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December 28, 2011

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 12.29.11

Hawker Beechcraft will sue the US government.
Southwest and AirTran move smoothly toward merged operations.
And China begins operation of its own alternative to GPS.

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ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 12.28.11

An ambulance chaser is trolling for work in Florida.
A Waco biplane makes a really poor submarine.
And Transaero will be the first Russian airline to fly a Dreamliner.

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Muslim Firefighter Called Hero On AirTran Flight

Led Effort To Subdue Passenger Trying to Break Into Cockpit

A man who frightened passengers by attempting to break into the cockpit of an AirTran flight on its way from Atlanta to Kansas City was subdued by a fellow passenger, who is now being hailed widely as a hero. Jabir Hazziez, Jr. is an unlikely candidate to be viewed as a hero, especially on an airliner in 2011 - he's Muslim.

India Weighs Response To EU Carbon Tax

Warns Carbon Scheme Will Bring Retaliatory Action

India, one of almost two dozen nations gearing up for a fight with Europe over the imminent launch of a unilateral carbon licensing system, warns that the unilateral action by Europe could lead to international retaliation. Official sources now say India will decide on a formal policy sometime in February, according to a report in The Economic Times of India.

St. Louis Told Boeing Jobs Are Solid

But Analysts Wonder If UAS Jobs Will Equal F/A-18 Jobs

The Israel Defense Forces recently reported that they are now flying more hours with unmanned aircraft than with manned craft. The US military may not be far behind. What does this trend mean for Boeing in general, and for the company's St. Louis workforce in particular? So far, says Boeing, its future in the city remains solid.

More Flak For FAA Rest Rule -- US Airways Pilots 'Express Concern'

New Rules 'Allow For Increased Flight Time And Fail To Address Fatigue'

It wasn't hard to predict that the release of the FAA's long awaited regs on crew rest and duty times would see some flak... but the chorus of opposition keeps growing. This time, the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA), representing the pilots of US Airways, have expressed concerns over the new FAA Flight and Duty Time rule addressing pilot crew rest. The new rule is the result of efforts to address pilot fatigue, brought to light primarily as a result of the fatal accident of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in Buffalo, NY that occurred in May 2009.

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Santa Brings Holiday Greetings... and Fuel!

Jolly Old Elf Helps Deliver Fuel To Remote Bases In Afghanistan

Santa Claus paid a surprise visit to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here Dec. 23 to assist in an airdrop delivery to remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan. "I just wanted to bring a little holiday cheer to the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and help out with a very special holiday delivery," chuckled Santa, portrayed by Tech. Sgt. Mike Morris, 816th EAS Loadmaster Flight NCO in charge and native of Charleston, S.C. The delivery - 160 barrels of fuel - was loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft under Santa's command.

NORAD Breaks Record For Santa Tracking Calls

Phone Volunteers Included First Lady Michelle Obama

The NORAD Tracks Santa program grew immensely after it was first presented on the Internet in 1998.This year, the live operations center staffed for 25 hours by more than 1,200 volunteers blew out all previous records for traffic.

More Flak For LightSquared--Group Notes 'Dangers' of Persistent GPS Interference

The 'Association of Old Crows' Calls For Retest Of New Design

The LightSquared controversy rages on... The 'Association of Old Crows' notes that the November 2011 testing of LightSquared's wireless broadband service proposal found no significant interference to cellular phone text and voice capabilities but did find significant disruption of most all general purpose approved Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. GPS receivers are used throughout our National infrastructures, in aviation flight safety systems and by private users and emergency services. The AOC is an international Electronic Warfare/Information Operations (EW/IO) association which promotes EMS operations and related activities across military, civilian and commercial applications.

AZ CBP Receives Fourth Predator-B

CBP UAV Fleet Now Totals 9 Aircraft

The US Customs and Border Protection received an Unmanned Aircraft this week, the fourth to be based at National Air Security Operations Center Sierra Vista, Ariz. Flights performed from this location reportedly will provide critical aerial surveillance to CBP border security personnel on the ground along the Southwest border. The arrival of the Predator-B marks the second of two unmanned aircraft earmarked in the supplemental budget provisions identified in August 2010.

