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May 26, 2009

Space Command Officials: GPS Standard 'Exceeded'

USAF Tries To Bolster Confidence In GPS After Recent Doubt Reports

Air Force Space Command officials maintain the Global Positioning System constellation that now has 30 operational satellites, six more than the standard required. "I have high confidence we will continue to sustain at least the 24 satellites required to maintain our current performance standard," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler, the Air Force Space Command commander.

Statement Issued By AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey

AIA is pleased with President Obama's nominations of retired General Charles Bolden as NASA administrator and Lori Garver as deputy administrator.

Helicopter Hurricane Unexpectedly Disrupts Memorial Day Parade

Ya know the guest that everyone looks forward to, because he or she is SO entertaining? Well, in the case of an appearance by an US Coast Guard Rescue Helo, some parade-goers got more excitement than they hoped for. Three people, two of them children, were injured when the rotor wash from a helicopter flyover broke tree limbs during Saturday's Morris Plains, NJ Memorial day Parade.

With the US House's passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2009, the Aircraft Electronics Association is relived to see FAA funding moving forward in this manner; however, the AEA is disappointed H.R. 915 includes language requiring FAA representative to conduct two annual inspections of foreign Part 145 certificated repair facilities.

Airshows Prove To Be Too Popular To Miss!

Although much of the country has experienced unusually poor weather during the first two months of the 2009 air show season, the initial trend toward higher attendance has continued throughout the country. MCAS Beaufort (5/16-17) in South Carolina had heavy rain on Sunday, but near record crowds on Saturday...

Another Milestone For The Engine Alliance...

The Engine Alliance shipped the first GP7200 propulsor to Emirates on May 21. The delivery marks the first time the Engine Alliance and member company Pratt & Whitney have delivered a propulsor, rather than a full engine, to any airline.

Model Helos Used to Smuggle CellPhones Into Prison

RC Copter Not Big Enough To Get The Prisoners Out, So...

'We Didn't Think They'd Notice...' Four people were arrested outside Brazil's Presidente Venceslau penitentiary in Sao Paulo state, charged with attempting to smuggle cell phones into the prison using a remote-controlled helicopter (file photos, below).

But Overall Industry Jobs Are Down

Figures released today by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Transportation Statistic (BTS) show that U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.3 percent more pilots and 5.9 percent more maintenance workers in 2008 than in 2007 while total industry jobs declined by 3.0 percent.

Questions The Logic While The Airport Is For Sale

Three airlines are asking British airport company BAA to cut back on improvements at Gatwick airport, saying the airports' passsenger load does not warrant the project's $1.4 billion price tag.

CBP Access Now Available At Lansing

A new US Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station opened to the public, Tuesday, at the Capital Region International Airport. The ribbon-cutting ceremony revealed a new $4.3 million, 17,500 square foot facility located at the east end of the main terminal.

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 05.26.09

The US holiday weekend is a tough one for GA accidents.
The US House votes to fund the FAA without user fees.
And Randy Babbitt is confirmed as FAA Administrator.

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 05.26.09

The US holiday weekend is a tough one for GA accidents.
The US House votes to fund the FAA without user fees.
And Randy Babbitt is confirmed as FAA Administrator.

More AERO-Casts

ANN Special Feature: CFI Bob Miller: What Pilots Forget - 05.26.09

ANN's Paul Plack talks with CFI Bob Miller of Over The Airwaves about observations from flight reviews with experienced pilots. Is it really possible that after years or decades of flying, pilots c

More AERO-Casts

Aero-News Featured Aero-Casts For Tuesday 05.26.09

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 05.26.09 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 05.26.09 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature: CFI Bob Miller: What Pilots Forget - 05.26.09 (ANN Special Report, with CFI Bob Miller)

Game-Changing Products Like These Are Re-Making The World of Aviation

One of the most pleasant aspects of flying a Technologically Advanced Aircraft over the last few months, are the many new capabilities they bring and the safety that results. While there is always the risk of "info-glut," we've come to particularly appreciate those products that do their job simply, aggressively and with an eye to the future. In ANN's Cirrus G3 Turbo, our 'Aviator' package has become more than just a great tool, but a pivotal means by which we get our traveling done effectively and safely.

