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

NTSB To Assist Investigation of Accident That Killed Macedonian President

NTSB Chairman Ellen Engleman-Conners has named Richard Rodriguez as the U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the investigation into yesterday's crash of a Raytheon (Beech) Super King Air 200 that killed all nine persons aboard including Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski. Mr. Rodriguez has been an accident investigator for the NTSB, and before that the Civil Aeronautics Board, for the past 42 years.

Preflighting The Tricycle

An innovative aviation park is about to take off in Pensacola (FL), where children will soon ride their trikes, scooters and Big Wheels along miniature taxiways as they hear real-life aero-communications from the Pensacola Regional Airport next door.

Embry-Riddle Outflies Competition At NIFA Regionals

Do you ever look over your kid's shoulder while she's doing homework and think, "Man, I'm glad I'm not in school anymore"? That's sort of the feeling you get when you read what Embry-Riddle flight students had to do to win the NIFA Region 2 competition earlier this month.

Indonesian Navy Orders Tobago GTs

EADS Socata had a good week at the Asian Aerospace Airshow with the firm order of 5 TB 10 Tobago GTs and a Frasca fixed-base simulator equipped with FVS-200 visual system for the Indonesian Navy. A contract is valued at $2.5 million USD. The first two aircraft will be delivered in June 2004 and the three others in the early months of 2005. They will compliment an existing fleet of 4 single-piston 160-hp TB 9 Tampico GT delivered to the Indonesian Navy ten years ago.

NASA Names MacDill AFB As Possible Shuttle Landing Site

NASA officials have named MacDill AFB as an alternate landing site for future space shuttle missions. Alternate sites are typically selected based on weather conditions or the power level of the shuttle during re-entry. Software updates to the shuttles’ landing programs make it possible to land at more locations than previously available, said Marty Linde, director of landing support at Johnson Space Center in Houston. "The new software, which was scheduled to be installed before the accident last year, expands the possible landing sites from 25 to 45," said Mr. Linde.

Engine Trouble Cited As Possible Cause In Pennsylvania Crash

The FAA says engine trouble may have been the cause of a PA-28 crash near the border between New York and Pennsylvania Thursday night.

Aero-News Quote Of The Day (02.29.04)

"In a calm day, it is hard to pin-point because [the aircraft] will float. Cross-wind and tail-wind landings are much more fun." Source: Roy Evans, flight student, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, at the Region 2 NIFA Competition in Prescott (AZ) earlier this month. ERAU won the competition for the 17th year in a row. Cross-winds... tail-winds... ah, the exuberance of youth.

Delta Employees Breathing Easier? Delta Adds $321M to Pension Plan

Delta Air Lines has announced that it has made a $321 million contribution to the Delta Retirement Plan. This contribution, combined with smaller contributions made earlier this year, brings Delta's total 2004 contributions to $325 million. Delta's contributions to the Delta Retirement Plan for 2004 exceed the minimum required contribution for the calendar year. The company does not anticipate making any additional contributions to that plan during the remainder of 2004, but plans to contribute approximately $115 million to the Delta Pilots Retirement Plan, bringing total pension plan contributions to approximately $440 million for the year.

MS TFR: TFN

Issued Due to Law Enforcement Activity NOTAM: 4/1568 Issued: 02/28/2004 16:25 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: MS Facility: ZME - MEMPHIS (ARTCC),TN. Type: HAZARDS Description: TAYLORSVILLE, MS.