News
Newly independent bmi regional plots its strategy
Sector Aviation Holdings (SAH), which acquired UK carrier bmi Regional (BM), has detailed its network and branding plans after acquiring the company from International Airlines Group in June. As part of the deal, it bought full rights to the wider bmi brand.
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EU Rejects US Claim On Boeing Subsidies
Boeing is still getting US subsidies despite Washington's claim to have stopped the handouts, the European Union said on Tuesday in the latest round of the world's biggest trade dispute.
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Row Erupts Over EADS/BAE Merger Ratio
A row over the ownership ratio in the mooted merger between EADS and BAE Systems is the latest threat to a proposal which would create the world's biggest aerospace group.
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American Ready To Resume Talks With Pilots
The union representing pilots at American Airlines said the airline wants to resume talks, indicating the company's intent in resolving a stalemate with the association.
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Lion Air Considering More Jets For Growth
Indonesia's Lion Air may add more aircraft to recent orders to allow them to keep pace with Southeast Asia's transport growth as an analyst said the airline may place a multi-billion dollar order with Airbus.
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Virgin America narrows 2Q net loss to $31.8 million
Virgin America (VX) reported a second-quarter net loss of $31.8 million, narrowed from a $21.7 million loss in the year-ago period. Second-quarter revenue rose 29% to $347 million. Operating expenses increased 28% to $351.4 million, producing an operating loss of $4 million, narrowed from a $6 million loss in the year-ago quarter. As of June 30, VX hedged 58% of its expected fuel consumption for the rest of 2012.
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Ireland's CityJet seeks investors
Air France (AF) is looking for new investors in its Irish CityJet (WX) subsidiary and a deal could be concluded by early 2013. AF previously said “all options remain open” for its WX subsidiary, which is excluded from the restructuring of its French regional airlines.
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China takes leap in naval aviation with aircraft carrier
Chinese naval aviation took an important step on 25 September 2012 with the delivery of the first aircraft carrier to the People's Liberation Army Navy, although fixed wing aircraft flight tests have yet to commence. Formerly the Soviet carrier Varyag, the short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) warship was officially named Liaoning, according to a story by Chinese state news agency Xinhua posted on the China's defense ministry website.
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USAF working on 'non-minor fix' for F-22 oxygen problem
The US Air Force is working to modify the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor's on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS) with a new oxygen concentration schedule. "The programme office is in the process of implementing a change to the OBOGS concentration control schedule," the USAF says. The modified schedule is designed to reduce the concentration of oxygen reaching the pilot's lungs at lower cockpit altitudes. The high concentration of oxygen has been identified (along with high g-forces) as the cause of acceleration atelectasis, a condition where air sacs in the pilot's lungs collapse. It is the formal medical term for the so-called "Raptor cough" that has been afflicting F-22 pilots.
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AA seeks to resume pilot negotiations as flight delays rise
American Airlines passengers are feeling the effects of the fallout resulting from the labor disputes between the carrier's pilots and AMR, American's parent company. American's flight cancellations are ranging between 3% and 5%, when 1% is considered bad in the industry. Nearly half of all American Airlines flights are delayed while the industry is ranking around 80% on time. After AMR won bankruptcy court approval to throw out its labor contracts with pilots in early September, American faced increases in pilots calling in sick and the logging of hefty maintenance requests. American has asked to resume negotiations with its pilots union, but the union has told the company to put the request in writing. "Contrary to a number of rumors, APA has not presented management with any proposals and there is no imminent agreement," the Allied Pilots Association says.
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Runway-safety programs enhance safety, but work remains
The Federal Aviation Administration has taken steps to enhance ground safety, including installing lights on runways and taxiways that indicate when these pathways are in use. Additionally, the 35 major airports now have ground radar, which gives controllers improved visibility. Atlanta's airport recently built new taxiways that go around the runways and result in 600 fewer runway crossings a day. The deputy executive director of operations and emergency management at Los Angeles International Airport, Jacqueline Yaft, said, "It boils down to layers of safety. One system alone doesn't eliminate all risk or fix it all."
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Fort Lauderdale, Fla., airport will expand international terminal
Construction will start next month on a six-year, $450 million expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The project will expand Terminal 4 to better accommodate international travelers, doubling it in size and adding more service lanes, a bridge to Terminal 3 and direct access to customs.
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Other News
Myanma Airways (8M), the flag carrier of Myanmar, has acquired two Embraer E-190s under a lease agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The 100-seat aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery by year end, are the first of the type to be introduced in the country. The two E-190s, which are part of the airline’s fleet modernization plan, will be operated on domestic routes. 8M operates a fleet of ATR 42s, ATR 72, MA-60s, Fokker F28s and Beechcraft 1900s. The E-190s will replace the F28s, according to its website.
