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Articles from
June 2007
| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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Brazilian carrier TAM to acquire 22 A350 XWBs and four additional A330-200s
By FlyingNews @ 1:54 PM :: 119 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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Leading Brazilian carrier TAM Linhas Aéreas has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 22 A350 XWBs, as well as for four additional A330-200s. TAM was the launch customer for the A350 in Latin America when it signed a contract for ten aircraft in December 2005. Since then, and after a thorough evaluation of the new A350 XWB programme, TAM has more than doubled its requirement for the aircraft.
TAM currently operates a fleet of 86 Airbus aircraft, including 15 A319s, 61 A320s and ten A330-200s, and is Airbus' largest customer in Latin America.
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| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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Uzbekistan Airways signs contract for six A320s
By FlyingNews @ 11:50 AM :: 117 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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Uzbekistan Airways, Uzbekistan's national carrier, has signed a firm order for six Airbus A320 aircraft, further enlarging its Airbus fleet. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony in Tashkent.
The decision of the airline for Airbus follows a thorough evaluation process. The new A320s will replace older aircraft in the framework of Uzbekistan Airways' fleet modernisation programme, reducing fuel consumption and operating costs. The engines have yet to be chosen.
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| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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Israel Civil Aviation Authority Issues Permit to Allow IAI Heron UAV to Operate in Israel Airspace
By FlyingNews @ 11:37 AM :: 133 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation
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The Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has received a Special UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Type Permit from the Israel Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate in Israel airspace for non-military missions.
The CAA permit was issued after Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)'s Malat UAV Division successfully complied with the requirements and procedures established by the CAA to regulate all non-military UAV operations in Israel. The Director of the CAA appointed a special certification committee to review current and future civil UAV certification issues. The permit allows Heron UAV to be operated in full coordination with Israeli Air Traffic Control regulations. Heron is the first MALE UAV to be granted a civil permit to operate in Israeli airspace.
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| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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CIRRUS Unveils "the-jet"
By FlyingNews @ 11:35 AM :: 116 Views ::
0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers
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True to its word, Cirrus Design Corporation yesterday fulfilled its promise to a select group of customers by giving them the world's first look at "the-jet" – the most anticipated aircraft in the company's history. Each guest had placed a $100,000 deposit for their first “personal” jet in this new and exciting market.
The company’s tight control of the project was evidenced even further by the fact that its own employees who were not directly working on the project were not able to see "the-jet" until hours before the depositors' showing Wednesday night. Today, the rest of the world witnessed the same dramatic unveiling at a special event held at the company's Duluth, Minnesota headquarters.
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| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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Cessna Announces Agreement with Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH
By FlyingNews @ 11:18 AM :: 130 Views ::
0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers, Small Aircraft Manufacturers, Aircraft Engines
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Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today it has reached agreement with Germany’s Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH to collaborate on future programs centered on the Thielert diesel engine. Details are scheduled to be announced later this year.
“We think the Thielert engine may provide a very worthwhile power option for many of our customers since it runs on jet fuel and diesel,” said Cessna Vice President, Worldwide Propeller Aircraft Sales John Doman. “We have had discussions with Frank Thielert and his group for some time, and we think the time is right to move forward.”
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| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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BRADSHAW AIRFIELD BUILT IN LESS THAN 4 WEEKS
By FlyingNews @ 11:09 AM :: 109 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation
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A team of Australian and United States military engineers has successfully built an air strip in less than four weeks capable of taking the giant C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA) in the Northern Territory.
The Joint Rapid Airfield Construction (JRAC) project team used technologies such as remote control plant equipment, GPS location software and deployable communication systems to build the unsealed landing strip and service aprons. Construction began on 3 June.
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| Friday, June 29, 2007 |
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Eurocopter EC145 is first commercial Helicopter to be certified for civil Night-Vision Goggle Operations
By FlyingNews @ 11:05 AM :: 102 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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Following a joint effort between Eurocopter and the airworthiness authorities EASA (Europe), FAA (USA) and TCCA (Canada), the EASA accorded Eurocopter, on May 31, 2007, the first certification providing the EC145 with an Night-Vision Goggle (NVG) aided operation capability. Eurocopter is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to offer this capability to civil operators.
The certification program has been performed on an EC145 configuration based on the French Sécurité Civile configuration. This configuration is using, among others, the MEGHAS display systems and CMA3000 flight management system.
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| Wednesday, June 27, 2007 |
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Singapore Airlines powers ahead with latest Rolls-Royce Trent
By FlyingNews @ 12:59 PM :: 130 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Aircraft Engines
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Rolls-Royce announced today that it had secured agreement with Singapore Airlines to supply the latest version of its Trent engine series for a new fleet of 20 Airbus A350 XWB twinjets.
