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New FAA Center of Excellence for General Aviation

Press Release – FAA Establishes New Center of Excellence for General Aviation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected a team of universities to lead a new Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) for general aviation. The COE will focus research and testing efforts on safety, accessibility and sustainability to enhance the future of general aviation.
“The United States has the largest and most diverse general aviation community in the world, with more than 300,000 aircraft registered to fly through American skies,” said Secretary LaHood. “This innovative partnership with academia and industry will help us take general aviation safety to the next level.”

The selected group is called the FAA Center of Excellence Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability (PEGASAS), and will be led by Purdue University, The Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The core team also will include the Florida Institute of Technology, Iowa State University and Texas A&M University. Affiliate members include: Arizona State University, Florida A&M, Hampton University, Kent State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Oklahoma State University, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), Tufts University, Western Michigan University and University of Minnesota, Duluth.

The FAA’s COE program is a cost-sharing research partnership between academia, industry and the federal government. Research and development efforts by PEGASAS will cover a broad spectrum of general aviation safety issues, including airport technology, propulsion and structures, airworthiness, flight safety, fire safety, human factors, system safety management and weather.
The PEGASAS university members all have nationally recognized collegiate flight education programs, and three of the core members (Purdue, Ohio State and Texas A&M) also own and operate their own airports. Research projects will be performed through a partnership of principal investigators from the different universities. PEGASAS will engage both graduate-level and undergraduate students in its research activities.

“The FAA continues its goal of working to reduce general aviation fatalities by 10 percent over a 10-year period, from 2009 to 2018,” said Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “The Center of Excellence program is a valuable tool in providing the critical data we need to reduce those accidents.”

PEGASAS industry and organizational partners are GE Aviation; Battelle Memorial Institute; NetJets Inc.; Cessna; Gulfstream; Piper; Raytheon; Rockwell Collins; Cirrus; Flight Safety Foundation; Guardian Mobility; Harris Corporation; Jet Aviva; NextGen AeroSciences; Nelson
Consulting; Rolls-Royce; The Spectrum Group; Take Flight Solutions; Woolpert; the Flight Deck Display Research Laboratory at NASA Ames; Columbus Regional, South Bend and Fort Wayne Airports; Florida, Georgia, Iowa and Indiana Departments of Transportation; the National Business Aviation Association; the National Intercollegiate Flying Association; and Ohio Aerospace Institute. These non-federal affiliates will provide matching contributions to help offset the FAA’s investment in the COE’s general aviation research initiatives.

The FAA established the first Center of Excellence for General Aviation in 2001 through a 10-year agreement to conduct general aviation research in airport and aircraft safety areas. The research topics included pilot training, human factors, weather, Automatic Dependent Surveillance/Broadcast (ADS-B), remote airport lighting systems and other matters.

As the first Center of Excellence for General Aviation research concludes, the new team will continue critical research, testing and education efforts. The FAA intends to invest a minimum of $500,000 per year during the first five years of the new, 10-year agreement with PEGASAS.
Congress authorized Air Transportation Centers of Excellence under the Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1990. This legislation enables the FAA to work with university partners and industry affiliates to conduct research in airspace and airport planning and design, environment and aviation safety, as well as to engage in other activities to assure a safe and efficient air transportation system.

The FAA has established Centers of Excellence in eight other topic areas, focusing on commercial space transportation, airliner cabin environment and intermodal research, aircraft noise and aviation emissions mitigation, computational modeling of aircraft structures, advanced materials, airport pavement and airport technology, operations research and airworthiness assurance.

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    American Airlines Business ExtrAA Launches New York Area Promotion

    Companies Can Earn Up to 10 Award Tickets

    EW YORK, Oct. 5 — For a limited time, companies based in the Greater New York area, as well as Eastern Pennsylvania, that enroll in the Business ExtrAA program can receive up to 20,000 Business ExtrAA bonus points – enough for 10 Economy PlanAAhead® awards(1) valid for the Continental U.S., Canada and Mexico.

    Business ExtrAA® is a complimentary program that rewards companies for doing business with American Airlines. With Business ExtrAA, companies accrue points when their employees travel for business on American Airlines, American Eagle or American Connection® operated flights and include the company’s Business ExtrAA account number in their reservations. Employees also earn miles on their personal frequent flyer AAdvantage® accounts when traveling using their company’s Business ExtrAA account number, so both the company and the individual traveler benefit.

    Through this promotion, companies will have the opportunity to reach the maximum 20,000 points bonus via this stepped approach: to earn the first award ticket, companies must enroll in the Business ExtrAA program using promotion code BIGNY2 and have any one of their employees fly one round trip using the company’s new account number during the offer period, Oct. 4, 2010, through Jan. 31, 2011. Newly enrolled companies that spend $15,000 or more on qualifying** flights within the offer period will earn another 8,000 Business ExtrAA bonus points, equivalent to an additional four round-trip travel awards. Lastly, companies that spend a total of $30,000 or more during the offer period will earn another 10,000 Business ExtrAA bonus points, equivalent to an additional five round-trip travel awards. Every employee that travels using the company’s Business ExtrAA account number can help the company earn points.

