AIA Adds New Members to Extend Record

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AIA enrolled three new full members last week to reach its highest total membership in history, standing at 136 full and 185 associate members.

“In challenging economic times, AIA’s strong representation is essential to protecting the business interests of the nation’s aerospace and defense industry,” said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. “We extend our congratulations to our new members and look forward to helping establish new opportunities for all of our members.”

AIA’s new full members added to its roster this month include:

Aero-Mark, LLC is an aviation investment and operating company with more than 25 years of experience in the aviation sector. Its current major holding, Certified Aviation Services LLC, provides line and heavy maintenance services to airlines and modification of special purpose aircraft. CAS is headquartered in Ontario, Calif., and operates at 25 airports throughout the United States.

Colt Defense LLC, together with its subsidiaries, is one of the world’s leading designers, developers and manufacturers of small arms weapons systems. The company’s portfolio of products and services meets evolving military and law enforcement requirements around the world. In addition, Colt Defense designs, develops and produces weapon launch systems mounted on and working in conjunction with military aircraft and rotorcraft. Colt has supplied weapons systems to governments worldwide for more than 160 years.

Comtech AeroAstro, Inc. is a leader in satellite systems, components and advanced communications technologies. Comtech AeroAstro combines revolutionary technologies and a unique systems engineering approach to provide dramatically lower cost spacecraft and components to government and commercial customers.

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    FAA and Singapore Sign Aviation Safety Agreement

    FAA and Singapore Sign Aviation Safety Agreement

    SINGAPORE—The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed a milestone Maintenance Agreement Guidance (MAG) yesterday with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The agreement allows for mutual surveillance conducted on certified repair stations located abroad for each of the agreement partners.

    It provides guidance for the implementation of the previously agreed-upon. In cases where there are sufficient certificated facilities in both partner countries, MIPs may reduce the number of surveillance activities, free up inspector resources for the authorities, and reduce the regulatory burden on industry. There are 58 FAA-approved repair stations located in Singapore.

    The MAG furthers the Maintenance Implementation Procedures (MIP) agreement signed by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and CAAS on February 16, 2016. That agreement was the first of its kind in Asia and reduces costs by allowing the reciprocal acceptance of Singapore and the United States’ surveillance of maintenance work.

    The MIP and MAG permits reliance on each other’s surveillance systems to the greatest extent possible while maintaining safety. Agreements such as the MIP allow for greater efficiency and ultimately save valuable industry and authority resources. The FAA and the CAAS have agreed to conduct surveillance on each other’s behalf to ensure compliance with the respective regulatory requirements for maintenance and the applicable Special Conditions. Both agreements build on the 2004 U.S-Singapore Bilateral Safety Agreement (BASA) which has benefitted both countries by saving time and reducing costs in aircraft design and manufacturing.

    FAA Assistant Administrator for NextGen James Eck and Executive Director for International Affairs Carey Fagan are participating in the World Civil Aviation Chief Executives Forum this week in Singapore as part of the agency’s continued collaboration with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.

    As part of the strong U.S.-Singapore bilateral relationship, the FAA and the CAAS also partner under Singapore’s Air Traffic Management Center of Excellence to expand understanding and build Air Traffic Management capacity in the region.

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    NTSB INVESTIGATIVE HEARING ON BOEING 787 BATTERY FIRE

    April 23, 2013 Press Release
    The National Transportation Safety Board today will begin the first of two days of investigative hearings into the Jan. 7 battery fire aboard a Boeing 787 in Boston.

    The all-day hearings will end with a separate press availability by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

    Event 1: Investigative Hearing

    Date/Time: Tues., April 23, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET.; Wed., April 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET

    Location: Board Room, NTSB Board Room and Conference Center
    429 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
    Washington, DC 20594

    Participants: NTSB Board Members, witnesses, NTSB staff technical panel, party members

    Media Logistics: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2013/130419.html

    Network pool coverage will be by NBC

    Live Webcast: A link to the webcast will be available at: www.capitolconnection.net/capcon/ntsb/ntsb.htm

    Event 2: Press Availability

    Participant: NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman

    Date/Time: Tues., April 23, 5:45 p.m. ET.; Wed., April 24, 5:15 p.m. ET

    Location: Room A/B, NTSB Board Room and Conference Center
    429 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
    Washington, DC 20594

    Media-only phone teleconference: 800-776-0420 or international 913-312-0945
    Participant passcode: XXXXXX
    Call 5-10 minutes before start of press conference and give your media affiliation, name and email.

    Meeting Agenda

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    Press Release – FAA Issues First-Ever Spaceport Grants to Strengthen Commercial Space Activities

    For Immediate Release
    September 30, 2010

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a new grant program designed to fund projects that develop and expand commercial space transportation infrastructure. The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants will be awarded to four separate projects located in Alaska, California, Florida, and New Mexico.

    “The Obama administration is committed to making sure the United States remains the world leader in space development and exploration,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “This new grant program underscores that commitment, and will help ensure that the commercial space industry can meet our current and future space transportation needs.”

    In June of this year the Obama administration unveiled a new National Space Policy that recognizes opportunities and advancements in commercial space capabilities. The 2010 policy lays out more specific ways for the government to make use of commercial capabilities.

    The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation will administer the new Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants. The first matching grants include: $43,000 for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority to provide an Automated Weather Observing System; $227,195 to the Alaska Aerospace Corporation for a Rocket Motor Storage Facility; $125,000 to the East Kern Airport District in Mojave, Calif., for an emergency response vehicle; and, $104,805 to the Jacksonville Airport Authority in Florida to develop a Spaceport Master Plan for Cecil Field. Under the law, the FAA can provide matching funds for specific projects being carried out by public entities involved in commercial space activities.

