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

MS TFR: 03.01.07

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/4343 Issue Date: February 27, 2007 at 2016 UTC Location: Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi Beginning Date and Time: March 01, 2007 at 1450 UTC Ending Date and Time: March 01, 2007 at 1820 UTC Reason for NOTAM: Temporary flight restrictions for VIP (Very Important Person) Movement Type: VIP Replaced NOTAM(s): 7/4308: DUE TO CHANGE IN WORDING.

Alaskan Airport Scheduled For Expansion

Talkeetna Considers How To Handle State-Mandated Improvements

Concerned community members met recently to discuss the future of Alaska's Talkeetna Airport (PATK). At issue is how much larger the airport, located at the base of Mt. McKinley, can grow -- and how quickly that growth can occur.

March Atlantis Launch Postponed Due To Hail Damage

Next Launch Window At End Of April

NASA has officially postponed the planned March 15 liftoff date for the shuttle Atlantis, due to damage sustained to the external tank's problematic foam insulation in a strong hailstorm Monday.

DOT Asks For Investigation Into Stranded Passenger Incidents

Call On IG To Look Into Wx-Related Ground Holds

Responding to increased pressure on lawmakers stemming from two recent incidents involving passengers trapped on airliners for several hours due to weather-related ground holds, on Tuesday US Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters asked that the Department's independent Inspector General review those cases.

Alaska Airlines Plane Makes Unscheduled Stop After Access Hatch Left Open

Ground Crews Failed To Close External Power Hatch

Ground workers at Zihuatanejo Airport in Ixtapa, Mexico have some explaining to do, after an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles made an unscheduled landing in Puerta Vallarta Saturday, due to an unexplained vibration.

Acrohelipro-Alabama Appoints Sales Manager

Rusty Stevens Will Oversee Bell, Eurocopter Repair Facility

Worldwide helo services provider Acrohelipro Global Services Inc. alerted ANN Tuesday to the appointment of Russell (Rusty) Stevens, as Sales Manager for Acrohelipro-Alabama -- a helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul facility located in Andalusia, AL.

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Tuesday 02.27.07

Steve Buss, EAA Young Eagles

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 02.27.07 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 02.27.07 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Young Eagles OK To Fly Until Air Tours Regs: 02.27.07 (ANN Special Feature, with the EAA's Steve Buss.)

Report: Airbus To Cut 8,000 Jobs in Europe

French Union Threatens "Fireworks"

Citing company sources, the German daily Die Welt reported Tuesday as part of its restructuring plan, Airbus is to cut a total of 8,000 jobs from its payroll, with 3,500 being lost in Germany and 4,200 in France.

Embraer Lands Possible 10-Plane Order From M1 Travel

Most Will Be Flown By Switzerland's Flybaboo SA

Representatives with Embraer told ANN Tuesday the Brazilian planemaker signed a contract with M1 Travel Ltd. for five Embraer 190 E-Jets, with options for five more of either the same model or the larger Embraer 195, depending on market demands.

Blaine, WA City Council Votes To Close 4W6

Airport Will Be Shut Down By End Of 2008

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 02.27.07 1100 EST: General aviation has lost another small airport. By a 4-3 vote, the Blaine, WA City Council resolved to close Blaine Municipal Airport by the end of 2008.

EADS Board Votes Its Support Of Airbus Restructuring Plan

Details Of Power8 To Be Revealed Wednesday

After a week of wrangling over job cuts and possible plant closings, on Monday the board of directors at European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) unanimously approved the Power8 restructuring plan for troubled planemaker Airbus.

Alteon Launches Beta Test For Multi-Crew Pilot License Program

MPL Aims To Put First Officers On Airliners Faster

Alteon Training, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company told ANN Monday of the launch of its Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) beta test in Brisbane, Australia.

GAO Rules USAF Should Take Another Look At CSAR-X

Sikorsky, Lockheed Applaud Decision; Boeing Won Original Round

On Monday, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) recommended the US Air Force reconsider its decision to award the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR-X) contract to Boeing. As Aero-News reported, Boeing was awarded the contract last November, for its twin-rotor HH-47.

NASA Has Detailed Procedure For Troubled Astronauts In Orbit

Nowak Incident Sheds Light On 2001 Checklist

Astronaut Lisa Nowak's recent apparent breakdown has prompted some to wonder what would happen if a similar type of behavioral problem occurred in space.

Pathfinder-Plus Solar Aircraft Lands In Smithsonian

Record-Setting Flying Wing On Display At Udvar-Hazy

Aero-News learned Monday the pioneering Pathfinder-Plus solar-electric flying wing, that set several altitude records for propeller-driven aircraft under NASA sponsorship, has been acquired for the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution.

Air Force Satellite Contract Up For Grabs

Lockheed Martin and Boeing Competing

The Air Force says it needs 32 new global positioning satellites, to replace 24 of its currently orbiting satellites. The Pentagon will seek bids for the first phase of the tri-phased multi-billion dollar project in March, according to Candrea Thomas, spokeswoman for the Air Force's Los Angeles-based Space and Missile Systems Center.

Brazil's TAM Signs For Four Boeing 777s

Deal Includes Options On Four More Widebodies

Representatives with Boeing told ANN Monday that TAM S.A., Brazil's largest airline, concluded a pending deal for four 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners.

Russia Requests Parts Supply Agreement With EADS

Country Wants Stake in Building Airbus A350XWB

Russia continues to make motions towards gaining a larger financial stake in European aerospace consortium EADS. The country has requested to supply parts for Airbus' upcoming A350XWB medium-range widebody, according to Vitaly Shmelkov, head of the German-Russian alliance for economic affairs.

Student Injured In Mishap During First Solo

Lost Control Of Helo On Takeoff

A student helicopter pilot was severely injured when his Robinson R44 crashed shortly after takeoff Monday at Covington Municipal Airport in Covington, GA.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.27.07)

Aero-Linx!

You've just settled in for a long, relaxing flight. But then you start to feel pressure and discomfort in your ears. Then there's some pain. And sounds are somewhat muffled. You may be experiencing a condition known as "airplane ear".