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NEWS

S7 to join oneworld; Star content to wait on Russia

Russia's S7 Airlines will join oneworld next year, the 10-member group announced, adding 54 new destinations and eight new countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) to the alliance's network.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16719

Virgin Atlantic doubles fiscal-year pre-tax profit
Virgin Atlantic Airways nearly doubled its pre-tax profit to £68.4 million ($108.7 million) for its fiscal year ended Feb. 28 from £34.8 million in the prior year.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16720

Jet's full-year loss deepens to $84.7 million
Jet Airways finished its fiscal year ended March 31 INR4.02 billion ($84.7 million) in the red compared to a INR2.53 million loss in 2007-08 and said a return to breakeven and profitability "requires exceptional efforts" considering the "sluggish demand" forecast for the coming year.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16721

Star confirms Aegean membership, targets May 2010 join
The Star Alliance Chief Executive Board accepted Aegean Airlines' membership application yesterday, Star CEO Jaan Albrecht announced at a news conference in Athens.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16722

USAF F-15s May Get Service Life Extension
The U.S. Air Force is conducting fatigue tests on F-15C/D/Es to assess whether the aircraft are suitable for a service life extension program (SLEP).
The fleet is expected to be good for about 8,000 flying hours, and Lt. Gen. Mark Shackelford, military deputy for the Air Force acquisition czar, says a SLEP could take them to 12,000 flying hours. The service is also exploring a SLEP for the F-16, which would take the aircraft from 4,000 flying hours to 8,000 flying hours.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... 052609.xml

First GP7200 propulsor delivered to Emirates
Engine Alliance partners GE and Pratt & Whitney have concluded delivery of a spare "propulsor" to Airbus A380 operator Emirates.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... rates.html

Aircraft surface cavities could cut friction drag by 40%
Friction drag could be cut by 40% with aircraft surfaces that have small cavities with shaped orifices to affect turbulence mechanisms, say researchers.
The orifices would be designed to direct oscillated air across the aircraft's surface perpendicular to the relative wind. It is this redirected air flow that is believed to affect near-wall turbulence mechanisms and reduce friction drag.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... by-40.html

Bombardier developing centralised health monitoring for CSeries
Bombardier is developing a centralized maintenance health monitoring system (CMHMS) for the CSeries that will provide real-time information about the entire aircraft to ensure enhanced diagnostics and prognostics.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... g-for.html


Other News

WestJet announced yesterday that its codeshare partnership with Southwest Airlines, slated to launch by late 2009, "will be delayed" because SWA "has decided to redirect a portion of its resources dedicated to the codeshare project towards other near-term revenue opportunities." Calgary-based WS emphasized that its new Sabre reservation system will be online by the fourth quarter and could handle implementation of the codeshare but said SWA is concerned about launching the arrangement in a weak revenue environment. A WS statement quoted SWA Executive VP-Strategy and Planning Bob Jordan as saying, "In response to the current economic environment, Southwest is focusing its immediate attention on several critical objectives, including increasing our revenues." He added that the Dallas-based LCC is "absolutely committed to our partnership with WestJet and to codesharing in general."

Neither carrier said how long the delay might be. SWA also has signed a codeshare deal with Toluca-based Volaris that was expected to kick in sometime next year; it is not clear whether that arrangement has been affected. "WestJet understands the decision made by Southwest," WS Executive VP-Commercial Distribution Hugh Dunleavy said. "Our continued US expansion is a key strategy for our airline, but codesharing is only one element of this. Both airlines remain committed to minimizing delays and are focused on generating revenue as quickly as possible."

El Al reported a $39.8 million first-quarter loss, narrowed 20.4% from the $50 million deficit posted last year. Revenue was down 26% to $346.7 million as passenger numbers fell 13% year-over-year. "Strict management of expenses together with the drop in fuel prices after offsetting for hedging expenses led to a significant drop in the company's costs and better results," President Haim Romano said in a statement cited by Reuters.

Chinese carriers had failed to pay bills totaling about CNY1.87 billion ($273.6 million) combined to 32 airports as of Dec. 31, according to the China Civil Airports Assn. Domestic carriers blamed "financial difficulties" for the defaults, which comprise mainly landing, parking and security fees. CCAA Secretary General Wang Jian said he was unsatisfied with that explanation, pointing out that airport charges account for no more than 12% of airlines' operating expenses and exert minimal impact compared to fuel, which comprises 40%-50%.

CCAA said carriers are asking for discounts and Wang said, "most airports have refused this request. Since air transport volumes keep rising, why should airports give a discount? It doesn't make any sense based on supply and demand," he argued. "Last year Chengdu Shuangliu punished United Eagle Airlines by suspending service owing to UEA's default, which is a good example." He revealed that other airports are planning to take similar action.

