Sunday, April 29, 2012

Oklahoma: Emergency management handles mock plane crash at Northwest Technology Center

 
Firefighters approach a plane crashed into the side of the Northwest Technology Center in Alva as part of the Woods County emergency disaster exercise. 
Photo by Julie Whiteman 


All hands were on deck Friday morning as Woods County emergency crews worked through a mock emergency at the Northwest Technology Center in Alva. The Emergency Disaster exercise included a wrecked plane and plenty of casualties.

Parents of the students at the tech center added to the mix as they frantically went looking for their children.

The purpose of the drill was to test not only the abilities of emergency crews, but also their ability to work together.

Fire departments, EMS, Air Evac, sheriff's office, police departments and ER staff at Share Medical Center all took part in the exercise.

Johnny Vaughn, regional response System Coordinator with the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, observed the emergency teams for evaluation.

“The purpose of a drill like this is to test the ability of all agencies and to determine the strength of their ability to work together. A multi-jurisdiction exercise can be instrumental in preparing them to work as one team. All those entities have to work together and make their communications with each other to plan for the day that they may actually need to manage a disaster,” Vaughn said.

“They all did very well. I was very impressed as was everyone who was there for the evaluation process. The scenario they chose was extreme and certainly tested the abilities of all departments.”

Read more:   http://news.mywebpal.com

New Jersey: Terrorist attack is scenario for drill involving emergency responders in three counties

 
A prop plane was ground zero for a drill on response to a terrorist attack just outside Atco Raceway in Waterford Township Sunday, April 29, 2012. Emergency responders from three counties participated in the drill.
Photo by Joe Green/Gloucester County Times


WATERFORD TWP. — Spectators spring from their seats and cheer as the engines roar, side-by-side toward the finish line.

It’s another sun-drenched weekend at Atco Raceway, and the race comes down to a bumper’s edge. But suddenly, a deafening roar overwhelms all other noise.

A passenger plane snaps trees then slams to the turf, seeming to shake the earth.

Soon, police, firefighters, EMS and later federal agents will descend on this edge of Wharton State Forest, picking through the rubble and the pines for battered survivors, and for clues.

Such was the scenario for a practice drill held here Sunday, involving 24 emergency agencies from Camden, Burlington and Atlantic counties.

The drill - funded by at least part of a $102,000 Homeland Security grant - was a run-through for the emergency workers who would respond to a terrorist attack on a plane whose carnage ends up here. 

Organizers stressed the importance of a well-coordinated effort crossing jurisdictions and including agencies from the local to the federal level.

“With a large plan crash, you could have miles and miles of debris,” Camden County Emergency Management Coordinator Samuel Spino said.

“That’s why you need a coordinated effort.”

That would include teams securing the plane’s main body, searching it for survivors, removing the dead. It would mean sending teams out to nearby fields and into the forest to look for others, and for pieces of debris to be combed over by investigators.

Members of community emergency response teams (CERTs) - volunteer groups that provide certain services generally when professional responders are not yet available or to help them - took part in the drill along with police, firefighters, EMS and others.

Spino said the drill was a long time coming. It took about two years of planning, he said. 

Part of the difficulty lay in getting 24 groups - with schedules and commitments of their own - together for a large-scale training drill, Spino said.

“But in a real-life situation like this, they’re all coming,” he added.

A prop passenger plane placed near the Raceway gates served as ground zero. The craft lay, snapped open just behind the cockpit.

The tail was missing, and an engine lay to the side, along with a wheel and landing gear nearby.

The drill’s scene altogether was bound by the Mullica River and Jackson Road, Spino said, and was broken into three general divisions. 

Practice like Sunday’s is especially important in an area surrounded by airports, including Philadelphia and Atlantic City International, as well as Cross Keys Airport, said Camden County Director of Communications and Community Affairs Dan Keashen.

“This area sits between several large airports,” Keashen said. “God forbid one of those planes is highjacked by terrorists.”

But in such an event, he and Spino say, responders from throughout the area will be ready.

Source:  http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county

Government yet to suspend Civil Aviation Authority chief despite court orders

Akhtar Amin
Monday, April 30, 2012

 
PESHAWAR: Even after five days the federal government has not implemented the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order to suspend the Civil Aviation Authority director general.

Taking serious notice of the Bhoja Air crash and non-implementation of the high court orders passed two months ago, a division bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on April 25 ordered immediate suspension of CAA head Nadeem Yousafzai till the completion of reinvestigation of the Airblue and Bhoja airplanes’ crash through an independent inquiry by international experts.

The sources told The News that suspension of the CAA chief would take time as the competent authority for his suspension was the prime minister and he was under immense pressure after his conviction by the Supreme Court in the contempt of court case.