    The United States’ space program has three sectors – civil, military and commercial. The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation is responsible for licensing, regulating and promoting the commercial-sector space industry. Since the office was created in 1984, the FAA has issued licenses for more than 200 launches, licensed the operation of eight FAA-approved launch sites known as spaceports, and has helped ensure that no loss of life or serious injury has been associated with these efforts.

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    Series of Operational Errors by Pilot Led to 2009 Airplane Crash in Montana

    The National Transportation Safety Board determined today that the cause of the March 2009 deadly crash of a Pilatus airplane was a series of operational errors made by the pilot. The pilot failed to ensure that a fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII), commonly referenced by the brand name “Prist”, was added to the fuel prior to the accident flight.

    The pilot also failed to take appropriate remedial actions, including diverting to a suitable airport, after the airplane warning systems indicated a low fuel pressure state that ultimately resulted in a significant lateral fuel imbalance. And, the pilot lost control while maneuvering the left-wing heavy airplane near the approach end of the runway.

    “The pilot’s pattern of poor decision making set in motion a series of events that culminated in the deadly crash,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman. “Humans will make mistakes, but that is why following procedures, using checklists and always ensuring that a safety margin exists are so essential – aviation is not forgiving when it comes to errors.”

    On March 22, 2009, at about 2:32 pm (MDT), a Pilatus PC-12/45, N128CM, crashed about 2,100 feet west of runway 33 at Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) in Butte, Montana. The flight departed Oroville Municipal Airport in Oroville, California, en route to Gallatin Field in Bozeman, Montana but the pilot diverted to Butte for unknown reasons. The pilot and the 13 passengers were fatally injured and the aircraft was substantially damaged by impact forces and a post-crash fire. The airplane was owned by Eagle Cap Leasing of Enterprise, Oregon, and was operating as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

    During the investigation, the NTSB determined that the pilot did not add a fuel system icing inhibitor when the airplane was fueled on the day of the accident. The Pilatus flight manual states that a fuel system icing inhibitor must be used for all flight operations in ambient temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius to prevent ice formation in the fuel system. The NTSB concluded that the airplane experienced icing in the fuel system which resulted in a left-wing-heavy fuel imbalance. The increasing fuel level in the left tank and the depletion of the fuel from the right tank should have been apparent to the pilot because that information was presented on the fuel quantity indicator. This should have prompted the pilot to divert the airplane to an airport earlier in the flight as specified by the airplane manufacturer.

    The NTSB issued recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency, to require fuel filler placards and guidance on fuel system icing prevention.

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    Southern Air Appoints Industry Veteran Robert L. Crandall to Board of Directors

    NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 31, 2011 — Southern Air Holdings, Inc. today announced that Robert L. Crandall, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.

    “Southern Air is one of the most experienced and fastest growing air cargo carriers in the world,” said Mr. Crandall. “The company has an exceptional record of performance and great potential in its markets. I look forward to working closely with CEO Dan McHugh, his management team and the Board to support Southern Air’s continued expansion and long-term success.”

    “Bob is renowned in the industry and his decision to join our Board is an important endorsement of what we are accomplishing at Southern Air,” said Daniel J. McHugh, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Air. “His deep knowledge of the aviation industry and proven track record of leadership will be invaluable as we seek to position the company to be the world’s leading ACMI operator by continuing to expand our customer offerings while maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability and customer service.”

    “We are very excited to have Bob join the Southern Air team,” said Rowan Taylor, Chairman of the Board of Southern Air and a Partner at Oak Hill Capital Partners. “His profound industry and business experience will be a great asset to Southern Air as it continues to expand and upgrade its fleet and extend its global reach.”

    Mr. Crandall joined American Airlines in 1973, becoming President in 1982, and Chairman and CEO in 1985. During his 25-year tenure, Mr. Crandall was instrumental in introducing several changes that revolutionized the travel industry. This includes launching an expansion program at American Airlines which more than tripled the company’s size and transformed it from a medium-sized domestic carrier to one of the world’s leading international airlines with revenues of more than $20 billion.

    Mr. Crandall is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Celestica Inc. and a Director of Aircell.

    He earned a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island and an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

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    India: Boeing Completes Final Design Review for P-8I

    SEATTLE, July 26, 2010 — Boeing on July 16 successfully completed the final design review (FDR) for P-8I, India’s long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The P-8I, based on the Boeing 737 commercial airplane, is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy.

    Completion of the FDR locks in the design for the aircraft, radar, communications, navigation, mission computing, acoustics and sensors, as well as the ground and test support equipment. It also paves the way for the program to begin assembling the first P-8I aircraft.

    “For P-8I, we are incorporating not only India-unique design features, but also India-built subsystems, so this agreement that the design addresses all customer requirements is a huge milestone,” said Leland Wight, P-8I program manager for Boeing. “It also leads us to the program’s next stage: We are on track to start fabricating the P-8I’s empennage section before the end of this year.”

    During the five-day FDR held in Renton, Wash., Indian Navy officers met with Boeing representatives from Defense, Space & Security and Commercial Airplanes to review relevant design information and performance against specifications.

    “The P-8I’s unique capabilities are tailored to India’s maritime-patrol requirements. It has the reach and capability to defend India’s vast coastline and maritime waters,” said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country lead, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

    Boeing will deliver the first P-8I to India within 48 months of the original contract signing, which took place in January 2009. India is the first customer for the P-8 outside the United States.

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