WSVN-TV -
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) -- A man who was injured when he fell from a horse took to the skies to give thanks to the medical staff who saved him.
Don Donaguer paid for a plane to circle Memorial Regional Hospital Friday afternoon in order to tell the people who took care of him exactly how he felt. The banner the plane displayed read, "Dr. Daniel Chan is the man! Thanks Memorial Staff, Don."
Donaguer was taken to the hospital on Feb. 15, the day after he returned from a Valentine's Day vacation in the Cayman Islands. "We were having a great time, we were riding these horses," recalled Lydia, the patient's wife. Donaguer, regarded by loved ones as "quite the jokester," had the day all planned out, and even had a floral arrangement delivered to Lydia in their suite.
Donaguer said his fall altered the day's plans. "It's my big day of the year, and the wife said, 'No rain check.' ... You know what I'm talking about," he said.
According to Lydia, the horse Don was riding "got a little excited, and Don, down he went."
Donaguer said he suffered a nasty fall. "I was in shock that it happened," he said. "I hit [the ground]. I had a concussion. They threw me on a pickup truck on the beach."
Donaguer arrived at Memorial Regional the next day. Luckily for the patient, his injuries were the specialty of Dr. Daniel Chan, an orthopedic trauma surgeon. "He had a substantial pelvic fracture," said the doctor. "He was stable, but it was obvious he needed some kind of surgery to restore the alignment and stability of his pelvis, so he could walk again," he continued.
Dr. Chan used screws and plates to put Donaguer back together. "When I came out of surgery and I woke up, I was, like, 'Dr. Chan is the man!' I mean, I was screaming, I was happy to be alive [because] you're in this position where you just don't know," he said.
To express his appreciation, Donaguer came up with the idea of a plane banner. Dr. Chan said his reaction to it was "quite a shock when Don told me he was going to do that."
"I'm showing my gratitude," added Donaguer. "I'm so thankful. I'm so grateful, to the hospital, to Dr. Chan."
Story and Video: http://www.wsvn.com
March 1, 2013
Inquiry into beach plane crash, but they’d better hurry
The older brother of a man killed after a plane crashed on Maroochydore Beach in 1950 says the new investigation is urgent as the number of witnesses to the tragedy is dwindling.
Brian O'Connor, soon to turn 79, lost his brother Liam when an RAAF Wirraway on shark patrol cartwheeled across the crowded beach, killing three children and injuring 14.
He investigated the matter privately for some 20 years, coming to the conclusion that the pilot, who claimed to have been circling a shark spotted outside the breakers, may have been skylarking to impress the girls on the beach.
"He was flying too fast and too low and, when he did a sharp bank, his wing hit the sand," Mr O'Connor said.
His collated notes were presented to Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie in December in the hope of a fresh Coroner's investigation into the tragedy.
Mr Bleijie has announced a new investigation.
Mr O'Connor said he was "happy" with the decision, but added that many passing years meant it was becoming more urgent.
"If they do decide to question people then it better sooner than later, because we're all getting older," he said.
Liam O'Connor, Pauline Probert and Graham Blair were killed in the accident.
Story: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28671506
Indy's loss might be Dayton's gain
Terry Grevious said even if the Thunderbirds are grounded due to sequestration there are plenty of attractions to draw a crowd, including the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F appearing for the first time in Dayton.
Grevious told 2 NEWS no sponsors have pulled out because of uncertainty generated by federal budget cuts. The Indianapolis Air Show lost a $10,000 sponsor and the show's executive committee canceled the event due to take place the weekend before Dayton's.
The U. S. Navy Blue Angels were scheduled to perform in Indy and are set to be in Dayton in 2014.
Grevious said Dayton organizers will look to expand marketing in Indianapolis and other areas where air shows are off for this year.
For comparison, the Indianapolis Air Show cost about $600,000 to produce last year, Dayton spends more than a million on its show and has many more years of history.
It takes about two hours to drive from Indianapolis and Dayton.
Story and Video: http://www.wdtn.com
Clay Center Municipal (KCYW), Kansas: Spicer alone submits bid for full airport services
Two of the three
proposals submitted to the City of the Clay Center for the airport
manager and fix-based operator contracts did not meet all of
specifications the city requested for those contracts.
The city’s Property and Rec. Committee reviewed three proposals for the airport on Thursday, but because the committee lacked a quorum, no action was taken on who to recommend for the airport contracts.
Mike Spicer, the current airport manager, and Scott Heinen and Glenn Heinen, of Heinen Bros Agra Service, submitted proposals and draft contracts which differed significantly from each other, but were the most complete. Ty McNeil submitted his resume in applying for airport manager, but he did not list any airport or flight experience and submitted no proposals for how he would operate the airport.
The ad requesting proposals asked for “proposals for fixed-based operator services, including any or all of the following: full-service refueling, community hangar operations and ground towing, and aircraft maintenance services.” The ad also asked for proposals for flight training, aircraft rental, art charter services, and other specialty services.
Spicer submitted a proposal and lease that is essentially the same lease he and his wife Pam have been operating the airport under for the last three years. Under that lease, they have been responsible for aircraft maintenance and operation, air charter services, aircraft and hangar rental, flight training and sale of aviation fuel and oil.
City attorney Dusty Mullin reported that one of the main differences is that the Heinen brothers posed “to upgrade the fuel system out there.” Rather than operate a full-service station, the Heinens propose to install an automatic fuel pump payable by credit card and turn that system over to the city.
They propose to invest “approximately $44,000 in upgrading the existing fuel system at the airport to allow fueling 24 hours a day, which will give aviators the assurance that fuel will always be available,” the Heinens said in their proposal submitted through an attorney. “Although Heinen Bros Ag Services, Inc. would be the hands-on operator of the airport, we would request that the city assume responsibility for the processing of the credit cards at the fuel pumps and the general oversight of the fuel pumps. The city would receive any profit from the fuel sales.”
The Heinens also proposed to rent the shop and a hangar for $200 a month, which they asked to be credited for in exchange for their investment in upgrading the pumps.
In contrast, the Spicers have proposed to continue operating the pumps as they always have, which includes certification and training to operate the underground tanks. Pilots can now access fuel at the airport at any time with a phone call when the Spicers aren’t physically present at the airport.
Another key difference in the proposals is in qualifications and having an aircraft mechanic and inspector at the airport. Mike holds FAA aircraft and powerplant mechanics licenses and is a certified FAA aircraft inspector. He holds commercial and instrument single engine, multi-engine and jet type ratings and is a FAA certified flight instructor in both single and multi-engine aircraft. He has been appointed by the FAA to their elite safety team, and has over 15,000 flight hours in single engine, multi-engine, turbo prop and jet aircraft. The Spicers have run the airport for over 40 years.
The Heinen brothers, on the other hand, provide aerial application services for ag chemicals, which they have done in six states the last 20 years. They proposed to upgrade the pilot’s lounge and to contract out a flight instructor, but had no clear proposal on how they would provide mechanic services other than to include it in the fixed-base operator contract, which was a carbon copy of what Spicer submitted.
Mullin noted that the airport manager contract between the Spicers and the Heinens were very similar. Both would rent hangars, collect fees and keep the rental under a three-year contract. They would also be responsible for half of the utilities and the full amount of phone service.
Spicer’s contract was for $8,700 a year -- which is what he was paid in the last contract. The Heinen brothers asked for $10,000 per year. They also said they “would be in a position to assume management of the airport at any time prior to June 1, 2013 if needed without additional cost to the city.”
The Heinens said in the letter through their attorney that their interest in running the airport began in April of last year after they had some problems with the current airport management.
“My client was forced to relocate his operation last year to a neighboring airport to avoid unnecessary difficulties in operating which may have placed their pilots at additional risk,” Brian M. Jacques, of Sloan Law Firm, said in a letter to the city.
Mike said he did not kick the Heinens out of the Clay Center airport. He counseled them for “unsafe activities” at the Clay Center airport, which he did through his role as an FAA safety team member and as required by the airport manager’s contract.
The spray pilots had left their planes running unattended on the ramp in front of the office for 45 minutes to an hour at a time, Mike said. While it’s common for spray pilots to leave planes running while fueling or loading spray, in this case, what they were doing was dangerous because of the traffic on the ramp and pedestrian traffic near the airport office, Mike said.
The FAA Flights Standards District Office in Wichita followed up on the incident and said in a letter to Spicer that they had discussed the incident with the pilot and operator and were confident that they understand the “increased diligence required to mitigate any potential hazard that may be caused by agricultural operations on public ramps.”
While the committee did not discuss what recommendation would be made, Mayor Jimmy Thatcher asked Property and Rec. Chairman Dennis Ouellette to make a recommendation on the airport contracts at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Ouellette arranged to speak with Pam and Mike Spicer in further detail about the services they provide and to tour the airport Friday afternoon.
Source: http://www.ccenterdispatch.com
The city’s Property and Rec. Committee reviewed three proposals for the airport on Thursday, but because the committee lacked a quorum, no action was taken on who to recommend for the airport contracts.
Mike Spicer, the current airport manager, and Scott Heinen and Glenn Heinen, of Heinen Bros Agra Service, submitted proposals and draft contracts which differed significantly from each other, but were the most complete. Ty McNeil submitted his resume in applying for airport manager, but he did not list any airport or flight experience and submitted no proposals for how he would operate the airport.
The ad requesting proposals asked for “proposals for fixed-based operator services, including any or all of the following: full-service refueling, community hangar operations and ground towing, and aircraft maintenance services.” The ad also asked for proposals for flight training, aircraft rental, art charter services, and other specialty services.
Spicer submitted a proposal and lease that is essentially the same lease he and his wife Pam have been operating the airport under for the last three years. Under that lease, they have been responsible for aircraft maintenance and operation, air charter services, aircraft and hangar rental, flight training and sale of aviation fuel and oil.
City attorney Dusty Mullin reported that one of the main differences is that the Heinen brothers posed “to upgrade the fuel system out there.” Rather than operate a full-service station, the Heinens propose to install an automatic fuel pump payable by credit card and turn that system over to the city.
They propose to invest “approximately $44,000 in upgrading the existing fuel system at the airport to allow fueling 24 hours a day, which will give aviators the assurance that fuel will always be available,” the Heinens said in their proposal submitted through an attorney. “Although Heinen Bros Ag Services, Inc. would be the hands-on operator of the airport, we would request that the city assume responsibility for the processing of the credit cards at the fuel pumps and the general oversight of the fuel pumps. The city would receive any profit from the fuel sales.”
The Heinens also proposed to rent the shop and a hangar for $200 a month, which they asked to be credited for in exchange for their investment in upgrading the pumps.
In contrast, the Spicers have proposed to continue operating the pumps as they always have, which includes certification and training to operate the underground tanks. Pilots can now access fuel at the airport at any time with a phone call when the Spicers aren’t physically present at the airport.
Another key difference in the proposals is in qualifications and having an aircraft mechanic and inspector at the airport. Mike holds FAA aircraft and powerplant mechanics licenses and is a certified FAA aircraft inspector. He holds commercial and instrument single engine, multi-engine and jet type ratings and is a FAA certified flight instructor in both single and multi-engine aircraft. He has been appointed by the FAA to their elite safety team, and has over 15,000 flight hours in single engine, multi-engine, turbo prop and jet aircraft. The Spicers have run the airport for over 40 years.
The Heinen brothers, on the other hand, provide aerial application services for ag chemicals, which they have done in six states the last 20 years. They proposed to upgrade the pilot’s lounge and to contract out a flight instructor, but had no clear proposal on how they would provide mechanic services other than to include it in the fixed-base operator contract, which was a carbon copy of what Spicer submitted.
Mullin noted that the airport manager contract between the Spicers and the Heinens were very similar. Both would rent hangars, collect fees and keep the rental under a three-year contract. They would also be responsible for half of the utilities and the full amount of phone service.
Spicer’s contract was for $8,700 a year -- which is what he was paid in the last contract. The Heinen brothers asked for $10,000 per year. They also said they “would be in a position to assume management of the airport at any time prior to June 1, 2013 if needed without additional cost to the city.”
