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NEWS

IATA warns EU ETS could trigger trade war
Opposition from governments against the inclusion of aviation next year in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is growing and could result in a trade war, IATA warned.
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US regional Pinnacle faces financial difficulties, seeks to rework contracts
Pinnacle Airlines Corp., the Memphis-based parent of regionals Pinnacle Airlines, Colgan Air and Mesaba Aviation, said Thursday it has serious financial issues it must address and will initiate a "comprehensive program to reduce short- and long-term costs and enhance liquidity."
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Iberia pilots set to strike Dec. 18, 29
Iberia (IB) pilots, represented by the SEPLA union, announced one-day strikes Dec. 18 and Dec. 29 to protest the company's plans to create Iberia Express. Iberia asked SEPLA to call off the “unfair, inopportune and unjustified” pre-Christmas strike, reiterating that “pay and working conditions of current Iberia employees will not be affected by the creation of Iberia Express. Indeed, more pilots will be detailed to long-haul routes to the extent that Iberia Express takes over short- and medium-haul routes.”
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Thai Airways warns of 4Q revenue drop
Thai Airways International (TG) expects a fourth-quarter loss of THB3 billion ($97.6 million) owing to the flooding in Thailand, TG president Piyasvasti Amranand said in an interview with the Bangkok Times. He indicated that TG might report a loss for 2011 given the decline of both local and international passengers.
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Global Airline Safety Improves In 2011 - IATA
Global airline safety rates, covering total crashes and passenger deaths, have improved by nearly 50 per cent this year over the first 11 months of 2010, the International Air Transport Association said on Wednesday.
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Boeing Eyes Remaining US Aircraft Orders
Boeing, on track to win its highest number of commercial aircraft orders since 2007, is working to bag what many experts say are the last available orders in a buying spree by US operators.
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787 breaks endurance records
Boeing has pushed its 787 to the outer limits of performance, breaking two endurance records for an aircraft of its size. 787 test aircraft ZA006, powered by twin General Electric GEnx-1B engines, departed Boeing Field in Seattle at 11:02 local time on an eastward route to Dhaka, Bangladesh on 6 December covering a distance of 19,835km (10,710nm) overflying New York and Luxor, Egypt on its leg to South Asia. The leg broke the distance record for the aircraft's weight class, 200 to 250t (440,000 to 550,000lbs), gaining credit for 19,144km (10,337nm).
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American Kingston overrun triggers tailwind training recommendations
A 2009 overrun of an American Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Kingston, Jamaica has prompted the US National Transportation Safety Board to recommend that the US Federal Aviation Administration require training for landing in tailwind conditions. The aircraft landed roughly 1,219m (4,000ft) down the 2,716m runway with a 14kt tailwind and was unable to stop on the remaining runway length.
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Lockheed gets contract to produce Iraqi F-16s
Iraq's plan to acquire a batch of F-16 fighters has received final approval, with the US Department of Defense revealing Lockheed Martin's receipt of an $835 million contract linked to the deal. In a 5 December notification, the DoD said the Foreign Military Sales award covers the production of 12 single-seat F-16C fighters and six D-model trainers in the Block 52 configuration, which denotes the use of Pratt & Whitney's F100-229 engine.
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Iran displays captured RQ-170
Iran has released video of the unmanned Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel that apparently crash-landed inside Iran. A short video, released by Iranian news agency Nasim Online, shows what appears to be an immobile but undamaged RQ-170.
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Lockheed unveils new, cheaper variant of C-130
Lockheed Martin will develop a cheaper variant of the C-130J Super Hercules that removes several features from the tactical airlifter's basic design. The C-130XJ will be offered to foreign and US customers that do not need certain advanced features of the standard J-model, including its enhanced cargo handling system, said Jim Grant, Lockheed's vice president of business development for mobility and special operations.
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National Mediation Board rules in favor of Delta Air Lines
The National Mediation Board has ruled in favor of Delta Air Lines in a case from 2010. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers alleged that the carrier had intimidated baggage and freight handlers into voting against unionization. The mediation board also ruled in favor of Delta this year in two other cases.
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AMR shares are lifted by heavy trading Wednesday
Trading in shares of AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, experienced heavy trading Wednesday. The stock price closed at $1.12 after dropping to a low of 26 cents a share after the company filed for bankruptcy last week.
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Frontier reports increase in passenger traffic for November
Frontier Airlines trimmed capacity by 2% in November, but reported a 6% increase in passenger traffic for the month. The carrier, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, maintains hubs in Denver and Milwaukee. Frontier holds the second-highest market share after AirTran at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.
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Fedex will place order for Boeing 767 freighters, sources say
FedEx Corp. will place an order for about 30 Boeing 767 freighters, sources say. The order would be valued at about $5.26 billion at list prices, as the planes cost $175.4 million each. FedEx, based in Memphis, Tenn., is the world's largest cargo airline.
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Southwest is closing in on agreement for Boeing 737 Max jets
Southwest Airlines is close to making a commitment for Boeing 737 Max jets, sources say. The Dallas-based carrier could purchase more than 100 of the jets, which are scheduled for delivery in 2017. Southwest operated 699 Boeing jets at the end of September, a federal filing shows.
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Senator introduces bill to protect U.S. airlines from EU ETS
A bill introduced by a U.S. senator would shield U.S. airlines from having to participate in the European Union's emissions trading scheme. The House of Representatives passed a similar measure in October. The EU scheme is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.
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TSA's Pistole takes issue with agency's nickname
The Transportation Security Administration is fighting back against a lawmaker who said TSA stands for "Thousands Standing Around." John Pistole, the administrator of TSA, says the agency has frozen hiring for some positions and plans to eliminate some management positions. "Those who say that we're inefficient or bloated -- I'd be glad to sit down and go through the books and say, 'OK, how would you staff this differently?' " Pistole said.
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Airlines urge FAA to keep NextGen on track
Airlines are urging the Federal Aviation Administration to keep plans for an updated air-traffic-control system on track after the resignation of FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Michael Huerta, deputy administrator, will take the top post. The agency plans to install NextGen technology by 2014 at large airports and in place across the U.S. by 2020.
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Delta charter company announces flights to Cuba
Marazul Charters plans to begin flights to Cuba from Atlanta this week. The charter company, operated by Delta Air Lines, will fly nonstop from Atlanta to Havana. Eight airports in the U.S. have received federal approval to offer flights to Cuba.
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Baltimore airport will receive $100 million upgrade
The Maryland government has approved a $100 million upgrade for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The airport served 22 million passengers last year, and the airport will widen its Concourse C to accommodate more security lines. Construction is scheduled to last two years, and airport officials said there would be "very minimal" disruption to travelers.
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Other News

