Yak-42 flights suspended after fatal Yaroslavl crash Russia's transport supervisor has ordered the suspension of Yakovlev Yak-42 services in the country pending precautionary checks following the fatal crash at Yaroslavl. Rostransnadzor said there would be a "one time inspection" of the fleet including the type's fuel systems and engines. Yak-42 aircraft are powered by Lotarev D-36 turbofans. There are 16 airlines in Russia operating 57 of the type, Rostransnadzor added. The organization also said it would check aircraft maintenance, compliance with flight preparation and other aspects of flight safety at Yaroslavl Tunoshna airport. Link Link Discussion
A400M fleet passes 2,000 test hours despite engine issue Airbus Military's fleet of A400M "Grizzly" development aircraft has flown through the 2,000 flight hour milestone, despite an issue which has affected the type's turboprop engines since shortly before the Paris air show. The company said its current four flight-test aircraft had logged a combined 684 flights totaling just over 2,100h by 4 September. This means that roughly 180 flights and 500h have been added since mid-May, when one of aircraft MSN1's four Europrop International (EPI) TP400-D6 engines automatically shut down while airborne. Link
Boeing sees Chinese demand for 5,000 aircraft by 2030 China will require 5,000 new commercial aircrafts, at a value of $600 billion, over the next 20 years according to Boeing. "We expect China will be the second largest country taking new commercial aircraft deliveries due to its air travel demand growing at an annual rate of 7.6% on average," said Randy Tinseth, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' vice-president of marketing. Link
BEA human factors panel prepares to examine AF447 crash French investigation agency Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses has put together a seven-member human factors working group which will examine in detail the events in the cockpit of the ill-fated Air France flight AF447. Link
Ireland may sell its 25% stake in Aer Lingus The Irish government is considering the sale of its 25% stake in Aer Lingus (EI) because it is no longer seen as a “strategic” asset, transport minister Leo Varadkar said Wednesday. Link
AirBaltic bailout may lead to Flick resignation AirBaltic’s (BT) two main shareholders—the Latvian state and Baltijas Aviacijas Sistemas (BAS), the company controlled by the carrier’s president and CEO Bertolt Flick—are entangled in another dispute, as the government vows to make a capital injection in the company conditional on Flick’s resignation, according to media. Link
Private groups compete to take over Spain's two biggest airports Seven consortia have confirmed their interest in the privatization of Spain's two largest airports, Madrid Barajas (MAD) and Barcelona El Prat (BCN), the country's airport operating authority Aena Aeropuertos said. Five consortia submitted pre-qualification documents for both airports, while a group led by Grupo San Jose is bidding only for MAD and a group led by Abertis Airports is bidding solely for BCN. Link
Airlines estimate profit drop due to Hurricane Irene Delta Air Lines estimates that Hurricane Irene caused its profit to fall by $15 million, and US Airways said the storm hit its operating income by up to $10 million. The storm forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights, but industry experts say it could have been worse. "With the exception of the New York airports, this storm was not as bad as a typical big blizzard," said Robert McAdoo, an analyst at Avondale Partners. "Once the storm passes, there's no snow to scoop, no planes to de-ice. It goes back to normal pretty quickly." Link
US Airways is in preliminary talks with Airbus about A321neo US Airways is not convinced that the Airbus A321neo is suitable to replace its long-haul Boeing 757s, but the carrier is taking a look at the aircraft. "We are in preliminary talks with Airbus about what the aircraft can and cannot do," US Airways CEO Doug Parker said. Link
Airbus is outselling Boeing so far this year Airbus says that between January and August it sold 1,156 aircraft, with cancellations bringing the net sales total to 1,015. Over the same period, Boeing sold 472 aircraft with a net sales total of 370. Airbus is capitalizing on the demand for its overhauled A320 family of jets. Link
NextGen could revolutionize air travel, experts say The Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen, could revolutionize the skies by making air travel safer, lowering airplanes' carbon footprints, saving fuel and reducing flight delays. "This will fundamentally change how people fly," said Michael Huerta, Federal Aviation Administration's deputy administrator. However, NextGen depends on the willingness of the government and airlines to pay for it. "It's difficult to make that case" for airlines to invest in NextGen until they know they can receive a return on investment, said Steve Lott of the Air Transport Association. Link
Airbus is poised to dominate market with A320neo, executive says Barry Eccleston, Airbus Americas president and CEO, says the European firm had expected Boeing to re-engine its 737 rather than develop an all-new aircraft. However, Airbus believes that it will dominate the market partly because of its head start with the A320neo. "We reached a conclusion a year ago that re-engining was the way to go," Eccleston said. "We were not ready for the production of a single-aisle composite aircraft, and the market reaction to the neo proved we were right. We always thought Boeing would come to that same conclusion, and they did." Link
