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

Senate Commerce Committee Leaders Weigh In On FAA PED Ruling

Rockefeller Warns Passenger Use of Electronic Devices 'Must Not Compromise Safety'

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) said in a statement following the FAA's decision to expand the allowed use of Personal Electronic Devices on board airlines that such use "must not compromise safety."

Boeing To Increase 737 Production Rate In 2017

Company To Produce 47 Single-Aisle Airplanes Per Month, More Than 560 Per Year

Production of 737 airplanes will increase to 47 airplanes per month in 2017, the highest rate ever for Boeing's single-aisle workhorse. Once implemented, the 737 program will build more than 560 airplanes per year, and will have increased output by nearly 50 percent since 2010.

Gamera Team Sets Unofficial Record For Human-Powered Helicopter Flight

Team's Achievements Celebrated At Event Attended By Officials From Sikorsky, United Technologies, AHS International

They may not have won the Sikorsky prize, but University of Maryland students from Team Gamera have unofficially set a world record of 97 seconds for the duration of a human powered helicopter flight. The announcement came at an event on Saturday, October 26 celebrating the team's accomplishments.

Rotax Extends Warranty Service Terms

Flight School Locator And Plans For The 2014 Rotax Fly-In Also Unveiled

Two new warranty extension programs have been introduced by BRP for its four-stroke engines. The R.E.S.T program is effective as of November 1, 2013. The “+ 1 year or 200 hours” program that includes a one-year warranty extension or 200 additional flight hours, whichever occurs first;; and the “+ 3 years or up to TBO” program that provides three years additional warranty or up to a TBO (Time Before Overhaul) of 2,000 flight hours, whichever occurs first.

USAF Completes F-16 Accident Investigation

Fighting Falcon Went Down After A Bird Strike In June

Air Force officials announced the results of an F-16D Fighting Falcon accident investigation Thursday. The investigation into the June 26, F-16 mishap at Luke Air Force Base, AZ, determined the accident was due to the pilot’s decision-making error after the aircraft suffered low-altitude bird strikes following takeoff.

Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Complete First Flight Of Next Generation Fire Scout

Unmanned Helicopter To Provide Greater Endurance, Payload And Range

The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman have successfully completed the first flight of the next-generation MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA. At 1205 PDT the MQ-8C Fire Scout took off and flew for seven minutes in restricted airspace to validate the autonomous control systems.

Flight Attendant Union Issues Statement On FAA PED Ruling

Recommends Safe, Managed Expansion Of PED Use

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), which had represented flight attendants on the FAA's Portable Electronic Device (PED) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), issued a statement Thursday following the announcement of the agency's intention to relax rules for the use of the devices below 10,000 feet.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (11.02.13)

“I’m confident the FAA will conduct exhaustive oversight of the entire process, and I expect the airlines to conduct thorough assessments on their fleets before they let passengers use electronic devices.” Source: Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV).

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (11.02.13): Factored Landing Distance

The unfactored certified dry landing distance adjusted for airport and aircraft conditions, and then multiplied by the appropriate factor to satisfy a regulatory predeparture requirement.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (11.02.13)

Castle Air Museum

When the closure of Castle Air Force Base was announced in 1994, a group of dedicated enthusiasts in the Atwater-Merced area formed the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc. It was their dream to build a museum where faithfully restored historic aircraft could be exhibited for public enjoyment.