NAS Daily 28 JAN 11

Zak (netAirspace FAA) 28 Jan 11, 09:57

NEWS

Boeing 787 test priority shifts to ETOPS
Boeing’s 787 certification focus is shifting from aircraft tests to qualification for long-range ETOPS at entry-into-service in the aftermath of last November’s electrical fire, says Boeing CEO James McNerney.
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US Senators call for new probe on KC-X evaluation process
Another investigation may be launched before the US Air Force can award the long-delayed KC-X contract for new tankers. Seven US senators signed a letter on 27 January calling for the Department of Defense's inspector general to open a review on the "fairness and lawfulness" of the USAF's evaluation process.
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Computer glitch delays SAS flights
Scandinavian Airlines flights were delayed on Thursday after computer troubles, now resolved, affected its check-in system.
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Aer Lingus to meet union over crew dispute
Irish airline Aer Lingus has agreed to meet the union representing cabin crew who are involved in a dispute over working hours that has led to cancelled flights and forced 215 people off the payroll.
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Airlines cancel Bali flights as volcano erupts
Several airlines cancelled flights to Indonesia's top tourist destination island of Bali on Thursday because of volcano ash, an Indonesian government spokesman said. Mount Bromo in eastern Java, one of dozens of active volcanoes in the archipelago, started erupting in November. Ash from Mount Merapi, also in Java, disrupted flights in November.
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JetBlue's 2010 profit up 59%; LCC targets more interline agreements
JetBlue Airways reported 2010 net income of $97 million, up 59% over a $61 million profit in 2009, and signaled it will continue to expand its reach through interline accords.
Noting that interlining with American Airlines at New York JFK and Boston has boosted the LCC's business traffic, Executive VP and CCO Robin Hayes told analysts and reporters, "I wouldn't be surprised if we closed out 2011 with another six partnerships or so." In addition to AA, JetBlue most notably interlines with Lufthansa, which owns 19% of the carrier, and also with South African Airways, Aer Lingus, Emirates, El Al and Cape Air.
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Report: Garuda to scale back IPO
Garuda Indonesia’s IPO, which is set for next month, will likely only raise $526 million, less than half the $1.1 billion initially planned, according to a Reuters report Thursday.
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SunExpress to double its fleet to 50 by 2015; German subsidiary to launch in May

SunExpress, the Antalya-based joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is setting the stage to launch its new subsidiary, SunExpress Germany, and plans to double its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2015.
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China-US cargo talks begin
China Cargo Airline, the largest airfreight operator in China, is negotiating a deal for cargo flights at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in Missouri, US. The move follows President Jintao’s signing of a US$19 billion contract with Boeing for 200 aircraft during his visit to the US recently.
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EC warns Poland on air traffic rights
The European Commission said it sent Poland a reasoned opinion requesting to establish “transparent and non-discriminatory” procedures for allocating air traffic rights between Poland and non-EU countries in accordance with its obligations under EU law. The respective EU regulation entered into force more than six years ago.
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Other News

Goodrich Corp. announced it introduced new lighter-weight main wheel and brake assemblies for Boeing 777-200LR, 777F and 777-300ER models. The new wheels and brakes provide a weight savings of 260 lb. (118 kg.) per aircraft, it said. The new equipment is now standard on 777s delivered with Goodrich equipment and will be available in the aftermarket this month.

Air Namibia acquired three Embraer ERJ135s and expects delivery on Feb. 14, April 14 and June 3, respectively. It will use the new 37-seat aircraft to replace older 19-seat Beechcraft 1900Ds on regional routes between Windhoek, Maun and Victoria Falls and all domestic routes within Namibia. After June 3, the carrier's fleet will consist of two Airbus A340s, four Boeing 737s and three Embraer ERJ-135s.

Swiss International Air Lines took delivery of its 10th A330-300 on Jan. 21, and will take delivery of five more from 2012 onwards. LX operates 10 A330-300s, 15 A340-300s and two A330-200s, which will leave the fleet by mid-2011.

Gategroup won a four-year contract with Iberia valued at CHF400 million ($424 million) for catering and provisioning services at the carrier's main hubs in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as at 20 other airports in Europe, the US and Latin America. The agreement takes effect in May and will also cover ancillary services.

The Assn. of European Airlines expanded its membership to 36 with this month's addition of Air Berlin.

ECS Group extended its general sales and services agent agreement with Hainan Airlines, with the addition of a two-year contract in Hungary and Austria. Globe Air Cargo will market the airline's three weekly Boeing 767 services from Budapest to Beijing.

Discover the World Marketing opened an office in Belgrade, Serbia to handle sales and marketing representation in the West Balkans including Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will represent Aegean Airlines, airBaltic, Hong Kong Airlines, Spanair and US Airways.

AVIATION QUOTE

Instrument flying is when your mind gets a grip on the fact that there is vision beyond sight.
— U.S. Navy 'Approach' magazine c. W.W.II.

ON THIS DATE

January 28, 1986

NASA's space shuttle "Challenger" was destroyed in an explosion just 73 seconds into the mission. The entire crew was lost in the accident. It was the first loss of a space shuttle in NASA's history.

One thing made this mission unique. It was scheduled to be the first flight of a new program called TISP, the Teacher In Space Program.

The crew of mission 51L included mission commander Francis R. Scobee; pilot Michael J. Smith; mission specialists Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka, and Judith A. Resnik; payload specialists Gregory B. Jarvis; and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher to fly in space.

Selected from among more than 11,000 applicants from the education profession for entrance into the astronaut ranks, McAuliffe was very excited about the opportunity to participate in the space program. "I watched the Space Age being born and I would like to participate."

In the wake of the tragedy the Astronauts Memorial Foundation was established. Its mission is to foster an understanding of space exploration and to improve education through technology.

The crew of STS-51-L: Front row from left, Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, Ron McNair. Back row from left, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, Judith Resnik.

DAILY VIDEO

EDITOR’S CHOICE

HUMOR

Air Force One

Air Force One crashed in the middle of rural America. Panic stricken the Secret Service mobilized and descended on the farm in force. When they got there, the wreckage was clear. The aircraft was totally destroyed with only a burned hulk left smoldering in a tree line that bordered a farm. Secret Service descended upon the smoking hulk but could find no remains of the crew or the President's staff. To their amazement, a lone farmer was plowing a field not too far away as if nothing at all happened. They hurried over to surround the man's tractor.

"Sir," the senior Secret Service agent asked, panting and out of breath.

"Did you see this terrible accident happen?"

"Yep. Sure did." The man muttered unconcernedly.

"Do you realize that is the President of the United States airplane?"

"Yep."

"Were there any survivors?" the agent gasped.

"Nope. They's all kilt straight out." The farmer sighed cutting off his tractor motor. "I done buried them all myself. Took most of the morning."

"The President of the United States is dead?" The agent gulped in disbelief.

"Well," the farmer sighed, obviously wanting to get back to his work. "He kept a-saying he wasn't ... but you know what a liar he is."

TRIVIA

3 View ID

1.

10.

Ideology: The mistaken belief that your beliefs are neither beliefs nor mistaken.

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