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United Continental, Pilots Union Agree Deal

United Continental said it has reached an agreement in principle with its pilots' union, advancing the carrier's effort to integrate its staff after the 2010 merger creating the company.
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Virgin Atlantic Swings To Full-Year Loss

Virgin Atlantic swung to a full-year loss as higher fuel costs and tough economic conditions took their toll.
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Lufthansa Must Generate More Cash - CEO

Lufthansa management has told staff in an internal letter that the German flag carrier needs to do more to boost its cash flow, and pledged massive investments to offer more perks to passengers.
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Feud Deepens As Boeing Grabs Key Airbus Client

Airbus was reeling on Friday from the defection of a high-profile customer to Boeing, prompting European accusations of aggressive tactics amid renewed evidence of a jet price war.
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SilkAir Orders Boeing 737s Worth USD$4.9 Bln
Singapore Airlines' regional carrier SilkAir said on Friday it has signed a letter of intent to buy new aircraft from Boeing worth USD$4.9 billion, making it the largest order in SilkAir's history.
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British Airways A380 deliveries to be pushed back
British Airways is in talks with Airbus regarding delivery of its initial A380s, with the first arrival probably being put back until around the third quarter of 2013. Airbus has already indicated that its deliveries of the type will dip next year as a result of its efforts to correct a cracking problem with wing-rib brackets. BA has 12 A380s on order.
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NTSB investigates missing Avantair P180 elevator

The two pilots of an Avantair Piaggio P180 Avanti II that landed at the Henderson Executive airport in Nevada the morning of 28 July discovered during a post-flight check that the twin turboprop's left elevator was missing. The finding came after a positioning flight of N146SL from Camarillo, California, to San Diego, followed by a Part 91 fractional flight from San Diego to Henderson with two passengers on board.
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IAG warns on Spanish job cuts as Iberia drags performance down

International Airlines Group has revised its full-year forecast downwards and warns it will make an operating loss for 2012 as the euro-area crisis continues to expose poor performance at its Spanish subsidiary, Iberia. And the carrier group warns that job losses are inevitable at Iberia as it battles to address what chief executive Willie Walsh describes as "problems [which] are deep and structural". It hopes to finalise a restructuring plan for the airline by the end of September, which is likely to include "short-term downsizing, network reshaping...and a re-evaluation of all aspects of the business to deliver competitive costs and service to enable long-term profitable growth", says Walsh in a statement accompanying the group's half-year results for the period to 30 June.
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Xiamen agrees to buy 40 737-800 NextGen aircraft
Xiamen Airlines (MF) on Friday agreed to purchase 40 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. The order, which is valued at $3.5 billion at list prices, requires Chinese government approval. According to Boeing, after approval is granted the order will be posted to its Orders & Deliveries website.
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Other News


All Nippon Airways (ANA) has reported a first-quarter net profit of ¥0.6 billion ($7.54 million), reversed from a net loss of ¥8.4 billion in the year-ago period. Operating revenue rose 12.5% to ¥343.1 billion as Japan recovered from last year’s tsunami disaster at Fukushima and the strong yen made overseas travel more affordable, ANA said in a statement. ANA’s first reporting period for fiscal year 2012 runs from April 1-June 30. First-quarter operating income reached ¥11 billion compared to a loss of ¥8.1 billion in the previous year.

American Airlines (AA) on Friday exercised options for two Boeing 777-300ERs and upgraded a 777-200ER it had on order to a -300ER. AA said that, including the exercised options and upgrade, it has commitments for 18 777s, comprising 13 -300ERs and five -200s. AA is the only US carrier to have ordered the 777-300ER. Its first is slated to be delivered later this year.

United Airlines (UA), the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787, said it will take delivery of the first of 50 Dreamliners it has on order in September. The aircraft rolled out of Boeing’s paint hangar in Everett, Wash., this week. “The 787 will open up new non-stop destinations that customers would not be able to otherwise reach on United, such as the recently announced Denver-to-Tokyo service that starts next spring,” UA said in a statement. UA’s 787 cabin will be configured with 219 seats, comprised of 36 in business class, 72 in premium economy and 111 in economy.

