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November 20, 2009

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 11.20.09

The FAA says a router fouled up flight planning for four hours yesterday.
Connecticut NIMBYs are appealing to the US Supreme Court to stop the FAA.
And an emergency AD affecting Conti

More AERO-Casts

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 11.20.09

The FAA says a router fouled up flight planning for four hours yesterday.
Connecticut NIMBYs are appealing to the US Supreme Court to stop the FAA.
And an emergency AD affecting Conti

More AERO-Casts

ZZZZAP!! Boeing Laser Systems Destroy UAVs In Tests

Mobile Laser Weapon Systems Proves Ability To Perform A Unique Mission

It wasn't on the airborne platform ... yet ... but Boeing has demonstrated the ability of mobile laser weapon systems to perform a unique mission: track and destroy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Camera That Took Spectacular Photos Is Now A Museum Piece

Two key instruments from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have a new home in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington after being returned to Earth aboard space shuttle Atlantis last May.

Online Builder's Resource Has Helped Aircraft Builders And Restorers Since 2004

ExperCraft's Simple Log is celebrating five year of providing aircraft builders and restorers a simple and valuable resource for tracking and sharing projects since its initial release in November 2004. This free Web site has had an average of one new user sign up daily.

Facility To Be Built In Southern New Jersey

The FAA broke ground on October 19 for a new research park dedicated to exploring and advancing NextGen technologies. The agency is leasing 55 acres of land to the South Jersey Economic Development District to build an Aviation Research and Technology Park.

NASA's Wise Gets Ready To Survey The Whole Sky

Nine Month Mission May Find "Millions Of Objects"

NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or Wise, is chilled out, sporting a sunshade and getting ready to roll. NASA's newest spacecraft is scheduled to roll to the pad on Friday, its last stop before launching into space to survey the entire sky in infrared light.

Tells AIA 'Safety Must Come First'

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said in a speech to the Aerospace Industries Association that while UAS technology has shown some real promise, it is not "Plug and Play", and that "unmanned aircraft systems are not ready for seamless or routine use yet in civilian airspace."

Re-Engining Mods Now Approved In More Than 33 Countries

Canada’s Department of Transport has amended STC approval number SA06-54 for Sierra Industries, adding the Citation 550 and S550 models to their existing Williams FJ44 engine upgrades for Cessna Citation 500 and 501 aircraft.

"Uncle Wiggly Wings" Will Help Re-Enact Berlin Airlift Candy Drop

Last December, Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen put big smiles on the faces of Elizabeth City children when he sailed chocolates on tiny parachutes from the “Spirit of Freedom,” a restored 1945 Douglas C-54 aircraft.

Iconic Orange Helo Well Known In Coastal Communities

The Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter celebrated its 25th birthday Thursday. The service accepted the HH-65A Dolphin helicopter for service on Nov. 19, 1984. The Dolphin has served the Coast Guard well, and they have another 18 years to go in service before they will be replaced under the Deepwater program.

Agency Deemed "Clean" By The DOT IG

For the seventh consecutive year the National Transportation Safety Board's financial statements received an unqualified, or "clean," opinion from the Department of Transportation Inspector General. The results are from an audit conducted on the Safety Board's financial statements for Fiscal Year 2009.

AA Pitches Oneworld Funding Package To Keep JAL Alliance

Delta Is Courting Japanese Carrier For SkyTeam

Delta Airlines has proposed a package worth more than $1 billion to JAL in an effort to woo the Japanese carrier away from American Airlines and the oneworld Alliance. JAL already has an extensive codeshare agreement with American, but also codeshares with SkyTeam members such as KLM-Air France.

ANN Presents the Top News Making Headlines at the AOPA Summit 2009

November 5th through November 7th, an international assembly of over 7,500 aviation enthusiasts and industry leaders convened in Tampa, Florida, for the inaugural “AOPA Summit.” Visitors attended a multitude of forums, informational sessions, and a host of booths set up within the Tampa Convention Center. Vendors displayed their latest in general aviation technology including such products as avionics panels and audio setups. Attendees also had the opportunity to check out the newest aircraft models at the nearby Peter O’Knight Airport where they could tour a wide-array of company displays and participate in activities at AOPA’s Airportfest.

