NewsNorthrop Grumman X-47B makes first arrested landing The Northrop Grumman X-47B test bed has completed its first landing using an arrestor cable on 4 May, the same method used to land on an aircraft carrier, bringing the aircraft one step closer to an actual carrier landing. The landing, conducted at the US Navy's flight test airfield at Patuxent River, Maryland, was successful. Called a 'trap' in Navy parlance, the manoeuvre is one of the most challenging tasks Navy pilots regularly conduct. In contrast, the X-47Bs' trap was conducted completely by computer guidance, with human oversight from a landing officer beside the runway.
LinkQatar Airways eyes A330 order by mid-June Qatar Airways is planning to announce an order of up to 15 Airbus A330 aircraft by the Paris air show in June, as a result of delays to the delivery of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The Doha-based carrier is looking at ordering 10 to 15 A330s, the airline's chief executive Akbar Al Baker tells reporters today at the sidelines of an event in Dubai. Al Baker's comments were confirmed by a Qatar Airways spokesman. Al Baker says that the airline hopes to conclude a deal with Airbus by the Paris air show, which begins on 17 June. Qatar Airways operates 16 A330-200s and 13 A330-300s.
LinkSikorsky S-92 cleared for automated rig approaches Sikorsky announced on 6 May that its S-92 helicopter has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to fly automated approaches to offshore oil rigs, which the company claims reduces cockpit workload by 60%. "Our new rig approach feature takes the guesswork out of the equation when a pilot is flying out to an oil platform," says Dan Hunter, Sikorsky's commercial programmes director. "It provides a 'hands off' approach that increases the safety of the aircraft tremendously."
LinkUSAF confirms three died in KC-135 crashThe US Air Force has confirmed that all three crew members aboard a Boeing KC-135 tanker died when their aircraft crashed in Kyrgyzstan shortly after take-off on 3 May. The service on 6 May named the deceased airmen as Capt Mark Voss, Capt Victoria Pinckney and Tech Sgt Herman Mackey III, all from the 93rd Air Refuelling Squadron, home based at Fairchild AFB, Washington. An investigation is under way to determine what caused the almost 50 year-old KC-135R to come down during the flight from the Transit Centre at Bishkek's Manas international airport.
LinkRolls To Replace Engine On Grounded LOT 787Rolls-Royce will replace one of the engines of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Polish carrier LOT and grounded in Chicago, LOT's spokesman said on Monday, citing a technical issue. Marek Klucinski confirmed the report by Polish TVN24 news channel. "One of the engines will be replaced by Rolls-Royce. We are running checks on all four engines in our (two) Dreamliners," the spokesman said.
LinkWestJet To Reduce Flight Attendants On FlightsCanada's aviation regulator will allow WestJet Airlines an exemption from current rules so that it can boost the number of passengers each of its flight attendants may serve to 50 from 40. Transport Canada said on Monday it will now begin work on a regulatory change to allow all Canadian airlines to increase the maximum number of passengers a flight attendant may serve to 50 from 40.
LinkAmerican successfully reduced costs in Q1The first-quarter results from American Airlines demonstrate how the carrier has lowered its costs. "We don't yet have all of the savings ground into our numbers from the restructuring. You'll see more coming on line throughout the year," American CEO Tom Horton said.
LinkUS Airways' consolidated traffic increased 4.4% for AprilConsolidated traffic for US Airways Group, which operates US Airways and US Airways Shuttle, rose by 4.4% in April. The carrier also improved its load factor for April to 83.6% from 82.5%. For the month, domestic traffic increased by 5.5%, while international traffic dipped.
LinkHawaiian Airlines transported more passengers in AprilHawaiian Airlines flew 772,346 passengers in April, a 7.2% increase in passenger traffic from April of last year. The carrier's revenue per passenger mile also rose by 18.9% on a year-over-year basis, while its load factor dropped to 77.5% from 82.1% in April 2012.
LinkJetBlue to boost service from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.JetBlue Airways continues to add service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. "Given the airport's improvements and its ability to offer a much more cost-effective solution to fly than Miami, we see a big opportunity for growth here and are looking to double capacity over the next five years," said Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes.
LinkAircraft manufacturers focus on updating aircraftAircraft manufacturers are seeking ways to update older models of planes rather than building new jetliners from scratch. Boeing is updating its 777, while Airbus is revamping its A350. Richard L. Aboulafia, an aviation analyst for the Teal Group, said the 777X "could be in a class by itself if Boeing can launch it on time and get it right."
LinkWash. governor to woo Boeing for 777X productionWashington Gov. Jay Inslee plans to pitch Boeing on a proposal to build the 777X in Everett, Wash. He also plans to unveil an aerospace strategy for the state. "The paramount goal of this effort is to win the 777X for Washington," Inslee said.
LinkSafety fuels engine manufacturer, CEO saysJean-Paul Ebanga, the president and CEO of CFM International, said the engine manufacturer takes safety seriously. "That means our role today is far beyond delivering engines to the industry; it is also making sure people are traveling in a very safe way at a decent price," said Ebanga.
LinkFAA should not politicize air travel, experts sayThe Federal Aviation Administration's decision to furlough air traffic controllers can be attributed to the politicization of air travel, some experts say. "Bringing a halt to the furloughs was truly a win for our customers and for the U.S. economy," said Katie Connell, spokeswoman for Airlines for America. "We don't think [the furloughs] ever should have happened
LinkFAA considers changes to aircraft certification policiesThe Federal Aviation Administration is considering changing its policies for certification of cutting-edge technology after the Boeing 787 battery issue. "As we move forward, we have to figure out what the right measures are," said Ali Bahrami, head of the FAA's transport airplane directorate. "At this point, I would say they are not mature."
LinkLos Angeles airport could improve amenities, expert saysThe Los Angeles City Council approved $4.76 billion in improvements to the Los Angeles International Airport. Built in 1961, the airport's amenities lag behind newer airports in Asia and the Middle East, according to Cheryl Marcell, a spokeswoman for ACI World.
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