Plans Hearing In Coming Weeks To Address Potential Threats
The chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Lamar Smith (R-Texas) says that an unforeseen meteor exploding in the sky above Russia, on the same day that a large asteroid passed relatively close to Earth, are a stark reminder of the need to invest in space science.
Gulfstream is celebrating a milestone for the fleet leaders of its mid-sized G150 aircraft. The two G150s, which are owned and operated by a U.S.-based multinational energy company, recently combined to surpass 10,000 flight hours. This achievement was accomplished without incident and took only five years.
Fifteenth Country To Approve Gross Weight Increase
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has validated the Bell 429 for operation in Nigeria, and endorsed the Bell 429 gross weight increase to 7,500 pounds. Nigeria is the fifteenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 based on Transport Canada’s certification. The additional 500 pounds of fuel and/or payload allows operators to take advantage of the aircraft’s full capabilities.
Build-Up Of The Third A350 XWB Is Now Underway At Airbus' Toulouse, France Final Assembly Line
Designated MSN3, build-up activity for the no. 3 A350 XWB is underway on Airbus' Toulouse, France final assembly line. The aircraft’s three fuselage sections were transferred following their arrival in Toulouse aboard a Beluga transporter. It joins the MSN5000 aircraft at Toulouse, currently undergoing preparations for static testing in another hangar, and MSN1, which is completing indoor ground evaluations.
Joined The Company In 1986, Most Recently VP Finance
In a long-planned move, Columbia Helicopters announces that Stan Wilson would assume the office of President of the company. Mike Fahey remains Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as Columbia Helicopters initiates the first of several actions to focus the leadership team on future growth opportunities.
Proposal Would Seek To Better Understand Alzheimer's Disease
Florida Institute of Technology researchers have won a prestigious grant enabling their biology experiment to travel on a flight to the International Space Station (ISS). Their proposal, "Self-Assembly in Biology and the Origin of Life (SABOL): A Study into Alzheimer's," was just one of eight proposals chosen by Space Florida and NanoRacks, LLC, in the ISS Research Competition. For the International Space Station experiment, the winners receive payload transportation to the ISS via an upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch is currently slated for September 2013.
Agency Says It Allows Detection Of Minor Hazards Before They Become Major Safety Risks
The FAA’s implementation of a proactive safety management system earned the agency a prestigious global award this week. IHS Jane’s, a group of international magazines that covers air traffic control, aviation security and other topics, gave the FAA its ATC Award for Service Provision at a Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO) event.
The Aircraft Will Be Operated By The Regional Subsidiaries Firefly And Maswings
ATR and the flag carrier Malaysia Airlines have signed a purchase agreement for 20 firm ATR 72-600s, plus options for 16 additional aircraft. The deal is valued at over $840 million, including options. The signature of this new contract follows a Memorandum of Understanding announced by the airline in December 2012. With this signature, Malaysia Airlines brings to 42 the total of firm ATR 72s purchased since the initial purchase agreement in 2007.
Elevated System Detects, Tracks Ascent-Phase Ballistic Missiles During Recent Test
Enemy tactical ballistic missiles may soon be easier to detect and track. During a series of recent tests, a Raytheon JLENS demonstrated tactical ballistic missile defense (TBMD) capability when it detected and tracked a total of four ballistic-missile surrogates during their ascent (boost) phase.
Receives Prestigious Award From Morehouse College In Atlanta
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has received the Candle in Military Service and Aeronautical Science Award from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. The award recognizes exceptional achievement in a field by an African-American man.
One Of Our Favorite LSAs, A Very Cool Amphib No Less, Readies For Serial Production
One of our favorite little Amphibs (one of the nicest that ANN's Jim Campbell has ever evaluated... of over 1200 types in the last 40 years) has received the necessary blessings from the requisite authorities to be offered for sale, fully-built, to the flying public.
'Loopholes For Corporate Jet Owners' Still In Administration's Cross Hairs
The President's press secretary said Wednesday that the potential loss of middle-class manufacturing jobs in places like Wichita where bizjets are built is a "difficult choice" that has to be made to preserve jobs for teachers or the national defense. And the remarks not surprisingly drew the ire of GAMA.
One Of Our Favorite LSAs, A Very Cool Amphib No Less, Readies For Serial Production
One of our favorite little Amphibs (one of the nicest that ANN's Jim Campbell has ever evaluated... of over 1200 types in the last 40 years) has received the necessary blessings from the requisite authorities to be offered for sale, fully-built, to the flying public. Late last year, Progressive Aerodyne, Inc., (PA) the manufacturer of SeaRey, Light Sport Amphibian Airplane, successfully passed an FAA Light Sport Aircraft Prototype Audit by the audit team from FAA AIR-200 in Washington D.C. and obtained an airworthiness certification from the FAA Orlando MIDO (Manufactur
Transport Ministry Says More Analysis Is Still Needed To Determine Cause Of Battery Fire
The Japanese Transport Ministry said Wednesday that a battery in the auxiliary power unit (APU) aboard an ANA Dreamliner which was forced to make an emergency landing January 16 was incorrectly connected to the main battery that overheated. But they have not said definitely that the miswiring was the cause of the failure.
Engineers Accept While Technical Workers Reject, Vote To Strike
Engineers and technical workers at The Boeing Company returned a split decision in voting on new four-year contract offers with engineers accepting their offer and technical workers rejecting the offer and giving their negotiation team authority to call a strike. Votes tallied Tuesday by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, show engineers in the Professional unit accepted Boeing’s latest offer for a new four-year contract 6,483 to Accept and 5,514 to Reject.
Science Subcommittee On Oversight Considers Threats To Control, Jamming, GPS Spoofing
The House Science Committee Subcommittee on Oversight has held its first hearing of the 113th Congress, examining challenges and federal research and development (R&D) efforts to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) safely into the National Airspace System (NAS).
Largest Light Sport Distributor In The US Keeps On Selling
Airtime Aviation in Tulsa, OK, has reached a sales milestone in its association with Flight Design aircraft. The dealer recently delivered its 100th LSA to a returning customer. Tom Gutmann Jr., who operates Airtime with his father Tom Gutmann Sr., said the new owner is Rex Austin, an instrument rated Private Pilot with single & multi-engine credentials and has logged more than 2,600 hours in 30 years of flying.
Zuccaro Says The Changes Designed To Keep Up With Member's Changing Needs
Helicopter Association International (HAI) President Matt Zuccaro has announced a significant change in the organization’s staffing, designed to keep up with members’ changing needs. Paul Schaaf, currently the Chief Pilot for the Fairfax County Police Department, will join HAI in mid-March to assume the duties and responsibilities of Vice President of Operations, a job which was previously being handled by Zuccaro.
FAA records indicate that the pilot of a helicopter that went down filming a TV reality show in California earlier this month had twice had his flying privileges suspended since 2003. The pilot and two other persons on board the aircraft were fatally injured.
“The threat of command and control link jamming, GPS navigation signal spoofing, and system hacking is a real concern that will have to be addressed before any UAS integration into the NAS.” Source: House Science Oversight Subcommittee Chair Paul Broun M.D. (R-GA).