NewsCommercial
MRJ90 makes first US test flight
Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. has started MRJ90 flight testing in the US. The Japanese manufacturer, which plans to bring four of five MRJ flight test aircraft to the US, said its first flight test aircraft (FTA-1) took off at 1:20 p.m. local time Oct. 17 from Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington, where its US flight test program is based.
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Russia, Portugal develop bilateral agreement
Russian and Portuguese aviation authorities have agreed to add a second designated carrier from each side for the routes between the countries. According to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, approved airlines are allowed to operate up to 14X-weekly Moscow-Lisbon service and up to 7X-weekly service on other routes connecting the countries. In June 2009, TAP Portugal launched 5X-weekly Lisbon-Moscow Domodedovo Airbus A320 service, which the airline increased or decreased frequencies depending on demand. In July 2014, the Portuguese flag carrier announced Lisbon-Saint Petersburg seasonal service.
LinkAirlines
Inside cabin of Delta MD-88 after 2015 runway excursion
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a video showing the scene inside the cabin of a Delta Air Lines Boeing MD-88 during an evacuation at New York's LaGuardia airport in March 2015. The video, taken by passengers and obtained by FlightGlobal from the NTSB, depicts a relatively orderly though tense atmosphere.
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Eastern Air Lines replaces CEO
Miami-based Eastern Air Lines Group, the startup charter operator attempting to revive the iconic brand, has replaced CEO Edward Wegel, effective immediately. Eastern, which was launched in 2011 and seeks to add scheduled services to its charter activities, said CFO James Tolzien will serve as interim CEO. The company’s board of directors will conduct a “global search” for a new CEO, Eastern said in a statement. Wegel had been CEO since the carrier’s 2011 launch.
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Etihad seeks UK advice on surface efficiencies
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is teaming with UK air navigation service provider (ANSP) NATS to help deliver a series of operational enhancements across its network. In particular, the airline is seeking to improve the way it cooperates with air traffic control providers and airport operators on airfield management procedures.
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Iberia joins oneworld Europe-Japan JV
Spanish flag carrier Iberia has formally joined the Europe-Japan joint venture with oneworld alliance members British Airways (BA), Finnair and Japan Airlines (JAL). On Oct. 18, Iberia joined the venture with 3X-weekly nonstop services between Madrid and Tokyo Narita, marking its return to Japan.
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JetBlue is a leader in sourcing local products for its in-flight menu
JetBlue's in-flight menu highlights products from small local suppliers through its BlueBud program. Offerings include New York's Blue Marble Ice Cream and Brooklyn Roasting Company Coffee. The innovative program lets companies apply for the business-mentoring program, which helps educate participants on the unique challenges of serving food at 30,000 feet.
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LOT Polish Airlines launches Seoul services
LOT Polish Airlines launched 3X-weekly Warsaw-Seoul Incheon services Oct. 17, its third Asian destination. LOT CEO Rafal Milczarski said, “Our customers need convenient flights with a good timetable and as short as possible transfers … passengers no longer need to transfer at large and crowded hubs of Western Europe.”
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Ryanair cuts profit outlook on Brexit concerns
Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair has lowered its 2016-17 full-year net-profit guidance to €1.3-€1.35 billion ($1.4-$1.5 billion), 5% lower than previously forecast, because of currency exchange effects following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (Brexit). Ryanair is based in the Republic of Ireland, which will remain in the EU, but approximately 26% of the airline’s revenues are in UK pounds. Since Brexit, the value of the pound has fallen 18%.
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Sweden, Norway sell 7% of SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Sweden and Norway have each reduced their shareholding in SAS Scandinavian Airlines, after jointly selling 7% of the airline. “We can confirm that the Swedish and Norwegian governments last week announced that they completed a sell-out of 23 million common shares in SAS, which corresponds to 7% of outstanding shares,” SAS head of investor relations Björn Tibell said.
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Singapore Airlines to upgrade cabin products on new A380s
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will upgrade the cabin products on its five new Airbus A380s, which are on firm order with Airbus for delivery from the 2017 second half. “These aircraft will feature the latest state-of-the-art cabins,” SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong told journalists Oct. 14 on the sidelines of Airbus’s 10,000th aircraft delivery ceremony. Goh declined to give more details about the A380 cabin upgrades, but said the carrier remains committed to the A380, especially on high-demand routes and at slot-constrained airports. “This aircraft helped to develop our Singapore hub,” he said.
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United posts record on-time performance in Q3
United airlines CEO Oscar Munoz highlighted the company's third-quarter performance, despite the $545 million in taxes the carrier paid due to a one-time gain. "We delivered another very good quarter, demonstrating the progress United continues to make at improving our customer service, which included our best third quarter on-time performance in company history," said Munoz.