The Heinens said in the letter through their attorney that their interest in running the airport began in April of last year after they had some problems with the current airport management.
“My client was forced to relocate his operation last year to a neighboring airport to avoid unnecessary difficulties in operating which may have placed their pilots at additional risk,” Brian M. Jacques, of Sloan Law Firm, said in a letter to the city.
Mike said he did not kick the Heinens out of the Clay Center airport. He counseled them for “unsafe activities” at the Clay Center airport, which he did through his role as an FAA safety team member and as required by the airport manager’s contract.
The spray pilots had left their planes running unattended on the ramp in front of the office for 45 minutes to an hour at a time, Mike said. While it’s common for spray pilots to leave planes running while fueling or loading spray, in this case, what they were doing was dangerous because of the traffic on the ramp and pedestrian traffic near the airport office, Mike said.
The FAA Flights Standards District Office in Wichita followed up on the incident and said in a letter to Spicer that they had discussed the incident with the pilot and operator and were confident that they understand the “increased diligence required to mitigate any potential hazard that may be caused by agricultural operations on public ramps.”
While the committee did not discuss what recommendation would be made, Mayor Jimmy Thatcher asked Property and Rec. Chairman Dennis Ouellette to make a recommendation on the airport contracts at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Ouellette arranged to speak with Pam and Mike Spicer in further detail about the services they provide and to tour the airport Friday afternoon.
Source: http://www.ccenterdispatch.com
Beechcraft Super King Air 350, N110EC: Tennessee Gov. Haslam Gets $4 Million New Ride
NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather
Tennessee Gov. Haslam goes slumming in a turboprop
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and members of his Cabinet spend a lot of time criss-crossing the state, doing the public's business.
Now, the state has added a $4 million aircraft to the fleet that's used to fly the governor around.
The King Air 350, a 2007 twin-engine turboprop purchased back in December, is now the lead plane in the fleet operated by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
"The governor is always the first priority for this aircraft," said Lyle Monroe, the state's chief pilot.
Monroe said the aircraft has lots of advantages over the 1985 model King Air that Tennessee's governors have flown for years, including more powerful, more efficient engines.
"We can burn the same amount of fuel and get further with this aircraft because of the increased speed," he said.
Inside the cockpit, it's got more advanced systems to make the pilots' jobs easier -- including conflict-avoidance systems to help then steer clear of other aircraft.
"If an aircraft encroaches within a certain limit of the airspace, it'll tell us pull up, turn left, turn right -- and it'll keep telling us to do that until we've actually gotten out of the conflict area," he added.
Inside the cabin, the aircraft provides comfortable seating for nine people, not counting the two-member flight crew.
"It's not something that we started and did quickly. We've been looking at this for several years," the chief pilot added.
In fact, Monroe said, part of the deal is that TDOT will sell another older and smaller King Air that's often used by other state officials -- to cut down on maintenance costs.
"The older airplanes we are having to fix more all the time on," he explained. "Every time we take them in, it's going to cost us more to repair those."
TDOT spokesperson B.J. Doughty says the department did shop around, but ended up paying the full asking price for the plane -- because state purchasing rules do not require a bidding process for used equipment.
State records show that the aircraft was purchased from Bell Aviation, out of Columbia, South Carolina.
"You are not required to go through the bidding process," Doughty said. "But I think that, more than anything, when you are purchasing something like an airplane, it's not as easy to get bids."
In the end, they hope that taxpayers will see that it is plainly a good investment.
Story, photo and video: http://www.newschannel5.com
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N110EC
http://registry.faa.gov/N110EC
Tennessee Gov. Haslam goes slumming in a turboprop
Saturday, March 2 2013,
10:08:am
The media was atwitter yesterday regarding the State of Tennessee's purchase of a $4 million new (used) airplane for the governor. The Beechcraft King Air 350 Turboprop is no slouch for a propeller plane, but it's no match for Haslam's former trans-continental/trans-Atlantic ride:
So humiliating. They'll be snickering behind his back at the country club.
(*Source: FAA registration records)
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.knoxviews.com
The media was atwitter yesterday regarding the State of Tennessee's purchase of a $4 million new (used) airplane for the governor. The Beechcraft King Air 350 Turboprop is no slouch for a propeller plane, but it's no match for Haslam's former trans-continental/trans-Atlantic ride:
|
State of Tennessee Beechcraft King Air 350 Max ceiling: 35,000 ft. Speed: 360 mph Range: 1847 miles Cabin height: 4' 9" Price (used): $4 million |
Pilot Corporation* Dassault Mystere Falcon 50EX Max ceiling: 49,000 ft. Speed: 568 mph Range: 4000 miles @ mach .8 Cabin height: 5' 11" Price (used): $7.5 million |
So humiliating. They'll be snickering behind his back at the country club.
(*Source: FAA registration records)
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.knoxviews.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and members of his Cabinet spend a lot of time criss-crossing the state, doing the public's business.
Now, the state has added a $4 million aircraft to the fleet that's used to fly the governor around.
The King Air 350, a 2007 twin-engine turboprop purchased back in December, is now the lead plane in the fleet operated by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
"The governor is always the first priority for this aircraft," said Lyle Monroe, the state's chief pilot.
Monroe said the aircraft has lots of advantages over the 1985 model King Air that Tennessee's governors have flown for years, including more powerful, more efficient engines.
"We can burn the same amount of fuel and get further with this aircraft because of the increased speed," he said.
Inside the cockpit, it's got more advanced systems to make the pilots' jobs easier -- including conflict-avoidance systems to help then steer clear of other aircraft.
"If an aircraft encroaches within a certain limit of the airspace, it'll tell us pull up, turn left, turn right -- and it'll keep telling us to do that until we've actually gotten out of the conflict area," he added.
Inside the cabin, the aircraft provides comfortable seating for nine people, not counting the two-member flight crew.
"It's not something that we started and did quickly. We've been looking at this for several years," the chief pilot added.
In fact, Monroe said, part of the deal is that TDOT will sell another older and smaller King Air that's often used by other state officials -- to cut down on maintenance costs.
"The older airplanes we are having to fix more all the time on," he explained. "Every time we take them in, it's going to cost us more to repair those."
TDOT spokesperson B.J. Doughty says the department did shop around, but ended up paying the full asking price for the plane -- because state purchasing rules do not require a bidding process for used equipment.
State records show that the aircraft was purchased from Bell Aviation, out of Columbia, South Carolina.
"You are not required to go through the bidding process," Doughty said. "But I think that, more than anything, when you are purchasing something like an airplane, it's not as easy to get bids."
In the end, they hope that taxpayers will see that it is plainly a good investment.
Story, photo and video: http://www.newschannel5.com
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N110EC
http://registry.faa.gov/N110EC
Operation Migration: Our Aircraft ... Then and Now
There once was a time when ultralight aircraft were mostly unregulated. Relatively speaking, there weren’t very many of them, and as long as you didn’t do anything stupid, the FAA left them mostly alone.
Over the years however, the numbers grew and some builders began pushing the rules by making them faster and heavier until the FAA had to get involved. They did so by creating a set of rules designed specifically for recreational flying called the Light Sport Aircraft category.
Recreation means that you can’t use them for any commercial purpose. That includes giving rides, using them to crop dust, to inspect remote property, or anything related to making money or promoting a business. That’s where Operation Migration ran into trouble.
Read more here: http://operationmigration.org
Over the years however, the numbers grew and some builders began pushing the rules by making them faster and heavier until the FAA had to get involved. They did so by creating a set of rules designed specifically for recreational flying called the Light Sport Aircraft category.
Recreation means that you can’t use them for any commercial purpose. That includes giving rides, using them to crop dust, to inspect remote property, or anything related to making money or promoting a business. That’s where Operation Migration ran into trouble.
Read more here: http://operationmigration.org
City Pays Airport Fund for Storage
Posted: Friday, March 1, 2013 10:27 am | Updated: 10:28 am, Fri Mar 1, 2013.
By Keith E. Domke St. Clair Missourian
In following the advice of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, the St. Clair Board of Aldermen last week approved a payment of $11,700 from the city’s general fund to the new, separate airport account to compensate for use of the maintenance hangar at the facility.
The payment is the third such transfer into the separate account, which also was recommended by MoDOT Aviation as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, since it was created last month.
All told, nearly $17,000 of nonbudgeted funds has been moved out of the city’s general fund into the airport account as St. Clair officials continue to follow the advice of the state and federal agencies as it seeks closure of the facility on the north side of town between Interstate 44 and Highway 47.
The city has used the maintenance hangar at the St. Clair Regional Airport to store equipment, most of which is mowers and other things that have been used to maintain the facility. However, City Administrator Rick Childers told the aldermen last week that a 4- by 4-foot pallet which stored two wastewater pumps also was inside the hangar.
“This situation was referred to MoDOT Aviation, and MoDOT Aviation suggests that the city remove the items and pay to the airport fund — that would be the city paying to the airport owned by the city — money to compensate the airport owned by the city for storing things that belong to the city in the airport owned by the city,” Childers said during the Feb. 19 meeting.
Childers said the “magic number” amount of $11,700 was determined through a $325 per month rent payment for three years.
The city administrator added that the only “real-world impact” the transaction has is it will be less money the city has to spend later to subsidize the airport. He also said that the check will be written as a rent payment.
Since at least 2007, the local airport has operated in the red.
Currently, the mowers and other items remain in the maintenance hangar. Childers said everything in the hangar except for the two pumps will be sold at an auction later this year. The mowing equipment includes a brush hog, garden tractors, a trailer and some push mowers.
Maintenance Hangar
The maintenance hangar and the city’s use of it for storage previously was discussed in late 2010 when the city decided that if the hangar ever was rented to an outside party, the fee would be $325 per month.
In December of that year, the aldermen approved an ordinance establishing the $325 per month rate. At the time, however, City Attorney Kurt Voss said that even if there is an ordinance establishing the rental rate, it would be up to the city on whether it wants to rent the facility or not.
“You don’t have to rent it if you decide you want to use it,” he said, adding that because the city owns the building it serves as the landlord.
Officials decided that the city would continue to use the hangar to store its own equipment.
The city is seeking to close the airport on the north side of town and replace it with retail development. Permission is needed from the FAA because the city obtained federal grants to make improvements to the facility.
http://www.emissourian.com
By Keith E. Domke St. Clair Missourian
In following the advice of the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, the St. Clair Board of Aldermen last week approved a payment of $11,700 from the city’s general fund to the new, separate airport account to compensate for use of the maintenance hangar at the facility.
The payment is the third such transfer into the separate account, which also was recommended by MoDOT Aviation as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, since it was created last month.
All told, nearly $17,000 of nonbudgeted funds has been moved out of the city’s general fund into the airport account as St. Clair officials continue to follow the advice of the state and federal agencies as it seeks closure of the facility on the north side of town between Interstate 44 and Highway 47.
The city has used the maintenance hangar at the St. Clair Regional Airport to store equipment, most of which is mowers and other things that have been used to maintain the facility. However, City Administrator Rick Childers told the aldermen last week that a 4- by 4-foot pallet which stored two wastewater pumps also was inside the hangar.
“This situation was referred to MoDOT Aviation, and MoDOT Aviation suggests that the city remove the items and pay to the airport fund — that would be the city paying to the airport owned by the city — money to compensate the airport owned by the city for storing things that belong to the city in the airport owned by the city,” Childers said during the Feb. 19 meeting.
Childers said the “magic number” amount of $11,700 was determined through a $325 per month rent payment for three years.
The city administrator added that the only “real-world impact” the transaction has is it will be less money the city has to spend later to subsidize the airport. He also said that the check will be written as a rent payment.
Since at least 2007, the local airport has operated in the red.
Currently, the mowers and other items remain in the maintenance hangar. Childers said everything in the hangar except for the two pumps will be sold at an auction later this year. The mowing equipment includes a brush hog, garden tractors, a trailer and some push mowers.
