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NEWS

Gates warns about reducing armed forces
Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned that the U.S. needs to think hard about significantly reducing the defense budget as part of the effort to address the deficit. President Barack Obama is calling for Congress to rein in defense spending over the next 12 years to save $400 billion. "As we make the tough choices needed to put this country's finances in order ... there will undoubtedly be calls to shrink America's role in the world, for us to sharply reduce our international commitments and the size and capabilities of our military," Gates said in a commencement address at Notre Dame University.
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Bill that would have stalled pilot-rest rule withdrawn
Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., withdrew a bill that would have stalled a proposed requirement that airline pilots be allowed more time to rest. "It is apparent that the inclusion of my amendment in the FAA bill may slow down conference negotiations and delay the adoption of this critical legislation to dramatically reform and streamline" Federal Aviation Administration programs, Shuster said as he withdrew the legislation.
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Advocates say new ATC system will transform air travel
Shifting to a new satellite-based air traffic control system will cost the government and airlines billions of dollars and take about 15 years to fully implement, but advocates say the system will be worth the effort. However, some airlines are concerned about investing to equip their aircraft with the necessary hardware as the plan has been delayed and significant uncertainties about it remain. Still, Randy Babbit, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, is pulling for the overhaul, saying it is "a pivotal time in the history of aviation."
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Providers of fractional-ownership jets see sector rebounding
The economic downturn hit providers of fractional-ownership jets pretty hard, but they are now reporting an improvement in business. "Things are getting better," said Mike Silvestro, CEO of Flight Options. Sales have risen significantly for Flight Options in the first quarter, and customers are ramping up their flying. Some companies have also started to recall furloughed pilots.
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Delta, US Airways file new LGA/DCA slot swap application with DOT
Delta Air Lines and US Airways unveiled a revamped New York LaGuardia/Washington National slot swap agreement that the carriers believe will mollify US Dept. of Transportation objections to their original proposal put forward in 2009. The new plan was filed with DOT Monday
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Limited disruption so far as new volcanic ash procedures get first real test
Eurocontrol said Monday there was "no significant impact on flights" related to Saturday's eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland, though it cautioned that "the situation is constantly evolving." Keflavik International remained closed Monday owing to volcanic ash but indicated it may reopen Tuesday, while airports in Scotland and Ireland prepared for possible ash cloud effects starting Tuesday.
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Air Canada pilots reject tentative agreement, casting doubt on LCC plan
Air Canada's pilots voted to reject a tentative labor contract that included guidelines for AC's establishment of a leisure-destination focused LCC, delivering a blow to airline management.
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Ryanair posts €375 million fiscal-year profit; may ground 80 aircraft
Ryanair reported a net profit of €374.6 million ($530 million) for its fiscal year ended March 31, up 23% from €305.3 million earned in the prior fiscal year. Despite the profit increase, it warned that up to 80 aircraft could be grounded next winter to counter surging fuel prices and limit losses to protect full-year profitability. It parked 40 aircraft in winter 2010-11.
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Qatar Airways plots Paris A380 and A330P2F deals
Qatar Airways plans to increase its orders for the Airbus A380 at next month's Paris air show, and should also finally conclude a deal for the freighter conversion of its A330 passenger fleet. The airline currently holds orders for five A380s, with the first delivery scheduled for 2013.
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More carriers drop Scotland flights as ash cloud advances
More European airlines have cancelled their flights to and from Scotland as the Icelandic ash cloud makes its way southwards.
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FAA proposes Boeing 757 roll fix
The US FAA is proposing that operators of 686 US-registered Boeing 757perform corrective actions on the twin-jets within five years to prevent possible unintended roll axis motions just before landing in windy conditions
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Other News

Brussels Airlines reaffirmed its intent to launch service to the US but stressed plans are still under analysis. SN said the plans are conditional on obtaining transatlantic antitrust immunity with its Star Alliance partners and inclusion in their Atlantic Plus-Plus joint venture.

Embraer delivered an E-190 to Air Astana on Monday, the first of the type the airline has received and the first of two it had been slated to take this year. The aircraft, which is leased by KC from Florida-based Jetscape, will be used to “right size routes and fill a capacity gap between its Fokker and Airbus fleets,” according to an Embraer statement. It will used to fly a mix of domestic and international city pairs from Almaty and Astana.



AVIATION QUOTE

Learning the secret of flight from a bird was a good deal like learning the secret of magic from a magician. After you know what to look for you see things that you did not notice when you did not know exactly what to look for.

— Orville Wright



ON THIS DATE

May 24th

• In 1939... The English Imperial Airways Short Seaplane Cabot is successfully refueled in mid-air by a Handley Page bomber modified to carry 891 gallons of aviation fuel.

• In 1976... Two Concorde supersonic airliners – one in British Airways colors, the other in those of Air France – land at Washington’s Dulles International Airport. They are the first Concordes to visit the USA.

• In 1982... British Airways retires the Boeing 707; its last scheduled flight is from Cairo to Heathrow.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE


Photo ©Stefan Gebenus,2011



HUMOR

Politically Correct Nelson At Trafalgar
elson: "Order the signal, Hardy."

Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, that's not what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): "' England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.' - What gobbledegook is this?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting ' England ' past the censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the mainbrace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. Its part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it ........... full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow's nest please."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."

Nelson: "What?"

Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They won't let anyone up there until a proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."

Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled."

Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card."

Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."

Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."

Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt - haven't you seen the adverts?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."

Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There's a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil."

Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity co-ordinator hear you saying that sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy, who speaks ill of your King."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life"

Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety. Whatever happened to rum,
sodomy and the lash?"

Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."

Nelson: "What about sodomy?"

Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."

Nelson: "In that case............................... kiss me, Hardy."



TRIVIA

Flying Business Machines

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10.

1. Cessna Citation? (Weird nose)
2. Dassault Falcon 900
3. Gulfstream G(2?)
4. IAI Westwind
5. Lockheed Jetstar
6. Lear 24
7. MBB Hansa Jet
8. Piaggio Avanti
9. ?
10. Beechcraft Starship

Great shot, Zak.

Thanks

GQfluffy wrote:Great shot, Zak.

Funny, that's exactly what I thought. Nice that it is an in-house shot.

1. One of the modded military Citation V series?
2. Dassault Falcon 900
3. Gulfstream (take your pick for the exact model)
4. IAI Westwind
5. Lockheed Jetstar
6. Learjet 24
7. MMB-HFB Hansa
8. Piaggio P-180 Avanti
9. Rockwell Sabreliner
10. Beechcraft 200 Starship

ANSWERS:

1. Cessna Ciatation V
2. Dassault Falcon 900
3. Gulfstream G-III
4. Israeli Aircraft Industries 1123 Westwind
5. Lockheed Jetstar 2
6. Lear 24
7. MBB-HFB 320 Hansa Jet
8. Piaggio P-180 Avanti
9. Rockwell Saberliner
10. Beechcraft Starship 1