Although one plant opened in Columbus in 2008 and had originally projected work for 5 years, three Cessna plants in Columbus will be closing in 6 to 24 months. Cessna broke the news to the last 315 employees in the Columbus plant.
Any work ongoing will be relegated to plants in Independence, Kan., and Mexico.
Terrestrial gamma-ray radiation. No, it’s not the latest incarnation of Captain Kirk’s phaser, even though it does sound like it belongs in prime time on the syfy channel.
If jets pass near lightning discharges or “terrestrial gamma-ray flashes” (TGF’s), aviation passengers can be exposed to radiation equivalent to 40 x rays. The exposure occurs when the plane is close to the lightning discharge’s origin. Scientists are recommending planes carry TGF meters to help them study the phenomenon. They believe TGFs are generated by electric fields above thunderstorms, although the mechanism is unknown, and the likelihood of exposure is low.
Famous last words.
Thank you scientists. More for airline travelers to worry about.
Possible jobs bill; possible faa bill raising the cap on PFCs; airport infrastructure investment and stimulas packages; collective bargaining rights; the runway summit; plant based biofuels.
(Not in video) In Britain, British climate change committee suggest airport expansions be put on hold until airline technology is more efficient. Curbs are recommended on aviation of emissions, which counters the possibilities of aviation as a growth industry.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, built from lightweight composite materials and powered by a hybrid rocket motor, is going to be displayed in America’s Mojave Desert. 300 clients have paid the 200,000 dollar ticket to ride in the first commercial passenger spaceship. Slated for rollout Monday, a “theatrical unveiling” is in the works. Virgin Galactic anticipates spending over $400 million for a fleet of five commercial spaceships and launch vehicles.
What: AvioCharter red and white Colombian-registered Cessna 402C Utililiner
Where: Punta de Ocote, Morazán, Yoro, Honduras
When: Dec 5, 2009
Who: 1 pilot
Why: A small red and white Colombian-registered Cessna 402C Utililiner landed in the highway crossing Ocote, Morazán, Yoro. The plane was carrying a shipment of cocaine and when it fell, it killed eighteen year old motorcyclist Israel Martinez Euceda.
Apparently seven or eight people were waiting for the plane to land. By the time police arrived, they found the plane in two pieces. Area residents barricaded themselves inside their homes to avoid the gunfire. Apparently narcotics traffickers set the plane afire.
University of NSW researchers have developed a new organic design utilizing rows of tiny jets along the top of the aircraft wing for smoothing airflow over a wing. The devices may from 1 to 3.5 % on the cost of fuel. PHD student Nicholas Findanis based his research on how marine creatures such as octopus, squid and jellyfish propel themselves through water.
In the meantime, Airbus is developing devices called Sharklets, at a cost of $969,000 which will be installed on Air New Zealand A320s by the end of 2012, followed by A321s, A319s and A318s.
Spanish owned Air Comet serving Spain and Latin America is flying five A330-200s and three A340-300 and fighting to stay afloat, with three leasing companies having repossessed or terminated leases this past year and a half. Grupo Marsans which owns Air Comet also owns Aerolineas Argentinas.
Remember that check pilot we wrote about yesterday? The one who yanked off a circuit breaker to test the pilot?
He’s being “tested” now, by Airline regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In fact, the Jet Airways senior pilot who pulled the circuit breaker stunt is now suspended.
The pilots had no way to tell how close they were to the ground. Luckily they landed safely.
Ironically, the injured parties (the commander and co-pilot) have also been derostered.
Pilot exercises are supposed to be performed in a simulator, not in a full plane engaging in a commercial flight.
In her opening address to the FAA International Runway Safety Summit in Washington, US National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman criticized FAA for failing to act on runway safety recommendations made by the NTSB. Among other questions she asked, “How do safety improvements end up taking 10 years to deliver?…Every day they are delayed could be the day” an accident occurs.
The FAA International Runway Safety Summit is being held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Co-sponsored by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and The MITRE Corporation, will continue on until December 3rd.
Ongoing discussions, analyses, and reviews of critical issues such as human factors, airport geometry, technology today and tomorrow, the cockpit, ATC procedures, and SMS systems are the expected topics.
