miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 12 Aug 11, 08:58
NEWS
Thai Airways commits to 12 A350s, 11 A320s Thai Airways International ordered four Airbus A350-900s and five A320s and will also lease eight A350-900s and six A320s. The airline will receive its first A350-900 in 2016 and the first A320 next year. Link
Virgin Atlantic swings to £18.5 million FY2010-11 pre-tax operating profit Virgin Atlantic Group reported a pre-tax operating profit of £18.5 million ($30 million) for its financial year ended Feb. 28, reversed from a £132 million pre-tax operating loss in the prior fiscal year. Revenue for the group, which includes Virgin Atlantic Airways and tour operator Virgin Holidays, increased 13% year-over-year to £2.7 billion. Link
Tiger to remain under heightened surveillance Australian low-cost carrier Tiger Airways Australia will remain under "heightened surveillance" by the country's safety regulator, despite the lifting of the airline's suspension. Tiger was due to resume flights on 12 August, following the lifting of a ban that has seen its 10-aircraft fleet grounded since 1 July, over what the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) described as a "serious and imminent risk" to safety. Link
China Aircraft Leasing Co. orders 20 C919s China Aircraft Leasing Co. signed an LOI with COMAC to purchase 20 CFM Leap-X-powered C919 aircraft, according to a Chinese industry insider. Link
Delta will move ahead with plans to buy up to 200 aircraft Despite concerns about the economy, Delta Air Lines is planning to move forward with its orders for as many as 200 aircraft. "We have not changed our plans," said CEO Richard Anderson. He said the carrier would decide on the new orders this year and that Delta is considering all aircraft manufacturers. "It comes down to performance and economics," he said. Link
Aerolineas Argentinas strikes code-share deal with Delta Aerolineas Argentinas is planning to enter the SkyTeam alliance next year. In preparation, the Argentine carrier will formally code share with Delta Air Lines on a variety of flights by the end of this year. The deal between the airlines includes a reciprocal frequent-flier agreement. Link
Boeing will carefully select next 737 site, Albaugh says Jim Albaugh, head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told employees at its 737 assembly plant in Renton, Wash., that the company will spend "the next six to eight months" deliberating over where to build the newest version of its 737 jets. A campaign has started to persuade Boeing to select Renton. "We will go through the process and look at all the pluses and minuses. Renton clearly has a lot of plusses," Albaugh said. Link
Fuel surcharges remain despite drop in oil prices Fuel surcharges -- which are set by airlines or, in some cases, local governments -- have remained high despite a significant drop in oil prices from 2011 highs reached in April. "The charges don't move in lock-step with oil or fuel prices entirely," said Tim Smith, a spokesman for AMR. "A few days of sinking oil prices 'does not a trend make,' " said John Heimlich, who is the Air Transport Association's chief economist. Link
Security measures have worked, TSA's Pistole says John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration, said airport security screenings, air marshals, "unpredictable" security agents and other measures have helped prevent another terror attack on the U.S. "The terrorists keep adapting and evolving to try to defeat our security.... What we try to do is, make sure that we are random and unpredictable in how we go about doing things," he said. Link
DOT's defense of ad rules sets up ancillary-fee battle The Department of Transportation has made a filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals defending some of its passenger-rights rules related to advertising of air fares. The move appears to be setting the stage for another battle over requiring airlines to provide information about their ancillary fees to global distribution systems.. Link
Houston, United Airlines agree to $1B Bush airport terminal revamp A $1 billion renovation is planned for Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport's Terminal B after city officials and United Airlines agreed on financial arrangements. "Capital projects like that are huge engines for job creation," Houston Mayor Annise Parker said. "In the long term, the work that's going to be done out there will benefit the entire community in terms of providing good jobs at good wages." Link
Virgin Atlantic plans to modernize cabins Steve Ridgway, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, says the carrier plans to invest $163.2 million in purchasing new aircraft and updating the interiors of existing planes. The airline also plans to install in-flight technology to keep its passengers connected. Virgin Atlantic reported a pretax profit for the fiscal year that ended Feb. 28. Link
Other News
Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller expects that the Irish carrier will take delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in 2015, two years later than originally scheduled. The airline has nine A350-900s on firm order plus six options. Mueller declined to say how many A350s EI will ultimately order, but indicated that the aircraft's performance parameters may not be ideal. Those sentiments echo comments made by other airline heads, including Emirates Airline President Tim Clark.
