Boeing Contribution

Boeing Contribution to Shuttle Mission Includes Troubleshooting, Payload Prep

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., April 2, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been providing NASA with a wide variety of hardware and services — including troubleshooting a stuck valve — to ensure Space Shuttle Discovery launches as scheduled on April 5.

One of two helium isolation valves in the shuttle’s starboard Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod failed in the open position on March 13 during helium tank preparations prior to OMS pod propellant loading. High-pressure helium is used to push propellants from storage tanks into small rocket motors used for routine orbital maneuvers.

“As the original equipment manufacturer for the space shuttle and a major subcontractor on the program, Boeing engineers were a part of a NASA-led problem resolution team that analyzed the complex data and provided recommendations,” said John Mulholland, Boeing Space Shuttle Program vice president and program manager. “The team concluded that given the redundancy in the system, the space shuttle is safe to fly with the valve in this configuration.”

Shuttle mission STS-131 will transport four experiment racks to the International Space Station (ISS), along with one systems rack, seven resupply stowage platforms, and four resupply stowage racks. Boeing engineers in Huntsville, Ala., designed and built two of the four experiment racks — the Expedite the Processing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack 7 and the Window Observational Research Facility (WORF).

EXPRESS Rack 7 is a multipurpose payload rack system that will store and support science experiments aboard the ISS. Experiments can be easily integrated into the system, which includes structural interfaces, power, command/data, video, cooling, nitrogen, vacuum exhaust, and other items needed to operate experiments in space.
The WORF fits over the U.S. Destiny lab window and will maximize the use of the window via attachments for cameras, camcorders, and other instruments to capture imagery of the Earth and space.

The mission also will deliver an Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA) that Boeing refurbished at Kennedy Space Center. The ATA works in conjunction with the station’s External Active Thermal Control System to help cool the exterior and interior components of the ISS.

The Boeing Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services (CAPPS) team prepared the entire mission payload for launch. The services and support Boeing provides under its CAPPS contract include planning for and receiving payloads, maintaining associated ground support systems, integrating payloads with the space shuttle, launch support, and space shuttle post-landing payload activities.
Boeing is the prime contractor to NASA for the ISS. In addition to designing and building all the major U.S. elements, Boeing also is responsible for ensuring the successful integration of new hardware and software — including components from international partners — as well as for providing sustaining engineering work for the ISS.

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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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  • | |

    FAA Press Release: Continental Airlines

    FAA Proposes $230,000 Civil Penalty against Continental Airlines

    FORT WORTH, Texas — The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a civil penalty of $230,000 against Continental Airlines Inc., of Houston for allegedly operating a Boeing 767 on 22 revenue flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    The FAA alleges that on Aug. 12, 2008, Continental replaced the nose landing gear wheel and tire assembly on a B-767, but failed to install the required axle washer despite warnings in the maintenance manual and on the tire assembly itself. The warning said failing to install the washer could lead to failure of the wheel bearing.

    FAA inspectors discovered the violation during a records check and noted three identical earlier violations.

    Continental has 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

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  • |

    FAA Proposes $168,000 Civil Penalty Against D&M Plastics

    For Immediate Release

    WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $168,000 civil penalty against D & M Custom Injection Molding Corp. of Burlington, Ill., doing business as D & M Plastics, for alleged violations of Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.

    D & M offered a five-piece shipment of approximately 2,000 Runyan Rapp E-Mysticks smokeless cigarettes to Federal Express for transportation by air from Indianapolis to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Aug. 14, 2009. Each smokeless cigarette contained alcohol, a flammable liquid, and a lithium battery, a hazardous material. Each box contained 400 E-Mysticks, including 7.6 kilograms of lithium batteries, exceeding the five-kilogram limit for shipment aboard passenger aircraft. Because the shipment was not packaged in accordance with regulations it was forbidden on all aircraft, including all-cargo flights.

    As the flight approached Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the FedEx flight crew received a fire warning on the instrument panel. The crew discharged the fire suppression system during the landing and taxied to the gate. The airport fire department responded and extinguished a fire in an LD3 cargo container. The fire was started by the lithium batteries in the shipment.

    D & M offered the shipment for transportation by air when it was not packaged, marked, classed, described, labeled or in condition for shipment as required by regulations.

    D&M has 30 days from receipt of the FAA letter to respond to the agency

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  • |

    QBE Forms U.S. General Aviation Underwriting Group

    NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — QBE the Americas has announced the creation of a U.S.-based general aviation underwriting operation.

