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Still No Timetable For 787's Return To Flight

Japanese regulators have joined their US counterparts in all but ruling out overcharged batteries as the cause of recent fires on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which have been grounded for a week with no end in sight. Solving the battery issue has become the primary focus of the investigation, though the head of the US Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday there are still no firm answers as to the cause and no clear timetable yet for returning the plane to flight. Meanwhile, as deliveries of the cutting-edge passenger jet back up, a key Chinese customer lamented the delays and said its growth plans were being hampered by its inability to get the planes on time.
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Boeing Engineer Confident 787 Is Safe
Boeing apologized to airlines on Wednesday for disruptions caused by the grounding of its 787 Dreamliner fleet and pledged to restore confidence in its newest passenger jet following a series of incidents that led to a US safety investigation and flight ban. Mike Sinnett, chief project engineer for the Boeing 787 program, said the company remained confident in the safety of the plane, which was grounded worldwide by regulators last week over potential fire risk following two incidents involving its lithium-ion batteries.
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DOT chief pledges total transparency in 787 review
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has defended his decision to declare the Boeing 787 safe days before FAA grounded the aircraft. He also defended the agency’s handling of how it initially announced a safety review of the Dreamliner. LaHood and FAA administrator Michael Huerta on Jan. 11 expressed complete confidence in the 787’s safety and held a joint press conference with Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. That was after a Japan Airlines 787 caught fire while parked at Boston Logan Airport, but before an All Nippon Airways 787 was forced to make an emergency landing. Both aircraft suffered malfunctions of their lithium ion batteries, which have become the focus of investigations by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)and the Japan Transport Safety Board.
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Japan Transport Safety Board: ANA 787 battery did not overcharge

A top Japanese transport safety official said the battery damage on an All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787 that made an emergency landing last week was not the result of overcharging. That assessment reverses a previous opinion from a Japanese investigator that the lithium ion battery’s 32-volt limit was exceeded. But it corresponds with US National Transportation Safety Board findings on a damaged lithium ion battery from the Japan Airlines (JAL) 787 that caught fire in Boston earlier this month.
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ATR awaits shareholder approval of 90-seat turboprop
ATR has provided early details about its projected 90-seat regional turboprop, but is not confirming whether the program will be formally launched this year. Chief executive Filippo Bagnato showed a slide during the airframer's press conference in Toulouse on 23 January, depicting an outline of the future aircraft. It featured a wing with upwards-angled winglets and engines with eight-blade propellers. The illustration also showed a classic T-tail, with the horizontal stabilizer mounted on top of the fin. On current-generation ATR 42 and 72 aircraft, the fin extends above the horizontal stabilizer.
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JetBlue charts next moves in Latin America and the Caribbean

Long synonymous with its home base at New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport, JetBlue is setting its sights south as it aims to increase its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America. Having established a name for itself in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where it is now the largest carrier, JetBlue is aiming to add more islands in the Caribbean to its network and is not ruling out launching flights to new Latin American destinations like Brazil and Peru, its director of network planning John Checketts said.
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Cessna stands behind lithium-ion batteries, plans roll-out on four jets after Q2
Cessna confirms that it intends to requalify lithium-ion batteries during the second quarter of 2013 and make them available to customers buying four of its jet models. The move underlines the jet maker's confidence in lithium-ion power sources amid a fleet-wide grounding of Boeing 787s linked to such batteries and only 15 months after Cessna itself issued an emergency recall of lithium-ion batteries introduced on the CJ4+ Citation Jet. Upon qualifying the batteries, Cessna will offer them for the CJ4+, Sovereign, Citation X and Citation M2, says the company.
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EasyJet First-Quarter Revenue Up 9.2 Percent

British low-cost airline easyJet on Thursday reported a 9.2 percent rise in first-quarter revenue and said first-half seasonal losses would be lower than last year. Europe's second-largest budget airline after Ryanair said revenue for the three months to the end of December 2012 grew to GBP£833 million (USD$1.32 billion), helped by improved load factors.
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US Airways Doubles Quarterly Profit