Delta Air Lines and Grupo Aeromexico entered into a commercial alliance under which DL will invest $65 million in Aeromexico in exchange for ordinary shares in the Mexican airline. Benefits will include network-wide codesharing for all DL and AM flights between the US and Mexico, expanded codeshare flights within the carriers' domestic networks and to international destinations, and co-located airport facilities.
Skywest Airlines took delivery of its first ATR 72-500 Thursday from lessor Aviation PLC. The Australian regional plans to operate ATR 72s under a 10-year branding agreement with Virgin Australia.
TransAsia Airways will launch weekly Taoyuan-Shanghai Pudong Airbus A321 service Aug. 12.
EVA Air will relocate its Newark service to New York JFK beginning Oct. 31. It currently operates four-times-weekly Taipei Taoyuan-EWR flights.
Eznis Airways started thrice-weekly Ulaanbaatar-Tavan Tolgoi Avro RJ85 service.
Asiana Airlines launched six-times-weekly Seoul Incheon-Huangshan flights.
AVIATION QUOTE
They will pressure you into doing things that may be unsafe, use your good judgment, and remember, 'I would rather be laughed at, than cried for.'
— George MacDonald
ON THIS DATE
August [12th
---In 1888... The first gas-powered aircraft flies. Built by the German experimenter, Wolfert, the powered airship (dirigible) fitted with a 2 hp Daimler benzene engine running two propellers, flies for 2 ½ miles from Seelberg to Kornwestheim, Germany.
---In 1908... Controlled by Thomas Baldwin and Glenn Curtiss, the Signal Corps’ Dirigible Balloon No.1, known as SC-I, the first Army dirigible, begins flight trials at Fort Meyer near Washington, D.C.
---In 1946... President Harry Truman signs a bill authorizing an appropriation of $50,000 to establish a National Air Museum in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The small museum eventually becomes the National Air and Space Museum - the most visited museum in the world.
---In 1960…NASA launches Echo 1A, the world’s first communications satellite. Essentially a metal balloon, it is used to bounce signals from one ground station to another.
---In 1966…First flight of the Learjet 25.
---In 1976…First flight of the Aermacchi MB-339 I-NOVE.
---In 1977…Space Shuttle Enterprise makes its first atmospheric test flight.
---In 1985… Japan Air Lines Flight 123, a 747-100SR flying from Tokyo to Osaka, crashes into Mount Takamagahara in Japan following an explosion of the rear bulkhead, which tears off the vertical stabilizer and knocks out all four of the aircraft’s hydraulic systems. All 520 on board are killed, and it remains the deadliest single-aircraft crash in history. It is believed a tailstrike eight years earlier caused the damage which led to the accident.
---In 2008…Gemini Air Cargo ceases operations.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
Covert Coordinator
The CIA needed to fill an opening for an overseas coordinator of covert operations. They wanted someone absolutely ruthless and loyal, willing and able to follow any order.
Finally, they whittled it down to 3 candidates. Each was brought to the Director's office one at a time. When the first one walked in, the Director said: 'John, I think you're one of the best candidates for this job. I just want you to do one thing to prove it to everyone. Take this pistol, go in the room next door, and shoot the person in there.'
John takes the gun, opens the door, shouts 'Are you CRAZY? That's my WIFE!' Tosses the gun to the Director, takes his wife and storms out.
Second agent, same instructions, pauses briefly when he opens the door, steels himself and goes in. Director listens to the silence beyond the door for a minute, then the agent comes back, with his wife, puts the gun on the desk and leaves, shaking his head.
Third agent enters the room, pulls the door shut behind him. Director hears a few shots fired, and gets up from his desk. Then there is a horrendous noise of screaming and thuds. He runs to the door, yanks it open just as the third agent comes back. 'Some idiot put blanks in the gun, but I managed to beater her to death with the chair.'
