Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Plane loses air traffic control link over Indira Gandhi International Airport, lands safely

NEW DELHI: Imagine an aircraft that's just moments away from landing suddenly loses all contact with the air traffic control (ATC) at the destination airport. The radio fails and then both do not now know what the other is doing for many minutes before touchdown! This is precisely what happened at Delhi airport on Tuesday afternoon when a SpiceJet flight from Hyderabad was approaching towards capital to land.

The Boeing 737 established the first contact with the ATC at IGI airport after entering Delhi region and then the communication between the tower and the cockpit suddenly went dead. Sources say that for the next five to ten minutes there was no contact between the two. However, luckily for passengers, contact was re-established when the aircraft was about 80 miles from IGI and then it landed safely.

"The frequency on which the pilot had contacted the ATC suddenly got jammed. This usually happens when the button on the push to talk of the radio telephone in the cockpit remains pressed for longer than needed and it jams the frequency. For 5-10 minutes there was no contact with the aircraft. Contact resumed when the aircraft was 80 miles away from IGI. During the time the aircraft was not in contact with the tower, it did not descend and kept flying, as per procedure, on its last allotted level," said sources.

A SpiceJet spokesperson said: "The observer hand mike had a fault on SpiceJet's SG 234 that was coming from Hyderabad. During this time, the pilot, co-pilot or the observer seat did not have radio contact with the ATC. However, this was rectified in two to three minutes and the connection restored."

The ATC, however, is not taking this incident lightly and has assured that they will investigate what happened on SG 234. "We will speak to the airline and look at our systems too. The incident will be probed," said a senior official.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Cirrus secures funding for new jet: Financing from its Chinese owner will allow Cirrus to complete work on the new plane, which it expects to begin producing in Duluth in 2015

Cirrus Aircraft's plan to develop its first jet is taking what could be a big step to get off the ground.

Almost five years after starting work on a prototype, the Duluth-based company said Tuesday it has landed financing to finish developing the new plane. Designed for the personal aircraft market, it's an integral part of a strategy to expand Cirrus' current product line of piston-engine aircraft.

It also could be the industry's first single-engine jet - a low-cost alternative to twin-engine models now on the market.

In an interview, CEO and co-founder Dale Klapmeier declined to disclose the amount of the investment from China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. (CAIGA), which acquired Cirrus about nine months ago. But Klapmeier said the financing represents most of the previously-estimated $150 million total development cost.

"It has been a struggle to keep this program moving forward," Klapmeier said. Cirrus and the rest of the industry went into a tailspin during the recession, forcing the company to scale back funding for work on the new plane.

"It has been a struggle just to survive," he added.

Since 2008 Cirrus has cut its workforce in Duluth and Grand Forks, N.D. from about 1,350 to 500 people. But Klapmeier said the new jet could generate more than 100 jobs in Duluth where production is expected to begin in 2015.

He said the company already has added engineers and technicians to finish work on the plane, called the Vision SF 50. Klapmeier said the funds from CAIGA will be used for further testing and to build tooling needed to manufacture the new plane.

The jet, which will seat up seven people, is designed to be owner-flown like Cirrus' other aircraft. Klapmeier said about 500 people already have put down $100,000 deposits on the Vision, whose current pricetag is $1.7 million.

But its list price will move up to almost $2 million in July. Michael Boyd, a Denver-based aviation industry consultant, said that's dangerously close to being too pricey. "With anything over $2 million, you're going to have an issue," he said.

Even so, a single-engine jet would fill a gap in the market, said Jens Hennig, vice president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). He said the current average cost of twin-engine jets is $4 million to $5 million. Boyd noted that in addition to a lower initial cost, a single-engine jet would be more fuel-efficient and have lower maintenance costs than a twin-engine model.

The challenge of recouping development costs already has sidelined some competitors, which like Cirrus, began working their own version of a single-engine jet in the last several years.

Piper Aircraft Inc. suspended work on its model last October amid a corporate restructuring that included laying off 150 of its 850 employees. Eclipse Aviation Corp. ended work on its jet when the company was liquidated after filing for bankruptcy in 2008. Another competitor, Diamond Aircraft, had to stop work on its jet due to a shortfall in funding but resumed development late last year.

With more power, load capacity and range than its piston-engine models, the Vision is a "step-up airplane for our current customers," Klapmeier said. The company has previously said the new jet could add more than $100 million to its total sales in its first year of production and eventually add about $300 million a year to sales.

Cirrus' shipments last year fell 3.4 percent to 255 planes, more than the 1.5 percent decline for the piston-engine plane segment, GAMA said. Cirrus which was privately-held before being acquired by CAIGA, saw its sales fall slightly, last year to about $170 million and has been unprofitable for the last four years, Klapmeier said.

