Friday, August 29, 2014

Congressman Jones tours growing GE Aviation facility

Jones met with GE Aviation representatives before touring the plant’s production facilities, which produce parts for military and commercial jet engines. 


The importance of exports to GE Aviation in supplying jet engines all around the world was emphasized today during a tour of the company’s Wilmington facility by U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.

The Republican congressman, whose coastal District 3 includes portions of Pender and New Hanover counties, met with company representatives and toured the Castle Hayne-area plant, where rotating parts for military and commercial jet engines are produced for assembly off-site.

Jones last year visited the GE Hitachi nuclear facility and world headquarters, likewise located in the Castle Hayne complex. His tour of the GE Aviation facility comes as Congress is considering potential reforms to the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the country’s official export credit agency.

Called the Ex-Im Bank, the agency provides export financing that “fill gaps in the trade finance market,” according to a description on its website, “to ensure that U.S. businesses get what they need to sell abroad and be competitive in international markets.” But the agency has drawn scrutiny from some conservative legislators who describe its services as a form of corporate welfare.

Friday’s tour was intended in part to emphasize the importance of exports to GE Aviation, which supplies the majority of its engines overseas. Increased demand in the Middle East and Latin America have contributed to growth in the company’s services, which currently amount to $20 billion in annual revenue with a backlog of more than $100 billion through the year 2020.

In providing Jones with an overview, company representatives noted 90 percent of gas and steam turbines made domestically are exported. “We’re about making it here and selling it there,” Jones was told. “That’s where the marketplace is, and we’ve got to be able to be competitive in that global marketplace.”

GE Aviation is also expanding its manufacturing operations in North Carolina, including the Castle Hayne plant and facilities in Durham, West Jefferson and Asheville—part of an investment the company announced last year that was expected to produce 242 jobs statewide over a five-year period.

Related story: GE expansion adds jobs to local plant

That investment was spurred in part by local incentives from New Hanover County, which awarded $875,000 to GE Aviation—contingent on investments in the Castle Hayne facility of at least $63 million and the creation of at least 35 jobs.

Wilmington Plant Leader Jason Swinny said the Castle Hayne facility has grown by about 100 jobs in the past two to three years. He said the plant currently has more than 600 employees and more than 100 contractors working on-site.

In 2014 alone, Swinny said, investment in the facility has totaled $14 million, with equipment added to aid in the production of the 55 different components that are shipped out of the facility. The majority of those parts are assembled at the company’s facility in Durham, Swinny said.

“The good news for Wilmington is that the commercial business is growing,” added Kelly Walsh, a company spokeswoman. With 33,000 engines installed today, the company projects that number will increase to 44,000 in 2020.

“The current stat is, about every two seconds, an aircraft powered by a GE engine takes off somewhere around the world,” Walsh said. “So, a lot of engines powering the world’s fleet.”

Walsh added such numbers are good news for airlines, manufacturers and suppliers, some of which were represented during Jones’ visit. In the Wilmington area, those suppliers include Cincinatti Thermal Spray, which provides coatings to protect parts from wear and thermal exposure; Wilmington National Peening, which provides shot peening to finish metal parts; and Southern Industrial, which provides industrial construction and plant maintenance services.

Inside the plant, Jones was shown some of the parts the company produces, including those for the “GEnx” engine, described as the company’s fastest selling high-thrust engine, used in Boeing 747 airliners and the 787 Dreamliner.

During the tour, Jones said he was delighted to tour the facility, “because it not only means so much to eastern North Carolina, but it means so much to our country that we have a strong economy. And they participate in helping to make a strong economy.”

Regarding support for exports, Jones told reporters on the tour: “The world we live in is a big world. And you can look at the stock market—if it went down 15 years ago, you wouldn’t have your stockbroker telling you to invest in overseas investments. Then you come back and look at GE—it’s a company that provides services and manufacturing to the whole world.

“In the world today, you’ve got to be able to participate in some form or another to be successful,” he said.

“I’m enthralled by what I’m seeing here today, and the technical work and the production that’s being done is very, very impressive,” Jones said. “For me to come down here today is to be reminded of all the good that’s being done here for the citizens of Pender and New Hanover and the surrounding counties, with the fact that we have a corporate success story right here in our backyard.”

Story and Photos:  http://portcitydaily.com

Audrey Dwyer: A visceral experience above the Yampa Valley

Reporter Audrey Dwyer before she goes up in the sky with Dagmar Kress on Friday afternoon for a practice flight before the Wild West Air Fest tomorrow. Kress will be one of the performers in the show. 



Steamboat Springs — If you were looking up at the sky Friday around noon, you may have seen a small ruby red plane performing rolls and one of those big loop-de-loops. I happened to be flying that plane at that time.

Never ever having flown in a tiny plane like that before, I didn’t really know what to expect. Dagmar Kress was my pilot for the day, and I put quite a lot of trust in her. But how could I not with the credentials like her’s as an International World Aerobatic Champion competing for the United States but also for Germany, where she is from? Let’s not forget that she is one of the world’s top female aerobatic pilots as well.

To give some perspective on what Kress does, she will basically fly upside down at 5,000 feet or more with only a five-point seat belt and a plastic bubble above her head as a shield between her and the ground.

For her it was a ride in a biplane for the first time that had her hooked on flying. She became a certified flight instructor, and then soon after she learned aerobatics. She has been performing tricks at great heights for about 30 years now.

“I mean I could say silly things like 'I can’t fly straight,'” she said about why she loves flying. “No, I like it; it’s that peace and freedom element. You can go up and down and just be weightless.”

On Saturday and Sunday this weekend you can catch her in the beautiful red Pitts for the Wild West Air Fest. She will also perform with the Rocky Mountain Renegades as well as Don Nelson in his Sukhoi. Judging from the her warm-up flight earlier in the day, it’s going to be quite the show.

At least she turned my world upside down.

Before we even left the ground and were going over the precautions — meaning how to use my parachute, yes parachute — she had me take over the control stick and perform a roll to the left then one to the right.

“You can do it, just keep turning it to the left,” she said to me as we were in flight and I was trying not to crash the plane.

Then she took back control of the Pitts S2C biplane and said, “OK, now we are going to do a loop.” Luckily I wasn’t feeling sick or else this story could have taken a completely different turn.

It was a weightless feeling and before I knew it I was upside down performing a vertical circle of sorts and the only thing keeping me safe was the seat belt tightly fastened. The sky and ground began to blur into one and it was a very visceral feeling. With my stomach lurching and my perception of up and down a bit blurred, I realized that flying wasn’t all that bad.

“It’s not too hard, you saw that,” Kress said. “It’s really not that tough, you just learn it like any other discipline.”

Before I left the ground, I was told to just breathe and stay calm. Well, like most things in life, we all psyche ourselves out. So after I heard that, I kept repeating it the whole time we were in the air. Luckily it worked, minus the bit of dizziness I experienced. Or maybe it was just the seemingly endless amount of adrenaline that was pumping through me.

Flying above the Yampa Valley, I saw it in a way that I’ve never experienced or even thought to see before. It’s not the same when you are standing at the top of a mountain looking down. It was utterly breathtaking from the front seat of the cockpit in this tiny yet powerful biplane. The mountains were endless into the horizon and the colors of the rolling hills were stunning.

As I sit at my desk — hands slightly still shaking from the aftereffects of it all — I can’t believe that just happened a few hours ago. Kress is a talented and fearless woman. In a sport that is both dangerous and dominated by men, she has had a long record of success. I am honored that I had the opportunity to fly with her and will never forget this moment.

- Source:  http://www.steamboattoday.com

Boeing Struggles to Find Buyers for Early Version Dreamliners: Aerospace Company Has Tough Time Unloading 787s Built at the Height of Its Problems With Plane Design and Supply Chain Snafus

The Wall Street Journal
By Jon Ostrower

Aug. 29, 2014 5:32 p.m. ET

For sale: about 10 new Boeing Co.787 Dreamliners that no one seems to want.