    “In this tough economic climate, what better way for American Airlines to reward our most loyal small and medium business customers than by helping them minimize travel costs, simply for choosing to do business with us?” said Jim Carter, American’s Vice President – Eastern Sales Division. “We are pleased to offer this promotion to help new member-companies jump-start their bank of travel awards in our Business ExtrAA program.”

    Business ExtrAA points can be redeemed for more than 50 travel awards, including flights, upgrades, AAdvantage Gold® status, and Admirals Club® one-day passes, conference rooms, and memberships. Companies can choose how points are redeemed. Business ExtrAA points can be used to control business travel costs, donated as part of employee incentive programs or used to thank valued customers for their loyalty. The Business ExtrAA program keeps track of all ticket purchases and a sends a monthly e-mail to companies to advise when the account has been updated. Companies can also review their activity online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and by contacting their dedicated customer service desk.

    For more information about Business ExtrAA, please visit www.aa.com/business or call 1-800-457-7072, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT Monday – Friday (inside U.S. and Canada).

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    IATA Press Release: IATA Applauds ICAO Agreement

    Montreal – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) applauded the 190 contracting states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on achieving the first global governmental agreement with aspirational goals to stabilize carbon emissions. The achievement was formalized in a resolution of the 37th ICAO Assembly, which concluded its deliberations in Montreal today.

    “Governments have taken an historic decision. For the first time, we have globally agreed aspirational goals to stabilize emissions. No other industry sector has a similar globally agreed framework for managing its response to climate change in a manner that takes into consideration the needs of both developed and developing states. Moreover, it recognizes the need for governments and industry to work together. This is a good first step that prepares the way for future achievements,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

    The ICAO Resolution

    The ICAO resolution calls for:

    • Improving fuel efficiency by 2% annually to 2050
    • Striving to achieve a collective medium-term aspirational goal of capping aviation’s carbon emissions from 2020
    • A global CO2 standard for aircraft engines with a target date of 2013

    The ICAO resolution also calls for the development of a global framework on market based (economic) measures by the 38th Assembly (2013) based on 15 agreed principles. These principles are designed to:

    • Minimize market distortions
    • Safeguard the fair treatment of aviation relative to other sectors
    • Ensure that aviation’s emissions are accounted for only once and
    • Recognize both past and future efforts of carriers

    Closing the Gap with Industry

    In 2007, IATA announced a vision for aviation to achieve carbon-neutral growth on the way to a carbon-free future with a four-pillar strategy based on technology investments, efficient infrastructure, effective operations and positive economic measures. In 2009, IATA’s membership committed to three goals: a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, capping net emissions with carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and cutting net emissions in half by 2050 compared to 2005.

    The global aviation industry united around this approach, putting aviation at the forefront of industrial sectors responding to climate change. “The four-pillar strategy and targets are not just airline commitments. The entire aviation industry—airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and manufacturers—have made a common commitment that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended as a role model for others to follow. Aviation takes its environmental responsibility seriously. With today’s agreement, governments have taken a significant step in support of the industry’s ambitions,” said Bisignani.

    Bisignani addressed the gap in the industry’s commitment to a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency and the ICAO goal of a 2% annual improvement. “We are confident that achieving a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency is possible with efforts of the industry. The 2% ICAO goal means that governments must come to the table with much needed infrastructure improvements such as the Single European Sky or NextGen in the US,” said Bisignani.

    Next Steps

    The agreement’s principles on market based measures have implications for all governments with, or seeking to implement, environmental schemes or taxes. “In light of this agreement, all states should review any economic measures, planned or implemented, to conform to today’s agreed principles. The only effective long-term solution remains a global approach, which states agreed to work towards under ICAO’s leadership,” said Bisignani.

    “We must recognize that a long journey still lies ahead. Industry’s ambitious targets are still ahead of governments. Our commitment to cut emissions in half by 2050 compared to 2005 remains the global benchmark. The entire aviation industry is committed to working under the leadership of ICAO as we move forward to achieve both the aspirations outlined in today’s agreement and the industry’s targets. We will take this strong message to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change in Cancun later this year,” said Bisignani.

    In addition to this global agreement on environment, the ICAO Assembly marked notable progress with a global declaration on security and a milestone agreement on sharing safety information among IATA, ICAO, the EU and the United States. “I congratulate the ICAO leadership for their hard work and leading role within the UN system. President Roberto Kobeh Gonzáles, Secretary General Raymond Benjamin, and Assembly President Harold Demuren have concluded a landmark Assembly with major achievements on the industry’s top priorities of safety, security and environmental leadership.”

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    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at New South Wales and Victorian aerodromes this week.

    NSW and Victorian aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at a range of New South Wales and Victorian aerodromes this week.

    There will be a series of low-level flights to make sure flight paths at the aerodrome continue to operate safely.

    A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from the local aerodrome.

    The two pilots flying the aircraft will ensure navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at all aerodromes.

    Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

    Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

    The checks are scheduled to be carried out between 7 and 14 February 2011.

    Aerodromes undergoing flight safety checks this week include Moruya, Cooma, Corryong, Wangaratta, Warracknabeal, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Tocumwal, Tumut, Polo Flat, Albury, Corowa, Yarrawonga, Nhill, Deniliquin, Echuca, and Wagga Wagga.

