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FAA Proposes New Policy on Antidepressants for Pilots

For Immediate Release
April 2, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that it will consider the special issuance of a medical certificate to pilots who are taking medication for mild to moderate depression, conditions that now bar them from all flying duties.

On a case-by-case basis beginning April 5, pilots who take one of four antidepressant medications – Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), or Escitalopram (Lexapro) – will be allowed to fly if they have been satisfactorily treated on the medication for at least 12 months. The FAA will not take civil enforcement action against pilots who take advantage of a six-month opportunity to share any previously non-disclosed diagnosis of depression or the use of these antidepressants.

“I’m encouraging pilots who are suffering from depression or using antidepressants to report their medical condition to the FAA,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “We need to change the culture and remove the stigma associated with depression. Pilots should be able to get the medical treatment they need so they can safely perform their duties.”

The FAA’s policy is consistent with recommendations from the Aerospace Medical Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Civil Aviation Authority of Australia, Transport Canada and the U.S Army already allow some pilots to fly using antidepressant medications.

Psychiatrists and Aviation Medical Examiners who have specialized training under the Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS) program will help the FAA evaluate and monitor pilots under this new policy. The HIMS program was established 40 years ago and has been highly effective for the assessment, treatment, and medical certification of pilots who need help with alcohol and drug issues.

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  • NTSB SENDING TEAM TO INVESTIGATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES HELICOPTER ACCIDENT IN TENNESSEE

    The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team
    to investigate the crash of an emergency medical services
    (EMS) helicopter this morning in Brownsville, Tennessee,
    about 55 miles northeast of Memphis. Three crewmembers were
    killed in the accident; there was no patient onboard at the
    time of the crash.

    NTSB Air Safety Investigator Ralph Hicks has been designated
    as Investigator-in-Charge and is traveling to the scene from
    the Safety Board’s regional office in Atlanta. NTSB Chairman
    Deborah A.P. Hersman will serve as principal spokesman
    during the on-scene investigation.

    Improving the Safety of (EMS) flight operations has been on
    the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements since
    2008:
    http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/mostwanted/aviation_improvesafety_e
    ms_flights.html

    Peter Knudson will be the press officer on-scene. Mr.
    Knudson may be reached on his cell phone (202-557-1350) when
    he arrives in Tennessee this afternoon.

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    Delta Eliminates SkyMiles Expiration

    SkyMiles members gain new industry-leading benefit
    Feb 15, 2011

    ATLANTA, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it has eliminated the SkyMiles mileage expiration, creating a new industry-leading benefit for all members. This program change is effective for all accounts as of Jan. 1, 2011, and makes Delta the only major U.S. carrier without mileage expiration.

    Previously, miles expired 24 months after a member’s last qualifying mileage activity, which required a member to earn or redeem miles within that period.

    “Now that our massive frequent flyer program integration is complete, we are focused on smart ways to improve the SkyMiles program for all members,” said Jeff Robertson, Delta’s vice president – SkyMiles. “We know how much customers value their miles, so eliminating mileage expiration is a major win for them. This is yet another benefit that sets us apart from the pack, making Delta a clear leader in loyalty program benefits.”

    This change is the latest of several enhancements made to the SkyMiles program in the last year including the new Diamond Medallion tier with complimentary lounge access and Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles. These features complement other recent changes such as the elimination of all award redemption fees and a free first checked bag on Delta flights for Gold, Platinum and Reserve Delta SkyMiles credit card holders from American Express.

    Members can look forward to more in 2011, including significant improvements to delta.com such as an upgraded award travel calendar, improved booking process and better flight information displays. Additionally, Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members can expect several new benefits when flying select alliance partner airlines – including Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Alaska Airlines.

    Now in its 30th year, SkyMiles is one of the longest-running and most successful loyalty programs in the travel industry. Last year, frequent flyers redeemed more than 264 billion miles in the SkyMiles program for more than 12 million award redemptions. In 2010, 8.3 percent of revenue miles flown on Delta were for award travel. Delta offers more ways to redeem frequent flyer miles than any other airline, including airline tickets, mileage upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, Delta Sky Club memberships, merchandise and more than 30 types of gift cards. SkyMiles was named “Best Domestic Frequent Flyer program” for 2007 through 2010 by readers of Executive Travel magazine and “Best Frequent Flyer Program” for 2006 through 2010 by Business Traveler magazine. For more information on the SkyMiles program, Medallion status and mileage redemption options, visit delta.com/skymiles.

    Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 357 destinations in 66 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline’s service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world’s largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

    All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits. The rules are subject to change. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Taxes for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award Travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Alliance partner airline benefits subject to change and subject to the terms and conditions of each partner. Offers and benefits subject to change without notice.

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    TAT Technologies Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Piedmont Aviation Component Services Has signed a Five Year APU maintenance Agreement with Austrian Airlines

    February 3, 2011 — TAT Technologies Ltd. a leading provider of services and products to the commercial and military aerospace and ground defense industries, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Piedmont Aviation Component Services (“Piedmont”), has signed a five year APU (Auxiliary Power Unit – a small gas turbine engine) maintenance Agreement with Austrian Airlines (“Austrian”) covering Austrian Boeing 767 fleet GTCP331-200 APU. The maintenance agreement for the GTCP-331-200 model is in addition to an existing contract between Austrian and Piedmont for the CRJ200 fleet GTCP36-150RJ APU.

    Mr. Burkard Wigger, Vice President Technical Operations at Austrian Airlines said: “With Piedmont Aviation Component Services, we have found a professional partner who is very committed to our inquiries and comes up with tailored solutions that fit our demands. Piedmont offers expert knowledge in APU maintenance and has already proved to deliver reliable and satisfying services in our cooperation.”
    TAT’s President and CEO, Dr. Shmuel Fledel, commented on the new agreement: “We are proud of the solid relationship between Austrian and Piedmont. For the last 4 years we have been successful with the current 36-150RJ APU contract and the addition of the 331-200 APU model demonstrates the high level of confidence and cooperation between the two companies. The new APU agreement reinforces TAT’s leading position in the APU maintenance industry.”

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    Pet Airways Appoints Andrew Warner as President and Chief Financial Officer


    DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 4, 2011 — Pet Airways Inc. (PAWS.PK), the world’s first airline designed specifically for the comfortable, efficient and safe transportation of pets, today announced that Andrew Warner has been named President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Warner also serves as a member of the Pet Airways board of directors.

    Mr. Warner has more than 25 years of experience in financial and general management, with leadership positions in both public and private companies. He specializes in nurturing rapid growth in young consumer-oriented companies, particularly with respect to consumer technology.

    Prior to joining Pet Airways, Mr. Warner served as Chief Financial Officer of EnergyConnect Group, Inc., a leading provider of smart grid demand response services and technologies. Prior to that, Mr. Warner was the Chief Financial Officer of SmartDisk Corporation, which provided electronic storage solutions and was subsequently acquired by Verbatim. Mr. Warner was also the Chief Executive Officer of Zio Corporation, a private, digital consumer electronics company that was acquired by SmartDisk Corporation. Prior to Zio Corporation, Mr. Warner served as Chief Financial Officer, President of the U.S. Division and Executive Vice President of SCM Microsystems Inc., a global provider of digital security and identity management technology.

    “We are delighted that Andrew has agreed to join the Pet Airways team. With his strong financial and business experience, we believe that he will be instrumental in helping Pet Airways become a household name and solidify our leadership position in pet transportation,” said Dan Wiesel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pet Airways. “In particular, his experience growing successful companies, managing transactions and raising capital will be invaluable to us.”

    Andrew Warner commented, “Pet Airways is an exciting company that has the potential to fundamentally change the travel category. Pets are a very important part of the family, and by providing a safe and caring alternative to cargo, Pet Airways can transform the concept of family travel. I am thrilled to join the Pet Airways executive team, to work with Dan to broaden Pet Airways’ services and expand the company’s infrastructure.”

    Since Pet Airways’ launch in July 2009, flight capacity has nearly doubled with expansion from the original five destinations to the current nine. Revenue for the first nine months of 2010 more than tripled over the prior year, with over 3,000 pets flown through September 2010. The company continues to enjoy significant national and regional press coverage and recently announced a partnership with Petmate®, the leading provider of portable carriers.