Maintenance Hangar
The maintenance hangar and the city’s use of it for storage previously was discussed in late 2010 when the city decided that if the hangar ever was rented to an outside party, the fee would be $325 per month.
In December of that year, the aldermen approved an ordinance establishing the $325 per month rate. At the time, however, City Attorney Kurt Voss said that even if there is an ordinance establishing the rental rate, it would be up to the city on whether it wants to rent the facility or not.
“You don’t have to rent it if you decide you want to use it,” he said, adding that because the city owns the building it serves as the landlord.
Officials decided that the city would continue to use the hangar to store its own equipment.
The city is seeking to close the airport on the north side of town and replace it with retail development. Permission is needed from the FAA because the city obtained federal grants to make improvements to the facility.
http://www.emissourian.com
Lessee Sought for Hangar One; Moffett Airfields to Remain Under NASA Control
Hangar One is "for rent."
That's the announcement Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) made Friday following a Tuesday meeting with the General Services Administration (GSA), NASA, and the White House.
A "Notice of Intent," will be released by the GSA regarding the futures of Hangar One and Moffett Federal Airfield that reflects the following, according to Eshoo's office:
Moffett Federal Airfield will not be excessed. It will remain a restricted Federal Airfield and NASA will remain its custodian.
The Notice of Intent outlines a competitive bid process and the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be released this spring seeking a qualified lessee to provide for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic Hangar One.
"This notice of intent embodies my consistent goals over several years to save Hangar One and to keep Moffett Federal Airfield as a local and Bay Area public safety and national security asset, and home to the 129th Rescue Wing," Rep. Eshoo said.
"GSA and NASA will work closely with the local community to explain the RFP process and produce the desired outcomes. I will continue to work with the agencies and my communities to see this critical process through," she said.
http://paloalto.patch.com
That's the announcement Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) made Friday following a Tuesday meeting with the General Services Administration (GSA), NASA, and the White House.
A "Notice of Intent," will be released by the GSA regarding the futures of Hangar One and Moffett Federal Airfield that reflects the following, according to Eshoo's office:
Moffett Federal Airfield will not be excessed. It will remain a restricted Federal Airfield and NASA will remain its custodian.
The Notice of Intent outlines a competitive bid process and the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be released this spring seeking a qualified lessee to provide for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic Hangar One.
"This notice of intent embodies my consistent goals over several years to save Hangar One and to keep Moffett Federal Airfield as a local and Bay Area public safety and national security asset, and home to the 129th Rescue Wing," Rep. Eshoo said.
"GSA and NASA will work closely with the local community to explain the RFP process and produce the desired outcomes. I will continue to work with the agencies and my communities to see this critical process through," she said.
http://paloalto.patch.com
Air China to Buy 31 Boeing Passenger Jets, Freighters to Boost Capacity
March 1, 2013, 11:04 a.m. ET
The Wall Street Journal
HONG KONG--Air China Ltd. Friday signed an agreement to buy a total of 31 passenger aircraft and freighters from Boeing Co. with a combined list price of $4.83 billion, as it seeks to expand capacity and improve efficiency.
The Chinese flag carrier said in a statement that it ordered 20 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft and one Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery from 2014 to 2015.
Air China's 51%-owned unit Air China Cargo Co. has also ordered eight Boeing 777 freighters, which will be delivered between 2013 and 2015, it added.
The Chinese carrier didn't disclose the purchase prices but said Boeing had granted it "significant price concessions." Airlines usually receive discounts for large orders.
Once all the Boeing aircraft have been delivered, the carrier's available ton kilometers--a measure of capacity--will increase by 18.7% from the end of December 2012, it said.
Source: http://online.wsj.com
The Wall Street Journal
HONG KONG--Air China Ltd. Friday signed an agreement to buy a total of 31 passenger aircraft and freighters from Boeing Co. with a combined list price of $4.83 billion, as it seeks to expand capacity and improve efficiency.
The Chinese flag carrier said in a statement that it ordered 20 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft and one Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which are scheduled for delivery from 2014 to 2015.
Air China's 51%-owned unit Air China Cargo Co. has also ordered eight Boeing 777 freighters, which will be delivered between 2013 and 2015, it added.
The Chinese carrier didn't disclose the purchase prices but said Boeing had granted it "significant price concessions." Airlines usually receive discounts for large orders.
Once all the Boeing aircraft have been delivered, the carrier's available ton kilometers--a measure of capacity--will increase by 18.7% from the end of December 2012, it said.
Source: http://online.wsj.com
NORAD may take Air Force sites in Virginia and Minnesota off 24-hour alert; 16 other sites would remain
DENVER (AP) — NORAD is considering taking two of its 18 Air Force sites off 24-hour alert, saying it will save millions of dollars without compromising its ability to defend against 9/11-style attacks.
A Government Accountability Office report released Thursday said the North American Aerospace Defense Command might take fighter squadrons in Duluth, Minn., and at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., off 24-hour alert.
A NORAD spokesman says no decision has been made and both sites remain on alert.
NORAD, based in Colorado, told the GAO the move wouldn’t hurt its ability to scramble fighters to intercept hostile or hijacked aircraft. NORAD said it used computer models and other analyses.
The Air Force says the move would save $73.1 million over five years. It appears to be unrelated to mandatory budget cuts taking effect Friday.
Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com
A Government Accountability Office report released Thursday said the North American Aerospace Defense Command might take fighter squadrons in Duluth, Minn., and at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., off 24-hour alert.
A NORAD spokesman says no decision has been made and both sites remain on alert.
NORAD, based in Colorado, told the GAO the move wouldn’t hurt its ability to scramble fighters to intercept hostile or hijacked aircraft. NORAD said it used computer models and other analyses.
The Air Force says the move would save $73.1 million over five years. It appears to be unrelated to mandatory budget cuts taking effect Friday.
Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com
Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland: Expansion moves ahead
Posted: Friday, March 1, 2013 1:31 pm
By JACK SHAUM
STEVENSVILLE -- A new section of Bay Bridge Airport located to the north of the existing terminal and runway is expected to be fully operational by this spring.
It's the third phase of a five-phase expansion of the county-owned airport, which sits between state Route 8 and the Chesapeake Bay.
"Phase III began the airport's relocation of aircraft operations by constructing half of the new FBO apron on the north side of the airport," said Jennifer Lutz, project manager for URS Corp., the county's consultant for Bay Bridge Airport.
FBO stands for Fixed Base Operator, which is the airport business that provides aeronautical services such as fueling and maintenance, she explained.
"This half (of the apron) is located adjacent to the parallel taxiway and continues north to the existing Pier One Road," Lutz said.
Phase III provides space for future hangars as well as aircraft parking to relieve congestion at the airport. The apron was substantially completed in fall 2012 and will be fully operational by spring 2013, she said.
The winning bid of $349,570 for the Phase III work was submitted by David A. Bramble Inc. of Chestertown.
The project was funded 95 percent by a grant through the Airport Improvement Program through the Federal Aviation Administration, 2.5 percent by the Maryland Aviation Administration and 2.5 percent by Queen Anne's County, according to Lutz.
The first two phases of the airport expansion, which were funded in the same way, were completed in 2010, Lutz said.
Phase I included a comprehensive plan and construction package to relocate utilities, such as water and sewer, that were adjacent to the airport property, Lutz said.
"Relocation and expansion of the utilities allowed for both future commercial development and expansion at the airport," she said.
Phase II, which cost $893,614, included the construction of a full taxiway parallel to the runway and stabilization of the Runway Safety Area (RSA), which extends into the Bay.
"Due to the land mass affecting local water currents, over time the RSA began to erode, resulting in a reduced safety area. Because of the sensitive nature of the Chesapeake Bay, URS coordinated with the various federal, state and local agencies for environmental concerns and developed a (plan) providing a breakwater condition which will protect the safety area for years to come," Lutz explained.
The new taxiway allows for improved taxiing of aircraft and minimizes the need to cross the runway, Lutz said.
Construction of the new apron in Phase III is the first step in eventually re-locating the airport's operations facilities to the north side of the new taxiway. Long-range plans call for future hangars and aircraft parking space there as well.
Two more phases remain.
Phase IV continues the utility relocation begun in Phase I and the relocation of Pier One Road. Construction timetables and funding remain to be determined, according to Lutz. Phase V completes the expansion of the airport by extending the apron built in Phase III to the new Pier One Road and allows for the terminal and offices to be moved there, she said. The timetable and funding have not yet been determined.
A general aviation facility, Bay Bridge Airport has two maintenance shops and three flight schools.
Story and Photo: http://www.stardem.com
By JACK SHAUM
STEVENSVILLE -- A new section of Bay Bridge Airport located to the north of the existing terminal and runway is expected to be fully operational by this spring.
It's the third phase of a five-phase expansion of the county-owned airport, which sits between state Route 8 and the Chesapeake Bay.
"Phase III began the airport's relocation of aircraft operations by constructing half of the new FBO apron on the north side of the airport," said Jennifer Lutz, project manager for URS Corp., the county's consultant for Bay Bridge Airport.
FBO stands for Fixed Base Operator, which is the airport business that provides aeronautical services such as fueling and maintenance, she explained.
"This half (of the apron) is located adjacent to the parallel taxiway and continues north to the existing Pier One Road," Lutz said.
Phase III provides space for future hangars as well as aircraft parking to relieve congestion at the airport. The apron was substantially completed in fall 2012 and will be fully operational by spring 2013, she said.
The winning bid of $349,570 for the Phase III work was submitted by David A. Bramble Inc. of Chestertown.
The project was funded 95 percent by a grant through the Airport Improvement Program through the Federal Aviation Administration, 2.5 percent by the Maryland Aviation Administration and 2.5 percent by Queen Anne's County, according to Lutz.
The first two phases of the airport expansion, which were funded in the same way, were completed in 2010, Lutz said.
Phase I included a comprehensive plan and construction package to relocate utilities, such as water and sewer, that were adjacent to the airport property, Lutz said.
"Relocation and expansion of the utilities allowed for both future commercial development and expansion at the airport," she said.
Phase II, which cost $893,614, included the construction of a full taxiway parallel to the runway and stabilization of the Runway Safety Area (RSA), which extends into the Bay.
"Due to the land mass affecting local water currents, over time the RSA began to erode, resulting in a reduced safety area. Because of the sensitive nature of the Chesapeake Bay, URS coordinated with the various federal, state and local agencies for environmental concerns and developed a (plan) providing a breakwater condition which will protect the safety area for years to come," Lutz explained.
The new taxiway allows for improved taxiing of aircraft and minimizes the need to cross the runway, Lutz said.
Construction of the new apron in Phase III is the first step in eventually re-locating the airport's operations facilities to the north side of the new taxiway. Long-range plans call for future hangars and aircraft parking space there as well.
Two more phases remain.
Phase IV continues the utility relocation begun in Phase I and the relocation of Pier One Road. Construction timetables and funding remain to be determined, according to Lutz. Phase V completes the expansion of the airport by extending the apron built in Phase III to the new Pier One Road and allows for the terminal and offices to be moved there, she said. The timetable and funding have not yet been determined.
A general aviation facility, Bay Bridge Airport has two maintenance shops and three flight schools.
Story and Photo: http://www.stardem.com
Sumner County Regional (M33), Gallatin, Tennessee: Airport, county power struggle reignites
The long-running power struggle between the Sumner County Commission and the Sumner County Regional Airport Authority reignited Monday and, if unresolved, may end up with the commission dissolving the board and starting over.
The County Commission unanimously approved eight replacement nominees to the Airport Authority board Monday under its new procedural rules adopted at its January meeting. The new rules completely cut the authority board out of the process of appointing its own members with no input, screening, or vetting of nominees.
“We don’t want to use the nuclear option if we don’t have to,” Com. Jerry Stone said at a January committee meeting. “We want to see if this works first. We sure don’t want to go back to court if we can avoid it.” Wednesday, he said that still was “an accurate summary” of his feelings on the matter.
Meanwhile, at the authority’s Monday meeting, board members voted to put forward to the County Commission the names of any board members whose terms had expired and who wanted to continue to serve.