US Airways said on Wednesday that fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as higher revenue offset cost increases. The carrier, which has been in talks with American Airlines for months about a possible merger, said improved on-time arrivals and baggage handling helped drive traffic and revenue. Full-year profit excluding special items came to USD$537 million, the highest annual profit in company history, the company said.
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Ryanair Closing In On Major Boeing Order - Sources

Low-cost Irish airline Ryanair is closing in on a deal to buy at least 150 Boeing 737 passenger jets and the contract could be signed within weeks, industry sources said. Ryanair said in a statement that a deal was unlikely to be signed until later in the year at the earliest. Most or all of the planes would likely be current generation 737s rather than the upcoming MAX upgrade, which would allow Ryanair to secure a significant discount on the list price, two of the sources said on Wednesday. A large order of current generation 737s would help Boeing ensure no fall in production as customers hold out for the MAX, scheduled to enter service in 2017. At current list prices, an order for 150 Boeing 737-800s would cost about USD$13 billion.
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Helicopter hit crane while pilot was turning to head for heliport – investigators
The AgustaWestland AW109E helicopter that crashed into a crane over central London on 16 January was turning right over the river Thames to reverse its easterly track and head west for Battersea heliport when it hit the crane's jib at a recorded secondary surveillance radar altitude of 800ft (244m), according to a special bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The pilot, who had previously been cleared to hold over the river Thames to await clearance to Battersea, had just been informed by air traffic control that Battersea heliport could accept an approach. He had also been provided with Battersea's frequency to enable him to retune his radio and call the heliport. However, about five seconds after the pilot acknowledged the frequency change information the aircraft hit the crane while undertaking a right-hand turn through about 180˚.
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US Navy can’t award V-22 multi-year contract until US passes budget

The US Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) cannot award Bell-Boeing a second multi-year production contact for the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor until a 2013 defence appropriations bill is signed into law. "An agreement between the program and industry was reached for MYPII [multi-year procurement II] in 2012," NAVAIR says. "The awarding of the MYPII contract is contingent upon approval of the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA] and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2013. The NDAA was signed by the President January 2. We expect the multi-year deal to be complete when the President signs the Department of Defense Appropriations Act."
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First French personnel to begin A400M training

Activities to train the first French air force personnel to operate Airbus Military's A400M Atlas transport will begin late this month, with the service also confirming that it expects to receive its first of the aircraft during May. An initial cadre of maintenance personnel will receive training in supporting the type from 28 January at the International Training Centre at Airbus Military's San Pablo site near Seville, the French air force says. Its first pilots to convert to the Atlas will undergo instruction in Toulouse from 4 February, before receiving further training in Spain, it adds.
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UK confirms September retirement for aged VC10s

Operations with the UK Royal Air Force's remaining six Vickers VC10 tankers will conclude in September 2013, minister for defence equipment and support Philip Dunne has confirmed. "A decision was taken in late December 2012 to resource an extension of the VC10 fleet until September 2013," Dunne said in response to a parliamentary question on 22 January.
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US Airways reports Q4 profit of $37M
US Airways has posted a fourth-quarter profit of $37 million, compared to a profit of $18 million for the same quarter of the prior year. "We couldn't be happier with the performance of US Airways in 2012," said Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of the carrier.
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Load factor for U.S. airlines rose in October
U.S. airlines transported 60.8 million scheduled passengers in October, a dip of 0.6% when compared to the same month in the prior year. However, load factor for the month rose to 83.4% from 82.5% in October of the previous year.
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US Airways extends lease by 2 years at Philadelphia airport
US Airways has extended its lease at the Philadelphia International Airport for two years. The lease now runs through June 30, 2015. The agreement includes $734 million in enhancements to the airport.
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Senate panel will examine FAA approval of 787 batteries
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee plans to hold a hearing on Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The committee will investigate how the Federal Aviation Administration approved the use of lithium-ion batteries
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Other News

ATR achieved a 2012 record turnover of $1.44 billion, up 11% year-over-year. The turboprop manufacturer plans to deliver 80 aircraft in 2013—the largest number in its history, CEO Filippo Bagnato said Wednesday. ATR made 115 sales in 2012, comprising 74 firm and 41 options, and had a close-to-record order backlog at year end of 221 aircraft, marginally down from 2011's figure of 224. It delivered a record 64 aircraft in 2012. Bagnato said he hopes to maintain the current backlog at around the same level by year end. That would require around 80 sales given the current ramp-up in production. He is planning for around 90 deliveries in 2014.

