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Articles from
March 2007
| Friday, March 30, 2007 |
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Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Delivers First Aircraft
By FlyingNews @ 3:31 PM :: 284 Views ::
0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers, Small Aircraft Manufacturers
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Just two days after the launch of the new company, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation delivered its first aircraft to commercial and government customers. A Beechcraft Bonanza G36 was delivered to Vic Flegler and the keys to a new T-6A Texan II primary trainer were handed to Capt. Brent Looby and Capt. Matt Pearce (USMC) from Vance Air Force Base.
“Over the past several days in meetings with employees and customers, I have referenced the Beechcraft and Hawker books that describes the history of our great company, and that we will now begin to write the next book setting forth the future history of Hawker Beechcraft,” said Jim Schuster, chairman and CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. “These two deliveries will be included in the first chapter of that new book.”
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| Friday, March 30, 2007 |
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MAIDEN FLIGHT OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST MULTI-ROLE HELICOPTER – MRH-90
By FlyingNews @ 3:23 PM :: 145 Views ::
0 Comments :: Government
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The first of Australia’s 46 MRH-90 conducted its maiden flight today in Marignane, France. The aircraft flew for 1.5 hours and the Eurocopter test crew were delighted with its performance.
The first 4 MRH-90 are on schedule for delivery into Australia by the end of 2007, and the first fuselage of the 42 aircraft to be assembled in Australia arrived in Brisbane on 27 March.
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| Friday, March 30, 2007 |
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The A380 makes a big impression during its U.S. debut
By FlyingNews @ 7:52 AM :: 134 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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The A380 has completed a highly successful series of route proving flights, underscoring the aircraft's ability to operate at gateways around the world - while also generating excitement that comes with the introduction of a new way to fly.
These latest evaluations involved the participation of A380 customer Lufthansa and were focused primarily on the United States, with the aircraft making visits to New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The A380 was given an enthusiastic welcome at each of the American stopovers, and it provided impressive demonstrations of the aircraft's low noise levels, excellent manoeuvrability and interoperability with various airport runways, taxiways and terminal facilities.
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| Friday, March 30, 2007 |
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Committee Examines the Progress and Problems of the Next Generation Air Transportation System Initiative
By FlyingNews @ 7:49 AM :: 289 Views ::
0 Comments :: FAA, Government
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The House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics today examined the status of the Next Generation Air Transportation System initiative (also known as NGATS or NextGen) and explored key issues related to the initiative and the federal interagency Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO).
The success of the NextGen programs is “important because it concerns the future of America’s air transportation system, and the question is whether we will have a system that will be able to meet the needs of our 21st century economy,” said Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO). “I think we can all agree that we need to get this right for the health of our economy, the quality of life of our citizens, the safety of the flying public and our international competitiveness.”
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| Thursday, March 29, 2007 |
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Northrop Grumman Forms World-Class KC-30 Tanker Industry Team to Compete for U.S. Air Force Tanker Replacement Program
By FlyingNews @ 7:40 AM :: 126 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has assembled a powerful industrial team to produce the KC-30 Tanker air refueling aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
"We're extremely pleased with the team of world-class partners we've assembled to build and integrate this highly capable and versatile weapon system for the Air Force," said Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman's vice president of Air Mobility Systems and general manager of the KC-30 Tanker program. "In addition to being the most modern, capable tanker available, the KC-30 provides the Air Force with flexibility to meet current and future challenges."
Partner companies on Northrop Grumman's KC-30 Tanker program include EADS (European Aerospace Defence and Space Company), GE Aviation, Sargent Fletcher, Honeywell, Smiths Aerospace, Parker Aerospace, AAR Cargo Systems, Telephonics Corporation and General Dynamics.
