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Airbus headrest seeks to create "sensorial isolation"
Jetmaker Airbus has submitted a patent for a helmet that it says will relieve travelers’ boredom and stress. In its application, the company wrote that the device will create "sensorial isolation." According to the application, "this isolation allows the passenger to better profit from some of the distractions offered, for example listening to music, watching films, etc. If the passenger is sensitive to stress, this isolation, possibly associated with one of the above-mentioned activities, allows him/her to more easily calm down and relax. In all cases, the invention improves therefore the comfort of the passengers and the pleasantness of their flight."
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MH17: Metal fragments subjected to forensic scrutiny
Dutch forensic investigators probing the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 are examining a number of fragments recovered from casualties and luggage in order to determine their origin. Some 25 metallic particles have been recovered – out of around 500 traces in total – and are being subjected to tests by the Netherlands Forensic Institute to ascertain whether they came from a weapon or from sections of the Boeing 777. While the Dutch public prosecutor acknowledges the preliminary findings of the crash inquiry – that a large number of high-energy objects destroyed the aircraft – it says the criminal probe remains a “long-term task”.
LinkAirlines
Air France Pilots To Strike From Monday
Air France will operate only 40 percent of its flights from Monday as pilots begin a one-week strike over company plans to cut costs to recapture market share from budget airlines. "Air France forecasts it can guarantee 40 percent of its flights for September 15 given the number of pilots on strike on that day is estimated at 60 percent," the airline said. Speaking to France Inter radio, chief executive Frederic Gagey said the strike, which could run until September 22, would cost the airline between EUR€10 million and EUR€15 million a day.
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American’s first 787 moves into final assembly
The first Boeing 787-8 bound for American Airlines has moved onto the final assembly at the airframer’s factory in Everett, Washington. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier released a picture of the aircraft mid-body in the 1A position on the line where it will be joined with the wings, on its Facebook page today.
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JetBlue reports increase in PRASM, load factor for Aug.
JetBlue Airways Corp. reported a 4% increase on a year-over-years basis in passenger revenue per available seat mile for August. The carrier also reported a load factor of 88.3% for the month, a slight increase over the same month last year.
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Southwest to expand service south of the border
Southwest Airlines launched a new livery on Sept. 8, and also plans to expand to new international destinations. The carrier is considering 50 destinations in Mexico, South America and the Caribbean that are within the 737's range. However, Southwest does not plan to expand north of the border to Canada because of higher airport fees.
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Transavia chief sees leisure focus key to ambitious growth plan
Transavia will "fail" to become a leading low-cost European leisure carrier unless it ensures that it remains focused exclusively on leisure passengers, its chief executive Bram Graber warns. Speaking in Paris as the group unveiled growth of the leisure unit as a central part of its new Perform 2020 business plan, Graber said it was imperative that an expanded Transavia focus on the European leisure market, while Air France and KLM’s mainline fleets concentrate on serving key business routes. He says Transavia needs to have a “simple, one positioning” business model that is “less segmented than the major airlines” in order for it to effectively compete with low-cost rivals.
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Why O'Leary's transatlantic dream might have to wait
It is an absurdly great time to be selling widebody airliners. One look at the order backlogs of Airbus and Boeing confirms this point, but also consider this: there is a premier customer with ample access to financing – Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary – who claims he is unable to place an order for up to 50 widebodies within the next five years because other airlines and lessors have taken all the available production slots. That is the definition of a supply and demand curve which is tilted way off balance. O’Leary has made no secret of his ambition to launch an independent carrier providing low-cost, long-haul services between Europe and the USA. But he blames an ongoing capacity war waged between Gulf carriers and European network airlines for crowding out the supply of widebodies to other parties.
LinkAirports
Port Authority delays decision on LaGuardia contractor
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has delayed making a decision on contractors for a $3.6 billion project at LaGuardia Airport. The authority said it will announce the winning bidder to redevelop the Central Terminal on Oct. 22. The authority is choosing between three applicants for the project, which will be a public-private partnership.
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Modern airports will focus on travelers
Airports with high ceilings and skylights, real-time flight information available on smartphones, and sweeping views are just some of the trends travelers can expect to see in the future, said Lionel Ohayan, chief executive of New York design firm ICrave. He notes that designers aim to create an airport environment that focuses on travelers. Better service at the gate is another feature of modern airports, he added. Some airports, for example, allow traveler to order food on iPad stations located near the gates.
