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Airlander 10 exits hangar ahead of first flight
The world’s biggest aircraft – the Hybrid Air Vehicles Airlander 10 – left its hangar for the first time on 6 August, and will fly once a series of checks have been completed while the airship is tethered to a mast. These “outside tests” could take “from a few days to a few weeks, but we’re aiming for it to be as short a period as we can in order to conduct the tests that ensure we know we can safely fly,” says HAV technical director Mike Durham.
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UK opens fraud inquiry into Airbus activity
Airbus Group has been placed under investigation by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office over allegations of corruption in its civil aviation division. The matter centres on “irregularities” in regard to third-party consultants, says the company.
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Boeing July commercial orders tally neared $9 billion
US manufacturer Boeing booked firm orders for 73 commercial aircraft from four airlines, one lessor and five unidentified customers in July, valued at approximately $8.86 billion at list prices. Boeing’s largest commercial aircraft order came from Malaysia Airlines on July 27, for 25 737 MAX 8 aircraft, valued at $2.75 billion at list prices. The order also includes purchase rights for additional 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 aircraft. China’s Ruili Airlines had the second most lucrative order, for six 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $1.59 billion at list prices.
LinkAirlines
Airberlin to introduce business class on European routes
Airberlin and its Austria-based subsidiary FlyNiki will introduce business class on German domestic and European flights this year. “We find ourselves at the beginning of a far-reaching transformation from which a new, stronger airberlin will emerge,” CEO Stefan Pichler said in an Aug. 5 statement. “By introducing a business class on short- and medium-haul flights, we are making key strategic decisions that will pave the way to a sustainable future for the company and that will clearly position airberlin in the premium sector of European airlines,” he said.
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Alaska announces seasonal flights between Wash., Kona
On Nov. 12, Alaska Airlines will kick of seasonal service connecting Bellingham, Wash., and Hawaii's Big Island.. The service will be available until April 1.
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Delta Flights Restart After Computer Outage
Delta Air Lines said that a ground stop has been lifted and departures are resuming following a power outage that caused delays and flight cancellations worldwide. Delta said in a statement that passengers heading to airports should expect delays and cancellations while systems return to normal.
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Jet2 curtails alcohol sales
UK low-cost airline Jet2 is to ban alcohol sales on early morning departures as it seeks to tackle unruly onboard behavior. The carrier, which operates primarily leisure flights to Mediterranean holiday destinations, has ceased selling alcohol on-board before 8 a.m. local time as of Aug. 8.
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Lufthansa reports near-miss with UAV in Munich
Germany’s Lufthansa has confirmed an incident involving a near-miss between an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, and a Lufthansa Airbus A321 on approach to Munich Airport Aug. 4. “We can confirm a disorder involving one of our aircraft and an object when on approach to Munich. Nothing happened; however, a drone has no place there. As the investigation is ongoing, I can’t give any further information at the moment,” Lufthansa spokesperson Michael Lamberty told ATW in Frankfurt.
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Malaysia Airlines appoints new CCO
Malaysia Airlines has appointed Arved von zur Muehlen as CCO, effective Sept. 5, succeeding Paul Simmons who will be leaving in mid-September. Malaysia Airlines CEO Peter Bellew said von zur Muehlen will “focus on developing a comprehensive and sustainable plan to improve Malaysia Airlines’ marketing, sales, products and customer service.”
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Oman Air agrees to sale-and-leaseback deal
Arabian flag carrier Oman Air has signed a letter of intent with lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) for the sale and leaseback of two new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The first of the 737-800s was delivered July 25, with the second expected to arrive at the carrier’s Muscat base later this month. Oman Air deputy CEO and COO Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy welcomed the deal as part of the airline’s rapid expansion program, describing the 737 as the backbone of the fleet.
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Peach A320 low-altitude event traced to premature descent
Japanese investigators have found that a Peach Aviation Airbus A320 descended to just 240ft above water after deviating prematurely from its assigned approach altitude. The aircraft had been conducting an approach to Naha’s runway 18 on 28 April 2014.
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Virgin America posts $38 million 2Q net profit
US airline Virgin America reported a $38.1 million net profit for the 2016 second quarter, down 41.4% from a $65 million net profit in 2Q 2015. The San Francisco-based carrier reportedly incurred $4.4 million in legal and professional costs related to the merger agreement with Seattle-based Alaska Air Group during the second quarter.
LinkAirports
Miami is No. 1 hub for American Airlines' cargo operation
Miami is the No. 1 hub in American Airline's extensive cargo network, with more than 10% of the operation's 4,000 global employees based there. Miami's status as a cargo gateway to Latin America will remain important for American for the foreseeable future, according to Jim Butler, president of American Airlines cargo. "Miami is not only the most important cargo location for us, but I believe it will remain that way," said Butler. "The Latin American network is something we uniquely provide our customers."
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Long Beach airport customers get boost in air service options
Southwest Airlines is adding routes out of Long Beach, Calif. Southwest recently won approval from the city to temporarily use three daily slots. JetBlue announced this week that it would add a nonstop flight from Long Beach to San Jose, Calif., starting in January. JetBlue will also add flights on routes to San Francisco, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City later this year.
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Orlando International Airport begins $146M remodel
Orlando International Airport is in the midst of a $146 million remodel that will add 32,000 square feet of lobby space and new self-service kiosks for travelers.
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Aviation Quote
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
- Prime Minister Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 20 August 1940. The Royal Air Force has been known as 'the few' ever since. M. Hastings (2009) Winston's War states that Churchill came up with the phrase a few days earlier on 16 August, after visiting Fighter Command's 11 Group operation room. His chief of staff 'Pug' Ismay made some remark in the car riding back to Chequers, and Churchill said, "Don't speak to me. I have never been so moved." After a few minutes he spoke the classic line.
This quote is often changed by writers and speakers, giving us material such as 'Never . . . was so much owed by so few to so many,' seen after the Falklands War. Other folks have wondered if Churchill was referring to the RAF's bar tab.
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. What is a deceleron?
2.When air traffic control advises pilots of other traffic, many pilots advise the controller that the traffic is not in sight using the colloquial and unofficial phrase "no joy." From where does this expression originate?
3. The Waco CG-4A glider was used during World War II (especially during the Normandy invasion) as a cargo and troop carrier. Why was it referred to as a "flying coffin"?
4. Almost all general aviation piston engines have a wet sump, a built-in oil reservoir, instead of an external or separate oil tank. How can you determine by looking at the oil dipstick of a wet-sump engine the minimum oil quantity with which the engine can be operated safely?
5. True or False, James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle was the first solo pilot to perform a blind takeoff and landing using only cockpit instruments and radio aids.
6. True or False, Two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses took off from Hilo, Hawaii, on August 6, 1946, without anyone on board. Both landed safely at Muroc Dry Lake, California.