Sources in the Civil Aviation Headquarters told The News that the CAA director general was going to challenge the verdict next week in the Supreme Court. During course of hearing, the CAA’s senior legal advisor Obaidur Rehman Abbasi had informed the bench that the new director general had taken over about 20 days ago and he was fully implementing the court order.

The bench stated in the order that the Ministry of Defence and CAA had ignored the court’s order issued on February 21 in which the ministry was directed to form a separate board of inquiry, including foreign experts, to inspect all aircraft of the PIA and private airlines, examine the CAA performance and check the capability of flying pilots and other crewmembers within 90 days.

The chief justice had observed that had the court’s order been implemented the Bhoja Air crash could have been averted and precious lives saved.

Umar Farooq Adam, counsel for former MNA Marvi Memon and legal heirs of Airblue crash victims, said on Sunday the federal government was bound to implement the high court decision without any delay if the Supreme Court did not suspend it. He said five days had passed and the federal government had yet to implement the decision.

Human Rights Commission, South Asia representative for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata, Abdul Samad Khan Marwat also said the federal government should immediately suspend the CAA chief.

http://www.thenews.com.pk

Runway and Taxiway Construction Safety - FAA Airport Construction Advisory Council

Presented to:  ACI-NA 2012 Conference
By:  Jim Krieger and David Siewert
Date:  April 19, 2012


Volunteer pilots - Houston, Texas

Private pilots can log some flying time while helping people in need. 

A regional pilots' network is recruiting additional volunteer pilots to use their own planes to fly ambulatory medical outpatients from outlying areas to any of a number of Houston area airports (large and small) where other volunteers will take them to their medical appointments or temporary lodgings. 

Expenses incurred by pilots are tax deductible. 

For more information, contact Volunteer Houston from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at 713-965-0031 or visit www.volunteerhouston.org.

Russian airline to create 100 jobs at Shannon airport facility

 

Alex Krinichanskiy, managing director, Transaero Airlines, Joseph Millar, executive chairman Transaero Engineering Ireland, and William McGonagle, chief executive Transaero Engineering Ireland at their Shannon airport facility yesterday.
Photograph: Kieran Clancy


CIARÁN HANCOCK
 ~
RUSSIA’S SECOND biggest airline Transaero expects to create about 100 new jobs at its newly acquired aircraft maintenance business in Shannon in the next 12 months.

It has also held talks with Shannon airport about possibly routing flights from Russia to the US through the Co Clare facility, where its passengers could clear customs and border protection.

Commenting on the potential for additional jobs in an interview with The Irish Times on Friday in Shannon, Alex Krinichanskiy, Transaero’s chief executive said: “I would think about another 100 over the next year. That’s the close horizon and then who knows how many more.”

The Shannon business, now called Transaero Engineering, has already hired 16 apprentices, almost double the level of 2011.

Transaero recently acquired Air Atlanta Aero Engineering, which has 241 staff and was set up in 1962.

Mr Krinichanskiy said the potential existed for a “multi-million-dollar” investment in the facility, which is located beside the airport in the Shannon free zone. He said it has held preliminary talks with state agencies Shannon Development and the IDA about investing in its facility here.

“We are spending close to $70 million a year globally on heavy maintenance,” he explained. “We are going to be spending a big chunk of that here [now]. The question is do you want the rest?

“If you want us to spend that money here, let’s figure out how to do it together.”

Mr Krinichanskiy said Transaero’s first priority was to return the Irish business to the black. It made a loss of about €700,000 last year while its turnover fell by 14 per cent to €19 million.

“For the first year we will return them to profitability . . . and integrate into the Transaero structure.”

He said he expected the Irish business to achieve turnover of “in excess of €22 million” this year.

Transaero plans to use the Shannon business to conduct a lot of the heavy maintenance work on its 82 aircraft.

The Irish company recently began the process of certification for Boeing 747s and 777s. It currently works on 737s and 767s.

“We don’t have a heavy maintenance facility in Moscow and don’t have plans to develop that. We always wanted to control more of our own destiny on the maintenance side and were on the look out for a good facility to partner with.”

Transaero is due to take delivery of four 787 Dreamliner from Boeing in 2014 and Mr Krinichanskiy indicated that the Shannon plant might be upgraded to handle maintenance work on this new aircraft model.

“That’s what we are looking at. Probably 787 makes much more sense because in this part of the world, there is just one company that is getting there to service 787s. That is one of the plans we have in mind when talking to Boeing. It would open up endless opportunities for our affiliate here.”