Special keynote talks by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (invited), FAA Administrator J. Randolph Babbitt, and FAA Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer Hank Krakowski will emphasize the importance placed on runway safety in the United States and its aviation partners worldwide. Wednesday’s luncheon presentation will feature Captain Robert Bragg, the sole surviving flight crew member of the Pan Am Tenerife crash.
After rebuffing the FAA’s offer to enhance safety areas around the airport, including the FAA’s offer to install an engineered material arresting system to accommodate 90 percent of the Category C and D aircraft utilizing the airport, Santa Monica officials defend their March 2008 ordinance to ban Category C and D jets (such as Gulfstreams and some Citations and Challengers) from operating at the airport. Santa Monica is appealing the FAA’s July 8 decision that the city had no authority to ban jet operation.
The AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and the FAA oppose the ban.
Scheduled for delivery late next year, Honda Aircraft is constructing 250,000-square-foot facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport near Greensboro. The complex includes a 187,000-square-foot research and development center. There will be 600 employees when the planes are in production.
Honda Aircraft was formed in August, and has “well over 100” orders for the $3.65 million light jet—more than a year’s production. The jet’s plan includes a composite fuselage, over wing engines and Garmin G1000 displays. The jet’s plan is being developed in-house.
For Immediate Release
November 23, 2009
Contact: Les Dorr, Jr. or Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883
WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a rule requiring scheduled airlines to either retrofit their existing fleet with ice-detection equipment or make sure the ice protection system activates at the proper time.
For aircraft with an ice-detection system, the FAA proposes that the system alert the crew each time they should activate the ice protection system. The system would either turn on automatically or pilots would manually activate it.
For aircraft without ice-detection equipment, the crew would activate the protection system based on cues listed in their airplane’s flight manual during climb and descent, and at the first sign of icing when at cruising altitude.
“This is the latest action in our aggressive 15-year effort to address the safety of flight in icing conditions,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “We want to make sure all classes of aircraft in scheduled service remain safe when they encounter icing.”
The FAA estimates the rule would cost operators about $5.5 million to implement. Operators would have two years after the final rule is effective to make these changes.
The proposed rule would apply only to in-service aircraft with a takeoff weight less than 60,000 pounds, because most larger airplanes already have equipment that meets the requirements. In addition, studies show that smaller planes are more susceptible to problems caused by undetected icing or late activation of the ice protection system. The rule technically affects 1,866 airplanes, but all turbojet airliners and many turboprops covered under the rule already have equipment that satisfies the requirements, and the FAA believes others will be retired before the projected compliance date in 2012.
In August 2009, the FAA changed its certification standards for new transport category airplane designs to require either the automatic activation of ice protection systems or a method to tell pilots when they should be activated.
Since 1994, the FAA has issued more than 100 airworthiness directives to address icing safety issues on more than 50 specific aircraft types. These orders cover safety issues ranging from crew operating procedures in the icing environment to direct design changes. We also have changed airplane flight manuals and other operating documents to address icing safety, and issued bulletins and alerts to operators emphasizing icing safety issues.
The latest proposed rule on activation of ice protection systems is at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-28036.htm
The testing program for the Airbus Military A400M airlifter has begun, including test engine runs on November 23rd and taxiing at Airbus Military’s Seville, Spain plant.
Engine and systems tests on four Europrop International (EPI) TP400 turboprops progressed from low to full take-off power.
Initial testing runs at low speed were performed on the aircraft’s braking and steering systems, normal, alternate and emergency braking systems; the anti-skid system; and the nosewheel steering and reverse power. Test included electrical and on-board data networks, 180 degree turns and reverse taxiing.
Photo copyright 2009 Yves Rossy, email: info@mediaimpached.ch
What: Four-cylinder jet pack with an eight-foot carbon fibre wing en route from Africa to Europe
Where: between Tangier to Atlantera
When: Nov 25 2009
Who: SWISS adventurer Yves Rossy
Why: Yves Rossy who jumped from a plane at 6500 feet, flying on his wing at 180 mph from Tangier to Atlantera ditched in the ocean while en route. He was followed by a rescue team and promptly rescued from the ocean. He did not complete the 23 mile flight, deploying his parachute about 15 minutes into his attempt after his wing malfunctioned.
