Revised AD, Effective September 5th, Is Considered To Be An Interim Measure

EASA has modified an emergency AD that had, at one point, grounded most Dassault Falcon 7X airplanes. The revision outlines the steps required to restore the full original certified flight envelope of the airplane. In May 2011, a Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X airplane experienced an uncontrolled pitch trim runaway during descent. The crew succeeded in recovering a stable situation and performed an uneventful landing.

Reader Response To Our Ten Question Editorial Rant Was Overwhelming... And Thought-Provoking (Question #2)

A few days ago , I noted that I was learning a lot in the process of researching the necessary issues to be pursued at the upcoming Aviation transformation Conference. I learned a lot from hundreds of conversations... both in what people said... as well as in what they questioned. This inspired the Ten Questions Editorial that I published a few days ago... and ANN readers responded in great numbers and even greater detail. So much detail, in fact, tha

Some Make Less Than Window Washers, Study Finds

You would think that a profession which requires a great deal of specialized training, technical skill, and potentially bears the responsibility for the safe transportation of dozens or even hundreds of people each day would pay pretty well. You'd think.

C2, C3 Missions Combined In Attempt To Accelerate Cargo Transport Capability To ISS

After the successful launch of the first SpaceX cargo demonstration flight (C1) in December 2010, SpaceX approached NASA with a plan to accelerate its cargo transportation capability by attempting to achieve the third cargo demonstration flight (C3) mission objectives on the second demonstration (C2) flight. C2 mission objectives include demonstrating ISS/Dragon communications and flight navigation, control, and contingency operations near ISS.

Ariane 5 ISS Supply Mission Scheduled For Spring, 2012

The preparation campaign for Europe's third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) has begun in French Guiana as this large cargo resupply spacecraft is readied for a spring 2012 Ariane 5 launch by Arianespace to service the International Space Station.

Companies To Brief NASA Officials On Vehicle Development

The Innovative Partnership Program at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, is hosting an Emerging Commercial Suborbital Capabilities Vehicles Workshop at Goddard on Wednesday. The workshop will give an opportunity for commercial companies who provide sub-orbital services to brief Goddard Earth and space science researchers and scientists about the new vehicles being developed and their potential capabilities.

Sikorsky Helitech, FlightSafety International Partner To Offer Courses

Sikorsky Helitech, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, announced they have signed an agreement with FlightSafety International to provide maintenance training for customers in the Asia Pacific area. The three-year agreement is the first of its kind to offer Pratt & Whitney Canada Aircraft Engine maintenance training in the region.

All Six Hornets Flew On 50/50 Biofuelo Blend

The Blue Angels' F/A-18 Hornet aircraft used a biofuel blend during their performances at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Air Expo over the Labor Day weekend. The performance is another demonstration of the Department of the Navy's commitment to reducing fossil fuel use without compromising capability. All six Hornets will be powered by a 50/50 blend of conventional JP-5 jet fuel and a camelina-based biofuel.  

Judge Declares A Mistrial On Three Other Counts

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pilot was found not guilty on Friday on charges of lying to federal investigators about the drowning of a person attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally. In the 2005 incident, Carlos Delgadillo Martinez drowned in the Rio Grande in the attempt. Prosecutors had accused pilot James Peters of flying his helicopter low to the ground in an attempt to force Delgadillo and another person back to the Mexican side of the river.

Part Of An Initiative To Restore GA Activity At Reagan National Airport

TSA has granted approval to Cutter Aviation at Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport (KPHX) as an FBO gateway for approved general and corporate aviation flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA). The designation is part of the DASSP (DCA Access Standard Security Program) initiative to restore General Aviation access to the airport.

Highest Honor Goes To Miami International Airport

Like any business, airports have to tell their story in order to thrive and grow. Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) announced that 28 airports are winners of its 2011 Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest, with two airports leading the pack for the top honor. In a close contest, Miami International Airport edged out three-time winner Edmonton International Airport, and is receiving the top honor.

Aircraft Being Converted Into 'Special Freighter' Configuration

Heavy maintenance services for the first of five DHL-owned Boeing 767-200PCF aircraft have been completed by Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services in advance of their conversion to special freighter configuration. The first of the 767-200-series aircraft was completed ahead of schedule. Two additional aircraft are currently undergoing similar heavy maintenance and modifications to be completed in 2011. The fourth and fifth aircraft are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2012.

