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AFA-CWA Holds Holiday Food Drive for Flight Attendants In Need

NEEDED: Non-perishable food items, everyday essentials, gift certificates and children’s items
Please bring donations to the airport and drop them off at the food drive

PHOENIX, Ariz., Nov. 22, 2010 — America West flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), are holding a holiday food drive to assist flight attendants in need during the holiday season.
When: Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST
Where: Terminal 4, curbside departures, north side
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix, AZ

“The last few years have been difficult for all workers across all industries, but our flight attendants are more in need now than ever before. Our food bank is a response to requests for help from our members who are struggling. America West flight attendants have not had a wage increase since 2002 and are having a hard time eking out a living on wages eroded by time and the poor economy,” said Lisa LeCarre, AFA-CWA America West President.

The Pantry of Love was a brainstorm of AFA-CWA Council 66 activists. It was formed in 2008 and is managed by Council Representative Erin McLoughlin. Approximately 15 flight attendants visit the food bank each month and during the holidays, those numbers increase.

“After furloughs and foreclosures, some of our members could not afford to feed themselves or their families. AFA-CWA responded to their needs by organizing the Pantry of Love Food Bank, which relies entirely on donations and volunteers,” said McLoughlin. “It is heart-wrenching to see such need from people who work so hard for such a huge company with all the resources that they have available. Our flight attendants didn’t ask for this merger and didn’t ask for frozen wages. At least when they ask for help, we are here to do what we can.”

America West Airlines merged with US Airways in 2005, yet flight attendants are still without a contract that merges their two employee groups.

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    NTSB SAFETY RECOMMENDATION

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594
    July 30, 2010

    The National Transportation Safety Board makes the following recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration:

    Conduct research into and document the effects of mountain wave and downslope conditions at airports, such as Denver International Airport, that are located downwind of
    mountainous terrain (including, for example, airports in or near Colorado Springs, Colorado; Anchorage, Alaska; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Reno, Nevada), identify potential
    mountain-wave-related hazards to ground operations at those airports, and disseminate the results to pilots and airport air traffic control personnel to allow for more informed
    runway selection decisions. (A-10-105)

    Archive all low-level windshear alert system (LLWAS) data obtained from Denver International Airport and other airports that experience similar wind conditions and make these data available for additional research and the potential future development of an improved LLWAS algorithm for crosswind and gusty wind alerts on air traffic control tower ribbon display terminals. (A-10-106)

    Modify Federal Aviation Administration Order 7110.65 to require air traffic controllers at airports with multiple sources of wind information to provide pilots with the maximum wind component, including gusts, that the flight could encounter. (A-10-107)

    Review the required documentation for all low-level windshear alert system (LLWAS)-equipped air traffic control towers to ensure that a letter to airmen has been published
    and is easily accessible describing the location and designation of the remote sensors, the capabilities and limitations of the system, and the availability of current LLWAS remote sensor wind information on the request of a pilot, in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration Order 7210.3. (A-10-108)

    Require air traffic control towers to locally develop and implement written runway selection programs that proactively consider current and developing wind conditions and include clearly defined crosswind components, including wind gusts, when considering operational advantage with respect to runway selection. (A-10-109)

    Gather data on surface winds at a sample of major U.S. airports (including Denver International Airport) when high wind conditions and significant gusts are present and use these data to develop realistic, gusty crosswind profiles for use in pilot simulator training programs. (A-10-110)

    Require 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91K operators to incorporate the realistic, gusty crosswind profiles developed as a result of Safety Recommendation A- 10-110 into their pilot simulator training programs. (A-10-111)

    Once realistic, gusty crosswind profiles as asked for in Safety Recommendation A-10-110 are developed, develop a standard methodology, including pilot-in-the-loop testing, for transport-category airplane manufacturers to establish empirically based, type-specific maximum-gusting-crosswind limitations for transport-category airplanes that account for wind gusts. (A-10-112)

    Once a methodology as asked for in Safety Recommendation A- 10-112 has been developed, require manufacturers of transport-category airplanes to develop type-specific, maximum-crosswind takeoff limitations that account for wind gusts. (A-10-113)

    Until the actions described in Safety Recommendation A-10-113 are accomplished, require manufacturers of transport- category airplanes to provide operators with interim crosswind takeoff guidelines that account for wind gusts. (A-10-114)

    Work with U.S. airline operators to review and analyze operational flight data to identify factors that contribute to encounters with excessive winds and use this information to develop and implement additional strategies for reducing the likelihood of wind-related runway excursions. (A-10-115)

    Require cockpit crew seats installed in newly manufactured airplanes that were type certificated before 1988 to meet the crashworthiness standards contained in 14 Code of Federal Regulations 25.562. (A-10-116)

    Require operators to perform periodic inspections on the Burns Aerospace model 2501-5 jumpseats for fatigue cracks within the jumpseat structure and replace the jumpseat if fatigue cracks are found. (A-10-117)

    Require that operators of transport-category airplanes that use galley latches or latch plates secured solely by adhesives that may degrade over time modify the latches to include mechanical fasteners. (A-10-118)

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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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    NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-119

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594
    August 6, 2010

    NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-119 and -120
    and Reiteration of NTSB Safety Recommendation A-04-63

    The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the European Aviation Safety Agency:

    Modify European Aviation Safety Agency Certification Specifications for Large Aeroplanes CS-25 to ensure safe handling qualities in the yaw axis throughout the flight envelope, including limits for rudder pedal sensitivity. (A-10-119)