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| Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
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Red Bull Air Race World Series Lands Two Exotic U.S. Stops in 2007
By FlyingNews @ 8:11 AM :: 191 Views ::
0 Comments :: Aerobatics, Flying Events
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The Red Bull Air Race World Series thrusts into high gear in 2007, with U.S. stops in Monument Valley, UT, and San Diego, CA. Raising the stakes to a jarring new level, the Red Bull Air Race will showcase three new elite pilots and an improved racing format that will guarantee thrills to top last year's international success.
Launched in 2005, the Red Bull Air Race World Series is unlike any other form of air racing and is the pinnacle of high-speed precision flying. It's not just a test of speed, but a challenge of skill. Pilots are using the world's lightest, most agile and responsive planes. Stamina and skill determine who will be the next Red Bull Air Race World Series champion
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| Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
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AVIATION INDUSTRY LEADER ELLING HALVORSON LEADS INVESTMENT GROUP TO ACQUIRE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE MODIFICATION COMPANY SOLOY CORPORATION
By FlyingNews @ 8:05 AM :: 217 Views ::
0 Comments :: Small Aircraft Manufacturers, Aircraft Engines
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Seattle, Washington -- Elling Halvorson, chairman of Papillon Airways, Inc., announced that he and a team of investors composed of leading helicopter industry executives have acquired Soloy Corporation of Olympia, Washington. “Soloy is a great strategic fit for our portfolio, providing us with proven leadership, a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, and the ability to perform complex aircraft modifications,” said Halvorson. “Soloy’s experience in airframe design and Supplemental Type Certificates makes them an excellent choice for performing a wide range of upgrade programs.”
The leadership of both parties approved the transaction and the deal was finalized October 13, 2004. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Soloy LLC (Soloy) will operate as a stand alone company and will remain located in Olympia, Washington.
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| Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
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Islas Airways Orders 6 ATR 72-500s
By FlyingNews @ 7:48 AM :: 267 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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ATR and Canary Islands-based Islas Airways announced today the signature of a contract for 6 new ATR 72-500s for a total value of around US $ 110 million. For the first time the airline is adding new “–500 series” ATR aircraft to its fleet, currently composed of 1 ATR 42-300 and 4 ATR 72-200s. The deal has been inked in the Canary Islands by Filippo Bagnato, ATR CEO, and Miguel Concepción Cáceres, Islas Airways CEO.
These six aircraft, configured with 70 seats, will be equipped with the new “Elegance Cabin”, Light Emitting Diode (LED) and with the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools. The airline will take delivery of two aircraft in 2007, two in 2008 and two in 2009.
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| Tuesday, March 27, 2007 |
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Rolls-Royce and Embraer celebrate the 2,000th AE3007 engine delivery
By FlyingNews @ 7:54 AM :: 131 Views ::
0 Comments :: Aircraft Engines
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Rolls-Royce and Embraer celebrated the delivery of the 2,000th AE3007 engine during a ceremony on March 22 at Embraer’s facility in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The AE3007 has powered Embraer’s ERJ family of regional jets and Legacy Business Jet for a decade.
Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Sir John Rose presented Embraer President and CEO Mauricio Botelho with a customized gift commemorating the event.
Sir John Rose said: “Rolls-Royce is proud to have been an integral part of Embraer’s impressive development, growth and success over the past decade. We believe that our expertise and worldwide support network has made a significant contribution towards the success of Embraer, which has become a very significant and important customer for Rolls-Royce. We look forward to building on our relationship with new aircraft, new engines and new opportunities.”
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| Monday, March 26, 2007 |
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First Licence Built EH101 Delivered By Kawasaki
By FlyingNews @ 9:42 AM :: 104 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce the delivery by Kawasaki of the first ever licence built EH101 helicopter to their Customer, the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF). The aircraft was accepted by the customer on the 23rd March at Kawasaki Aerospace’s Gifu plant in Japan. The aircraft is the second MCH101 to be delivered to the JMSDF, the first having been assembled at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility prior to delivery to Kawasaki for customization and completion.
