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December 04, 2009

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 12.04.09

The NTSB says the FAA is dragging its feet on fighting runway incursions.
Peggy Gilligan tells the Senate the FAA is near action on pilot fatigue.
And a court declines a motion by Mas

More AERO-Casts

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 12.04.09

The NTSB says the FAA is dragging its feet on fighting runway incursions.
Peggy Gilligan tells the Senate the FAA is near action on pilot fatigue.
And a court declines a motion by Mas

More AERO-Casts

ANN Special Feature: Matt Younkin, Beech 18 - 12.04.09

Airshow performer Matt Younkin tels the story of how and why he flies aerobatics in a big old Beech 18.

FMI: www.younkinair.com

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Friday 12.04.09

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 12.04.09

Synthetic Vision Helps Prevent Controlled Flight Into Terrain

GPS technology is being applied to older rotary-wing aircraft to help save lives, a senior helicopter pilot based at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, said this week. Air Force Col. Peter Mapes and other pilots at Andrews will install and test advanced GPS units in some of his squadron's UH-1N "Huey" helicopters.

First Joint Presentation By The Two Former Commanders

What are the most effective ways to address leadership challenges common to business aviation professionals in today's often unpredictable and ever-changing environment? Answering that question will be the focus of a presentation at NBAA’s 18th Annual Leadership Conference in San Diego.

SpaceX Hosts Initial Training For Dragon Spacecraft ISS Rendezvous

ISS Astronauts Learn Station Berthing Techniques For Cargo Transport

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) recently conducted its first Dragon spacecraft operations training for a group of NASA astronauts and personnel. The October training focused on how the crew will interface with the Dragon spacecraft while it is approaching and berthed to the International Space Station (ISS).

Work Set to Begin Immediately, Won't Delay Opening

Might as well do it while the airport is still under construction anyway. The Panama City-Bay County International Airport and Industrial District announced Wednesday it has received all the necessary approvals and permits to move forward on the extension of the primary runway at the new airport.

High Performance System Helps Prevent Engine Damage

Aerospace Filtration Systems has received an STC from the FAA for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for the AgustaWestland AW139. This new IBF prevents engine damage in adverse and ramp environments alike.

Firm Order Contract Means Airline’s Fleet Will Grow To 47 CRJ700 Aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced Thursday that AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, the parent company of American Eagle Airlines, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas will acquire 22 CRJ700 regional jetliners. The transaction represents the conversion of 22 options held by the airline into a firm order contract.

Citic Offshore Helicopter Is China's Largest Civil Helo Operator

Eurocopter delivered the first two EC155 B1 Dauphin helicopters to Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. in Shenzhen, China. The delivery is part of a contract signed just over a year ago for a total of ten helicopters of this type.

Newest Air Force Recon Aircraft Has Helped Capture High-Value Terror Suspects

Members of the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron serving at Joint Base Balad in Iraq recently reached 1,000 combat sorties in the MC-12W aircraft only five months after arriving in-theater. The MC-12 is one of the Air Force's newest platforms for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Air Force, Northrop Grumman To Design 'Plug and Play' Capability For Spacecraft

Goal Is To Shorten Response Time To Mission Requirements

Think of it as being something like a spacecraft USB port. Northrop Grumman Corporation will help the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) design a spacecraft "bus" with plug-and-play capability to reduce cost and schedule in developing future space systems.

"Broke All Navigation Rules" During A Scheduled Flight

A report from New Delhi in the Indian News Service IBN says that a senior Jet Airways pilot pulled a breaker at about 3,700 feet during an approach to Mumbai Airport on October 20th to "test the commanding pilot's capabilities."

Matt Younkin Continues to Share the ‘Impossible’ with Air Show Crowds

Next week, nearly 1,600 air show professionals will gather at the International Council of Air Shows Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. To celebrate the 2009 ICAS Convention, Aero-TV is profiling some of the most extraordinary air show performers we’ve had the honor to meet over the last year.

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Aero-TV: Matt Younkin – Upholding the Twin Beech Legacy (Part 2)

Matt Younkin Continues to Share the ‘Impossible’ with Air Show Crowds (Part 2)

Next week, nearly 1,600 air show professionals will gather at the International Council of Air Shows Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. To celebrate the 2009 ICAS Convention, Aero-TV is profiling some of the most extraordinary air show performers we’ve had the honor to meet over the last year.

Ice is Mother Nature's Way Of Keeping You Wary

For those of us who have "hit the boots" (or the equivalent system on your favorite bird) a few times in the last few days due to the ever-present seasonal 'charms' of in-flight icing, we thought a series of short tips form Cirrus Design's Scott Winter (yes, that IS his real name) might help us all to consider some of the realities of this time of year. So... here is the fifth of seven tips for dealing with icing. Y'all be careful out there!

Klyde Will NOT Let Up On The Airlines!

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Department Focuses On F-35 Costs, Fair Tanker Competition

Final Tanker RFP Expected In January

Pentagon officials are working to halt spiraling costs in the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft program, while ensuring competition for a new refueling tanker remains fair to all contenders, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said Wednesday.

U.S. Certification Expected Shortly, Followed By First Deliveries

Embraer received the type and production certificates for its Phenom 300 executive jet on Thursday from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Authority (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC) in a ceremony held at Company headquarters in Brazil. An FAA type certificate is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.

Says EADS-Northrop Withdrawal A "Blow" To Tanker Program

Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha (D), chair of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, expressed serious concerns about Northrop Grumman's threat to pull out of the tanker competition over the wording of the RFP. “I can’t imagine they can do it without competition,” he said.

Prater Tells Committee Pilot Fatigue Represents A "Dire" Threat

In testimony before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on Tuesday, Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, (ALPA), told senators that current federal flight- and duty-time rules for airline pilots are obsolete and modern science-based regulations are needed now.

Aeroterm Is Waiting For Final Approval On Development Rights

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and the St. Louis Airport Commission have signed off on one of the most significant airfield development transactions in the Airport's history. The development agreement still awaits final approvals by the City of St. Louis.

“No science exists to support multiple sets of flight-time and duty-time limits. No rational argument can be made for different flight/duty rules for pilots based on whether they fly passengers or cargo, domestic or international.” Source: ALPA President John Prater.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.04.09): Hardpoint

A hardpoint is any part of an airframe designed to carry an external load. This technical description includes mountings for podded engines, but most commonly the term is used to refer to a point on the wings of military aircraft where external stores such as missiles can be mounted.

Merrit Island Wildlife Refuge

Think of this as something like the last segment of Sunday Morning, where you're treated to a quiet look at someplace spectacular. The Merrit Island Wildlife Refuge is usually such a place, unless there happens to be a launch in progress.