He said Cirrus will likely post another loss this year, but it will be smaller than the one in 2011. He said the company expects to move into the black in the second half of 2012. "It's still tough, but it's an improving picture," he said.

Source:   http://www.startribune.com

Space Shuttle Discovery Flies Over the National Mall

 

Apr 17, 2012 by Smithsonian Videos 

 The Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted atop a modified 747 jet, flies at a low altitude (~1,500 ft.) over what is normally restricted airspace -- the National Mall in Washington, D.C. -- on April 17, 2012 on its way to its permanent home at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

Pearson stowaway hid in aircraft overhead bin - Greater Toronto Airports Authority reviewing security procedures after breach

An attempted stowaway at Toronto's Pearson airport slipped past security and hid inside a COPA Airlines flight, Peel Regional police said Tuesday, after a canine unit found the man in a compartment on the Panamian aircraft.

Police say a suspect managed to sneak past security checkpoints on Monday, prompting a search that lasted several hours. A team of dogs found him inside the plane, which was due to fly to Panama City later that morning.

Transport Canada confirmed in an email that the stowaway was found in an overhead bin on board, but offered no further details.

In a statement, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said the suspect was located at 8:30 a.m. ET

The COPA airplane was "isolated in a remote area of the airport" and a canine team searched the area and found no explosives, the GTAA said.

The GTAA added that it is reviewing its security procedures following the breach, but would not release specific details about Monday's incident.

Trevor Kendall, 33, was arrested and charged with mischief, endangering the safety of an aircraft, break and enter to a plane and obstructing police. He was to appear in a Brampton, Ont., court Tuesday.

Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest and busiest. Last year, 33.4 million passengers travelled through the airport.


http://www.cbc.ca

Chicago site matches would-be passengers with private flights

A new Chicago-based website aims to match aircraft charter operators with passengers looking for private-jet flights, sometimes at steep discounts.

PlaneFinder.com of Chicago launched last month. While online brokers of charter flights are not new, PlaneFinder is different, said John Paul Beitler III, who cofounded the company with his brother Justin. For one, the site is free for passengers to search for or request flights and free for charter companies to submit bids and post available flights. Instead of charging fees to use the site, PlaneFinder takes a flat-fee commission on flight deals it helps consummate.

The site also allows passengers and flight operators to remain anonymous until a deal is struck. "We provide a place where everyone can come anonymously, and we act as a clearinghouse for the whole thing," Beitler said. "We're not trying to replace brokers, but we are another resource where you can go and shop your [broker's price]."

Charters, often for seven to 15 passengers, are expensive but offer such advantages as no airport security lines, no lost luggage, privacy, flexible times and rare delays or cancellations. A flight posted Tuesday showed a one-way trip on May 10 from Milwaukee to Boston available for up to eight passengers. It cost $5,500, or about $688 per person for a full plane.

The site targets wealthy passengers, corporate fliers and even families or large groups who would otherwise fly first-class on commercial flights, Beitler said.

Would-be fliers post their departure and destination airports, departure date, minimum number of seats they need and the price they are willing to pay. They don't have to supply any personal information to charter operators until a match is made. The site also lists available charter flights, often heavily discounted because many are deadhead flights, meaning they had a paying one-way customer but must return with the plane empty. The operator can make more money -- and offer a discount -- for filling those seats on the way back. In that way, it's similar to Priceline.com, which helps airlines and hotels sell unbought inventory of seats and rooms.

"That's what the model is built around -- how do we help operators fill those deadheads?" said Beitler, adding that the discount might be 20 to 30 percent.

So far, about 200 people people have signed up to request flights, Beitler said. It has been making two to three matches per week, he said.

One warning: While passengers can freely search posted charter flights, they can't request bids on customized flights willy-nilly. The site requests a credit card number and will charge $500 if you request a flight and do not follow-up with the charter operator. You don't have to strike a deal, but you must make contact, Beitler said.

Beitler and his brother, both pilots, cofounded the site to make use of a domain name, PlaneFinder.com, that Beitler purchased in the 1990s, he said. The original intent was to be a fare comparison site for commercial flights, such as Kayak.com, but Beitler concedes he didn't have the know-how. "I've just been sitting on it, and we (now) believe we found a niche in the market," he said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com

2 Reasons Why People Won't Be Driving That $279,000 Flying Car Anytime Soon

 The idealization and realization of what the future could become and indeed what it would become is something that was well pondered about during the 1950s.

After the depression that was World War II, the world felt revived and upbeat. There was new money, new ideas and, more importantly, new creative minds. The inspiration behind some of the best and most innovative inventions of the 20th century came after the war, and with new prospects came a fresh way of thinking about the future.

The coming years, it seemed, would be not only a technological marvel but a complete overhaul of what we thought transportation could be.

The 50’s were a decade of absolute dreaming euphoria. We started plans to get to the moon, we began to make motor cars that were actually viable for daily use, and we started to invent technologies that we’re very helpful, indeed.