Air India started construction of an MRO and engineering center at Hyderabad Shamshabad. Facility will include a 9,000-sq.-m. hangar, component overhaul shops and offices and will cost approximately INR800 million ($16.8 million), the carrier said. AI is targeting completion in 18 months.

Malev Hungarian Airlines said Russia's Vneshekonombank, which took over the carrier in January, has provided a €20 million ($28 million) loan that will enable it to add a third and fourth Q400 over the summer. Chairman Anatoly Ballo said Malev has revised its 2009 business plan, which now "includes important steps to offset the crisis that are sufficient to bring the airline into a stable operational position."

Republic Airways Holdings reached an agreement with Midwest Airlines to operate two 100-seat E-190ARs with service scheduled to begin in August and September. Currently, Republic operates 12 76-seat E-170s under the Midwest Connect brand. Midwest Chairman, President and CEO Timothy Hoeksema said the new aircraft will enable Midwest to once again offer nonstop service to the West Coast from Milwaukee.

Jat Airways intends to change its name, Chairman Sasa Vlaisavljevic told Vecernje Novosti. Names under consideration are Air Serbia, Serbia Airlines and Serbia Airways, the newspaper reported.

Astra Airlines of Greece acquired a second 99-seat BAe 146-300 from BAE Systems Asset Management. The Thessaloniki-based charter and ACMI carrier took its first of the type last July and will use the new aircraft to launch its first scheduled flight to Kiev.

US Airways will launch daily Charlotte-Rio de Janeiro Galeao service on Dec. 2. Route will be US's first to South America and will be operated by a 204-seat, two-class 767.

Felix Airways launched flights from Sana'a to Sharjah and Djibouti.

Lufthansa Group airlines flew 12.2 billion RPKs in April, down 4.5% year-over-year. Capacity fell 1% to 16.14 billion ASKs and load factor dropped 2.8 points to 75.6%.

United Airlines flew 9.39 billion consolidated RPMs in April, an 8.7% decline year-over-year. Capacity fell at the same rate to 11.75 billion ASMs, leaving load factor at 79.9%.

China Southern Airlines flew 7.47 billion RPKs in April, up 2.2% from the year-ago month. Capacity rose 0.1% to 9.78 billion ASKs, lifting load factor 1.6 points to 76.4%.



AVIATION QUOTE

... a fighter pilot must be free to propose improvements [in tactics] or he will get himself killed.
— Commander Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, USN.



AEROSPACE TERM

Gas Solid Interactions

Effects of the impingement of gases (particles) on solid surfaces in various environments.



DAILY VIDEO





HUMOR

Career Change

A gynecologist was getting sick of his job and decided that he needed a career change.

He"d always enjoyed tinkering with engines so thought he"d become a mechanic. So he went along to mechanics school and the final test was to strip the engine completely and reassemble it back into perfect working order. Our gynecologist friend did the test and anxiously awaited his results.

The day he received the results, he got quite a surprise -- he got 150%. He quickly phoned the instructor and asked about the high mark.

The instructor said, ?No, thats right. First, I gave you 50% for stripping down the engine -- a very thorough job. Next, I gave you 50% for reassembling it -- a fantastic job really. And then I gave you a 50% bonus for doing it all through the tail pipe.?



TRIVIA

General Trivia

1. What was the first man-made object to reach the surface of the moon?

2. A number of Ernest K. Gann’s books were made into motion pictures, the most notable being The High and the Mighty and Fate is the Hunter. Why did he detest the second of these?

3. What is the world’s largest helicopter?

4. What vortac is colloquially known as the “Broken Bra Vortac?”

5. True or false; a helicopter pilot operating under a special VFR clearance to depart Class B, C or D airspace during the day or at night is not required to abide by any minimum visibility.

3. What is the world’s largest helicopter?
Mil Mi-26 Halo

5. True or false; a helicopter pilot operating under a special VFR clearance to depart Class B, C or D airspace during the day or at night is not required to abide by any minimum visibility.
False

1. What was the first man-made object to reach the surface of the moon?
Luna 2...Soviet spacecraft

2. A number of Ernest K. Gann’s books were made into motion pictures, the most notable being The High and the Mighty and Fate is the Hunter. Why did he detest the second of these?
Plot/story-wise, the two had no relation to each other...Gann requested his name be removed from everything having to do with the movie

UPDATE

India to spend $2B on helicopter modernization
Boeing Co. said Tuesday the Indian government has requested proposals for two helicopter projects totaling more than $2 billion. The Indian Air Force wants 22 attack helicopters and at least 15 heavy-lift helicopters as part of a $30 billion defense modernization plan. A new coalition government led by the Congress Party has said the defense push will be among its top priorities.
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsN ... 2920090526