The authority board also asked Jim Egan, a retired commercial pilot and member of Sumner United for Responsible Government, if he was willing to fill a vacant board seat. Egan pointed out he was already being put forward that same night for a vote before the County Commission, but said he would consider it. The name of John Berwin also was put forward.
A new turn in the troubles with the county comes from the authority board’s last-minute decision to give airport Administrator Steve Sudbury a raise of $1,000 a month with an additional cost-of-living adjustment of $250 a month, for a total $15,000 annual base pay boost for the post, meaning Sudbury’s pay increased from $30,000 per year to $45,000 annually.
Included in Sudbury’s employee agreement package was a five-year contract with an annual performance review. Sudbury told the board he had not been given a raise for “at least four years” and maybe five.
Sudbury pointed Wednesday to the recent completion of a 1,300-foot runway extension as a move that had made the airport “more attractive” to corporate jets and made his salary increase equitable.
“I think I've earned it and positioned it to be a super nice metropolitan airport,” he said, adding it would be “a huge part of the economic development for Sumner County.”
The eight authority nominees approved by the County Commission Monday are: pilot Don Drayton to replace Sue McPherson; pilot John Berwin to replace Tom Graves; pilot Steve Nelson to replace Jerry Kirby; pilot Bill Taylor to replace Chairman David Hunter; pilot Tim Lynch Jr. to replace Tim Adair; Egan to replace Richard Coker; Ben Williams, a retired Army Colonel who managed a military air base, to replace Kevin McCutcheon; and Don Dickerson, a retired Marine who was involved in helicopter logistics and maintenance, to replace David Blankenship.
Berwin and Taylor were previously appointed by the County Commission in December 2010 but the authority board refused to seat them and the matter ended up in Chancery Court. Chancellor Tom Gray ruled in November 2012 that the County Commission had not followed its own procedural rules in appointing airport board members, and so the commissioners had to re-do the process.
County Executive Anthony Holt screened, interviewed, and recommended the applicants to the Committee on Committees. In the previous failed attempt to place Berwin and Taylor on the board, the combined actions of two commission committees, Public Service and Committee on Committees, were found by the court to have not properly vetted credentials of the nominees.
After the County Commission meeting, Lynch said he hoped the transition would be “very smooth.”
“We have a lot of things we want to do,” he said. “We want to move the airport forward, make it an economic engine in the county again, and facilitate the growth of a transparent model.”
Coker, one of the airport board members that the County Commission has moved to replace, said Wednesday that he had volunteered to continue to stay on the board and wasn’t sure if he would be able to keep his post.
“Apparently the county has one interpretation and the Sumner County Airport board has another,” he said.
In regard to Sudbury’s pay increase, Coker said the board had “canvassed” other airports and found most full-time managers earn between $70,000 and $80,000 per year. He noted that Sudbury’s position was “almost” full time.
“He's doing a good job, and we will look at it every year,” Coker said.
County Attorney Leah Dennen declined to comment on the county’s response to the authority board’s actions.
In previous committee discussions, several members said the county had had enough and should dissolve the authority board and re-establish a new one. They were urged to try the appointment route first.
Contributing writer Jesse Hughes lives in Sumner County.
http://www.tennessean.com
The County Commission unanimously approved eight replacement nominees to the Airport Authority board Monday under its new procedural rules adopted at its January meeting. The new rules completely cut the authority board out of the process of appointing its own members with no input, screening, or vetting of nominees.
“We don’t want to use the nuclear option if we don’t have to,” Com. Jerry Stone said at a January committee meeting. “We want to see if this works first. We sure don’t want to go back to court if we can avoid it.” Wednesday, he said that still was “an accurate summary” of his feelings on the matter.
Meanwhile, at the authority’s Monday meeting, board members voted to put forward to the County Commission the names of any board members whose terms had expired and who wanted to continue to serve.
The authority board also asked Jim Egan, a retired commercial pilot and member of Sumner United for Responsible Government, if he was willing to fill a vacant board seat. Egan pointed out he was already being put forward that same night for a vote before the County Commission, but said he would consider it. The name of John Berwin also was put forward.
A new turn in the troubles with the county comes from the authority board’s last-minute decision to give airport Administrator Steve Sudbury a raise of $1,000 a month with an additional cost-of-living adjustment of $250 a month, for a total $15,000 annual base pay boost for the post, meaning Sudbury’s pay increased from $30,000 per year to $45,000 annually.
Included in Sudbury’s employee agreement package was a five-year contract with an annual performance review. Sudbury told the board he had not been given a raise for “at least four years” and maybe five.
Sudbury pointed Wednesday to the recent completion of a 1,300-foot runway extension as a move that had made the airport “more attractive” to corporate jets and made his salary increase equitable.
“I think I've earned it and positioned it to be a super nice metropolitan airport,” he said, adding it would be “a huge part of the economic development for Sumner County.”
The eight authority nominees approved by the County Commission Monday are: pilot Don Drayton to replace Sue McPherson; pilot John Berwin to replace Tom Graves; pilot Steve Nelson to replace Jerry Kirby; pilot Bill Taylor to replace Chairman David Hunter; pilot Tim Lynch Jr. to replace Tim Adair; Egan to replace Richard Coker; Ben Williams, a retired Army Colonel who managed a military air base, to replace Kevin McCutcheon; and Don Dickerson, a retired Marine who was involved in helicopter logistics and maintenance, to replace David Blankenship.
Berwin and Taylor were previously appointed by the County Commission in December 2010 but the authority board refused to seat them and the matter ended up in Chancery Court. Chancellor Tom Gray ruled in November 2012 that the County Commission had not followed its own procedural rules in appointing airport board members, and so the commissioners had to re-do the process.
County Executive Anthony Holt screened, interviewed, and recommended the applicants to the Committee on Committees. In the previous failed attempt to place Berwin and Taylor on the board, the combined actions of two commission committees, Public Service and Committee on Committees, were found by the court to have not properly vetted credentials of the nominees.
After the County Commission meeting, Lynch said he hoped the transition would be “very smooth.”
“We have a lot of things we want to do,” he said. “We want to move the airport forward, make it an economic engine in the county again, and facilitate the growth of a transparent model.”
Coker, one of the airport board members that the County Commission has moved to replace, said Wednesday that he had volunteered to continue to stay on the board and wasn’t sure if he would be able to keep his post.
“Apparently the county has one interpretation and the Sumner County Airport board has another,” he said.
In regard to Sudbury’s pay increase, Coker said the board had “canvassed” other airports and found most full-time managers earn between $70,000 and $80,000 per year. He noted that Sudbury’s position was “almost” full time.
“He's doing a good job, and we will look at it every year,” Coker said.
County Attorney Leah Dennen declined to comment on the county’s response to the authority board’s actions.
In previous committee discussions, several members said the county had had enough and should dissolve the authority board and re-establish a new one. They were urged to try the appointment route first.
Contributing writer Jesse Hughes lives in Sumner County.
http://www.tennessean.com
Private Pilots Want Money for Charity Work
Friday, March 01, 2013
Last Update: 4:41 AM PT
By PHILIP A. JANQUART
Courthouse News Service
WASHINGTON (CN) - Private pilots who transport people and organs for medical purposes recently petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration for exemption from federal rules that state they cannot accept payment for their services.
The pilots say they want the ability to accept reimbursement for some or all of their expenses while making "charity flights" involving people in need of non-emergency medical treatment.
In response, the FAA explained that a private pilot license is considered to be an "entry level" license and that federal law prohibits those carrying private pilot licenses from being in command of an aircraft for hire. It means people can't pay a private pilot to transport passengers. In order to do that, the FAA said, a pilot must obtain a commercial license.
"To allow compensation for expenses for the transportation of individuals, these private pilots are participating in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited," the FAA said.
The agency added, however, that, "The FAA has determined this activity can be conducted safely with limits applied to the (charity) organizations, pilots and aircraft. Beginning in 2010, the FAA issued several exemptions to charitable medical flight organizations granting relief from the requirements of [federal law]. The exemptions contain conditions and limitations that are intended to raise the level of safety for these flights."
Some of the requirements issued for exemptions include developing a pilot qualification and training program, flight release documentation, filing of an instrument flight plan for each flight and higher aircraft airworthiness requirements.
- See more at: http://www.courthousenews.com
Last Update: 4:41 AM PT
By PHILIP A. JANQUART
Courthouse News Service
WASHINGTON (CN) - Private pilots who transport people and organs for medical purposes recently petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration for exemption from federal rules that state they cannot accept payment for their services.
The pilots say they want the ability to accept reimbursement for some or all of their expenses while making "charity flights" involving people in need of non-emergency medical treatment.
In response, the FAA explained that a private pilot license is considered to be an "entry level" license and that federal law prohibits those carrying private pilot licenses from being in command of an aircraft for hire. It means people can't pay a private pilot to transport passengers. In order to do that, the FAA said, a pilot must obtain a commercial license.
"To allow compensation for expenses for the transportation of individuals, these private pilots are participating in an activity that would otherwise be prohibited," the FAA said.
The agency added, however, that, "The FAA has determined this activity can be conducted safely with limits applied to the (charity) organizations, pilots and aircraft. Beginning in 2010, the FAA issued several exemptions to charitable medical flight organizations granting relief from the requirements of [federal law]. The exemptions contain conditions and limitations that are intended to raise the level of safety for these flights."
Some of the requirements issued for exemptions include developing a pilot qualification and training program, flight release documentation, filing of an instrument flight plan for each flight and higher aircraft airworthiness requirements.
- See more at: http://www.courthousenews.com
Millville Army Air Field Museum celebrates 25th anniversary at Levoy Theatre
MILLVILLE — For 25 years, the Millville Army Air Field Museum has honored the city’s wartime history as home to the nation’s first defense airport, from 1941-1945.
Now, that legacy is being commemorated at the historic Levoy Theatre for WWII Day in Millville, a fundraising event scheduled for Sunday, March 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets cost $75 per person and are tax deductible.
“We invite everyone to come and help us recognize the great work of the Millville Army Air Field Museum — a local treasure,” said Chuck Wyble, museum president. “As we celebrate the silver anniversary of the museum we will recognize the inspiration of its founders, the hard work of countless volunteers and the support of caring community.”
The museum, founded in 1988, is dedicated to the Millville Army Air Field, which was made a defense airport for the War Department to protect the East Coast from foreign invasion during World War II.
“In the very beginning, the museum gathered artifacts and commemorated the lives of the 14 pilots who died while training at Millville during WWII,” Wyble said. “From there the mission grew to recognize the important aviation history that took place here and its impact on the successful outcome of the war, and to preserve and promote that history for future generations.”
“WWII Day in Millville” includes the presentation of “Thunderbolts of Millville,” a 2004 documentary produced by the New Jersey Network and the public premiere of “What We Live By.”
Written by Stephanie Terista of Vineland and partnered with the museum, “What We Live By” is an original drama about the P-47 Thunderbolt pilots training at the air field.
“The work of all who have been involved in the founding and building of the MAAFM during these 25 years will always be recognized and appreciated,” Wyble said. “And with continued support we will actively move forward with our mission.”
For tickets, sponsorship or more information, contact Lisa Jester at 856-327-2347 or email ljester@p47millville.org.
Story and Photos: http://www.nj.com
Now, that legacy is being commemorated at the historic Levoy Theatre for WWII Day in Millville, a fundraising event scheduled for Sunday, March 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets cost $75 per person and are tax deductible.
“We invite everyone to come and help us recognize the great work of the Millville Army Air Field Museum — a local treasure,” said Chuck Wyble, museum president. “As we celebrate the silver anniversary of the museum we will recognize the inspiration of its founders, the hard work of countless volunteers and the support of caring community.”
The museum, founded in 1988, is dedicated to the Millville Army Air Field, which was made a defense airport for the War Department to protect the East Coast from foreign invasion during World War II.
“In the very beginning, the museum gathered artifacts and commemorated the lives of the 14 pilots who died while training at Millville during WWII,” Wyble said. “From there the mission grew to recognize the important aviation history that took place here and its impact on the successful outcome of the war, and to preserve and promote that history for future generations.”
