Options traders are optimistic Delta's stock will rise Shares in Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines dropped to a 20-month low, falling 35 cents to close at $8.06 on Monday. Options traders, however, indicated optimism in the ability of the shares to rise over the next couple of months. "Option activity this morning suggests at least one investor believes the shares have reached a bottom and will rally over the coming months," said options trader Patrick Mortimer. Link
Veteran analyst upgrades price target for Spirit Bob McAdoo, a veteran airline analyst at Avondale Partners, raised his price target for Spirit from $18 to $23 in a report issued Monday. The upgrade comes two months after Spirit's initial public offering. McAdoo also predicted more than 20% growth for the carrier in the next several years. Link
Airlines are expected to post profits despite challenges U.S. airlines will be reporting quarterly earnings starting Wednesday and are generally expected to show profits, despite higher fuel costs and the fragile economic recovery. Such challenges could, however, figure more prominently in the upcoming quarters, analysts said. "Possible mild economic turbulence for the economy in the second half of the year may test airlines on cost-cutting measures and capacity restraints taken," said Ray Neidl, a senior aerospace analyst with Maxim Group. Link
AA might divide order between Boeing and Airbus, sources say American Airlines reportedly is considering splitting an order for narrow-body jets between Boeing and Airbus. The aircraft manufacturers have been making their case for the order, as many as 280 planes, before a meeting of the airline's board. Link
Stowaway suspect pleads not guilty to 2 charges Olajide Oluwaseun Noibi pleaded not guilty to charges of stowing away on a commercial flight and entering a secure airport area under false pretenses. Noibi, 24, was detained and questioned after traveling on a June flight from New York to Los Angeles using an expired boarding pass with someone else's name on it. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of both charges. Link
Maintenance work blamed for El Al 777 landing gear failure Israeli investigators have blamed overhaul work performed in Singapore for the 23 May "severe structural failure" of the main landing gear on a Boeing 777 operated by El Al. A 20 June statement from Israeli accident investigators said they were focusing on the MRO work as the likely cause of the incident. Link
What comes after Atlantis? As NASA prepares to bring the Space Shuttle home for the last time this week, the flagship International Space Station program loses its principle supply-and-service vehicle and the US space program returns to its uncomfortable late-1970s status of being unable to launch an astronaut to orbit, its situation between the final Apollo mission in 1975 and the first Shuttle flight in 1981. Link
Gulfstream rebrands its G250 the G280 The lure of the hugely lucrative Asian market has persuaded Gulfstream to rebrand its super midsize G250 the G280, out of respect for cultural sensitivity. While Gulfstream will not be drawn in which particular Asian culture this nomenclature is deemed offensive, a Chinese expert said the number 250 can be translated into Mandarin as "stupid" or "idiotic". Link
AVIATION QUOTE
"Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed."
July 20th, 1969
ON THIS DATE
July20th
---In 1908... Orville Wright warns Glenn Curtiss that the wing flaps used in the AEA’s June Bug are an infringement of the Wrights’ patent.
---In 1948... Sixteen Lockheed Shooting Stars complete the first west to east transatlantic flight by jet aircraft.
---In 1951…First flight of the Hawker Hunter prototype WB188
---In 1959…The President is briefed on the current designs and gives final approval for a Mach 3+ program to get underway. (Q)
---In 1963…First A-12 Mach 3 flight. Pilot Lou Schalk. (Q)
---In 1969... Neil Armstrong lands the lunar module Eagle on the surface of the moon. His immortal first words are, “that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
---In 1971…First flight of the Mitsubishi T-2.
--- In 1972… SR-71 (978) lost at Kadena during a landing accident. Pilot Dennis Bush and RSO James Fagg both unharmed. (Q)
During one battle, the French captured an English major. Taking the major to their headquarters, the French general began to question him.
The French general asked, "Why do you English officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"
In his bland English way, the major informed the general that the reason English officers wear red coats is so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.
And that is why from that day to now all French Army officers wear brown pants.
TRIVIA
Airplane Association
1. Avery “Tex” Johnson 2. Douglas Bader 3. Gregory Boyington 4. Robin Olds 5. Hans Rudel 6. Ed Heinemann 7. Al Haynes 8. Eddie Rickenbacker 9. John Boyd 10. Ben Rich
a. Boeing B-17 b. Lockheed F-117 c. Boeing 707 d. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 e. General Dynamics F-16 f. Chance-Vought F-4U g. Supermarine Spitfire h. McDonnell Douglas F-4C i. Junkers Ju-87 j. McDonnell Douglas A-4
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