Last year Rossy crossed the English Channel on his wing.
The (Canadian) Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the Cougar Flight 491 crash, which killed 17 people.
Sikorsky claims to have proven that the chances of an oil leak from the gearbox housing is extremely unlikely.
However:
The gearbox of the Sikorsky S-92A model hadn’t passed a 30 minute dry-run test which is an industry standard that required it to run for 30 minutes without oil.
The gearbox fell about 20 minutes short of the goal when it was run at moderate speeds after oil was rapidly drained.
European regulators say the test proved the helicopter could only stay in the air for “around 10 minutes after an oil loss, and question if the cooler would be the only likely source of oil leakage.
On March 12, 2009, about 0926, Atlantic Daylight Time, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter operated by Cougar Helicopters, impacted the waters of the North Atlantic about 28 miles east of Cape Spear near St. John’s, Newfoundland. Two pilots and 16 passengers were on board. One passenger survived with serious injuries, but the other occupants were fatally injured.
The helicopter was en route from St. John’s International Airport to an offshore oil platform in the Hibernia oil field. The pilot made a MAYDAY call due to a mechanical difficulty, and was returning to St. John’s. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The sea had 3 – 5 meter swells.
Bombardier Aerospace today celebrated another major milestone in the CSeries aircraft programme as construction got under way on its new state-of-the-art aircraft wing manufacturing and assembly facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
“This is another significant milestone in the ongoing development of the CSeries aircraft programme. In August, the test fuselage barrel arrived ahead of schedule at our St-Laurent, Québec site, from China, and in September we celebrated the groundbreaking of our first CSeries aircraft manufacturing building in Mirabel, Québec. The CSeries aircraft programme is progressing well and to schedule, and we look forward to receiving the first test wing from Belfast in 2011,” said Guy Hachey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace.
The new 600,000 sq ft (55,742 m2) factory is being built in two phases and will incorporate an existing production building. The facility’s design and layout are being optimised both for the production process and to minimise environmental impact. The structure will ensure maximum energy efficiency, and will incorporate low energy solutions into its mechanical and electrical infrastructure. Waste management was also a key consideration in the design, with a particular focus being given to waste segregation and recycling.
Joining Michael Ryan, Vice President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast to lay a special corner stone to mark the construction was Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, along with guests including contractors.
“We are delighted to mark this major investment in a new facility for the production of advanced composite aircraft wings. The CSeries aircraft programme will help to build on our track record of almost 40 years experience in composites technology. We are currently testing and proving out the design, manufacturing and assembly processes for the CSeries aircraft wing. We are making excellent progress and are very pleased with the results so far,” said Michael Ryan.
“Just over a year ago, the CSeries aircraft project was announced. Today we have laid the corner stone for a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This is a 20-year programme which will generate around 800 high quality jobs at Bombardier Belfast in addition to the many employment opportunities during the build phase for the local construction sector during the current downturn,” declared Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
“Locating the CSeries aircraft wing project in Northern Ireland is a clear endorsement of the expertise and skill which exists in our aerospace sector and highlights our international reputation for excellence. As this project develops, I hope that there will be further opportunities for Bombardier and Invest Northern Ireland to strengthen the Northern Ireland aerospace industry,” she added.
Bombardier Belfast has successfully assembled a pre-production demonstrator wing using its innovative Resin Transfer Infusion advanced composites process, and is on track to begin testing this in early 2010. Testing will be undertaken in a specialised test rig where hydraulic jacks will be used to induce bending and twisting into the wing structure, replicating every possible combination of severe loading that the wing may experience in service.
Almost 400 engineering and support staff in Belfast are currently engaged in the research and development of the wings. Some 800 jobs will be generated during full production, as well as many more in the wider supply chain. In addition, around 450 construction personnel are involved in this first phase of the building project.
“We are delighted that Bombardier Belfast’s capabilities and skills, as well as the wider economy, will benefit strongly from the CSeries aircraft programme,” Mr Ryan added.
Since launching the CSeries family of aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2008, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 50 CS100 and CS300 aircraft from Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Lease Corporation International Group. The CSeries aircraft, which are optimized for the longer range, single-aisle 100- to 145-seat market, will deliver the lowest operating costs in their class, exceptional operational flexibility, wide body comfort and an unmatched environmental scorecard.