African carriers have placed six firm orders for the Chinese-produced MA60 turboprop, according to AVIC. National Airways Cameroon ordered three MA60s, Air Burundi ordered two aircraft and Trans Air Congo ordered one of the type. Deliveries are scheduled for 2012. Including these orders, the MA60 series aircraft has received 202 orders—16 for the MA600 and 186 for the MA60. Some 54 MA60s have been delivered to airlines in China and abroad.

Boeing machinists endorse 4-year contract extension: In one of the most significant industrial votes in the history of Boeing, members of the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) approved a four-year labor contract extension.

Airbus has filed a lawsuit against Boeing affiliate Aviation Partners (API), seeking to invalidate API’s patent on Blended Winglets. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, claims that “in written and oral communications with Airbus, API has stated repeatedly … that Airbus’ winglet design falls within the claims of the [Blended Winglets] Patent, and that Airbus must therefore pay API a royalty for its allegedly infringing design. Airbus denies these allegations.” According to the document, Airbus requests the court declare the infringement claims invalid, declare the API patent invalid, and award Airbus “such other and further relief as to which it may be entitled.” In response, API founder and CEO Joe Clark said his company was “surprised” by the lawsuit: “We have built and flown patented Blended Winglets on the Airbus A320 in Toulouse. We have flown them on one of JetBlue's A320s using JetBlue flight crews with excellent results achieved—a 5% fuel savings—all of this with the cooperation of Airbus. What I can tell you is that we will vigorously protect our patented technology and intellectual property.”

Boeing finalized an order with Air Lease Corp. (ALC) for four 787-9s. ALC also exercised options for four 737-800 NextGens. The order, worth more than $1.2 billion, marks the completion of an agreement announced during the Paris Air Show in June.