More Videos

Mystery: Was Bakeng Duce Experimental A/C Break-Up Actually A Mid-Air??

FAA Looking For Another Aircraft That May Have Been In Collision

Ouch... here's a fascinating, but curious, NTSB prelim... one in which there seems to be some question as to why an experimental Bakeng Duce (a really lovely airplane with some excellent handling qualities) came apart and impacted the ground near Ramona CA, with fatal results for the two aboard.

Game-Changing Products Like These Are Re-Making The World of Aviation

One of the most pleasant aspects of flying a Technologically Advanced Aircraft over the last few months, are the many new capabilities they bring and the safety that results. While there is always the risk of "info-glut," we've come to particularly appreciate those products that do their job simply, aggressively and with an eye to the future. In ANN's Cirrus G3 Turbo, our WxWorx 'Aviator' package has become more than just a great tool, but a pivotal means by which we get our traveling done effectively and safely.

No Answer To Radio Comm Seems To Be First Hint Of Impending Landing Collision

Last week's midair landing accident between a Pitts Model 12 and a Cessna Skyhawk appears to have some roots in an incomplete radio call. While the Cessna saw and inquired if the Pitts Model 12 had him in sight, no answer was given and the Cessna had no clue of the impending collision hazard until the big radial-engine-powered bipe settled on top of him. Thankfully, there were only minor injuries, but two aircraft were greatly damaged as a result.

Thales Aerospace to Idle French Plants For Two Weeks

Though most of France reportedly take most of August as vacation anyway ... Thales, the French Aerospace and Defense Electronics Group, says it will suspend operations in its aerospace plants for two weeks during the month in an effort to save money and reduce inventories.

For A Change... A Positive Aircraft Sighting In The Skies Over New York!

It sure is a pleasure to detail a story in which aircraft sighted over the city of New York are viewed in a positive light. Two Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys were the first of their kind to fly in New York City’s skies and did so during Fleet Week’s opening day -- the headlines that resulted were all positive (and NO ONE at the White House has had to issue an apology -- grin).

An "American Heroes" helicopter-only airshow is set for June 20th at Seattles' Museum of Flight at Boeing Field.Sponsored by the Seattle chapter of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association ... this is the 5th year that the airshow will be held at the Museum.

When The President Is In Residence, Stay Farther Away

What you don't know may hurt you -- or, at least, scare the (deleted ) out of you. The pilots of three aircraft flew into the temporarily-expanded Prohibited airspace over Camp David this weekend, and each was greeted by an F-15 fighter jet for their mistake.

DART Aerospace Ltd., has received ANAC approval for their A119 / AW 119MKII Heli-Access-Steps, after previous approvals from Transport Canada, FAA and EASA.

Aspect Ratio The ratio of the span to the chord of an airfoil—a high-aspect ratio wing has wide span and narrow chord, and vice-versa for a low-aspect ratio wing.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.26.09)

Aero-Linx: MCAS New River The homepgae for MCAS New River has one of the best taglines in the business... "Pardon Our Noise, It's The Sound Of Freedom." MCAS New River, the home to a number of aircraft including the AH-1W Super Cobra, CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter, CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter, UH-1N Huey Helicopter, MV-22 Osprey, and C-12, is based in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

“For the people of New York, we hope to build some confidence by showing the Marine Corps’ newest aircraft flying around their city. [This event] builds confidence in the [aircraft] that we made the transition to and that the Marine Corps has embraced future technology and that we are able to provide the Osprey for display to the citizens of New York.”

Source: MV-22 Pilot/Capt. Zachary R. Webb, pilot, VMM-162, talking about the first public display of the MV-22 in the skies over NYC, during Fleet Week.