LinkAirports
Air Canada opens Maple Leaf Lounge inside EWR
Air Canada opened its newest signature Maple Leaf Lounge at Newark's Liberty International Airport, its third in the US. The exclusive lounge offers refreshments and complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as work facilities for those passengers needing printing capabilities.
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United Airlines Terminal C at Newark Liberty host scores of new eateries
United Airlines Terminal C in Newark Liberty International Airport "has undergone a food renaissance," writes Robin Amster. The terminal has added 55 new food and beverage venues in a recent $120 million revamp.
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UK Airport Expansion Decision Due Next Week
The UK government will announce next week its decision on where it will approve airport expansion in the south-east of the country. London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports are the candidates for additional runway capacity in a process that is coming to a conclusion after over 20 years of debate.
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Military
Israel takes delivery of fourth C-130J
Israel's fourth Lockheed Martin C-130J "Samson" tactical transport arrived at an air force base in the country in mid-October. It will be followed by another two examples by the end of this year. The Israeli air force's "Elephants" squadron, which operates the new-generation Hercules, has already tested the C-130J during aerial refuelling missions with a Boeing 707 tanker, and is currently testing its low-level flight capabilities using some Israeli-developed systems.
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Aurora Flight Sciences unveils robotic pilot assistant
Aurora Flight Sciences has unveiled a prototype of a robotic “pilot assistant” that functions as a second-pilot in a two-seat aircraft. The production version of the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) is in development for military and commercial cockpits, the Manassas, Virginia aerospace technology company says.
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DoD awards $743 million contract linked to ninth lot of F-35s
The US Department of Defense has awarded a Lockheed Martin a $743 million contract linked to the ninth batch of F-35 fighters, as negotiations on a final production contract for Lots 9 and 10 continue. The contract sets not-to-exceed prices for up to $385 million on a range of services for the US military’s F-35 customers, including redesign and development of components with diminishing manufacturing and material services. The funds also pays for post-production concurrency changes on the 57 aircraft ordered in Lot 9.
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Aviation Quote
Would not the sight of a single enemy airplane be enough to induce a formidable panic? Normal life would be unable to continue under the constant threat of death and imminent destruction.
- General Giulio Douhet, The Command of the Air, 1921.
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Trivia
Military Aircraft
1. The Mikoyan-Gurevich aircraft company produced some of the most formidable Soviet jet aircraft to fight in the many wars of the 20th century - the MiGs. NATO intelligence assigned them new (English) names. Which of the following was NOT the name of a MiG fighter?
Fagot
Flogger
Foxhound
Flanker
2. The French aircraft company "Dassault-Breguet" produced France's most successful line of Jet Fighters, the Mirages. All Mirage fighters were designed with the distinctly triangular Delta-Wing configuration.
True
False
3. The Israeli Aircraft Industries produced several aircraft based on the French Mirage, after France put a stop to military cooperation between the two countries. Which of the following is NOT one of the fighter aircraft designs created by Israel after its relations with France went sour?
Nesher
Lavi
Kfir
Arava
4. While close-support for ground troops was eventually delegated to "Rotary Wing Aircraft", also known as Helicopters, some jet aircraft were specifically designed to provide anti-tank support on the battlefield. Which of these aircraft is NOT designed for such a role?
A-10 Thunderbolt
Q-5 Fantan
Su-25 Frogfoot
A-6 Intruder
5. Most aircraft aficionados will instantly recognize the "Blackbird", a super-sonic jet with some stealth properties, designed to fly at extremely high altitudes while taking pictures. Which American company was responsible for producing this massive reconnaissance aircraft?
Grumman
Lockheed
Northrop
Boeing
6. Which of the following car manufacturers was never involved in the production of aircraft or aircraft parts, at any time during the 20th century?
Rolls-Royce
Mitsubishi
Saab
Peugeot
7. American Fighter Jets are usually designated by the letter "F" followed by a number. Due to the specific process of defense-contracting in the United States, some of the numbers have gone unused. Of the following models, which aircraft actually went on to military production and use?
F-111
F-17
F-48
F-39
8. The founder of one of the leading American aerospace companies was infatuated with the idea of a Flying Wing - an aircraft comprised of a single aerodynamic shape, with no outstanding fuselage. Which company did he found?
General Dynamics
Northrop
Boeing
McDonnell-Douglas
9. While jet power has certainly become the dominant means of propulsion for aircraft in the latter half of the 20th century, some civilian and military aircraft still held a potential application for propeller-driven engines. Which of the following aircraft has propellers instead of jets?
Ilyushin Il-76
Grumman E-2
Vickers-Armstrongs Valiant
McDonnell-Douglas KC-10
10. Which of the following aircraft does not have any sort of weaponry for aerial combat?
Tupolev Tu-22
Lockheed F-117A
Hawker-Siddeley Harrier
Cessna A-37