    About Pet Airways, Inc.
    Pet Airways is the first airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of pets. Pet Airways’ pawsengers™ travel in the specially equipped main cabin of its planes – where pets are continuously monitored by an In-Flight Pet Attendant and the climate is controlled for maximum pet comfort. With Pet Airways, pet parents can be assured their animals will be treated with tender, loving care throughout the journey. The airline launched flight operations in 2009 and currently serves coast-to-coast destinations across the United States, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. For more information go to www.petairways.com.

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  • Mexico Governor Eruviel Ávila Villegas Speaks on the Chopper Crash

    What: Gobierno del Estado de Mexico Agusta A109S Grand
    Where: Peréz Valenzuela (street), Del Carmen district, in Coyacán, Mexico
    When: Oct 21, 2011
    Who: 4 aboard, 2 fatalities

    Official Statement From Mexico State Government. Eruviel Governor Avila Villegas.

    I want to report it relates to the unfortunate events that occurred today in Mexico City, at approximately 10:11 hours of the morning. Time when I was in the very north of the state of Mexico, Temascalcingo, conducting a working visit.

    In fact, that I had the opportunity to meet several of you.

    As is probably known to all of you, the aircraft of the Government of the State of Mexico, registration XCEDM, suffered the accident already mentioned.

    First, I want to say that the government of the State of Mexico, particularly as governor of this state, I am extremely dismayed; regret that this accident has killed the pilot Captain Juan Esteban Rodriguez and Julio Cesar Ruiz Gomez Maturano, who served as associate secretary of logistics and deputy secretary of Metropolitan Development.

    To the families of those who unfortunately have died, we express our heartfelt condolences.

    I want to participate that we will support them with everything they need, regardless of legal benefits, we will give extra support, since this unfortunate accident happened.

    We give our gratitude to the career of public service, both Julius Caesar Maturano Gomez and Captain Juan Esteban Rodriguez Ruiz, who always showed great dedication, commitment, professionalism in the work he performed as public servants, and who were in service when the accident happened unfortunately.

    Likewise, we wish a speedy recovery to our partners: Alberto García Cuevas, Secretary of the Metropolitan Development and Juan Manuel Ramirez Rivera, also a pilot of the aircraft, who fortunately saved his life, which we are offering our full support and our solidarity.

    They are hospitalized in a private hospital in southern Mexico City. I’ve been in personal contact with the president of this group of hospitals, who are giving details of the evolution of our patients, our fellow public servants.

    It is noteworthy that since the Secretary General of Government was with them, I realized his condition, which is stable, although there are, of course, with due regard.

    Also at this time the Secretary General of Government, Mr. Ernesto Alvarez Nemer, is in the scene where the accident happened.

    I also acknowledge the assistance of the Federal District government for prompt medical attention, to transport the injured.

    I’ve been in constant communication with the Chief of Government of the Federal District, Marcelo Ebrard, who has given all the institutional support.

    They also participated in the call that I made the Citizen President of the Republic, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa teacher, who expressed full solidarity and institutional support to address the circumstances that we are living today.

    Also, I got a call from the secretary of Interior, Mr. José Francisco Blake Mora, and other federal public servants.

    I have established communication with the Secretary of Transportation, Felipe Duarte Olvera graduated from the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of the Federal Government Héctor González Ruiz, director general of Civil Aviation, as well as government officials in Mexico City.

    There has been an extraordinary communication between representatives of governments in the State of Mexico, Federal District and Federal government.

    I have asked institutional collaboration, in order to carry out investigations, and to clarify the facts and causes of this accident.

    It is necessary to refer to the Metropolitan Development Secretary, together with his colleague, had a morning meeting with businessmen in the eastern part – in fact, local media, national media, were aware of this meeting there in the Valley of Mexico – and moved to the city of Toluca to attend a cabinet meeting that specializes in public safety, and to prepare what will be the development plan of the State of Mexico on metropolitan development, in collaboration with neighboring entities, particularly public safety.

    Personally, as I concerned, I have been overseeing the development, monitoring the health of our comrades who were wounded.

    The state government of Mexico will pay for the damage that caused this accident to locals, and the Federal District authorities are making the corresponding count, but will all the support, all this support from state government .