The value of the business, involving Trent XWB engines, is $800 million at list prices. In addition, the engines will be maintained by Rolls-Royce through a 12-year TotalCare services agreement. Deliveries will take place between 2013 and 2015.
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| Wednesday, June 27, 2007 |
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Merlin Helicopters to arrive imminently from Denmark
By FlyingNews @ 12:57 PM :: 120 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation
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Six state of the art Merlin helicopters will be transferred from Denmark to the UK under a memorandum of understanding signed today by both governments.
The first of these helicopters will arrive in the UK shortly and will be integrated into the UK fleet, ready for operations in 2008.
The Ministry of Defence has also entered into a contract with Agusta Westland to produce six new Merlin helicopters for Denmark as a replacement for the six transferred.
You can read the article here.
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| Wednesday, June 27, 2007 |
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NASA's Shuttle Endeavour Set for Move to Vehicle Assembly Building
By FlyingNews @ 12:53 PM :: 122 Views ::
0 Comments :: NASA
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In preparation for the STS-118 mission to the International Space Station, NASA is scheduled to rollover space shuttle Endeavour from its hanger, the Orbiter Processing Facility, to the Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building on Monday, July 2.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, crews will mate Endeavour to its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters.
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| Wednesday, June 27, 2007 |
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Boeing to End Parts Production Operations in Tennessee
By FlyingNews @ 12:48 PM :: 103 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it will end parts production operations at the Oak Ridge, Tenn., site by the first quarter of 2008. In addition, the Oak Ridge site's other key customer, USEC Inc., together with BWX Technologies, Inc., today announced their decision to enter into a long-term contract for BWXT to assume responsibility for production of centrifuge components in Oak Ridge.
The decision to end parts production operations was made because the facility no longer has sufficient Commercial Airplanes or other parts production work to remain in operation. Exiting Oak Ridge is also part of the continued consolidation and alignment of parts manufacturing capability and capacity across Boeing Fabrication facilities. In July, Boeing will begin the first in a series of 60-day layoff notices to employees in association with this announcement.
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| Tuesday, June 26, 2007 |
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Mayhem at the airshow
By FlyingNews @ 1:25 PM :: 128 Views ::
0 Comments :: Flying Accidents, Helicopters
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Three people were injured when a door fell off a helicopter and hurtled at speed to the ground shortly after the craft had taken off at the Salthill Airshow.
Both gardai and the Irish Aviation Authority launched separate investigations last night as the injured, a Polish man and two Irish women were being treated at University College Hospital in Galway.
The British Army helicopter had just become airborne towards the end of the show - the biggest free air spectacular in Europe - attended by a crowd estimated at 80,000.
You can read the article here.
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| Monday, June 25, 2007 |
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Spain Chooses GE Engines for its NH90 Helicopters
By FlyingNews @ 1:21 PM :: 123 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters, Aircraft Engines
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Spain Ministry of Defense has selected GE engines to power 45 NH90 helicopters with its advanced CT7-8F5 engine and related services. These aircraft are included in the Armed Forces Modernization Program (procurement approved by the Minister Council in May 2005.)
The combined value of the competitive performance of the CT7-8F5 engine and the related GE industrial commitment were key to this contract award. GE will implement an industrial plan that will focus on the development and diversification of the Spanish aeronautical industry.
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| Monday, June 25, 2007 |
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ATR announces sale to Malaysia Airlines and reaches 900th aircraft ordered
By FlyingNews @ 1:05 PM :: 108 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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ATR disclosed today the decision by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to acquire a fleet of 10 ATR 72-500s plus options for 10 additional aircraft. The contract, valued at US $ 183 million, has been inked in the presence of His Excellence Abdullah Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Romano Prodi, the Italian Prime Minister.
The aircraft are intended for the expansion of Firefly - subsidiary airline 100 % owned by MAS - which will establish its hubs in Penang, Subang, Yohoar Baharau, and Kota Kinabalu. The ATR aicraft will progressively replace the current Fokker 50 aircraft fleet of the airline.
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| Monday, June 25, 2007 |
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easyJet buys a further 35 Airbus A319s
By FlyingNews @ 12:47 PM :: 120 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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European low-cost carrier easyJet has signed a contract for 35 additional Airbus A319 aircraft taking their total order for the aircraft to 227.
The aircraft will be powered by CFM-56 engines from CFM-International.