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| Saturday, March 24, 2007 |
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U.S. and Argentina Initial Expanded Civil Aviation Agreement
By FlyingNews @ 8:10 AM :: 121 Views ::
0 Comments :: Government
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Civil-aviation negotiators from the United States and Argentina have reached agreement in principle to amend their bilateral Air Transport Service Agreement to allow expanded air service between the two countries. If formally approved by the two governments, the new amendments will:
* Immediately increase the number of weekly passenger frequencies that U.S. and Argentine airlines may operate between the two countries from 56 to 77 and, by March 2009, double the number of frequencies to 112;
* Increase by 2009 the number of American cities Argentine airlines may serve from nine to 14;
* Significantly expand the route rights for Argentine carriers on their U.S.-connected service to destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Europe and Asia;
* Allow an unlimited number of charter flights between the two countries; and
* Modernize the existing agreement's provisions on aviation security and pricing.
The agreement in principle was reached after talks March 20-22 in Washington between an Argentine delegation, led by Ricardo Alberto Cirielli, Under Secretary for Commercial Air Transport in the Argentine Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services, and a U.S. delegation chaired by State's Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs that also included officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The proposed amendments affect only passenger service. The United States and Argentina concluded an Open Skies agreement for cargo service in 2000.
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| Saturday, March 24, 2007 |
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FAA Identifies New Way to Handle Air Traffic
By FlyingNews @ 7:51 AM :: 118 Views ::
0 Comments :: FAA
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A new way of handling air traffic in and around New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia will help reduce delays and will make air travel more reliable, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said today.
After extensive analysis and public hearings in five states — New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut — the FAA has identified its preferred airspace redesign alternative for the New York area. That plan would combine high-altitude and low-altitude airspace to create more efficient arrival and departure routes. The preferred alternative is one of four proposals being studied.
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| Friday, March 23, 2007 |
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Rolls-Royce Trent 900 powers Airbus A380 in Hong Kong
By FlyingNews @ 11:10 AM :: 151 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers, Aircraft Engines
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Four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines power today’s Airbus A380 flight to Hong Kong. The Trent 900 has now accumulated over 9,000 flying hours on four of the five flight test A380s, and completed more than 31,000 cycles in ground running and on the aircraft.
During the flight test programme, the engine has been put through its paces in the most testing conditions, including the extremes of cold weather and hot and high performance, as well as taking the aircraft beyond altitudes and speeds it will ever see in service. Results have been excellent, confirming performance predictions. With the Trent 900-powered A380 achieving certification in December 2006, the Trent 900 has now met all its key targets.
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| Friday, March 23, 2007 |
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Castroville airport yanks gliders' path
By FlyingNews @ 10:47 AM :: 173 Views ::
0 Comments :: Gliders
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A special flight pattern for gliders at the city's airport was eliminated this week, as a federal official had strongly recommended for both legal and liability reasons.
Mayor Pro Tem Hank Seay III approved the new takeoff-and-landing route last year to defuse what he called serious safety concerns stemming from a feud between a glider business and other pilots.But Ed Chambers of the Federal Aviation Administration said that proper clearance for the change wasn't obtained and, if an accident occurred: "You're out on the far end of the tree limb."
The flight pattern was among the concerns about the airstrip — now the subject of local, state and federal inquiries — that Chambers raised at a joint meeting of the City Council and airport advisory board.
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| Friday, March 23, 2007 |
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ABX AIR PURCHASES BOEING 767 AIRCRAFT
By FlyingNews @ 10:28 AM :: 152 Views ::
0 Comments :: Air Cargo
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ABX Air, Inc. (Nasdaq:ABXA) today said it has agreed to purchase a Boeing 767-223 aircraft formerly operated by American Airlines and will convert it from passenger to freighter configuration.
"We intend to seize opportunities to add to our Boeing 767 fleet when they become available under attractive terms," ABX Air President and CEO Joe Hete said. "This purchase reflects our confidence in both the economic value of 767s as highly efficient, mid-size freighters, as well as continued strong demand from shippers for the flexible, high quality airfreight services that ABX Air provides."