The Slovenian government has begun the privatization process of Adria Airways (JP) by seeking bids for 74.87% of the flag carrier’s shares. JP said that interested parties should submit nonbinding bids by Sept. 10. The stake is being sold by the state and four banks, which together hold 99.87% of JP’s stock. Barons Financial Services is the exclusive advisor to sellers.

Swiss International Air Lines (LX) reported its first-half profit dropped 53% to CHF61 million ($63.8 million) compared to CHF129 million in the year-ago period. LX said the second quarter was a tough environment for the industry; yield remains under pressure and fuel costs remain high. Revenue dropped 42% to SFR65 million for the April-June period compared to last year. CEO Harry Hohmeister said LX has been affected by the crises in the industry, which is not likely to change anytime soon

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has delivered two leased Airbus A320s to VivaColombia. The carrier began service on May 25.

CDB Leasing secured financing from KfW IPEX-Bank and The Korea Development Bank for the acquisition of three new Airbus A320 aircraft. The aircraft are subject to a sale and lease-back with the Indian carrier InterGlobe Aviation. The first aircraft has been delivered; the remaining aircraft are scheduled for delivery this month.

Aviation Quote

I hate to shoot a Hun down without him seeing me, for although this method is in accordance with my doctrine, it is against what little sporting instincts I have left.

— James McCudden, VC, RFC, 1917.

On This Date:

---In 1910... An International aviation meeting opens at Lanark, Scotland, drawing a wide range of flyers and airplanes. In all, 22 competitors participate.

---In 1945…The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by a Boeing B-29, the Enola Gay, piloted by Col. Paul Tibbets.

---In 1950…The Handley Page Hermes enters service with BOAC.

--In 1953…Ted Williams returns to the Red Sox after serving a tour of duty as a Marine airman in the Korean War.

---In 1956…First flight of the Beechcraft Travel Air.

---In 1966…Braniff Airways Flight 250, a BAC-111 flying from Omaha to Kansas City, crashes near Falls City, Nebraska, killing all 42 on board. The plane had flown directly into a violent thunderstorm, which damaged the flight control surfaces and wings, causing it to fall out of the sky.

---In 1969... The biggest helicopter ever built, the Soviet Mil V-12 secures an unbeaten world lifting record for rotary-winged aircraft by carrying 40,205.5 kg (88,636 lb.) to a height of 2,255 m (7,400 ft.).

---In 1986…First flight of the BAe ATP.

---In 1996…First flight of the Kawasaki OH-1.

---In 1997…Korean Air Flight 801, a 747-300, crashes into Nimitz Hill on the island of Guam, killing 228 of the 254 on board. The disaster is ultimately blamed on failures of the crew and Korean Air procedures.

---In 2005…Tuninter Flight 1153, an ATR 72 (TS-LBB) runs out of fuel and ditches into the Mediterranean Sea while flying from Bari, Italy to Djerba, Tunisia, killing 16 of the 39 people on board. Technicians had installed the wrong fuel fuel quantity indicator the night before, causing it to display far more fuel in the tanks than there actually was.

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Humor

Useful Latin Terms

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.
Translation: When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults.

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
Translation: I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

Trivia

Airman Exam – ATP

8391
What is the principal advantage of a sweepback design wing over a straightwing design?
A) Sweepback will accelerate the onset of compressibility effect.
B) Sweepback will increase changes in the magnitude of force coefficients due to compressibility.
C) The critical Mach number will increase significantly.

8327
Which of the following is considered an auxiliary flight control?
A) Ruddervator.
B) Leading-edge flaps.
C) Upper rudder.

8396
For a given angle of bank, the load factor imposed on both the aircraft and pilot in a coordinated constant-altitude turn
A) varies with the rate of turn.
B) is constant.
C) is directly related to the airplane's gross weight.

8358
What is the safest and most efficient takeoff and initial climb procedure in a light, twin-engine airplane? Accelerate to
A) best engine-out, rate-of-climb airspeed while on the ground, then lift off and climb at that speed.
B)an airspeed slightly above VMC, then lift off and climb at the best rate-of-climb airspeed.
C) VMC, then lift off at that speed and climb at maximum angle-of-climb airspeed.

9332
How soon after the conviction for driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs shall it be reported to the FAA, Civil Aviation Security Division?
A) No later than 60 days after the motor vehicle action.
B) No later than 30 working days after the motor vehicle action.
C) Required to be reported upon renewal of medical certificate.

