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

Airborne 10.19.12: HBC To Stay In US, Cessna Disappoints, AOPA Won't Get Real

Also: Monte Mitchell Goes West, Gryder's Triple Solo at Age 16, Babbitt's New Gig, Bell Beats Eurocopter, Buried Spitfires

The fat lady has far from sung for Hawker Beech as ANN has learned that when Hawker Beechcraft emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it will do so as a stand-alone company. After a short and mysterious engagement with Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd (limited), the wedding is off. Times are still tough in Wichita... In a conference call with analysts Wednesday, Cessna executives said that orders were "very, very light" in July and August, but a bit stronger in September. The result was higher revenue for the quarter, but

Twenty-Five NJ TSA Employees To Be Sacked

Move Tied To Violations Of Procedures For Screening Checked Bags

TSA says 25 employees at Newark Airport will lose their jobs and 19 more will be suspended because of violations of "standard operating procedures for screening checked bags at one of the airports 25 baggage screening rooms." Offenses range from sleeping on the job to failure to consistently perform random screening of checked bags.

South Carolina Lawmakers Say Sequestration Threatens F-35 Deployment

Concerns Addressed During Speech Aboard The U.S.S. Yorktown

A pair of Republican congressmen from South Carolina said Thursday that sequestration could threaten the deployment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to Shaw Air force Base and Beaufort Marine Air Station in the state.

UK Government Funds AgustaWestland Civil Rotorcraft Projects

Program Will Support Development Of Civilian Tilt-Rotor Aircraft, Among Other Programs

AgustaWestland has been selected to go forward to the contracting phase for their bid of up to £46 million ($73.3 million) from Round 3 of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF). The combined RGF and AgustaWestland investment of more than $160.5 million (US) will create a brand new industry sector in the UK with the establishment of a Civil Helicopter Hub.

Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport Slated For $110 Million In Improvements

Senator Says Upgraded Airport Will Help Attract Business, Jobs To The State

Over the next five years the FAA plans to invest approximately $110 million in upgrading T.F. Green Airport, including $50 million for a runway extension, $30 million for runway safety, and an estimated $30 million for noise mitigation. Peter Frazier, Interim President & CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) made the announcement earlier this week.

Gone West: Business Aviation Safety Champion Al Ueltschi

Aviation Training Pioneer Remembered As The Ultimate Humanitarian

Word reached ANN through the NBAA on Friday of the passing of an industry legend, 95-year-old Albert Lee Ueltschi, founder and chairman emeritus of FlightSafety International, Inc.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Officially Recognizes GA

Declares October ‘General Aviation Appreciation Month’

National aviation organizations are recognizing Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) for declaring October “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Alabama, the general aviation industry is extremely important to the economy and local communities, contributing $800 million each year in economic activity.

GE Aviation Receives ICAO Endorsement For Instrument Flight Procedure Design

Recognizes Experience In Design And Deployment Of PBS Approaches

At the ICAO Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Symposium this week, GE Aviation received ICAO’s endorsement as a qualified instrument flight procedure design organization. The endorsement will assist countries in identifying instrument flight procedure (IFP) design companies as they move to deploy PBN.

World Trade Center Leaseholder Continues Lawsuit Against United Airlines

Claims Lapse In Airline Security Allowed Terrorists Into The System

The leaseholder of the World Trade Center property is arguing in a Manhattan court that United Airlines is at least partly responsible for allowing terrorists Mohammed Atta and Abdul Aziz al Omari on board a US Airways flight in Portland, ME. The pair eventually hijacked an American Airlines 767 which impacted the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (10.20.12)

“This major investment in the infrastructure at T.F. Green Airport will significantly bolster Rhode Island’s economy by bringing much needed jobs to our state while enhancing the travel experience of Rhode Islanders and those visiting our state on business or pleasure.” Source: U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI), on the announcement of $110 million in AIP funds for T.F. Green Airport.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (10.20.12): The Air Transportation Oversight System ATOS

ATOS is the FAA’s primary tool for overseeing the nation’s airlines. The fundamental principle of ATOS is that air carriers must have properly designed systems to eliminate or lessen risks before they result in accidents or incidents.