SpiceJet posted a third-quarter net profit of INR1.02 billion ($18.97 million) in the October-December 2012 period. This compares to a loss of INR392.6 million year-over-year. Performance during the quarter was boosted by improved yields. Net sales grew 37% to INR16.03 billion during the period, mainly due to higher fares. SpiceJet CEO Neil Mills said average passenger yields were up 29% compared to the year-ago quarter. He said higher contribution from the airline’s international business helped improve performance. International flights now account for 7% of SpiceJet’s total revenue. The airline, which operates to 42 local and seven foreign cities, is trying to expand its presence overseas. Mills does not expect the high yields to be sustained for too long.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport has dismissed CEO and commercial director Rainer Schwarz, effective immediately. The dismissal is due to the much-delayed opening of the airport, which was scheduled for Oct. 27 and will most likely be delayed again. The airport opening has been delayed three times and is two years behind schedule. Brandenburg prime minister Matthias Platzeck, who has been appointed as the new chairman of the supervisory board, said interviews would be held shortly to fill the CEO and CFO posts. Announcing the board and management reshuffle last week, Platzeck said: “The supervisory board meeting today demonstrated the common will of the three shareholders—the German government, Berlin and Brandenburg—to haul the company back out of the deep water it is currently in: We are all pulling together.”

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has weighed in on the debate concerning proposed changes to Flight Time Limitations (FTL). EASA has expressed its “strong disagreement with the current disinformation campaign organized throughout Europe by the European Cockpit Association (ECA).” In a statement denouncing the agency’s proposal to amend the current EU rules on flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements for commercial air transport, ECA president Nico Voorbach said: “The new rules will allow airlines to carry out dangerous flight schedules. Air crews can be on duty for 20-22 hours. And they will be asked to fly over 12 hours throughout the night, whilst scientists warn that safety risks increase significantly after 10 hours at night.” EASA responded: “Contrary to what this pilot association says, the maximum duty period at night is reduced to 11 hours, 22-hour duty is not an option in real-life scenarios, recovery rest is significantly increased to up to 5 days in order to compensate for the time-zone crossings effect and crew standby are limited to 16 hours. The EASA proposal takes full account of the fact that fatigue is one of the main factors affecting human performance and makes no provision for increased air crew flight hours.” Commenting on Tuesday’s “Walkout for Safety” campaign jointly coordinated by the ECA and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), EASA executive director Patrick Goudou said: “It is clearly not a responsible attitude to play with the fear of passengers. EASA is committed to make no compromise with the safety of air passengers in Europe and throughout the world.”

Komiaviatrans, Russia`s regional carrier, will take delivery of its first Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft in early February. The aircraft will be leased from State Transport Leasing Co. The Syktyvkar-based airline ordered three of the type, which it plans to operate on local routes inside the Komi republic in Russia’s Northwest. In the future, Komiaviatrans plans to increase its network in other regions of the country. The airline currently operates helicopters Mil Mi-2s and Mi-8s, used on flights to Northern cities that are difficult to access. Last year, Krasnoyarsk-based KrasAvia Airlines and Salekhard-based Yamal Airlines took delivery of their first L-410.

Virgin America launched weekly Palm Springs-New York JFK service.

Transaero Airlines signed a multilateral agreement with UTair Aviation to establish interline connections via Moscow Vnukovo to cities in Russia, the CIS, the US and Western Europe.

[b]Dragonair will launch 3X-weekly Hong Kong-Da Nang Airbus A320 service March 28.

Mihin Lanka will operate Colombo service to Bahrain (6X-weekly, Dec. 7), Dhaka (5X-weekly, Dec. 7), Dubai (3X-weekly, Dec. 9), Delhi (5X-weekly, Feb. 1), Gaya (2X-weekly, Feb. 2), Jakarta (6X-weekly, Dec. 9), Madurai (3X-weekly, Dec. 7), Sharjah (4X-weekly, Dec. and Tiruchirapally (4X-weekly, Dec. to March 30, as well as 2X-weekly Colombo-Varanasi service Feb. 5-April 1.

