Southwest 737 slides off Chicago runway A Southwest 737-700 slid off the runway at Chicago's Midway Airport during landing this afternoon. Initial reports say that none of the 134 passengers or five crew were harmed; damage to the aircraft is unknown at this time but none was immediately evident in photographs of the scene. Link
Probe of 737 jet finds misaligned rivets The National Transportation Safety Board has updated its investigation into the fuselage rupture of a Southwest Airlines jet, noting that misaligned rivet holes and loose rivets likely played a part. Boeing, which manufactured the jet, said "we remain fully engaged with the investigation and will work closely with both the NTSB and the [Federal Aviation Administration] to ensure the highest level of safety." Link
Virgin America makes changes as fuel costs rise, CEO says Virgin America has been reining in its growth plans and deferring deliveries of aircraft to cope with rising fuel costs. CEO David Cush said a capital infusion might be necessary if the situation persists. However, he is optimistic that something will change. "We fully expect something to balance -- either fuel will drop or fares will rise -- eliminating any need for additional capital," Cush said. Link
JetBlue to offer elite, "fast-track" security lanes JetBlue plans to offer its passengers who pay for roomier seats the option of a "fast-track" security lane at airports where the service is available. Robin Hayes, the airlines' chief commercial officer, said the program is part of an effort to provide a "value proposition for the customer." Link
Boeing intensifies efforts on 787 Dreamliner production Boeing is expected to meet its Sept. 30 deadline for delivering its first 787 Dreamliner to Japan's All Nippon Airways. However, insiders say Boeing will be hard-pressed to maintain the production pace projected for the year. Earlier this year, Boeing executives said between 12 and 20 Dreamliners will be delivered this year. Link
O'Hare's muni bond offering expected to lure investors Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is offering a municipal bond this week that is expected to feature low prices and high yields. "The bottom line is, I think, it will sell, but it will be priced to sell," said Alan Schankel, managing director at Janney Montgomery Scott. Investors will likely consider how the climbing price of oil will play into demand. The bond proceeds are meant to help fund the airport's expansion project. Link
Airport closures due to volcano were justified, study finds Sigurdur Gislason of the University of Iceland led a study of the closure of some of Europe's airports due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. The study found that the closures were justified and might have saved lives. The volcanic ash could have caused problems with jet engines as well as airplane windows, leading to visibility issues. Link
NASA tests fuel made from chicken and beef fat NASA said that in late March and early April it tested jet fuel made from animal fat. "The test results seem to support the idea that biofuels for jet engines are indeed cleaner burning and release fewer pollutants into the air," according to Ruben Del Rosario, manager of the Subsonic Fixed Wing Project at NASA. Link
Naps should be considered for controllers, NTSB member says Mark Rosekind, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said that on-the-job naps should be up for consideration when discussing ways to address fatigue among air traffic controllers and others who work night shifts. Rosekind noted scientific studies that show the benefits of short naps. "It should be on the table for consideration," Rosekind said. Link
Airlines respond to increased demand in Ohio Airlines have noted an increased demand from travelers in Northeast Ohio and responded by adding seats. Planes departing from Akron-Canton Airport in May, June and July will have as much as 5% more available seats than during the same period in 2010. Capacity on flights from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport also is set to rise. "The economy's getting stronger. Travel demand is rebounding," said Kristie Van Auken, senior vice president at Akron-Canton. Link
International premium traffic up 7.7% in February, group says An international airline industry group reported a 7.7% increase in international premium traffic in February compared with February 2010. Economy travel in February grew 3.3%. The group expects demand to cool due to higher fare prices driven up by the rising cost of fuel. Link
Southwest/AirTran merger approved by Dept. of Justice, to close May 2 US Dept. of Justice said Tuesday it has approved Southwest Airlines' acquisition of AirTran Airways, clearing the way for the transaction to close on May 2. Link
Delta posts $318 million loss citing 'significant' transatlantic overcapacity and fuel costs Delta Air Lines reported a hefty first-quarter loss of $318 million, significantly widened from a deficit of $256 million in the year-ago period, as a 29% rise in fuel costs added $483 million to the operating expense ledger in the current period. Link
US Airways' 2011 first-quarter loss widens to $114 million on high fuel costs US Airways reported a first-quarter net loss of $114 million, widened from a $45 million net deficit in the year-ago quarter, as surging fuel costs outweighed revenue gains. Link
Tu-204SM struggles as key supporter backs away Russia's beleaguered Tupolev Tu-204SM programme is struggling to avoid total derailment after lessor Ilyushin Finance, its key supporter, withdrew its interest. But United Aircraft president Mikhail Pogosyan insists that the twinjet remains a top priority for the Ulyanovsk-based airframer Aviastar. Link
American focuses on component maintenance in targeting third party work American Airlines is targeting component maintenance repair and overhaul to expand its work for outside carriers, and plans to market those capabilities to fellow Oneworld alliance members in a push to develop third party business. Link
New engine snag upsets F-35 manufacturing progress A new quality issue with Pratt & Whitney F135 engines has upset a manufacturing system for the Lockheed Martin F-35 that is otherwise showing signs of reaching stability, according to the program's top executive. Link
Other News
Arab Air Carriers Organization Secretary General Abdul Wahab Teffaha on Tuesday directly challenged Assn. of European Airlines Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus's assertion made earlier this year that Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways represent a new kind of competitive threat that is incompatible with the existing world aviation order.
Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas signed a follow-on order for three CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, from an order announced last year. It is valued at approximately $129 million based on list prices. The Montevideo-based airline already operates 10 of the type.
International Lease Finance Corp. said it finalized a previously announced order for 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
Garuda Indonesia took delivery of one new Airbus A330-200 from Dublin-based aircraft lessor AWAS.
Recaro Aircraft Seating received an order from Malaysia Airlines for Recaro Comfort Line 6510 seats for its Airbus A330-300 fleet. The carrier took delivery of its first aircraft equipped with Recaro seats on April 14.
Messier-Bugatti inked a contract with Copa Airlines to supply wheels and carbon brakes for 86 new or retrofit Boeing 737NG aircraft.
Goodrich Corp. was selected by Skynet Asia Airways to supply wheels and carbon brakes for its fleet of 13 Boeing 737-800s. Aircraft deliveries with the Goodrich equipment are slated to begin in June 2011 and continue through 2016.
AVIATION QUOTE
The best safety device is the pilot, who, deep down, regardless of the aircraft, retains a sense of fallibility and vulnerability. No system can ever substitute for that.
— Arnold Reiner, retired airline captain and a former director of flight safety at Pan Am, end of 'Pilots on Autopilot' op-ed, the 'New York Times,' 16 December 2009.
ON THIS DATE
April 27th
• In 1839... John Wise, an American, introduces the balloon ripping-panel, a glued section that the pilot can pull open for quick emptying of the balloon after landing. This prevents the balloon from being dragged along the ground.
• In 1905... Under the supervision of Samuel F. Cody, Sappy Moreton of the British Army’s Balloon Section reaches 2,600 feet beneath a mancarrying kite in Aldershot, England.
• In 1913... In a floatplane, Bob Fowler makes the first flight with a passenger in Central America (and the first flight in Panama) when he flies with film cameraman Raymond Duhem from the Atlantic to the Pacific, flying 40 miles across the Panama isthmus in 57 minutes. En route, Duhem makes the first aerial film of Central America.
• In 1929... Squadron Leader A.G. Jones-Williams and Flight Lieutenant N.H. Jenkins complete the first non-stop flight from England to India; they fly the 4,130 miles in 50 hours, 37 minutes in a Fairey Long-Range Monoplane.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
Gay Flight Attendant
I once was on a plane where I was served by an obviously homosexual male flight attendant. At one point, he bounced over to where I was sitting and announced "The Captain has asked me to announce that he will be landing the big scary plane shortly, so if you could just put up your trays, that would be great."
I did as he had instructed but the woman sitting next to me did not. A few moments later, our flight attendant came back and said to her: "Ma'am, perhaps you couldn't hear me over the big scary engine, but I asked you to please put up your tray so that the captain can land the plane." She still wouldn't comply.
Now he was getting angry and asked her again to put up the tray. She then calmly turned to him and said: "In my country, I am called a princess. I take orders from no one."
Our flight attendant replied: "Oh yeah? Well in MY country, I'm called a queen and I outrank you, bitch, so put the tray up!"
TRIVIA
General Trivia
1. A pilot is practicing an on-pylon. He notices during the turn that the pylon is slipping ahead of the wingtip. He should a. climb and reduce airspeed. b. climb and increase airspeed. c. descend and reduce airspeed. d. descend and increase airspeed.
2. A pilot is practicing an around-pylon in a counterclockwise direction while under the influence of an easterly wind. On which of the following headings will rate of turn be greatest? a. 090 degrees b. 180 degrees c. 270 degrees d. 360 degrees
3. There are three types of airmets. A phonetic letter names each type. _____ refers to IFR conditions and/or extensive mountain obscurations; _____ is issued for turbulence, high winds, and low-level wind shear; and _____ advises of icing and freezing levels. a. Airmet Sierra, airmet Tango, airmet Zulu b. Airmet Tango, airmet Sierra, airmet Uniform c. Airmet Uniform, airmet Zulu, airmet Sierra d. Airmet Zulu, airmet Tango, airmet Sierra
4. A U.S. military fighter pilot broadcasts the word Winchester. What is the significance of this transmission?
5. What was the first type of jet aircraft to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean?
6. In the jargon of flight attendants, what is a thumper?
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
1) B or D, not sure 2) I'm going to guess when turning from North to West 3) A 4) Need more winchesters. Out of weapons. 5) Military Jet of some sort. 6) The annoying 5 year old in the seat behind you.
1. (d) The pilot is above the pivotal altitude for the existing airspeed. He can descend to the pivotal altitude or he can increase airspeed to raise the pivotal altitude. Doing both simultaneously results in an easier return to pivotal altitude.
2. (c) This is when the airplane will have the greatest groundspeed and, therefore, need to turn the most rapidly to fly a perfect circle. Conversely, groundspeed and rate of turn are at a minimum when on a heading of 090 degrees.
3. (a) Think of it this way: S stands for stratus, T for turbulence, and Z for freezing.
4. Winchester means that all available ordnance on the airplane has been expended.
5. Two Republic F-84 Thunderjets made the crossing on September 22, 1950, with the help of three in-flight refuelings.
6. Someone who seems to enjoy bumping or thumping the seat in front of him. (Such a person almost justifies homicide.)
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