Along with this thinking, we began to dream of what was physically possible. Cars were a big part of the dreaming, and with Japanese companies making cars that were not only well-made but biblically reliable, the sky literally was the limit with our imaginations for what was possible.

Our visionaries saw a future of flying cars. It was promised to us that in a few decades we would all we taking the automotive highway in the sky and that flying cars would be the way we would all be traveling to work.

As we know, this didn’t really take off – pun intended. There were a few attempts at the flying car during the 50’s and 60’s, but along with ridiculously high list prices, the flying cars were just not very good. As cars, they were compromised, and as flying cars they were compromised. Basically, as a motoring proposition, they were compromised. Nobody wanted one – despite the dreamy visions – and as the 60’s played out, so did the flying car.

That is, until now. That’s right; 2012 is the year when the flying car returns. The Terrafugia Transition is the 21st century version of the flying car and it’s going to be a big make or break for the company in a market that is probably already mentality against the old-school idea of a car that can fly. And at $279,000 a car, the Transition had better be good.

So, first impressions: well, it’s a car that has also been designed to be a plane, and as a result it does look quite odd. The wings are folded when it’s in car mode, but let’s be honest; you can still tell it’s a car-plane thingy. You’re going to look like quite the idiot when driving down your local street in this bad-boy. It has a top speed of 115mph and a range of 490 miles, so it’s definitely more a short-haul cruiser than long-haul bruiser. Really, it’s probably going to make more sense as a plane than a car.

And when you see shots of the Transition in-flight, it certainly doesn’t look stupid. It resembles a Cessna more than a typical family hatch-back and it does look good in the air, but is it $300,000s worth of good? That’s the tough question.

After all, in this day and age you need licenses for everything you do. The paperwork to be able to drive and fly this thing is going to be insane. You’ll have to be a trained pilot, a qualified driver and have a whole host of other licenses and agreements before you can even take this thing out. Oh, and not to mention you could probably do with your own landing or air strip at your home – otherwise, it’s going to be a bit of a pain having to trek to your local airfield every morning for work.

And really, that’s where the problem lies. The 21st century has brought us the iPod, the iPhone and a million other incredible advances, but one thing we haven’t yet got is the infrastructure for a viable flying car – even if the Transition is absolutely incredible. It’s going to take time and a lot of money for there to be thousands of these things flying above our heads, and while the idea is a noble one, it’s probably never really going to work in the foreseeable future.

Couple that with the $300,000 price-tag and you’ve got a flying car that is really only going to be bought by millionaires who own a house with a landing-strip next-door. Tom Cruise and John Travolta will, undoubtedly, be Terrafugia’s aim as celebrity co-signers.

For the rest of us, the main issue with the Terrafugia and the flying car is the paperwork. It’s just not the right time for this type of technology.

But one day…

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com

Man Says Someone Was Trying To Kill Him Before He Jumped Fence, Tried To Board Plane: Port Columbus International Airport (KCMH), Columbus, Ohio

 
Police say Luis Alberto Quintero-Denis told officers he jumped an airport fence and tried to board a plane because he feared for his own life.


COLUMBUS, Ohio - A man was arrested Monday night after he allegedly jumped a fence at Port Columbus International Airport and tried to board a plane. According to police, Luis Alberto Quintero-Denis said that he ran from the Hilton Garden Inn, located on Sawyer Road near the airport, shortly before 8 p.m. because someone was trying to kill him.

Quintero-Denis, 61, of Taylor, Pa., told police that he then came to a fence at the airport and climbed over it. He attempted to board two planes but found that each was locked, 10TV News reported. Quintero-Denis said that he then saw a plane at gate C-54 that people were boarding, and he tried to climb up between the plane and the jet bridge. Delta employees said that they saw the man and stopped him. Quintero-Denis was charged with criminal trespassing and was interviewed by the FBI, police said.

http://www.10tv.com

City hits turbulence with hangar owners

 Greensburg, Ks —

Four airport hangar buildings, which are owned privately but sit on city property, are at the center of an impasse between officials who want to clear the land for incoming businesses and hangar owners who feel the relocation of the airport caused them a financial burden.

“I hope that as you consider what to do with the hangars, you will do what’s right, not simply the minimum that is legally required,” said local businessman Ron Shank during last Monday’s city council meeting. “When we signed those leases we didn’t think the city would close such a well-established airport.”

Shank and the hangar owners contend that they lost value in their property when the city converted the old Greensburg airport into the Greensburg Industrial Park.

“When you take an airport away from an airport hangar, what you have left is just a shed and that decreases its value,” said Shank on Monday morning.

Shank added that in his discussions with past city administrators he had always been promised compensation, though an exact amount was never discussed.

