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NEWS

767 windshield cracks draw FAA scrutiny
The FAA is investigating two recent cases of cockpit windshield cracks attributed to a faulty heating system. The latest incidents involved American Airlines 767s, though similar cracks have been noted on older 757s, leading Boeing to issue a voluntary service bulletin covering both models. "Neither incident involved any fire, smoke or odor, nor did the crews declare an emergency," said an American spokeswoman, and both planes landed safely before undergoing repairs.
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AMR: $3.25 billion buyout offer is probably bogus
The parent company of American Airlines received a $3.25 billion buyout offer on Tuesday, but AMR Corp. says it has "never heard of" its suitor. "AMR Corp. is investigating the matter, but at this time we have no corroborating information to demonstrate the offer described in the letter is legitimate," the company said in response to the move by Sterling Global Holdings, which values American at $9.25 per share. Based on the Securities and Exchange Commission database, Sterling does not appear to be an AMR shareholder, and the little-known Florida firm made a similar buyout offer for Eastman Kodak last week.
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Sources say 737 bullet hole was likely caused by an accident
The FBI has been called in to investigate a nickel-sized hole in the fuselage of a US Airways 737 that appears to have been made by a bullet fired when the plane was on the ground and empty of passengers. A pilot in Charlotte discovered the hole during a pre-flight visual inspection on Monday, and "we involved the authorities immediately," according to an airline spokeswoman. Government sources told CNN that the incident appeared to be an accident rather than an act of terrorism. "We do not believe the plane was targeted. No one heard the bullet fired." said the government source.
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Study finds cancellations surged after tarmac delay rule
An independent study challenges the Transportation Department's position that new rules on tarmac delays have produced no noticeable increase in flight cancellations. Research from Airline Zone and Marks Aviation found a 26% jump in cancellations since last May, and many of those may have been indirectly affected by the rule on tarmac delays. The DOT responded to the study by pointing out that only 16 planes sat on the tarmac longer than three hours in the May-to-January period, compared to 605 such delays a year earlier.
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UK regulator upholds decision on BAA airport sales
The UK Competition Commission said it saw no grounds to alter its initial decision regarding UK airport ownership and again ordered BAA to sell London Stansted and one of its two Scottish airports, either Edinburgh or Glasgow.
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Air China 2010 net profit rises to $1.83 billion
Air China posted a 2010 net profit of CNY12 billion ($1.83 billion) based on international accounting standards, more than double net income of CNY4.9 billion in 2009.
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Qantas cuts growth plans in wake of natural disasters, soaring fuel prices
Qantas has slashed growth plans and warned of management cuts as the airline grapples with unprecedented natural disasters and soaring jet fuel prices. QF CEO Alan Joyce said Wednesday that an A$140 million ($141 million) hit to its bottom line from the recent weather and earthquake disasters necessitates a cut in domestic growth from a previously-planned 14% to 8% and in international growth from 10% to 7% for the second half of its current fiscal year ending June 30. Joyce would not specify the number of management jobs to be eliminated, though some analysts put the number as high as 200. In 2009 QF cut 90 senior managers and 500 middle managers from its ranks. Joyce said he hopes that layoffs can be avoided through employees taking annual and long-service leave.
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Airbus examines possible counter to erroneous airspeed data
Airbus has disclosed that it has been studying a concept to safeguard airspeed information in the event of unreliable air data being received through the regular pitot system. But the concept, based on alternative airspeed calculation and detailed in an Airbus-affiliated patent, is still embryonic and unlikely to emerge as an operational application in the near term.
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Piaggio Avanti is a work of art

A Piaggio P180 Avanti II has been transformed into a work of art by Italian artist Mimmo Paladino. The exhibit is dubbed Cacciatore di Stelle (Star Hunter) and it is the first time an aircraft has been painted by a contemporary artist. It is on display at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan from until 28 April.
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India's opts for caution on return to launch pad
After two failures of its heavy lift Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) in April and December last year, India is taking a cautious approach to resuming launch operations of the vehicle, delaying a planned first-quarter mission for its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
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Other News

Boeing and GE Capital Aviation Services(GECAS) finalized an order for 10 GE90-115B-powered 777-300ERs valued at approximately $2.8 billion at list prices. The aircraft "will help GECAS meet growing airline demand for long-haul passenger airplanes," said Boeing in a statement.

AviancaTaca Holding S.A., the parent of Avianca and TACA, on Monday commenced an initial public offering on the Colombian Stock Market consisting of 100 million shares of non-voting preferred stock, priced at $2.70 (COP5,000). The offering is expected to raise approximately $250 million after underwriter fees and discounts. The IPO will conclude April 15. Proceeds will be used for "corporate expansion plans of the holding company [and] subsidiaries," the company said.