“WWII Day in Millville” includes the presentation of “Thunderbolts of Millville,” a 2004 documentary produced by the New Jersey Network and the public premiere of “What We Live By.”
Written by Stephanie Terista of Vineland and partnered with the museum, “What We Live By” is an original drama about the P-47 Thunderbolt pilots training at the air field.
“The work of all who have been involved in the founding and building of the MAAFM during these 25 years will always be recognized and appreciated,” Wyble said. “And with continued support we will actively move forward with our mission.”
For tickets, sponsorship or more information, contact Lisa Jester at 856-327-2347 or email ljester@p47millville.org.
Story and Photos: http://www.nj.com
3TV examines safety of homebuilt aircraft (With Video)
PHOENIX -- 3TV first met Joe Goetz in January after he made an emergency landing in a Mesa neighborhood. His homemade helicopter ended up just feet from a home, but no one was hurt.
Months later, Goetz’s helicopter pad sits empty, but fortunately the pilot of more than four decades escaped harm.
“This is the one wire that broke,” Goetz pointed out.
He built the one-seater himself with special safety features which helped pad his crash.
“You gotta figure worst case in any scenario,” he said. “In this case, I got to test the devices. If I got to build another one, it would be very similar.
“Experimental Amateur Built” aircraft represents a growing population of aircraft with an estimated 33,000 registered nationwide.
While they still account for a small percentage of general aviation aircraft, the National Transportation Safety Board says they account for a disproportionate number of accidents, and an even more disproportionate share of deadly accidents.
Nationwide FAA numbers from 2012 show 263 deadly general aviation crashes, 73 of them involving experimental aircraft, which translates to nearly 30 percent. Of the experimental aircraft involved, 68.5 percent of them were amateur built.
The NTSB says engine failure and loss of control in flight are the most common issues by a large margin.
“Most of these are tried and true designs that have already been built with thousands of successfully flying examples,” said Jim Moss, the Vice President of the Phoenix Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Moss says the safety checklist required of all pilots flying experimental planes is impressive, starting with a rigorous inspection.
Once the aircraft passes the inspection, pilots are required to fly their first 25 to 40 hours in a remote, designated area. Even after receiving a certificate from the FAA, inspections reoccur each year.
While many amateur built aircrafts come from kits, Moss showed us one built from scratch by his late friend and veteran pilot Wally Chapin.
About 30 years of sweat equity, knowledge and care went into the PJ-260. The rare biplane even won an award for outstanding workmanship.
Moss showed 3TV the safety features and checklists that go into each flight.
Each experimental amateur aircraft requires a “passenger warning,” but Moss stands by the safety of the aircraft.
“I think this is better built than my Cessna,” he said of the PJ-260.
Moss said his organization considers safety a top priority and offers technical and flight instructors to help amateurs build their aircraft.
“There’s certainly a tremendous amount of effort being put into those things,” said Goetz of experimental aircraft.
He knows firsthand that effort is for good reason.
“There’s no such thing as being too careful,” said Goetz.
Story and Video: http://www.azfamily.com
Millville Municipal Airport (KMIV), New Jersey: World War II P-47 combat pilot to talk
MILLVILLE – Millville Army Air Field Museum will host a movie night at 6 p.m. March 12 in the Henry E. Wyble Research Library at Millville Airport.
The movie “Thunderbolt,” will be shown, which follows P-47 combat pilots in “Operation Strangle” during the Italian campaign in World War II. Captain Bill Rich, World War II P-47 combat pilot/instructor who served at Millville Army Air Field, will be the speaker.
Admission is free but donations for refreshments are welcome.
For reservations or information, call (856) 327-2347.
http://www.p47millville.org
http://www.thedailyjournal.com
The movie “Thunderbolt,” will be shown, which follows P-47 combat pilots in “Operation Strangle” during the Italian campaign in World War II. Captain Bill Rich, World War II P-47 combat pilot/instructor who served at Millville Army Air Field, will be the speaker.
Admission is free but donations for refreshments are welcome.
For reservations or information, call (856) 327-2347.
http://www.p47millville.org
http://www.thedailyjournal.com
Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK), Maryland: Runway to be painted in the spring
Originally published March 01, 2013
Frederick Municipal Airport's runway will get a face-lift in the first week of April, airport manager Kevin Daugherty said.
The runway markings will be repainted by Speidel Construction, which won a nearly $123,000 contract for the job last summer.
The Virginia company has been waiting out the winter weather to maintain the runway, Daugherty said.
The project is part of routine maintenance at the airport, he said, adding that the last time the markings were repainted was about 2007.
Additionally, the old markings are obsolete since the air control tower was constructed last year, an executive summary of the bid noted.
-- Kelsi Loos
http://www.fredericknewspost.com
Frederick Municipal Airport's runway will get a face-lift in the first week of April, airport manager Kevin Daugherty said.
The runway markings will be repainted by Speidel Construction, which won a nearly $123,000 contract for the job last summer.
The Virginia company has been waiting out the winter weather to maintain the runway, Daugherty said.
The project is part of routine maintenance at the airport, he said, adding that the last time the markings were repainted was about 2007.
Additionally, the old markings are obsolete since the air control tower was constructed last year, an executive summary of the bid noted.
-- Kelsi Loos
http://www.fredericknewspost.com
Broomfield, Colorado: ‘Gas wars’ fuel airports’ business
Brian Pickerell of Air West Flight Center Inc. fuels an aircraft at Vance Brand Municipal Airport in Longmont.
By Beth Potter
March 1, 2013
BROOMFIELD — Airports in the region are expected to see current “gas wars” continue.
Lower gas prices for twin-engine planes help folks such as Howard MClure in Broomfield. He says competition between airports for gas customers has helped Western Air Flight Academy Inc. maneuver into the black. McClure is president of the flight school located at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield.
Self-serve fuel for the training airplanes that Western uses cost $5.45 per gallon on Feb. 25. The smallest planes at Western use about seven gallons of gas per hour, McClure said. The school’s profit margins are so thin that McClure believes he’ll make a small profit this year from factoring in the lower gas prices after losing money last year.
“It’s been a very big boon to us,” McClure said. “When the prices vary, we kind of eat it. We’ve seen a little higher profit recently.”
Denver AirCenter owns the new self-serve fuel tanks. The private flight school company dropped its prices by as much as $1 per gallon after installing the tanks last summer. Airport officials kicked in $30,000 — or about half the total cost — to help buy the tanks, said Kenny Maenpa, airport manager.
Workers at Denver AirCenter check regularly with other airports in the region to try to make sure they have the lowest prices, said Lee Williams, a spokeswoman.
The competitive strategy seems to be working, Williams said. General aviation traffic to the airport is up, as are visits to two restaurants there, she said. While exact air traffic figures are not available for the last six months, more pilots seem to be making a stop in Broomfield these days to spend the day or the weekend, or to sightsee and have breakfast, Williams said.
Some pilots like to joke that they’re willing to spend $100 on gas to fly to a nearby airport and have breakfast on a weekend day, for example, Williams said.
“We’re not like Santa Fe, but we’ve definitely seen an increase in tourism,” Williams said.
Before the self-serve pumps went in at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, high fuel prices hurt profits for flight schools such as Journeys Aviation Inc., said Tracey Spence, current owner of Journeys. In response, Journeys moved its flight operation to Boulder Municipal Airport, where Spence bid for and won the airport fuel sale contract.
Spence said the recent gas price competition with Rocky Mountain has kept him on his toes. He said he tries to stay “on the low end” of per-gallon fuel prices in the region.
“Fortunately, we’re able to stay pretty close to what they’re at in price,” Spence said. “We’re right in line with those two airports (Rocky Mountain and Vance Brand Municipal Airport in Longmont), and we’re located smack dab in the middle.”
Lower gas prices can hurt the competitors, however.
Fuel sales are down about 25 percent from the same period last year at Air West Flight Center Inc. in Longmont, the fuel station operator at Vance Brand, said Larry Kuebrich, owner of Air West. Both DenverAir and Platte Valley Airpark in Fort Lupton appear to be selling fuel “for cost” Kuebrich said.
To make up for it, flight school business is up 20 percent from the same period last year, Kuebrich said. He attributes his healthy business to a regional economy that seems to be generally recession-proof.
“Right now, it’s a mixed bag of student pilots and aircraft rental,” Kuebrich said of his recent business growth, without giving specific figures.
At Rocky Mountain, offering self-serve gas at a cheaper price than before also seems to positively affect jet-fuel sales revenue, Maenpa said without giving specifics. Self-serve gas sales for non-jet airplanes makes up probably one-tenth of the total volume of fuel sold at the airport, he said. But it’s nice to see 700 or 800 gallons of self-serve gas sold to pilots on some sunny weekend days, he added. Most airplanes that use the gas have 100-gallon tanks.
“We’re pleased to see that and people coming to our airport to buy gas for a change, rather than the other way around,” Maenpa said.
Tim Barth, airport manager at Vance Brand, said the airport had its two best gas-sales revenue years in recent years when prices at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport were much higher. He applauded the recent “healthy competition.”
“All of the airports play this game. When it goes up, there’s nothing we can do to recapture that market unless we seriously undercut JeffCo (Rocky Mountain Airport),” Barth said. “We would have to give it away for what we’re buying it for, so the gas wars will continue.”
All Colorado airports, including the biggest one — Denver International Airport — and other commercial and general-aviation airports, generate close to $1.7 billion in net tax benefits per year, according to a study done by the Colorado Department of Transportation in 2008, the most recent period for which information is available.
More than half of the tax revenue comes from visitors who arrive by air and pay lodging taxes, sales tax on purchases and rental car taxes, according to the study. Airport tenants — including flight schools — are the next biggest contributors to tax revenue through fuel sales and other commerce. Jobs are the third biggest generator of airport tax revenue in the state, generating an estimated $382 million in state and federal income tax, according to the study.
- See more at: http://www.bcbr.com
Powerful model plane stolen from Kempshott, Basingstoke (UK)
10:53am Friday 1st March 2013
An airplane has been stolen from the garage of an 87-year-old man in Basingstoke.
The Pulse XT model sports plane was stolen from a garage in Mallard Close in Kempshott, Basingstoke between February 13 and February 20.
There is concern that the plane could cause an injury to someone who doesn’t know how to operate it as the engine is quite powerful.
The model aircraft is red and white and has the words ‘Pulse XT’ printed just behind the cockpit.
PC Lee Stanbrook said: “This item is of sentimental value to the owner and he is concerned that it could be dangerous to those who don’t know how to operate it.
“If you know anything about this theft or have been offered this item for sale, please contact me.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Stanbrook at Basingstoke Police Station on 101 or call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.
http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk
An airplane has been stolen from the garage of an 87-year-old man in Basingstoke.
The Pulse XT model sports plane was stolen from a garage in Mallard Close in Kempshott, Basingstoke between February 13 and February 20.
There is concern that the plane could cause an injury to someone who doesn’t know how to operate it as the engine is quite powerful.
The model aircraft is red and white and has the words ‘Pulse XT’ printed just behind the cockpit.
PC Lee Stanbrook said: “This item is of sentimental value to the owner and he is concerned that it could be dangerous to those who don’t know how to operate it.
“If you know anything about this theft or have been offered this item for sale, please contact me.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Stanbrook at Basingstoke Police Station on 101 or call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.
http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk
Australia: Nathan Tinkler’s Private Jet, Helicopter Offered to Buyers
“When I get rid of the plane, you’ll know I’m broke,” Warren Buffett told The New Yorker in December, which doesn’t augur well for Nathan Tinkler as the coal magnate’s private jet and helicopter are put up for sale.
Nathan Tinkler's executive jet and helicopter have been put up for sale by the receiver of the coal baron's aviation company.
Mr Tinkler's luxury Dassault Falcon 900C executive jet was placed on the market today with an advertised price of $US13.95 million ($A13.73 million), while the eight-seater Agusta A109S helicopter has been listed for $US5.95 million.
