miamiair/forum/images/avatars/gallery/first/user54/1.pngoffline(netAirspace FAA) 06 Dec 11, 09:51
NEWS
FAA administrator Babbitt arrested, placed on leave FAA administrator Randy Babbitt requested and was granted an immediate leave of absence Monday afternoon after it emerged that he had been arrested Saturday night and charged with driving while intoxicated, and the one-time Eastern Airlines pilot's hold on FAA's top job appears tenuous. Babbitt's term runs through May 2014, but the US Dept. of Transportation (DOT) said Monday that "officials are in discussions with legal counsel about administrator Babbitt's employment status." DOT, the federal department under which FAA resides, said transportation secretary Ray LaHood had not learned of the Saturday night arrest until Monday afternoon. White House press secretary Jay Carney said President Barack Obama also learned of the arrest Monday afternoon and "reacted as you might expect," but declined to say whether the White House would seek Babbitt's resignation. Link
Rebranded LAN Colombia launched LAN Airlines re-launched Aires as LAN Colombia, another sign of the Santiago de Chile-based carrier's increasingly dominant presence in South America. LAN already operates affiliates in Peru, Argentina and Ecuador and is in the process of merging with Brazil's TAM under LATAM Airlines Group, a holding company that will control more than 40% of the South American air passenger market. LAN last year acquired nearly 99% of Aires, Colombia's second largest domestic airline, for $32 million. Bogota-based LAN Colombia operates to 22 domestic destinations and Ft. Lauderdale with a fleet of 26 aircraft. It has a workforce of 1,750 and controls 23% of the Colombian air passenger market. Link
Air France steps up efforts to fight LCCs Air France (AF) will open bases in Toulouse (TLS), Nice (NCE) and Bordeaux (BOD) in 2012, as it tries to regain the market share from low-cost carriers (LCC). The TLS and NCE bases will open in April; BOD will follow later in the year. The announcement of the base openings follows the launch of the carrier’s first regional base in Marseille (MRS) in October with 13 new nonstop routes and increased capacity on existing domestic routes. Link
Australian Labor Party siding with Qantas unions The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has backed Qantas (QF) union demands to strengthen the Qantas Sales Act, which seeks to ensure the airline remains Australian-owned and -controlled. Link
Iran claims RQ-170 kill The official Iran Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) is reporting that national military forces have shot down a US Lockheed Martin RQ-170 stealth unmanned air system. The aircraft sustained "little damage" and is in the possession of the Iranian military, IRNA reports. Iranian news agency claims always have to be taken with some degree of scepticism. The credibility of the online version of the IRNA article is not helped by the accompanying photo. The US Air Force has never released an official picture of the RQ-170, but we can be sure the the UAV in the IRNA article is not it. The IRNA photo instead is a stock image of the BAE Systems Raven delta wing demonstrator, an aircraft that was retired more than seven years ago. Link
Malaysian air force chief outlines priorities Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Gen Rodzali Daud is clear about the increasingly complex threat facing Malaysia, and of his service's role in its continued prosperity. While the air force's key mission is still to safeguard Malaysia's borders and territory against foreign aggression, Daud increasingly sees a role for it in also dealing with the asymmetrical challenges and United Nations-led missions. Link
Blow for Roscosmos as Mars probe descends into silence With what appears to be the imminent demise of Phobos-Grunt, Russian space agency Roscosmos has had a decidedly mixed year. In spite of many notable triumphs, including the first Soyuz launches from Kourou in French Guiana, and a number of successful launches into Earth orbit, Roscosmos faces a massive reorganisation. Phobos-Grunt is an interplanetary probe, designed to circle Mars before landing on its moon, Phobos, taking a soil sample and returning it to Earth for analysis - something that has never been accomplished. Aside from the ambitious mission, it was intended as a restart of Russian catatonic planetary sciences, the first flight of what was to be a series of interplanetary probes. Link
Lufthansa Technik develops mobile composite repair system Lufthansa Technik (LHT) is developing a mobile, automated repair system for primary composite airframe structures that could be ready within five years. While repair processes exist for secondary composite structures such as fairings and engine cowlings - where damaged carbon fibres are removed and replaced with new material - this has not yet been approved for primary structures. Damage to these areas is fixed through doubler repairs, with composite or titanium patches, said Franz-Josef Kirschfink, director of technology projects at the German maintenance provider. In both cases, additional material is applied to reinforce the main structure, leading to higher weight and increased operational costs. Link
Italian exports driven by Lombardy aerospace giants It may be going too far to say the industrious north is debt-ridden Italy's last hope against full-blown recession, but export-driven sectors such as aerospace are playing a huge part in keeping the wolf from the door. The Lombardy region around Milan is one of the engines of the economy. There, aerospace companies, alongside counterparts in the likes of automotive and textiles, dispatch products stamped Made In Italy around the world. Link
Piaggio looks to special missions market with P180 Avanti and new jet A Piaggio P180 Avanti II - in a livery inspired by the night sky by artist Mimmo Paladino - was the star of shareholder Mubadala's stand at November's Dubai air show. Even without the striking one-off colour scheme, there is no denying the sleek Italian-designed canard twin-pusher is easy on the eye. In the more than two decades since the delivery of the first Avanti, the Genoese airframer - part-owned by the head of the Ferrari family - has marketed the aircraft on its aesthetics as much as its flyability: a sports car of the skies which combines ramp presence, the cabin comfort and size of a mid-size jet and the fuel economy of a turboprop. Link