Lockheed Martin wins $30M award in trade secrets case
Following a three-week trial, a federal jury has ruled that L-3 Communications Corp. violated Lockheed Martin Corp.'s trade secrets while upgrading the avionics on South Korea's P-3 maritime patrol aircraft. The jury awarded Lockheed Martin $30 million in damages but declined to award punitive damages. L-3 said it will appeal the decision.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1243363 ... smartbrief

North Korea raises tensions with two missile launches
One day after detonating an underground nuclear device, North Korea reportedly has fired two short-range missiles. According to intelligence sources in South Korea, the North launched one surface-to-air missile and one surface-to-ship missile, each with a range of about 80 miles. North Korea said the tests would "contribute to defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation and socialism, and ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula and the region."
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i= ... =ASI&s=AIR

Airlines split over future of first-class service
Amid a sharp decline in premium travel, the airline industry appears torn over the future of first-class service. Qantas said Monday it would no longer offer first-class on three long-haul routes, while British Airways will take delivery of four new Boeing 777s without first-class cabins. Meanwhile, competitors like Lufthansa and Air France-KLM are building dedicated first-class lounges and planning luxurious new cabins aboard Airbus A380 aircraft due to enter service in the near future.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/busin ... .html?_r=2

Textron gets $500M export help for Cessna, Bell
Textron Inc. has secured a $500 million credit facility to help the company sell its Cessna airplanes and Bell helicopters to international customers. The agreement with the U.S. Export-Import Bank was designed to help customers finance new aircraft purchased through December of next year.
http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-ne ... cing-help/

True burden of Waxman-Markey won't be known for years, experts say
As the Waxman-Markey energy bill inches forward in the House of Representatives, experts say the giveaway of allowances early on is helping to create consensus among lawmakers. But as the caps are gradually tightened in succeeding years, some industries will be hit hard -- and no one is certain exactly which industries will feel the most pain. "Some will have zero costs, some will have extremely high costs," says Robert Stavins, an economist at Harvard University. "It's very hard to estimate who will be the most burdened."
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/05/26 ... 10416.html

Space station ready to double crew size
After more than a decade of construction, the International Space Station will reach a "huge milestone" with today's launch of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying three new astronauts to the orbiting lab. With the completion of a water-recovery system, the space station can now accommodate six astronauts for months at a time.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/space/6442691.html

General aviation makes final effort to delay new security rules
Five aviation groups have made a last-minute appeal to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, asking her to delay a June 1 deadline for requiring ID badges or escorts for general aviation pilots. The associations noted that every airport badge will be different, creating a logistical nightmare, while escorts might be unavailable for flights that show up at odd hours without the required credentials.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... nnel=busav

Obama set to unveil cyber security findings
The White House says its comprehensive review of federal data protection standards will be released on Friday. Since February, the administration has been studying how federal agencies use technology to safeguard passport applications, tax records and other information. Experts fear air traffic, stock markets and more could grind to a halt in the wake of a successful cyber attack.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/poli ... 1577.story

“We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery."
--H.G. Wells

1. What was the first man-made object to reach the surface of the moon?
I'd have said something like Mercury or Gemini (or, actually, Saturn - but that's the rocket that carried Apollo missions) - I had to look it up, though, so I won't post it.
2. A number of Ernest K. Gann’s books were made into motion pictures, the most notable being The High and the Mighty and Fate is the Hunter. Why did he detest the second of these?
Stupid title
3. What is the world’s largest helicopter?
Dunno. AH60.
4. What vortac is colloquially known as the “Broken Bra Vortac?”
Don't know, but I'll guess it's one in West Virginia. How about Beckley VOR? BKW.
5. True or false; a helicopter pilot operating under a special VFR clearance to depart Class B, C or D airspace during the day or at night is not required to abide by any minimum visibility.
True

4. TDT
TIDIOUTE VORTAC
TIDIOUTE, PA

Location

Lat/Long: 41-42-46.915N / 079-25-02.174W (41.7130319/-79.4172706)

ANSWERS:

1. The Soviet Union launched Luna 2 on 12 SEPT 1959, 10 years before Apollo 11. The spherical, 860 pound scientific package impacted the lunar surface on 14 SEPT, 33.5 hours after lift-off.

2. The movie’s producers bought the movie rights to the book merely to use its title. The film and the book had little in common.

3. The massive Soviet-built Mi-12 featured two side-by-side rotors that together spanned almost 220 feet, more than the wingspan of a classic 747. It had a maximum lift-off weight of 231,485 pounds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-12

4. The Tidioute Vortac in Pennsylvania.

http://skyvector.com/#35-14-3-4098-2065

5. True, He is required, however, to remain clear of the clouds (as difficult as it may be to see them).