“I have had an opportunity to visit with the affected hangar owners trying to reach some type of closure,” said newly hired City Administrator Ed Truelove. “Obviously they believe there is a large value in these buildings as an airport hangar. They are more than likely correct but some of the buildings date back to the 1940s. What kind of value do you assign to that? As a city we are trying to move forward with a new airport facility. We have to assist the business park towards its purpose as well. It’s a tough situation to be in.”

Truelove said that the council has discussed the hangars in executive session and that he was unable to comment on specifics.

“We are trying to find a common ground between the city and the landowners but right now I am not sure what they city is going to decide. It will be up to the council after we do all of the due diligence,” added Truelove.

The city had previously entered into five-year leases at various times with the four hangar owners but it allowed the majority of them to lapse. Some of the hangar owners have not had leases with the city for more than a year.

The leases, aside from defining length of occupancy, also state that after 90 days all buildings remaining on the land become the property of the city.

Truelove was asked if the city would enforce that portion of the lease and remove the buildings.

“I think that would be untimely,” said Truelove. “That would be a major decision. The city doesn’t want these buildings. We don’t want to knock them down and say ‘oh, that’s our building.’ That seems petty. I think we’re trying to approach this from a viewpoint of let’s have a win-win. We’re going to try to strive for that.”

Legally, the city has no obligation to compensate the owners. The leases are not contingent upon there actually being an airport adjacent to the land, though the title of the lease is “Airport Hangar Site Lease.”

“It is a common practice that when government deprives a property owner of the use of his property, the government compensates the property owner sufficiently to replace his property,” said Shank in open session on Monday.

With the airport closed for more than a year, Shank said he had to move his plane to another hangar, with added expense, though he has had a lease in Greensburg.

“I believe [the title] implies that there will be an airport for the term of the lease,” he said.

Shank is in a unique situation because he is the only hanger owner who still has an active lease. He signed a new lease with the city after he bought a second hanger following the 2007 tornado and the lease term doesn’t expire until after 2013.

Shank said that the city has offered to buy out the remaining term of his lease.  He knows  his lease is somewhat of a bargaining chip and that his getting bought out has an effect on the other hangar owners.

“I’m trying the best I can to balance between my own interest and the interest of the other hangar owners,” he said.

Shank praised Truelove saying that he felt the newly hired city administrator was approaching the issue in the correct way and that he also believes the city council will act ethically. “Most people would agree that this is the right thing to do.”

http://www.kiowacountysignal.com

Worker killed at Fort Rucker identified


A civilian worker killed at Fort Rucker on Monday afternoon when a steel beam fell onto the crane he was working from has been identified as 41-year-old Anthony Brock.

The accident occurred at the AH-64 hangar at Hanchey Army Heliport around 2:35 p.m., according to a press release from Fort Rucker.

According to Fort Rucker public information officer Jenny Stripling, the hangar has been under construction since last fall.

The Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for construction, Stripling said.

The release said investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the accident as of Monday evening.

No other injuries or property damage were reported in the incident.

CitationAir Announces Strategic Alliance with Boston's Eliot Hotel

 





CITATIONAIR ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
 WITH THE ELIOT HOTEL OF BOSTON

Relationship to Benefit CitationAir Customers and Hotel Guests

Greenwich, CT, April 17, 2012 – CitationAir by Cessna, a leader in private aviation, today announced a strategic alliance with The Eliot Hotel, a historic boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Boston, MA. Through this new relationship, guests of The Eliot Hotel will be eligible for unique benefits to fly privately with CitationAir, including 50 per cent off the minimum purchase of a Citation Air Jet Card, which could be as much as a $50,000 savings. Exclusive guaranteed rates for a one-bedroom suite at The Eliot Hotel will be made available to CitationAir customers visiting Boston.

“With so many of our customers travelling throughout the Northeast, Boston is a popular destination for many CitationAir customers,” said Bill Schultz, President and CEO, CitationAir. “Our new relationship with The Eliot Hotel allows us to provide our customers with the highest levels of service, hospitality and convenience throughout the entirety of their trip to Boston.  We are thrilled to have forged an alliance with such an elegant and luxurious hotel.”

“We look forward to treating CitationAir customers to the highly personalized service and comfort our guests have come to expect,” said Arthur Ullian, President.  “We are happy to be able to showcase the history and elegance of The Eliot Hotel and Boston through this new alliance.”

About CitationAir

CitationAir is an industry leader offering individuals and businesses the advantages of private jet travel through its innovative programs, including Jet Card, Jet Management and Corporate Solutions products. CitationAir flies Cessna’s popular Citation aircraft exclusively—the Citation CJ3, Citation XLS, Citation Sovereign and Citation X—which are serviced and maintained at the factory-level.  CitationAir operates one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in the industry by highly trained pilots, setting the standard for superior customer service.  CitationAir’s parent company is Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron (NYSE: TXT) company. More information about CitationAir and its offerings are available at www.citationair.com.
  