Aircraft Have Flown More Than 60,000 Hours In Military Service

Australian Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has released the Request for Tender for the sale of the Navy's remaining Sea King Helicopters. "The Sea Kings will be withdrawn from service in December 2011," Clare said. "They've been the workhorse of the Navy"

Are You Ready To 'Unplug' In Flight???

Trapped! Have you ever gotten wrapped up in a headset cord... or left it plugged in while trying to exit an aircraft in a hurry (like trying to outrun some rain)? If that's the case, you know how much of a pain in the (deleted) headset cords can be. UNLESS, you try the latest generation of Bluetooth capable headsets and free yourself of the limitations of having to "plug in." Enter the Mach5. This wireless headset is based upon technology from Audio-Technica. The company says the headset suppresses 90% of the external noise (compared to about 85% for most other noise canceling headsets), and is 'highly ra

Capt. Anthony Gutierrez Will Serve Another Term As Union's Governing Body Chair

Members of the American Eagle pilots union, a unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have reelected Capt. Anthony Gutierrez to serve as chairman of the union’s governing body, the Master Executive Council (MEC). Also reelected during the union’s regular semiannual meeting were Capt. Dave Ryter as vice chairman and Capt. Gaston Valdovinos as MEC secretary-treasurer.

One Aircraft Made Successful Off-Airport Landing, Other Impacted Terrain And Caught Fire

Local and federal officials are investigating another mid-air collision in Alaska, and one pilot is feared to have been fatally injured in the accident. The two aircraft were operating from different villages in Southwest Alaska when they collided near Nightmute, AK on Saturday.

Cessna 210 Went Down Sunday, Strong Winds Causing Fire To Spread

A brush fire sparked when a Cessna 210 went down near Tehachapi, CA has grown to over 4,700 acres and is threatening 650 homes in an area of California known for its wind farms. The 10-15 miles per hour winds are causing the fire to continue to grow. Officials say the fire was sparked when the 210, which witnesses said was executing a "fly-by" of a friend's home in Blackburn Canyon, was apparently caught by a gust of wind and "flung into a hillside."

Reader Response To Our Ten Question Editorial Rant Was Overwhelming... And Thought-Provoking (Question #1)

A few days ago , I noted that I was learning a lot in the process of researching the necessary issues to be pursued at the upcoming Aviation transformation Conference. I learned a lot from hundreds of conversations... both in what people said... as well as in what they questioned. This inspired the Ten Questions Editorial that I published a few days ago... and ANN readers responded in great numbers and even greater detail. So much detail, in fact, that I think it behooves us to whittle down some representative selections from the flock of responders and allow each question to be answered via the many thoughts, comments and even more questions raised by those who took

Program Benchmarks Performance Of E-Jets And CF34-8E Engines Powered With Sustainable HEFA Biofuel

Embraer and GE recently conducted a series of test flights with an EMBRAER 170 jet flying from the Company's Gaviao Peixoto facilities. The purpose of the tests was to benchmark the operational characteristics of the airplane and its GE CF34-8E engines when powered by HEFA (Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids) fuel under a broad range of unique flight conditions.

Launch Customer Cargolux Will Take Delivery Of Its Second Airplane Two Days Later

The first 747-8 Freighter will be delivered to launch customer Cargolux September 19 at Boeing's Paine Field in Everett, WA. Cargolux will fly the airplane away that morning and put the airplane immediately into revenue service. Boeing will celebrate the first delivery with Cargolux, employees and other stakeholders the following day at the Everett factory. Cargolux will take delivery of the second 747-8 Freighter Sept. 21. The carrier has a total of 13 of the airplanes on order.

Nevada Democrat Estimates FAA Reauthorization Would Create 270,000 Jobs In Three Months

Senator Harry Reid may have overstated the effects of passing a long-term FAA reauthorization bill on jobs, according to the Washington Post Fact Checker column. Reid reportedly claimed that passage of the long-term bill would create 270,000 jobs in three months, according to a report in the Las Vegas Sun. A Reid spokesman later said the Senator was talking about the amount of time it would take to get the bill passed and signed by the President.

"Instead of focusing on what is no more, I propose we focus with pride on all that has taken place." Source: Col. Harry R. Kimberly III, the last commander at Brooks AFB.

A repair that if improperly done, might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness.

The Finer Points Of Flying

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