Even as Boeing racks up record orders for its commercial jets, the plane maker has a pack of its flagship Dreamliners that it is struggling to move off the lot. Two customers this month canceled orders for nine of the planes, and finding new buyers could be tough without steep discounts, analysts say.

The problem: the jets come from a batch of early 787s built in 2009 and 2010 during the depths of Boeing's struggles with Dreamliner design and supply chain problems. Dubbed by some industry insiders as the "terrible teens," the jets are the 10th-to-19th and 22nd Dreamliners built. They have early design shortcomings that make them less efficient than more recently constructed units.

Boeing has largely recovered from its early stumbles with the Dreamliner, which boasts a lightweight composite fuselage and advanced electronics systems that has drawn huge interest from airlines. The 787 has amassed more than 1,000 orders faster than any other widebody jet in history, and more than 180 have been delivered since the first one entered commercial service in September 2011.

Asked about the cancellations of the "teens" jets, a Boeing spokesman said "requests to change orders—be they accelerations of deliveries, deferrals, option exercises or cancellations— are a daily part of our business."

"Demand for the 787 remains high—and when we have cancellations we begin marketing those airplanes to other customers," he said.

Each Dreamliner is expensive to build, but the earliest planes were the costliest as Boeing ironed out kinks in its design and manufacturing process. The first three 787s were so heavily modified after being repeatedly assembled and disassembled that Boeing wrote them off as a $2.7 billion research-and-development charge in 2009.

Even by mid-2012, when Boeing had worked through the worst of its production glitches, analysts estimated that each Dreamliner cost as much as $242 million each to build. That compares to a list price of $218.3 million before customary discounts, that can cut the sales price by about half.

Manufacturing costs for each new 787 that Boeing delivers continue to exceed the sales price, analysts say, but costs have come down considerably. Boeing counts the Dreamliner program as profitable based on accounting that spreads estimated costs and revenue out over many years, effectively taking credit for future profits in today's earnings.

All but one of the teens jets were built before Boeing engineered an increase in carrying capacity into the 787, starting with the 20th plane. That means the early version jets can't fly as far as those built later, plus they burn more fuel.

A Boeing spokesman wouldn't comment on the potential pricing of the early version jets.

Some of the first 20 or so planes have been sold successfully, including Nos. 20 and 21. Remaining teens Dreamliners have changed prospective buyers several times.

Some were originally intended for Chinese carriers, and later designated for airlines in Japan and Morocco.

In 2012, Indonesian discount airline Lion Air Group ordered five of the planes, and Russian carrier Transaero Airlines ordered four, according to two people familiar with the deal. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

This month, Lion Air said it canceled its five orders. A spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, Boeing said another four 787 orders had been canceled, which a person briefed on the matter said were the teens jets ordered by Transaero. The Russian carrier didn't respond to a request for comment.

Currently LATAM Airlines Group, parent of LAN Airlines, has orders for two of the 11 teens jets, with a Korean buyer taking a third, according to people familiar with company plans.

Analysts say Boeing could still find buyers for the other planes.

Michel Merluzeau, managing partner at G2 Solutions, an aviation consultancy, said the remaining jets' performance limits and potentially low resale value could deter airline buyers. The jets still might find a place carrying VIPs for business-jet operators or governments, which tend to be less sensitive to the plane's performance issues.

"There's a price at which these planes can trade," said Howard Rubel, aerospace analyst at Jefferies LLC.

Meanwhile, the remaining teens Dreamliners sit unfinished on Boeing's Paine Field Airport. Each is fitted with two 17,000-pound yellow blocks under each wing where the engines would go, to keep the jets from tipping back on their tails.

- Source:   http://online.wsj.com

Malaysia Airlines to Eliminate 6,000 Jobs in Turnaround Effort: State Fund That Controls the Airline Plans to Spend Up to $1.9 Billion to Revive Malaysia's Flag Carrier

The Wall Street Journal

By Gaurav Raghuvanshi And Jason Ng


Updated Aug. 29, 2014 10:48 a.m. ET

KUALA LUMPUR—The state fund that controls Malaysia Airlines announced the largest round of layoffs in the company's history, the centerpiece of a plan to revive a carrier battered by two recent air tragedies, as well as years of weak earnings.

But industry experts said the steps may still be insufficient to turn around Malaysia's flag carrier, which like many other national airlines is struggling with a large, costly workforce, an unwieldy network of routes and cutthroat competition from new, low-cost rivals.

Malaysia Airlines has also been pummeled by the unresolved disappearance of Flight 370 in March and the downing of Flight 17 in Ukraine, likely by a missile.

The plan, titled "Rebuilding A National Icon," was announced Friday by Khazanah Nasional Bhd., a government investment firm that owns about 70% of Malaysian Airline System Bhd., the listed company that owns Malaysia Airlines.

Khazanah said it will spend up to 6 billion ringgit ($1.9 billion) to revive the airline, including 1.4 billion ringgit to take it private by the end of the year, 1.6 billion ringgit for layoffs and other restructuring costs and 3 billion ringgit to retire debt and provide capital.

As part of the restructuring, Malaysia Airlines will cut staffing levels by 6,000, or 30% of the carrier's 20,000 employees, the largest layoffs in its history.

The plan also calls for a new board and chief executive, a cutback of routes and a new branding strategy—although Khazanah said it is recommending the carrier keep the Malaysia Airlines name.

Khazanah said it aims to make Malaysia Airlines profitable within three years after new management takes charge next year, and will seek to subsequently relist the company.

Khazanah will also consider selling its equity stake to a strategic investor if Malaysia Airlines becomes profitable, it said.

In a sign of how important the airline is to Malaysia, the plan was prefaced by a message from Prime Minister Najib Razak, who called the carrier "a symbol of national pride, our ambitions and our place in the world. In short, it is more than just a company to us."

Mr. Najib invoked Malaysia's 57th Independence Day on Aug. 31 to seek support from the public for the revival plan, and said that only "wholesale" change will make Malaysia Airlines financially strong and sustainable. The carrier accounts for 0.7% of the Southeast Asian nation's economic output.

Analysts pointed out the carrier has tried similar steps in the past, without success.

"The plan appears very similar to the previous business turnaround plans...we tend to be more subdued in our expectation that it will work this time," said Mohshin Aziz, analyst at Maybank Investment Bank. "It's too early to say they have all the right ingredients just yet."

The proposed job cuts this time go farther than in the past, when the carrier had to contend with opposition from unions.

Malaysia Airlines has 183 employees per aircraft, which is significantly higher than 138 per aircraft at Singapore Airlines Ltd. and 125 at Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Khazanah said in its report. Malaysia Airlines also fares poorly in terms of revenue per employee and productivity, it said.

The new plan is similar to the airline's existing strategy but "the job cuts should enable a deep restructuring, putting MAS in a better position in 2015 and beyond," said Brendan Sobie, an analyst with CAPA-Centre for Aviation.

In recent years, "job cuts were always a no go topic, limiting the effectiveness of turnaround efforts," he said.

The airline will take steps to retrain redundant staff and help them find jobs with other companies, Khazanah said.

But job cuts may not solve the problem of competition Asian airlines face from aggressive budget airlines that now account for nearly a quarter of the total seats on offer in the region.

Malaysia Airlines has been among the worst hit, as AirAsia Bhd., the biggest discount carrier in Southeast Asia by passengers, has taken its position as the dominant carrier in Malaysia.

Other state-run carriers in Asia, such as Garuda Indonesia and Thai Airways International PCL have also reported losses in recent quarters as traffic has grown below expectations. Garuda received a bailout from the Indonesian government but has slipped back into the red after a bout of profitability, underscoring the tough environment.

Australian flag carrier Qantas Airways Ltd. reported its biggest loss in the airline's history and announced that it will carve out and sell its loss-making long-haul division to a foreign investor.