USAF committed to replace AMRAAM and HARM with new missile Twenty years after entering service, the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM is still one of the most feared weapons in air warfare, yet it may also be among the most endangered. China and Russia are developing new air-to-air missiles with possibly longer ranges, adding to the overall threat posed since 2010 by the appearance of the Sukhoi T-50 and Chengdu J-20 prototype stealth fighters. Link
Circuit-breaker at heart of LOT 767 gear-up landing probe Investigation into the LOT Boeing 767-300 gear-up landing at Warsaw are focusing on the role of circuit-breakers, after the twinjet's undercarriage failed to deploy following a hydraulic leak. The aircraft had departed Newark, bound for Warsaw, on 1 November when, during flap and gear retraction, the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) warned of a malfunction in the central hydraulic system, which was suffering a loss of pressure. Link
EasyJet founder looks at feasibility of African LCC EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is to examine the feasibility of launching a new low cost carrier in Africa after agreeing a deal between his EasyGroup business and investment firm Rubicon Diversified. In a stock exchange statement, Rubicon said that it had entered into a conditional arrangement with EasyGroup, which could see the latter acquire a shareholding of up to 15% in the investment company. Link
Czech Airlines To Fire 100 Pilots As Fleet Shrinks Struggling state-owned carrier CSA Czech Airlines will dismiss 100 of its 300 pilots in a restructuring, the company said on Monday. Link
IAG Traffic Up On Strong Premium Demand International Airlines Group, formed by the merger of British Airways and Iberia, posted a 2.1 percent rise in passenger traffic in November, boosted by 4.6 percent growth in premium traffic. Link
Malev May Have To Pay Back State Aid The European Union could rule that Hungary's state-owned airline Malev should pay back tens of billions of forints of state aid when it concludes a competition review next year, Development Minister Tamas Fellegi said on Monday. Link
Delta expands MRO to service planes from other carriers Delta Air Lines has expanded its maintenance, repair and overhaul division. The company services planes from other carriers in two locations, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Atlanta, and has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for approval on expanding to Detroit. "We can no longer rely solely on organic growth," said Ashley Black, spokeswoman for Delta. Link
AMR enters bankruptcy with record $4.1B in cash AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, filed for bankruptcy last week with $4.1 billion in cash, a record amount for U.S. carriers that have filed bankruptcy. "Filing was very smart because they still sit on $4 billion in cash," said Israel Shaked, a professor at Boston University School of Management. "Some other airlines waited way too long." Link
American Airlines chooses interior for 777-300ERs American Airlines said it would proceed with plans to update its fleet with Boeing 777-300ER jets, despite the bankruptcy filing of its parent company. American announced that it had chosen a posh interior for the jets, which includes a walk-up bar and mood lighting. In first and business class, the jets will also feature lie-flat seats. Link
United and Continental are working out details of merger United Continental is scrutinizing everything from menu choices to the best method to load its planes during its merger. "We have a lot of data," said Rahsaan Johnson, a spokesman for United Continental Holdings. "We know what people say they like." Link
Airlines struggle to turn a profit amid numerous challenges U.S. airlines have reported losses for seven out of the past 10 years. American Airlines is the latest U.S. carrier to file bankruptcy, but airlines struggle to make profits because of high operating costs. Since the federal government deregulated the industry in 1978, 189 carriers, including American, have filed for bankruptcy. Link
NextGen offers promise of modernization for air traffic NextGen will pave the way for aircraft to rely on modern technology such as GPS instead of decades-old systems. "We face difficult economic conditions," said Steve Lott, spokesman for Airlines for America. "Without significant modernization, congestion and delays will worsen as traffic increases." Link
AMR may cut compensation, pension obligations, experts say American Airlines employees and retirees are likely to be affected first by parent company AMR declaring bankruptcy, experts say. If AMR follows other carriers, it could unload $17 billion in underfunded pensions on the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., and has stated that to remain competitive "it is likely changes will be necessary in the future" in benefits and pay. Since the company doesn't plan to reduce operations, its hubs and payments of local taxes are unlikely to be affected, experts say. "Given American's need to achieve a more competitive cost structure, it is likely changes will be necessary in the future," AMR said in a statement. Link
Former Midwest flight attendants regain seniority, court rules An appeals court overturned a lower court's decision, and sided with former Midwest Airlines flight attendants in a case about seniority. "This is a victory for the hundreds of former Midwest flight attendants whose years of dedicated service will now be honored," said Veda Shook, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. The flight attendants will now have seniority at Republic Airways, which acquired Midwest Airlines, which includes their years of service at Midwest. Link
Other News
Boeing and Lufthansa (LH) will conduct pre-delivery testing on a 747-8 Intercontinental set to arrive at the carrier's Frankfurt (FRA) base Tuesday before returning Friday to Seattle. The flight test aircraft being used for the tests will eventually be the fifth 747-8I delivered to LH in the 2012 third quarter. LH, the launch customer for the latest passenger aircraft in the 747 family, has 20 on order and is slated to receive its first in early 2012.
