Touchdown Came At About 0132 EDT Monday

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft that carried Curiosity succeeded in every step of the most complex landing ever attempted on Mars, including the final severing of the bridle cords and flyaway maneuver of the rocket backpack.

200,000 Airport Hot Dogs Served - and Still Counting

Every Saturday, rain or shine, summer or winter since 1992, Sporty's tells ANN that local and transient customers often gather for free hot dogs at noon. The only change is whether the hot dogs are served inside or outside. A few days before EAA AirVenture 2012 began, Sporty's served its 200,000th hot dog to Ian Seager. Seager had flown his Cessna 182 across the Atlantic and made a stop at Clermont County/Sporty's Airport (I69) on his way to AirVenture in Oshkosh.

Union Effusive About The Pact, Airline Guarded

The pilots of United and Continental Airlines, after more than two years of negotiating with the company for a joint collective bargaining agreement, and with the assistance of the National Mediation Board (NMB), have reached an agreement-in-principle (AIP) with United Continental Holdings, Inc., on major economic issues. While some details of an agreement still remain open, the pilots are confident a final AIP can be worked out in the coming days.

Event Officials Call AirVenture Week 'Productive'

The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo team had a productive week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. Sebring Airport Authority Executive Director Mike Willingham and U.S. Sport Aviation Expo Director Jana Filip greeted Expo exhibitors and made it clear that Expo’s focus is to provide exhibitors with as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate their aircraft.

Device Disguised As A Sidewinder Missile Indicates Aircraft Position, Flight Data

During training, Marine pilots participate in simulated aircraft versus aircraft dogfight operations in the skies above the Atlantic Ocean. Once the pilots are airborne, Marines and staff with the Tactical Training Range evaluate the pilots performance by using video and audio recording equipment as well as tactical combat training systems, disguised as sidewinder missiles.

All Cited For Not Properly Disclosing Fees In Ticket Prices

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined Philippine Airlines, Santa Barbara Airlines, and ticket agent Pacific for Less for violating the Department’s expanded airline passenger protection rules that took effect in January.

Israeli National Carrier Now Has A Total Of Six Of The Aircraft In The Pipeline

An order for two additional Next-Generation 737-900ERs (Extended Range) was announced Thursday by Boeing and EL AL, the Israeli national carrier. Firming up the orders adds to EL AL's previous order in March 2011, bringing the total number to six 737-900ERs in the pipeline. The two-airplane order is valued at approximately $179.2 million at current list prices.

Refused To Pull Up His Pants When Asked By A Flight Attendant

A man boarding a Spirit Airlines flight in Chicago recently found himself and his female traveling companion taking a later flight to Orlando when he refused to pull up his pants after being instructed to do so by a flight attendant.

It's Good To Be Lucky... And It's Lucky To Be Good -- Greg Koontz Is Both

One of the airshow industry's more experienced performers had an 'interesting' incident during this Thursday performance at the recently concluded 2012 Oshkosh EAA AirVenture airshow. Greg Koontz, known for his precise work in a bright red Decathlon (his previous Decathlon pictured below) showed up with a new airplane for this year's show and wound up using up more of his luck and skill than he cared to expend. In a recent chat with ANN, Koontz told the tale of what could have been a very bad day, rather dispassionately. As he undertook his first performance in a brand new Super Decathlon... an airplane he had picked up at the factory just a few days before... he did not expect what would transpire

Accident Reportedly Not Part Of Weekend Airshow Performance

A well-known and highly-experienced member of the airshow community is recovering from an accident in his 1942 "Jelly Belly" Interstate Cadet. Airshow Pilot Kent Pietsch is reported in stable condition following a 1700 (local time) Saturday accident that occurred during the first day of a weekend airshow in which he was listed as a featured performer. Wetaskiwin is some 70 km South of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. According to local media reports, Kent had finished a performance at the show when the accident occurred in which the aircraft flew close to the ground in a bank, struck a wingtip, and thereafter impacted just off the runway. Some reports indicate that a power failure may have led to the accident.

