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FAA Certifies Alakai Technologies’ Flight Data Monitoring System on AS350 Helicopters

Smart system records, analyzes, and automatically reports FDM results for operators

HOPKINTON, Mass., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Alakai Technologies (http://www.alakai1.com) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of Alakai’s digital Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) systems and wireless Internet units on Eurocopter AS350 and EC130 helicopters. The AS350 and its derivatives, with over 4,000 helicopters sold, are used by police, forest service, oil exploration, flight-seeing and emergency medical service (EMS) operators worldwide.
AS350 operators can now achieve comprehensive airline-style FDM (also known as Flight Operational Quality Assurance or FOQA) programs at a fraction of the cost for airline systems. Older, round-dial cockpits become part of a smarter, safer, more-connected aircraft. Operators benefit from Alakai’s on-board and backend algorithms that turn mountains of raw data into objective, actionable recommendations and decisions. The system works with older round-dial as well as the latest glass cockpit aircraft.

GA-FDM (http://www.ga-fdm.com), a leading provider of Flight Data Monitoring solutions, will immediately begin offering the Alakai system to AS350 operators worldwide. GA-FDM analyzes the volume of data produced from each flight to help operators identify accident pre-cursors, reduce risks, enhance training, and reduce operating costs. Detailed FDM reports highlight aircraft and pilot performance, guided by expert suggestions for preventive and corrective measures. Customers experience significant operational savings, including reduced fuel and maintenance costs, safety improvements, enhanced training, and lower insurance costs.

“We are excited to begin operational use in the AS350 fleet,” said Scott Meacham, co-founder of GA-FDM. “Alakai’s equipment makes comprehensive FDM programs affordable for single or small operators as well as large fleet customers, and allows operators to use objective data, information and knowledge to manage risk and assure continual safety improvements in their operations. Flight Data Monitoring is a critical component of every predictive and efficient Safety Management System.”

About Alakai Technologies
Alakai Technologies is a Hopkinton, Massachusetts-based corporation that develops, manufactures, integrates and certifies products that improve aircraft safety. Additional information can be found at http://www.alakai1.com.

The Alakai system provides the most affordable, flexible FDM solutions for real-time analysis of engine, flight and aircraft motion parameters. The system includes a Web-enabled Digital Flight Data System with built-in engine and aircraft monitoring, embedded Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and accelerometers, flight analysis, and automatic wireless transfer for uploads over the Internet, and is capable of recording over 180 aircraft parameters depending upon avionics configuration. At the conclusion of each flight, the system sends synopsis emails to users, and automatically uploads flight and analysis results to Alakai’s servers, where experts review flights, analyze reports, and provide safety feedback to operators. The system also helps operators meet or exceed the recommendations called for in the FAA’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for EMS helicopters.

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    It is a day few people recall if they didn’t lose someone;

    It is a day remembered by children as the moment they found themselves orphaned–and mothers and fathers who found themselves without a child; and husbands and wives who found themselves widowed.

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    We remember the day Bhoja Air crashed. It was en route from Karachi to Islamabad, with 121 passengers and 6 crew.

    The owner of Bhoja Air remembers too, and the FIA is not likely to let him forget:

    FIA Sindh Director Muazzam Jah Ansari said Bhoja Air owner Farooq Bhoja was taken into custody for questioning during the Bhoja Air plane crash and was released on Sunday after initial investigation.

    Farooq Bhoja was not arrested. His office was raided and the FIA seized official documents.

    Press Release Below:

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    Pinnacle, Mesaba, Colgan Pilots Approve ALPA Contract

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (Nasdaq: PNCL) has announced that its pilots have ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The single contract covers pilots at all three of Pinnacle’s operating subsidiaries – Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.; Mesaba Aviation, Inc.; and Colgan Air, Inc.

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    About Pinnacle Airlines Corp.

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    FAA Updates Lightning Protection Airworthiness Standards


    The Federal Register

    The Federal Aviation Administration is amending the lightning protection airworthiness standards.

    New lightning protection regulations are beibg estabkusged for electrical and electronic systems installed on aircraft certificated under parts 23, 27, and 29.

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    Hainan Airlines Wins Prestigious 5-Star Rating From SKYTRAX

    BEIJING, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Hainan Airlines was awarded the honor of a “SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline” at a gala awards ceremony in Beijing. The award was presented by SKYTRAX President Edward Plaisted to Hainan Airlines President Wang Yingming. With this award, Hainan Airlines officially becomes the world’s seventh five-star airline.

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    At the SKYTRAX award ceremony, HNA Group Chairman Mr. Chen Feng said, “By winning the ‘SKYTRAX five-star award’, Hainan Airlines now becomes one of the most successful brands in the industry.”

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    Press Release – FAA Dedicates Recovery Act Funded Fire Station at LAX

    For Immediate Release
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    Earlier this year, Southwest and the Teamsters agreed to seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act. This current tentative agreement is due to the hard work and dedication of both parties.

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