The parent of Malaysia Airlines reported on Thursday that its second-quarter net loss widened to 307 million ringgit, compared with 176 Million ringgit in the same period last year.

Malaysia Airlines will focus on flying within the region, including to Japan and Australia, Khazanah said. It has already withdrawn from some of its longest routes that were unprofitable and will look at more routes that can be cut.

The airline will keep some of its important routes such as London, Khazanah said, adding that the details of the route restructuring will be decided by the airline's management.

The company will get a new board with a new chief executive by July 1 next year and Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, the current CEO, will stay on during the transition period, Khazanah said.

Malaysia Airlines will also renegotiate most of its existing supply contracts to bring them in line with industry norms, Khazanah said. The airline has been criticized by analysts for signing contracts that make its purchases too expensive.

There is no plan to break Malaysia Airlines into smaller firms, such as hiving off its profitable maintenance division into a separate firm, said Khazanah Managing Director Azman Mokhtar at a briefing.

- Source:   http://online.wsj.com

Cleveland National Air Show back but budget cuts still felt

 


CLEVELAND -- If advance ticket sales are any indication, people are grateful and excited to have the Cleveland National Air Show back after federal budget cuts grounded it last year. 

Advance sales are up 50 percent over 2012, according to the show's Executive Director Chuck Newcomb.

"What makes us excited is Air Show fans are so excited," Newcomb said.

Cleveland's show and other air shows were mothballed for a year because the federal budget sequester cut funding for marquee flight teams, like the Blue Angels.

RELATED : Schedules/Attractions at the Cleveland National Air Show

The Blue Angels are the feature attraction in Cleveland this weekend, but ongoing budget cuts are keeping other military show-and-tell aircraft home and out of the show.

Newcomb said,"They still have not reinstated display airplanes at air shows...we have to say this is going to new day for air shows."

Newcomb predicts private companies and other exhibitors will fill the void to give Air Show fans plenty to see and do.

One new exhibitor this year is poised to make some history.

The Lorain County firm Dronewerx will make the first FAA-sanctioned demonstration of drones at an air show. Various models will fly showing off different kinds of surveillance uses.

"It will forever be known to have happened in Cleveland..This is a big deal...This is the most transformative technology of our lifetime," Dronewerx' Matt Mishak said.

Mishak heads a group trying to make Ohio a leader in drone job creation.

Other longtime exhibitors are glad to be back.

Steven Blevins allows visitors to sit inside the cockpit of the same plane that was once used by the Blue Angels and Golden Knights.

"Last year was a long vacation...A lot of people really got hurt," he said.

The show has drawn between 60,000 and 100,000 visitors annually, spending an estimated $7.1 million and 35 percent of the visitors are from outside Northeast Ohio.

Promoter Newcomb took a big financial hit and hopes for three days of great weather to let the skies be filled with excitement and make the comeback show a success.

Story and Video:  http://www.wkyc.com

Cleveland National Air Show: 5 cheap places to watch the action

The sounds of fighter jets have returned to downtown after last year's cancelation of the Cleveland National Air Show.

Organizers were forced to cancel the 2013 air show because of federal budget cuts. But this Cleveland Labor Day tradition is back for its 50th year and features the Blue Angels.

Tickets are $21 in advance and $23 at the gate for adults. Kids ages 6 to 11 are $14 in advance and $16 at the gate. Admission is free for children 5 and under. On-site parking is $15.

That can cost a family of four nearly $100. There are a few places to check out the aerial acrobatics of the show for free. That does mean missing out on the World War II warbirds and other cool displays.

Voinovich Park

Located at the end of East 9th Street and just west of Burke Lakefront Airport, Voinovich Park is a prime location to see the stunt planes. It does get pretty packed, so be prepared for crowds.

Edgewater Park

The Blue Angels fly along Lake Erie to Lakewood during practice and performances. The Navy's demonstration squad is the last act of the air show each day at 5 p.m. If you hear them, they've already gone by.

East 55th Marina

This North Marginal Road spot is typically less crowded than the parks mentioned above, but still has great views. Stick around after the air show on Saturday for live music starting at 8 p.m.

Whiskey Island

Want to see world-class pilots and enjoy a cold beer at the same time? Park yourself at a picnic table at Sunset Bar and Grille.

Lakefront Municipal Parking Lot

That's right, the muni lot is used for things other than tailgating before Browns games. This option will cost you for parking. The city charges up to $20 for special events.

Story and Comments:  http://www.cleveland.com

Rare display of vintage aircraft at Snohomish County Airport / Paine Field (KPAE), Everett, Washington

 

EVERETT, Wash. -- Step back into time at the Vintage Aircraft Weekend at Paine Field. It's a rare chance to see beautifully restored vintage planes from the roaring 20s through the 50s over Labor Day weekend. 

Visitors will be able to check out about 65 vintage and military planes, including some that fought in World War II. The show includes flying demonstrations and air formations, as well as period music, dancing and fashion.

Organizers hope to pass along a bit of history to the young and old.

"It's sort of an appreciation for art the beauty, also a period of technology, innovation and advancement," said John Sessions, Historic Flight Foundation CEO.

This weekend, bi-plane rides will be available for a fee. A cheaper option is buying and winning one through a raffle.

Doors open Saturday at 9 a.m. at Paine Field at the Historic Flight Foundation 10719 Bernie Webber Drive, Mukilteo. Kids 10 and under are free, adults pay $15, military and seniors are $12.

Story, photo and video:  http://www.king5.com


WWII aircraft available for tours and flights at Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR) September 2-5

A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress ‘Nine O Nine WWII Heavy Bomber, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator ‘Witchcraft WWII Heavy Bomber, and a P-51 Mustang fighter, will fly into Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford for a visit from Sept. 2-5.

The event is part of Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour.

This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. The B-17 is one of only eight in flying condition in the United States. The B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World.

Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out; $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft.

WWII Veterans can tour through the aircraft at no cost. Discounted rates for school groups.

Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $450 per person. P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour.

For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924.

The Wings of Freedom Tour will be at the airport at noon Sept. 2, and will be on display at Three Wing Aviation until the aircraft depart Sept. 5, after noon. Hours of ground tours and display are: noon-5 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 2; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 3; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 4; 9 a.m.-noon on Friday, Sept. 5. The 30-minute flight experiences are normally scheduled before and after the ground tour times above.

The Collings Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation devoted to organizing “living history” events that allows people to learn more about their heritage and history through direct participation. The Nationwide Wings of Freedom Tour is celebrating its 25th year and visits an average of 110 cities in over 35 states annually.

For further information e-mail Hunter Chaney, Director of Marketing: hchaney@collingsfoundation.org or call 800-568-8924.

Media Site: visit collingsfoundation.org/media for further detailed information on the aircraft, Collings Foundation, and the tour as well as high-resolution photos for download.

- Source:  http://www.trumbulltimes.com


Obama’s ‘schmoozing’ will cause travel havoc: President Obama's travel plans set to ruin private jet getaways to the Hamptons

  • The President is due to fly to New York's Westchester County 
  • The timing could not be worst as it is during the Labor Day weekend 
  • The no-fly zone will last from Friday afternoon and all day Saturday
  • But it will be an eternity for high-powered Wall Street types who want to fly
  • By car, a trip to the Hamptons takes two hours from Manhattan

President Obama has angerd wealthy jet-setting New Yorkers with his travel plans this weekend because much of New York’s airspace will be shut down during his visit to the state.

The timing of the President’s trip to New York's Westchester County today for a series of weekend fundraisers could not have come at a worst time because it will be during the Labor Day weekend.

According to CBS, the Federal Aviation Administration will put the skies over New York City on lock down until Saturday.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk


President Obama’s plan to schmooze Wall Street honchos at a Westchester fund-raiser Friday is grounding wealthy weekenders who planned to fly to the Hamptons or Nantucket for the Labor Day holiday.