VivaColombia is the name of a new Colombian low fare airline that has applied for an AOC to operate on major routes within the county and hopes to commence operations in the first quarter of 2012. According to a statement from the carrier, once the AOC is issued by Colombian regulators, the airline's shareholders will comprise Irelandia, the investment fund managed by Declan Ryan; Inversionistas en Autotransportes Mexicanos, Mexico's leading intercity bus company which already is a partner with Irelandia in Mexico's VivaAerobus; Grupo FAST, led by Juan Emilio Posada; and Grupo Bolivar.

Representatives of the Spanish government, Iberia and Airbus signed an agreement Wednesday to develop "a complete Spanish ‘value chain’ for sustainable and renewable aviation biofuel for commercial use."

US National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating a March 27 incident involving a Southwest Airlines 737 headed for Orlando "that was requested to veer off course by Air Traffic Control to view into the cockpit of a general aviation airplane that had been out of radio communication." FAA said in a statement that the SWA pilots complied, and "preliminary information indicates that there was a loss of required separation between the two aircraft."

Ryanair announced on Wednesday that it will introduce a €2 ($2.82) levy per passenger to fund the costs associated with “force majeure” cases under the EU261 European passenger compensation regulation.

American Airlines will temporarily suspend one of its two daily Dallas/Fort Worth-Tokyo Narita flights and its daily New York JFK-Tokyo Haneda service through at least April 26.

Delta Air Lines launched daily Miami-London Heathrow service.

Xiamen Airlines started daily 737-800 Zhengzhou-Singapore Changi service.

Alaska Airlines will increase its four-times-weekly Oakland-Kahului service to daily June 5.

Air France will launch thrice-weekly Paris Charles de Gaulle-Orlando flights June 11.

LOT Polish Airlines will launch thrice-weekly Embraer 170/175 Warsaw-Donetsk service June 3.



AVIATION QUOTE

I've never seen an airplane yet that can read the type ratings on your pilot's license.

— Chuck Boedecker



ON THIS DATE

March 31st

• n 1912... The world’s first hydroplane competitions, held in Monaco, over the past week, has been a runaway success for Farman biplanes. Belgian Jules Fisher is the overall winner. He is one of only two non-French pilots of the eight starters and flies a Henry Farman machine.

• In 1975... A specially modified Royal Canadian Air Force de Havilland CC-115 (DMC-5 Buffalo) makes its first flight carrying an inflatable air-cushion landing system beneath the fuselage.

• In 1979... The British government announces development and production costs for the Concorde supersonic airliner since November 29, 1962, when agreement was reached with France to design and built the aircraft. Through December 31, 1978, the French government spent a total of £920 million whereas the British spent £898 million. The total cost of £1.818 billion would increase by a further £163 million, before government funding ceased.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Aerial Photos

A photographer for a national magazine was assigned to take pictures of a great forest fire. He was advised that a small plane would be waiting to fly him over the fire.

The photographer arrived at the airstrip just an hour before sundown. Sure enough, a small Cessna airplane was waiting. He jumped in with his equipment and shouted, "Let's go!" The tense man sitting in the pilot's seat swung the plane into the wind and soon they were in the air, though flying erratically.

"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make several low-level passes." "Why?" asked the nervous pilot. "Because I'm going to take pictures!" yelled the photographer. "I'm a photographer, and photographers take pictures."

The pilot replied, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?"



TRIVIA

Tail ID

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miamiair wrote:Piaggio Avanti is a work of art

A Piaggio P180 Avanti II has been transformed into a work of art by Italian artist Mimmo Paladino. The exhibit is dubbed Cacciatore di Stelle (Star Hunter) and it is the first time an aircraft has been painted by a contemporary artist.

I guess Peter Max doesn't count - presumably because he didn't paint it himself? - or the AF Concorde that a bunch of art students painted up (I have a photo in a book somewhere but can't find one online).

Looks beautiful, though.


TRIVIA

3. Air Honduras?
6 Air Florida
7 Philippine Air
10 Mandala

ShanwickOceanic wrote:I guess Peter Max doesn't count - presumably because he didn't paint it himself?

There's a bit of Banksy on a Flybe Q400 too.

1. LADECO
3. SAHSA
6. Air Florida
7. Philipine Airlines

Great shot of that departing C17 Fabster . . .

Trivia

4. Southern
6. Air Florida

At first glance, that does it . . . I suck today.

ANSWERS:

1. Ladeco Airlines
2. WE, Centurion Air Cargo
3. TAN, Transportes Aereos Nacionales (Honduras)
4. SOU, Southern Airways (Defunct)
5. TAL, Trans Air Link (Defunct)
6. QH, Air Florida (Defunct)
7. PR, Philippines Airlines
8. PLM, Air Pulmantur
9. PY, Surinam Airways
10. RI, Mandala Air