    Once we have more information to shed the expert, will be contacting the root causes of this accident, regardless of these surveys and investigations by law be made, and also the state government has requested, I have given instructions that strengthen the review of the state that keep state government aircraft, review the operating protocols.

    It is also worth referring to the drivers who serve the entire fleet, all helicopters have the service of the State of Mexico, are professional drivers, with many years of experience and seniority in service of this state government.

    I asked the secretary of state government communications, is the formal link to be participating in the necessary information and, of course, that you are well aware of this issue.

    Master Apolinar Mena, thank you very much for your cooperation.

    I want to participate, ladies and gentlemen of different media, we’re really very upset. This is a very sad day for the State of Mexico, because they have killed two comrades in the service of this state, and are injured in the hospital, treated at the Hospital fortunately two of our comrades.

    Thank you for your solidarity, and also appreciate your understanding, so that the information given to the public, the public, is really, timely, and will have the full cooperation of the state government to respond to requests for information and be adequately informing the public of the State of Mexico and Mexico.

    Thank you very much for your understanding. Thank you for your solidarity, and reiterate our condolences to the families of the deceased partner.

    Good afternoon.

    At this time I go to the hospital where peers are in hospital being treated clinically.

    Having all and all, good afternoon.

    —
    Comunicado oficial del Gobierno del Estado De México.

    Gobernador Eruviel Ávila Villegas.

    Quiero informarles lo relacionado a los lamentables sucesos acontecidos el día de hoy en la Ciudad de México, aproximadamente a las 10:11 horas de la mañana. Hora en que precisamente me encontraba en el Norte del Estado de México, en Temascalcingo, llevando a cabo una gira de trabajo.

    De hecho, ahí tuve la oportunidad de saludar a varios de ustedes.

    Como es seguramente del conocimiento de todos ustedes, la aeronave del Gobierno del Estado de México, con matrícula XCEDM, sufrió el accidente ya referido.

    En primer lugar, quiero expresar que el gobierno del Estado de México, en particular como gobernador de este estado, estoy sumamente consternado; lamentamos que en este accidente haya perdido la vida el piloto capitán Juan Esteban Rodríguez Ruiz y Julio César Maturano Gómez, quien se desempeñaba como colaborador de logística y secretario particular adjunto del secretario de Desarrollo Metropolitano.

    A las familias, de quienes lamentablemente han fallecido, les expresamos nuestras más sentidas condolencias.

    Yo quiero participarles que habremos de apoyarles con todo lo necesario, independientemente de las prestaciones de ley, habremos de dar un apoyo extraordinario, desde que este accidente lamentablemente aconteció.

    Les damos nuestro reconocimiento, a la trayectoria del servicio público, tanto de Julio César Maturano Gómez y del capitán Juan Esteban Rodríguez Ruiz, quienes siempre mostraron una gran dedicación, entrega, profesionalismo en la actividad que realizaran como servidores públicos, y quienes se encontraban en servicio cuando aconteció lamentablemente este accidente.

    De la misma forma, deseamos una pronta recuperación a nuestros compañeros: Alberto García Cuevas, secretario de Desarrollo Metropolitano y a Juan Manuel Ramírez Rivera, también otro de los pilotos de la aeronave, quienes afortunadamente salvaron su vida, y a los cuales estamos ofreciendo todo nuestro apoyo y toda nuestra solidaridad.

    Ellos se encuentran hospitalizados en un hospital privado del sur de la Ciudad de México. He estado en contacto personal con el presidente de este grupo de hospitales, quien está dando detalles de la evolución de nuestros pacientes, de nuestros compañeros servidores públicos.

    Es de señalar que ya el secretario General de Gobierno estuvo con ellos, me dio cuenta de su estado de salud, que es estable, aunque se están, desde luego, atendiendo debidamente.

    También en estos momentos el secretario General de Gobierno, el licenciado Ernesto Nemer Álvarez, se encuentra en el lugar de los hechos, donde aconteció este accidente.

    Quiero también agradecer la colaboración del gobierno del Distrito Federal, por la atención médica oportuna, para el traslado de los lesionados.

    He estado en comunicación permanente con el señor Jefe de Gobierno del Distrito Federal, el licenciado Marcelo Ebrard, quien ha dado todo el respaldo institucional.

