NewsMitsubishi unveils MRJ fuselageOn 7 September 2013, Mitsubishi Aircraft unveiled for the first time parts of its regional jet that have been manufactured. In a media event put together shortly after announcing another delay to its MRJ regional jet programme, Mitsubishi exhibited four sections of the aircraft at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Tobishima facility. The different parts - forward fuselage, front portion of mid fuselage, aft portion of mid fuselage and aft fuselage - have yet to be mated. These aluminium sections were all manufactured by MHI.
LinkEx-TSA Screener Charged For LA Airport ThreatsA former federal airport security agent suspended earlier this year after he was accused of telling a teenage girl to cover herself, an incident chronicled on her father's blog, was charged on Wednesday with making threats against Los Angeles Airport. Nna Alpha Onuoha, a Nigerian-born US military veteran, was arrested shortly before midnight on Tuesday in connection with written and telephone threats made hours after his resignation from the Transportation Security Administration and on the eve of the 12th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Onuoha, 29, was charged in US District Court in Los Angeles with making threats affecting interstate commerce and staging a hoax. He did not enter a plea during a brief court appearance on Wednesday, and was ordered back to court next week for a detention hearing.
LinkUS Air, American Defend Planned MergerUS Airways defended its proposed merger with American Airlines, arguing that the deal would create USD$500 million in savings to consumers annually by building a stronger competitor to Delta Air Lines and United. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit on August 13 to stop the USD$11 billion deal between US Airways and American's parent AMR. The government argues the merger would violate antitrust laws because it would lead to higher airfares and related fees. In November, a judge will hear the case without a jury and decide whether the merger should go ahead.
LinkHeathrow Boosted By Larger, Fuller PlanesLondon's Heathrow airport carried 7.7 percent more passengers last month than it did in August 2012, helped by larger and fuller aircraft using the hub. Just under 7 million people used Heathrow, Britain's biggest airport, last month, up on August 2012, which saw comparatively lower traffic during the London Olympics. Heathrow said the average number of seats per aircraft was 204.2, up 3.4 percent, while the number of passengers on each flight rose 6.9 percent to 168.9, resulting in an average load factor of 82.7 percent, up 2.6 percentage points on August 2012.
LinkVistaJet Takes Aim At US Before China PushPrivate jet operator VistaJet will take on its Warren Buffet-owned rival in the United States next year before turning attention to the Chinese market, the company's founder and chairman Thomas Flohr said. "We're in talks about setting up in China and we're on track to get an airline operating certificate for China in the first quarter of 2014," Flohr, who founded Zurich-based VistaJet in 2004 and remains the privately-held firm's sole shareholder, told Reuters news agency. "China could be huge for us but I'm concentrating on getting the US up and running properly first."
LinkLockheed seeks more autonomy for unmanned K-MaxLockheed Martin is looking to make further enhancements to the autonomous capabilities of its unmanned Kaman K-Max helicopter, as it waits on possible procurement decisions from the US Marine Corps and US Army. Two K-Max have been used in support of USMC operations in Afghanistan since December 2011, lifting equipment and supplies to forward operating bases. Initially employed under a six-month evaluation, the capability has twice been extended and will remain in theatre until at least August 2014. "We are hoping that it will become a program of record for the USMC, and the [US] army also is looking at the cost-effectiveness of this program," says George Barton, Lockheed's vice-president business development for ship and aviation systems. Pointing to the budgetary impact of Congressionally-mandated sequestration cuts, he adds: "Standing up a new program of record will be difficult, but there's a desire there."
LinkNew-look BAe 146 firefighter makes debut flightA new-look firefighting adaptation of the BAe 146-/Avro RJ-series of regional airliners has been flown for the first time for commercial operator Conair Aviation, and the system is expected to enter detailed testing in Canada later this year.
LinkBAe 146 offered as tactical air-to-air refuellerBuoyed by its success in selling two modified regional airliners to the UK Ministry of Defence for use in Afghanistan, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has revealed plans also to offer a tactical air-to-air refuelling derivative of the BAe 146/Avro RJ. Outlined at the DSEi show in London on 10 September, the suggested adaptation would equip the four-engined type with single or twin fuselage-mounted hose drum units, to support drogue-equipped receivers during operational or training sorties. Alternatively, companyproduced artwork suggests, a lightweight boom could also be installed for tanker applications.
LinkEASA approves Trent 1000 for 787-9 European authorities have certificated the higher-thrust Package C version of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 powerplant, which is designed to power the Boeing 787-9 twinjet. The 74,000lb engine will be fitted to the initial 787-9s which will enter service with Air New Zealand next year. Boeing has rolled out the 787-9 prototype but has yet to set a first flight date.
