miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 28 Jun 11, 08:27
NEWS
Chinese government reportedly blocks A380 order over EU ETS The Chinese government has blocked an order from Hainan Airlines' subsidiary Hong Kong Airlines for 10 Airbus A380 aircraft, according to widespread news reports. The order had been scheduled to be announced at last week's Paris Air Show. An industry insider confirmed that the Hong Kong-based carrier had to postpone the order because Beijing failed to give the airline a "green light," in part to express its disapproval of Chinese carriers' inclusion in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme starting next year. In a statement released last month, the China Air Transport Assn. noted it would urge the Chinese government to "impose much tougher retaliation measures" against the EU over the ETS, which it said could "severely impact" the "friendly cooperative relations between Chinese and European carriers as well as European aircraft manufacturers." The organization estimated that the ETS will cost Chinese carriers CNY800 million ($123.6 million) annually. Link
Branson: Pilots' strike would leave 'indelible scar' on Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic Airways founder and Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson warned that a pilots' strike would leave "an indelible scar" on the airline, "impact customers' trust" and "damage the unique and friendly culture at Virgin Atlantic." Link
Boeing: 787 enters 'final phase of flight testing' Boeing said Monday it has started function and reliability testing and ETOPS demonstrations on the 787, noting it is entering the "final phase of flight testing prior to certification of the airplane." Link
Boeing plans two-tiered ETOPS approval for 787 As it begins function and reliability (F&R) and extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) testing on the 787, Boeing will have a two--phase implementation of its ETOPS certification, with 180min operations certified at entry into service with All Nippon Airways (ANA) in August or September and a further 330min certification following a required "software adjustment" due to a US FAA rule change. Link
Sweden nears decision on C-130 avionics upgrade The Swedish air force is nearing a decision on a long-planned avionics modernization program for its Lockheed Martin C-130H transports, according to the service's inspector general, Maj Gen Anders Silwer. Link
AeroMechanical to provide flight reporting on two CRJ900s AeroMechanical Services' next generation automated flight information reporting system (AFIRS) has been selected by an undisclosed customer for installation and integration on two Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets. The customer will use the so-called AFIRS 228 system "for flight following and satellite communications to enable operations personnel to pinpoint aircraft location and communicate with pilots anywhere the aircraft flies", said AeroMechanical Services, which is marketed under the FLYHT brand. Link
Qatar Airways still planning A320neo, CSeries deals Qatar Airways indicates that it still aims to conclude major aircraft orders soon, despite its much expected buying spree at the Paris air show not materializing. The Doha-based carrier announced a deal for six more Boeing 777-300ERs on the first day of the show, but expected orders for Airbus A320neos, A380s and Bombardier CSeries were not announced. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... deals.html]Link[/url]
Former Southwest CEO Kelleher helped revolutionize industry Herb Kelleher has been with Southwest Airlines since the beginning. He fought legal battles to get the carrier off the ground and then helped revolutionize the industry. Although he's been retired for a few years, he still offers his advice when asked. In this interview, Kelleher discusses his current role at Southwest, how the industry has changed over the years and how it likely will change in years to come. Link
Many questions remain as United and Continental integrate United and Continental airlines are addressing hundreds of questions, including which color of carpet to use in priority boarding lanes, what kind of uniforms flight attendants should wear and what type of cocktail napkin designs to use, as they integrate their operations. The airlines announced their merger last year, kicking off months of changes to systems that serve millions of passengers in dozens of countries around the world. Link
Travel expert: Delta was unfairly singled out over Saudi policies Delta Air Lines announced earlier this year that Saudi Arabian Airlines will joint SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, in 2012. Delta is now denying speculation that it will adopt some of the Saudi carrier's policies. Trebor Banstetter, a spokesman for Delta, said the company does not discriminate, and some travel experts agree. "Delta has been unfairly singled out," says Henry Harteveldt, a vice president of Forrester Research. "We may find a lot of Saudi Arabia's policies unpleasant and not agree with them, but any airline flying into any country is obliged to act by the rules of that country." Link
Boeing's 747-8 is slowed by new flight-management system Boeing's 747-8, the newest version of the company's largest and most expensive aircraft, has completed some of its function and reliability testing, but its progress has been hindered by its complex flight-management system. The delays mean that the 747-8 will be vying with the 787 Dreamliner, which is not as far along in its function and reliability testing, for first delivery. Link
Lawmakers, others raise concerns about LightSquared's proposal Rep. Thomas Petri, R-Wis., voiced concerns during a House subcommittee hearing about LightSquared's proposed broadband spectrum. The service could burden or disrupt GPS, affecting the aviation industry, critics say. "In aviation there's no room for error," Petri said. He argued that the Federal Communications Commission should "not approve plans that would introduce unacceptable risk into the aviation system or leave aviation GPS users with new, costly burdens." Link
Opinion: Obama takes pro-labor stance too far Columnist Fred Barnes writes that recent run-ins involving unionized workers at Delta Air Lines and the hand-picked pro-union members of the National Mediation Board make it appear that President Barack Obama is stacking the deck in favor of unions. "You might suspect [President Obama] aims to change the Democratic party into the Labor party," writes Barnes. Link
Other News
Greek ATC: Flights to/from and within Greece are expected to be heavily disrupted Tuesday owing to work actions by the country's ATC personnel between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time. The planned walk-off is part of a wider general strike called by the main Greek unions for June 28-29 in protest of a vote in parliament on a further austerity measures.