Thai Airways has launched Panasonic Avionics/AeroMobile exPhone service onboard 14 Boeing 777-300ER and 747-400 aircraft. The inflight connectivity solution will allow passengers to make and receive calls, send and receive SMS text messages, and use GPRS service for email and Internet access. The AeroMobile network becomes active at 19,685 ft. and can be used throughout the flight while at cruising altitude.
Baltic Aviation Academy has received Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority approval to operate the initial, type rating training, recurrent training, proficiency and instrument training and all-weather operations training for Boeing 737 aircraft.
ST Aerospace Engineering has injected S$1.8 million ($1.44 million) into the capital of ST Aerospace Academy (STAA). STAA will use part of the funds to equip its new flight operations center (FOC) at Ballarat Airport in Australia, which can accommodate up to 40 training aircraft. STAA expects to train 200 commercial pilot cadets by the end of the year.
SimHelp.com, a branch of Baltic Aviation Academy, has signed a contract with 3D System Sales for the maintenance and repair services of full flight simulators host computers.
Aviation Quote
Fight to fly, fly to fight, fight to win.
— U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN.
On This Date
---In 1951…First flight of the de Havilland Sea Vixen WG326.
---In 1967... The governments of France, West Germany, and Britain sign a memorandum that calls for the development of the Airbus A300 wide-bodied jet airliner.
---In 1977…Laker Airways inaugurates its no-booking "Skytrain" service between London and New York.
---In 1981…First flight of the Boeing 767-200.
---In 2008…Yves Rossy, Swiss airline pilot and former fighter pilot, crosses the English Channel with his homemade jet-powered wing strapped on his back.
Daily Video
Editor’s Choice
Humor
The Green Beret
There was a Green Beret who had four daughters. He was in a habit of worrying about his daughters and always answered the door with a sawed-off shotgun.
One night he hears a knock at the door and finds a young man standing there. The young man says: "My name is Freddy. I've come to pick up Betty. We're going out for spaghetti. I hope she's ready." The Green Beret thought that was cute so he let them go out.
Pretty soon another knock on the door and another young man was there. He said: "My name is Lance. I've come for Nance. We're going to a dance. Is she ready by chance?" Again the Green Beret thought it was cute and let them go.
Soon another knock on the door with yet another young man standing there. He said: "My name is Moe. I'm here to get Flo. We're going to a show. Is she ready to go?" Once again the Green Beret thought it was cute and he let them go.
Again there was a knock on the door and a young man was standing there. He said: "My name is Chuck," The Green Beret shot him.
Trivia
The Buff In Vietnam
1. How many crew members were on a typical bombing flight during missions over Vietnam?
various
4
6
8
2. How many engines are on a B-52-B?
4
8
6
10
3. How many bombs could a fully loaded B-52-D carry?
112
58
32
108
4. From how many bases did B-52 aircraft fly to drop bombs over Vietnam?
4
1
3
2
5. What B-52 model was the most heavily used during bombing missions over Vietnam?
B-52-D
B-52-G
B-52-A
B-52-F
6. What B-52 model was the most heavily used during bombing missions over Vietnam?
B-52-D
B-52-G
B-52-A
B-52-F
7. How many B-52 aircraft were lost to enemy action during the 'Christmas Bombing' campaign?
15
27
0
6
8. At which U.S. Air Force base were all B-52 crew members trained during the 1960's and 1970's?
Plattsburg AFB New York
Barksdale AFB Louisiana
Castle AFB California
March AFB California
9. In which seat position did the Electronic Warfare Officer sit on a B-52?
Lower deck, left side
Lower deck, right side
Upper deck, right front
Upper deck, left rear
10. What magnetic compass system was the PRIMARY magnetic compass system for the B-52?
J-4 Compass
N-1 Compass
ANG 1 - Astrotracker
NAV 12 Compass system
11. In 1963, just prior to the Vietnam War buildup, the U.S. Air Force had the largest number of B-52 aircraft in its fleet. How many B-52's did the U.S.A.F. possess at that time?
725
1091
650
456
12. The B-52 was produced at two different sites in the U.S. One was at Wichita, Kansas. Where was the other?
Los Angeles
Atlanta
Long Island
Seattle
13. What was the function of the ANALE24 system as it was used on the B-52?
Radio Telecommunications
Bombsite mechanism
Chaff dispenser
Radar navigation set
14. During an actual bomb run, which crew member ( other than the pilot ) sometimes handled steering of the aircraft?
Electronic Warfare Officer
Co-Pilot
Navigator
Radar navigator
15. During the Christmas bombing effort (1972) how many B-52 aircraft were lost to Mig Jet fighters?
0
5
2
7