AVIC, China’s aviation manufacturing conglomerate, is a risk-sharing partner for Bombardier’s latest CSeries aircraft due to enter service in 2013.
Shenyang Aircraft Corp, the subsidiary of AVIC, designs and produces the center fuselage for the new CSeries. Bombardier will develop China’s ARJ21-900 regional jet, help to enhance the competitiveness of the ARJ21-900 and explore commonalities between the ARJ21-900 and Bombardier CSeries.
So far, Bombardier has 25 CSeries aircraft.orders from Lufthansa and 25 from Lease Corporation International. Shenyang Aircraft Corp builds the fuselage for Bombardier’s 70-seat Q400 turboprop regional airliner.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University will operate a new federally funded facility to test aircraft engines and develop alternative fuels in work that also aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on imported oil.
The National Test Facility for Fuels and Propulsion is funded with a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Air Force and will be housed in the Niswonger Aviation Technology Building at the Purdue Airport.
“The aerospace industry now has an unprecedented interest in developing green aircraft using biofuels,” said David L. Stanley, an associate professor of aeronautical engineering technology at Purdue and principal investigator of the facility. “Testing will be conducted while fuels are being researched for development. This means input will be provided during the development phase, not after the fuel has been developed, which helps to ensure the best results possible.”
The facility, expected to open in late 2010 or early 2011, will test aerospace hardware in engines and aircraft and provide data related to fuel-sustainability and emissions goals and for economic assessments.
“This is a multidisciplinary research approach that begins with growing crops, developing fuels from those crops in the laboratory and then testing those fuels in engines,” said Denver Lopp, a professor of aviation technology and one of two co-principal investigators.
The other co-principal investigator is J. Mark Thom, a professor of aviation technology.
Work will focus on jet engines but will include some testing related to piston engines.
“The project involves faculty members in the colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Science and Technology to develop a well-rounded and capable research team for fuels research, with particular focus on aviation and aerospace,” Lopp said. “Purdue is strong in each of these areas, and having an airport also enhances these strengths.”
The researchers will work with the Air Force, industry and government agencies to develop the fuels.
“Roughly 17 billion gallons of turbine fuel are burned annually in the United States, and clearly a portion of this could be saved by blending alternative fuels,” Stanley said. “The U.S. Air Force intends to be able to operate its fleet on blends of these fuels.”
The work will tackle four major bottlenecks to aerospace progress: access to hardware testing; development of control logic and systems permitting flex-fuel operation and realization of improved efficiencies; sustainability of biofuels related to crop productivity, as well as bio and synthetic fuels’ ability to meet both near- and long-term aerospace requirements; and regulatory compliance.
“The overall goal is to update and maintain a multifaceted national testing facility with dedicated administration to support development and testing of alternative energy sources for aerospace equipment,” Lopp said. “This facility will address all energy sources and will not be an advocate of any particular fuel.”
Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Sources: David Stanley, 765-494-6266, stanledl@purdue.edu
Denver Lopp, 765-494-6387, denver@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: ( 765 ) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
All I want for Christmas is…a 787.
Well, I’d settle for my two front teeth. But at Boeing, they’re still hoping the 787 Dreamliner is going to actually fly before 2010. They’ve gone back to the drawing board a couple of times, (back in June was the 5th delay, so I’ve lost count.) Delays like when they reinforced the wing and fuselage so it didn’t fall off. And all the testing with the composite material which is hopefully a good idea. It remains to be seen. Literally.
DUBAI AIR SHOW, U.A.E., Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today its IntuVue 3-D advanced weather radar and seven other safety and information management products were selected by PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero).
The products will be standard on 25 B737-800 aircraft delivered between mid 2009 and 2011. The contract, valued at more than $28 million, includes an option for 25 additional aircraft.
“The selection of IntuVue is a testament to PT. Garuda Indonesia’s emphasis on safety,” said Mike Madsen, Vice President, Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace. “Honeywell’s IntuVue weather radar is leading the industry in turbulence and wind shear detection, a key component of safety related incidents. It is important we solve our airline partner needs with equipment that helps them increase safety and reduce operating costs.”