Able Flight Enables Wounded Marine To Become Pilot

'Disability' Is A Mental, Not Physical, State... This Marine Proves It

Adam Kisielewski shouldn't be alive. From the instant he passed through an explosives-rigged door in Iraq on August 21st in 2005, Adam has been living his second life, the one given to him by his own fighting spirit and the wonders of modern battlefield medicine. It was only a month and two days after Adam's deployment to Iraq began when his squad was given the assignment of clearing a school of suspected insurgents. The blast cost Adam his left arm at the shoulder and his right leg below his knee, and it cost the life of his fellow Marine, Lieutenant James "Cat" Cathey, mortally wounded as the two men were on a room to room search. The actions of his squad, an immediate evacuation in a Humvee to a field ho

Roll-Out! Embraer Unveils First Legacy 500 Executive Jet

First Of Three Prototypes Prepares For Certification

Embraer rolled out its newest executive jet, the midsize Legacy 500, last December 23, from the production hangar at the São José dos Campos headquarters, in Brazil. This milestone rollout will allow development and test engineers to perform important ground tests, prior to the aircraft’s first flight, which is scheduled for the third quarter of 2012.

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NTSB Factual Report: Forced Landing May Have Been Caused By Empty Tank

There's Little Point In Having Fuel If The Tank Isn't Selected...

OK... this is one of those moments that has happened to many of us... the improper selection of the fullest tank. And when the improper tank happens to be empty, which appears possible according to an NTSB Factual report following the ditching of a Beech F33A. Keep checking your tanks, your respective fuel quantities and make sure that you keep doing so throughout a flight to prevent an inopportune walk/swim home.

K-State Adds Five Skyhawks To Training Fleet

New Skyhawks Come Equipped With G1000 and Autopilots

The aviation program at Kansas State University's Salina campus has added five new Cessna Skyhawk 172 G100s to the university's fleet of learning aircraft. "In addition to having the G1000 avionics system, these new planes have autopilot. This means that our students get a well-rounded experience in our Cessna 172 aircraft. They start learning in a gas gauge environment and, as they build flight time, move into more technologically advanced aircraft," said Kurt Barnhart, aviation department head.

STC Granted For In-Flight WiFi System On Beechjet, Hawker 400

Cutter Aviation Holds Certificate To Install Gogo Broadband

An STC for in-flight, high-speed wireless connectivity for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP family utilizing Aircell Gogo Biz in-flight broadband has been granted to Cutter Aviation in Phoenix, AZ. Cutter developed the STC in partnership with Aircell utilizing the its ATG 4000 and ATG 5000 systems for installation in the Beechjet airframe.

Classic Aero-TV: F-35 Training Simulator - Preparing the Airmen of the Future

This is a previously unreleased video from the ANN archives.

At the Interservice/Industry Training Simulation and Education 2011 Conference ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, talks with Jim Weitzel, the vice president of engineering services for the Lockheed M

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Classic Aero-TV: Supporting The Really Big Birds - C-5 Training Programs

This is a previously unreleased video from the ANN archives.

ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, visits the Interservice/Industry Training Simulation and Education 2011 Conference, and he addresses the issue of training in an airplane that has been around for a long while but has seen many variations and modifications. The airplane we’re talking about is the Lockheed Martin C-5.

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Aero-TV: Exploring R9 With DFC100 -- Tips and Tricks From Trip Taylor

Avidyne's Revolutionary Glass Panel/Autopilot Solution Proves Its 'Ease of Use'

A few months ago, we had the chance to sit back in awe at the expertise already displayed by one of the Avidyne R9 glass panel's most passionate advocates... and users. There are few more knowledgeable people on the plant,m as far as R9 is concerned than Trip Taylor and for the better part of a few hours, we had the chance to sit back and enjoy his synoptic descriptions of just a few of the many intriguing features built into one of the most usable glass panel cockpits we've yet flow... now made even more so with the advent of the DFC100 digital autopilot. Trip, by the way, has served as a Platinum CSIP instructor, head of the Avidyne National Flight Standards Team, and was formerly a check pilot for

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Few Clues As To Cause of FL Bell 206 Medevac Accident

Pilot Was President of SK Jets and A Highly-Experienced Flyer

News/Analysis By Jim Campbell, ANN Editor-In-Chief, Comm. Heli Pilot Few real details are emerging in the tragic Monday accident that claimed the lives of three people and may yet still claim a fourth... the patient in need of a heart transplant who didn't get the heart in time for its transplantation. The pilot was SK Jets President, Hoke Smith (68), described as a "highly decorated Vietnam Pilot with commendations that include The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, and The Distinguished Flying Cross." Smith founded SK in 1997 as the sole owner and operator of one helicopter, expanding the business to seven jets, two helicopters, and 40 employees.

