miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 27 May 11, 09:14
NOTE: In observance of Memorial Day, the NAS Daily will not be published on Monday. We'll see you again on Tuesday.
NEWS
Travelport asks U.S. court to dismiss American Airlines' antitrust suit Global distribution system provider Travelport has filed a motion to dismiss American Airlines' antitrust lawsuit, claiming that the airline is using the complaint to gain control in contract negotiations. "It is an opportunistic lawsuit brought by a large and powerful company seeking to enhance its already substantial commercial bargaining leverage," Travelport told a federal court in Fort Worth, Texas. American maintains that "Travelport's conduct has harmed not only American, but also U.S. consumers, and is in violation of the federal antitrust laws." Link
Virgin Atlantic is in talks with potential partners, Branson says Richard Branson has hired Deutsche Bank to assess the strategic options of Virgin Atlantic Airways as several of its competitors team up on trans-Atlantic routes. Branson is talking with several potential partners, he said. "Discussions with two or three parties are progressing. Within the next two or three months, we should be clear on whether there's an alliance we're happy with or not." Link
Demand for Delta's Portland-Tokyo route improves Daily nonstop service between Portland, Ore., and Tokyo is set to continue as demand has rebounded since the March 11 tsunami in Japan. However, partly because of the cost of fuel, Delta executives are concerned about the daily Portland-Amsterdam nonstop service. Delta is planning to reduce service between the U.S. and Europe, and some destinations could be eliminated. Link
Virgin America's new Chicago service spurs competition Richard Branson's Virgin America recently started offering flights out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. United and American Airlines, the dominant carriers in Chicago, are battling the new competition by offering mileage promotions and adding flights. "We've had to fight our way into Chicago," Branson said, crediting the rival airlines with keeping Virgin out of O'Hare on previous attempts. Link
Calio commentary: Aviation shouldn't be in "sin tax" bracket Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO of ATA, explains that a few industries -- alcohol, gambling, tobacco and airlines -- pay higher taxes, often levied to discourage their use. "Putting aviation in the 'sin tax' bracket is absurd, given airlines' beneficial -- indeed, essential -- role," Calio writes. "Where would we be without airlines? Grounded, as a nation and as a player in the global economy." Link
Boeing is working with FAA toward testing of 747-8F software Boeing is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and Honeywell to determine whether it can start testing the functionality and reliability of the software in its 747-8F, the last step toward certification. "The purpose of F&R testing is to evaluate the production version of the aircraft to ensure that the airplane, its components and equipment are reliable and function properly. We are reviewing the aircraft configuration to make a final determination on readiness to begin F&R testing," the FAA said. Link
Spirit launches IPO priced at low end of guidance Spirit Airlines launched its IPO on Thursday and began trading on NASDAQ under the "SAVE" symbol, but the public offering price of $12 per share of common stock was at the low end of the range it cited in a Wednesday regulatory filing and well below the $14-$16 planned earlier this month. Link
Boeing, ANA will conduct 787 service readiness trials in July Boeing and 787 launch customer All Nippon Airways said Thursday they will conduct service readiness trials in Japan in July ahead of first delivery in August or September. The second Dreamliner flight test aircraft, ZA002, is expected to operate a series of flights during the week of July 4 between Tokyo Haneda and Osaka Itami, Osaka Kansai, Okayama and Hiroshima. The trials will mark the 787's first appearance in Japan. Link
BAE Systems to sell regional aircraft fleet, asset management business BAE Systems on Thursday agreed to sell its commercial aircraft lease portfolio and asset management business to investment affiliates of certain funds managed by Fortress Investment Group. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter and is valued at $187 million in cash, subject to certain post-completion adjustments. It includes 151 owned aircraft (107 BAe 146/Avro RJs, 21 ATPs, 20 J41s and three J32s), but not the support and engineering activities of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. Link
Experts: GPS at risk with LightSquared 4G A government/industry panel will warn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a 3 June report that the expected interference from a new 4G ancillary terrestrial broadband network will cause "complete loss" of GPS receiver functionality. Link
JAL picks Boston as first 787 destination Japan Airlines (JAL) has chosen Boston as the first destination it would fly to with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and plans to launch the service from Tokyo Narita airport on 22 April 2012. Link
Cessna Caravan wins USAF counter-insurgency contract Wichita-based Cessna has beat several foreign competitors for a contract to supply dozens of "light lift" aircraft as the US Air Force (USAF) arms itself and certain partner countries for irregular warfare. Link
Philippines to receive eight Sokols, looks to upgrade MD 520s AgustaWestland subsidiary PZL Swidnik will deliver four W-3A Sokol transport helicopters to the Philippines by November this year, with another four in the second quarter of 2012. Link
Other News
Norwegian Air Shuttle said Thursday it signed a letter of intent with Icelandair to acquire three Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered Boeing 787-8s that Icelandair currently has on order.