8151
An air carrier airplane's airborne radar must be in satisfactory operating condition prior to dispatch, if the flight will be
A) carrying passengers, but not if it is "all cargo."
B) conducted IFR, and ATC is able to radar vector the flight around areas of weather.
C) conducted under VFR conditions at night with scattered thunderstorms reported en route.

9117
Scanning procedures for effective collision avoidance should constitute
A) looking outside for 15 seconds, then inside for 5 seconds, then repeat.
B) 1 minute inside scanning, then 1 minute outside scanning , then repeat.
C) looking outside every 30 seconds except in radar contact when outside scanning is unnecessary.

9339
A pilot, acting as second in command, successfully completes the instrument competency check specified in FAR Part 61. How long does this pilot remain current if no further IFR flights are made?
A) 90 days.
B) 6 months.
C) 12 months.

9051
What is the hijack code?
A) 7200.
B) 7500.
C) 7777.

9354
A person may not act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft if alcoholic beverages have been consumed by that person within the preceding
A) 24 hours.
B) 8 hours.
C) 12 hours.

8342
Why do some airplanes equipped with inboard/outboard ailerons use the outboards for slow flight only?
A) Aerodynamic loads on the outboard ailerons tend to twist the wingtips at high speeds.
B) Increased surface area provides greater controllability with flap extension.
C) Locking out the outboard ailerons in high-speed flight provides variable flight control feel.

9050
Under what condition does ATC issue safety alerts?
A) If the aircraft altitude is noted to be in close proximity to the surface or an obstacle.
B) When weather conditions are extreme and wind shear or large hail is in the vicinity.
C) When collision with another aircraft is imminent.
8336
Which is a purpose of ground spoilers?
A) Increase the rate of descent without gaining airspeed.
B) Aid in rolling an airplane into a turn.
C) Reduce the wings' lift upon landing.

8331
Which is a purpose of leading-edge flaps?
A) Direct airflow over the top of the wing at high angles of attack.
B) Increase the camber of the wing.
C) Reduce lift without increasing airspeed.

9108
The illusion of being in a noseup attitude which may occur during a rapid acceleration takeoff is known as
A) inversion illusion.
B) somatogravic illusion.
C) autokinesis.

8325
When are outboard ailerons normally used?
A) Low-speed flight only.
B) High-speed flight only.
C) Low-speed and high-speed flight.

8152
While on an IFR flight in controlled airspace, the failure of which unit will precipitate an immediate report to ATC?
A) Airborne radar.
B) One engine, on a multiengine aircraft.
C) DME.

9120
Hazardous vortex turbulence that might be encountered behind large aircraft is created only when that aircraft is
A) operating at high airspeeds.
B) developing lift.
C) using high power settings.

9099
When setting the altimeter, pilots should disregard
A) effects of nonstandard atmospheric temperatures and pressures.
B) corrections for instrument error.
C) corrections for static pressure systems.

8201
What is the minimum number of flight attendants required on an airplane having a passenger seating capacity of 188 with only 117 passengers aboard?
A) Five.
B) Four.
C) Three.

8150
If an air carrier airplane's airborne radar is inoperative and thunderstorms are forecast along the proposed route of flight, an airplane may be dispatched only
A) when able to climb and descend VFR and maintain VFR/OT en route.
B) in day VFR conditions.
C) in VFR conditions.

8359
What procedure is recommended for an engine-out approach and landing?
A) The altitude and airspeed should be considerably higher than normal throughout the approach.
B) The flightpath and procedures should be almost identical to a normal approach and landing.
C) A normal approach, except do not extend the landing gear or flaps until over the runway threshold.

9333
An applicant who is scheduled for a practical test for an airline transport pilot certificate, in an approved flight simulator, is
A) required to have a first-class medical certificate.
B) not required to have a medical certificate.
C) required to have at least a current third-class medical certificate.

9340
An applicant who is scheduled for a practical test for an airline transport pilot certificate, in an aircraft, needs
A) a second-class medical certificate.
B) a first-class medical certificate.
C) at least a current third-class medical certificate.

Humor

Useful Latin Terms

Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt.
Translation: When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults.

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.
Translation: I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.