The FAA has issued a no-fly warning that extends for most of Friday and all day Saturday through Sunday, grounding seaplanes to East Hampton, Montauk, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

On Friday, Obama will be feted at the home of one of his top bundlers, 32 Advisors’ Robert Wolf, in the aptly-named Purchase, NY, with 250 high-rollers paying up to $32,000 each to bend Obama’s ear.

Obama will then fly to Newport, R.I. for an event to benefit House Democrats. Melissa Tomkiel, president of seaplane companies, Fly the Whale (which flies from NYC to the Hamptons and Nantucket) and Tailwind (NYC to Boston and DC), told us, “A flight restriction was issued banning operations in the NYC area due to the president’s visit on Friday for practically the whole weekend, causing major business losses and inconvenience for our passengers on the busiest weekend of the year. It is frustrating. We have had to move at least 10 flights and cancel a number of private charters, costing us thousands of dollars. We count on this weekend to get us through the quieter months of the year. This will create a perfect storm on a holiday Friday, creating air space havoc between New York City and Boston.”

As of Wednesday, the flight restrictions occur from 2 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. Friday, then start again at 9:15 p.m. Friday night and extend until Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The White House didn’t immediately get back to us last night.

- Source:  http://pagesix.com

Fly The Whale:  http://www.flythewhale.com

NOTAM:  http://tfr.faa.gov/ZBW

NOTAM:  http://tfr.faa.gov/ZNY

Well-wishers wait at T.F. Green Airport for arrival of President Obama 



 WARWICK, R.I. — A small crowd of well-wishers have queued up outside the T.F. Green Airport Fire Station to wish President Obama hello.

“This is a great opportunity to meet our Commander-in-Chief,” said James Gubata, 54, of Tiverton more than an hour before the President was set to arrive. He was there with his good friends Beth Morin and Joanna Krystman, both also of Tiverton.

“I would never pass up the opportunity to see the President of the United States,” Morin said.

Obama is coming to Rhode Island for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fund raiser in Newport Friday evening.

Sally Vincent of Plainville, Mass., who was also by the fire station, said, “Who wouldn’t want to see him? We saw President Clinton at West Point, and it was a thrill. I pray for President Obama every night.”

Her husband, Paul Vincent, said he likes pomp and circumstance and he’s also excited to see Air Force One.

“This is a big deal,” Mattie Edwards-Kemp of Portsmouth said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m a huge supporter of the President. He has made it possible for kids to dream. I feel really blessed.”

Robert Kelley of Portsmouth said, “I’m here to see the most powerful man in the world. I’m amazed he can fly here for three hours and fly back out. I’m thrilled he’s coming to Rhode Island.”


Story, photo and comments:   http://www.providencejournal.com

Obama’s Fundraisers Are Messing Up Some Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Labor Day Flight Plans

Flights from New York to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket this weekend will be under some restrictions thanks to President Obama’s plans to attend two fundraisers near Westchester, N.Y. 

The Federal Aviation Administration  has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around White Plains for a large part of Friday, all-day Saturday, and most of Sunday. 

Page Six reports that the restriction is throwing off some wealthy New Yorkers with scheduled private flights out to the Hamptons, Nantucket, and the Vineyard.

“This will create a perfect storm on a holiday Friday, creating air-space havoc between New York City and Boston,” Melissa Tomkiel, the president of flight companies Fly the Whale and Tailwind, told Page Six.

The flight restrictions won’t have any impact on regular commercial flights, Martha’s Vineyard airport manager Sean Flynn told Boston.com.

“Most of our pilots are already used to flying in and out of a TFR because we’ve had the President visiting here so many times,” Flynn said. “People that truly fly in and out of the Vineyard are already used to traveling like this.” Those not used to the restrictions, though, may have a more difficult time navigating them, he added.

Those restrictions come as Obama is set to attend two fundraisers in Westchester this weekend. The first will be a 250-person Labor Day BBQ hosted by Wall Street banker and Obama golf buddy Robert Wolf, a Democratic National Convention spokesman said. 

The second fundraiser is a small roundtable for 25 people in New Rochelle. Guests will donate up to $32,400 to the DNC to attend each of the fundraisers.

- Source:  http://www.boston.com

Fly The Whale:  http://www.flythewhale.com

NOTAM:  http://tfr.faa.gov/ZBW

NOTAM:  http://tfr.faa.gov/ZNY

Well-wishers wait at T.F. Green Airport for arrival of President Obama 


 WARWICK, R.I. — A small crowd of well-wishers have queued up outside the T.F. Green Airport Fire Station to wish President Obama hello.

“This is a great opportunity to meet our Commander-in-Chief,” said James Gubata, 54, of Tiverton more than an hour before the President was set to arrive. He was there with his good friends Beth Morin and Joanna Krystman, both also of Tiverton.

“I would never pass up the opportunity to see the President of the United States,” Morin said.

Obama is coming to Rhode Island for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fund raiser in Newport Friday evening.

Sally Vincent of Plainville, Mass., who was also by the fire station, said, “Who wouldn’t want to see him? We saw President Clinton at West Point, and it was a thrill. I pray for President Obama every night.”

Her husband, Paul Vincent, said he likes pomp and circumstance and he’s also excited to see Air Force One.

“This is a big deal,” Mattie Edwards-Kemp of Portsmouth said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m a huge supporter of the President. He has made it possible for kids to dream. I feel really blessed.”

Robert Kelley of Portsmouth said, “I’m here to see the most powerful man in the world. I’m amazed he can fly here for three hours and fly back out. I’m thrilled he’s coming to Rhode Island.”

Story, photo and comments:   http://www.providencejournal.com

Obama no-fly rule irks New Yorkers: Wealthy New Yorkers moan over Obama no-fly rule


President Obama flies to New York's Westchester County Friday for a series of weekend fundraisers.

The timing has upset some very wealthy and powerful New Yorkers, CBS News' Michelle Miller reports.

When Air Force One arrives, the Federal Aviation Administration  will put the skies over New York City on lockdown. 

Corporate planes and private charters, and their jet-setting passengers, will be the hardest hit, just in time for the start of Labor Day weekend.

Mr. Obama's no-fly zone will be from Friday afternoon and lasting all day Saturday. 

For the Wall Street titans who regularly depend on small planes like Whale Force One for their weekend getaways, Mr. Obama's timing could not have been worse.

"Several were very upset about it and extremely inconvenienced. 

They had plans, you know, several weeks ahead of time to get out to their vacations," said Melissa Tomkiel, president of the private aviation company Fly the Whale.

Tomkiel said nearly 80 of her passengers were left holding their bags. 

The company expects to lose at least $10,000 while New York City airspace is shut down.

"Labor Day in particular is important because it's at the end of the busy season of the summer," Tomkiel said. 

"So it's really our last chance to make as much as we can as a company and keep it in reserve for the slower months that are ahead."

On Fridays, as many as six flights an hour take off from a pier on Manhattan's east side, bound for playgrounds of the rich and famous.

A trip to the Hamptons takes just 35 minutes while flights to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, where Mr. Obama vacationed earlier this month, last about an hour.

By car, a trip to the Hamptons without traffic takes around two hours while driving to Nantucket takes at least six and a half. 

"Tomkiel said, "on Labor Day, on a Friday, you're looking at eight to nine hours to get to Nantucket from New York."

The temporary flight restrictions over New York City will have minimal impact on commercial flights, but because most of those are already sold out, they weren't really an option for the stranded passengers.

Story and Video:   http://www.cbsnews.com

Fly The Whale:  http://www.flythewhale.com

NOTAM:  http://tfr.faa.gov/ZBW

NOTAM:  http://tfr.faa.gov/ZNY

Obama no-fly rule irks New Yorkers 
   





Well-wishers wait at T.F. Green Airport for arrival of President Obama 



 WARWICK, R.I. — A small crowd of well-wishers have queued up outside the T.F. Green Airport Fire Station to wish President Obama hello.

“This is a great opportunity to meet our Commander-in-Chief,” said James Gubata, 54, of Tiverton more than an hour before the President was set to arrive. He was there with his good friends Beth Morin and Joanna Krystman, both also of Tiverton.

