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

Boeing Confirms P-8A Poseidon Airframe's Structural Integrity

Full Scale Static Tests Exceed Highest Expected Flight Loads By 50 Percent

Boeing said Thursday that it completed full scale static testing of the P-8A Poseidon’s airframe on Jan. 7. The series of tests, which began in May 2009, confirmed the airframe's structural integrity.

Scaled-Back C-17 Productions Will Mean Job Cuts Through 2012

New Prodcution Rate Lower By Three Aircraft Per Year

As part of a transition announced last year, Boeing confirmed on Thursday it will deliver 13 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters in 2011 as the company moves to a new production rate of 10 C-17s per year.

NASA Spacecraft Prepares for Valentine's Day Comet Rendezvous

Stardust-NExT Will Capture Dozens Of Images Of Comet Tempel 1

NASA's Stardust-NExT spacecraft is nearing a celestial date with comet Tempel 1 at approximately 2337 EST, on Feb. 14. The mission will allow scientists for the first time to look for changes on a comet's surface that occurred following an orbit around the sun.

Afghanistan Airdrop Levels Set Record In 2010

Over 60 Million Pounds Of Cargo Delivered To Troops Around The Country Nearly Doubles 2009

Mobility Airmen supporting operations in Afghanistan airdropped 60.4 million pounds of cargo airdropped throughout the country, setting a record.

Brazilian Air Force To Acquire Hermes 450 Unmanned Systems

The Project Is Part Of The Brazilian Air Forces' Objective To Establish Independent UAS Capabilities

Elbit Systems' Brazilian subsidiary, Aeroeletronica, has been awarded a contract to supply Hermes 450 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to the Brazilian Air Force. The contract is not in an amount that is material to Elbit Systems.

Tampa International Jet Center Joins Avfuel Network

Company Calls KTPA A "Flagship Location"

Tampa International Jet Center has joined Avfuel’s Avnet network of premier FBOs to offer Avfuel programs and solutions.

U.S. Navy Renews Successful Helicopter Logistics Program

Follow-On Contract Worth $1.4 Billion

The Maritime Helicopter Support Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation has received a $1.4 billion firm fixed price contract from the U.S. Navy to continue providing performance-based logistics support for more than 490 in-service H-60 Seahawk helicopters.

Raytheon To Open GPS Collaboration Center In Southern California

Facility Will Serve As GPS Operational Gateway

A new Global Positioning System Collaboration Center opening in February 2011 in El Segundo, CA, will allow U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems personnel to interact with the GPS Operational Control Segment (GPS OCX) system in an operations-like environment.

Air Transport Association Names Jean Medina Vice President, Communications

New VP Most Recently With UAL

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has named Jean Medina vice president, communications.

Brazilian AF AMX Fighter Overhaul Contract Goes To Embraer

Launcher Number 200 Delivered To French Guiana Spaceport

The 200th Ariane launcher has been delivered to Arianespace at the Spaceport in French Guiana, where it will receive the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) payload for a February 15 liftoff on a servicing mission to the International Space Station.

Robert Friedrichs New Director Of Nevada Aerospace Hall Of Fame

Hall Co-Founder Recently Retired From The National Nuclear Security Administration

Robert E. Friedrichs, co-founder of the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame (NVAHOF), has been tapped to succeed the its current Director.

Classic Aero-TV: SportAv Perspectives -- What Obstacles Exist in the LSA Market?

2010 Sport Aviation Expo Attendees Reflect on the LSA Market

ANN Note: As we cover the 2011 US Sport Aviation Expo, ANN has to admit that we have great concerns about the direction and viability of the LSA market. While events like the US SAE have done a spectacular job (no kidding... we are truly impressed) of helping to provide a focal point for all things LSA, the poor direction provided to LSA by the FAA and a number of the alphabet associations leaves us wondering whether or not the the tremendous potential offered by the LSA market will ever get the chance to become a reality.

FAA Mandates Crew Resource Management Training For On-Demand Charters

Affected Carriers Have Two Years To Establish Procedures

The FAA has finalized a rule that requires non-scheduled charter airlines and air taxis to train pilots and flight attendants in Crew Resource Management (CRM), a well-established concept that helps reduce human error in commercial aviation.

Klyde Morris (01.21.11)

Klyde Speaks The Sad Truth About Flight Training

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Friday 01.21.11

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 01.21.11 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 01.21.11 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature: The Future of Simulation - 01.21.11 (ANN Special Report, with Fred Lewis, President of the National Training and Simulation Association)

iFlightPlanner.com Introduces Route Rubberbanding, Custom Waypoints

Upgraded Airport And Facility Directory Has Over 20,000 Entries

iFlightPlanner, LLC unveiled its highly anticipated upgrade to iFlightPlanner.com this week with the introduction of route rubberbanding and the ability for users to create, save, and use custom waypoints in their flight planning.

Piper Names Cutter Aviation As New SoCal Aircraft Dealer

Appointment Is Effective Immediately

Pilots considering Piper in southern California have a new dealer in the region. Piper has appointed Cutter Piper Sales of Carlsbad, CA, as its dealer for new aircraft sales in Southern California.

AFA Applies For Consolidation Of UAL Flight Attendant Unions

NMB Ruling Would Trigger Union Election For 24,000 United And Continental Flight Attendants

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) yesterday asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) to declare that the United/Continental merger has created a single transportation system, triggering a representation election for the combined Flight Attendant workforce.

FAA Seeks $1.025 Million Civil Penalty Against San Antonio Aerospace

Company Allegedly Violated DOT's Drug And Alcohol Testing Program

The FAA is proposing a civil penalty of $1,025,000 against San Antonio Aerospace LP for violating the Department of Transportation's Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing programs.

ATR: 80 New Aircraft Sold In Recovering 2010

Projects Strong Turboprop Sales In The Regional Market Going Forward

European regional turboprop manufacturer ATR released data Wednesday that shows orders booked for 80 new aircraft in 2010, plus options for 33. ATR also says it generated a turnover of $1.35 billion – almost three times the turnover achieved in 2005.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (01.21.11)

Dynalifter

The Dynalifter hybrid airship offers unique capabilities allowing it to fulfill certain specialized roles in a manner that will prove superior to conventional airplanes, helicopters, or airships.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (01.21.11)

"I know the value of making Crew Resource Management part of the safety culture from my days as an airline pilot. A crew that works as a team is a better crew, regardless of the size of the plane or the size of the airline." Source: FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.