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

2007 Was A VERY Good Year For... Robinson Helicopter

Robinson Delivers 8000th Helicopter

As 2007 was coming to a close, the folks at Robinson Helicopter Company achieved another milestone when their 8000th helicopter was flight certified. The new, solid green, Robinson R44 Raven II S/N 11984 was ordered by SkySales Aviation (Christchurch, New Zealand) for a private owner.

Step Up And Be Counted: ANN Looks To The Past... And The Future

OK kids... this is your big chance to weigh in on all that was 2007. Among the most avidly read special issues of our year are ANN's Year-End Wrap-Up and New Year's Expectations and Prognostications. Each year we wrap up the 'year that was' on December 31st... in terms of the top stories, people and issues that made the year so memorable and remarkable. FMI: My Suggestions For ANN's 2007 Wrap-Up and 2008 Look-Ahead

Upgraded: Western Aircraft's Rick Blanton

Appoints Blanton Avionics Systems Integration Professional

Western Aircraft has named Rick Blanton as an Avionics Systems Integrator, effective immediately. As an Avionics Systems Integrator, Blanton’s primary responsibilities will be creating and updating avionics structural drawings for aircraft modifications and repairs, providing integration analyses, and providing technical assistance to all avionics customers.

Klyde Morris (12.24.07)

Klyde Makes The Best Of It...

Delta II With GPS Payload Launches Successfully

Attention Aviators, you can all feel a little more "covered" now with the launch of another GPS satellite from the cape. Air Force space technicians successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster Dec. 21 carrying the fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space. The NAVSTAR GPS was launched at 3:04 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17A.

Successful: C-17 Polar Airdrop Capability Tests

During the winter season at the South Pole, temperatures often dip as low as minus 100 F and can paralyze an aircraft's hydraulic systems, crystallize the fuel and solidify lubricants. However, freezing temperatures did not deter Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze crews and support personnel from validating the C-17 Globemaster III's polar airdrop capability by successfully airdropping 22,372 pounds of supplies to the South Pole Dec. 18.

HAI Announces Recipient of the 2008 Helicopter Maintenance Award

HAI has announced this year's Helicopter Maintenance Award recipient -- Mr. Phillip G. DiFiore, President of Rotorcraft Support Inc., Van Nuys, California. DiFiore began his career in 1979 as an A&P graduate from North Valley Occupational Center. His professional journey has taken him from helicopter technician to owner, president, and director of maintenance for Rotorcraft Support, Inc., one of the finest helicopter maintenance organizations in the United States.

Airmen, Sailors Complete Interservice Air Combat Training

Airmen from the 'Wolf Pack' returned Dec. 20 after completing an 11-day training exercise for air combat training with Sailors flying F-18 Hornets at Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan. Forty Airmen from the 8th Operations Group, 8th Maintenance Group and 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron along with five F-16s were deployed to the naval installation Dec. 9-20.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.24.07)

Aero-Linx!

Another site dedicated to the Lockheed Constellation.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.24.07): Standard Rate Turn

Aero-Terms!

A turn in which an aircraft changes its direction at a rate of three degrees per second for low and moderate speed aircraft. It therefore takes two minutes to complete a 360 degree turn.