projects the need for almost half a million pilots in the coming twenty years and that has industry analysts concerned. ICON Aircraft announced that its A5 Light Sport Aircraft will be powered by the new Rotax 912 iS engine. The two companies collaborated during the deve

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NEW Twice-Weekly Airborne 07.17.12: NTSB On E-ABs, Garmin, Rotax -- Oshkosh!!!

Also: Pilot Shortage?, ICON A5, WingX, New ISS Crew, Masten Video!, Aero Car... and More!!!

Transportation Subcommittee To Look At Program, DOT IG Audit

The U.S. House Transportation Committee subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI),will hold a hearing on Wednesday to review the FAA's Contract Tower Program, and the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s (DOT IG) ongoing audit of the program.

Buffenbarger: 'The Sale Should Not Be Rushed Through'

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today filed papers in U.S. Bankruptcy Court opposing an attempt by Hawker Beechcraft, Inc., to expedite the sale of its assets to a little-known Chinese company, Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd. (Superior).

Joint Letter Sent To Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee

In a joint letter to the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee, A4A and ALPA objected to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending proposal, which would allow foreign governments to pay for preclearance facilities at international airports, regardless if they are served by U.S. airlines and without consideration to where the greatest need for CBP staffing exists.

ALPA Blasts 'Regressive' Move On The Part Of The Airline

Indications are that AMR Corp. will file a motion in its bankruptcy proceedings by the end of the month to reject union contracts at its American Eagle regional carrier, according to a message circulated by ALPA.

NBAA Provides Input To FAA On Airport Design Standards

Agency Is Updating Advisory Circular Concerning Guidelines, Materials, Constructions Methods

NBAA recently submitted formal comments to the FAA regarding airport design standards. The FAA is updating Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-13A, Airport Design, which provides guidelines and specifications for materials and methods used in construction of airports, as well as in upgrades to existing airports.

Commercial Flight Was NORDO

Two Canadian CF-18 fighters under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted a commercial airliner near Quebec City, Quebec Monday at approximately 1150 MDT.

Prototype Will Not Be Displayed At AirVenture So Testing Can Continue

Terrafugia's prototype street-legal aircraft, the Transition, has moved into Phase 2 of its six planned Phases of flight-testing, according to a company news release. Phase 2 flight tests are a precursor to the start of documented ASTM compliance flights and focus on aircraft performance envelope expansion, airspeed system calibration, control surface effectiveness, and power-on and power-off stalls. Drive testing of the Transition prototype is proceeding concurrent with flight-testing.

“The proposed sale of Hawker Beechcraft to a Chinese government-backed entity has broad implications for the U.S. economy and national security. The sale should not be rushed through without adequate scrutiny by all interested parties" Source: IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger.

Haze produced when air pollution from multiple line, area or point sources is transported long distances to form distinguishable layers of discoloration in a stable atmosphere.

Aviation Weather Center -- METARS

NOAA's METAR Page -- To check the latest METAR texts: Enter 4-letter ICAO station identifier. If more than one, be sure to insert one or more spaces between stations.