Boeing might have to develop new plane, Pratt & Whitney CEO says David Hess, CEO of Pratt & Whitney, says Boeing might have to reconsider its recent decision to re-engine its 737 jets. "Time will tell," Hess said. "Boeing responded to pressure ... and if they feel they don't have a competitive airplane against the [Airbus] A320neo, they may be forced to accelerate or look at their plans for a [new plane]." lINK
Aviation unions urge Congress to approve FAA bill Unions representing aviation employees are encouraging Congress to approve an appropriations bill funding the Federal Aviation Administration before the deadline next week. Lawmakers are expected to consider another short-term extension of the agency's funding as they remain divided over measures included in a long-term FAA funding bill. Link
Napolitano sees an end to shoe removal during airport screening The Department of Homeland Security will eventually phase out a rule that requires travelers to remove their shoes at airport checkpoints, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano says. She did not say when new procedures would be put in place. Napolitano says the ban on most liquids will remain in place because technology is still not sophisticated enough to detect explosives. "In terms of what we see coming in the months and years ahead, it will probably be easier ... to deal with the shoe issue before we can lift restrictions on liquids," Link
Air marshals, armed pilots improve security, TSA says The Transportation Security Administration will continue to assign air marshals to commercial jetliners and to arm some pilots. Robert Bray, director of the Federal Air Marshal Service, described the marshals as part of the nation's "multilayered" approach to aviation security. Some experts say arming pilots is more effective than continuing to invest in air marshals. Link
Other News
Lufthansa (LH) Group is considering selling subsidiary British Midland (bmi), LH executive board member and Group Airline chief officer Stefan Lauer said in Vienna Monday. Lauer said LH’s options include either selling the loss-making airline or creating a new partnership. Bmi reported a €63 million ($91 million) first-quarter operating loss, which followed a €145 million operating loss in 2010, owing to the crises in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the weak UK market.
Boeing unveiled an immersive virtual model of the 737, generated from more than 20,000 high-resolution photographs. The "737 Explained" is built on the Windows Azure platform and allows 360-degree tours of the airplane and the ability to view every component down to the landing gear, engine components and individual rivets.
China Eastern Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737-700NG outfitted with the high-altitude/high-temperature airport operations feature package and the new sky interior. China Eastern Airlines Sichuan Co. will operate the aircraft at high altitude airports in western China.
GECAS delivered two new Boeing 737-800s to Skymark Airlines.
Emirates SkyCargo took delivery of its third Boeing 777F, which will operate on its 3X-weekly Dubai-Frankfurt-Sao Paolo route.
Airbus announced the first flyable A350 XWB wing upper cover manufactured at Airbus’ Stade (Germany) site is en route to Airbus’ Wing Assembly site in Broughton (UK). Airbus said the A350 XWB wing covers measure 32 m. long by 6 m. wide, making them the biggest single civil aviation parts made from carbon fiber.
AVIATION QUOTE
I enjoyed my service flying very much. That is where I learned the discipline of flying In order to have the freedom of flight you must have the discipline. Discipline prevents crashes.
— Captain John Cook, British Airways Concorde Training Captain.
ON THIS DATE
September 8th
---In 1927…Clyde Cessna founds the Cessna Aircraft Company after leaving the biplane-manufacturing business he had formed with fellow aerospace legends Lloyd Stearman and Walter Beech.
---In 1944…The first German V-2 rockets explode in London and Antwerp.
---In 1960…President Eisenhower formally dedicates the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
---In 1967…NASA launches the lunar lander Surveyor 5. Eventually it shoots and transmits 19,049 photographs back to Earth.
---In 1968…First flight of the SEPECAT Jaguar.
---In 1989…Partnair Flight 394, a Convair 580, crashes off the coast of Denmark, killing all 50 passengers and five crewmembers. Investigators conclude that counterfeit, inferior bolts used to hold the vertical fin to the fuselage failed, causing the plane to lose control.
---In 1994…USAir Flight 427, a 737-300 flying from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Pittsburgh (PIT), crashes in Hopewell Township, PA, while on approach to runway 28R, killing all 127 passengers and 5 crewmembers. The crash would be blamed on a jammed rudder. It marked the second fatal US Airways crash that year.
---In 1997…The Boeing 777-300 is rolled out for the first time. It holds the title as the longest airliner ever built for four years, until the Airbus A340-600 takes flight in 2001.
---In 2004…The unmanned NASA spacecraft Genesis crashes when its parachute fails to deploy, destroying some of the solar wind samples it was carrying back to earth.
