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

MA TFR: 05.21.08 - 05.27.08

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/8593 Issue Date: May 21, 2008 at 2358 UTC Location: HYANNIS , Massachusetts near MARTHAS VINEYARD VOR/DME (MVY) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: May 27, 2008 at 2200 UTC Reason for NOTAM: DUE TO SAFETY OF FLIGHT WITHIN A 3 NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS OF 413749N Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A

American To Cut Flights, Lay Off 'Thousands' And Charge For All Checked Luggage

BIG Layoffs, Capacity Cuts On The Horizon

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 05.21.08 1345 EDT: Things appear to be dire at American Airlines. The Fort Worth-based carrier announced Wednesday plans to slash its flight schedule and workforce, as the airline struggles to cope with high fuel prices.

AZ Firefighting TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/8483 Issue Date: May 21, 2008 at 1506 UTC Location: 9 MILES SW OF SAFFORD , Arizona near SAN SIMON VORTAC (SSO) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately 1200-0500 UTC DLY 1200-0500 UTC Daily Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: ALBUQUERQUE (ZAB) Automated Flight Service Station, 505-856-4580

NV Firefighting TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/8476 Issue Date: May 21, 2008 at 1446 UTC Location: MOUNTAIN SPRINGS , Nevada near LAS VEGAS VORTAC (LAS) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: LOS ANGELES (ZLA) Automated Flight Service Station, 661-265-8205

TX Firefighting TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/8383 Issue Date: May 20, 2008 at 2148 UTC Location: 34NM SW OF SONORA , Texas near SAN ANGELO VORTAC (SJT) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: HOUSTON (ZHU) Automated Flight Service Station, 281-230-5560

TX Firefighting TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/8382 Issue Date: May 20, 2008 at 2146 UTC Location: 41 NM SE OF SONORA , Texas near ROCKSPRINGS VORTAC (RSG) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: HOUSTON (ZHU) Center, 281-230-5560

AK Firefighting TFR: UFN

NOTAM Number: FDC 8/8380 Issue Date: May 20, 2008 at 2139 UTC Location: ANCHOR POINT , Alaska near HOMER VOR/DME (HOM) Beginning Date and Time: Effective Immediately Ending Date and Time: Until further notice Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING Type: Hazards Replaced NOTAM(s): N/A Pilots May Contact: ANCHORAGE (ZAN) Automated Flight Service Station, 907-269-1103

Pilot OK Following Forced Landing In Vintage Jet

But DH.112 Venom Will Never Fly Again

Things could have been a lot worse, but quick thinking saved the life of the pilot this past weekend just outside of Denver, CO. Mark Johnson, 58, was flying the pattern at Platte Valley Airport in his 1956 de Havilland DH.112 Venom when he lost engine power at about 1230 local time Saturday.

EBACE 2008: Sikorsky's X2 Program Advances

Demonstrator Conducts First 'Blades-On' Ground Tests

Sikorsky Aircraft announced a major milestone for its X2 Technology Demonstrator program this week at EBACE 2008 -- successful ground tests of the aircraft with rotor blades installed and spinning for the first time.

EBACE 2008: Cessna Teams With Dallas Airmotive On Citation Upgrade Program

'EngiNEWity' Overhaul Program Will Give New Life To JT15Ds

Cessna announced this week at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) that it has teamed with Dallas Airmotive to offer a program for owners of Citation business jets powered by Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines.

EBACE 2008: HBC Receives Over 70 Commitments For New Premier II

New Light Bizjet Sees Order Boom

The newly-unveiled, significantly-upgrade Beechcraft Premier II appears to be a winner for Hawker Beechcraft. The company tells ANN it has received over 70 commitments for the new aircraft -- including more than 40 firm orders -- since its unveiling earlier this week.

Sea Launch Delivers Galaxy 18 To Orbit

Third Successful Launch This Year

Early Wednesday morning, the Sea Launch Company successfully delivered the Galaxy 18 communications satellite to orbit from its ocean-based platform on the Equator, marking its third successful launch in 2008.

Pratt & Whitney F135 Team Receives STOVL Qualification

Cleared For 'Up-And-Away' Flight Ops

Pratt & Whitney recently received a statement of qualification for the F135 short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) propulsion system from the F-35 Joint Program Office. This statement clears Pratt & Whitney's F135-PW-600 STOVL propulsion system for up-and-away flight operations.

Southwest Airlines Pilots Honor Herb Kelleher

Union Applauds 38 Years Of 'Outstanding Leadership'

When was the last time we've heard airline pilots praising the leadership of an outgoing executive? It's been awhile, to be sure... but such was the case Wednesday, as several Southwest Airlines pilots sat in the audience, in full uniform, of Southwest co-founder Herb Kelleher's last annual shareholder's meeting as Chairman of the Board.

Evergreen Space Museum To Launch June 6

Oregon's Largest Space Facility Opens Next Month

Most people know the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, OR as home to the world’s largest wooden flying boat, Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, and the world's fastest aircraft ever built, the SR-71 Blackbird. Next month, however, visitors will also enjoy another world class addition -- a new space facility.