Mr Krinichanskiy said there was “no business case” currently to operate direct flights to Ireland from Russia but indicated that it might use Shannon as a stopover on services to the US.

“Shannon is unique in terms of offering a full pre-clearance for the United Sates,” he said. “Transaero operates to New York,Miami and Los Angeles. We are looking for secondary destinations in Boston and Chicago and other areas. There may be an economic and commercial case behind that.”

The airline held talks with Shannon airport in December.

Transaero recorded profits of $150 million on turnover of $3 billion last year.

Mr Krinichanskiy said he expected revenues to rise to $3.6 billion this year. The airline employs 9,500, primarily at bases in Moscow and St Petersburg.

http://www.irishtimes.com

Civil Aviation Authority report confirms suspicions

Last updated 10:35 30/04/2012 

A Civil Aviation Authority investigation into the death of glider pilot Mike Dekker has confirmed many pilots' suspicions in relation to the accident, says Marlborough Gliding Club president Carl Jackson.

Many pilots thought that turbulence was a likely cause of the accident, and their suspicions had been supported by the findings of the CAA report released on Thursday, Mr Jackson said.

Mr Dekker, 55, died after his Mini-Nimbus HS7 glider crashed on Orchard Spur near the Taylor Pass while he was attempting a 1000-kilometre non-stop flight in 2009.

The CAA investigation could not reach a conclusive reason for the crash, but said significant turbulence and down draughts were most probably responsible.

Mr Jackson said that despite the findings of the investigation, there was still an element of mystery surrounding the crash. The weather on the day had appeared to be favourable for gliding but proved to be unpredictable.

"Gliding is essentially understanding weather, of which Mike had nearly 2000 hours of practice and many more planning and observing," said Mr Jackson. "Nature always has the potential to be unpredictable, which seems to be true in this case."

As a result of Mr Dekker's accident, most of Marlborough Gliding Club's cross-country pilots now carry GPS trackers on board their aircraft, said Mr Jackson.

The GPS trackers provide position reports on a website which allows a pilot's progress to be tracked. 

Source:  http://www.stuff.co.nz

Cape May County (KWWD), Wildwood, New Jersey: Airport Management Contract Proposed

Sun, 04/29/2012 - 6:26 pm
By Al Campbell

ERMA -- One thing Freeholder Will Morey vowed to do when seeking the seat he had held since January was to boost the local economy.

On Tue., April 24, Morey offered a resolution to grant an open-end consultant agreement with Steven Baldwin Associates of Albany, NY to aid the county with "airport management consultant services" that are not to exceed $15,000 for six months.

Long a sore point because of its potential, yet with a history of many failed business ventures, the airport seems to offer economic promise. Just how to bring that promise to fruition has been elusive. Large firms, such as Timme Fabrics and Everlon held hope that manufacturing there could be revived. Both failed after brief lives.

Some firms had a decent record there, but went out of business for other reasons.

At the present, there is no fixed base operator to fuel general aviation planes that land at the former US Naval air station. Proposals for that service were to be received by Delaware River and Bay Authority, which operates the airport, on March 7. No decision has been made regarding that important facet of airport operation, especially with the summer increase in flights to the county in private planes.

The freeholders' resolution admits the airport is "an integral part of the county's economy."

Baldwin Associates "specializes in assisting clients in the areas of airport management, organizational, and governance review, performance benchmarking, strategic planning, economic development, tenant lease negotiation, owner's representative services and other services and programs unique to developing airports in an efficient and effective manner."

Baldwin's six-month contract began April 25.

Cessna 550 Citation II, N819KR: Fatal accident occurred July 08, 2023 near Murrieta/Temecula-French Valley Airport, CA (RBK), Riverside County, California

Eliott Simpson
Senior Aviation Accident Investigator 
National Transportation Safety Board

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. 

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Joseph Kluk; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California 

Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances and post-crash fire.

Prestige Worldwide Flights LLC 


Date: 08-JUL-23
Time: 08:52:00Z
Regis#: N819KR
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 550
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 6
Flight Crew: 2 Fatal
PassengersL 4 Fatal 
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: UNKNOWN
Flight Phase: APPROACH (APR)
Operation: 91
City: MURRIETA
State: CALIFORNIA

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.


Riese Lenders, age 25, passed away on July 8, 2023. He was born on October 23, 1997.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to England Family Mortuary, Inc., Temecula, California.

Alma Delia Razick
September 11, 1971  -  July 8, 2023

Ibrahem Hasan Razick
August 7, 1976  -  July 8, 2023
~

Abraham “Abe” and Alma Razick of Temecula, formerly of Chicago, passed away in the early hours on July 8 in a tragic plane crash. 

