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

L-39 Down At Titusville Airshow, Pilot Killed

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 03.16.07 1600 EDT: Aero-News has learned the pilot of an L-39 was killed Friday afternoon, when the single-engine jet crashed during a performance at the Tico Warbird Airshow in Titusville, FL.

Sikorsky Completes Acquisition Of PZL Mielec

Company Will Play Role In Development Of International Black Hawk

On Friday, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp completed its acquisition of aircraft maker PZL Mielec from the Polish government.

AZ TFR: 03.22.07 - 03.26.07

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/5921 Issue Date: March 16, 2007 at 1043 UTC Location: Luke AFB, Arizona near PHOENIX VORTAC (PXR) Beginning Date and Time: March 22, 2007 at 1930 UTC Ending Date and Time: March 26, 2007 at 0030 UTC Reason for NOTAM: Aerial demonstration by the USAF Thunderbirds Type: Airshow Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Luke (LUF) Approach Control, 623-856-6448

FL TFR: 03.22.07 - 03.24.07

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/5925 Issue Date: March 16, 2007 at 1227 UTC Location: Panama City, Florida near PANAMA CITY VORTAC (PFN) Beginning Date and Time: March 22, 2007 at 1600 UTC Ending Date and Time: March 24, 2007 at 2200 UTC Reason for NOTAM: Aerial demonstrations by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and other high performance aircraft, and parachute jumps by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Type: Airshow Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: Tyndall (PAM) Tower, 850-283-3815

AK TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/5979 Issue Date: March 16, 2007 at 1700 UTC Type: Hazards

Europe's Planned Galileo GPS-Rival Runs Into Snags

Talks Between Gov't, Contractors Break Down

The planned launch of a European satellite navigation system, designed to compete with the US global positioning system (GPS), has ground to a halt due to a breakdown in talks between the government, and the private contractors tasked with implementing the system.

First F-117s Head For Retirement

Will Be Parked In Nevada

It's tough to believe that some of the most advanced aircraft in the US Air Force inventory are being put to pasture... but such is the case with the storied F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter. This week, the first six F-117s based at New Mexico's Holloman Air Force Base took off for probably the last time, bound for retirement in Nevada.

Phillipine Airlines Orders Two Boeing 777-300ERs

Options On Two More; Will Lease Another Two Planes From GECAS

Philippine Airlines (PAL) picked an appropriate way to celebrate its 66th anniversary this week: it ordered two Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) commercial airplanes, with purchase rights for two additional 777-300ERs.

Cool! Hartzell Unveils Prop De-icing Systems

'One-Stop Shop' For Props

Hartzell Propeller Inc. announced Friday it has introduced its own line of Hartzell-designed propeller de-ice components, with plans to support the entire catalog of Hartzell propellers that feature de-ice capability.

Esterline Corporation Completes Acquisition Of CMC Electronics

CMC Will Operate As Stand-Alone Operation

CMC Electronics Inc. told ANN this week aerospace contractor Esterline Corporation of Bellevue, WA has completed the acquisition of the Canadian avionics manufacturer.

Airbus Delivers Its 800th A330-A340 Family Aircraft

Older Twinjet May Benefit From A350XWB Delays

While it's undeniable European planemaker Airbus has seen its share of bad press lately -- with delays to its A380 superjumbo, and the resulting financial crisis at the planemaker and parent company EADS, leading to the shedding of 10,000 Airbus jobs -- the manufacturer hasn't taken the news lying down.

Airlines Cancel Flights Ahead Of Northeast Snow Storm

All Eyes On JetBlue's Reaction

Once bitten, twice shy. Seeking to avoid a repeat of this winter's tales of stranded passengers and scheduling nightmares, on Friday low-cost carrier JetBlue cancelled 215 of its flights -- about one-third of its entire schedule -- ahead of a winter storm on the East Coast.

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Friday 03.16.07

FAA Forecast Conference 2007

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 03.16.07 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 03.16.07 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- FAA Forecast Conference 2007: 03.16.07 (ANN Special Feature, with ANN's Jim Campbell on developments and "spin" from the FAA's 32nd annual Forecast Conference.)

FAA Bestows EACs To Raytheon UAVs

Certified Cobra Fleet Now Numbers Five

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Experimental Airworthiness Certificates to three of Raytheon Company's Cobra Unmanned Aircraft Systems this week, bringing the certified Cobra fleet total to five.

AD: PZL Bielsko

AD NUMBER: 2007-06-08 MANUFACTURER: PZL Bielsko SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2007-06-08 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above.

AD: Rolls-Royce

AD NUMBER: 2007-06-10 MANUFACTURER: Rolls Royce SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2007-06-10 SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) stage 5 disks installed.

AD: Boeing

AD NUMBER: 2007-06-09 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2007-06-09 SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800 series airplanes.

AD: Raytheon

AD NUMBER: 2007-06-07 MANUFACTURER: Raytheon SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2007-06-07 SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 58 and G58 airplanes with optional propeller unfeathering accumulators installed.

Airbus Appears Close To Landing Two Big A350XWB Deals

Aeroflot, Qatar Deals Would Mean 100+ New Orders

Despite the seeming disadvantage of ceding a five-year head start to its Boeing rival in the marketplace, don't count out Airbus' A350XWB just yet... as news surfaced Thursday the European planemaker may soon land two large orders for a combined 102 planes.

Cutbacks In Defense Spending Spell Trouble For Raptor, Lightning II

Big-Ticket Jet Fighters Take Back Seat To Troop Needs

Congressional Democrats have made it clear they want to curb spending on defense programs. That may be a problem for contractors like Lockheed Martin, which handles two of the US Air Force's highest-ticket items -- the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

US Airways, America West Merger Woes Continue

Pilots Picket US Airways Headquarters

On March 14, about a dozen pilots and flight attendants in uniform marched on the US Airways' headquarters in Tempe, AZ carrying signs proclaiming "management's millionaires are pilot subsidized."

Klyde Morris (03.16.07)

Klyde's Probably Not Going To Win An Oscar Anytime Soon...

Physicians Join Air Ambulance Crew In England

Paramedics May No Longer Joke About Ground-Bound Docs

England's Sussex Air Ambulance is adding to its life-saving repertoire. The company has recruited three physicians to join the paramedic crews on the helicopters who fly to emergency medical scenes to render crucial early medical intervention to the critically ill or injured.

CVW-14 Commander Makes 1,000th Arrested Landing

Joins Prestigious Ranks Onboard Carrier USS Ronald Reagan

The commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 joined the prestigious ranks of the "1,000 trap" club aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Thursday, joining a select few who can claim membership.

Students In 'Harmony' With NASA

ISS Node 2 Module Has a New Name

Thanks to students from across the country, the Node 2 module destined for the International Space Station will also be known as "Harmony."

Pilot Lost In NM Musketeer Crash

Plane Subject Of Alert Notice

Investigators with the FAA and NTSB are searching for clues in the fatal crash of a Beech Musketeer Tuesday night in northeastern New Mexico.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (03.16.07): Kutta Condition

Aero-Terms!

Where the flow over the top and under the wing meet at the trailing edge with no abrupt change in direction.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (03.16.07)

"Management needs to wake up and get this merger done properly. We've been negotiating since January 2006, and they've gone virtually nowhere."

Source: Gary Richardson, president of the Arizona council of the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents America West flight attendants. On Wednesday, about a dozen pilots and flight attendants in uniform marched on US Airways headquarters in Tempe, AZ carrying signs protesting seemingly glacial negotiations on a single contract for employees at the merged airline.