    If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they will be carried out as soon as possible.

    CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.

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    Small Plane Crashes in Camden County; Pilot Killed

    Plane crashA Cessna 150 crashed into woods in Camden County, New Jersey, on September 12.

    Authorities said the plane, that took off from Camden County Airport, went down behind the homes on Jackson Road, Atco section.

    The pilot, who was the only one aboard, was killed in the crash. He was identified as 65-year-old David Sees, of Marlton.

    The FAA is investigating the cause of crash.

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    OAG Reports Air Travel Growth, Over 285 Million Seats Offered Worldwide

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — OAG (www.oag.com), the global leader in aviation intelligence reports that worldwide scheduled airline capacity increased 5% in February, year-on-year, to a total of 285.7 million seats. The number of flights increased 4%, to 2.3 million departures worldwide during the month.

    In its monthly Frequency and Capacity Trend Statistics (FACTS) report, OAG finds all regional markets recorded year-on-year growth in February, with the exception of capacity to and from Central and South America. This region lost 3% of its seat capacity, when compared to the same month last year, feeling the impact again this month of the loss of Mexicana services.

    Although capacity fell in Central and South America, overall; within Lower South America, scheduled capacity increased 12% year-on-year. The Brazilian market is showing the strongest growth in the region, with a 14% increase in domestic capacity in February compared to the same time last year.
    “The current expansion in some South American markets may be at the height of a growth period. The impending rationalization of carriers in the region, and the development of larger alliances such as that proposed by the LAN Group and TAM, could lead to capacity consolidation as network rationalization occurs,” said Peter von Moltke, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Aviation.

    Year-on-year, the two fastest growing markets in the world are those to and from the Middle East, and to and from Asia Pacific, in terms of frequency of service. The total number of flights offered to and from the Middle East grew 13% to a total of 49,014; flights to and from Asia Pacific increased 13% to a total of 55,965.

    Scheduled frequency and capacity to and from Europe was the second fastest growing region among the largest markets with scheduled capacity increasing by 11%, to a total of 21.3 million seats; frequencies increased 10%, to a total of 93,558. Growth within Europe, however, increased a modest 2% in both seat capacity and the total number of flights to a total of 59.5 million seats and 493,150 flights.

    “Medium to long haul carriers continue to build their presence in European markets, with the objective of securing greater shares of the longer haul markets, which traditionally deliver higher yields,” continued von Moltke. “Carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways will continue to increase flights and open new markets as their development progresses, and increased frequencies to a number of European destinations are expected by these airlines throughout the year.”

    The number of scheduled services both within and to and from North America remained constant year-on-year, although a slight increase in average capacity per flight resulted in more seats being offered. Total capacity to and from this region increased 3%, to a total of 15.5 million.

    This data comes from the February 2011 edition of OAG FACTS (Frequency And Capacity Trend Statistics), a monthly report with interactive graphs to display performance trends of specific airports, routes, countries or regions, sourced from OAG’s consolidated database of global airline schedules. A more detailed review of this month’s OAG FACTS statistics – including information about specific regions, routes and airports – is available to download at: (http://www.oagaviation.com/OAG-FACTS-February-2011-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY

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  • Flight Attendants Safely Usher Travelers to Holiday Destinations

    Upcoming Anniversary of the 2009 Christmas Day Bomber Reminds All that There is Never a Holiday from Safety and Security Work for Flight Attendants

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2010 /
    — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the world’s largest Flight Attendant union, reminds the traveling public of the heroic acts of Flight Attendants to thwart the terror attempt during the final approach of Delta flight 253 into Detroit on December 25, 2009. Flight Attendants are always vigilant and focused on their work as the last line of defense as well as their responsibilities as first responders. The traveling public can fly with confidence in the care of the nation’s Flight Attendants.

    “As the last line of defense, professional Flight Attendants are a vital link in the chain of commercial aviation security,” said AFA International President-Elect Veda Shook. “We are an integral part of a crew that works in concert for the security of each flight. In working to defend the best interests of professional Flight Attendants, AFA is in turn defending the best interests of the flying public and our national security.”

    One year ago on Christmas Day, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to take down Delta flight 253 by detonating an explosive. Swift action by the crew stopped the potentially tragic events and saved the lives of everyone on board. The professional Flight Attendants quickly took control of the situation, successfully averting a possible tragedy. Two Flight Attendants, with the assistance of one passenger, extinguished the fire, stripped and searched the offender and ultimately restrained him. In the midst of the chaos, the rest of the Flight Attendant crew acted to maintain control of the cabin and ensure the well-being of all passengers.

    The flight deck remained locked down as Flight Attendants assumed their role as first responders and maintained their role as the last line of defense by taking any and all measures to protect the integrity of the flight deck. Relying on communication with the pilots, their training and on personal judgment, they implemented the appropriate response to the security threat.

    Trained and certified in passenger safety, the nation’s Flight Attendants will not only usher millions of passengers to friends and family over the holidays, but also stand alert and ready to respond to any potential threats in the aircraft cabin.

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