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| Thursday, March 22, 2007 |
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Update: EU Agrees To "Open Skies" Accord With U.S.
By FlyingNews @ 4:18 PM :: 105 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Government
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Brussels, Belgium (AHN) - The European Union has agreed to the "open skies" deal with the U.S. in order to expand competition between airlines.
The agreement will result in lower airline fares and increase yearly EU-U.S. traffic by 26 million passengers, according to a study for the European Commission. It will also reel in consumer savings of $16 billion spread over a period of five years and provide at least 72,000 new jobs.
"The agreement between the U.S. and the EU will bring new and valuable benefits to air travelers and communities on both sides of the Atlantic,'' U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters told Bloomberg news. " Tearing down regulatory barriers allows us to foster more affordable and convenient air travel and gives our airline industry more opportunities to compete, innovate and thrive.''
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| Thursday, March 22, 2007 |
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General aviation to get choice at airport
By FlyingNews @ 10:46 AM :: 144 Views ::
0 Comments :: General Aviation, Airports
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As soon as six months from now, Blue Grass Airport might have a second business offering fuel, maintenance and storage space for planes.
Air 51 LLC will become the second fixed-base operator at the airport, which is now served solely by TAC-AIR.
The airport's board voted yesterday to allow Air 51 to occupy just over 2 acres in the southeast quadrant of the airport property.
The company plans to spend $2 million on construction, including a fuel farm and a 12,000-square-foot hangar for aircraft maintenance and storage.
The hangar will include a conference room, flight planning area, sleep rooms, showers and a pilot's lounge.
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| Thursday, March 22, 2007 |
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Second KODIAK Aircraft Enters Flight Test Program
By FlyingNews @ 8:04 AM :: 140 Views ::
0 Comments :: General Aviation, Small Aircraft Manufacturers
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Quest Aircraft announced today the successful first flight of s/n 001, the first fully conforming production aircraft. N491KQ took to the skies on Friday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. from Quest’s facility at the Sandpoint Municipal Airport. The aircraft flew for approximately 45 minutes and performed as planned, meeting all specifications. N491KQ joins the KODIAK prototype in the FAA certification testing program.
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| Thursday, March 22, 2007 |
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Heliflite Signs A Contract For Eight AgustaWestland Helicopters
By FlyingNews @ 7:59 AM :: 182 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Heliflite Pty Ltd of Australia has signed a contract for eight new helicopters, including the AW119 Ke light single, the A109 Power, the Grand light twin and the AW139 medium twin. This contract is part of the framework of the existing multi-year contract and distribution agreement between AgustaWestland and Heliflite.
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| Wednesday, March 21, 2007 |
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| Wednesday, March 21, 2007 |
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| Wednesday, March 21, 2007 |
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Biplane at Luke Days Air Show
By FlyingNews @ 11:00 AM :: 137 Views ::
0 Comments :: Aerobatics, Flying Events
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Many high-powered airplanes will perform at the Luke Days Air Show this weekend at Luke Air Force Base, but many of the oohs and aahs will be directed at a fabric-covered biplane whose first model flew more than 50 years ago.
The Air Force Reserve biplane, piloted by Goodyear resident Ed "Hamster" Hamill, 40, will be the centerpiece in a show called "Living the Dream," which tells the story of air-show flight, with narration and music that takes the viewer from the era of the barnstormers in the 1920s through the competition flying of the 1950s and 1960s up to the current high-energy aerobatics Hamill calls "sky dancing."
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| Tuesday, March 20, 2007 |
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62 years ago, Tucsonan invaded Germany by air
By FlyingNews @ 3:54 PM :: 145 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Gliders
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Noel T. Addy flew three glider missions in World War II, and they were some of the most important in the war.
Addy, 87, of Tucson, sat down with Tucson Citizen photographer Gary Gaynor to tell his story on video, which can be seen at www.tucsoncitizen.com.