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Ill. lawmakers comment on FAA noise reduction measures
The Federal Aviation Administration’s refusal to re-evaluate O’Hare International Airport’s jet noise levels — following a recent spike in complaints from area residents — has prompted an angry response from three members of the Illinois congressional delegation. “The unprecedented noise pollution facing our local communities is a serious problem that warrants urgent action,” reads a joint statement released Thursday by U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley, Tammy Duckworth and Jan Schakowsky. “The FAA’s refusal to immediately complete a thorough (environmental impact study) is extremely disappointing, and any FAA re-evaluation is meaningless if it does not consider increased noise level data. Our constituents’ quality of life is rapidly deteriorating, and the FAA’s response is unacceptable. There is more work to be done at all levels, and we will continue to push the FAA towards meaningful solutions that can provide relief to residents who are losing both sleep and patience.”
LinkRegulatory
FAA Challenged By Overhaul Of ATC - Survey
The US aviation industry has only minimal confidence in the ability of the FAA to overhaul the nation's air-traffic control system, a survey released by a government watchdog agency said on Friday. The US Government Accountability Office said a survey of 76 industry stakeholders found they considered the FAA "only marginally to moderately capable" of implementing the new system, known as NextGen.
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FAA To Fine Five Companies For Cargo Violations
The US FAA has proposed a combined total of more than USD$430,000 in penalties for five companies, including FedEx, British Airways and American Eagle Airlines, for alleged violations of safety and hazardous material regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration proposed that British Airways pay a USD$195,000 penalty for allegedly asking its partner American Airlines to ship a highly flammable oxygen generator, forbidden as cargo on passenger flights, from London to Dallas on August 14, 2012. Separately, the FAA recommended a fine of USD$65,000 for FedEx for allegedly failing to inspect a package with two paint cans, one of which leaked during transit, in violation of rules on transporting hazardous materials.
LinkMilitary
Australia commits combat aircraft to fight IS
Australia will commit air and special forces assets to the international coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Speaking to media in Canberra on 14 September, prime minister Tony Abbott and Australian defence chief Mark Binskin said an official request to join the coalition had been made by the US on September 13, and that his government’s National Security Committee had agreed to support the effort in a meeting that morning. No details about when the deployment or commencement of operations would occur were provided, although the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has already conducted several humanitarian air drops and arms delivery missions in Iraq’s north with RAAF Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 and Boeing C-17A transports through late August and early September. The ADF will commit up to eight Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets from 1 Squadron based at RAAF Amberley near Brisbane, a Boeing E-7A (737) Wedgetail airborne early warning & control aircraft from 2 Squadron based at RAAF Williamtown, and an Airbus Defence & Space KC-30A (A330 MRTT) air-to-air refuelling tanker from Amberley’s 33 Squadron. The ADF will also provide a task group element of about 200 Army special forces soldiers to provide training to anti-IS forces.
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Two F/A-18 Hornets crash into Pacific Ocean
Two Boeing F/A-18C Hornet fighter jets assigned to the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson crashed early on 12 September in the Western Pacific Ocean. The jets were members of Carrier Air Wing 17 and one each was assigned to strike fighter squadrons 94 and 113. The carrier is underway in the US 7th Fleet performing security and stability operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
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Aviation Quote
More than any other sphere of activity, aerospace is a test of strength between states, in which each participant deploys his technical and political forces.
— French Government report, 1977
On This Date
---In 1784... Italian diplomat, Vincenzo Lunardi, makes the 1st ascent in a hydrogen balloon in Britain.
---In 1904... Wilbur Wright in the airplane Flyer II makes his 1st controlled half-circle while in flight.
---In 1934…Aeronaves de mexico (Aeromexico) is founded.
---In 1969…First flight of the Cessna FanJet500, the prototype which led to the Cessna Citation.
---In 1977…Air Seychelles established.
---In 1983…First flight of the Agusta A129 Mangusta MM590.
---In 1991…First flight of the C-17 Globemaster III.
---In 1987… A Eurocopter Panther sets new time-to-altitude records for helicopters in its class.
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Apparently the loadmaster on a USAF C-130 was invited to take the engineer's seat for awhile. He started jabbering away, not realizing that he was trans- mitting on Uniform instead of over the ICS. LM: "Hey, this is great! I see why you engineers like this seat so much -- you can see everything from here! This is just like the starship Enterprise! All ahead, Mr. Sulu, warp factor ten!" Followed shortly afterward by: ATC: "You wanna get back on intercom, Captain Kirk? You're transmitting on my frequency!"
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