The chance that America's shuttle fleet will return to flight by September or October is growing mighty slim. So says NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "I have my doubts the September-October time frame will be met," O'Keefe said. "We will determine that next week."

SkyWest Airlines says it's thrilled to welcome a third aircraft type into their modern fleet of regional aircraft, the 70-passenger Bombardier manufactured Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ700). The jet will begin service on Sunday, February 15, between Salt Lake City, Denver, and Wichita, Kansas.

Two more influential members of Congress have weighed in on the proposed FAA rule on FAR Part 91 charity and sightseeing operations, saying it is a bad one that should not be implemented. In separate letters, Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) of the Senate aviation subcommittee and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) of the House aviation subcommittee say the FAA's analysis of the need for the rule is flawed. In formal comments filed with the FAA, the government of the State of Tennessee agrees. Larsen and the State of Tennessee call for a complete reevaluation of the FAA's data.

On Thursday, bankrupt United Airlines launched a new lower-fare affiliate called Ted, with an inaugural flight from Denver to Ft. Lauderdale. Billed as a hip alternative to such low-fare rivals as JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, Ted supposedly combines bargain prices with outstanding service. United may be one of the finest in the air for passenger service, but is this really a differentiator in the world of no-frills airlines? Uh, no.

Within the coming year, Boeing Commercial Aircraft sales reps could see their travel reduced considerably from going around the world to going across the parking lot. The client: Boeing's defense operation.

The Lockheed Martin Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) has been selected as a finalist in the Missiles and Military Aviation category of the Flight International Aerospace Industry Awards 2004. The final winners will be announced at a ceremony on the evening of February 25 at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia hotel in Singapore during the Asian Aerospace show. This is the second consecutive year that the Aerospace Industry Awards committee has selected LOCAAS for recognition.

"I have my doubts the September-October time frame will be met. We will determine that next week." Source: NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, who says the shuttle program's return to flight may be delayed well into 2005. The space agency faces problems meeting recommendations from the Columbia Accident Investigation Board -- recommendations O'Keefe has personally promised to put into practice before the shuttles fly again.

AD NUMBER 2004-03-15 MANUFACTURER: Bombardier SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes, that currently requires a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repair, if necessary; installation of additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; and application of sealant to rivet heads. This amendment requires adding an additional modification of the electrical wires in certain sections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an uncommanded shutdown of an engine during fligh