About The Eliot Hotel

The Eliot Hotel, named #1 Small City Hotel in the US and Canada in Travel + Leisure and #13 on Conde Nast’s Gold List, is set on one of the most beautiful boulevards in America, a stone's throw from fashionable shopping and Boston’s major art galleries and cultural attractions, as well as universities and research centers. The historic, boutique hotel provides European luxury and a unique elegance in the heart of downtown Boston. Guests of The Eliot Hotel enjoy unique, attentive personal service and luxurious amenities and accommodations not found at other downtown Boston hotels. Chef Ken Oringer, James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in the Northeast and winner of the Food Channel's Iron Chef Competition, has made The Eliot a world renowned culinary destination. Restaurant Clio and Uni Sashimi Bar, both named among the "Best Restaurants in America" by Zagat, are located in the hotel’s elegant boutique setting.


Media Contacts:

CitationAir
203-542-3339                         

Goodman Media International
212-576-2700

The Eliot Hotel
Maureen Toomey, mtoomey@eliothotel.com
617-532-7125

Leavenworth County Commission seeks more information on airports

Leavenworth, Kan. -   Though they maintained they were not looking to serve as the official sponsor, the Leavenworth County Commission Monday did vote to pursue additional information gathering related to a regional general aviation airport in Leavenworth County.

The motion essentially requested Greg Kaaz, chairman of the independent airport and business park committee, to inquire the consulting firm Coffman Associates about cost estimates to gather data on about 30 other small airports in the country.

The direction, according to Commission Chairman John Flower, follows the receipt of a cost estimate to develop a business case for an industrial or business park to be placed adjacent to the airport, should it be built.

Flower said he inquired about such a study with consulting firm Olsson Associates, who said it would lie out of their area of expertise. But they did suggest several other firms. Flower said he also contacted Garnet Consulting Services, the firm that had previously helped produce a study of industrial sites in Leavenworth and Tonganoxie. Garnett came back with a rough estimate of about $20,000 to perform the study.

Analysis of the business park component cannot be included in the four-phase study of the viability of the airport completed for the Federal Aviation Administration. But Flower said he felt it was still crucial to undertake such a study.

“I think it’s just a matter of getting the complete picture instead of just pieces of the picture,” he said.

If a business or industrial park is not enough to push the airport into the black, Flower said the communities now guiding the idea through the four-step FAA planning process will need to decide if the idea is worth pursuing any further.

Considering the cities of Lansing and Leavenworth still “agree to disagree” on the best site for the airport — between a location on Coffin Road in the northern portion of the county or off of East Gilman Road near Lansing — Lansing Mayor Ken Bernard asked how the business plan would work.

“Don’t you have to have a location before you can do a business study?” he asked.

Flower said his discussions included information on both sites.

Commissioner Clyde Graeber said that committing to the study would be still another step into the process.

“How far are we going, knowing that we, at least at the county level, are committed to a vote of the people?” he asked.

Mike Smith, administrator for Lansing, said that while his city and Leavenworth do disagree on the best site, they have come to some understanding in past discussions.

“We just feel like no matter which way it goes, it just seems like its on the runway, taking off way too fast,” introducing difficulties with getting information to his city council and the residents of his city, he said.

Leavenworth City Manager Scott Miller agreed. Both communities stated they would like to slow the process down, possibly hosting information sessions to hear from and educate the public on the airport project as of now.

“Here’s the problem I have with that — what are you going to tell them?” Flower asked.

He said there is not enough compelling evidence in the two studies completed so far to likely garner much support for the effort ahead of a vote. But if the county could determine that the airport with an adjacent business park could actually be beneficial from a financial standpoint, he said the public could be more amenable to the idea.

Miller suggested the county look at what’s already out there — information on airports of a similar size and function to that proposed for Leavenworth County, whether they are making enough money to at least break even and, if they are, how. County Administrator Pat Hurley said the Kansas Department of Transportation has some data on airports in the state. Kaaz said he would help in what way he could to fill in the pictures of the airport.

“I want to do what’s best for Leavenworth County,” he told the commission. “If this isn’t best for Leavenworth County, I don’t want to do it.”

The commission voted unanimously to ask Kaaz to work with Coffman Associates on gathering data on other airports and business parks throughout the country and get a cost estimate on the work to compile that data.

http://www.leavenworthtimes.com

JetBlue Announces Codeshare with Japan Airlines (JAL) - - Agreement includes connecting East Coast flights to/from New York's JFK and Boston's Logan International Airport

NEW YORK and TOKYO, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways, New York's Hometown Airline™, and Japan Airlines (JAL) today announced a codeshare agreement, expanding the current interline partnership between the carriers' two networks in Tokyo and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport as well as Boston's Logan International Airport.  Customers looking to make a reservation, which will feature JAL's code on JetBlue-operated flights, can book starting tomorrow, April 18 for travel on or after April 22, 2012. 