Abraham was born on August 7, 1976, to Esther Velez and was raised by Mario Pacheco. Alma was born on September 11, 1971, to Margarito and Elsa Maria Beltran. Abe and Alma were both born into large and loving families then went on to have their own loving and dear family. They were married for 25 years and leave behind seven children: Sam, Daisy, Jasmine, Violet, Hasan, Mario, and Abraham.

Abe and Alma were devoted parents – they lived for their kids. They put their heart and soul into raising them and making sure they had everything they wanted and needed. There was nothing they would not do for them.

Abe was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He also was a decorated U.S. Marine, having served four years. He quickly attained the rank of E5 sergeant and earned two Naval Achievement Medals, at 19 and 20, and a Certificate of Commendation. Abe will be greatly missed and leaves an amazing legacy of countless people whose lives he impacted. To know Abe was to love him. He was one-of-a-kind; one of the kindest, most generous souls you could ever meet. He thrived on helping, mentoring, and inspiring people – that’s what gave him joy. He had a heart of gold.

Alma was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Alma was a great lover of music and showed her love to others by cooking for them. Alma was so giving and always opened her home to family and friends. She always made sure you had everything you needed, and if you didn’t, she would get it for you. She was never selfish. As long as she had her big cup of coffee while sitting out watching the sunrise and hot air balloons, she was at peace. Alma was the type of person who would send you a gift or card on your birthday – beautifully wrapped and on time, of course – she never missed a special occasion. She thought of everything, was always on time and never missed a beat. Alma was an amazing mom who truly did it all. She could care for the kids all day on her own, then have dinner on the table for her family after a long day. She was who others around her aspired to be as a wife and mom.

Abe and Alma were inseparable. Abe always talked about unconditional love. Alma and Abe were the perfect example of this. Abe always called them the “power couple.” They always worked together as a team. Alma would care for the kids while Abe drove long hours to his dealerships and neither ever complained. They were happy to help each other in any way possible to support eachother. They spent their last moments together and wouldn’t have been able to live happily without the other. Together, they accomplished everything in life that they had set out to achieve since the day they met. Abe had that passion and hunger for greatness, and Alma was his right hand, with him every step of the way, motivating him and keeping him headstrong. Without each other, they would not have succeeded the way they did.

Abe and Alma were very generous donors, both having played a vital role not just in the lives of Abe’s employees but also in the livelihood of many people. They donated to many charities, giving people hope and opportunity. Abraham and Alma truly paid it forward. Always a giver, Abe also donated a kidney to his mother, who enjoyed a longer and better quality of life for 20 more years and he never let anyone forget it. Abe used to say she had a piece of him with her and Alma joked he was her favorite because he gave her the gift of life. Now they’re all reunited together in heaven.

Along with his contributions and donations, Abe was also known for his many achievements, such as being named Automotive News’ 40 under 40 and Automotive News’ notable military veteran. His dealerships include Fullerton Ford Orange County, Hyundai of Yuma, and Kia of Yuma. Most recently, Abe was chosen to be on the Hyundai Hope on Wheels board.

Abe was a problem solver. If you told him a problem or an issue, before you were finished talking, he would already start thinking of a way or plan to help you remedy that problem and come out on top. He had this way of talking and thinking that made you want to be better and do better. You couldn’t get a way without a motivational speech or quote from him. He was always aiming to motivate others. It was inspiring. He had the heart of a lion.

In one of Abe’s last conversations with his cousin about a week before his passing, he talked about how happy he was, how full his life was, that he had accomplished all his goals and then some. He said if he died tomorrow or next week, he would die having achieved all of his dreams. Something everyone will remember about them is they truly lived. They truly lived their best life, and they didn’t do anything mediocre. That’s something everyone can learn from Abe and Alma. They lived every day as it was their last; they left no page unturned. If Abe or Alma wanted to do something, they did it. They didn’t waste time or procrastinate. They were go-getters, competitive people. They were perfectly made for the other – destined for greatness, TOGETHER.

Abe and Alma’s love and legacy will live on in the hearts of all those who knew them. Their smiles, love, and passion for life are imprinted in every single person they knew. If anyone feels down or unsure of where to go in life, close your eyes and picture Abe’s smile and words of encouragement. Imagine him telling you this (with motivational background music):

“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful. You have to bless to be blessed. Be a lion, not a sheep. Don’t be a victim. And never accept mediocrity. Hoorah.”

Abe and Alma’s last weeks were spent in total bliss with their kids in Puerto Rico. Every day spent there was special; their children will remember it forever. They were blessed to have spent all that time en la isla de encanto with their children. We know Abe and Alma are lovingly held in the arms of Jesus and happily reunited with their family. Although we miss them terribly, we know we will be reunited with them again.