“I would never pass up the opportunity to see the President of the United States,” Morin said.

Obama is coming to Rhode Island for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fund raiser in Newport Friday evening.

Sally Vincent of Plainville, Mass., who was also by the fire station, said, “Who wouldn’t want to see him? We saw President Clinton at West Point, and it was a thrill. I pray for President Obama every night.”

Her husband, Paul Vincent, said he likes pomp and circumstance and he’s also excited to see Air Force One.

“This is a big deal,” Mattie Edwards-Kemp of Portsmouth said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m a huge supporter of the President. He has made it possible for kids to dream. I feel really blessed.”

Robert Kelley of Portsmouth said, “I’m here to see the most powerful man in the world. I’m amazed he can fly here for three hours and fly back out. I’m thrilled he’s coming to Rhode Island.”

Story, photo and comments:   http://www.providencejournal.com

Waterbomber pilots likely won't be disciplined for crash: Transportation minister says department dealing with number of issues in Transportation Safety Board of Canada report

The crew of a waterbomber that crashed in a Labrador lake last summer likely won't be disciplined, says the province's transportation minister.

That's despite a Transportation Safety Board report that pointed to pilot error as a key cause.

Neither the pilot nor co-pilot was injured in the July 3, 2013 incident on Moosehead Lake, but the $30-million aircraft was destroyed and sank to the bottom. The TSB report said the waterbomber crashed because too much water was scooped up from the lake and it was too heavy to take off again.

The three-year-old plane was helping fight last summer's forest fires in the area, which had destroyed cabins and was threatening the towns of Wabush and Labrador City.

The report focused on switches that open and close doors on the belly of the waterbomber, where the water is sucked in and later dumped on fires.

Overloaded


It said a switch was inadvertently moved to the "manual" position before the flight, leaving the crew to close the doors themselves once they had a safe amount of water on board. But the report said the crew was distracted by other duties and didn't realize they were overloaded until it was too late.

The TSB said one of those distractions was extreme stress on the pilot, who was going through a difficult personal crisis at the time. In fact, he had taken a "particularly distressing" call about the situation a few hours before the crash.

The co-pilot was aware of the crisis, and the pair discussed whether to make the flight, but in the end decided to go ahead with it.

According to the TSB report, "(The pilot) had considered taking a leave of absence, but in light of the (threat posed by the forest fires), had continued working. The pilot's level of distraction due to the effects of chronic stress created a situation in which errors were more likely to occur."

The report noted there is an employee assistance program that employees can avail of, but "doing so is acknowledged to be a significant and potentially intimidating step to take."

Transportation Minister Nick McGrath says efforts have been made to change that impression.

"We certainly recognize how important it is that they be on the top shelf while they're doing their job," he said. "Hopefully, they will exercise the usage of that program because it is very important, like I said, that they be in their best form when they're performing their jobs."

The report also highlighted problems with training, flight checklists and other issues outside the pilots' control.

McGrath said given all the circumstances, the crew likely won't be punished.

"I don't think there's any disciplinary action to be taken here," he said.

"It's something that we will discuss in the department and certainly as a government will discuss. But I feel that after reading the report and the results that come out through the report, that the government is taking the right steps. And I guess I'm an optimist and I've always believed if there's a problem, find a solution.

The waterbomber that crashed has since been replaced with a new one.

- Source:  http://www.cbc.ca


Canadair CL-415, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Air Services, C-FIZU: Accident occurred July 03, 2013 in Moosehead Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Summary: On 03 July 2013, at about 1415 Atlantic Daylight Time, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Air Services Division Bombardier CL-415 amphibious aircraft (registration C‑FIZU, serial number 2076), operating as Tanker 286, departed Wabush, Newfoundland and Labrador, to fight a nearby forest fire. Shortly after departure, Tanker 286 touched down on Moosehead Lake to scoop a load of water. About 40 seconds later, the captain initiated a left‑hand turn and almost immediately lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft water-looped and came to rest upright but partially submerged. The flight crew exited the aircraft and remained on the top of the wing until rescued by boat. There was an insufficient forward impact force to activate the onboard 406-megahertz emergency locator transmitter. There were no injuries to the 2 crew members. The aircraft was destroyed. The accident occurred during daylight hours.

Accident Report:  http://www.tsb.gc.ca

2nd tourist cited for flying drone in Yellowstone

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -  For the second time this summer, Yellowstone National Park rangers have cited a tourist for illegally flying a drone in the park.
   
The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported Friday the man was flying the craft near the Midway Geyser Basin Aug. 19. His name wasn't immediately available.
   
In early August, park rangers cited a Netherlands man whose drone crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the park's hot springs. It hasn't been recovered.
   
The National Park Service banned drones in June.
   
Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone, has had at least one drone citation.
   
Rangers say a man crashed a drone into a tree in late June, possibly while trying to get aerial photos of wildlife.
   
Rangers say someone stole the $1,400 drone from the tree.

The following news release was sent out by Yellowstone National Park:


Yellowstone Enforcing Ban On Unmanned Aircraft Operation

This past June, due to concerns about public safety, wildlife disturbance and potential impacts to the visitor experience and park resources, the National Park Service enacted an interim policy banning the operation of unmanned aircraft.

While taking a largely educational stance during the early phases of publicizing the ban, Yellowstone rangers have developed several criminal cases involving egregious violations of this ban.

World-wide attention was drawn to an incident where an unmanned aircraft crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring the afternoon of August 2.  Theodorus Van Vliet of the Netherlands crashed his unmanned aircraft into the iconic hot spring. Van Vliet, who is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, has been charged with several violations of federal law and if found guilty faces up to $5,000 in fines and/or six months in jail and/or five years on probation.

Park staff members are still trying to determine if the material from which the unmanned aircraft is constructed poses a threat to the hot spring. Attempts to locate the device both from the ground and from a manned helicopter overflight have turned up possible areas in the pool where the unit may have come to rest. If its location can be confirmed, park staff members will determine if there is a way to safely remove the device without damaging the thermal feature.  

Last week, rangers responded to another incident regarding the illegal operation of an unmanned aircraft in the park.  Donald Criswell of Molalla, Oregon, was charged with violating the ban after he flew his unmanned aircraft over the crowded Midway Geyser Basin and close to bison on August 19.

Earlier this week, charges were filed against a German national for a July 17th incident in which an unmanned aircraft crashed into Yellowstone Lake near the West Thumb Marina.  Andreas Meissner faces several charges including violating the ban on operating unmanned aircraft, giving a false report to a government employee and commercial filming without a permit.

In all criminal cases, the accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, and the government always has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The prohibition on operation of unmanned aircraft in Yellowstone National Park was included in the 2014 update to the Superintendent’s Compendium, which can be found online at http://go.usa.gov/mzRV.  It is also highlighted on the front page and inside the fall edition of the Official Park Newspaper which is distributed to visitors at park entrance stations and is also posted to the web at http://go.usa.gov/mzRH.

This ban is being enforced at Yellowstone.  Violators will be contacted, investigated and may be subject to confiscation of their unmanned aircraft, a mandatory court appearance and fines.

- Source:  http://www.nbcmontana.com


Bombardier CSeries Suffers Blow as First Operator Backs Away

Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Bombardier Inc. will have to find another CSeries jet buyer to become the plane’s first operator after Sweden’s Braathens Aviation AB said it’s seeking changes to its delivery schedule.

Braathens agreed in 2011 to order 10 of Bombardier’s CSeries jets in a pact valued at $665 million, based on list prices. The accord also contained options for a further 10 aircraft, boosting its potential value to about $1.37 billion, Bombardier said at the time. Bombardier didn’t disclose a timeline for the deliveries when it announced the deal.

“We have informed Bombardier that we will not assume the role of formal launch operator of the aircraft type,” Braathens, based in the Stockholm borough of Bromma, said today in a quarterly report posted online. “Due to increased uncertainty we are discussing other possible changes to the aircraft delivery schedule with Bombardier.”