---In 2005…Two Russian IL-76s arrive at Little Rock Air Force Base to assist in providing aid for Hurricane Katrina. It marks the first time Russia had flown such a mission to North America.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
A Marine And A Soldier
A Marine and a Soldier are in the bathroom taking a piss. The Marine finishes first and walks over to the sink to wash his hands. The Army soldier finishes and proceeds to walk out when the Marine says: "Hey didn’t they teach you to wash your hands in boot camp?”
The Army soldier replies: “Didn’t they teach you not to piss on your hands at boot? camp"
TRIVIA
Airline Slogans
1. What airline was once known as "the proud bird with the golden tail"? American Continental United National
2. This airline was known as "the only way to fly"? Western Pan American Eastern Piedmont
3. "Up, up, and away" was one advertising slogan of this airline. ATA PSA TWA Air California
4. This airline was known as "the top banana in the west." Southwest Alaska Hughes Air West Frontier
5. This airline painted a smile under the cockpit area on the front of their planes to give the aircraft the appearance of a happy face. Pacific Southwest BOAC National Canadian Pacific
6. This airline lets you know "you are now free to move about the country." Northwest Southwest United America West
7. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? The company started as an airline specializing in transporting donor organs for transplant The founder of the company was named Michael R. Hart The company's headquarters is in Dallas at Love Field Their former advertising slogan was "you'll love flying with us."
8. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? The company started as an airline specializing in transporting donor organs for transplant The founder of the company was named Michael R. Hart The company's headquarters is in Dallas at Love Field Their former advertising slogan was "you'll love flying with us."
9. This airline dubbed itself as "something special in the air." United American US Air Northwest
10. In the academy award winning movie "Rain Man", Dusitn Hoffman's character refuses to fly unless he can travel on this airline, because it "never crashes." KLM Qantas Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic
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. What airline was once known as "the proud bird with the golden tail"? Continental
2. This airline was known as "the only way to fly"? Western
3. "Up, up, and away" was one advertising slogan of this airline. TWA
4. This airline was known as "the top banana in the west." Hughes Air West
5. This airline painted a smile under the cockpit area on the front of their planes to give the aircraft the appearance of a happy face. PSA
6. This airline lets you know "you are now free to move about the country." Southwest
7. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? HQ at DAL
8. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? Repeat
9. This airline dubbed itself as "something special in the air." AA
10. In the academy award winning movie "Rain Man", Dusitn Hoffman's character refuses to fly unless he can travel on this airline, because it "never crashes." QANTAS
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest." Mark Twain
1. What airline was once known as "the proud bird with the golden tail"? American Continental United National
2. This airline was known as "the only way to fly"? Western ??? Pan American Eastern Piedmont
3. "Up, up, and away" was one advertising slogan of this airline. ATA PSA TWA Air California
4. This airline was known as "the top banana in the west." Southwest Alaska Hughes Air West Frontier
5. This airline painted a smile under the cockpit area on the front of their planes to give the aircraft the appearance of a happy face. Pacific Southwest BOAC National Canadian Pacific
6. This airline lets you know "you are now free to move about the country." Northwest Southwest United America West
7. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? The company started as an airline specializing in transporting donor organs for transplant The founder of the company was named Michael R. Hart The company's headquarters is in Dallas at Love Field Their former advertising slogan was "you'll love flying with us."
8. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? The company started as an airline specializing in transporting donor organs for transplant The founder of the company was named Michael R. Hart The company's headquarters is in Dallas at Love Field Their former advertising slogan was "you'll love flying with us."
9. This airline dubbed itself as "something special in the air." United American US Air Northwest
10. In the academy award winning movie "Rain Man", Dusitn Hoffman's character refuses to fly unless he can travel on this airline, because it "never crashes." KLM Qantas Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic
Trivia Answers are mainly guesses, be warned! 1. What airline was once known as "the proud bird with the golden tail"? Continental
2. This airline was known as "the only way to fly"? Western
3. "Up, up, and away" was one advertising slogan of this airline. PSA
4. This airline was known as "the top banana in the west." Hughes Air West
5. This airline painted a smile under the cockpit area on the front of their planes to give the aircraft the appearance of a happy face. Pacific Southwest
6. This airline lets you know "you are now free to move about the country." Southwest
7. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? The company's headquarters is in Dallas at Love Field
8. Speaking of Southwest Airlines, why do their planes have hearts painted on the side near the entry door? Their former advertising slogan was "you'll love flying with us." (hedging my bets!)
9. This airline dubbed itself as "something special in the air." United
10. In the academy award winning movie "Rain Man", Dusitn Hoffman's character refuses to fly unless he can travel on this airline, because it "never crashes." Qantas
There's the right way, the wrong way and the railway.
As a critique, please don't say things like "Speaking of."