    También les participo de la llamada que me hizo el ciudadano presidente de la república, maestro Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, quien expresó toda su solidaridad y apoyo institucional, para atender las circunstancias que hoy estamos viviendo.

    De igual forma, recibí el llamado del secretario de Gobernación, el licenciado José Francisco Blake Mora, y de otros servidores públicos federales.

    He establecido comunicación con el subsecretario de Transportes, licenciado Felipe Duarte Olvera, de la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes del Gobierno Federal; licenciado Héctor González Ruiz, director general de Aeronáutica Civil, así como por autoridades del gobierno del Distrito Federal.

    Ha habido una comunicación extraordinaria entre representantes de los gobiernos del Estado de México, del Distrito Federal y del gobierno Federal.

    Les he pedido su colaboración institucional, a fin de que se lleven a cabo las investigaciones correspondientes, y se puedan esclarecer los hechos y las causas de este accidente.

    Es necesario referir que el secretario de Desarrollo Metropolitano, junto con su compañero de trabajo, tuvo una reunión por la mañana con empresarios de la zona oriente –de hecho, medios de comunicación locales, medios nacionales, dieron cuenta de este encuentro allá en el Valle de México–, y se trasladaba a la ciudad de Toluca para atender la reunión de un gabinete especializado en materia de seguridad pública, y poder preparar lo que será el plan de desarrollo del Estado de México en materia de desarrollo metropolitano, en colaboración con las entidades vecinas, especialmente en materia de seguridad pública.

    Personalmente, como les refería, he estado supervisando la evolución, el seguimiento del estado de salud de nuestros compañeros que resultaron heridos.

    El gobierno del Estado de México se hará cargo de los daños materiales que haya causado este accidente a vecinos del lugar, ya las autoridades del Distrito Federal están haciendo el recuento correspondiente, pero habrá todo el respaldo, todo el apoyo por parte de este gobierno estatal.

    Una vez que tengamos más información que arrojen los peritajes, se estará comunicando de las causas que originaron este accidente, independientemente de estos peritajes y las investigaciones que por Ley deben hacerse, y que además el gobierno del estado ha solicitado, he dado instrucciones para que se fortalezca la revisión del estado que guardan las aeronaves del gobierno estatal, revisar los protocolos de operación.

    Vale la pena también referir que los pilotos que sirven a toda la flota, todos los helicópteros que tenemos al servicio del Estado de México, son pilotos profesionales, ya con muchos años de experiencia y con antigüedad al servicio de este gobierno estatal.

    He solicitado al secretario de Comunicaciones del gobierno estatal, sea el enlace formal para estar participándoles de la información que sea necesaria, y, desde luego, que estén ustedes bien informados de este tema.

    Maestro Apolinar Mena, muchas gracias por su colaboración.

    Quiero participarles, señoras, señores de los diferentes medios de comunicación, que estamos verdaderamente muy consternados. Este es un día muy triste para el Estado de México, porque han perdido la vida dos compañeros al servicio de este estado, y están heridos en el hospital, atendidos afortunadamente en el Hospital otros dos compañeros nuestros.

    Agradecemos su solidaridad, y agradeceremos también su comprensión, para que la información que se dé a la opinión pública, a la ciudadanía, sea veras, sea oportuna, y tendrán toda la colaboración de este gobierno estatal para poder atender las peticiones de información y estar debidamente informando a la opinión pública del Estado de México y de México.

    Muchas gracias por su comprensión. Gracias por su solidaridad, y reitero las condolencias a las familias de los compañeros fallecidos.

    Buenas tardes.

    En este momento acudo al Hospital en donde se encuentran hospitalizados los compañeros que están siendo atendidos clínicamente.

    Que tengan todas y todos, buena tarde.

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    Dreamlifter enters Service

    EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The fourth Boeing (NYSE: BA) Dreamlifter – the final airplane in the fleet of specially modified 747-400s – entered service today. Dreamlifters transport the large composite structures of the 787 Dreamliner from partners around the world to Everett, Wash. for final assembly. The unique airplane, which was modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. in Taipei, Taiwan, took off from Paine Field in Everett early this morning. Bound for Wichita, Kan., the Dreamlifter is returning the equipment used to transport the forward fuselage section known as section 41. The airplane’s registry is N718BA.
    Neg. K64881

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