The start of the new agreement on April 22 coincides with JAL's brand new service from Boston to Tokyo's Narita International Airport using the super-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the only nonstop flight from New England to Asia.  Japan Airlines offers daily nonstop service to Narita from JFK, and customers may also continue to book tickets for combined interline travel on JetBlue and Japan Airlines through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where travellers may connect onward to most major cities in Asia including Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei.'

"In addition to our New York and Los Angeles offerings, customers in New England can now conveniently connect in Boston, where we are the largest airline, for direct service to Asia just in time for summer," said Scott Laurence, JetBlue's vice president of network planning and partnerships. "Japan Airline's partnership with JetBlue will introduce a new stream of travelers to our airline's brand, our people, and our award-winning service."'

Via Boston, customers can connect to Tokyo from thirteen U.S. destinations including Buffalo, N.Y.; Baltimore, MD; Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; and Washington, D.C. (National and Dulles). 

At New York, JetBlue offers easy connections between JAL-operated flights and cities including Buffalo, N.Y.; Burlington, Vt.; Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Houston, Texas; New Orleans, La.; Portland, Maine; Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y.; and Washington, D.C. (Dulles).  

Customers connecting from JAL to JetBlue will enjoy all-leather seating, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch), free in-flight entertainment at every seatback, and unlimited free snacks and drinks. 

About JetBlue Airways 

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ with other focus cities in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and Orlando. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline as well as super-spacious Even More Space seats. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control.

Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 70 cities with 750 daily flights and plans to launch service to Dallas/Fort Worth in May. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information call +1 800-538-2583, TTY/TDD +1 800-336-5530, or visit www.jetblue.com.

SOURCE JetBlue Airways

Mubadala in US$1bn parts deal with Boeing

Abu Dhabi fund Mubadala's aerospace division unveiled a US$1bn contract to build carbon-composite structures for Boeing, boosting the UAE's efforts to become a key manufacturer for the aerospace industry.

The 10-year deal calls for the Mubadala Aerospace to produce ribs, or strengthening components, for the tail section of the 777 mini-jumbo and the vertical part of the tail for the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing's latest passenger jet.

It also marks the first time, Boeing said, of a direct outsourcing deal for composites production in the Arab world. Airline manufacturers are using more and more lightweight composite materials in their aircraft to boost fuel efficiencies.

"It's ballpark about the same as our previous deals with Airbus and Alenia Aermacchi. The payments will be spread over time, according to deliveries," Executive Director Homaid al-Shemmari told Reuters.

The move reflects a goal by Mubadala Aerospace, a unit of state fund Mubadala, to become one of the world's top five suppliers to the aerospace industry, he said.

Its Strata subsidiary started delivering wing parts for the A330-340 to Airbus 18 months ago from a factory at Al Ain.

Strata will begin delivering the carbon-composite tail parts to Boeing in 2013, according to the deal finalised at an Abu Dhabi aerospace conference.

A newly signed strategic agreement also puts Strata in a position to be a future supplier of the vertical fin or stabilizer for the 787 Dreamliner, the companies said.

Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, is investing billions of dollars in infrastructure, real estate and tourism to diversify its economy.

The emirate accounts for more than half of the country's economic output. The emirate hopes to lift its non-oil share of gross domestic product to 64 percent in 2030 from roughly 50 percent now.

Mubadala Aerospace owns a majority stake in SR Technics (SRT), the Swiss repair and overhaul firm. It also owns local repair company Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT).

It holds a controlling stake in Italian business aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aero along with India's Tata Group and has partnerships with General Electric and Finmeccanica.

In Abu Dhabi its subsidiaries also include military repair company Ammroc, which it owns together with minority partners Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com

Lancair 235, N235MW: Accident occurred April 14, 2012 in Hudson, Kentucky

NTSB Identification: ERA12FA280 
 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, April 14, 2012 in Hudson, KY
Aircraft: MANZITTO MICHAEL A MW LANCAIR 235, registration: N235MW
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On April 14, 2012, about 1330 central daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Lancair 235, N235MW was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hudson, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, which departed from Rough River State Park Airport (2I3), Falls of Rough, Kentucky, destined for Bowman Field Airport (LOU), Louisville, Kentucky.

According to a pilot who was a friend of the accident pilot, the pilot of the accident airplane flew from LOU to 2I3 the morning of the accident to have breakfast with some fellow pilots. He was having electrical issues, so he removed the battery from his airplane and returned to LOU with another pilot.

Once back at LOU the pilot lent him a battery charger. The pilot of the accident airplane then charged up two batteries and rode back to 2I3 in his friend's airplane.