    Headquartered in Atlanta, QBE the Americas’ Aviation Team is designed to expand the company’s global aviation activities. QBE is already a major aviation insurance writer in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific.

    The new team of seasoned aviation insurance professionals with a proven track record consists of William P. McGloin, Roger M. Ridings, Michael Clark and Russell Walker.

    “The U.S. is the largest market for general aviation in the world,” says QBE’s Chief Executive Officer for the Americas, John Rumpler. “We’re pleased to start this operation that will offer a broad range of coverage and bring our company full circle as a true worldwide provider for general aviation insurance services. The aviation team that has been created will work in collaboration with QBE Aviation European Operations.”

    General aviation insurance includes all types of aircraft except for military and major airlines. QBE the Americas’ Aviation Team of seasoned aviation professionals will work with personal-use aircraft owners, as well as corporations and airports to provide physical damage, liability and workers’ compensation coverage.

    QBE Insurance Group Limited is one of the top 25 insurers and reinsurers worldwide. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates out of 49 countries around the globe, with a presence in every key insurance market. The Americas Division, headquartered in New York, conducts business through various property and casualty insurance subsidiaries in 10 countries. QBE’s Americas Division produced $4 billion in gross written premium in 2009 and an 89.7 percent combined operating ratio. QBE Insurance companies are rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and “A+” by Standard and Poor’s. For more information, visit qbe.com.

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  • |

    Boeing News Across the board

    • CEO Jim McNerney said that the 5-foot rip in the roof of a Boeing 737 was due to a “workmanship issue” in a single plane. “The initial data that I think we’re all seeing is suggesting a possible workmanship issue on an airplane rather than a design issue across a fleet of airplanes.” It appears that the holes drilled in the plane’s skin were too big for the rivets and were not properly lined up. Other experts do not agree, and believe the problem is unlikely to be a single plane, and more likely to be more widespread.

    • Boeing reports that its Vigilare network centric command and control system has passed its last formal operational test. Testing of the system took place at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown’s Eastern Regional Operations Centre from March 28 to April 8.

    • In other Boeing news, Piloted by Captains Keith Otsuka and Ron Johnston, with Ralph Chaffin serving as system operator and Greg Lichneckert as flight analyst, the second Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental RC021made a three-hour, twenty-minute flight. This was its first flight, the beginning of 600 hours of flight testing.

    • In response to today’s ruling by Federal District Court in the Central District of California, overturning California Senate Bill 990, a state law governing the cleanup of Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former federal government rocket engine and energy testing facility in southern California:

      “We are pleased that Federal District Court agreed that the cleanup of Santa Susana should not be treated differently from the cleanup of other sites in California. “We look forward to continuing our ongoing work with the state to clean up the site under the comprehensive Consent Order issued in 2007. We will apply the same standards to Santa Susana that are applied to cleanup sites throughout the state in a manner that also ensures protection of the invaluable natural and cultural resources for future generations. Boeing intends to continue to clean up the site to a suburban residential standard, more stringent than would be required for its future use as open space.”Boeing has met every obligation of our 2007 cleanup agreement with the state, and we will continue our discussions with the state Department of Toxic Substances Control so that we can move toward the goal of cleaning up Santa Susana in the most expeditious manner, which is in the best interest of the public and the state of California.”

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    Southwest Airlines and Its Stock Clerks Announce New Tentative Agreement

    Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Airlines Division, representing the carrier’s Stock Clerks, announced today that the two parties have reached a tentative agreement. The tentative agreement is for a new, five-year contract through August 16, 2013. The current contract became amendable on August 16, 2008. One year ago, Southwest and the Teamsters agreed to seek assistance from the National Mediation Board through the mediation process as defined by the Railway Labor Act.

    “Hard work and persistence have definitely paid off during this mediation process,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The negotiation teams worked together to address several work rule changes in reaching this mutually beneficial, forward thinking tentative agreement, which delivers wage and benefit enhancements in exchange for work rule improvements and contract flexibility.”
    In the upcoming weeks, the IBT membership will be given the full details of the agreement and have the opportunity to vote on ratification. IBT represents more than 170 Southwest Airlines Employees.

    In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers–offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines serves Milwaukee with 12 daily departures and is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, now serving 69 cities in 35 states. Beginning March 13, 2011, Southwest will initiate service to Charleston and Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and on March 27, 2011, service will begin to Newark Liberty International Airport. Southwest also is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

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