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CS100 flies transatlantic nonstop from London City
Bombardier has conducted a nonstop transatlantic service from London City airport using a CS100 test aircraft. The twinjet departed London City at around 11:40 on 25 March, after carrying out steep-approach trials.
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Embraer moves into major certification phase of E190-E2 flight testing
Embraer said it has completed the aerodynamic freeze of the E190-E2 and is moving to the major certification portion of the next-generation E-Jet’s flight-testing program. There are four E190-E2 aircraft in flight testing, the first having flown May 23, 2016 and the fourth flying for the first time March 17.
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Rolls-Royce unveils new maintenance system
Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is to introduce a new maintenance system for users of its TotalCare aftermarket maintenance and support program. Two years ago, the UK-based company opened an operational center at its Derby headquarters to oversee maintenance activities worldwide, with particular emphasis on solving aircraft on ground situations rapidly.
LinkAirlines
Alaska Airlines comments on future of Virgin America Airbus fleet
Alaska Airlines is planning the future of its fleet now that the carrier has acquired Virgin America and its fleet of Airbus aircraft. Alaska Airlines says it will maintain a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft for at least six years, though a long-term decision has not been reached.
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Is this Alitalia's final last chance?
Just how many last chances for salvation can one airline have? Alitalia, one of Europe’s ailing legacy carriers, is facing yet another round of cost cutting as it attempts to make a long overdue return to profitability.
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American Airlines shows support for US military, Medal of Honor recipients
American Airlines flew 25 Medal of Honor recipients to Washington, D.C., for National Medal of Honor Day. "American Airlines and our more than 100,000 team members are proud to partner with the National Medal of Honor Society to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the recipients of our nation's highest military award for valor in combat," said American's David Seymour, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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Autopilot logic kept 747 on fatal descent path
Russian investigators are advising Boeing to consider amending autopilot logic to avoid the possibility of an aircraft’s automatically following a descent path incompatible with runway position. The recommendation has emerged from the inquiry into the landing accident involving a MyCargo Airlines Boeing 747-400F at Bishkek on 16 January.
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Pilots of crashed 747 missed cues about off-course approach
Pilots of the ill-fated Boeing 747-400F which crashed at Bishkek were given several warnings and indications that the aircraft was not following the correct approach before it overshot the airport. The MyCargo Airlines aircraft had been too high on the approach to runway 26 and failed to intercept the 3° glideslope from the ILS.
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China Southern confirms stake sale to American Airlines
China Southern Airlines has confirmed that American Airlines is acquiring a stake in the Guangzhou-based carrier. According to a filing released by the Shanghai Stock Exchange March 27, China Southern reached an agreement with Fort Worth, Texas-based American on some core issues, which included selling shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to American.
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Lufthansa Group, Cathay Pacific to codeshare
Lufthansa Group has signed a codeshare agreement with Hong Kong-based oneworld member Cathay Pacific Airways, beginning April 26, as the German carrier follows through on its expansion strategy to partner with non-Star Alliance members. The codeshare also includes Lufthansa Group subsidiaries Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).
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Southwest executive: Don't raise taxes on our customers
Southwest Airlines executive Bob Montgomery testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, saying an airport tax hike on passengers will drive away customers, especially those connecting to small and rural communities. "I have never seen an airport with a construction need that has not been addressed due to a lack of funding," Montgomery said. He added that while airports want more money, they haven't demonstrated a need for it: "There's an old Texas saying: Never ask a barber if you need a haircut."
LinkAirports
SAS raises $75 million from Heathrow slot sale
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has sold two pairs of London Heathrow slots to an undisclosed buyer, raising $75 million from the transaction. Before the sale, SAS had the sixth largest Heathrow slot portfolio with 19 daily slot pairs. This has now been narrowed to 17 pairs, although under the deal SAS can continue to use the two pairs for up to three years.
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Military
Jakarta receives more former USAF F-16 Block 25 fighters
Indonesia has received 18 of 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 25 fighters that have been refurbished after USAF use. The aircraft were delivered from the USAF’s Ogden Air Logistics Complex, says a statement from the USAF.
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Japan partners with UK to study future fighter
Japan and the UK have agreed to explore options for co-developing a future fighter aircraft, but Tokyo will also continue discussions on developing a next-generation combat jet with other countries, the Japanese Ministry of Defense says. Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency has agreed to exchange information about future fighter technology with the UK Ministry of Defense, as well as a possible co-development, according to a 16 March news release.
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Israel steps up UAV defences with Eitam update
The Israeli air force is using its Gulfstream G550-based Eitam airborne early warning aircraft with an added sensor to detect unmanned air vehicles attempting to enter the nation’s airspace. Speaking to FlightGlobal, the mission planning officer of the service's “Nachshon” squadron – identified only as Capt I – said that while the hardware of the aircraft’s airborne radar is original, installed when it was prepared for the AEW role by Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta Systems subsidiary, new software blocks have been installed.
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Aviation Quote
Sacrifices must be made.
- Otto Lilienthal, one of the main sources of inspiration for the Wright brothers, this was a favorite phrase. He died August 10, 1896 from injuries sustained two days earlier in a crash of one of his hang gliders. German: "Opfer mussen gebracht werden."
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. Piper named 11 types of aircraft after Native American tribes. Which was the first, and how many can you name?
2. Why does it appear to the casual observer(Standing abeam and at a distance) that a departing B747 or A380 climbs at a lower airspeed than a smaller jet, such as an 737 at the same speed and climb angle?
3. What WW2 airplane was known as the "Whistling Death?"
4. Acrophobia is the fear of heights, what is the fear of flying in an aircraft called?
5. Name a well-known type of aircraft in which the pilot could extend the landing gear from the wheel wells, but could not retract them?
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