Gliders were used to get troops, often with special equipment, behind enemy lines. The flimsy aircraft were towed to targets by piston-powered airplanes and cut loose to find a clearing to set down in. The planes often broke apart when they landed.
Then the pilots were foot soldiers and often led the men they ferried into battle.
Saturday is the 62nd anniversary of the last glider mission of the war - Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine River and into Germany.
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| Tuesday, March 20, 2007 |
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Air, ground teamwork speeded pilot's rescue
By FlyingNews @ 3:47 PM :: 114 Views ::
0 Comments :: Flying Accidents
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After what can only be described as a wild night out, Medford resident Larry Kendrick stumbled into bed at around 10 a.m. Saturday.
But he couldn't have felt any better about his nocturnal adventure.
"It gives us a real good feeling when we get them out alive," said Kendrick, 65, a pilot with the local Civil Air Patrol.
"We had great teamwork — it was an outstanding effort," he added. "We were able to communicate with everyone. It went very well."
Kendrick and dozens of other emergency responders headed for the high Cascades late Friday after an 11:30 p.m. alert was issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue Division about a plane that was reported down in the mountains somewhere between Fish Mountain and Prospect.
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| Tuesday, March 20, 2007 |
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Embry-Riddle Edges Forward with 10 Diamond DA42 Aircraft
By FlyingNews @ 3:35 PM :: 143 Views ::
0 Comments :: General Aviation, Small Aircraft Manufacturers
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Flight students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will enjoy a jet-like training experience when the Daytona Beach campus takes delivery of 10 new Diamond DA42 Twin Star aircraft in the Summer and Fall semesters, 2007.
The university’s acquisition of the planes from Diamond Aircraft had been in the planning stage, but moved onto the fast track after a tornado destroyed most of the campus’s training fleet on Dec. 25, 2006.
The DA42 Twin Star’s sophisticated avionics qualify it as a “technically advanced aircraft,” a Federal Aviation Administration designation developed with help from faculty in Embry-Riddle’s aeronautical science program.
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| Tuesday, March 20, 2007 |
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Two A380s make history with near-simultaneous arrivals in New York and Los Angeles
By FlyingNews @ 7:38 AM :: 105 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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The A380 was welcomed in style by the United States today as two of the 21st century flagship jetliners touched down within minutes of each other at major hub airports on the country's east and west coasts.
New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport was the site of the first landing, as an A380 carrying approximately 500 persons landed at 12:10 p.m. This aircraft is performing a 12-day route proving trip organised jointly with German carrier Lufthansa, and it arrived on a non-stop flight from Frankfurt, Germany.
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| Tuesday, March 20, 2007 |
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Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust Orders an A119 Koala
By FlyingNews @ 7:36 AM :: 268 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce the sale of an A119 Koala helicopter to the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust of New Zealand. The arrival of the A119 Koala at Base Hospital will dramatically improve the capability of the Taranaki Rescue to provide emergency medical services in the Taranaki district, ranging from Waikawau (Tirau Point) in the north, inland to Tangarakau and south to the coast at Waitotara.
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| Monday, March 19, 2007 |
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Mobile Helicopter Killers Found and Destroyed in Iraq
By FlyingNews @ 12:38 PM :: 87 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Helicopters
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American troops in Iraq figured out how Iraqi terrorists had managed to ambush American helicopters with heavy machine-guns and get away with it. The Iraqis had used trucks with the machine-gun mounted in the back, and a tarp over metal supports (a common feature of military trucks) to conceal the weapon. The tarp was rigged so it could be quickly pulled aside, as well as the metal supports for the tarp. This enabled the heavy machine-gun to immediately open fire. There were four of these trucks, and they roamed around areas that American helicopters were operating above. One of these trucks was spotted, with its machine-gun revealed, by a UAV, after informants indicated that this was probably the weapon responsible. U.S. intelligence then analyzed video and other data they had, and put more UAVs over areas believed frequented by the trucks. On the ground, intelligence operatives began beating t | | | | | |