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All Nippon Airways Pilots First Customer Crew to Fly Boeing 787 Dreamliner

SEATTLE, May 13 — Boeing and two ANA (All Nippon Airways) pilots flew the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the first time Wednesday. The airplane they flew is the first of six flight-test airplanes. The two-hour-and-40-minute flight took place over Washington state.

Flying the 787 for the first time were ANA pilots Capt. Masayuki Ishii, director of 787 pre-operations planning, and Capt. Masami Tsukamoto, manager of 787 pre-operations pilots. On board were Capt. Mike Carriker, Boeing 787 chief test pilot, Capt. Christine Walsh and Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“The flight was a customer demonstration for our launch customer’s lead pilots to evaluate the 787,” said Fancher. “We are extremely proud to have ANA on the flight, and have the opportunity to show what a great airplane the men and women of Boeing have created.”

The flight was conducted under a special airworthiness certificate granted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

The 787 program was launched in April 2004 with a record order of 50 787’s from ANA. ANA, which plays an active role as launch customer, is scheduled to take the first 787 delivery in the fourth quarter 2010.
During the flight, both pilots performed multiple takeoffs and landings as well as other maneuvers that allowed them to feel the airplane’s characteristics. The pilots also gained experience with other 787 flight-deck features, including larger display screens, dual head-up displays and dual electronic flight bag.
“It was fantastic and an incredible experience,” said Capt. Ishii. “ANA passengers are in for an incredible experience when they fly on the 787,” he said.
“The flight was fantastic,” said Capt. Tsukamoto. “I’ve been waiting for this day since we made the launch order, and today my dream came true.”

During the flight, Carriker showed the ANA pilots, who are both rated on the Boeing 777, the similarities and differences between the two airplanes. Pending regulator approval, it will take as few as five days of training for 777 pilots to become qualified as 787 pilots.

Customers around the world have ordered 860 787s since the program was launched in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the fastest-selling new commercial jetliner in history.

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    All Nippon Airways Plane Returns to Japan after Cabin Pressure Glitch

    All Nippon Airways flight NH-561 had to return and make an emergency landing at Haneda Airport, Ota, Tokyo, Japan, on May 27th.

    The Boeing 737-800 en-route to Kochi, Japan, had to return shortly after the crew detected problems with its cabin pressure.

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    Boeing Team Helps Royal Netherlands Air Force Achieve Aviation Milestone

    GILZE-RIJEN AIRBASE, Netherlands, June 16, 2010 — Boeing ] and The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) today made aviation history when a Boeing AH-64D Apache became the first rotorcraft in the world to fly using a blend of sustainable bio-kerosene and standard aviation jet fuel.
    The 20-minute flight, conducted at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, home of the RNLAF’s combat rotorcraft squadrons, was witnessed by dozens of industry observers and defense journalists.
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    “Today is an important milestone for the more intensive usage of sustainable bio-kerosene in aviation,” said Eimert van Middelkoop, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands.
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    “This program also will help stimulate market development for aviation biofuel within the Netherlands that can help improve the environmental performance of commercial and military aviation,” said Jan Närlinge, president of Boeing Northern Europe.

    Boeing is engaged in sustainable biofuel research around the world and supported the Apache flight and the RNLAF through preflight planning, testing and technical consultation based on a strong body of biofuel experience. The company supplied technical support to a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines biofuel flight aboard a Boeing 747 in November 2009, and also to the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet biofuel flight on Earth Day this year. Boeing also supported four previous biofuel flights using varying fixed-wing commercial aircraft and engine types.
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    A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

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    Press Release – FAA Proposes Requiring Pilot Certificates to Include Photos

    For Immediate Release
    November 18, 2010

    Phone: 202-267-3461

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today it is proposing that all pilot certificates include photos of the certificate holder.

    This action follows a requirement that all pilot certificates be made of plastic and contain security features, such as a hologram and an ultraviolet-sensitive layer, to prevent tampering, altering and counterfeiting.

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    Under the new FAA proposal, pilots would obtain new certificates on which their photograph would appear with a proposed expiration date of eight years. At the end of that time period, pilots would need to update their photo and obtain a new certificate.
    “Our current certificates are plastic and tamper-resistant, but this proposal will make them even more secure,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    If the proposal is finalized as proposed, all new airman certificates would have to include a photograph. Existing pilots with a current commercial pilot certificate would have four years to comply, while a pilot with an airline transport pilot rating would have three years to obtain a new certificate with a photo. Existing private, recreational or sport pilot certificate holders would have five years to comply with the new requirement.

    If finalized, the resulting final regulation will fulfill a provision of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which requires the FAA to issue plastic, tamper-resistant pilot certificates with photos.

    Under the proposal, the cost of the new pilot certificate would be $22. That amount is comparable to drivers’ license fees in many states and would have to be renewed every eight years.

    The comment period for the proposed rule ends February 17, 2011. The rule is on display at the Federal Register: http://www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx#reg_F. It will be published in the Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/
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