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NEWS

First AF A330 pieces recovered; investigators warn against 'hasty' conclusions
A Brazilian navy helicopter retrieved the first pieces of wreckage from the Air France A330-200 that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean Sunday night about 400 mi. northeast of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, while French investigators cautioned against "hasty interpretation or speculation" regarding the accident's cause.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16816

United issues long-haul RFP to Boeing, Airbus
United Airlines sent a request for proposals to both Boeing and Airbus "that could result in a potentially significant number of aircraft that could ultimately replace our widebody fleet," according to a letter to employees from Chairman and CEO Glenn Tilton obtained by ATWOnline, with The Wall Street Journal pegging the potential order at 150 aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16817

IATA: First-quarter losses at $3.3 billion; full-year 'record decline' seen in cargo revenue
Fifty airlines that so far have reported first-quarter financial results have posted a combined $3.3 billion net loss for the period, IATA reported yesterday, also noting that revenue from cargo is expected "to show a record decline in 2009."
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16818

Air Berlin finalizes €38.8 million capital increase
Air Berlin raised €23 million ($32.7 million) from the issuance of approximately 6.6 million new shares (representing 10% of its share capital), which it said were placed with "institutional and professional investors" at €3.50 per share.
http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=16819

DOD To Get CSAR Requirements By September
The Pentagon is looking to have its new combat, search and rescue (CSAR) aircraft requirements by September. Defense acquisition czar Ashton Carter officially canceled the $15 billion CSAR-X replacement helicopter program May 28, following years of controversy surrounding certain requirements development, as well as bidder protests that overturned the initial contract award to Boeing.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... 060409.xml

Cathay says governments and regulators hinder airlines
Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Tony Tyler says governments and regulators make life more complicated for an industry that's already suffering from dire economic conditions. He says governments have traditionally viewed the sector a cash cow, but notes that in the last 60 years airlines enjoyed average margins of just 0.3%. "Even at the peak of the cycle, margins were less than 3% - some cash cow!"
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... lines.html


Other News

Afrijet Airlines of Nigeria and ATR announced the signing of a Heads of Agreement deal for the purchase of four 68-seat ATR 72-500s worth a combined $80 million. Aircraft wil be powered by PW127Ms and will feature the Elegance cabin and IFE. Afrijet launched as a cargo carrier in 1999. Its passenger fleet currently comprises MD-82s and -83s.

LOT Polish Airlines launched LOT Charters, which will operate six LOT 737-400s and one 767 on long-haul flights to holiday destinations. The airline said the dedicated fleet is expected to carry 400,000 passengers by year end, which "would allow the company to reach a 25% market share and establish a leading position among charter carriers operating on the Polish market."

Malev Hungarian Airlines said it expects its 2009 operating result to rise by HUF1.5 billion ($7.5 million) over last year's, which it did not reveal, while flying approximately 3.1 million passengers. "We are going to make changes to the Malev fleet, schedule, commercial activities and headcount in the second half of the year," CEO Martin Gauss said in a statement. "Together, these will enable us to improve our results this year against 2008. Furthermore, they represent the preconditions for profitability in the long term." Malev plans to return five leased F70s, leaving the fleet comprised of 737NGs and Q400s. A fourth turboprop is scheduled to be delivered this month. It anticipates a 65.6% load factor in 2009, "similar" to 2008's, and said it hopes to double online ticket sales this year.

JetBlue Airways said it is raising its stock offering announced earlier this week to 23 million shares from 20 million and pricing them at $4.25 each. Lufthansa is expected to purchase 3.6 million of those shares. The offering of convertible debentures due 2039 also will be raised to $175 million from $150 million.

Aviacsa, a Monterrey-based LCC operating 25 aircraft, was grounded temporarily by Mexican authorities after maintenance irregularities were discovered, according to press reports. Las Vegas is its only international destination. Aviacsa protested the decision, claiming on its website, "It should be noted that the observations that were detected in these inspections do not threaten the airworthiness and the safety of aircraft."

Alaska Airlines and technicians represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Assn. tentatively agreed to a two-year contract extension through Oct. 17, 2011, covering 665 employees. Employee ratification is expected to be completed by late July.

TAP Portugal will launch five-times-weekly flights from Lisbon to Warsaw (June 9) and Moscow Domodedovo (June 10) aboard A320s.

Virgin America and V Australia reached an interline agreement effective June 8. It is VX's first interline relationship. The airlines both serve Los Angeles.

Paris Beauvais is closed for operations through June 9 while it upgrades to ILS III.

American Airlines flew 10.38 billion system RPMs in May, down 11.7% from the year-ago month. Capacity dropped 8.8% to 13.11 billion ASMs and load factor fell 2.6 points to 79.2%. American Eagle flew 622.9 million RPKs, down 14.3%, against a 14.5% fall in ASMs to 849.6 million, lifting load factor 0.2 point to 73.3%.