Abraham is survived by his father, four siblings, seven children, and three grandchildren (with one on the way). He is the son of the late Esther Velez. Alma is survived by her parents, four siblings, seven children, and three grandchildren (with one on the way).

There will be a service at Casey & Rios Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 18, from 3 p.m. — 9 p.m. for those who would like to say their final goodbyes and celebrate their beautiful lives and legacy they left behind.


Abigail Tellez-Vargas – 33 – Murrieta
Ibrahem Razick – 46 – Temecula
Alma Razick – 51 – Temecula
Lindsey Gleiche – 31 – Huntington Beach
Manuel Vargas-Regalado – 32 – Temecula
Riese Lenders – 25 – Rancho Palos Verdes


Van's RV-8: The airplane is naked no more!

 


 Douglas TBD Devastator paint scheme 

by Glen

For the past *almost* four weeks, the RV-8 has been at Chorman Airport (Greenwood Delaware) with Russell Aircraft Refinishing with Jim Russell. Yesterday, the finished airplane was rolled out into the sunlight *and the sun blushed*. OK, that’s a bit too dramatic but the paint scheme definitely held its own against the backdrop of puffy clouds and the on-field monster Ag planes. To say I am pleased, is conservative use of the English language.

So, the question I got most – from the first day I brought the airplane home – what color will you paint it? The answer is now silver, bright yellow, pale yellow, black, blue, white, and red. Seven colors in all!


Read more and photos:

British pilot imprisoned after discovering suspected Lord's Resistance Army massacre

 David Simpson poses with his light aircraft and a colleague. Mr Simpson has been held without charge for more than a month on suspicion of murder


8:00PM BST 29 Apr 2012
~
Investigators in the capital, Bangui, arrested David Simpson, 24, after six hours of interrogation during which they said they held him responsible for the deaths of 18 villagers in the remote south-east of the country.

"It's absolutely ridiculous, there is not a shred of evidence beyond hearsay, but still they've held me illegally, without charge, for more than a month," Mr Simpson told The Daily Telegraph on a mobile phone smuggled into his prison cell.

Mr Simpson, from Pickering, North Yorks, whose company offers wealthy clients the opportunity to shoot lion, Lord Derby's Eland and buffalo, among other species, was helping to clear a road through dense bush in the south of his firm's vast hunting concession on March 23 when his colleagues reported dead bodies found near a local gold mine.

He went to investigate, and says he found the bodies, all male, arranged as if they had been systematically killed. All of the dead men worked at the hand-panning mine, locals said.

"Six of them were all face down in a circle, their heads in the middle, four others were nearby and in total there were 18 dead guys there," he said.

"Some had been beaten to death with sticks, others had had boiling water poured on them first, then killed. It looked exactly like reports I've seen of other Lord's Resistance Army attacks. It was pretty awful."

The rebel army, headed by Joseph Kony, continues to terrorise civilian populations in the remote jungles of southern CAR, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Kony was the subject of an internet video that went viral last month, viewed more than 90 million times.

"We called the military, they came the next day and basically freaked out," Mr Simpson said.

"They took a few photographs on their mobile phones and that was the sum total of their investigation. They left immediately."

Days later, Mr Simpson's aircraft was fired at as he took off from the nearest town, Bakouma. He says locals angered that they were not given jobs at his company, owned by a CAR-born Swedish hunter, were to blame.

"It's pretty clear that the killings had nothing to do with us, but it helped some of the guys in town follow their own agendas to blame us," he said.

Both Mr Simpson and his boss, Erik Mararv, went voluntarily to the capital to answer questions, and both were immediately arrested. Neither has been charged but both are still imprisoned, more than a month later.

Emelie Mararv, Mr Mararv's wife, confirmed that there had been no information about why the two men had been jailed, and no sense of when they would be released.

Firmin Findiro, the CAR Justic Minister, told The Daily Telegraph: “The government is not accusing the men of anything - the case will be brought before a magistrate next week who will see whether they actually had any role in the incident.”

“The men have legal representation and I have received both the British and Swedish consuls regarding the matter.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said they were providing consular assistance.

Celebrating in the sky: Birthday Flight

By Paula Stuart 
News Chief Correspondent
Published: Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 7:43 a.m.

WINTER HAVEN -- There are probably no more than 10 people in the United States who still fly an airplane at the age of 90, according to Jon Brown, owner of Brown's Seaplane Base in Winter Haven. One of those rare individuals was recently spotted in the air on his 90th birthday. Jim Torphy flew his 1946 Piper Cub airplane solo on April 17, and called it his "birthday flight."

