NewsAccidents/Incidents
South Korean KF-16 crash caused by bird strike
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) said that the crash of a KF-16 on June 8, 2021, was caused by a bird strike.
On June 8, 2021, a ROKAF pilot was forced to eject from his KF-16 fighter during a takeoff run. The incident took place at Seosan Air Base (HMY) in western South Korea, where the 20th Fighter Wing is based.
LinkCommercial
Airbus opens two plants to produce hydrogen cryogenic tanks
Airbus will open two plants, called “Zero-Emission Development Centers”, in Bremen, Germany, and Nantes, France, to manufacture cryogenic tanks used for storing hydrogen.
The objective is to manufacture cryogenic tanks at competitive costs in order to “successfully launch the ZEROe (zero carbon emission) aircraft on the market and to accelerate the development of hydrogen propulsion technologies.”
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CFM to develop new engine for upcoming generation of narrowbodies
GE Aviation and Safran launch the CFM RISE program to develop a new generation of sustainable engines.
The program was announced on June 14, 2021. According to the company's press release, RISE stands for Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines.
The new development aims for 20% less fuel consumption and emissions than today’s engines. It is also supposed to feature open fan architecture and hybrid electric capability while being able to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel and have hydrogen capability in scope.
LinkAirlines
Southwest Airlines celebrates 50 Years with a special podcast series
Southwest Airlines this week celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the carrier’s first commercial flights, which took place on June 18, 1971. To offer Customers and Employees a unique perspective on stories from the airline’s colorful history, Southwest®, L.A. Times Studios, and At Will Media partnered to create the airline’s first public-facing episodic podcast series, called “Is This Seat Open?” which includes 20 episodes.
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WestJet introduces service to Amsterdam from Calgary
WestJet today announced that it is expanding its international network to include one of the world’s most connected cities, Amsterdam, Netherlands. As the airline with the most flights from Calgary, the new service from WestJet’s hub will operate on the 787 Dreamliner, starting August 5, 2021.
WestJet’s service between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Calgary International Airport (YYC) will operate two-times weekly beginning August 5, 2021 and will increase to three-times weekly as of September 9.
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Icelandair reduces annual use of disposable plastic by 20 tons
Icelandair Group’s corporate responsibility strategy puts great emphasis on reducing the airline’s environmental footprint. One of the projects Icelandair is working on now is to greatly reduce the use of Single use plastics onboard. A large step in that direction is the recent decision to minimize the use of bottled water. The airline estimates this change will reduce the use of plastic by up to 20 tons per year, compared to 2019.
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Air Canada to put its first Boeing 767-300F into service from Toronto to to Miami, Quito, Lima, Mexico City and Guadalajara
Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo today announced the initial list of planned routes for the Boeing 767-300ER freighters scheduled to enter service this fall. Air Canada is in the process of fully converting several of its Boeing 767 aircraft into dedicated freighters in order to fully participate in global cargo commercial opportunities.
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South Africa to sell its 51% share of SAA to Takatso
South African Airways is being saved with new private investors. The government has agreed to sell 51% of the stock in the flag carrier.
Under the agreement, SAA will now be majority owned by the Takatso Consortium (meaning “aspire” in SeSotho) with a 51% control of the shares.
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Aer Lingus announces details of Aer Lingus Regional replacement schedule
Aer Lingus has announced details of a replacement schedule for Aer Lingus Regional customers.
Aer Lingus Regional had been operated by Stobart Air under a franchise agreement. Late on the evening of 11th June, Stobart Air notified Aer Lingus that it was ceasing operations with immediate effect.
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Unlikely but possible: Walsh on IAG, British Airways split
The European airline holding company International Airlines Group (IAG) (IAG)came into being via a merger of British Airways and Iberia in 2011. However, despite being one of the two founding companies, the UK’s flag carrier appears far from sacred, and could be cut loose if need be, former Chief Executive Officer of IAG and British Airways Willie Walsh explained.
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Wizz Air breaks into British domestic market
Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air expands into Britain by connecting Jersey (JER) with Cardiff (CWL) and Doncaster Sheffield (DSA).
While not a part of the United Kingdom, Jersey – an island off the French coast – is a British Crown Dependency. As such, the two new routes are the first ones within Britain for the airline.
The development marks the latest move in Wizz Air’s attempt to take advantage of the COVID climate.
LinkAirports
ACI World extends its Airport Health Accreditation programme
Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced that it has extended its Airport Health Accreditation (ACA) programme, which assists airports in demonstrating to passengers, regulators and governments that they are prioritising health and safety in a measurable, established manner.
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Guernsey Airport installs first Hold Baggage Scanner
The first of two Hold Baggage System (HBS) scanners has arrived at Guernsey Airport (GCI) and is being installed into its final position in a dedicated area that was recently constructed in the passenger terminal. Guernsey Ports is currently making improvements to its HBS system, which will ensure compliance with the latest aviation security standards.
LinkMilitary
China to send humans to space after 5 years gap
A crew of three to spend three months in space after blasting off aboard Long March rocket in the coming days.
Their mission, Shenzhou-12, is conducted in preparation for the Chinese Tiangong space station which is set to become operational in 2022.
China has not sent people into space since Shenzhou-11, which was launched in September 2016.
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Aviation Quote
If man were meant to fly, God would have given him baggy, Nomex skin.
- Anonymous
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. What country has the world’s worst weather?
2. What is the greatest speed ever attained by a human being in flight?
3. Explain how it is possible for two aircraft to maintain a constant distance and bearing from each other while both maintain the same true heading and altitude, yet are flown at different true airspeeds (in no-wind conditions)?
4. What famous pilot also was a bantamweight boxer who won a West Coast Amateur Championship and became a professional boxer?
5. What U.S. airline was first to operate an all-turbine (turbo-prop) fleet, and what U.S. airline was first to operate an all-jet fleet?
6. A pilot is speaking to an FSS specialist and is overheard saying, “I am going to praise God.” Why does this make perfect sense to the specialist?
7. Who was the first politician to use an airplane to travel between campaign stops?
