Zak/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user2/2.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 16 Dec 10, 10:25
NEWS
Twin Otter crashes in Nepal with 22 on board A Tara Air de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, registration 9N-AFX performing a charter flight from Lamidanda to Kathmandu (Nepal) with 19 passengers and 3 crew, lost radio contact with ATC about 5 minutes after departure from Lamidanda (Kothang Disctrict). In the morning of the following day the wreckage of the aircraft was found at an altitude of approximately 2700 meters/8850 feet at which the airplane had impacted Palunge Mountain near Srichaur VDC in the Okhaldhunga district. No survivors were found, all 22 bodies have been recovered. Link1 Link 2 Discussion
Anti-corruption body wades into Airbus, Flyington Freighters dispute India's anti-corruption organisation – the Central Vigilance Commission – has agreed to launch an investigation against Airbus for unfair business practices. Failed cargo airline project – Flyington Freighters – is behind the commission’s decision. The cargo airline was founded in 2006 in Hyderabad and was to be the launch customer of Airbus’ new A330-200 freighter in July 2008, having 12 on order. The freighter type suffered a string of delays and Flyington shut down while waiting. Link
SWA to order 20 Boeing 737-800s, aims to serve Hawaii Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly told the Wings Club in New York City that SWA has notified Boeing that it will “substitute 20 of its 737-700 orders for -800s,” with the first delivery scheduled for March 2012. The airline had made known its desire to add the larger type into its fleet of 737-700s, -300s and -500s but needed to get approval from its pilot and cabin crew unions first. Link
Aeroflot signs statement of intent for 16 Boeing 777 airliners Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot has signed a statement of intent with Boeing on delivery of 16 Boeing 777 aircraft, an Aeroflot source said on Thursday. Aeroflot plans to buy eight Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and eight Boeing 777-200ER aircraft either directly or through a financial leasing scheme. The U.S. Export-Import Bank is ready to back the deal. Link Discussion
ACCC okays Air NZ-Virgin Blue alliance Australian regulators have approved an alliance between Air New Zealand and Australia’s Virgin Blue Group on routes between the two nations, in a rare reversal of an initial rejection. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) imposed conditions that it says are similar, but not identical, to additional commitments promised by the airlines. The carriers now await a ruling from New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport, which they expect in the next few days. Link
Doha to open new terminal Doha International Airport will open its dedicated arrivals terminal to the public Dec. 19, shifting operations from the existing arrivals area in the main terminal following Emirates flight EK841 from Dubai. The current arrivals area will be renamed "Departures & Transfers terminal." Link
US aviation commission presents recommendations to DOT US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Wednesday received recommendations from DOT's Future of Aviation Advisory Committee for dealing with challenges faced by the aviation industry. Focusing on five main issue areas—safety, workforce, competitiveness, funding and the environment—the 19-person committee submitted a list of 23 specific recommendations representing the interests of labor, manufacturers, environment, finance, academia, consumer and general aviation stakeholders. Link
EC: Single European Sky ‘crucial’ to ATM in Europe European Commission VP-Transport Siim Kallas, who is highly critical of the recent air traffic controller strikes in several European countries—specifically in Spain, believes that the Single European Sky will eliminate these kinds of disruptions. Speaking to the European Aviation Club in Brussels on Wednesday, Kallas said, “I consider these strikes totally unacceptable. These are a defense of privileges. They are clearly disproportionate: A small group is shutting down a big part of the economy. If we deliver the Single European Sky project, these problems will be solved.” Link
Report: Officials set to debate limits on export aid for new aircraft Government officials meeting this week in Paris are expected to discuss a proposal that would limit export subsidies for new aircraft. Many big U.S. and European carriers back the change, because they are largely ineligible for loan guarantees under the so-called home country rule, meaning their cost of borrowing is higher. Boeing and Airbus, however, have long benefited from loan guarantees that make their planes more affordable for buyers outside the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Spain. Meanwhile, global airlines currently eligible for the export assistance have urged that the home country rule be dropped, allowing all airlines to benefit equally from loan guarantees. Link
Israel seeks 20 additional F-35 fighter jets Israel will seek 20 more F-35 fighter jets in addition to the 20 it ordered from Lockheed Martin in October, according to Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren. The jets are the "ballast in helping Israel maintain its qualitative military edge" over potential foes in the Mideast region, Oren said, and the order would come even after the failure of a U.S. offer to provide the planes in exchange for a freeze on Israeli settlement construction. Link
Marines drops 2012 combat-readiness goal for F-35 The Marine Corps has joined the Air Force and Navy in pulling back on the combat-readiness goal for its version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, following delays of the Lockheed Martin jet. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos said the December 2012 target for the combat capability of the squadron of 10 jets and crew has been dropped. "It will be when it will be," he said. Link
Orbital urges space plane as shuttle replacement Orbital Sciences Corp. has proposed that NASA adopt a "blended lifting body" vehicle -- or space plane -- capable of carrying four astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Orbital previously studied space plane designs for NASA from 2000 to 2003. The company submitted its space plane proposal to NASA under the Commercial Crew Development program, while Boeing proposed a seven-passenger capsule similar to the Apollo spacecraft. Link
Other News
Wataniya Airways announced it added a further 10 connections from Kuwait via Vienna as part of its partnership with Austrian Airlines. It operates thrice-weekly Vienna-Kuwait service, and has added to its route network, Amsterdam, Berlin, Bologna, Graz, Hamburg, Rome Fiumicino, Lyon, Munich, Nice and Venice.