Boeing has rolled out its first 737NG at the production rate of 35 aircraft a month and is on track to deliver the aircraft to launch customer Norwegian Air Shuttle in January, the company said.

[b]Estonian Air (OV) has joined the European Regions Airline Assn. The carrier operates two Boeing 737-500s, two Bombardier CRJ900NextGens and two Saab 340s. This month, OV will add the third CRJ900 NextGen. In 2010 the airline carried 582,320 passengers.

Etihad Airways announced a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement with codeshare partner Malaysia Airlines.

Jazeera Airways has launched Jazeerati, a loyalty program that rewards frequent fliers with a free flight for every 10 flights flown with the airline. The program, which applies to individuals and families, is the carrier’s first frequent flier program.

Wizz Air has launched a new “Wizz Reserved Seat” program, which allows passengers to purchase a guaranteed seat located in the first two rows of the aircraft. The new feature also provides the option of priority boarding.



AVIATION QUOTE

We have clearance, Clarence. Roger, Roger. What's our vector, Victor?

— Cockpit crew in the movie Airplane.

ON THIS DATE

December 9th

--- In 1904... The Wright brothers discontinue trials with Flyer II after completing 105 tests and 80 brief flights since they began flying the new machine in May.

--- In 1909... American Dr. Henry W. Walden makes the first flight with his triplane known as the Walden III. It is powered by a three-cylinder, 22-HP Anzani engine and takes off from Mineola, Long Island, N.Y.

---In 1946…The first powered flight by the Bell X-1 took place.

---In 1954… The CIA signs a contract to buy the first batch of twenty Lockheed U-2A’s. (Q)

---In 1956…Trans-Canada Air Flight 810, a Canadair North Star registered CF-TFD, crashes into Mount Slesse in British Columbia, killing all 62 people on-board. It is suspected to have crashed due to icing and turbulence, hitting the summit at high speeds, completely destroying the aircraft. Because the area is so inhospitable, the wreckage and most of the bodies we left at the crash site.

---In 1963…Alia –Royal Jordanian is founded.

---In 1970…Artem Mikoyan, the designer of many MiG aircraft, dies at the age of 65.

---In 1983…Delta receives the 1,000th Boeing 737 made, a 737-232Adv registered N306DL.

---In 1988…First flight of the JAS 39 Gripen.

---In 2002…United Airlines files for Chapter 11, making it the largest airline bankruptcy in history after losing $4 billion in the previous two years.

---In 2002…First flight of the Diamond Twin Star.

---In 2004…United Airlines begins flights to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from San Francisco via Honk Kong. This was the first flight since Pan Am ended service in 1975.



DAILY VIDEO





EDITOR’S CHOICE





HUMOR

Sergeant’s Methods

A group of Sergeants and a group of Air Force Officers take a train to a conference. Each Officer holds a ticket. But the entire group of Sergeants has bought only one ticket for a single passenger. The Officers are just shaking their heads and are secretly pleased that the arrogant Sergeants will finally get what they deserve.

Suddenly one of the Sergeants calls out: “The conductor is coming!”. At once, all the Sergeants jump up and squeeze into one of the toilets. The conductor checks the tickets of the Officers. When he notices that the toilet is occupied he knocks on the door and says: “Ticket, please!” One of the Sergeants slides the single ticket under the doors and the conductor continues merrily on his round.

For the return trip the Officers decide to use the same trick. They buy only one ticket for the entire group but they are baffled as they realize that the Sergeants didn’t buy any tickets at all. After a while one of the Sergeants announces again: “The conductor is coming!” Immediately all the Officers race to a toilet and lock themselves in.

All the Sergeants leisurely walk to the other toilet. Before the last Sergeant enters the toilet, he knocks on the toilet occupied by the Officers and says: “Ticket, please!”

And the moral of the story?

Officers like to use the methods of the Sergeants, but they don’t really understand them.



TRIVIA

Tail ID’s

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11.

1. ?
2. Lauda
3. ?
4.?
5. Martinair (retrojet)
6. Martinair (modern)
7. LAN Chile
8. Air Italy
9. Delta
10. Bellview
11. ?

7. LAN
9. Some really old Delta