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NEWS

Etihad reports $1.1 billion 3Q revenue
Etihad Airways (EY) reported third-quarter revenue of $1.1 billion, up 39% year-over-year. Passenger revenue was up 32% to $833 million and cargo revenue increased 28% to $168 million. Operating costs rose 12% on a 12% rise in capacity while non-fuel costs rose 7%, EY said. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier traditionally does not release actual figures for total operating costs, CASK or RASK.
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LAN 'broadly' accepts antitrust requirements for TAM merger, but will appeal some
LAN Airlines said it will appeal some of the requirements set by the Chilean antitrust tribunal TDLC in conditionally approving the carrier's proposed merger with Brazil's TAM Airlines under LATAM Airlines Group.
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FAA reorganization aims to streamline NextGen implementation
US FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said Congress has approved the agency's request to make changes to its organizational structure, including establishing a Program Management Office (PMO) to manage major acquisition programs, particularly those associated with implementing the satellite-based NextGen ATC system.
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F-35B starts critical tests in comeback attempt
With the beginning of at-sea trials for the Lockheed Martin F-35B, the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant had entered the most critical phase in a year-long campaign to overcome probation and be spared cancellation. For the next two to six weeks, two F-35B flight test aircraft will attempt to prove the proposed successor to the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II can operate aboard the US Marine Corps' relatively small amphibious carriers.
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Unmanned K-Max headed To Afghanistan
The US Navy has selected the Kaman/Lockheed Martin K-Max helicopter to prove whether unmanned air systems (UAS) are suitable for ferrying supplies around the battlefield. The deployment, consisting of two airframes, will leave the US in November 2011 for "a central forward operating base" in Afghanistan. The aircraft, operated by a mixture of Marines and contractors, will resupply remote outposts autonomously under a six-month pilot program.
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Rockwell Collins Takes Tech Lead In Light Jet, Turbo Prop Market
Rockwell Collins has leapfrogged the competitors in the Part 23 light jet and turboprop arena - a sector that has increasingly turned to Garmin for leading edge user interface technologies, such as synthetic vision and touch screen controllers Rockwell Collins, and its US competitor Honeywell, have traditionally focused on larger Part 25 business jets, while Garmin has garnered market share on the lighter side of general aviation through intuitive interface features - most recently touch screen flight management system controllers.
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HondaJet: Worth The Wait
Compared with most business ¬aircraft manufacturing start-ups, Honda Aircraft has always enjoyed one overwhelming advantage - the financial backing and engineering strength of the one of the world's largest automobile companies. To the aviation world, however, this advantage has only been seen in the form of Honda's patience.
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Airlines turn to alternate revenue sources amid declining airfares
The average domestic airfare, adjusted for inflation and minus extra fees, has dropped 21% since 1995, the Department of Transportation says, as the industry continues to suffer from a cost-intensive business structure and uncontrollable external factors. This has led to $55 billion in losses in the past decade and forced carriers to look to various ancillary charges to shore up revenue. Passenger tickets make up 71% of U.S. airlines' overall passenger revenue, dropping from 88% in 1990, the DOT reports.
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Challenges continue to hamper American Airlines
American Airlines, the only legacy carrier left that has avoided filing for bankruptcy in the past 10 years, is facing a variety of challenges, including high costs related to borrowing, labor and aircraft. Calls for the company to consider bankruptcy are mounting as the move could resolve its issues. However, executives at the airline say they aren't considering bankruptcy. Doug Parker, CEO of US Airways, has been interested in a merger and likely has considered teaming up with American's parent company, AMR Corp.
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Boeing expects growth in North American market for jets
Boeing has predicted a 41% increase in the market for jetliners in North America over the next couple of decades as airlines replace older planes with more fuel-efficient models. "The region's airline industry is poised for long-term, moderate growth," said Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Airlines are expected to continue focusing on capacity discipline and improving financial performance." Boeing expects demand will concentrate on single-aisle planes.
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Airline mergers include maintenance integration
The airline industry in the U.S. and Europe has seen a wave of consolidation over the past couple of years. The mergers between carriers involve marrying maintenance operations, which can be an intricate process, insiders say.
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EU stands firm on emissions trading scheme despite opposition
European officials say they will not be persuaded to change the European Union's emissions trading scheme. Airlines and governments from countries around the world have voiced their opposition to the EU plan. A preliminary legal opinion will be issued this week on American carriers' efforts to stop the EU from including the aviation industry in the scheme.
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Airlines protest new tax proposal
Members of the airline industry are lobbying against a White House deficit-reduction plan that includes a new $100 tax on flight departures and incremental increases in existing federal security surcharges, which would reach $7.50 by 2017. Executives at larger airlines estimate the added cost for individual carriers at more than $100 million a year and say that the proposed tax would greatly affect passengers and small communities.
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Column: Officials are slow to implement air-safety changes
Columnist Al Kamen writes that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation are waiting on the Office of Management and Budget to approve rules governing pilot fatigue and qualifications. Kamen writes that airlines oppose the pilot-fatigue rule because they say "the 'ill-conceived regulation' would kill as many as 400,000 jobs."
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Other News

Boeing confirmed Wednesday that Ethiopian Airlines (ET) is the customer for four previously unidentified 777 freighters. The order, valued at approximately $1.1 billion at list prices, makes ET the first African carrier to order the twin-engine freighter, Boeing stated. ET CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said, "As the largest African cargo carrier operating in some of the fastest growing trade lanes of the world—between Africa and Europe, Middle East and Asia—the new 777 freighter fleet will significantly enhance our tonnage and range capabilities."