Marc Duchesne, a Bombardier spokesman, didn’t immediately return a call today seeking comment.

Malmo Aviation, the domestic unit of Braathens, was scheduled to receive the first CSeries jets in July or August of next year, Konark Gupta, an analyst at Macquarie Capital Markets in Toronto, said today in an interview.

Montreal-based Bombardier halted test flights of the CSeries, its biggest ever plane, after a Pratt & Whitney engine failed during a May 29 ground trial in Mirabel, Quebec. Bombardier has repeatedly said it expects flight testing to resume “in the coming weeks.”

CS100 Jet

Bombardier has twice pushed back its timeline to have the plane in service, having run late in starting test flights. The May 29 incident “may cause another delay to the CSeries introduction,” Braathens said today without elaborating.

Bombardier has most recently pledged to have the smaller of two CSeries versions, the CS100, enter service in the second half of 2015, with the larger CS300 following suit six months later. Chief Executive Officer Pierre Beaudoin reaffirmed the target in July.

A three-to-four-month halt to flight testing, “assuming the program resumes next month, will probably push entry into service toward the end of 2015,” Gupta said.

“Thus, we think management is less likely to announce a new entry into service target” because the deadline was “wide enough to absorb a 3-4 month delay,” he said.

Gupta rates the shares outperform, the equivalent of a buy.

- Source:  http://washpost.bloomberg.com

Just Aircraft Highlander, N61148: Accident occurred August 27, 2014 in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

NTSB Identification: ERA14CA410
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, August 27, 2014 in Birdsboro, PA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/27/2014
Aircraft: BERTAGNA JOHN JUST HIGHLANDER, registration: N61148
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the pilot, he taxied to the active runway for takeoff. The takeoff was normal and he turned downwind for a practice landing. During the landing flare the airplane "bounced," and power was added in an attempt to perform a go-around. The airplane "stalled" and impacted the runway resulting in a post-crash fire that destroyed the airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing resulting in loss of aircraft control.


BERT'S:  https://nfdc.faa.gov/PS38 

Flight Standards District Office: FAA Philadelphia FSDO-17


JOHN BERTAGNA:  http://registry.faa.gov/N61148

WEST READING, Pa. - A pilot who was injured when his small plane crashed in Berks County earlier this week is improving. 
 
Doctors at Reading Hospital on Friday upgraded John Bertagna's condition to fair.

He had been in serious condition. Bertagna's passenger, Steven Bosshard, of Manasquan, New Jersey, remains hospitalized in good condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

NTSB takes over probe of plane crash in Amity Investigation continues into small plane crash in Amity Twp.

Both men were injured Wednesday afternoon when the small plane they were flying crashed on the grass airstrip Bertagna owns in Amity Township, officials said.

Bertagna was described by his neighbors as a skilled pilot who flew planes while in the Marines and for commercial airlines.

Neighbors said the crashed plane was only about a month old.

Records indicated it was a 2014 Just Highlander.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

An NTSB representative told 69 News that it could take between six months and a year to determine what caused the plane to go down.

Story: http://www.wfmz.com

 


 

 ~








Future admin building presents more hurdles to airport authority: Grand Junction Regional (KGJT), Colorado



GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Construction for the new Grand Junction Regional Airport's administration building has been stalled for several months now, but the project is throwing even more problems at the Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority. 

Financial problems were the first to get in the way of completing what's now a skeleton.

"The airport authority itself has about $4 million invested in this building because we were paying Shaw construction with the anticipation that the FAA grant would be approved," said Sam Susuras, representative for the Grand Junction City Council on the GJRAA board.

The GJRAA chose to withdraw from its first grant with the Federal Aviation Administration.

"The authority felt there were misrepresentations in that original presentation," Susuras said.

Then, the next request for a grant for the full amount of $6 million was denied.

"Getting the FAA to approve the full amount is a problem because once you start a building they have a real problem going back to the original date," he said.

Construction was halted and the elements have already started taking their toll on the structure, only to get worse in the winter if nothing is done.

"Some of those metal studs are starting to warp. The sooner we protect them, the less damage there will be," Susuras said.

A structural engineer walked through the building with Steve Wood, GJRAA chairman, and Shaw Construction a couple of weeks ago.

The engineer is evaluating the deterioration that's already happening to the building and how to winterize it for the oncoming months.

"We all take this very serious," Susuras said. "The board and the staff take it serious. We do need to move forward expeditiously in protecting this building from winter weather."

Once that report comes back, GJRAA will also have to figure out how to finance the completion of the project eventually. One idea is to use a private investor to hire a contractor, Susuras said.

Story, Video and Photo:  http://www.nbc11news.com


Cessna 172R Skyhawk, T & G Flying Club, Inc., N4207P: Accident occurred August 25, 2014 in Willoughby Hills, Ohio

NTSB Identification: CEN14FA453
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, August 25, 2014 in Willoughby Hills, OH
Aircraft: CESSNA 172R, registration: N4207P
Injuries: 4 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT


On August 25, 2014, at 2158 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R airplane, N4207P, collided with terrain in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, following a loss of control shortly after takeoff from the Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF). The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact and a post impact fire. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by T&G Flying Club, Inc. The pilot rented the airplane and was flying it on a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. 

At 2022, the pilot reserved the airplane from T&G Flying Club using an online reservation system. He reserved the airplane for 4 hours, beginning at 2030. The employees of the flying club had left for the evening by time the pilot and passengers arrived at their facility.

Two witnesses, stated that shortly after 2100, they saw 4 males walk across the ramp toward the tie-down area near hangar 7. One of the males had a carry-on type suitcase. It was later determined that the "suitcase" was most likely the roller-type flight bag that the pilot used. The pilot and passengers then boarded the accident airplane. One of the witnesses stated the airplane stayed on the ramp for about 30 minutes with the engine running. They did not see the airplane after this time. A security camera mounted on one of the buildings near the ramp captured four individuals walking on the ramp at 2107.

At 2146, the pilot called ground control for a takeoff taxi clearance stating he was on the ramp south of the T&G Flight Club. The controller issued the pilot a clearance to taxi to runway 6 via the Alpha 7 taxiway to the Alpha taxiway. The controller issued the wind condition as 140 degrees at 8 knots along with the altimeter setting. The pilot stated his radio was a little "fuzzy" and he asked the controller to repeat the clearance. The controller repeated the taxi clearance, which the pilot subsequently repeated correctly. About four minutes later, the controller informed the pilot that he is taxiing to the wrong runway. After asking the controller to repeat what he said, the pilot stated "Thank you I'm sorry." The controller then issued taxi instructions to the approach end of runway 6.

At 2156, the pilot radioed that he was ready to takeoff on runway 6. The controller asked the pilot what his direction of flight was going to be. The pilot responded that they were going to fly east to sightsee and that they would be back in a little while. The controller issued the takeoff clearance with a right turn after takeoff. At 2158, the pilot radioed that they were not "…climbing fast…" and they wanted to immediately make a left turn to turn around. The controller approved the left turn. The controller stated it appeared the airplane began a left turn when it descended to the ground. The controller reported that during the takeoff, the airplane became airborne about 100 feet past taxiway Alpha 6, which was approximately 2,000 down the runway.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating which was issued on August 8, 2013. The pilot also held a third-class medical certificate issued on November 10, 2011. The medical certificate did not contain any limitations. 

The pilot's logbook records were not located during this investigation. The pilot completed a membership application for the T&G Flying Club on October 1, 2013. On that form, the pilot reported having 104.3 hours of flight time in Cessna fixed gear airplane models 150-177. A reconstruction of flight times that the pilot flew at both T&G Flying Club and at the Jack Barstow Airport, Midland, Michigan, indicate the pilot had flown 12 hours since his private pilot flight test, resulting in a total flight time of about 116.3 hours. Most if not all of the pilot's flight time was in Cessna 172 airplanes. 