"My son, who is a corporate pilot for 34 years, encouraged me to do it. It didn't feel any different, though. I didn't feel any sense of gratification or accomplishment. It's just like tying your shoes; just routine," he said.

Brown said, although Torphy is still active and flies regularly, this was still a surprise to him.

"It was 7 a.m. I was getting planes ready. This plane flew over me and I said, 'I bet that's Jim,' so I turned my lights on and honked the horn and he followed me back to the hangar," Brown said.

Torphy retired at age 62 from Bloomington, Ind., where he was the airport operator for many years. A friend took him to Brown's Seaplane Base, and Torphy started working there as a flight instructor. Later, he and his wife, Gabby, of 63 years relocated to Winter Haven.

"Jim came down here in 1973, when my father owned the base. He got his seaplane rating. He was a land plane pilot first," Brown said.

Torphy got the "flying bug" at an early age.

"I can remember when I was 12 years old some barnstormers came through our town and took me for a ride. I got the bug. I really wanted to fly. I am real fortunate. Anybody who had a plane back then made their money hauling booze in the prohibition days," Torphy said.

As a young man, Torphy worked on B17s and was also a flight engineer. He attended both B29 gunnery school and B29 electrical school in the 1940s. He then trained ROTC classes at the Torp Aero Service Flight School in Bloomington for Indiana University, beginning in 1963.

"We were training them for private pilot course. After college graduation, they were going to active duty military. I was contracted by Indiana University until the end of the Vietnam War," Torphy said. "Flight training was not offered at all the colleges. We trained mostly Army and Air Force, and had one Marine."

Brown said hundreds of Torphy's students became pilots for the Army, Air Force and Marines, including United States astronaut Kenneth Bowersox.

More than 130 people celebrated Torphy's 90th birthday party, recently held at Brown's Seaplan Base. Torphy even got a letter from coach Bobby Knight of Indiana University. Torphy flew him Knight across the country when he was in Bloomington.

"The party was a big surprise to me. A lot of people came. The furthest one was from Dallas," he said. "They put a plaque on the back porch (of Brown's Seaplane Base.) It is officially the 'Jim Torphy Room.'"

Brian Meadley attended the birthday bash. He flew in England in the Royal Air Force for 20 years. Meadley, 81, is a part-time flight instructor at Brown's Seaplane Base.

"We have a holiday home in Winter Haven. When I'm here, I'm practically full-time," Meadley said. "I think he's a terrific chap. I've known him for 25 years, and flown with him several times. He doesn't miss a thing in the air. He is still a very accomplished pilot and also a very nice man. It was a jolly-good party in the hangar at the seaplane base."

Brown said Torphy is rare, as many pilots eventually lose their certification due to medical or physical circumstances.

Torphy said, "I'm just going to keep flying."

http://www.newschief.com

Piper Comanche PA-24 Stabilator Bearings

 

April 29, 2012 by bhugel  

Demonstration of the corrosion found on the horizontal stabilator bearings. I would suspect that if you have the original stabilator bearings in your plane they probably look like this. Would you want to be flying in a plane with bearings that are unlubricated for 50 years. If your A&P is not correctly inspecting the stabilator horn by removing it, then what's the chances that he'll come across bearings in this condition? I'm glad my A&P is doing his job and hope he doesn't retire soon! Is yours?   I can't express enough that there was no experience of resistance when moving the control surfaces with these bearings installed so please do not think that your bearings are good because you can't feel it.

Private Jet Central’s Latest Fleet Addition Takes to the Air

Private Jet Central has added to its ever growing fleet of aircraft. The new Citation Mustang is expected to enter service in early June 2012. 
 
London, UK (PRWEB) April 29, 2012 

As part of their moves to modernise and expand their fleet of aircraft Private Jet Central are pleased to announce their latest addition a Citation Mustang light jet. The Mustang is expected to enter service in late May or early June 2012. It will be used for domestic flights in the UK and short haul flights to a number of destinations around Europe.

The Citation Mustang has a maximum range of 1,150 nm and can carry four passengers and a crew of two at speeds of up to 340 knots and a cruising altitude of 41,000ft. The interior is configured in a club seating arrangement to maximise the space available. All of the amenities one would expect from a jet manufactured by Cessna are there including fully reclinable leather seating, multi-media functionality and ample storage facilities in the cabin and also in the nose and tail cone baggage compartments.

Andrew Hudson at Private Jet Central has said “The Citation is a fantastic plane and we are looking forward to its introduction”.

Pleasure and business users who want to fly private jet from London to Nice can book flights quickly and easily on the Private Jet Central website. Frequent flyers can now benefit from the I-Jet Card which offers significant time and financial savings to Private Jet Central clients.