Avolon the Dublin-based aircraft lessor, said it is aiming to establish itself as a leader in the Asia/Pacific and Middle East markets and plans to open an office in one of the two regions during the next 12 months. It already maintains offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai and has leased 26 aircraft to nine airlines between the two regions.
AerCap Holdings completed an amendment to its $775 million non-recourse revolving debt facility, arranged by UBS Securities in April 2006. The amendment extends the facility to June 2016, granting AerCap an additional two-year revolving period with a three-year term-out period.
Boeing delivered a 777 freighter to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Crystal Cargo. The freighter is Etihad's first Boeing freighter and joins the airline's existing 777 fleet, which includes seven 777-300ERs.
TAAG Angola Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER. The aircraft is part of an order for two placed in October 2009. The aircraft will be used for route expansion on service to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Lisbon, Oporto, and into the US upon approval.
Eznis Airways, a Mongolia-based airline, is acquiring two 93-seat Avro RJ85 aircraft from BAE Systems. The first aircraft has just been delivered and will enter service later this month; the second will follow in July. Both aircraft are equipped with the BAE Systems’ unpaved runway protection kit that allows operations from unsealed and gravel runways. The carrier operates four 34-seat Saab 340B turboprops and was established in 2006 by the Newcom Group, a leading investment company in Mongolia.
Aero Pneudraulics, an aircraft repair and overhaul services provider, announced it has changed its name to AeroWorx. The company recently expanded into a new 40,000 sq. ft. facility in Torrance, Calif.
TAECO opened its sixth maintenance hangar at Xiamen Gaoqi International. The $73.5 million, 45,790 sq.-m. hangar is fully equipped to accommodate two widebody aircraft, enabling capacity expansion by 20%.
Lufthansa Technik has begun constructinga new maintenance hangar at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, to be completed by June 2012. LHT will invest €16 million ($22.8 million) in an 18,200 sq. m. area, including 6,700 sq.-m. hangar space and 1,700 sq. m. for office facilities. LHT expects to employ 110 staff. The new facility will handle A checks and can house up to five short- and medium-haul route aircraft. It can also accommodate widebodies the size of an Airbus A340-300.
AVIATION QUOTE
Hours and hours passed, with nothing to do but keep the compass on its course and the plane on a level keel. This sounds easy enough, but its very simplicity becomes a danger when your head keeps nodding with weariness and utter boredom and your eyes everlastingly try to shut out the confusing rows of figures in front of you, which will insist on getting jumbled together. Tired of trying to sort them out, you relax for a second, then your head drops and you sit up with a jerk, Where are you? What are you doing here? Oh yes, of course, you are somewhere in the middle of the North Atlantic, with hungry waves below you like vultures impatiently waiting for the end.
— Amy Johnson
ON THIS DATE
June 28th
---In 1911... The first airplane charter flight is made by English aviator Thomas Sopwith who is hired by Wannamaker’s New York store to deliver repaired glasses to Philadelphia merchant W. A. Burpee.
---In 1927... The first non-stop flight between the United States and Hawaii is made by U.S. Lts. Albert F. Hegenberger and Lester J. Maitland. They fly 2,407 miles (3,874 km) from Oakland to Honolulu in 25 hours, 30 minutes.
---In 1927…Iberia Airlines is founded.
---In 1978…The Dassault Super Étendard enters operational service with the Aéronavale.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
Reports
A Mexican newspaper reports that bored Royal Air Force pilots stationed on the Falkland Islands have devised what they consider a marvelous new game. Noting that the local penguins are fascinated by airplanes, the pilots search out a beach where the birds are gathered and fly slowly along it at the water edge. Perhaps ten thousand penguins turn their heads in unison watching the planes go by, and when the pilots turn around and fly back, the birds turn their heads in the opposite direction, like spectators at a slow-motion tennis match. Then, the paper reports, "The pilots fly out to sea and directly to the penguin colony and overfly it. Heads go up, up, up, and ten thousand penguins fall over gently onto their backs.
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
Zak/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user2/2.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 28 Jun 11, 09:03
