NewsAirbus, Air France don’t escape blame in 447 report; face possible legal actionThe final French BEA report issued Thursday on the 2009 Air France (AF) Flight 447 crash is unlikely to quell the controversies that surround one of aviation’s worst-ever disasters; in particular, AF and Airbus must confront potential legal jeopardy. While partially blaming the pilots’ lack of understanding of the situation and their failure to react correctly or promptly to avert the crash that killed 228, BEA’s report raises numerous questions about aircraft technology problems (especially with pitot probes and stall warning systems) and pilot training shortcomings. Both Airbus and AF face civil legal action seeking high levels of monetary compensation, and criminal manslaughter charges are also possible.
LinkFinal AF 447 crash report reiterates speed sensor problems, pilots’ lack of understandingThe French BEA's final report on the 2009 crash of Air France (AF) Flight 447, released Thursday, reiterated the two main themes of its investigation over the past three years: the Airbus A330-200’s malfunctioning pitot probes provided inconsistent speed measurements and the pilots did not understand the rapidly deteriorating situation, failing to properly identify a stall situation or react promptly to it.
LinkAF447 crash inquiry bids to explain pilot's nose-up inputFrench investigators have labored to explain the nose-up inputs made by the pilot of Air France flight AF447 which led the Airbus A330 to climb and subsequently enter a fatal stall. The aircraft's autopilot disconnected as the A330 entered a region of turbulence, and the flying pilot made "abrupt and excessive" nose-up sidestick inputs, says the BEA in its final report into the June 2009 accident over the South Atlantic.
LinkVirgin Australia orders 23 737 MAX 8 aircraftVirgin Australia (DJ) has ordered 23 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, the first in Australia, plus four options. Deliveries are scheduled for between 2019 and 2021.
LinkEtihad 2Q net income up 31% on codeshares, partnershipsEtihad Airways (EY) reported a second-quarter net income of $1.25 billion, up 31% from $957 million year-over-year, contributing to a 30% increase in first-half revenues to $2.24 billion, compared to $1.73 billion in the year-ago period.
LinkUruguay To Close Bankrupt Carrier PlunaUruguay has decided to close its bankrupt flag carrier Pluna after failing to find new investors to replace investment fund Leadgate which pulled out, a government source familiar with the situation said on Thursday.
LinkKingfisher Wins More Time To Stay AloftEmbattled Kingfisher Airlines on Thursday won more time from lenders to develop a turnaround plan while its bankers moved ahead with the sale of two properties to recover a small fraction of what they are owed.
LinkOrion, headed for space, stops at Kennedy Space CenterThe first Lockheed Martin Orion capsule scheduled for a ride to space has arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida. At present, the capsule is little more than a pressure vessel. The next two years will be spent populating it with flight avionics and equipment.
LinkUSAF Air Combat Command chief qualifies on F-22 RaptorThe head of the US Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC) has qualified to fly the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Gen Mike Hostage started training to fly the stealthy fifth-generation fighter in solidarity with the Raptor pilots under his command. F-22 pilots have been experiencing a series of hypoxia-like physiological incidents which have yet to be explained.
LinkMAS introduces first A380, explains premium-economy u-turnAs Malaysia Airlines' second A380 is put through its paces in the flying display at Farnborough, the carrier's first aircraft is now earning money on the Kuala Lumpur-London Heathrow route. MAS, which put the 494-seater into service on 1 July, has ruled out earlier plans to offer premium-economy seating in its A380 fleet. Its A380s are in a three-class layout, comprising eight first class on the main deck, 66 business class on the upper deck, and 420 economy seats split between both decks.
LinkHawker Beechcraft in talks with six potential buyersHawker Beechcraft has filed a revised reorganisation plan that explores the sale of some or all of its business assets as it attempts to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the year. The airframer says it is evaluating "all strategic options available" under the restructuring plan issued on 30 June, including "continuing to operate as a standalone entity and evaluating a potential sale of the company".
LinkBrazil delays F-X2 fighter decision until end of 2012The Brazilian government has deferred selecting the winner of its F-X2 fighter competition until 31 December 2012, despite repeated assurances a decision would be announced by mid-year. Disclosing that it has requested bidding companies Boeing, Dassault and Saab to maintain their offers until the year-end date, the government attributed its latest postponement to unfavourable global economic conditions and low economic growth in Brazil.
LinkUS Airways CEO says firm is in no rush to merge with AmericanDoug Parker, CEO of US Airways Group, says in a note to employees that the company is in no hurry to merge with American Airlines, which recently requested additional time to complete its strategy for exiting bankruptcy. "That delay is fine by us," Parker said. There's "no urgency to merge. American is in bankruptcy and we need to respect the bankruptcy process, so we are doing just that."
LinkJudge extends deadline for AMR bankruptcy plan until Dec. 28AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, has received approval from a bankruptcy judge to extend the deadline for filing its reorganization plan. The Chapter 11 reorganization plan will now be due Dec. 28. "The size, complexity and legal issues of these Chapter 11 cases warrant an extension of the exclusivity periods," AMR said in its motion.
LinkBoeing will test new technologies on ecoDemonstrator jetBoeing plans to announce details of energy-efficient technologies at the Farnborough International Airshow next week in the U.K. The changes in wing technology and engine design will be tested on a 737 jet nicknamed the ecoDemonstrator.
LinkBoeing aims for 737 MAX orders at Farnborough, analyst saysBoeing hopes to ramp up orders at next week's Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., the year's biggest air show. "The dream scenario for Boeing at Farnborough is to firm up a couple of hundred 737 MAX orders and then move onto the offensive with wide-bodies," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst at the Teal Group.
LinkBoeing, Southwest ask FAA for more time to inspect 717sSouthwest Airlines and Boeing have asked the Federal Aviation Administration for more time to inspect 717s for cracks in the frame. Boeing did not have enough repair kits in stock for the 717s, and faced a 90-day reorder period. Southwest said grounding the 717s would have "an operational and economical" effect.
LinkSurvey: Some passengers are willing to pay for early deplaningA new survey by Airfarewatchdog.com reports that one in six passengers would be willing to pay a fee to be among the first to exit the plane at the end of a flight. Of the 1,000-plus passengers surveyed, 10% said they would pay $10 for the perk, 3% said they would pay $20, and 3% are open to paying an undetermined amount. "Early deplaning has a lot of advantages for passengers," said George Hobica, CEO of the website.
LinkAirports feature art galleries, museums for travelersAirports in the U.S. and Europe are adding art galleries to their amenities for travelers. San Francisco International Airport has an art museum. Heathrow Airport in London features a fine-art gallery, and Schiphol Amsterdam Airport contains a permanent exhibit from the city's Rijksmuseum.
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