Marking easyJet's rapid Airbus fleet expansion since their first Airbus aircraft was delivered in September 2003, the company took delivery of their 100th Airbus A319 in April 2007. Today, easyJet operates the world’s largest fleet of A319s, one of the world's youngest aircraft fleets, benefiting from the latest technologies for lower fuel burn for an environmentally friendlier aircraft.
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| Monday, June 25, 2007 |
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AgustaWestland And Kaigai Aviotech Corporation Sign Distribution Agreement At The Paris Air Show
By FlyingNews @ 12:45 PM :: 122 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Kaigai Aviotech Corporation of Japan are pleased to announce the signature of a distribution agreement at the Paris Air Show last week. Under the agreement Kaigai Aviotech Corp. will sell AW119 Ke, AW109 Power and Grand helicopters in the Japanese commercial market.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Masayoshi Yamazaki, Kaigai Aviotech Corp. CEO, said “We are honoured to be an AgustaWestland distributor in Japan and we will work together to establish a support and maintenance centre for AgustaWestland helicopters in Japan”. Renzo Lunardi, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “ Japan is an important and growing market for AgustaWestland’s commercial products and we are pleased to have signed this agreement with Kaigai Aviotech to help us build on our current success in Japan.”
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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Cessna Books NetJets Order Totaling More Than $1 Billion
By FlyingNews @ 4:55 PM :: 131 Views ::
0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers
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Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today at the Paris Air Show that NetJets – Cessna’s largest Citation customer – has ordered 96 Citation business jets. The order includes 50 Encore+, 37 XLS+ and 9 Citation X aircraft and totals more than $1 billion.
“Cessna’s Citation line provides our customers a wide variety of options for fractional ownership,” said NetJets Chairman and CEO, Richard Santulli. “The dispatch reliability and quality of service provided by Cessna Citations have helped make our business successful. We currently have 304 Citation business jets under management with NetJets and NetJets Europe.
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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Boeing Announces 777 and 737 Orders from AIR FRANCE-KLM Group
By FlyingNews @ 4:16 PM :: 109 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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The AIR FRANCE-KLM Group has placed orders with Boeing [NYSE: BA] for nine 777-300ERs and seven Next-Generation 737-700s. At a combined value of $2.7 billion at list prices, these orders mark the first time the combined airline Group, consisting of Paris-based Air France and Amsterdam-based KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, has announced an airplane acquisition at the Group level. The 777 and 737 orders were previously accounted for on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web page, assigned to unidentified customers.
KLM will operate the Next-Generation 737-700s. KLM is acquiring more Boeing 737 Next-Generation airplanes to replace its Boeing 737 Classics and to expand its European short-haul operations. KLM will align the specification and operation of the Boeing 737-700 closely with its affiliate airline transavia.com.
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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Heli Express of Hong Kong Order Seven AW139 Helicopters
By FlyingNews @ 3:43 PM :: 126 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce the signing of a contract by Heli Express of Hong Kong for seven AW139 passenger transport helicopters. This contract highlights the growing success of the AW139 in the scheduled and offshore passenger transport markets.
Speaking after the contract signature Renzo Lunardi, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “ We are delighted the AW139 has been chosen by Heli Express for its future passenger transport operations and to be able to add a prestigious operator like Heli Express to our growing list of customers. We know that the high speed, cabin comfort and safety of the AW139 will be appreciated by Heli Express’ customers.”
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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CANADIAN FORCES SNOWBIRDS RESUME AIR SHOW SEASON
By FlyingNews @ 1:21 PM :: 144 Views ::
0 Comments :: Aerobatics, Flying Events
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The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are honoured to resume their 37th Air Show season June 20 in Owen Sound, Ontario, and to continue their tradition of excellence as proud ambassadors of the Canadian Forces and Canada.
"We are looking forward to performing for communities across North America, proudly flying Canada's colours," said Major Robert Mitchell, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Snowbirds. "We remain committed to representing the best of the Canadian Forces and Canada."
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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Boeing Delivers First New-Build Apache Longbow Helicopter to U.S. Army
By FlyingNews @ 1:15 PM :: 123 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Helicopters
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The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recently delivered the first new-build AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter to the U.S. Army during a ceremony at the company's Mesa, Ariz., Apache production facility.
"This new-build Apache is a milestone achievement," said Col. Mark Hayes, Training and Doctrine Command Systems manager of reconnaissance and attack, during the event. "Apache helicopters are a critical asset for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. Battlefield commanders depend on the capabilities Apache attack helicopters bring to troops on the ground."
