Hide/Show Archive Navigation.

All News

August 07, 2008

FAA Issues Revised EA500 Throttle Quadrant Emergency AD

Orders TQA Testing During Next Service

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an updated Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Eclipse 500 fleet of aircraft manufactured by Eclipse Aviation, offering clarification on how the aircraft's Throttle Quadrant Assembly (TQA) should be inspected.

But Piston Deliveries Continue To Slip

On Thursday, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced second quarter shipment and billings figures. Industry billings continue at a record-setting pace totaling $12.1 billion, a 24.1 percent increase in the first half of 2008. But piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 1034 units compared to 1226 units delivered in the first half of 2007, a 15.7 percent decrease.

Staying Current On Glass, With CFI Of The Year Max Trescott

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 08.07.08 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 08.07.08 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Staying Current On Glass: 08.07.08 (ANN Special Report, with G1000 Expert and 2008 CFI of the Year Max Trescott.)

Could Add 30,000 Workers Combined To Ranks

Though its effects on employee numbers at both airlines remain unknown, unions at Northwest Airlines are looking towards the impending merger with Delta Air Lines as an opportunity to grow their memberships.

Emergency, Vandalism Mar 'Apology' Flight

It's hard not to note the irony. A former Luftwaffe pilot who returned to Britain this year to apologize for his World War II bombing raids escaped unharmed after his Mooney M20T lost its engine last week near Marshfield.

Company's Experience Paying Off In Test Schedule

They're making it look easy. Right on schedule, Brazilian planemaker Embraer saw its second Phenom 300 light jet take flight Tuesday, departing from Embraer’s test runway at the Gavião Peixoto plant.

Alaska Airlines Says Card Info 'Misused' By Former CSR

1,500 Customers Should Check Their Statements ASAP

Representatives with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air say they're notifying about 1,500 customers of payment card misuse by a former call center employee. Affected customers who provided their addresses to the company were sent letters via first-class mail Wednesday. For the remainder, a notice with the details is being posted on the company's Web site.

OFT Says Men Fixed Surcharges On BA, Virgin Atlantic Flights

Britain's Office of Fair Trading charged four men this week in connection with a scheme to fix fuel surcharges between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, according to a government statement.

And Falcon I's Stage Separation Timing Was Off This Weekend

It was far from a perfect flight... but they now know what happened. That's the message Elon Musk, CEO and founder of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX,) had for employees Wednesday, regarding the company's unsuccessful Falcon I launch this weekend.

Scott Kasprowicz, Co-Pilot Took Off From NYC Thursday Morning

They're off! Pilot Scott Kasprowicz and co-pilot Steve Sheik departed New York at approximately 3:00 am Thursday morning in an attempt to set a new speed record for an around-the-world helicopter flight; the goal is to complete the trip in under 14 days. The record setting flight -- dubbed "The Grand Adventure" -- is being attempted in Kasprowicz's twin engine stock AgustaWestland Grand helicopter.

First Recorded Commercial Trip Occurred In St. Petersburg, FL

The thought of hopping on an airline these days makes many people cringe. Paying for drinks, paying for your luggage, what's next? The airlines seem to be nickel and diming passengers to death in an effort to stay afloat. But what of the first commercial airline flight in the US?

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 08.07.08

The Air Force's revised tanker RFP doesn't look good for Boeing.
Nine firefighters are missing in a California helicopter crash.
And the airlines were a little more punctual in June.<

More AERO-Casts

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 08.07.08

The Air Force's revised tanker RFP doesn't look good for Boeing.
Nine firefighters are missing in a California helicopter crash.
And the airlines were a little more punctual in June.<

More AERO-Casts

ANN Special Feature: CFI Max Trescott, Glass Panels - 08.07.08

ANN's Paul Plack talks with 2008 CFI of the Year Max Trescott about his award, and about how he stays current with all the new enhancements to modern avionics.