Aer Lingus Regional will launch six-times-weekly Aberdeen-Dublin service March 27, under the franchise agreement between Aer Arann and Aer Lingus. A sixth Aer Arann ATR72 will be added to the Aer Lingus Regional fleet to operate the service.
ANA and EgyptAir reached a codeshare agreement under which ANA will place its NH code on MS's six-times-weekly Cairo-Tokyo Narita service and four-times weekly Cairo-Osaka Kansai service Dec. 20. MS will place its code on NH service between Kansai and Sapporo/Haneda/Fukuoka and on flights between Narita and Osaka Itami.
American Eagle Airlines will increase five-times-weekly Jacksonville-Miami service to daily April 5. The carrier will operate the service with 50-seat Embraer EMB-145s and ATR 72s.
AVIATION QUOTE
I was always afraid of dying. Always. It was my fear that made me learn everything I could about my airplane and my emergency equipment, and kept me flying respectful of my machine and always alert in the cockpit. — General Chuck Yeager, 'Yeager, An Autobiography.'
ON THIS DATE
December 16, 1951
The first helicopter powered by a gas-turbine engine flies successfully. The Kaman K-225 uses a turbine that makes for a lighter, simpler, more powerful engine compared to a conventional piston engine.
December 16, 1960
United Airlines Flight 826 and Trans World Airlines Flight 266 collided in mid-air in heavy clouds over Staten Island, New York City, killing 134 people.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
The top 15 advertising slogans for Delta Air Lines:
• Delta: We're Amtrak with wings. • Join our frequent near-miss program. • Ask about our out-of-court settlements. • Noisy engines? We'll turn 'em off! • Complimentary champagne in free-fall. • Enjoy the in-flight movie in the plane next to you. • The kids will love our inflatable slides. • You think it's so easy, get your own damn plane! • Delta: Our pilots are terminally ill and have nothing to lose. • Delta: We might be landing on your street! • Bring a bathing suit. • So that's what these buttons do! • Delta: A real man lands where he wants to. • Delta: We never make the same mistake three times.
TRIVIA
First Flights
First Flights
1. DC-3 a. 17 DEC 1934 b. 17MAY 1935 c. 17 DEC 1935 d. 17MAY 1936
2. DC-7 a. 18 DEC 1949 b. 18MAY1950 c. 18 MAY 1952 d. 18 MAY 1953
3. de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter a. 20 MAY 1959 b. 20 MAY 1962 c. 20 MAY 1965 d. 20 MAY 1967
4. BAC 111 One-Eleven a. 20AUG 1962 b. 20 AUG 1963 c. 20 AUG 1964 d. 20 AUG 1965
5. Beechcraft 90 King Air a. 20 JAN 1964 b. 20MAR 1964 c. 20 JUN 1964 d. 20 AUG 1964
6. Boeing 707 a. 16 JUL 1954 b. 20 DEC 1954 c. 20 DEC 1956 d. 20 DEC 1957
7. Lockheed L-188 a. 06 DEC 1956 b. 06 DEC 1957 c. 06 DEC 1958 d. 06 DEC 1959
8. McDonnell Douglas DC-9-10 a. 25 FEB 1965 b. 25 MAY 1965 c. 25 JUL 1965 d. 25 JUL 1966
9. Vickers Viscount a. 16 JUL 1948 b. 16 JUL 1949 c. 16 JUL 1950 d. 16 JUL 1951
10. Airbus Industries A300 B1 a. 28 FEB 1972 b. 29 FEB 1972 c. 28 JUL 1972 d. 28 OCT 1972
Ideology: The mistaken belief that your beliefs are neither beliefs nor mistaken.
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