The US Air Transport Assn. (ATA) warned that nearly 10,000 airline industry jobs could be cut within one year if two new proposed passenger security and airline departure taxes are implemented. More broadly, it said, nearly 181,000 jobs could be lost across the economy related to reductions in aircraft manufacturing, airports and supporting businesses, according to an analysis by consultancy Oliver Wyman.

Malev Hungarian Airlines (MA) should not expect further financial help from the Hungarian government owing to 2012 budgetary restrictions, several Hungarian news agencies reported. The European Commission (EC) has been investigating Hungarian government support measures for MA to determine if the financially troubled carrier received illegal state aid eight times between 2007 and 2010, totaling up to HUF100 billion ($455 million) in capital injections, debt payoffs, loans and deferred tax obligations.

Boeing has delivered a 737-900ER to Tajikistan-based Somon Air, the carrier's first of the type. It becomes the first Central Asian carrier to operate an aircraft featuring Boeing's Sky Interior. The delivery is also Somon Air's first direct purchase of a 737.

MTU Aero Engines has taken an 18% share in Pratt & Whitney's PW1100G-JM engine program, under development for the Airbus A320neo aircraft family. MTU said it will take on a portion of the final engine assembly and test of the PW1100G. It will also raise its stake in the PW1500G engine program for the Bombardier CSeries aircraft from 15% to 17%.

Qatar Airways took delivery of a 259-seat Boeing 777-200LR, its 100th aircraft. The carrier now operates 27 777s.

Pratt & Whitney has completed ground testing of its first PW1217G engine for the Mitsubishi regional jet. It has completed more than 300 hr. and 1,100 cycles. The test program will run a total of eight test engines through 2012; EIS is scheduled for 2014. The PW1217G has also been selected to power the Bombardier CSeries, Airbus A320neo and Irkut MC-21.



AVIATION QUOTE

I suddenly get a feeling — perhaps only a hint — of the ALONENESS of a 1930s transport pilot way up on the beak of this ancient pelican. This tiny cupola was not a "flight deck," all indirect lighting and softly chiming "systems," triply redundant captains murmuring their checklist incantations. This was one man stuck about as far out on the bowsprit of his ark as he could be without having his toes in the wind.

— Stephan Wilkinson, Flying magazine, 50th Anniversary Issue, September 1977.



ON THIS DATE

October 6th

---In 1908... Wilbur Wright and a French writer make the 1st passenger flight of over one hour.

--- In 1922... Lieutenants John Macready and O.G. Kelly set a new world flight endurance record, staying aloft in their Fokker T-2 monoplane for a total of 35 hours, 18 minutes and 30 seconds.

---In 1929…Hawaiian Airlines commences operations.

---In 1945…Sociedad Aeronautica de Medellin (SAM) is founded.

---In 1973…Egypt and Syria launch air strikes on Israel, starting the Yom Kippur War. The conflict lasts 18 days.

---In 1976…Cubana Flight 455, a Douglas DC-8, bombed by Anti-Castro terrorists.

---In 1977…First flight of the Mikoyan MiG-29.

---In 1981…NLM Cityhopper Flight 431 encounters a tornado, loses a wing, breaks up in air, and crashes near Moerdijk, Netherlands.

---In 1984…First flight of the FMA IA 63 Pampa.

---In 2010…Aerorepublica begins operations as Copa Airlines – Colombia.



DAILY VIDEO






EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Flying to Houston

First Class Vs. Economy

A plane is on its way to Houston when a blonde in Economy Class gets up and moves to the First Class section and sits down.

The flight attendant watches her do this and asks to see her ticket. She then tells the blonde that she paid for Economy and that she will have to sit in the back.

The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Houston and I'm staying right here!"

The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the copilot that there is a blonde bimbo sitting in First Class that belongs in Economy and won't move back to her seat.

The copilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for Economy she will have to leave and return to her seat.

The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Houston and I'm staying right here!"

The copilot tells the pilot that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this blonde woman who won't listen to reason.

The pilot says "You say she's blonde? I'll handle this. I'm married to a blonde. I speak blonde."

He goes back to the blonde, whispers in her ear, and she says "Oh, I'm Sorry, " and she gets up and moves back to her seat in the Economy section.

The flight attendant and copilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss.

"I told her First Class isn't going to Houston."



TRIVIA

Tail ID
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Epic fail on the trivia today:

9. Jet Airways
10. Malev

ShanwickOceanic wrote:Epic fail on the trivia today:

On most days for me.

1 - Peoples Express

1. People Express
2. Rich International
3. ???
4. Southern ???
5. Texas International
6. ???
7. Carnival
8. Aces Columbia ?
9. Jet Airways
10. ???

6. SAETA
10. MALEV

The rest I go with Pep.