TRIVIA
Acronyms
1. In the aviation industry, what is IATA? International Aviation Technology Association International Air Transport Association International Air Travellers Alliance Intercontinental Air Transportation Association
2. In aviation, what is an ILS? International Loading System Incandescent Lighting System Immediate Launch System Instrument Landing System
3. If A = Alpha, B = Bravo and C = Charlie, then what is D? Davey Dixie Delta Daniel
4. In the world of aviation, what is a VOR? Visual Orientation Radar VHF Omnidirectional Range Variable Operational Range Voice Only Recognition
5. What does ETOPS mean in the aviation industry? Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards Estimated Time Of Preboarding Service Extended Trans-Oceanic Performance System Engine Test Operations Per Service
6. In aviation, what is an FFDO? First-class Flying Dutch Official Formation Flying Demonstration Officer Federal Flight Deck Officer Freedom Fighting Duty Officer
7. What is FOD in the world of aviation? First Officer's Den Fire Oppression Device Foul Odor Detector Foreign Object Debris
8. Which letters are used to distinguish parallel runways? N, S, E, W L, C, R A, B, C X, Y, Z
9. In aviation, what does VFR stand for? Variable Fare Rates Vacation Flying Reservations Vocational Flight Restrictions Visual Flight Rules
10. Finally, which of these is the governing body of American aviation? AAF AAA FAA AFA
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
8. Which letters are used to distinguish parallel runways?
L, C, R
9. In aviation, what does VFR stand for?
Visual Flight Rules
10. Finally, which of these is the governing body of American aviation?
FAA
Hire Engineers to drive the vision and execute a plan. Hire MBAs to shuffle the papers and work in sales. Hire Accountants to manage your staff working a viable livable wage, and never have either an Accountant or an MBA run your company. - Steve Jobs
Zak/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user2/2.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 17 Aug 11, 08:44
Answers:
1. IATA is an international organization that helps regulate the airline industry around the world. They assign identifiers to airlines and airports to help simplify airline operations. They also help regulate inter-airline traffic rules and regulate a fair and balanced fare structure.
2. An Instrument Landing System is an automated tool to help airplanes land during low visibility or high volume conditions. When an airport has ILS equipped runways (if the airplane is capable) the aircraft's autopilot will lock on to a pre-programmed glide slope for the runway.
3. Pilots, when communicating with air traffic controllers, or vise versa, will adhere to a phonetic alphabet system to make sure what is said is understood. For example, if a plane is registered as N123YZ a controller would refer to the plane as "November-1-2-3-Yankee-Zulu."
4. A VOR, or VHF Omnidirectional Range, is a type of navigation system for aviators. A VOR transmits magnetic signal which help pilots to orientate themselves and aid in navigation.
5. ETOPS is known as Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards. Aircraft that display this rating are aircraft that have been approved to fly certain distances without requiring an alternate airport. For example, an ETOPS-120 rated plane can travel 120 minutes without requiring an alternate airport to be in its flight path. Trans-Oceanic aircraft must have this rating to be allowed to travel. The range is determined by engine design and aircraft range.
6. An FFDO is a Federal Flight Deck Officer. An FFDO is trained by the federal government to carry firearms on board a flight. This was implemented in 2003 after September 11, to help deter terrorists from entering the flight deck and attempting to take control of the plane.
7. FOD stands for Foreign Object Debris. Airport workers are responsible for removing FOD from runways, taxiways and gate areas. FOD can be loose screws, nails, pieces of paper, branches or anything in the area that can be ingested or blown around by an airplane's engine causing damage or injury.
8. Runway numbers are determined by their heading. For example, if an airport has a runway 9, that runway is roughly at a heading of 90 degrees. If an airport has parallel runways, the runways would then be marked either 9L, 9C, or 9R. L for Left, C for Center and R for Right.
9. Visual Flight Rules are a set of regulations designed to be used in good weather situations. Flights under VFR are usually not controlled and pilots fly them at their own risk. If cases of bad weather pilots are required to fly using Instrument Flying Rules or IFR.
10. FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA, formed in 1958, is in charge of regulating American civil aviation. They perform safety inspections of airlines and airports, oversee the air traffic control system and can issue or revoke pilot licenses.
Ideology: The mistaken belief that your beliefs are neither beliefs nor mistaken.