The pilot of the accident airplane then installed one of the batteries in his airplane and stated that if he could get it started, he would fly it back to LOU with the landing gear down. His plan, if the radios and electrical system did not work, was for him and his friend to return as a flight of two to LOU.

The pilot of the accident airplane tried three times to start the airplane before it finally started. He then waved and gave a "thumbs up" to his friend. After taxing to the runway the pilot stopped the airplane for 6 to 7 seconds and then took off.

His friend then took off, 3 to 4 minutes behind him, and when climbing through 1,700 feet above mean sea level, heard the pilot of the accident airplane ask over the radio if he was still on the frequency. His friend stated that he knew due to the accident pilot's regular phraseology that something was wrong and advised him that he was coming. They were talking on the Unicom frequency for 2I3 and the accident pilot was using a handheld radio rather than the aircraft radios.

The accident pilot stated that he was 1 to 2 miles south of Breckinridge County Airport (I93), Hardinsburg, Kentucky and was going to land in a field. His friend responded “I’m coming as fast as I can”. The pilot of the accident airplane then stated “I’m going in hard”. His friend could hear the emergency locator transmitter transmitting. He then circled the area a few times but could not see the accident pilot or airplane, so he landed at I93 and called 911.

According to a witness, just prior to the accident, he observed the airplane traveling southeast in a straight line. It then disappeared behind a rise in the terrain and then reappeared. The airplane then climbed about 100 feet, turned right missing a barn, and then disappeared once again behind a rise in the terrain. Moments later he heard the sound of an impact.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest in a corn field where the corn had already been harvested. After striking the ground in a level attitude the airplane traveled approximately 63 feet before nosing over and coming to rest.

Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or anomalies.

Examination of the electrical system revealed however, that the airplane's battery exhibited evidence of outgassing from the side and top of the case and the inside of the battery box exhibited chemical and soot staining.

The battery, battery box, and portions of the airplane's electrical system were retained by the NTSB for further examination.


KLEIN, DONALD E. JR., 54, passed away Saturday, April 14, 2012 doing what he loved most, piloting his Lancair, N235MW. 

He was a real estate developer and investor, a member of AOPA and the Aviation Breakfast Bunch.

He was a softball pitcher at Frazier Field and an ice hockey referee.

Don's passions were planes, cars, motorcycles, playing the piano, and most of all people.

 Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald E. Klein, Sr. He is survived by his long term love and fiancé, Michelle Moore; mother, Alice Klein; sisters, Fran Klein, Kathy Klein and Betsy Cobb (Chris); and nieces and nephews, Dylan (Tashi), Nani, Sarah, Griffin, Ian and Amber. 

His memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2012 at Highlands Family-Owned Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd. with burial at Cave Hill Cemetery at noon Saturday. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of service Friday at Highlands. 

View the guestbook:  http://www.legacy.com/guestbook
 

FAA IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: N235MW        Make/Model: LC-2      Description: LANCAIR 235
  Date: 04/14/2012     Time: 1830

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: HARDINSBURG   State: KY   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO WOODED AREA, HARDINSBURG, KY

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   1
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   1     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:    


OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER


  FAA FSDO: LOUISVILLE, KY  (CE17)                Entry date: 04/16/2012 

Instrução: Cessna 210 - SBGW - Decolagem & Pouso


 
 April 8, 2012 by carolzinhaaa
4 Decolagem Cessna 210 SBGW (instrução) April 7, 2012
~
Pouso Cessna 210 - SBGW April 7, 2012

Ocean City Municipal (KOXB), Maryland: Work at airport under way

OCEAN CITY -- Jaime Giandomenico said people have probably been driving past the Ocean City Municipal Airport and wondering just what the 20-foot-tall illuminated "X" is in the middle of its property.

"It's impossible to miss, but that's the way it's supposed to be," said Giandomenico, the airport's manager. The "X" has been erected to deter aircraft from using one of the airport's two runways while a rehabilitation and reconstruction project is completed.

"If you line up with the runway at night, you see it from miles out, so it's a good deterrent," he said.

The runway will have its surface milled, undergo repavement, get drainage and lighting upgrades, and also get new signage, according to Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins. Perimeter fencing will be constructed as well, to prevent deer and other wildlife from getting on the runway, among other upgrades.

The project should take about 90 days and cost $2.4 million, 90 percent of which comes from federal funds. The other 10 percent is split evenly between the state and the municipality. Eventually, the other runway will undergo similar treatment.

"We're really hoping to get this done before the air show," Adkins said of the project in progress by Delaware-based contracting firm George & Lynch.

The fifth annual Ocean City Air Show is scheduled for June 9-10, and Giandomenico said he's hoping the project will be finished before then.

"It's difficult, because there are intangibles like weather and there's always, like with any kind of big construction project, some variables; but I think we can do it," Giandomenico said.