    After the yaw axis certification standard recommended in Safety Recommendation A-10-119 has been established, review the designs of existing airplanes to determine if they meet the standard. For existing airplane designs that do not meet the standard, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) should determine if the airplanes would be adequately protected from the adverse effects of a potential aircraft-pilot coupling (APC) after rudder inputs at all airspeeds. If adequate protection does not exist, EASA should require modifications, as necessary, to provide the airplanes with increased protection from the adverse effects of a potential APC after rudder inputs at high airspeeds. (A-10-
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    In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board reiterates the following recommendation to the European Aviation Safety Agency:

    Review the options for modifying the Airbus A300-600 and the Airbus A310 to provide increased protection from potentially hazardous rudder pedal inputs at high airspeeds and, on the basis of this review, require modifications to the A300-600 and A310 to provide increased protection from potentially hazardous rudder pedal inputs at high airspeeds. (A-04-63

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    HAL and GE Aviation Sign Contract for Hawk Aircraft Components

    Bengaluru, INDIA– GE Aviation and India’s premium public sector Aerospace Company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed 30-year contract that covers license to carry out repairs and overhaul of various avionics, instruments and hydraulic products for the Hawk Mk132 aircraft, an Advanced Jet Trainer operated by the Indian Air Force.

    This license will provide in-house repair and overhaul capabilities to HAL for GE Aviation products and reduce turn-around-time for the repairs. HAL will build its maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities at its Bangalore and Korwa facilities in India. The current schedule calls for the Bangalore facility to be certified for repair and overhaul of hydraulics and instruments and the Korwa facility to be certified for avionics.

    As part of the license agreement, GE will develop, supply and commission the test equipment and supply technical data. The agreement also includes training, technical support, post design services for one year, and spares services.

    “HAL has more than 70 years of providing high quality manufacturing, research and development, and repair and overhaul services in India,” said Nalin Jain, country director for GE Aviation. “Adding overhaul for avionics, instruments and hydraulic products is the perfect expansion of HAL’s capabilities.”

    Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a Navaratna Status Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defense. HAL has 19 Production Units and nine Research and Design Centers in seven locations in India. The Company has an impressive product track record – 15 types of aircraft manufactured with in-house R & D and 14 types produced under license. HAL’s current products with in-house R & D include Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft, Dhruv, the Advance Light Helicopter and the Light Combat Helicopter. HAL has manufactured more than 3,640 aircraft, 4,000 engines and overhauled more than 9,400 aircraft and 29,800 engines. http://www.hal-india.com

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    FAA Proposes $2.4 Million Civil Penalty Against Cessna Aircraft

    KANSAS CITY – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $2,425,000 civil penalty against Cessna Aircraft Co., of Wichita, Kan., after carbon composite parts of the wing of one of its aircraft came apart during flight.

    On Dec. 6, 2010, an FAA test pilot performing a production audit test flight in a Cessna Corvalis experienced a failure of the skin on the left wing. About seven feet of the left wing skin separated from the forward spar and damaged a fuel tank. A spar is a beam-like structure inside the wing and is a principal load-bearing component. The pilot made an emergency landing at the Independence, Kan., airport.

    Subsequently, the FAA issued emergency airworthiness directives grounding 13 specific Corvalis aircraft that used wings and parts produced in Cessna’s Chihuahua, Mexico, plant between Dec. 17, 2009, and Dec. 16, 2010. FAA investigators determined that the wing skin separated from the spar due to excessive humidity in the factory that prevented the bonded materials from curing properly.

    The FAA alleges that Cessna failed to follow its FAA-approved quality control system when it manufactured the wings on the damaged airplane, as well as 82 additional parts, in the Chihuahua factory. The manufacturer has since made improvements to the plant.
    “Safety is our highest priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We want to ensure that manufacturers are vigilant when it comes to aviation safety. There can be no exceptions.”

    “Quality control is a critical part of the aircraft manufacturing process and has to detect problems before planes leave the factory,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Manufacturers have to ensure that all the details are followed all of the time.”
    The Corvalis is a high-performance four-seat single-engine general aviation aircraft. It uses a significant number of composite parts and structures.

    Cessna has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond.

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    Boeing, Alaska Airlines Complete Contract for 15 Next-Generation 737s

    SEATTLE, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Alaska Airlines today announced an order for 15 Next-Generation 737 airplanes, comprised of 13 737-900ERs (extended range) and two 737-800s. The 737-900ER is a new model for the Alaska Airlines fleet. The contract, which includes exercised options previously placed by Alaska, is valued at $1.3 billion at list prices.

    The largest and newest model in the 737 family, the 737-900ER can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 km) farther than the 737-900. The longer range of the 737-900ER will connect distant city pairs across continents, such as Seattle to Orlando, Fla., in a generous two-class configuration. It has substantial economic advantages over competing models, including six percent lower operating costs per trip and four percent lower operating costs per seat mile. Alaska Airlines plans to operate the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 178 to 184 seats.

    “The reliability and efficiency of our 737 fleet has been a direct contributor to our strong financial performance,” said Brad Tilden, president of Alaska Airlines. “The 737-900ER will be a perfect fit for our transcontinental, high traffic west coast and mid-continental markets and will be the most fuel efficient airplane in our fleet. We look forward to adding the same ‘Proudly All Boeing’ logo to these airplanes that already adorns the rest of our 737 fleet.”

    The Next-Generation 737s will add capability to Alaska Airlines’ fleet of 114 737s currently serving 61 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    “Alaska Airlines has established a strong record of operational and financial performance by operating a highly efficient and flexible all-Boeing 737 fleet,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The addition of these Next-Generation 737s demonstrates our hometown partner’s strong investment in its future growth. It also speaks to the continuous improvements we are making to the Next-Generation 737 in terms of efficiency, economics, reliability and passenger comfort.”

    The Next-Generation 737 family is the world’s best-selling commercial jetliner. Demand for the Next-Generation 737 has led Boeing to announce two production rate increases, leading to the highest-ever production rates for the airplane in 2013.

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