Receiver Nathan Landrey, of Taylor Woodings, said the listings were standard practice in the receivership process and did not prevent Mr Tinkler from refinancing the aircraft mortgages.
"(Mr Tinkler) has that option right up until we complete a sale," Mr Landrey said.
"Because they are not distressed assets there is no defined deadline (for the sale).
"There is the opportunity for the existing borrower to arrange refinancing."
The three-engined Dassault jet's features include leather upholstery, three separate seating areas accommodating 14 people, gold plating on fixtures and a galley espresso machine, according to a listing on the website of US aircraft sales company Avpro.
The red, black and white Augusta helicopter has red leather seats and still bears the Tinkler Group Aviation logo on its side in photographs on the website of another sales company, SMS Aircraft.
Taylor Woodings was appointed as receiver of TGHA Aviation in November, 2012, as Mr Tinkler's business empire faced mounting debt pressures.
Mr Tinkler slipped from top of the BRW Young Rich list in 2011, with an estimated wealth of $1.13 billion, to second in 2012 with wealth of $400 million.
A fall in coal prices crimped the value of Mr Tinkler's key asset, a 21 per cent stake in Whitehaven Coal, and the company recently posted a $47 million half year loss as production problems combined with weak markets to hurt earnings.
During 2012, Mr Tinkler was forced to sell of parts of his horse racing empire to raise cash and two of his companies, Mulsanne Resources and Patinack Farm Administration, were placed in liquidation.
In February 2013, two tax debt cases brought by the Australian Taxation Office against Mr Tinkler's sporting companies – the Newcastle Knights and Hunter Sports Group – were dismissed in the Federal Court after the parties reached an agreement.
If the aircraft are sold, the proceeds will be used to pay off the outstanding finance and settle any unsecured debts, with any remaining funds returned to the company.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au
Nathan Tinkler's executive jet and helicopter have been put up for sale by the receiver of the coal baron's aviation company.
Mr Tinkler's luxury Dassault Falcon 900C executive jet was placed on the market today with an advertised price of $US13.95 million ($A13.73 million), while the eight-seater Agusta A109S helicopter has been listed for $US5.95 million.
Receiver Nathan Landrey, of Taylor Woodings, said the listings were standard practice in the receivership process and did not prevent Mr Tinkler from refinancing the aircraft mortgages.
"(Mr Tinkler) has that option right up until we complete a sale," Mr Landrey said.
"Because they are not distressed assets there is no defined deadline (for the sale).
"There is the opportunity for the existing borrower to arrange refinancing."
The three-engined Dassault jet's features include leather upholstery, three separate seating areas accommodating 14 people, gold plating on fixtures and a galley espresso machine, according to a listing on the website of US aircraft sales company Avpro.
The red, black and white Augusta helicopter has red leather seats and still bears the Tinkler Group Aviation logo on its side in photographs on the website of another sales company, SMS Aircraft.
Taylor Woodings was appointed as receiver of TGHA Aviation in November, 2012, as Mr Tinkler's business empire faced mounting debt pressures.
Mr Tinkler slipped from top of the BRW Young Rich list in 2011, with an estimated wealth of $1.13 billion, to second in 2012 with wealth of $400 million.
A fall in coal prices crimped the value of Mr Tinkler's key asset, a 21 per cent stake in Whitehaven Coal, and the company recently posted a $47 million half year loss as production problems combined with weak markets to hurt earnings.
During 2012, Mr Tinkler was forced to sell of parts of his horse racing empire to raise cash and two of his companies, Mulsanne Resources and Patinack Farm Administration, were placed in liquidation.
In February 2013, two tax debt cases brought by the Australian Taxation Office against Mr Tinkler's sporting companies – the Newcastle Knights and Hunter Sports Group – were dismissed in the Federal Court after the parties reached an agreement.
If the aircraft are sold, the proceeds will be used to pay off the outstanding finance and settle any unsecured debts, with any remaining funds returned to the company.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au
Ocean City, Maryland: Air Show Will Go On Even Without Blue Angels, Promoter Reports
March, 01, 2013
By Joanne Shriner
OCEAN CITY – The organizer of the OC Air Show assured the Mayor and Council this week the show will go on in June, despite the possible grounding of headlining military acts, such as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, due to the looming possibility of sequestration.
The Blue Angels are scheduled to make their inaugural appearance in Ocean City as they headline this year’s OC Air Show on June 8-9.
This week Bryan Lilley of Ocean City Air Show LLC came before the Mayor and City Council to announce additional acts in this summer’s show. Besides the Blue Angels, military performers will be USN F-18 Hornet Demo, the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. So far civilian acts will be the Red Bull Helicopter, Mike Wiskus and the Lucas Oil Pitts, and the Geico Skytypers.
Lilley added it has been a challenge thus far to nail down host hotels to house performers. At this point, the event is in need of 49 rooms per night. He acknowledged those who have come on board, such as the Quality Inn, Marriott Courtyard, Park Place Hotel, the Grand Hotel, Coconut Malorie, Castle in the Sand, and new this year the Clarion Resort Hotel.
“Anything the council can do to encourage the hotel community to assist in being able to host these teams and be able to keep our full-fledged line-up and top performers. The rooms are critical,” Lilley said.
On top of listing the support received so far by the hotel community, Lilley announced the sponsors committed to date, which includes but is not limited to 5 Hour Energy, Taylor Bank, Bacardi, Geico, Hooters, Eastern Aviation Fuels, Coca-Cola, Ocean View Grill, De Lazy Lizard and new this year is Ford.
“As we have in the past, we are anxiously looking forward to the OC Air Show this year. It is a terrific event and you have done a great job. Promoting it and providing the acts necessary to make it successful,” Mayor Rick Meehan said.
Before Lilley could get away, Meehan questioned him over sequestration’s impact on the OC Air Show. The impending appropriation will result in $85 billion in automatic budget cuts unless the Congress comes up with an alternative plan by Friday, March 1.
“With military support or without military support, our full intention is to move forward with an air show,” Lilley said. “We are planning for all cases, and in all cases there will be an air show in Ocean City on June 8 and 9.”
According to the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) earlier, possible sequestration cuts will have a significant impact on the entire U.S. air show community.
ICAS furthered, the military’s senior leadership is making contingency plans in the event politicians do not reach some agreement. Last month, ICAS provided some details on those contingency plans for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. In each case, those plans call for massive restructuring and emergency cost-cutting steps, including a reduction in non-essential flying. Also, if no compromise is reached by Friday and sequestration cuts are implemented, the four service branches will institute a hiring freeze and begin furloughing civilian defense employees. They will eliminate all non-essential travel. They will suspend many defense contracts, and they will delay a large number of construction and maintenance projects.
Several air shows across the nation have canceled events this year while the question of sequestration remains in play, including the 2013 Indianapolis Air Show scheduled for June 15-16. The show’s scheduled headliners were also the Blue Angels.
Indianapolis Air Show Chairman Robert Duncan explained sponsors began dropping out when the news spread of the Blue Angels possibly being grounded for the event.
Closer to home, the annual Langley air show, which was to feature the Thunderbirds and set for May, has already been cancelled as a result of the government stalemate. Next up could be the Oceana Air Show, which had tapped the Blue Angels, set for September. Oceana officials seem to be waiting out the March 1 deadline before taking an action.
Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia spokesperson Kelley Stirling told Military.com if the Blue Angels could not appear for its fall show, "that would mean our show gets canceled regardless."
According to Lilley, military performers as well as the OC Air Show are planning ahead. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Blue Angels intend to fly for certification in March that will allow them to perform in the 2013 air show season.
“We as a company have looked at it and already come up with detailed plans of a what-if scenario to be prepared,” he said.
Lilley concluded he is confident the OC Air Show will remain to be successful. Not only is the air show free of charge but it is a beach front event where the airplanes become flying fireworks, or a reason for people to come to the beach versus an air show at an air field or facility where people attend solely based upon the aviation perspective.
http://www.ocairshow.com
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com
By Joanne Shriner
OCEAN CITY – The organizer of the OC Air Show assured the Mayor and Council this week the show will go on in June, despite the possible grounding of headlining military acts, such as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, due to the looming possibility of sequestration.
The Blue Angels are scheduled to make their inaugural appearance in Ocean City as they headline this year’s OC Air Show on June 8-9.
This week Bryan Lilley of Ocean City Air Show LLC came before the Mayor and City Council to announce additional acts in this summer’s show. Besides the Blue Angels, military performers will be USN F-18 Hornet Demo, the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles, and the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. So far civilian acts will be the Red Bull Helicopter, Mike Wiskus and the Lucas Oil Pitts, and the Geico Skytypers.
Lilley added it has been a challenge thus far to nail down host hotels to house performers. At this point, the event is in need of 49 rooms per night. He acknowledged those who have come on board, such as the Quality Inn, Marriott Courtyard, Park Place Hotel, the Grand Hotel, Coconut Malorie, Castle in the Sand, and new this year the Clarion Resort Hotel.
“Anything the council can do to encourage the hotel community to assist in being able to host these teams and be able to keep our full-fledged line-up and top performers. The rooms are critical,” Lilley said.
On top of listing the support received so far by the hotel community, Lilley announced the sponsors committed to date, which includes but is not limited to 5 Hour Energy, Taylor Bank, Bacardi, Geico, Hooters, Eastern Aviation Fuels, Coca-Cola, Ocean View Grill, De Lazy Lizard and new this year is Ford.
“As we have in the past, we are anxiously looking forward to the OC Air Show this year. It is a terrific event and you have done a great job. Promoting it and providing the acts necessary to make it successful,” Mayor Rick Meehan said.
Before Lilley could get away, Meehan questioned him over sequestration’s impact on the OC Air Show. The impending appropriation will result in $85 billion in automatic budget cuts unless the Congress comes up with an alternative plan by Friday, March 1.
“With military support or without military support, our full intention is to move forward with an air show,” Lilley said. “We are planning for all cases, and in all cases there will be an air show in Ocean City on June 8 and 9.”
According to the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) earlier, possible sequestration cuts will have a significant impact on the entire U.S. air show community.
ICAS furthered, the military’s senior leadership is making contingency plans in the event politicians do not reach some agreement. Last month, ICAS provided some details on those contingency plans for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. In each case, those plans call for massive restructuring and emergency cost-cutting steps, including a reduction in non-essential flying. Also, if no compromise is reached by Friday and sequestration cuts are implemented, the four service branches will institute a hiring freeze and begin furloughing civilian defense employees. They will eliminate all non-essential travel. They will suspend many defense contracts, and they will delay a large number of construction and maintenance projects.
Several air shows across the nation have canceled events this year while the question of sequestration remains in play, including the 2013 Indianapolis Air Show scheduled for June 15-16. The show’s scheduled headliners were also the Blue Angels.
Indianapolis Air Show Chairman Robert Duncan explained sponsors began dropping out when the news spread of the Blue Angels possibly being grounded for the event.
Closer to home, the annual Langley air show, which was to feature the Thunderbirds and set for May, has already been cancelled as a result of the government stalemate. Next up could be the Oceana Air Show, which had tapped the Blue Angels, set for September. Oceana officials seem to be waiting out the March 1 deadline before taking an action.
Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia spokesperson Kelley Stirling told Military.com if the Blue Angels could not appear for its fall show, "that would mean our show gets canceled regardless."
According to Lilley, military performers as well as the OC Air Show are planning ahead. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Blue Angels intend to fly for certification in March that will allow them to perform in the 2013 air show season.
“We as a company have looked at it and already come up with detailed plans of a what-if scenario to be prepared,” he said.
Lilley concluded he is confident the OC Air Show will remain to be successful. Not only is the air show free of charge but it is a beach front event where the airplanes become flying fireworks, or a reason for people to come to the beach versus an air show at an air field or facility where people attend solely based upon the aviation perspective.
http://www.ocairshow.com
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com
February 28, 2013
Personal connection prompts Premier Aviation employees to collect money for cancer research
ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - It only cost $715 for Chris Thrash to get a haircut, but it was all money that went to help the Susan G. Komen Foundation.Thrash, an aviation mechanic at Premier Aviation in the City of Rome, lost his mother to breast cancer and now has a friend battling the illness.