FMI:

More AERO-Casts

AD: BAE Systems

AD NUMBER: 2008-16-06 MANUFACTURER: BAE Systems SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-16-06 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

AD NUMBER: 2008-16-12 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-16-12 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes.

AD NUMBER: 2008-16-13 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-16-13 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes.

AD NUMBER: 2008-16-08 MANUFACTURER: Dassault-Aviation SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-16-08 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

AD: Bombardier

AD NUMBER: 2008-16-07 MANUFACTURER: Bombardier SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-16-07 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

Let's Continue Our Look Back At Aero-TV's 'Dailies' From Oshkosh 2008: Day 3 and 4!

Oshkosh 2008 is pretty much over... and it was a great show. So... while the images are still fresh in our minds (and on our video servers), we're going to take a quick look over the daily episodes we produced at Oshkosh 2008 for the rest of this week, while our video crews get a little rest, start editing some new projects and get back to normal. We hope you enjoy these programs as much as we enjoyed producing them. Herewith... Day Three and Day Four of Oshkosh 2008... (with more to come!!)

Says Airlines Must "Change The Rules" To Survive

It's a policy lambasted by pundits, and hated by passengers: US Airways' decision to start charging for... well, pretty much everything, from a single checked bag to a bottle of water on its domestic flights. But CEO Doug Parker says it's the new cost of doing business.

Efficiency Drives Demand For Large Freighters

Boeing projects the global air cargo market will continue to exhibit strong, long-term growth, according to the company's Current Market Outlook 2008. During the 20-year forecast period, Boeing projects that the industry will grow at an annualized average of 5.8 percent with the world freighter fleet increasing from 1,948 to 3,892 airplanes.

Around 35 Of 155 Available Gates Unused

It appears airlines aren't the only ones forced to tighten their belts to deal with high fuel prices.

Boeing, Northrop/EADS View Pentagon's Wish List For New Tanker

Confirming earlier reports, on Wednesday the Defense Department issued a draft request for proposals to the competitors in the Air Force's $35 billion program to acquire new aerial refueling tanker aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Ships Out External Tank For Endeavour Mission

Will Be In Place For Possible Rescue Mission

A vital -- and, hopefully, unnecessary -- component for the upcoming space shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope will soon be in place. Lockheed Martin delivered Space Shuttle External Tank-129 to NASA Wednesday, shipping the 15-story tank from the Michoud Assembly Facility via enclosed barge at about 5 pm Wednesday evening, bound for Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

"Teach The Teacher" Programs A Hit

Space Florida tells ANN it has partnered with Florida District Schools and the Florida Department of Education to fund a series of innovative, "hands-on" workshops whose emphasis is in innovative “Inquiry instruction” for teachers throughout the state of Florida. The inaugural summer session of the "Inquiry Program" will complete its 15th and final workshop on August 6 at the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee, FL.

Sandpoint-Based Company Produces Kodiak Turboprop

The Idaho Business Aviation Association announced Wednesday its September luncheon meeting will include a static display and presentation on the recently-certified Kodiak aircraft.

Confrontation Gave Me Hemorrhoids, FA Says

Victoria Osteen and her husband Joel are co-pastors of the Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, preaching to 42,000 people each week in person, and millions more on TV worldwide. But soon, she'll have a much more intimate audience with 12 jurors.

Aero-Linx!

Aviation enthusiasts find their bounty at airports; even aviation museums and salvaging companies are often at airports or close by. However, some aircraft survive on remote locations away from airports, as part of a restaurant, hotel or even a chicken coop; these survivors are easily overlooked.

Aero-Terms!

An aircraft navigational instrument coupled with a gyro compass or similar compass that indicates the direction of a selected NAVAID and indicates bearing with respect to the heading of the aircraft.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (08.07.08)

"All airlines are raising fares and you’ll see that continue. We’re trying to cover the cost of transportation. So the first thing we do is increase ticket prices to cover the cost and reduce the number of flights that are available."

Source: US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker, in a recent interview with CNBC justifying his airline's new policy of charging for everything from checked baggage, to bottled water onboard all domestic flights.