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

LAX Scraps Major Expansion

Compromise Ends 10-Year Master Plan

Plans to expand and update Los Angeles International Airport have been scrapped after meeting prolonged resistance by local civic groups and neighbors who have fought the ambitious $11 billion development project.

Despite 'Solid' Order Book, Tiger Aircraft Initiates New Round Of Layoffs

Hoping For Major Capital Infusion This Month

Tiger Aircraft has confirmed to ANN that eight staffers were given pink-slips last Friday. Despite what Tiger Boss Gene Criss described as a "pretty solid" order book, nearly a third of the current staff was laid off while the company awaits what is expected to be a major capital infusion later this month.

Quad City's Challenger Has Gross Weight Increased To 960 Lbs

Close To 600 lb. Empty Weight On Some Models

Aero-News has learned through the Canadian distributor of Challenger ultralights, National Ultralight Inc, that Quad City Ultralight Aircraft Corp has increased the manufacturer specified gross weight for Challenger II aircraft to 960 lbs. The increase is applicable to all Challenger II long wing aircraft kits manufactured after the middle of 1990 -- when changes to the long wing structure were implemented -- as well as to all Challenger II Special clip wing aircraft.

AD: Bombardier

AD NUMBER: 2005-24-12 MANUFACTURER: Bombardier SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2005-24-12 SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, that requires an inspection of the thrust reverser cascades for correct installation; removing and reinstalling the cascade inthe correct location, if necessary; and reworking the thrust reverser cascades to add locating spigots (metal protrusions) to each cascade; as applicable.

AD: Embraer

AD NUMBER: 2005-24-11 MANUFACTURER: Empresa SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2005-24-11 SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Embraer Model EMB-135 and Model EMB-145 series airplanes.

XCOR's EZ-Rocket Completes Successful Demonstration Flight

Next Comes The Mark I X-Racer

The EZ-Rocket successfully completed its first point-to-point flight Saturday, departing from the Mojave, CA Spaceport and gliding to a touchdown at an airport in California City nine minutes later.

Aero-News Alert: Skylane Stolen From El Monte, CA

Owner Last Saw Plane In August

Be on the lookout at your local airport for a 2002 Cessna T182, registration N184TA, that was stolen from its hangar last month at California's El Monte Airport (EMT). The plane's exterior is white, with red and gray stripes.

NY TFR: 12.06.05

NOTAM: 5/1166 Issued: 12/05/2005 13:20 Effective: 12/06/2005 16:00 - 12/06/2005 18:30 State: NY Facility: ZBW - BOSTON (ARTCC),MA. Type: VIP Description: FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 6, 2005

We've Got Ourselves A Race! China Places $10 Billion Airbus Order

It's Not Over Yet, Folks

The seesaw sales battle between Europe's Airbus and US-manufacturer Boeing continued Monday with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao signing a deal to buy 150 Airbus aircraft after a meeting with French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

Bell's Tiltrotor TR918 Unmanned Aircraft System Receives Test Certificate

First FAA Certification for Testing Of A Vertical Lift Unmanned Aircraft

Bell Helicopter announced Monday its Eagle Eye TR918 Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, has received its certificate of airworthiness for experimental flight testing from the Federal Aviation Administration. Bell tells Aero-News this represents the first time such a certificate has been issued to a vertical-lift UAV-type aircraft by the FAA.

Military Says Enemy Fire Behind Downing Of Chinooks In Afghanistan

Soldiers Injured; Seven Helicopters Downed This Year

The US military now reports it was enemy fire that brought down two CH-47 Chinook helicopters in separate incidents in Afghanistan Sunday. Five US and one Afghan soldier were injured in the two downings.

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Monday 12.05.05

ANN Looks Into The Relaxing Of TSA Carry-On Guidelines

As was reported in Aero-News, last Friday TSA Director Edmund "Kip" Hawley announced the agency will relax its screening guidelines on certain items that have not been allowed in the cabin of a passenger airliner since 9/11. Hawley cites the increased threat to aircraft from explosives -- and the decreased danger, the agency says, from terrorists attempting another 9/11-style attack -- as the reasons behind the allowance of small tools and scissors back into the cabin. Mike Flores, president of the US Airway's flight attendants union, disagrees adamantly with Hawley's decisio

Aerobatic Competition Unveiled At ICAS 2005

Get Ready For ACAP!

As was alluded to last week in our Aero-Cast interview with ICAS President John Cudahy, airshow organizer Rick Rushing officially unveiled the highly anticipated Association of Competition Airshow Pilots at the recently concluded International Council of Air Shows 2005 Convention attendees and press in Orlando, FL.

Unique, Original Sopwith Camel Hits eBay

Would You Pay $1.5 Million For The Only One Out There?

"After the turn of the century, in the clear blue skies over Germany, came a roar and a thunder like you've never heard, or the screaming cry of a big war bird" - The Royal Guardsmen

GAMA Praises Congressional Action To Restore Certification Funding And Staffing

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) praised both the President and Congress for enactment of the FY 2006 Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill which guarantees funding for maintaining staffing levels in the FAA's Aircraft Certification Service.

Air Zimbabwe Grounded Intermittently

Basket-Case Country Has A Basket-Case Airline

Consider Air Zimbabwe. No, not for a trip -- we value our readers. Just *think* about Air Zim for a minute. Some flag carriers seem to instantiate their nation's character, and some (like, for instance, bankrupt Swissair) seem to contradict it.

Klyde Morris 12.05.05

Klyde's Just Gotta Have His Say On Recent TSA News

Osprey Flies Spec Ops Forces Into Future

In addition to riding on the wings of Eagles, Falcons and Hawks, the Air Force will also fly with the Ospreys soon. The CV-22 Osprey, that is.

Airbus To Extend Industrial Cooperation With China

The National Development & Reform Commission of China (NDRC) and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding about the cooperation between the Chinese civil aviation industry and the European manufacturer.

Bell Helicopter Opens 82,000 Sq. Ft. Repair and Overhaul Center

Bell Helicopter has opened their new $20 million, 82,000 square foot repair and overhaul center recently when they received their first V-22 component from the U.S. Marine Corps. The primary function of the new facility is to support Bell aircraft currently operated by the U.S. military.

Aero-News Quote Of The Day (12.05.05)

"Our series is a tribute to all airshows and performances that have come before, and to ICAS for its continuing support and guidance. We hope to complement what has come before, and enhance the airshow experience for all the fans, performers, and sponsors that attend our events. We are grateful to ICAS for their support of this series, and we have a dedicated and talented team assembled to make this a great addition to the Airshow community." Source: The Association of Competition Airshow Pilot's Rick Rushing in talking about a new class of competition for tomorrow's airshows.