He says he wanted to raise money for research and his co-workers stepped up, as long as Thrash cut his hair, which he did Thursday afternoon at his workplace.
"My hair kinda' like, out of control, and they're always bustin' me about my hair, teasing me about my hair and everything else," he said. "What a better way to do it. It's gonna' grow back. It's something fun to do, it's for a good cause, a good friend."
Thrash says he hasn't been bald since 1976 when he joined the Army.
In addition to the negotiations that helped him collect $715 in exchange for his locks,Thrash is also organizing a spring motorcycle ride benefit.
Source: http://www.wktv.com
Yuma pilots assure balloon safety record
February 28, 2013 4:02 PM
BY MARA KNAUB
With a recent deadly hot air balloon accident in Egypt, local pilot Colin Graham has been getting calls from people concerned with the safety of the aircraft.
“We haven't had cancellations yet, but we've been asked about the safety of hot air balloons,” said Graham, a pilot and owner of Balloons Over Yuma.
Nineteen tourists died Tuesday in Luxor in possibly the deadliest hot air ballooning accident on record. According to initial reports, fire erupted on the balloon as the pilot prepared to land, causing it to shoot up into the sky and then plummet about 1,000 feet to Earth.
Graham wants to put people's fears to rest: “Balloons, statistically speaking, are the safest form of aviation in the world.”
Jerry Paulin, another Yuma pilot who flies Wound Up, a balloon that holds 77,000 cubic feet of hot air, also pointed out that balloons are among the safest modes of transportation.
“I consider it a very safe sport. I fly as much as I can. Unfortunately, once in awhile accidents do happen. There are a few accidents every year, but it's much safer than driving to work.”
USA Today, after researching records from the National Transportation Safety Board, reported 762 hot air balloon accidents since 1964, most without fatalities.
In addition, Paulin noted that Egypt's industry “is a different form of ballooning.” In Yuma, most balloons are smaller and carry a handful of passengers. His balloon carries two to three passengers plus the operator.
Graham agreed, pointing out that the Egypt balloon industry uses mostly “huge” aircraft, with upward of 500,000 cubic feet of hot air, that accommodate close to 30 people. His balloons contain 150,000 cubic feet of hot air.
There's another difference, the pilots noted.
“In the U.S., (Federal Aviation Administration) licensing and training is required for all pilots and equipment is inspected annually,” Paulin said.
On the other hand, the Egypt industry lacks proper regulation, and the company involved in the latest accident has had problems in the past, according to reports.
“The pilots in that company for the most part are inexperienced, with low flying hours,” said Graham, a pilot with 15 years of flying experience. He has completed 2,000 flights in 31 states and five countries.
In the U.S., hot air balloonists are strictly monitored by the FAA with annual inspections, and pilots are checked every two years on a flight review.
“If you have routine problems, the FAA will pull your license, and they don't have that over there (in Egypt),” Graham said.
“We are fully insured operators, with the same policy we've had for 13 years. Our aircraft are late model, low mile, fully inspected and registered with the FAA.”
In addition, in the U.S. all pilots must be commercially certified. Graham noted that the way a hot air balloon works is a “pretty simple process, you heat the globe and it goes up. That's why it's so safe.
“But it's not so simple to fly. You have to be better than an airplane pilot to fly. We have to have the same license as an airplane pilot.”
Graham suggests questioning a company about its safety record. He suggests asking: Are your pilots certified? Is your company insured? What is your safety record?
“If someone avoids answering, then you've got a problem,” he said.
He noted that another good resource is the Balloon Federation of America (BFA.net), which is working on a system to ensure every member is in good standing.
One accident should not dissuade people from experiencing hot air ballooning, Paulin said, adding that if a bus wrecks in Egypt, people don't question the safety of all buses.
“Everything has a risk, but the risk in ballooning is very low,” he reiterated.
Paulin has been flying about four years. “I'm the rookie in the family,” he said at a balloon festival, noting that his son first became a pilot and has been around hot air ballooning for more than 20 years.
“They say your first ride is your cheapest ... because then you have to buy one,” he quipped.
His business, The Filter Factory, sponsored a balloon, but he wanted to be more than a passenger and got his pilot's license.
“It's very calm, very peaceful. The Earth moves away from you. It puts a smile on your face.”
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.yumasun.com
Questions to ask operators:
• How long have they been in business?
• Do they run their own tours or outsource them to others?
• What is the average group size (there are regulations on the amount of people you can have in the basket at one time)?
• Do they own their own equipment or rent it?
• Have you ever had an accident?
• Also ask for referrals, and find out about deposit and cancellation policies.
Source: www.foxnews.com
BY MARA KNAUB
With a recent deadly hot air balloon accident in Egypt, local pilot Colin Graham has been getting calls from people concerned with the safety of the aircraft.
“We haven't had cancellations yet, but we've been asked about the safety of hot air balloons,” said Graham, a pilot and owner of Balloons Over Yuma.
Nineteen tourists died Tuesday in Luxor in possibly the deadliest hot air ballooning accident on record. According to initial reports, fire erupted on the balloon as the pilot prepared to land, causing it to shoot up into the sky and then plummet about 1,000 feet to Earth.
Graham wants to put people's fears to rest: “Balloons, statistically speaking, are the safest form of aviation in the world.”
Jerry Paulin, another Yuma pilot who flies Wound Up, a balloon that holds 77,000 cubic feet of hot air, also pointed out that balloons are among the safest modes of transportation.
“I consider it a very safe sport. I fly as much as I can. Unfortunately, once in awhile accidents do happen. There are a few accidents every year, but it's much safer than driving to work.”
USA Today, after researching records from the National Transportation Safety Board, reported 762 hot air balloon accidents since 1964, most without fatalities.
In addition, Paulin noted that Egypt's industry “is a different form of ballooning.” In Yuma, most balloons are smaller and carry a handful of passengers. His balloon carries two to three passengers plus the operator.
Graham agreed, pointing out that the Egypt balloon industry uses mostly “huge” aircraft, with upward of 500,000 cubic feet of hot air, that accommodate close to 30 people. His balloons contain 150,000 cubic feet of hot air.
There's another difference, the pilots noted.
“In the U.S., (Federal Aviation Administration) licensing and training is required for all pilots and equipment is inspected annually,” Paulin said.
On the other hand, the Egypt industry lacks proper regulation, and the company involved in the latest accident has had problems in the past, according to reports.
“The pilots in that company for the most part are inexperienced, with low flying hours,” said Graham, a pilot with 15 years of flying experience. He has completed 2,000 flights in 31 states and five countries.
In the U.S., hot air balloonists are strictly monitored by the FAA with annual inspections, and pilots are checked every two years on a flight review.
“If you have routine problems, the FAA will pull your license, and they don't have that over there (in Egypt),” Graham said.
“We are fully insured operators, with the same policy we've had for 13 years. Our aircraft are late model, low mile, fully inspected and registered with the FAA.”
In addition, in the U.S. all pilots must be commercially certified. Graham noted that the way a hot air balloon works is a “pretty simple process, you heat the globe and it goes up. That's why it's so safe.
“But it's not so simple to fly. You have to be better than an airplane pilot to fly. We have to have the same license as an airplane pilot.”
Graham suggests questioning a company about its safety record. He suggests asking: Are your pilots certified? Is your company insured? What is your safety record?
“If someone avoids answering, then you've got a problem,” he said.
He noted that another good resource is the Balloon Federation of America (BFA.net), which is working on a system to ensure every member is in good standing.
One accident should not dissuade people from experiencing hot air ballooning, Paulin said, adding that if a bus wrecks in Egypt, people don't question the safety of all buses.
“Everything has a risk, but the risk in ballooning is very low,” he reiterated.
Paulin has been flying about four years. “I'm the rookie in the family,” he said at a balloon festival, noting that his son first became a pilot and has been around hot air ballooning for more than 20 years.
“They say your first ride is your cheapest ... because then you have to buy one,” he quipped.
His business, The Filter Factory, sponsored a balloon, but he wanted to be more than a passenger and got his pilot's license.
“It's very calm, very peaceful. The Earth moves away from you. It puts a smile on your face.”
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://www.yumasun.com
Questions to ask operators:
• How long have they been in business?
• Do they run their own tours or outsource them to others?
• What is the average group size (there are regulations on the amount of people you can have in the basket at one time)?
• Do they own their own equipment or rent it?
• Have you ever had an accident?
• Also ask for referrals, and find out about deposit and cancellation policies.
Source: www.foxnews.com
Boeing Pares Dreamliner Workforce
February 28, 2013, 5:52 p.m. ET
By JON OSTROWER
The Wall Street Journal
Boeing Co. plans to cut 100s of workers at a South Carolina factory where it builds 787 Dreamliners, part of a cost-reduction initiative set in motion before battery problems caused the grounding of the company's flagship jetliner, according to a person familiar with the plan.
The cuts, which started recently and are expected to be implemented over the course of 2013, could reduce staffing levels by up to 20%—at least for certain key teams—at its North Charleston, S.C., campus, which Boeing says has at least 6,000 employees.
The cuts primarily target workers employed at the plant through outside contractors, although Boeing also would reduce internal staff positions by not replacing some workers who leave or are promoted, the person said.
Such reductions aren't uncommon as assembly lines improve productivity, but the cuts come at a crucial time for the company. Boeing is trying to double monthly output of 787s at the South Carolina factory and another plant in Washington state by year's end. The South Carolina plant also is assembling major sections of a new Dreamliner model, the longer 787-9. It wasn't clear how the cuts might affect those efforts.
Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel declined to discuss any specific job cuts at the South Carolina facility. "As we progress in improving efficiencies in our processes, training our entry-level employees, and growing the experience of our team in South Carolina, we expect to continue to reduce reliance" on contract labor in order "to meet our production objectives," he said in an email.
Overall, Mr. Birtel said, Boeing expects to hire between 8,000 and 10,000 people in 2013, including at its defense division, which would keep its overall employment levels at "flat or slightly down" at year's end. "This includes hiring in some areas and reductions in others," he said. Boeing employed 173,781 workers at the end of January.
The South Carolina job cuts were initiated late last year, the person said, before overheating problems with the lithium-ion batteries on two Dreamliners prompted the world-wide grounding of the fleet in January. The grounding prohibited Boeing from delivering any new 787s to customers, but Boeing has said the move hasn't affected its production. The company last week proposed to U.S. regulators a package of modifications to the battery system that it hopes will allow the jets to return to commercial service as early as April, according to government and industry officials.
The actions in North Charleston appear to be part of a broader effort to reduce the costs to build the 787, which was introduced 18 months ago after years of expensive delays. Boeing has staked much of its financial future on the plane and on its ability to build it more efficiently over time. The company says the 787 program is currently profitable based on an accounting measure that average its costs out over the more than 1,000 planes it expects to build during the next decade. However, analysts estimate that Boeing currently spends about $100 million more to make each 787 than the jet brings in revenue.
The South Carolina plant has been an important element of Boeing's 787 strategy. Because it has a nonunion workforce, the facility has had flexibility to bring in temporary mechanics through outside contractors. Especially in its early years, the South Carolina facilities made extensive use of such contract labor, which tended to be more-expensive but also initially more experienced than the new workforce it hired locally.
Mr. Birtel said the use of contract labor to "supplement [Boeing's] workforce during surge activities and on development programs" is standard practice for the aerospace industry.
Boeing confirms that some contractors have been offered positions as direct employees, but a person familiar with the offers say many have declined offers, citing the comparatively lower compensation of direct, rather than contract, employment.
Boeing plans to either end early or not renew contractors at the South Carolina facility and two smaller facilities that make the mid- and aft-body of the Dreamliner. The two smaller factories predate Boeing's presence in South Carolina, when the facilities were set up by 787 suppliers in the early years of the program.