The total avionics package includes Honeywell’s IntuVue; partial Quantum™ line of communication and navigation sensors comprising Multi Mode Receiver (MMR), Radio Altimeter and Automatic Direction Finder (ADF); the CAS 100 aircraft collision avoidance system, solid-state data recorders and voice recorders, Flight Data Acquisition and Management System (FDAMS), airborne data loader, the cockpit data printer and the Automatic Fixed Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).
IntuVue is the first fully automatic weather radar system certified to the FAA’s Enhanced Turbulence Detection Minimum Operation Performance Standard (MOPS), improving pilots’ ability to see and avoid weather, wind shears and turbulence sooner. Specific turbulence-related injuries cost the airline industry more than $100 million a year.
IntuVue is the only commercial radar that displays storms in three-dimensions at up to 320 nautical miles ahead of the aircraft and key analysis tools which allow pilots to dissect and analyze weather and hazards both vertically and horizontally. These features have demonstrated a significant improvement for in-flight weather-related decisions, and more than a 45 percent improvement in turbulence detection, enabling pilots’ to optimally reroute around or through weather for passenger safety and comfort while decreasing fuel burn. Besides enhanced safety, IntuVue offers improved reliability and reduces system weight to lower operating costs for operators. IntuVue increases system reliability by 50 percent, reduces maintenance costs by 30 percent, and reduces weight by 25 percent as compared to other radars — yielding airlines a $10,000/year savings over existing systems.
Honeywell’s IntuVue is certified and flying on the Boeing 777 and 737NG as buyer furnished equipment and is standard equipment on the Airbus A380. It will become available on the A320 family in 2010 and the A330 family in 2011. It is specified as standard equipment on the Gulfstream 650 and Airbus A350 when they enter service.
The Flight Data Acquisition & Management System (FDAMS) is a multi-function airborne Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) that collects and sends mandatory aircraft data to the flight recorder.
Honeywell’s Quantum line of navigation radios, sensors, receivers and communication equipment is derived from more than 75 years of communication and navigation system development experience.
With more than 40 years of Traffic/Aircraft Collision Avoidance System (TCAS/ACAS) development experience, Honeywell has been a pioneer in providing advanced collision avoidance protection and airspace situational awareness technologies.
Honeywell’s Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are simple to operate and provide advanced transmission reliability. They offer global satellite coverage and automatic activation.
Together, this suite of avionics equipment increases safety while reducing pilot workload, operating costs and maintenance costs for the airlines.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
A failed circuit board in networking equipment at a computer center in Salt Lake City prevented air traffic control computers in different parts of the country from talking to each other and led to widespread cancellations and delays for the second time in 15 months.
21 regional radar centers countrywide were affected. The delays were exacerbated by weather in the Northeast. For an example, AirTran canceled at least 22 flights, JetBlue Airways had delays of an hour on 25 flights. Delta and American Airlines and other carriers were also affected.
Chicago Department of Aviation will be shortly initiating the demolition of structures on city-owned properties in Bensenville after acquiring the remaining Bensenville-owned properties and rights-of-way. Some of the acquisition area will be de-annexed from Bensenville and annexed to Chicago as the result of a recent law suit that had been blocking the “O’Hare Modernization Program.”
On and after May 8, US Airways will be adding a 5 percent surcharge in case other costs increase.
Surcharges on everything from bag handling to peak days to changing fee fees have been added by most airlines to boost revenue in a market that is currently losing money.
Look for surcharges added also by United, Delta, and Northwest, as well as the cutting of flights which are currently unprofitable.
See larger view
Contact photographer John E. Jauchler
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport released news that revenue is up by 8%, a better than expected number. Car rentals, parking, and boarding fees drive the airport’s profitability. More improvements are expected, and airport terminal bond payments will be funded by a state grant in 2009 and 2010.
Mumbai airport experienced a 35% drop on a runway shortened due to repair work. When visibility decreased, diversions to longer runways and areas of higher visibility increased, and several flights were discontinued entirely.
Dating from October 27, on every Tuesday, from 12noon to 6pm, the intersection point of cross runways 09-27 and 14:32 is closed for repair work. Four nearly fatal incidents occurred on the runway during the week of November 3.