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a Cessna 172R, serial number 17280798. It was a four-place, high-wing, single-engine airplane with fixed landing gear. The owner of T&G Flying Club purchased the airplane on November 29, 2005. 

Maintenance records indicate the last annual inspection on the airframe was completed on August 1, 2014, at a total aircraft time of 5,957.6 hours. The last logbook entry was dated August 19, 2014, which noted the vacuum pump was replaced at a total aircraft time of 5,969 hours. According to the operator's rental records, the airplane had been flown 18.8 hours since the annual inspection which would have resulted in an aircraft total time of 5,976.4 hours at the beginning of the accident flight. 

The airplane was equipped with a 180-horsepower, Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine, serial number L-25996-51A. The last annual inspection of the engine was completed on August 1, 2014. The engine total time at the last annual inspection was listed as 3,679.4 hours and the time since the factory overhaul was listed as 2,061.7 hours. 

The airplane was equipped with a McCauley propeller model 1C235/LFA7570, serial number TG025. The last propeller annual inspection was completed on August 1, 2014. 

The airplane's total useable fuel capacity was 53 gallons. The airplane was last fueled on August 21, 2015, with 25.1 gallons of 100LL which filled the tanks. The airplane was flown 1.9 hours between the last fueling and the accident flight. An average fuel burn for the airplane was approximately 9 gallons per hour which would have resulted in approximately 36 gallons of fuel on board at the accident takeoff. First responders reported that fuel was leaking from the airplane at the accident site and they were able to capture approximately 18 gallons of fuel from the fuel tanks. 

METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The weather conditions reported at CGF at 2200 were wind from 140 at 10 knots; visibility 10 miles; clouds 3,500 ft. scattered; ceiling 20,000 ft. broken; temperature 24 degrees Celsius; dew point 20 degree Celsius, and altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury.

Records indicate that there were three computerized weather briefing requests from N4207P on the day of the accident. All three were for flights from CGF to 89D (Kelleys Island Land Field Airport, Kelleys Island, Ohio). The first two briefings were logged at 1609:04 and 1609:19. Those briefings had a proposed departure time of 2030. The third briefing was at 2024:06 with a proposed departure time of 2100. 

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The airplane impacted the ground, a chain link fence, a guy wire, and a telephone pole before coming to rest about 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 6 on a bearing of 20 degrees. This location is just north of the intersection of Bishop Road and Curtiss Wright Parkway. 

The wreckage path was along a 210 degree heading. The left wing tip, including the position light, was embedded in the ground at the first impact mark east of the chain link fence. The airplane then traveled through the fence, with the left wing contacting one of the fence posts. The main impact ground scar was on the west side of the fence. Adjacent to the main impact mark were two slash marks in the soft ground. Both marks were about 12 inches long. One of the slash marks was about 7 inches deep and the other was about 4 inches deep. The airplane came to rest on a heading of about 160 degrees with the left wing against the telephone pole. A postimpact fire ensued.

The left wing tip was the first part of the airplane to impact the terrain. The wing tip light assembly was embedded in the ground. A concave impact mark along with paint and rust transfers on the left wing aileron indicate that it contacted a metal fence post. The inboard six feet of the aileron was accordioned and crushed toward the outboard section of the aileron which remained attached to the wing. A three foot section long outboard section of the flap remained attached to the wing. The inboard section of the wing and flap were burned. The wing was separated from the fuselage. The wing strut remained attached to the wing. The leading edge of the wing was crushed aft.

The outboard section of the right wing was bent upward about 30 degrees starting near the strut attach point. The right wing was separated from the fuselage. The strut remained attached to the wing. The flap and aileron remained attached to the wing. The inboard section of the wing sustained fire damage. The outboard section of the wing was crushed aft. 

The flap actuator showed the flaps were in the retracted position.

The empennage remained intact with the rudder and elevator attached to their respective stabilizers. The outboard section of the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were crushed. The elevator trim was measured and the measurement equated to a 9 to 10 degree nose-up trim setting. 

The cabin area and instrument panel were destroyed by the post impact fire. The fuel selector was on the "Both" position and the fuel shutoff valve was in the open position. 

Flight control continuity was established from all of the flight controls to their respective cockpit controls. 

Engine

The engine was located with the main wreckage. The engine mounts were separated from the firewall due to thermal damage. The propeller remained attached to the engine. The exhaust system sustained impact damage. The rear accessory case and the accessories sustained thermal damage. 

The accessories and cylinder valve covers were removed. Thumb compression and engine continuity from the propeller to the accessory section was established when the propeller was rotated by hand. The cylinders and pistons were examined using a lighted borescope and no anomalies were noted. 

The left magneto could not be turned by hand. The magneto cap was removed and the internal components of the magneto were melted. The right magneto turned by hand, but no spark was visible on the ignition leads. The ignition cap was removed and the inside of the magneto was found melted. 

The engine was equipped with two vacuum pumps. The pump with the longer shaft was mounted lower on the accessory case. The pump frangible shaft couplings were melted on both pumps and therefore they could not be turned by hand. Both pumps were opened. The vanes and rotor inside both pumps were intact. 

All fuel lines from the flow divider to fuel nozzles were intact. The fuel nozzles were removed. Nozzle No. 1 was not obstructed, nozzle No 2. was inadvertently dropped in oil during removal, nozzle No 3. was separated in two pieces neither of which were obstructed, and nozzle No. 4 was 80% obstructed with the insert not obstructed. The fuel flow divider was opened and examined. The rubber diaphragm was intact. 

The engine driven diaphragm fuel pump housing was burned; however, the pump plunger was intact. 

The throttle arm on the fuel servo was connected and moved the throttle plate. The mixture control arm was separated from impact. The finger screen was clean.

The ignition leads sustained thermal damage, but they remained attached to all of the spark plugs. The spark plugs were slightly worn and showed normal operating signatures. The No. 1 bottom plug was wet with oil.

Propeller

The propeller spinner was fractured and separated from the propeller. Both propeller blades were straight. One propeller blade contained a ¾ to 1-inch deep gouge near the tip of the blade. Chordwise scratches and leading edge polishing were visible on this blade. The other blade contained light chordwise scratches. 

There were no anomalies identified with the airframe, engine, or propeller which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. 

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office on August 28, 2014. The death of the pilot was attributed to blunt trauma and thermal injuries sustained in the accident. 

The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot with negative results for drugs and alcohol. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Weight and Balance

Two sets of weight and balance calculations, using different variables, were performed for the airplane. The airplane's weight and balance paperwork showed the maximum gross weight for the airplane was 2,457 pounds, the maximum useful load was 787.4 pounds, and the maximum aft center of gravity (CG) was 116 inches aft of datum. 

The occupant weights provided by the medical examiner were: pilot - 130 pounds; right front passenger - 200 pounds; left rear passenger - 172 pounds; and right rear passenger - 166 pounds.

The first calculation used the occupant weights that were provided by the medical examiner's office, 10 pound of baggage, and 35 gallons of fuel. These calculations showed the airplane had a takeoff weight of 2,550.6 pounds with a CG of 112.957 inches.

The second calculation increased the occupant's body weights by 10% to account for the weight lost by the thermal injuries and increased the baggage to 15 pounds. These calculations resulted in the airplane at a gross weight of 2,622.6 pounds, which is 165.6 pounds over gross weight and with a CG of 117.127 inches. 

Witnesses who were with the pilot and passengers before the flight stated the pilot asked two of the passengers how much they weighed. One witness recalled that the passenger who would become the right front seat passenger stated he weighed 200 pounds. The witness stated the pilot performed some calculations in his head and indicated that he believed they would be below the weight limit for the airplane. 

Personal Electronic Device

Three iPhones were located in the wreckage. One of the iPhones was able to be accessed and it was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for examination. The iPhone was owned by one of the passengers. At 20:33:01, a text message first referenced the flight. Text messages continued with the same recipient until 21:37. The messages discussed a destination of Kelley's Island; a half hour flight each way for a total flight time of one hour; and the possibility of further communication about the flight using Snapchat.

