A350 XWB shows off carbon fiber advantages Airbus' new extra wide body craft, the A350, features wings and fuselage made of carbon fiber instead of the more traditional aluminum. The carbon fiber construction makes the aircraft lighter and more fuel efficient, but it also decreases noise, and allows the cabin to operate at a higher pressure. Link
A400M in the Cruise phase Tom Cruise likes to earn his money the hard way, by doing his own stunts – including this hanging-on-by-his-fingernails number for the upcoming Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. Link
Airlines
Air Canada to Boost Delhi Non-stop Flights to Daily Service Air Canada today said that it plans to increase its new Toronto - Delhi non-stop service from four times weekly to daily service beginning October 30 , 2016. Air Canada's new non-stop service between Toronto and Delhi , set to be launched November 1, 2015 with four weekly flights, is the airline's first route to be dedicated for Boeing 787-9 series aircraft. Air Canada will receive a total of 29 new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft by 2019, in addition to eight 787-8 aircraft already in operation, as part of the carrier's fleet renewal and international expansion from its global hub at Toronto Pearson airport. Link
Delta flies World War II vet to her appointment with Obama A 110-year-old World War II veteran was flown to her appointment with President Barack Obama aboard an Honor Flight provided by Delta Private Jets. Emma Didlake served as a driver in the Women's Auxiliary Corps.. "Delta Air Lines has long been an ardent supporter of our nation’s heroes, and Delta Private Jets is proud to be able to show our support and thank Miss Didlake for her service by flying her to our nation’s capital for such a special day," said Delta Private Jets President Erik Snell. Link
Hawaiian Airlines introduces gluten-free snacks for passengers Hawaiian Airlines is introducing "Gluten Free Snack Boxes" to better serve its gluten-sensitive passengers. Other major carriers such United and US Airways offer gluten-free meals for pre-order. Link
Southwest sees environmental savings with Electronic Flight Bag program For more than a year pilots at Southwest haven't had to carry bulky manuals, navigational charts or physical checklists -- all they've needed is an iPad. The switch to electronic records has eliminated 80 pounds of weight per flight, saving Southwest money on fuel as well as paper. Southwest's Captain Paul Tremback says that the Electronic Flight Bag is the first step to a "connected cockpit." Link
US Airways flights become American Airlines flights in Oct. All flights on US Airways flights that depart on or after Oct. 17 will show up as American Airlines flights as the airlines finish merging their booking operations. "There’s really nothing for customers to do this weekend," American Airlines spokeswoman Martha Thomas said. "We'll handle the back-end stuff for them." Link
Airports
Seattle-Tacoma sees record-breaking June Seattle-Tacoma International Airport saw a record-breaking 4 million passengers in June. Year to date Sea-Tac has seen passenger traffic up 13.1%, making it one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation. Link
Memphis International rolls out new flight information display system Gone are the airline-specific boards at Memphis International Airport. In their place are massive flat screen displays that track every current arrival at the airport, what gates the flights are arriving at, and if they are on time. Vice President of Operations Terry Blue calls the new system a "dramatic upgrade," and an, "outstanding passenger convenience tool." Link
Southwest announces progress on new Houston Hobby terminal Southwest Airlines has selected vendors and hired on additional staff to fill a new five-gate terminal, according to a recent announcement. The terminal is expected to carry 1.5 million passengers through Houston's Hobby airport in the next five years. Link
Military
Boeing reports second internal KC-46 cost overrun Boeing will absorb another after-tax charge related to the KC-46 program, as overall costs approach $1.5 billion over the US Air Force’s original contract award. The after-tax charge of $536 million will be reported in the second quarter results to be announced on 22 July. That charge comes only a year after Boeing reported a $272 million after-tax charge on the KC-46 program. Link
Ukrainian president: Russian-supplied weapon hit MH17 Ukraine’s president has insisted that only Russia could have supplied the sort of weapon which, he says, brought down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Speaking on the first anniversary of the 17 July crash in the east of Ukraine, president Petro Poroshenko said the Boeing 777-200ER had become a “target of a ruthless terrorist attack”. He claims the attack was launched from eastern Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian-backed militants. Link
Regulatory
No need to revise cockpit door rules after A320 crash European safety authorities believe there is no need to amend requirements on secure cockpit doors in the wake of the Germanwings Airbus A320 crash. The European Aviation Safety Agency believes a recommendation that airlines should require two personnel to be present in the cockpit at all times is sufficient to mitigate the risks associated with possible sabotage by a lone occupant. Link
EU Task Force Urges Improved Pilot Screening In the wake of the Germanwings crash, all airline pilots should undergo psychological screening and allow details of medical visits to be shared in a proposed European database, according to new recommendations delivered to EU officials. A task force led by Europe's aviation safety regulator, EASA, also called for the introduction of random drugs and alcohol testing of pilots and better oversight of the doctors responsible for their regular medical checks. Link
Aviation Quote
People who invest in aviation are the biggest suckers in the world.
— David G. Neeleman, after raising a record $128 million to start New Air (the then working name for what became JetBlue Airways), quoted in Business Week, 3 May 1999.
1. What was the first American aircraft manufacturer to commercially produce airplanes?
2. A pilot lands during poor visibility on a runway with white center-line lighting. During the roll-out and when the white lights begin to alternate with red lights, he/she knows that there are ________ feet of runway remaining. When the alternating red and white lights become red only, there are only _______ feet of runway remaining.
A. 3,000; 1,500 B. 3,000; 1,000 C. 2,500; 1,500 D. 2,000; 1,000
3. What WW2 combat aircraft had the shortest missions?
4. What was the heaviest single-engine, piston-powered airplane ever produced in the United States?
5. Many unimproved airports have a "runway halfway" sign to indicate the midpoint of a runway. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, what rule of thumb can a departing pilot use to enhance safety when departing from such a runway?
6. A pilot shuts down an engine, but it continues to run in an irregular manner for some time after the ignition is turned off. In an automobile, this is called dieseling. When it occurs in an airplane, it is called ________ and caused by ________.
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