The Chinese government raised domestic jet fuel prices to CNY7,640 ($1,175) per ton, up 11.7% from CNY6,840 per ton in April, despite the decline of international oil prices since May. This is the third price hike this year.
Aer Arann said it is rebranding to Aer Arann Regional, to reflect “recent positive developments in the airline as it expands its operations beyond Ireland and the UK into continental Europe.” The Irish company will continue to operate under the name Aer Arann but over the coming weeks will introduce the new Aer Arann Regional logo and livery across its aircraft, airport signage, and marketing and promotions.
The Romanian government has removed Tarom from its plan to privatize state-owned businesses. According to the Romania Business Insider, RO is not included in the government’s letter of intent for its new financial agreement with the International Monetary Fund. The state plans to sell only a minority holding in the carrier, which hopes to breakeven this year.
AVIATION QUOTE
In the air transport business more than any other, the human element is everything. That big plane in front of the hangar is only as good as the man who flies it, and he is only as good as the people on the ground who work with him.
— W. A. (Pat) Patterson, President United Airlines, quoted in the book 'High Horizons,' 1944.
ON THIS DATE
May 27th
• In 1877... A major milestone in Japanese aviation history is accomplished with the first flight of a military balloon. It has a capacity of 14,000 cu.ft. and is inflated with coal gas.
• In 1924... Adrienne Bolland wins the women’s record for looping from Laura Bromwell, performing the feat 212 times in 1 hour, 1 minute in her Caudron 127 in Paris.
• In 1931... A full-scale wind tunnel goes into operation at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Laboratory at Langley Field, Virginia.
• In 1961... The first crossing of the English Channel by a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft is made by the Short SC.1, which is flown by A. Roberts from England to Paris for the Paris Air Show.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
SR-71 Humor
In his book "Sled Driver" SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul writes:
"I'll always remember a certain radio exchange that occurred one day as Walt (my back seater) and I were screaming across Southern California 13 miles high. We were monitoring various radio transmissions from other aircraft as we entered Los Angeles airspace. Though they didn't really control us, they did monitor our movement across their scope.
I heard a Cessna ask for a readout of its groundspeed."90 knots" Center replied.
Moments later, a Twin Beech required the same. "120 knots," Center answered.
We weren't the only ones proud of our groundspeed that day as almost instantly an F-18 smugly transmitted, "Ah, Center, Dusty 52 requests ground speed readout.
There was a slight pause, then the response, "525 knots on the ground, Dusty."
Another silent pause. As I was thinking to myself how ripe a situation this was, I heard a familiar click of a radio transmission coming from my back seater. It was at that precise moment I realized Walt and I had become a real crew, for we were both thinking in unison.
"Center, Aspen 20, you got a groundspeed readout for us?" There was a longer than normal pause.....
"Aspen, I show 1,742 knots" No further inquiries were heard on that frequency.
TRIVIA
Airplane Names From Sport Teams
The ATA code for the city as well as the sport league association. You provide the manufacturer and airplane designation.
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