LinkConnectJets plans shared ownership program for Piaggio Avanti IIConnectJets - Piaggio's new Avanti II dealership for the UK and Ireland - is planning to set up a shared ownership programme for the twin-engined turboprop, following customer demand. "We are looking at developing a bespoke club with a simple, low-cost pricing structure for Avanti II customers," says ConnectJets founder and managing director Gabriella Somerville. "We are working it out now and hope to reveal the details before the end of the year."
LinkUSAF to field F-16s with auto-GCAS in 2014Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force are working on implementing an automatic ground collision avoidance system (auto-GCAS) for the service's F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet that is set to become operational in 2014. The system will also include a pilot activated recovery system that would be able to return the jet to straight and level flight at the push of a button, should the operator become disoriented. "We expect to have the production deliveries out in the field as part of the M6.2+ OFP [Operational Flight Program] for the USAF," says Bill Hord, a Lockheed F-16 programme director. "It fields in early 2014." The F-16 auto-GCAS has three main components including advanced data transfer equipment, which houses the necessary algorithms and data, a modification to the digital flight control computer and modified software for the jet's modular mission computer. "Those three components are coming together and we are ready to go," Hord says.
LinkUS Navy begins unmanned refuelling trialsThe US Navy has begun its first unmanned air-to-air refuelling trials, only weeks after the first unmanned aircraft carrier landings. For the refuelling trials, software from the Northrop Grumman X-47B was uploaded to a manned surrogate aircraft, a contractor-flown Learjet 25B, refueling from a Boeing 707. Though a pilot was on board the Learjet, the aircraft flew autonomously.
LinkGogo to unveil faster inflight Wi-FiGogo plans to unveil inflight Wi-Fi on Wednesday that will be six times faster than its current service, the company said. Virgin America will offer the upgraded service on its aircraft in the second half of 2014. According to a survey by Honeywell International, almost 90% of fliers say every flight should offer Wi-Fi.
LinkSkyWest to open maintenance facility in South Bend, Ind.SkyWest Airlines plans to open a maintenance facility at the South Bend Airport in South Bend, Ind. Based in Utah, SkyWest expects to open the facility in 2014. The facility will service the carrier's Bombardier CRJ200 jets, said SkyWest spokeswoman Marissa Snow.
LinkAir Canada flies high as top performer in stocksShares of Air Canada have soared more than 50% over the past five weeks, making it one of Canada's top-performing stocks. "Airline fundamentals remain solid, and Air Canada is on a flight path to a 15-per-cent unit cost reduction from fleet renewal, much lower supplier and other costs," said David Newman, Cormark Securities analyst.
LinkDelta to be official carrier of 2 Seattle teams Delta Air Lines continued its expansion in Seattle on Tuesday, announcing a deal with the Seahawks and Sounders FC. Delta will be the official airline partner for both teams and sponsor CenturyLink Field's club level, which will be called the "Delta Sky360 Club." "We're thrilled that our Seattle expansion has grown to include two of the city's pre-eminent sports teams," said Mike Medeiros, Delta's vice president for Seattle, said in a news release. "Our new Delta Sky360 Club will offer fans a one-of-a-kind game day experience and give them a taste of the great customer experience that they can expect from Delta."
LinkAnalysis compares Boeing 737 MAX to Boeing 737 NGThe Boeing 737 MAX offers several improvements to the Boeing 737 NG, according to an analysis by SeekingAlpha. The 737 MAX features 16% more range, as well as a 4% higher maximum takeoff weight than the 737 NG. Deliveries of the 737 MAX are scheduled to begin in 2017.
LinkStudy ranks U.S. airlines on fuel efficiencyThe International Council on Clean Transportation released rankings of U.S. airlines based on metrics for fuel efficiency. Airlines for America said U.S. carriers are "naturally incentivized" to reduce fuel consumption due to volatility and high prices.
LinkUnited taps microbrew brands for United ClubsUnited Airlines is refreshing its drink options at United Clubs to include microbrews and other specialty beers. United will offer beer brands such as Guinness, Fat Tire and Blue Moon, although the selection will vary by location. United operates 49 United Clubs across the U.S.
LinkLugLess startup offers luggage shippingLugLess is a startup company that offers to ship luggage door-to-door for travelers. "LugLess is a travel agent for your luggage," said Brian Altomare, managing partner. Luggage is shipped via UPS or DHL.
LinkAlaska Air pledges to offer toasty boarding for turbopropsAlaska Airlines officials plan to provide warm boarding for Fairbanks customers when the company makes the switch from jets to turboprop aircraft on flights to Anchorage. Starting in March, Alaska Airlines will fly 76-seat Bombardier Q400s on most routes between Fairbanks and Anchorage. The change is expected to save money by cutting fuel costs and providing more flexibility, with eight daily round-trip flights planned, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. It also freed up 737s that will be used by Alaska Airlines for recently announced nonstop routes from Anchorage to Las Vegas and Anchorage to Phoenix.
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