Hawker Beechcraft Won't Go Quietly -- Will Fight USAF/GAO LAS Dismissal

Will File Suit with Court of Federal Claims on US Air Force Light Air Support Contract Bidding Process

It's still a mystery... but it's one that Hawker Beech intends to get to the bottom of... Hawker Beechcraft has confirmed that they will file a suit with the Court of Federal Claims following notification late last week that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has declined to review its protest of the decision by the U.S. Air Force to exclude the company's Beechcraft AT-6 from the Light Air Support (LAS) competition.

Aero-TV: Exploring R9 With DFC100 -- Tips and Tricks From Trip Taylor

Avidyne's Revolutionary Glass Panel/Autopilot Solution Proves Its 'Ease of Use'

A few months ago, we had the chance to sit back in awe at the expertise already displayed by one of the Avidyne R9 glass panel's most passionate advocates... and users. There are few more knowledgeable people on the plant,m as far as R9 is concerned than Trip Taylor and for the better part of a few hours, we had the chance to sit back and enjoy his synoptic descriptions of just a few of the many intriguing features built into one of the most usable glass panel cockpits we've yet flow... now made even more so with the advent of the DFC100 digital autopilot. Trip, by the way, has served as a

K-Max Delivers! First Operational Delivery Made In Afghanistan

Unmanned Helicopter Makes First Delivery For Marines

The US Marines tell ANN that unmanned systems have revolutionized combat aviation, providing a colossal advantage in the fight against terror with surveillance and close-air support. And, they're proving it. Recently, a detachment of Marines from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 in Afghanistan added aerial resupply to the list of UAV capabilities. The detachment completed its first unmanned aerial system cargo delivery in a combat zone using a helicopter in Afghanistan, Dec. 17.

Iran Expects To Buy Aircraft From Russia

Government Says It Will Add 25 Passenger Planes To Civil Fleet

The US and some other western nations are working to isolate the government of Iran over alleged nuclear weapons development, but some nations are exploiting the trade restrictions as an opportunity to gain new market share. Embraer has come under fire for its willingness to discuss supplying Iran with fighters. Now, Iran's minister of transportation says his government is considering buying new civil aircraft from Russia.

China Will Sue EU, Despite US Loss

Says Its Carbon Tax Case Will Go Forward

As the countdown continues to the January 1 start of the European Union's new unilateral carbon tax on airlines, including portions of flights outside its jurisdiction, China has announced it will go forward with a suit against the plan, notwithstanding a recent defeat in European courts of a similar challenge brought by the US.

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AirTran and Southwest Flight Attendants Reach Agreement

Tentative Transition Agreement To Be Voted Upon Within The Coming Week

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing 2,400 Flight Attendants at AirTran Airways, announced a Seniority Integration and Transition Agreement, this week, with Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways and Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents Southwest Flight Attendants. The agreement outlines the full integration of AirTran Flight Attendants into Southwest as the two airlines merge. The agreement will be sent to Flight Attendants at both carriers for ratification.

A-12 Avenger Canopy For Sale On eBay

Government Sold The Top Secret Artifact To An Aircraft Parts Dealer

An aircraft parts dealer is offering an authentic canopy for the A-12 Avenger II on eBay, and it's perfectly legal for him to do so.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.28.11)

"We are disappointed in the GAO's decision as we were relying on their investigation to provide transparency into what has been a bidding process of inconsistent, irregular and constantly changing requirements. We find ourselves still without answers, which is unacceptable, and continue to believe that our exclusion from this important contract was made without basis in process or fact." Source: Bill Boisture, Hawker Beechcraft chairman and CEO, in comments associated with their decision to fight the USAF/GAO dismissal of their request for reconsideration following their being dropped from the LAS bidding process in favor of a single foreign competitor.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.28.11): Bow Shock

A sharp front formed in the solar wind ahead of the magnetosphere, marked with a sudden slowing-down of the flow near Earth.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.28.11)

Australian Warbirds Association

The Australian Warbirds Association was incorporated in 1989 as a non profit company to bring together aircraft owners, operators, restorers, maintainers, historians and enthusiasts to share their passion for ex-military aviation and to promote and preserve Australia's proud military aviation heritage.

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