Aero-News Network: The aviation and aerospace world's daily/real-time news and information service

Two More 747-8 Freighters Delivered To Atlas Air Worldwide

New Aircraft To Be Operated Under Long-Term Contract For Customer British Airways World Cargo By Atlas Affiliate Global Supply Systems

Apparently one was not enough ... Atlas Air has taken delivery of its second and third Boeing 747-8 Freighters. The aircraft are part of Atlas Air's order of nine 747-8Fs with Boeing.

Source Of 'Draft Sully' Petition Revealed

FAA Whistleblowers Alliance Was Not A Babbitt Fan

The FAA Whistleblowers Alliance (FWA) has come forward to take credit for the White House petition to draft retired US Airways Captain Chesley Sullenburger for the position of FAA Administrator. An official FWA statement on the group's blog says, in part, "the FAA, we are sad to say, is a broken agency."

Wounded Veteran Brought Home By Cessna

'American Patriot' Citation Mustang Used For Final Leg Of Trip

Cessna Aircraft Company welcomed home to Wichita wounded veteran US Army Private First Class Shawn Williams for Cessna's third Veterans Airlift Command mission. Williams came home to a crowd of several hundred Cessna employees, his family and the local American Legion Riders.

Bombardier 415 Amphibious Aircraft Reaches 200,000 Flight Hour Milestone

Water Bombers Have Dropped Over 1.3 Billion Gallons Of Fire Suppressant

It may well be the least-well known of the Bombardier line, but it's apparently a real workhorse. Bombardier announced Thursday that its 415 aircraft has reached an important milestone in less than 20 years life span: over 200,000 hours flown since its entry-into-service.

ERAU Gets NVG Donation From L-3

'Environmental Helo Ops' Course Will Benefit

Students in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Helicopter Specialty Degree program will be even more well prepared for work in the helicopter industry, thanks in part to L-3 Communications. L-3 has donated a set of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) to be used within the Bachelor of Aeronautical Science Helicopter Speciality degree program.

DC Rep Asks FAA To Change Flight Patterns At DCA

Asks That Late-Night Flights Be Redirected Away From Residential Areas

Washington D.C.'s representative to Congress has written a letter to the FAA reroute air traffic during construction at Washington Reagan National Airport (KDCA), saying noise from the jets on approach to the airport is affecting the health of the residents living in the flight path.

Lynx AH Mk.9As To The British Army To Be Completed

Last Of 22 Aircraft Built Under An Urgent Operational Requirement Contract

A ceremony was held Thursday at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility to mark the completion of the Lynx Mk9A program and the scheduled delivery of the 22nd and final Lynx AH Mk9A helicopter to the British Army Air Corps in December 2011. The twenty-two aircraft program was the result of Urgent Operational Requirement contracts placed in November 2008 and March 2010 and will be completed three months ahead of schedule.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.18.11)

Aero Linx: Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields The creator of this website notes, "As a pilot, a particular interest of mine has always been the abandoned airfields that dot the landscape of much of this country. Both for their potential safety value to a pilot in an emergency, and also for their sometimes fascinating history, this particular topic has always held my curiosity. When I'm a passenger on commercial flights, I've always found myself looking out the window, constantly looking for airfields below. When I fly as a pilot myself, I've always tried to land at as many airports as possible, to learn a little about each one."

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.18.11): Nondirectional Beacon

Nondirectional Beacon An L/MF or UHF radio beacon transmitting nondirectional signals whereby the pilot of an aircraft equipped with direction finding equipment can determine his/her bearing to or from the radio beacon and "home" on or track to or from the station. When the radio beacon is installed in conjunction with the Instrument Landing System marker, it is normally called a Compass Locator.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.18.11)

"The FAA has consistently ranked at the bottom of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annual survey of federal agencies that asks government employees about their job environment and satisfaction. This is the largest safety agency in the DOT and the message coming from its own employees is that things aren’t going well." Source: From a statement issued by the FAA Whistleblowers Alliance (FWA). The organization has come forward to take credit for the White House petition to draft retired US Airways Captain Chesley Sullenburger (pictured) for the position of FAA Administrator.