The weekend of the air show is a peak one for the airport, with most of the show's acts based there, but Giandomenico said if the runway work isn't finished by then, the town will be able to get by using just the one.

At one point during the paving portion of the project, the still-in-use runway will have to be shortened, because the two intersect with each other and aircraft can't land on the fresh pavement for a certain amount of time.

"We're obviously trying to minimize the impact on the airport for the resort season, so we're doing everything we can to keep it moving," Giandomenico said.

IF YOU GO

OCEAN CITY AIR SHOW
 
When: June 9-10

Where:14th-17th streets, Ocean City

Info: www.ocairshow.com


http://www.delmarvanow.com

Simsbury Airport (4B9), Connecticut: Seeks to Boost Membership - Non-profit airport reduces fees to attract new pilots

The Simsbury Flying Club is seeking to boost membership with reduced storage fees.
Credit Jeff Brush


In effort to increase membership, the Simsbury Flying Club is offering new deals to local pilots to encourage them to rest their wings at the airport here in the valley.

The non-profit club recently announced that it will offer reduced monthly fees to owners who choose the tie-down option at the Simsbury Airport. Tie-down storage means the aircraft is secured to the ground by cable, not housed in a bunker or on the paved area of the airport.

The club will charge $49/month as opposed to the regular $95 monthly fee. They will also wave the annual membership fee to join the club. Simsbury Flying Club memberships are required to use the airport.

The tie-down option is not new, but Thomas said the club hopes to increase awareness with the current promotion.

"We're trying to attract new members," Airport Manager Bill Thomas said. "It's an area that's been in existence for years and years but it's been under-used."

Thomas said the airport has plenty of room for tie-down storage but the club doesn't have specifics about how many planes the airport has room for.

"It's hard for me to imagine a situation where we couldn't accommodate someone," Thomas said.

The airport will accept most general aviation aircraft, including helicopters, but the runway won't support larger twin engine planes or jets.

Thomas said the club doesn't just provide a place to park your plane. Instead the small airport provides competitive prices on fuel with 24-hour access, full maintenance services, and flight training and aircraft rental by Future Flyers of Connecticut.

The club also provides plenty of social activities for members and families throughout the year including a pig roast, the Simsbury Fly-In, and family picnics and other events.

For more information about joining the Simsbury Flying Club contact Airport Manager Bill Thomas at 860-693-4550 or wdthomas421@gmail.com or visit the club website here.


http://farmington.patch.com

Opinion/Letter: Key facts have gone unnoticed at airport - Morris, Illinois

By Kevin J. Brady — Naperville, Ill. 

Created: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 5:00 a.m. CDT


To the Editor,

On March 28, 2012, it was reported that the City of Morris, via its city attorney, filed a “Non Traffic Complaint” against a local pilot for violation of:

1) Morris city code, and;

2) Rules and regulations of the Morris Airport.

The issue here is simple and demands complete transparency. It appears that a few salient facts have gone unnoticed by the airport manager and the city attorney as well as unreported by this publication.

The International Aerobatic Council approached the airport manager in 2011 to solicit support for establishment of an aerobatic box for training/flight operations and promotion of the Morris Airport. The council is comprised of civilian pilots whose primary focus is promoting aerobatics and safe flight standards. Increased fuel sales and additional city revenues were illustrated as a benefit to the Morris Airport and the City. The proposal was summarily rejected by the airport manager.

Subsequently, the council and its supporters petitioned the FAA for designated airspace to conduct aerobatic operations. After an exhaustive review of the application to ensure the space conformed to Federal standards for safety and proximity, the FAA approved the request.

As to the complaint file by the airport manager and signed by the Morris city attorney, again it is simple. The city does not have jurisdiction.

1) The Federal Government establishes the FAA to control the “highways of the sky” (The Federal Code Title 49 USC § 40103 — Sovereignty and Use of Airspace (a) The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States.);

2) The airport manager initially filed a complaint with the FAA against the pilot in question for the same action. Based on the complaint, the FAA responded with an investigation and found no violation, no wrongdoing or further cause for action be taken against the pilot in question.

The pilot in question has been investigated by the FAA, been cleared by the FAA, and is now the subject of an attack by the airport manager. This same pilot is certified flight instructor who has done nothing but promote and support general aviation, safe flying standards and the Morris Airport.

The Morris Airport has a lot to offer, not only to the aviation community but the City of Morris and surrounding area. Not too long ago, the Morris Airport was a destination for civilian aviation enthusiasts. All types of aircraft, pleasure, war birds, and experimental’s would target Morris as a weekend destination to meet.

Over the last four years, we’ve lost two good restaurants, and a GREAT airshow. It is time for the City of Morris to recognize what an asset lies within, commit to applying its best management talent to the airport and capitalize on that asset.

The actions taken by the city attorney and the airport manager are unjustified and have little basis in fact.

Source:   http://www.morrisdailyherald.com