More Videos

Aero-TV: The Aero Associations Speak – Tom Poberezny on Aviation Recruitment

Poberezny Discusses How to Combat the Dwindling Pilot Population

On November 5th through November 7th, 2009, AOPA held their annual Aviation Summit at the Tampa Convention Center located in Tampa, Florida. Over 7,500 aviation enthusiasts attended various forums, speeches, as well as hundreds of booths featuring the latest in G.A. technology.

More Videos

Aero-TV: The Aero Associations Speak – Tom Poberezny on Aviation Recruitment

Poberezny Discusses How to Combat the Dwindling Pilot Population

On November 5th through November 7th, 2009, AOPA held their annual Aviation Summit at the Tampa Convention Center located in Tampa, Florida. Over 7,500 aviation enthusiasts attended various forums, speeches, as well as hundreds of booths featuring the latest in G.A. technology.

ANN Presents the Top News Making Headlines at the AOPA Summit 2009

November 5th through November 7th, an international assembly of over 7,500 aviation enthusiasts and industry leaders convened in Tampa, Florida, for the inaugural “AOPA Summit.” Visitors attended a multitude of forums, informational sessions, and a host of booths set up within the Tampa Convention Center.

Klyde Battles Flu Recovery... But At Least There's A B-36 Involved

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Obama Pledges Cooperation On Chinese Jet

Said He Would "Push" For U.S. Safety Approval

The topic of China's new ARJ21 regional jet was discussed during President Barack Obama's summit with Chinese leaders on Tuesday. Obama pledged he would advocate greater technical cooperation with the Chinese. He also said he would push for eventual safety approval of the ARJ21 commuter jet.

Tries To Stop "Revolving Door" For FAA Employees

In a move to prevent potential conflicts of interests that could affect aviation safety, the FAA is proposing to put limits on airlines and other operators hiring FAA safety inspectors and their managers for two years after those employees leave the agency.

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 11.20.09 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program)

ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 11.20.09 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature: Part II - EAA President Tom Poberezny - 11.20.09 (ANN Special Report, with EAA Boss, Tom Poberezny)

Rolls Onto The Tarmac In Special "Light" Livery

Boeing moved the first 747-8 Freighter out of the paint hangar in Everett, Washington, Tuesday night sporting a special "light" livery. The 747-8 Freighter unveiled a new twist on the Boeing Commercial Airplanes livery. It features an oversized "8" on the background of the tail as well as "747-8" on the belly.

McNerney Says Figure Not Finalized, But Not As Many As In 2009

Boeing Chairman and CEO Jim McNerney (pictured) said he expects more job cuts to be coming at Boeing in 2010, but how many had yet to be determined. The cuts would be in addition to the 10,000 already planned by the company.

Efficient Product Range Positioned For Long Term Industry Growth

Airbus announced commitments across its broad product range covering a total of 33 aircraft, valued at over $5.3 billion, during the 2009 Dubai Air Show. These commitments include firm orders for 15 aircraft worth more than $3.6 billion, plus MoU agreements for 18 additional aircraft.

FAA Issues Safety Alert For Learjet 60 Training

Action Follows Incident In Which Thrust Reversers Were A Factor

The FAA has issued a SAFO outlining training procedures for pilots of Learjet 60 aircraft. The SAFO is designed to ensure that Learjet 60 Training curriculums properly address the best practices on recognizing thrust reverser(s) stowage while commanding deployment during takeoff and landing phases of flight.

"We're committed to making sure operators don't hire their former FAA inspectors and create even a perception of inappropriate activities." Source: FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

AIRMET In-flight weather advisories issued only to amend the area forecast concerning weather phenomena which are of operational interest to all aircraft and potentially hazardous to aircraft having limited capability because of lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications.

Berlin Air Lift

We were researching a story today where a piece of the historic "Berlin Air Lift" will be re-enacted in North Carolina, which let us to this page from the Truman library describing the actual event. It's a great reminder that, even, or maybe especially, in wartime, airplanes are used for good things.