The factories struggled and in 2008 and 2009 Boeing was forced to purchase both, giving the company its first industrial footprint in the state. In October 2009, Boeing announced it would build a second 787 final assembly line on the Charleston campus, marking its first such site outside of its traditional commercial base on the west coast. The site delivered its first 787 to Air India last September.
Source: http://online.wsj.com
By JON OSTROWER
The Wall Street Journal
Boeing Co. plans to cut 100s of workers at a South Carolina factory where it builds 787 Dreamliners, part of a cost-reduction initiative set in motion before battery problems caused the grounding of the company's flagship jetliner, according to a person familiar with the plan.
The cuts, which started recently and are expected to be implemented over the course of 2013, could reduce staffing levels by up to 20%—at least for certain key teams—at its North Charleston, S.C., campus, which Boeing says has at least 6,000 employees.
The cuts primarily target workers employed at the plant through outside contractors, although Boeing also would reduce internal staff positions by not replacing some workers who leave or are promoted, the person said.
Such reductions aren't uncommon as assembly lines improve productivity, but the cuts come at a crucial time for the company. Boeing is trying to double monthly output of 787s at the South Carolina factory and another plant in Washington state by year's end. The South Carolina plant also is assembling major sections of a new Dreamliner model, the longer 787-9. It wasn't clear how the cuts might affect those efforts.
Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel declined to discuss any specific job cuts at the South Carolina facility. "As we progress in improving efficiencies in our processes, training our entry-level employees, and growing the experience of our team in South Carolina, we expect to continue to reduce reliance" on contract labor in order "to meet our production objectives," he said in an email.
Overall, Mr. Birtel said, Boeing expects to hire between 8,000 and 10,000 people in 2013, including at its defense division, which would keep its overall employment levels at "flat or slightly down" at year's end. "This includes hiring in some areas and reductions in others," he said. Boeing employed 173,781 workers at the end of January.
The South Carolina job cuts were initiated late last year, the person said, before overheating problems with the lithium-ion batteries on two Dreamliners prompted the world-wide grounding of the fleet in January. The grounding prohibited Boeing from delivering any new 787s to customers, but Boeing has said the move hasn't affected its production. The company last week proposed to U.S. regulators a package of modifications to the battery system that it hopes will allow the jets to return to commercial service as early as April, according to government and industry officials.
The actions in North Charleston appear to be part of a broader effort to reduce the costs to build the 787, which was introduced 18 months ago after years of expensive delays. Boeing has staked much of its financial future on the plane and on its ability to build it more efficiently over time. The company says the 787 program is currently profitable based on an accounting measure that average its costs out over the more than 1,000 planes it expects to build during the next decade. However, analysts estimate that Boeing currently spends about $100 million more to make each 787 than the jet brings in revenue.
The South Carolina plant has been an important element of Boeing's 787 strategy. Because it has a nonunion workforce, the facility has had flexibility to bring in temporary mechanics through outside contractors. Especially in its early years, the South Carolina facilities made extensive use of such contract labor, which tended to be more-expensive but also initially more experienced than the new workforce it hired locally.
Mr. Birtel said the use of contract labor to "supplement [Boeing's] workforce during surge activities and on development programs" is standard practice for the aerospace industry.
Boeing confirms that some contractors have been offered positions as direct employees, but a person familiar with the offers say many have declined offers, citing the comparatively lower compensation of direct, rather than contract, employment.
Boeing plans to either end early or not renew contractors at the South Carolina facility and two smaller facilities that make the mid- and aft-body of the Dreamliner. The two smaller factories predate Boeing's presence in South Carolina, when the facilities were set up by 787 suppliers in the early years of the program.
The factories struggled and in 2008 and 2009 Boeing was forced to purchase both, giving the company its first industrial footprint in the state. In October 2009, Boeing announced it would build a second 787 final assembly line on the Charleston campus, marking its first such site outside of its traditional commercial base on the west coast. The site delivered its first 787 to Air India last September.
Source: http://online.wsj.com
Dallas man pleads guilty to pointing laser at Dallas police helicopter
A Dallas man plead guilty Thursday morning to aiming a laser pointer
at an aircraft, a federal offense punishable by five years in prison.
Kenneth Santodomingo, 22, is accused of aiming a green laser
pointer at a Dallas Police Department Air One helicopter minutes before 4
a.m. on Jan. 28. Air One was called to help search for burglary
suspects in a wooded area when the laser shot through the pilot's
window, impairing his ability to control the helicopter.
The pilot was able to lead officers to house near the 7000 block of
Lake June Road after Santodomingo pointed the laser at the aircraft
four times in a 10 minute period. In addition to the potential five year
punishment, the 22-year-old also faces a $250,000 fine.
Santodomingo told officers he “wanted to see how far it would go”
when asked why he pointed the laser at the helicopter and handed over
the laser.
He will be sentenced on July 25, 2013, according to a press release.
Shining a laser pointer at an aircraft became a federal offense on Feb. 27, 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s website.
To see what it's like for a pilot when a laser is pointed into a cockpit, click here.
Source: http://www.wfaa.com
Chicken causes power outage at Maui airport
By Associated Press
POSTED: 01:20 p.m. HST, Feb 27, 2013
LAST UPDATED: 01:20 p.m. HST, Feb 27, 2013
WAILUKU >> A power outage at an airport on Maui was caused by a chicken.
That's right. A chicken.
The chicken got into a Maui Electric Co. transformer in the rental car area at Kahului Airport on Tuesday afternoon. It caused a power outage that began at 2:07 p.m. that left some passengers having to disembark their planes the old-fashioned way — by mobile stairway.
The airport tower and air traffic was not affected, according to The Maui News.
The chicken got into a Maui Electric Co. transformer in the rental car area at Kahului Airport, Maui Electric company spokeswoman Kaui Awai-Dickson said. Power was restored about a half-hour later. The outage affected the airport and nearby businesses, including the rental car companies, a hotel and department store.
After about a half hour, customers were restored with power with the exception of the rental car companies located just outside the airport. All power was restored at 3:25 p.m.
During the outage, security screenings were performed manually and some electronic doors had to be manned by Transportation Security Administration officials, said Maui District airport manager Marvin Moniz.
He said the outage caused some flight delays of no more than 15 minutes.
Source: http://www.staradvertiser.com
POSTED: 01:20 p.m. HST, Feb 27, 2013
LAST UPDATED: 01:20 p.m. HST, Feb 27, 2013
WAILUKU >> A power outage at an airport on Maui was caused by a chicken.
That's right. A chicken.
The chicken got into a Maui Electric Co. transformer in the rental car area at Kahului Airport on Tuesday afternoon. It caused a power outage that began at 2:07 p.m. that left some passengers having to disembark their planes the old-fashioned way — by mobile stairway.
The airport tower and air traffic was not affected, according to The Maui News.
The chicken got into a Maui Electric Co. transformer in the rental car area at Kahului Airport, Maui Electric company spokeswoman Kaui Awai-Dickson said. Power was restored about a half-hour later. The outage affected the airport and nearby businesses, including the rental car companies, a hotel and department store.
After about a half hour, customers were restored with power with the exception of the rental car companies located just outside the airport. All power was restored at 3:25 p.m.
During the outage, security screenings were performed manually and some electronic doors had to be manned by Transportation Security Administration officials, said Maui District airport manager Marvin Moniz.
He said the outage caused some flight delays of no more than 15 minutes.
Source: http://www.staradvertiser.com
Second Glance: Flyin’ time
Published on February 28, 2013, 8:00 a.m.
Find the 12 differences between the original photograph and the altered photograph. Original photograph by David C. Kennedy; Biplane at the Aerodome in Bealeton in September: http://www.washingtonpost.com
Find the 12 differences between the original photograph and the altered photograph. Original photograph by David C. Kennedy; Biplane at the Aerodome in Bealeton in September: http://www.washingtonpost.com
Floyd Bennett Memorial (KGFL), Glens Falls, New York: New restaurant proposed at Warren County Airport
Rich Air, the company that serves as the fixed base operator for Warren County Airport, is proposing two new buildings at the airport to house a restaurant and additional offices.
The proposal is to be discussed at a county Facilities Committee meeting Thursday.
The restaurant would be six times the size of the cafe that operates at the airport, said Jon Lapper, a lawyer for Rich Air. It would be located next to the terminal.
It would be open into the evening, while the cafe on the property is open only mornings and afternoons. Lapper said what type of restaurant it will be is to be determined.
The office building would be next to Hangar 2 on the airport property.
Lapper said that Carol's Airport Cafe would be closed and turned into a lounge or office space, and the proprietors would be given the opportunity to run the new restaurant.
Source: http://poststar.com
The proposal is to be discussed at a county Facilities Committee meeting Thursday.
The restaurant would be six times the size of the cafe that operates at the airport, said Jon Lapper, a lawyer for Rich Air. It would be located next to the terminal.
It would be open into the evening, while the cafe on the property is open only mornings and afternoons. Lapper said what type of restaurant it will be is to be determined.
The office building would be next to Hangar 2 on the airport property.
Lapper said that Carol's Airport Cafe would be closed and turned into a lounge or office space, and the proprietors would be given the opportunity to run the new restaurant.
Source: http://poststar.com
Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL), Pennsylvania: Cleaning Crew Steals From Plane
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Theft on the plane. Eyewitness News uncovered exclusive details about a cleaning crew that police say helped themselves to a passenger’s ID and money.
If you’ve ever flown across the country or even overseas, as was the case for the victim in this story, you know that by the time you get home, you are beat. Now imagine getting a call from your bank, telling you someone used your debit card to make purchases worth more than $1000.
“I was really shocked and saddened.”
Rachel Beasley talked to Eyewitness News via Skype and went onto explain that she was flying from Frankford, Germany to Virginia with a layover in Philadelphia. She quickly learned it was at Philadelphia International Airport that she fell victim on February 18th. Her bank, USAA Bank, notified her the next day.
Beasley said, “I actually had everything, my passport, my plane tickets, my driver’s license and credit card in a travel organizer.”
Turns out, someone somehow took of Beasley’s bank card and driver’s license. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for Philadelphia police at the airport to zero in on the suspects.
Lt. Louis Liberati explained, “We determined that a purchase was made at the stores upstairs, and it was made by employees of a company that actually cleans the aircrafts. Five individuals who were observed leaving the terminals with bags from that particular outlet, it just so happens that those individuals were the assigned people to clean that particular aircraft.”
According to police, the five individuals were employees of Prospect Airport Services. The suspects were identified by police as Michelle Sampson, Vernice Robinson, Keyana Nelson, Sakya Geer and Amber Moore.
“It is a shame. When you travel, you’d like to think you’re secure with your property,” Lt. Liberati said.
Beasley added, “I just can’t thank Philadelphia Police enough. I’m just glad it happened in the way it did to bring it to closure, so that they’re not doing this to anybody else.”
When reached for comment, Suzanne M. Mucklow, Esq., the in-house counsel for Prospect Airport Services, Inc. released the following statement:
“Because airports are highly secured, all prospective employees are subject to an extensive background check as required by federal law. Individuals who are denied the credentials necessary to access secured areas of the airport cannot work for our company. The company takes the allegations involved very seriously and is cooperating fully with law enforcement on its investigation. We will follow our policies in addressing this matter internally. If these allegations are true, we believe the actions of a few should not reflect on the integrity of our entire workforce at the Philadelphia International Airport.”
Lt. Liberati explained, “Three of them reported for work last night, they were gathered up by their employer and police went to that office made the arrest of three.”
Police say the remaining two suspects surrendered on Wednesday. All five have been charged, according to police, with ID Theft, Forgery, Theft and related offenses.
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU), North Carolina: Low flying aircraft
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Numerous people reported seeing low flying aircraft in the Raleigh area Wednesday evening.
A Raleigh-Durham International Airport spokesperson told ABC11 that the low flying aircraft are part of a military exercise.
There is no threat to the public, according to the spokesperson.
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://abclocal.go.com
A Raleigh-Durham International Airport spokesperson told ABC11 that the low flying aircraft are part of a military exercise.
There is no threat to the public, according to the spokesperson.
Story and Reaction/Comments: http://abclocal.go.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)