Report: 787 Delays Could Mean Windfall For Older Widebody

Boeing Will Likely Offer 767s To Tide Over Dreamliner Customers

There might be at least one bright spot for Boeing, as the American planemaker struggles to deliver its oft-delayed 787 Dreamliner to waiting customers. Those delivery delays -- some as long as 30 months -- means several airlines are looking for alternate planes to tide them over, and Boeing happens to have a similarly-sized widebody just waiting for more orders.

Surviving Parachutist Sues Skydiving Company

Says Operator, Pilot Failed To Fly As Safely As Possible

One of four skydivers who survived an April plane crash in Missouri has sued the skydiving company and its pilot for negligence.

The Big 2-0-0-0! Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Wednesday 05.21.08

Our 2000th Aero-Cast... And What's Coming In The Future

ANN Daily Touch N Go: 05.21.08 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 05.21.08 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature -- Our 2000th Aero-Cast! And What ANN Has Planned For The Future: 05.21.08 (ANN Special Report, with ANN Senior E-Media Producer Paul Plack, Editor-in-Chief Jim Campbel

AD: Boeing

AD NUMBER: 2008-10-15 MANUFACTURER: Boeing SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2008-10-15 SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes.

Aero-TV: Delta Connection Academy And Embry Riddle Partner Up

Forces To Be Reckoned With In The Aero-Educational World Team Up

It's really tough to know who to trust in the aviation education business these days... stories like the frauds surrounding the Silver State Helicopter mess, as well as other such catastrophes, certainly give someone thinking of an aviation education a reason to pause. So... when two of the best known and most highly regarded names in the aero-educational industry decide to cooperate on something, you know you have a good deal.

Survey Says: Customers Rate Airline Service 'Dismal'

Southwest Leads Satisfaction Rankings, US Airways Brings Up The Rear

This isn't the most surprising news we've posted lately. Customer satisfaction among US airline passengers is at the lowest point in seven years, according to a survey conducted by the University of Michigan.

EBACE 2008: CMC Electronics PilotView EFB Installed By STC

Midcoast Granted First Class 2 EFB Approval On Challenger 605

CMC Electronics tells ANN Midcoast Aviation, of St. Louis, MO was recently granted Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval to install CMC Electronics’ PilotView Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) systems on the Bombardier Challenger series business jet. The approval grants Midcoast the first Class 2 EFB system approval for Challenger series aircraft.

The End Of An Era At Southwest Airlines

Wednesday Marks Herb Kelleher's Last Day As Chairman

The airline industry is about to change forever. Wednesday is founder Herb Kelleher's last day as Chairman of Southwest Airlines.

EBACE 2008: Eurocopter Receives First EC135 'L’Hélicoptère par Hermès' Order

Luxo-Helo Ordered By Falcon Aviation Services

Add another entrant into the luxury-helicopter game, on the heels of AgustaWestland's partnership with Versace. Eurocopter announced this week at EBACE 2008 the sale of its first EC135 'l’Hélicoptère par Hermès' to Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), provider of high-level aviation charter services in the UAE and Gulf regions.

Liberty Announces Southeastern US Dealership

Greensboro Facility To Handle XL2 Sales

Liberty Aerospace announced Tuesday the appointment of a dealership to cover the southeastern United States. Based in Greensboro, NC, Liberty Southeast, Inc. will handle sales of the planemaker's two-seat XL2 from a brand new 33,000 sq-ft. facility.

EBACE 2008: Cessna Racks Up Orders In Geneva

Austria's JetAlliance, Russia's Dexter Herald Brisk Business

Cessna announced Tuesday at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) 2008 two separate orders, from operators in Austria and Russia.

First Bombardier Q400 Delivered To Croatia Airlines

Croatian Flag Carrier Hold Options on Two More

Bombardier Aerospace delivered the first of four Q400 turboprop airliners ordered by Croatia Airlines of Zagreb, Croatia this week stemming from an order announced on June 4, 2007. Croatia Airlines holds options on two additional Q400 aircraft.

USAF Delivers Five Plane Loads Of Supplies To Myanmar

But Relief Only Helps Small Percentage Of Those In Need

Five more Air Force C-130 Hercules airlifters delivered supplies to Burma this week, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Tuesday. This brings the total flights into the cyclone-ravaged country up to 36, with more than 800,000 pounds of relief supplies delivered, Whitman said.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.21.08)

Aero-Linx!

The Federation of Galaxy Explorers seeks to inspire and educate kids in space related science and engineering. Galaxy Explorers was created to prepare children for the future; a future that advances a space faring civilization.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.21.08): Magnetotail

Aero-Terms!

The portion of a planetary magnetosphere which is pushed in the direction of the solar wind.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.21.08)

"Basically for the last 40 years, I have worked seven-day weeks, at least 12 hours a day. Hopefully, when we make this transition... I'll have a few weekends off."

Source: Herb Kelleher, who after chairing Wednesday's annual meeting of stockholders at Southwest Airlines, will step back into an officially undefined role which will keep him on the airline's payroll until at least 2013. Kelleher started the airline, originally called Air Southwest, with businessman Rollin King in 1967.