Also: NTSB, Cubs, OMB Killing Towers, Atlantis' New Home, Rockwell Collins Optimism, Great Glider Vids, And Traveling Politicians!!!

Airborne 01.27.12 is chock full of info about the week ending Friday, January 27th, 2012... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Ashley Hale, and supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalists Tom Patton and Paul Plack, this episode covers: GAMA Wants Obama To Support GA House and Senate Leaders Appear To Compromise On FAA Funding EASA Issues A380 AD NTSB Completes Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) Study OMB May Close Nearly Half Of US NFCTs NTSB Details Near Mid-Air Over Gulfport-Biloxi ANN Reports On The US Sport Aviation Expo Oshkosh Is Planning A Field Of Yellow... Cubs! Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Readies New

Company Responds To President Obama's SOTU Speech

In a statement released Wednesday following President Obama's State of the Union Speech, Hawker Beechcraft said the Administration's actions do not align with the comments made by the President ... particularly when it comes to the Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft.

Oregon Republican To Question How Frequency Was Allocated With So Many Issues

The chair of the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee plans to hold a hearing to look into the FCC's allocation of spectrum of LightSquared before key interference questions were addressed. In a news conference outlining his 2012 agenda, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) said he is "trying to figure out how the cart got so far ahead of the horse." No specific date was given for the hearing.

Two FOs Take The Top Spots In The MEC

Pilot leaders at Mesa Air Group unanimously elected a slate of officers to spearhead the union’s efforts on Wednesday. First Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk was re-elected as the chairman, First Officer Jez Ingram-Clay was re-elected as the vice chairman, and Captain Darrell Cox was elected as the secretary-treasurer. The officers’ new two-year terms will begin in March 2012.

Smaller Of Two Hangars Going Up In Mohave Desert

Construction is now underway on an 88,000 sq. ft. hangar in the Mohave Desert which will house the factory which builds the latest collaboration between aircraft designer Burt Rutan and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Their new company, Stratolaunch Systems, Inc., is based in Huntsville, Alabama, but construction and testing of the six-engine mothership in the California desert.

Brings Non-Unionized AirTran Instructors Under TWU 557

Flight Instructors from Southwest Airlines, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) 557, and Flight Instructors from AirTran Airways have voted to ratify their Seniority Integration Agreement. This tentative agreement, reached late last year, integrates the two groups' seniority lists.

Klyde Knows TSA Runs A 'By-The-Book' Operation

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Company Says Wing Rib Attachment Cracks Are Not Caused By Fatigue

The cracks that have cropped up in the wing skin rib attachment points on several A380 superjumbo airplanes are not caused by fatigue, are easily repaired, and pose no threat to safety, according to the planemaker.

Security Camera Evidence Seems To Refute 'Irate' Description

Security camera video from Nashville International Airport (KBNA) appears to refute a description from local police that U.S. Senator Rand Paul became "irate" when he was detained by TSA. Instead, the video shows the Senator waiting patiently in the glass cubicle area until he is interviewed by authorities.

Hersman Will Speak At The General Membership Meeting

NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will deliver the keynote address during the HAI annual general membership meeting, Sunday, February 12, 2012, at HELI-EXPO in Dallas, according to HAI President Matt Zuccaro.