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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RELEASE OF THE SEA KING BOARD OF INQUIRY REPORT
By FlyingNews @ 1:11 PM :: 128 Views ::
0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Flying Accidents
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Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN, today released the Board of Inquiry (BOI) Report into the loss of Navy helicopter ‘SHARK 02’, which crashed on Nias, Indonesia on 2 April 2005.
Nine Navy and Air Force members were killed and two seriously injured in the accident. The flight crew and medical personnel were providing humanitarian aid as part of Operation SUMATRA ASSIST II following the Nias earthquake.
Under the wide-ranging Terms of Reference, the Navy Appointing Authority empowered the BOI to not only examine the factors that directly contributed to this tragic accident, but to also critically examine many other associated areas including operations, flight safety, logistics support and personnel management.
“After a meticulous examination of the evidence presented during the inquiry, the Board concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a failure of the flight control system. A key component of the flight control system was not properly secured during maintenance, which resulted in the pilots losing ability to control the aircraft. This was the result of a series of errors and non-compliances with Maintenance Regulations,” Admiral Shalders said.
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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ATR announces 13 new ATR 72-500s for Jet Airways, Signs contract with TAT Group
By FlyingNews @ 1:07 PM :: 113 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers
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On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, ATR today unveiled orders for 13 new ATR 72-500 aircraft that will be operated by the Indian carrier Jet Airways. Agreement for six of these ATR72-500s has been concluded directly with the Irish-based leasing company AIR (Aircraft International Renting), a subsidiary of TAT leasing. In order to reserve aircraft delivery positions, Jet Airways has concluded purchase agreements for the remaining seven aircraft. Prior to delivery, Jet Airways intends to conclude lease agreements for these aircraft also. The total value of the two contracts is approximately US $ 238 million. The inductions of all these 13 new aircraft are subject to the requisite approvals.
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP Series Airplanes
By FlyingNews @ 1:01 PM :: 131 Views ::
0 Comments :: FAA
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Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28373; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-110-AD;
Amendment 39-15104; AD 2007-12-25]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP Series Airplanes
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP series airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manuals (AFMs) of those airplanes, and doing repetitive functional checks of the forward water drain/supply valves and applicable corrective actions. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive functional checks. This AD results from reports of failed forward water drain/ supply valves on numerous airplanes, and reports of ice striking the wing-to-body fairings and engine nose cowls of several airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent leakage from failed water drain/supply valves allowing the build-up of ice on the airplane, which could separate and strike the airplane structure aft of the failed valves; become ingested by a propulsion engine; or become a hazard to persons or property on the ground.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 5, 2007.
We must receive comments on this AD by August 20, 2007.
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| Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
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Aero Toy Store Orders Twelve AgustaWestland Helicopters
By FlyingNews @ 12:36 PM :: 109 Views ::
0 Comments :: Helicopters
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AgustaWestland is pleased to announce the sale of twelve helicopters to Aero Toy Store. This US company based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has ordered four AW119 Ke single engine, four Grand light twin and four AW139 medium twin helicopters. Aero Toy Store took delivery of a Grand helicopter in 2006 and this order further confirms the US Company's confidence in the AgustaWestland range of modern high performance commercial helicopters.
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| Wednesday, June 20, 2007 |
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FALCON AVIATION SERVICES SIGNS UP FOR THIRD GULFSTREAM G450 FOR GROWING MID-EAST MARKET
By FlyingNews @ 11:34 PM :: 165 Views ::
0 Comments :: Business Flying, Business Aircraft Manufacturers
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Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), which announced in November 2006 its intention to expand into fixed-wing VIP operations from its traditional VIP / Tourism helicopter charter operations, has signed a contract with Gulfstream Aerospace for its third Gulfstream G450 business jet. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. Delivery of the first FAS G450 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2008; the second G450 is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2009, while the third G450 is scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2010.
"The G450 for Falcon Aviation Services fills a critical mission capability gap for the nonstop Abu Dhabi - London market. There is no other aircraft in the large-cabin segment that offers year-round capability on this critical sector in the price range of the G450,“ said Philip Markham, General Manager, Falcon Aviation Services.
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| Wednesday, June 20, 2007 |
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United Airlines to Hire New Pilots for the First Time Since 2001
By FlyingNews @ 8:22 PM :: 98 Views ::
0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines
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United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) today announced plans to begin hiring pilots later this year, the first time it has done so since 2001, to accommodate United’s schedule, including an increase in the number of international destinations it serves.
United plans to begin accepting applications for new flight officer positions later this summer. After participating in United’s industry-leading training program, new pilots are expected to begin flying for the airline as early as December.
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