At 21:49, a 10-second video was taken from the back right passenger seat while the aircraft was taxiing. The video panned from the right exterior of the airplane to the forward interior. Persons were in both the left and right front seats. The person in the right front seat was not touching the flight controls. The person in the left front seat had both hands on the yoke. The flap handle was visible in the full up position.


Friends of Abraham Pishevar said the 18-year-old sent this Snapchat with the caption "rush" minutes before he and three others died in a plane crash near Willoughby Hills Aug. 25.



CLEVELAND, Ohio — The family of one of four Case Western Reserve University students killed in a 2014 plane crash is suing the estate of the student pilot, the flight club that owned the plane and a fraternity.

The parents of Abraham Pishevar, 18, claim the nighttime flight he and three other students took Aug. 25 was part of fraternity recruitment, and that the flight club did not properly inspect the plane before letting 19-year-old William Felten fly it.  

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed Oct. 22 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, seeks at least $75,000 damages.

Pishevar, Felten, Lucas Marcelli, 20, and John Hill, 18, died when their rented Cesna airplane crashed minutes after taking off from the Cuyahoga County Airport in Willoughby Hills.

It was the first day of classes at Case Western Reserve. Marcelli and Pishevar were on the wrestling team.

Felten and Marcelli, both sophomores, were members of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity's Lambda chapter at the campus. Pishevar and Hill were both freshmen.

The lawsuit claims Felten was acting as an agent of the fraternity's national headquarters in Indianapolis when he reserved the plane through T&G Flying Club two hours in advance as part of "rush," the period when fraternities and sororities recruit new members.

Images and text messages that Pishevar sent to his friends from the airport reference "rushing." 

The fraternity has denied that the flight was connected to rush.  

The suit also accuses T&G Flight Club and its owner, Laurence Rohl, of not properly inspecting the plane before clearing it for takeoff, failing to properly maintain its planes and entrusting Felten with the plane. 

A representative from the flight school could not immediately be reached for comment.

The flight club trained Felten to get his pilot license a year earlier, and should have known he was "unskilled and incapable" of flying the plane safely, the suit alleges.

Pishevar's family is asking for damages that cover pain and suffering, burial and funeral costs and Pishevar's lost earning potential.

A hearing has not been set.

The family filed a petition for discovery in September 2014, seeking a litany of documentation from the fraternity, the flight club and the university. They withdrew the petition in December.

ROHL LAURENCE E: http://registry.faa.gov/N4207P

NTSB Identification: CEN14FA453
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, August 25, 2014 in Willoughby Hills, OH
Aircraft: CESSNA 172R, registration: N4207P
Injuries: 4 Fatal.

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

On August 25, 2014, at 2158 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R airplane, N4207P, collided with the terrain in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, following a loss of control shortly after takeoff from the Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF). The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was substantially damaged by impact and a post impact fire. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by T & G Flying Club, Inc. The pilot rented the airplane and was flying it on a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reserved the airplane from T&G Flying Club, at 2022 using an online reservation system. He reserved the airplane for 4 hours, beginning at 2030. The employees of the flying club had left for the evening by time the pilot and passengers arrived.

Two witnesses, stated that shortly after 2100, they saw 4 males walk across the ramp toward the tie-down area near hangar 7. One of the males had a carry-on type suitcase. The pilot and passengers then boarded a Cessna 172. One of the witnesses stated the airplane stayed on the ramp for about 30 minutes with the engine running. They did not see the airplane after this time.

At 2146, the pilot called ground control for a takeoff taxi clearance stating he was on the ramp south of the T&G Flight Club. The controller issued the pilot a clearance to taxi to runway 6 via the Alpha 7 taxiway to the Alpha taxiway. The controller also issued the wind condition as 140 degrees at 8 knots along with the altimeter setting. The pilot stated his radio was a little "fuzzy" and he asked the controller to repeat the clearance. The controller repeated the taxi clearance, which the pilot subsequently repeated. About 4 minutes later, the controller informed the pilot that he is taxiing to the wrong runway. After asking the controller to repeat what he said, the pilot stated "Thank you I'm sorry." The controller then issued taxi instructions back to the approach end of runway 6.

At 2156, the pilot radioed that he was ready to takeoff on runway 6. The controller asked the pilot what his direction of flight was going to be. The pilot responded that they were going to fly east to sightsee and that they would be back in a little while. The controller issued the takeoff clearance with a right turn after takeoff. At 2158, the pilot radioed that they were not climbing fast and they wanted to immediately make a left turn to turn around. The controller approved the left turn. The controller stated it appeared the airplane began a left turn when it descended to the ground. The controller reported that during the takeoff, the airplane became airborne about 100 feet past taxiway Alpha 6, which was approximately 2,000 feet down the runway.

The airplane impacted the ground, a chain link fence, a guy wire, and a telephone pole prior to coming to rest about 1,000 feet on a bearing of 20 degrees from the departure end of runway 6. This location is just north of the intersection of Bishop Road and Curtiss Wright Parkway.

The wreckage path was along a 210 degree heading. The left wing tip, including the position light, was embedded in the ground at the first impact mark. This mark was east of the chain link fence. The airplane then traveled through the fence, with the left wing contacting one of the fence posts. The main impact crater was in the west side of the fence. Adjacent to the crater were two slash marks in the soft ground. Both marks were about 12 inches long. One of the slash marks was about 7 inches deep and the other was about 4 inches deep. The airplane came to rest on a heading of about 160 degrees with the left wing against the telephone pole. A postimpact fire ensued.


AIRCRAFT CRASHED 1/2 MILE FROM THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY AIRPORT, THE 4 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, CLEVELAND, OH

Flight Standards District Office: FAA Cleveland FSDO-25


Vigil for plane crash victims organized by T&G Flying Club 

 WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio -- The flying club that rented four college students a Cessna 172R Skyhawk plane that crashed moments after takeoff Monday will hold a candlelight vigil Sunday.

Larry Rohl said his T&G Flying Club will hold a vigil in the field on the northwest corner of the Curtiss-Wright Parkway and Bishop Road intersection at 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

The field is feet away from where Case Western Reserve University students William Felten, Lucas Marcelli, Abraham Pishevar and John Hill died when their Cessna model 172R plane ran into trouble ascending after takeoff about 10 p.m. Monday night.

Felten, 19, tried to pull what experts refer to as an "impossible turn" to return to the Cuyahoga County Airport airstrip. The plane crashed and caught fire, trapping and killing all four men.

Felten, of Saginaw, Michigan, reserved the plane online for four hours that night and planned to return to the same airport, officials said.

Records show Felten obtained his pilot's license in August 2013. Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed he rented the plane for four hours Monday night online from a private company. The plane, with tail number N4207P, comes back to T&G Flying Club, which operates out of Burke Lakefront Airport and the Cuyahoga County Airport.

Rohl released a statement Tuesday night.

"William Felten was a pilot who brought joy to our flight school and he will be sincerely missed," Rohl said. "At T&G, we pride ourselves on our dedication to safety, and I am truly heartbroken over this accident. We are working hard with authorities to find out what caused this terrible tragedy and our prayers are with the family."

National Transportation Safety Board officials said the full investigation into the cause of the accident may take up to 12 months. A preliminary report should be released in about five to 10 days, a spokesman said.

University officials said Felten was active in campus Greek life. Marcelli, 20, of Massillon, was a two-time University Athletic Association player of the week last season. Pishevar, of Rockville, Maryland, and Hill, of St. Simons, Georgia, were both 18 years old. Monday was their first day of classes. They were also varsity wrestlers.

Calling hours for Lucas Marcelli will be held at the Paquelet Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Road N.E., Massillon from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

- Source:  http://www.cleveland.com

Candlelight Memorial 

Letter From Laurence Rohl
  
http://www.lostnation.com