Ten Hour Evacuation Points Out Field-Testing Weaknesses
When Fort Wayne International Airport (IN) was evacuated for ten
hours last week, airport officials say they came to the conclusion
that field tests for potentially dangerous chemicals is, well,
lacking.
How Did British Reporters Sneak Fake Bomb On Plane?
In a media stunt reminiscent of the NBC fiasco in
St. Louis, an undercover reporter for Britain's Sun
newspaper smuggled a fake bomb aboard a jetliner in central
England. He even took a picture of himself holding the erzats
device while in the baggage hold of the aircraft.
Critics Foresee Another 9/11 If Security Isn't Tightened
Scheduled charters and air taxis are being blasted by critics,
who say they fly under the radar of the Transportation Security
Administration and the FAA, exploiting huge security loopholes and
posing a threat to homeland security.
TSA to Evaluate Explosives Detection Technologies to Enhance
Air Cargo Security
In an effort to enhance inspection of break-bulk air cargo, the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), this week began an
Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of explosives detection
devices at several commercial air cargo-handling facilities.
The Very Best (And Worst) of Oshkosh 2004! (Part Two)
For quite a while, we have recognized the highs and lows
inherent in the general and sport aviation community. There are but
a few places where that is more a propos than at a major event like
the Oshkosh Fly-In.
Say, is the FAA trying to slip one past us? That's the question
on North Carolina's Pamlico Sound, where notification of the public
comment period regarding two newly proposed MOAs has been somewhat
lacking.
Opponents to Chicago's multi-billion dollar expansion plans for
O'Hare Airport say the FAA should look at the big picture. Now,
they've filed an official objection with the government, hoping to
prove their point.
Says Mandatory Drug/Alcohol Testing Will Drag Small Shops
Under
The Federal Aviation Administration "lacks a factual basis" to
support the expansion of substance abuse testing, according to the
Small Business Administration (SBA). Under the FAA's proposed rule,
thousands of metal finishers, machine shops, dry cleaners and other
small businesses would have to perform mandatory alcohol and drug
testing of employees if they perform maintenance, even as
subcontractors, for a commercial air carrier, no matter how far
removed contractually from the air carrier they may be.
The Ambiguous Amphibians May Retract/Extend... Once Each
Flight
A recent ANN report covered the FAA meaning of "Repositional
landing gear" for Light Sport Aircraft. Because the Sport Pilot and
Light Sport Aircraft rule is brand new, there is much
interpretation and clarification going on within the aviation
community and FAA itself. In fact such interpretation and
reinterpretation goes on constantly even with rules that have been
in practice for decades.
Every once in a while -- when we see a picture that strikes our
fancy -- we put it up on the web as the Picture Of The Day. In this
case, our picture takes us up north, where the weather is certainly
cooler and the waters are calm this time of year. ANN Contributor
Rose Dorcey sent us this great shot of a Piper Cub on floats. We
can't think of anywhere we'd rather be.
Australia is beefing up aviation security at regional airports
throughout the country, according to ABC Radio. The $35 million
(US) package includes funding for four rapid-deployment federal
police squads and closed circuit TV security systems for some
airports.
In South Dakota, aviation is a good thing.
So says Governor Mike Rounds, a pilot since the age of 17. Whenever
he takes the state's 1988 Beech King Air -- he flies the aircraft
as part of the crew. Not only does the governor get some stick
time, but he saves the state the cost of another crew member.
Anti-Sub Squadron On Front Lines Of Counter-Drug Ops
The "Jaguars" of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) (HSL)
60, Det. 1, of Mayport (FL) returned July 19 from their first
extended deployment since the squadron’s inception three
years ago. The Jaguars and their accompanying cruiser USS
Ticonderoga (CG 47) set new records for both drug confiscation and
prisoner apprehension during a single deployment.
Two people were killed Monday when a French Mirage 2000 fighter
collided with a single-engine ultralight over Clermont-Ferrand.
Both fatalities were on board the ultralight.
"Technology is a friend and an enemy to us," said Beier. "If
we're going to have this continued threat of terrorism ... then
we're going to have to develop some kind of capability, even if it
is just an intermediate step."
Source: Fort Wayne (IN) Homeland Security Director
Bernie Beier speaking with local reporters about the ten-hour
evacuation of the local airport after a smelly liquid began to ooze
from a piece of unattended luggage. Although one person became
violently ill and seven others had to receive medical treatment,
the liquid turned out to be rose water, used in the formulation of
perfume. Beier and others say bio-chemical response in Fort Wayne
is terribly lacking, but doesn't know where the state could come up
with the $30 million needed to build a ne
It appears that a major Russian aviation tragedy has occurred.
Two airliners are reported down... having taken off from the same
location, Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, at nearly the same
time. No survivors have been reported.