An Honored Flyer Tells Of His Service To America (Part 4 -- Final)

OK... we gotta tell you... this one was one of the best speeches we have EVER heard at any aviation event... and it occurred this year at the 2012 AEA Convention and Tradeshow. The kind folks of Universal Avionics pulled off quite a coup and arranged for a truly inspiring speaker for one of the most important gatherings in all of aviation -- the opening ceremonies of the 55th Annual AEA International Convention and Trade Show. And Universal's choice knocked it out of the park. Former Air Force One Command Pilot Colonel (ret) Mark W. Tillman, the United States’ 12th Presidenti

Also: Huerta Nomination, FAA RTTF NPRM, Suborbital Business, Barnstorming, and the Curiousity Landing

Official attendance numbers for AirVenture 2012 show the number of people through the turnstiles topped 500,000 ... but just barely. EAA president and CEO Rod Hightower said that 508,000 people attended the show adding, "That is a tremendous total considering the intensely hot weather, storms, and struggles in the overall economy." The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women licensed pilots, recently installed 71-year-old Martha Phillips of Newbury Park, CA as its latest International President. The FAA said Wednesday it will be issuing TF

Trading Freedom For Safety Rarely Works Well

By Gene Yarbrough One of my all-time favorite movies is the remake of I, Robot -- starring Will Smith and Sonny the robot. Will Smith's character, Detective Spooner, is investigating the alleged suicide of his good friend Dr. Lanning, but believes this is actually a homicide apparently perpetrated by a robot, in particular Sonny. In the movie, the psychology of robotics is presented and most notably the Three Laws of Robotics, created by Isaac Asimov, as a means of ensuring safety of the general public from robots. The Three Laws of Robotics are offered as defense, prima fascia, indicating that Sonny couldn't have murdered the good doctor. As the movie progresses, the actual perpetrator, 'V.I.K.I.' is revealed

Klyde Admits That Being The FAA's Acting Admin May Not Be All That Cool...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Last Week Closed Well For Boeing With Silk Air, Xiamen Commitments

As last week came to a close, Boeing announced some serious new orders for its growing order book. Boeing confirmed that SilkAir announced a commitment to order 31 737 MAX 8s and 23 Next-Generation 737-800s -- a deal that when finalized, will be worth $4.9 billion at list prices. Later in the day, Boeing also confirmed that Xiamen Airlines had agreed to purchase 40 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. The airline plans to use the airplanes for more international routes to meet growing passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific and China. The order, which is valued at $3.5 billion at list prices, requires Chinese Government approval and Boeing will work with Xiamen Airlines to obtain approval. After that time the order

Curiosity Mission Will Be Supported By Mars Odyssey Orbiter, On Station Since 2001

NASA's newest Mars mission, which is scheduled to land August 5th, will draw on support from missions sent to Mars years ago and will contribute to missions envisioned for future decades.

Mars The fourth planet in the solar system and the last member of the hard, rocky planets (the inner or terrestrial planets) that orbit close to the Sun. The planet has a thin atmosphere, volcanoes, and numerous valleys. Mars has two moons: Deimos and Phobos.

Aero Linx: Parachute Industry Association The Parachute Industry Association is comprised of companies and individuals united by a common desire to improve business opportunities in this segment of aviation. PIA is actively pursuing many technical, safety, and promotional projects that benefit its members and the industry it serves. If you are involved in any aspect of the business of parachuting, you are invited to join this dynamic organization.

"I found myself laying down in the back seat... with my body across the rear stick which was applying full aft stick... The plane did 1.5 snaps and banked away from crowd to about 90 degrees -- where the plane stopped (somewhat) rightside up but with very little energy." Source:Airshow Pilot, Greg Koontz, talking with ANN about the aftermath of a sudden seat weld failure during a recent airshow performance and the attendant actions he instigated to recover...