About Private Jet Central

Private Jet Central is a global jet charter company with offices in the United Kingdom, United States and the Middle East. Established in 2001 they offer a range of jet charter services to business and pleasure users in the UK and Europe. As well as jet charters Private Jet Central offer a range of aircraft management services. More information on the full range of services offered by Private Jet Central is available from their website at http://www.privatejetcentral.com/ and also by contacting any of their offices by phone or via e-mail.

Citation CJ2 Take off and landing Glasgow

April 28, 2012

Flying the Dassault 2000S


Apr 5, 2012 by looptelevision

We get to grips with the very latest aircraft from French producers, Dassault, the 2000S.

To get the FREE Loop general aviation App for your iPAD click the link http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/loop-aviation-magazine/id465155026?mt=8

Remos GXNXT at AERO 2012


 Außenaufnahmen der Remos GXNXT auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Remos GXeLite at AERO 2012


Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Remos GXeLite auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Embraer Phenom 100 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Embraer Phenom 100 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Skyleader 600 at AERO 2012

 Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der SKYLEADER 600 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Alpha Jet 01 at AERO 2012


Außen- und Innenaufnahmen des Alpha Jets 01 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Ellipse Spirit at AERO 2012



Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Ellipse Spirit auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Musik: Prelude in C - BWV - Kevin MacLeod (Royalty Free)

Aquila SXT at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Aquila SXT auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Beechcraft Bonanza G36 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Beechcraft Bonanza G36 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Cessna Skycatcher at AERO 2012

 
 Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Cessna Skycatcher auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Diamond HK36 Super Dimona TTS at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Diamond HK 36 Super Dimona TTS auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Diamond DA 40 NG at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Diamond DA 40 NG auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. 

Diamond DV20 Katana at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Diamond DV20 Katana auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Embraer Phenom 300 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Embraer Phenom 300 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

FA 01 Peregrine SL at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der FA 01 Peregrine S auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Flight Design C4 Mockup at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen des Flight Design C4 Mockups auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Extra 330 LX at AERO 2012

 
 Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Extra 330 LX auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Skyleader 600 at AERO 2012


Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der SKYLEADER 600 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Rotax 912 iS Engine at AERO 2012

 
Der Rotax 912 iS Motor auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Extra 330 LT at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Extra 330 LT auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Flight Design CTLS+ mit Rotax 914 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Flight Design CTLS+ auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Flight Design CTLSi at AERO 2012


 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Flight Design CTLSi auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Ikarus C52 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Ikarus C52 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

MTOsport Agric at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der MTOsport Agric auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

PS28 Cruiser at AERO 2012

Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der PS28 Cruiser auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Skylane at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Skylane auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Tecnam P92 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Tecnam P92 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Tecnam P2008 at AERO 2012


Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Tecnam P2008 auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Tecnam P2010 at AERO 2012

 
Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Tecnam P Twenty ten auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

UL Power UL550iS at AERO 2012

 

Außen- und 
Innenaufnahmen der UL Power UL550iS auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

SportStar RTC at AERO 2012



Außen- und Innenaufnahmen der Sportstar RTC auf der AERO Messe 2012 in Friedrichshafen. Weitere Infos finden Sie unter: http://www.preiswerte-flugzeuge.de/ und auf http://www.fliegerblog.de

Shoals eyes Silver Airways

By Russ Corey

Four Mississippi communities, the Shoals and an airport in West Virginia agree that Silver Airways is the airline they want to provide commuter air service under the Essential Air Service program.

The next step will be to convince the U.S. Department of Transportation that Silver Airways should be awarded the contract, even though its bid is significantly higher than the other airline seeking the contract.

Silver Airways, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is proposing non-stop flights from the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on a 34-seat Saab 340B-plus aircraft, an upgraded version of a twin-turboprop plane that flew out of the Shoals for years under the colors of Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection.

The proposal is an "all or nothing" deal that includes airports in Greenville, Tupelo, Hattiesburg/Laurel, all in Mississippi, and Greenbrier/White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

The proposal has to be recommended by all five communities and be approved by the transportation department for all five communities.

The only other airline to submit a bid for Shoals air service was Air Choice One, of St. Louis, Mo., which is offering six proposals, including two all-inclusive proposals for the Shoals and three Mississippi communities.

Air Choice One proposals involve 24 weekly nonstop flights to the Memphis International Airport. The airline would utilize either an eight-seat, twin-engine Piper Navaho or a single-engine Cessna Caravan.

Three of the remaining four options involve the Shoals and Tupelo, Miss., including one that would provide service from the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport to Atlanta on an eight-seat Jetstream aircraft and an option for flights to Memphis on an 18-seat Jetstream.

