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

Close Vote--Boeing Machinists Accept 777X Proposal: 51-49%

Washington Appears To Remain Home of 777X Program

By any standards, it was a close, even contentious, vote. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751 in Puget Sound, District W-24 in Portland, OR and District 70 in Wichita, KS have confirmed that they have voted, by 51 to 49 percent, to accept an eight-year contract extension that includes a two-part $15,000 signing bonus and assures the 777X will be built in Puget Sound by IAM members.

Inspector General To Audit FAA Organizational Structure

House Transportation Committee Requested The Probe

The DOT Inspector General plans to begin an audit of the FAA's organization structure this month at the request of the chairs of the House Transportation Committee and Aviation Subcommittee.

Aero-News Year In Review 2013: Gone West

We Lost Some Famous Pilots, Some Heroes, Some Industry Leaders, And One Rogue During The Year

This is certainly the least favorite of the recaps we do at the end of the year … remembering those who have "slipped the surly bonds of Earth." What follows is a partial list of those notable aviators who were lost during 2013.

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner To Visit New Zealand In International Debut

ZB002 Would Continue On To Australia For Hot Weather Flight Tests

Boeing plans to bring the 787-9 Dreamliner to Auckland in early January to visit launch customer Air New Zealand. The trip, which is contingent on weather and other test factors, would mark the international debut of the 787-9, the second and newest member of the super-efficient 787 family.

Finmeccanica: AgustaWestland Welcomes India's Nomination Of An Arbitrator

Company Says No Cause For Contract To Be Canceled

AgustaWestland confirmed in a statement released to the media they have received from India’s Ministry of Defense a notification concerning the appointment of an arbitrator from its side, as requested by AgustaWestland on November 25 and December 4, 2013, as well as a termination notice of the agreement for the supply of 12 VVIP/VIP helicopters, consistent with yesterday’s press announcement by the Indian Ministry of Defense.

ALPA Supports Same Flight And Duty Rules For All Airline Pilots

Union Advocates For One Level Of Safety On All-Cargo And Passenger Flights

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued a statement regarding the implementation by the FAA and DOT of FAR 117, the new science-based flight-time/duty-time (FTDT) regulation that goes into effect January 4, 2014.

American Airlines Converts Orders To Larger A350XWB Airplanes

Change Appeared In Stock Exchange Filing Just After Christmas

American Airlines has converted all 22 of its orders for A350XWB airplanes to the larger -900 model with deliveries to begin in 2017. The order had originally been for 18 of the -800 variant and four of the -900 airplanes.

Senate Transportation Committee Chair Expresses Concerns About In-Flight Calls

Urges Examination Of Safety Issues, Ban On Such Calls,

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) sent a letter last month to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler in which he expresses opposition to the possibility of allowing in-flight mobile phone calls.

Female Pilots Ready To Race In Annual Air Race Classic

Entries For The All-Women's Cross Country Race Opened January 2

Entries for the Air Race Classic opened on Thursday, January 2, 2014. The four day all-women transcontinental air race will be capped at 55 teams this year, and collegiate teams normally make up nearly 20% of each year’s racers.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (01.04.14)

“Not surprisingly, there has been significant public opposition to allowing in-flight mobile phone calls. As Chairman of the Committee with jurisdiction over both of your agencies, let me add my voice to that growing chorus.” Source: Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV).

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (01.04.14): Center Wing Fuel Tank (CWT)

A fuel tank located in the center of an airplane’s wing box. These tanks are typically located within the fuselage contour but may extend outside the fuselage contour into the wing.