Transaero (UN) has confirmed an order for eight Airbus A320neos following an MOU signed in August (ATW Daily News, Aug. 17). The first delivery is scheduled for 2017. The carrier has not yet announced an engine selection between CFM International's Leap-X and Pratt & Whitney's PW1100G.
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner arrived Monday at the Beijing Capital International Airport, making its debut in mainland China, marking the start of a six-month worldwide Dream Tour with the all-new aircraft.
Aeroflot (SU) launched Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) international services Dec. 4 when the aircraft (RA 89002) flew between Moscow (SVO) and Oslo (OSL) (ATW Daily News, Nov. 14). By the end of the year, the aircraft is expected to fly from SVO to Budapest (BUD).
Safi Airways will launch 4X-weekly Abu Dhabi-Kabul Airbus A320 service Jan. 5.
Lao Airlines launched 3X-weekly Vientiane-Singapore Changi Airbus A320 service.
Flydubai started 4X-weekly Dubai-Belgrade service.
Wizz Air will launch 2X-weekly Budapest-Dortmund service Jan. 13, increasing to 3X-weekly March 27. It will restart service at Lviv International following the completion of runway reconstruction, with service to Dortmund (2X-weekly, March 30) and Venice Treviso (3X-weekly, March 31).
AVIATION QUOTE
Fight on and fly on to the last drop of blood and the last drop of fuel, to the last beat of the heart.
— Baron Manfred von Richthofen.
ON THIS DATE
December 6th
---1957...First flight of the Lockheed L-188 Electra.
--- In 1960... The first flight of the Sikorsky S-61L helicopter is made in the United States. It serves as a transport craft as well as patrol, rescue, and even anti-submarine duty.
---In 1966…The West German Luftwaffe grounds its fleet of F-104s to investigate continuing accidents with the type.
--- In 1975... The first airmail flight by a supersonic aircraft is made by the Tupolev Tu-144, carrying mail between Moscow and Alma Ata, within the U.S.S.R.
DAILY VIDEO
EDITOR’S CHOICE
HUMOR
Combat Never Forgets
• Once you are in the fight, it is way too late to wonder if this is a good idea.
• It is a fact that helicopter tail rotors are instinctively drawn toward trees, stumps, rocks, etc. While it may be possible to ward off this natural event some of the time, it cannot, despite the best efforts of the crew, always be prevented. It's just what they do.
• NEVER get into a fight without more ammunition than the other guy.
• Cover your Buddy, so he can be around to cover you.
• Letters from home are not always great.
• The madness of war can extract a heavy toll. Please have exact change.
• Share everything. Even the Pound Cake.
• Decisions made by someone over your head will seldom be in your best interest.
• The further away you are from your friends, the less likely it is that they can help you when you really need them the most.
• Sometimes, being good and lucky still was not enough. There is always payback.
• "Chicken Plates" (bullet proof plates for flak jackets) are not something you order in a restaurant.
• If everything is as clear as a bell, and everything is going exactly as planned, you're about to be surprised.
• If the rear echelon troops are really happy, the front line troops probably do not have what they need.
• Happiness is a belt-fed weapon.
• Eat when you can. Sleep when you can. Visit the head when you can. The next opportunity may not come around for a long time. If ever.
• Combat pay is a flawed concept.
• Having all your body parts intact and functioning at the end of the day beats the alternative.
• If you are allergic to lead it is best to avoid a war zone.
• When you shoot your gun, clean it the first chance you get.
• Loud sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get your undivided attention.
• Hot garrison chow is better than hot C-rations, which, in turn is better than cold C-rations, which is better than no food at all. WHAT is often more important than WHY.
• Girlfriends are fair game. Wives are not.
• Everybody's a hero on the ground in the club after the fourth drink.
• There is no such thing as a small firefight.
• A free-fire zone has nothing to do with economics.
• Medals are OK, but having your body and all your friends in one piece at the end of the day is better.
• The only medal you really want to be awarded is the Longevity Medal.
• There is only one rule in war: When you win, you get to make up the Rules.
• While a Super Bomb could be considered one of the four essential building blocks of life, powdered eggs cannot.
• C-4 (plastic explosives) can make a dull day fun.
• Cocoa Powder (found in field rations) is neither. Always make sure someone has a P-38 (compact can opener).
• Flying is better than walking. Walking is better than running. Running is better than crawling. All of these however, are better than extraction by a Med-Evac, even if this is technically a form of flying.
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