The five communities appear to be solidly behind the Silver Airways bid despite it's costly price tag, which is more than double the price associated with Air Choice One even though several factors in each company's proposals are different. One of Silver's proposals involves a federal subsidy of more than $16 million.

Delta Airlines is currently providing air service at the airport in Muscle Shoals, but company officials are seeking to withdraw with the Essential Air Service program that subsidizes airlines that agree to provide service to mostly rural communities that are more than 50 miles from a larger airport.

Delta is receiving a subsidy of just under $1.8 million this year.

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport Director Barry Griffith said he does not expect any opposition to the bid from the local Air Services Committee.

Griffith said a local committee that reviews the EAS proposals and the airport's board of directors support the Silver Airways proposal.

In fact, there has been a coordinated effort among the Shoals, the Mississippi communities and the West Virginia community to support Silver Airways' bid.

"We're in the process of putting together our response as a coordinated response from all the airports in support of the Silver Airways bid as the best option and the one that has the best chance of being successful," Griffith said.

He said the Shoals and the other communities will send letters of recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation at the same time.

"It's safe to say that all three entities, as well as the mayor of Muscle Shoals, support it," he said.

A member of the local EAS committee, Shoals Chamber of Commerce President Steve Holt, said he prefers the Silver Airways proposal because of the Atlanta connection and the type of aircraft.

"Personally, that would be my first choice," Holt said.

Tupelo Regional Airport Director Joshua Abramson said the airport's website received numerous comments from community members who support the Silver Airways proposal.

"We definitely want Silver," Abramson said. "It's really the only option for us."

He said Tupelo travelers prefer to fly to the Atlanta airport because of the number of flights and available destinations.

"Memphis is not the airport it used to be," he said.

Delta Air Lines has cut 25 percent of its service to Memphis, which resulted in about 800,000 fewer passengers, Abramson said.

Abramson said he is concerned about the amount of the Silver Airways bid.

"That's what we're working on," he said.

Airport boardings were about 12,000 in Tupelo in 2011, Abramson said. Just more than 8,000 passengers used the Muscle Shoals airport in 2011.

He said the price may be more of a concern to the West Virginia community that's included in Silver Airways' bid.

Jerry O'Sullivan, manager of the Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg, W.Va., said Silver Airways was the only airline to submit a proposal to provide air service in his community.

"I'm all in on this bid," O'Sullivan said. "This is just what we want."

O'Sullivan said his community, like the others, needs the Atlanta route.

"I hope this bid goes through," O'Sullivan said. "We're going to try to work politically from our end. It would be the best thing for us, but there are some questions about the high price."

The deadline to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation about the proposals is May 10.

Griffith said he expects transportation officials to act quickly to select a carrier to replace Delta.
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PROPOSALS

Proposals for providing commercial air service to and from Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals:

Silver Airways

(Both proposals for five communities)

    Option 1 (all inclusive):

34-seat Saab Turboprop

36 weekly flights to Atlanta

Subsidy: $16,757,974

    Option 2 (all inclusive):


34-seat Saab Turboprop

24 weekly flights to Atlanta

Subsidy: $14,773,473

Air Choice One

    Option 1 (all inclusive):

8-seat Piper Navajo

24 weekly flights to Memphis

Subsidy: $5,915,007

    Option 2 (all inclusive):

8-seat Cessna Caravan

24 weekly flights to Memphis

Subsidy: $6,567,977

    Option 3 (Greenville, Laurel/Hattiesburg, Miss.):

8-seat Jetstream

24 weekly flights to Memphis

Subsidy: $4,914,736 (24 weekly flights)

Subsidy: $4,251,210 (18 weekly flights)

    Option 4 (Muscle Shoals/Tupelo, Miss.):

8-seat Jetstream

24 weekly flights to Memphis

18 weekly flights to Memphis

Subsidy: $4,895,466 (24 weekly flights)

Subsidy: $4,204,285 (18 weekly flights)


    Option 5 (Muscle Shoals/Tupelo, Miss.):

8-seat Jetstream

24 weekly flights to Atlanta/Memphis:

$5,020,753

18 weekly flights to Atlanta/Memphis:

$4,227,729

Subsidy: $5,020,753 (24 weekly flights)

Subsidy: $4,227,729 (18 weekly flights)

    Option 6 (Muscle Shoals/Tupelo, Miss.):

8-seat Piper Navajo

24 weekly flights to Memphis

Subsidy: $3,480,367

18-seat Jetstream

18 weekly flights to Memphis

Subsidy: $4,102,115

Source:  http://www.timesdaily.com