United Airlines flew 9.54 billion consolidated RPMs in May, down 12.3% year-over-year. Capacity decreased 10.2% to 11.92 billion ASMs, dropping load factor 1.9 points to 80%.

JetBlue Airways said May passenger RASM fell 10% year-over-year. It flew 2.1 billion RPMs, down 3.3%, against a 1.1% fall in capacity to 2.71 billion ASMs. Load factor was down 1.8 points to 77.4%.

EasyJet transported 3.9 million passengers in May, up 1.8% year-over-year. Load factor rose 0.3 point to 83.5%.

Engine Alliance and Emirates signed a fleet management agreement for GP7200 MRO valued at more than $3 billion over the life of the contract. EK has more than 250 of the A380 powerplants on order.

Lufthansa Systems announced that Germanwings signed a five-year agreement for the use of its Lido Operations Center flight planning solution

Boeing Commercial Airplanes promoted VP-Sales for Latin America Ihssane Mounir to VP-sales for Latin America and Africa.

Thanks to Zak for the following submission:

Polet Airlines plans to commerce operations with its first Il-96-400T freighter on 1 September, says general director Anatoly Karpov. The airline is moving into the general cargo market and plans customer service centers around Europe. Planned destinations include Shanghai, Beijing, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Munich and two further European hubs.

Volga-Dnepr Airlines recently delivered 90 tons of tunnel drilling equipment to Sochi (Russia), where the 2014 Olympic Games will be held. The equipment was brought from Khabarovsk and Novosibirsk, using an An-124 aircraft.

MK Airlines' CEO Mike Kruger expects the airline to exit administration by summer. MK has also signed a cooperation agreement with Royal Jordanian.

Air Canada may be facing a second bankruptcy in six years, after posting a first quarter loss of C$ 400 million (US$ 345 million).

Luxair's operating earnings fell from EUR 5.5 million in 2007 to EUR 1.5 million in 2008, due to the economic crisis. At the same time, the turnover rose from EUR 404 million to EUR 417 million. The crisis is said to have hit especially Luxair Cargo, that has seen a collapse of demand. Without a strict reorganization program in place, Luxair might have ended 2008 with some EUR 20 million in red ink.



AVIATION QUOTE

An airplane might disappoint any pilot but it'll never surprise a good one.
— Len Morgan



AEROSPACE TERM

Gaussian Constant

Originally used in astronomical calculations as k = , where G is the constant of gravitation. k is now defined as exactly 0.01720209895 radians. Also called Gaussian gravitation constant.



DAILY VIDEO





HUMOR

Seat Mate Conversation

A stranger was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the stranger turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.'

The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?' 'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about nuclear power?' and he smiles.

'OK, ' she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass -. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?'

The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.' To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified to discuss nuclear power when you don't know crap?



TRIVIA

Odd Man Out

1. Battle of Midway
A. TBF
B. TBD
C. SBD
D. F4F

2. Battle of Britain
A. He-111
B. Spitfire
C. Hurricane
D. Fw-190

3. Battle of the Coral Sea
A. Kate
B. Val
C. TBD
D. F6F

4. Battle of the Bulge
A. Tempest
B. Typhoon
C. P-47
D. Fury

5. MiG Alley
A. F-80
B. F-86
C. MiG-15
D. MiG-17

2. Battle of Britain - D. Fw-190 (was introduced later, IIRC)

4. Battle of the Bulge - D. Fury? (Guessing here, but wasn't the Fury introduced post-WWII?)

TBF
FW-190
F6F
Fury
Mig-17

miamiair wrote:1. Battle of Midway
A. TBF
B. TBD
C. SBD
D. F4F

TBF-Avenger: 6 were based at Midway as a detached part of VT-8. Only 1 returned (Bert Earnest flying)
TBD-Devastator: aircraft for the unfortunate VT-8 squadron based on the Hornet. George Gay only survivor (I've got his autographed book, also autographed a drawing of his aircraft for me)
SBD-Dauntless: dive bomber primarily responsible for sinking the four Japanese carriers
F4F-Wildcat: the top US fighter to date...based both on carriers, and on Midway itself.

Hence all four aircraft saw action at Midway.

As an aside, I'm currently reading a superb book entitled "A Dawn Like Thunder", written by Robert J. Mrazek, which details the history of VT-8. http://adawnlikethunder.com/book.html

Answers:

1. A. Battle of Midway , June 4-7, 1942, the Avenger hadn’t made it to the fleet yet.
2. D. The Fw-190 was still in development.
3. D. The Hellcat’s first flight was 26 JUN 42, the battle of the Coral Sea was in May of ’42.
4. The Hawker Fury didn’t make it to line units until the end of WW2.
5. The MiG-17 was in testing at the time of the Korean War. It did not see combat until 1958, when Red Chinese MiG-17’s tangled with ROC F-86’s over the Straits of Formosa.