Aviation Quote

Don't drop the aircraft in order to fly the microphone.

Anonymous

On This Date

---In 1932... French pilots Paul Codos and Henri Robida land in Paris after flying from Hanoi in French Indochina in a record time of 3 days 4 hours.

---In 1950…First flight of the North American YF-93.

---In 1961…A US Air Force B-52G on a 24-hour alert mission breaks up and crashes near Goldsboro, North Carolina. The crew safely ejects, but the plane manages to drop both of its Mark 39 nuclear bombs in the process. One of the warheads manages to complete 5 of the 6 steps needed to detonate, but thankfully does not. The other hits the ground at high speed and disintegrates, with the radioactive core burying itself deep underground to the point that it cannot be recovered. The USAF purchased the surrounding land to prevent theft.

---In 1962… Two United States Navy F-4 Phantom IIs are seconded to the United States Air Force as the Air Force plans to adopt the type.

---In 1966…Air India Flight 101, a Boeing 707 (reg VT-DMN, Katchenjunga) enroute to New York from Bombay via Delhi, Beirut and Geneva, crashes into Mont Blanc on the France/Italy border, killing all 106 passengers and 11 crew. While on approach to Geneva, air traffic controllers instructed the crew to begin their descent after passing Mont Blanc. Unfortunately, the captain began descending too soon, believing they had already flown over the 15,781ft peak. The plane impacted the southwest face of the mountain near the top, at 15,585 feet. TRIVIA: AI uses Flight 101 today to designate their Delhi-New York service.

---In 1966…First flight of the Learjet 24.

---In 1968...First A-12 flight over North Korea to observe the USS Pueblo. Pilot Frank Murray. The ship had been seized the day before (23 JAN 68). (Q)

---In 1975…First flight of the Aerospatiale SA 365 Dauphin F-WVKE.

---In 1978…Kosmos 954, a nuclear-powered Soviet reconnaissance satellite, falls out of orbit and breaks up, scattering bits of its nuclear reactor along a 300-mile swath of northern Canada. A U.S.-Canada task force manages to recover only 12 pieces and 1% of the nuclear fuel after searching a 48,000 sq. mi. area, for which the USSR is mailed a bill for $6,041,174.70.

---In 1986…The American spacecraft Voyager 2 makes its closest approach to Uranus, passing within 50,600 miles.

---In 2002…BMIbaby is founded.

---In 2010…A Taban Air Tu-154 carrying 157 people crash-lands and catches fire at Mashhad International Airport in northeastern Iran, injuring 46 people.

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A Southern Zoo

A small zoo in Mississippi obtained a very rare species of gorilla. Within a few weeks the gorilla, a female, became very difficult to handle. Upon examination, the veterinarian determined the problem. The gorilla was in heat. To make matters worse, there was no male gorilla available. Thinking about their problem, the Zoo Keeper thought of Lonnie Kyle, a redneck part-time worker responsible for cleaning the animal cages. Lonnie Kyle, like most rednecks, had little sense but possessed ample ability to satisfy a female of any species. The Zoo Keeper thought they might have a solution. Lonnie Kyle was approached with a proposition. Would he be willing to mate with the gorilla for $500.00?

Lonnie Kyle showed some interest, but said he would have to think the matter over carefully. The following day, he announced that he would accept their offer, but only under five conditions:

"First", Lonnie Kyle said, "I ain't gonna kiss her on the lips." The Keeper quickly agreed to this condition.

"Second", he said, "She must wear a 'Dale Earnhardt Forever' T-Shirt." The keeper again readily agreed to this condition.

"Third", he said, "you can't never tell no one about this." The keeper again readily agreed to this condition.

"Fourth", Lonnie Kyle said, "I want all the children raised Southern Baptist." Once again it was agreed.

"And last," Lonnie Kyle said, "I'll need another week to come up with the $500.

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