press release

  • |

    CASA Media Release – Moree aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at Moree aerodrome next 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 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 Moree aerodrome.

    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 on Wednesday 19 January 2011 and Thursday 20 January.

    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

  • |

    ASTRONAUT JOSE HERNANDEZ LEAVES NASA

    HOUSTON — After a decade working in various roles, astronaut Jose Hernandez has left NASA for a position in the aerospace industry.

    “Jose’s talent and dedication have contributed greatly to the agency, and he is an inspiration to many,” said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “We wish him all the best with this new phase of his career.”

    The son of Mexican migrant farm workers, he joined NASA in 2001 as a materials research engineer at Johnson. He was promoted to the Materials and Processes Branch chief in 2002 and served there until he was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004.

    During the STS-128 shuttle mission in 2009, he managed the transfer of more than 18,000 pounds of supplies and equipment between the shuttle and International Space Station and assisted with robotics operations. He also served as a flight engineer in the shuttle’s cockpit during launch and landing.

  • |

    NASA ADMINISTRATOR PARTICIPATES IN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

    WASHINGTON — NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will travel to his hometown of South Carolina to participate in three events on Jan. 18 to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Media representatives may attend the presentations.

    Bolden, NASA’s first African-American administrator, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. business and professional breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. EST in the Exhibition Hall, Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, located at 77 Calhoun St. in Charleston. There will be a media availability at approximately 8:50 a.m.

    Following the breakfast, Bolden will visit the Ron McNair School at 3795 Spruill Ave. in North Charleston to discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Reporters can speak to the administrator following the event at 11:30 a.m. outside the school.

    Bolden will deliver the annual Heyward E. McDonald Lecture on Peace and Justice at 7 p.m. in the University of South Carolina Russell House Ballroom A/B on campus at 1400 Greene St. in Columbia. He will speak about the role of science and public schooling in advancing social justice. The lecture will be followed by a short question-and-answer session for attendees.

  • |

    NASA UPDATES SHUTTLE TARGET LAUNCH DATES FOR TWO FLIGHTS

    NASA UPDATES SHUTTLE TARGET LAUNCH DATES FOR TWO FLIGHTS

    WASHINGTON — NASA is targeting 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24,
    for the launch of space shuttle Discovery’s STS-133 mission to the
    International Space Station. The liftoff of shuttle Endeavour’s
    STS-134 flight is planned for 7:48 p.m. EDT on April 19, from NASA’s
    Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    The target dates were selected Thursday during the Space Shuttle
    Program’s weekly Program Requirements Control Board meeting.

    NASA sets official launch dates for each shuttle mission following
    agency Flight Readiness Reviews, which typically occur about two
    weeks prior to launches. All target launch dates are subject to
    change.

  • |

    United Leads In On-Time Performance Among Peers For November 2010

    January 11, 2011

    CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2011 – United Airlines today announced the company was first in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights among America’s five largest global carriers* for November 2010, ending the month with 91.4 percent of flights arriving at their destinations within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, according to data measured by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and published in the Air Travel Consumer report released today.

    The report released today also showed United ranked first among America’s five largest global carriers for the 12 months ending in November, and second overall for the month of November 2010 among all 18 carriers included in the Air Travel Consumer Report, irrespective of size.

  • |

    Southwest Airlines’ Pilots Begin Flying Required Navigation Performance Efficient Procedures at 11 Airports

    DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2011 — Now ready for departure—Southwest Airlines’ Pilots begin Required Navigation Performance (RNP) efficient flight procedures today at 11 airports nationwide. This major milestone to reduce environmental impact with a more efficient operation and to assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on NextGen initiatives is the culmination of a four-year project with partners Boeing, GE, and Honeywell. RNP is satellite-based navigation that brings together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics, and new flight procedures.

    “RNP sets the stage for Southwest to continue doing its part to conserve fuel, improve safety, and reduce carbon emissions and Greenhouse gases, while simultaneously taking advantage of the high-performance characteristics that exist in an airline’s fleet,” said Captain Jeff Martin, Southwest’s Vice President of the Operations Coordination Center. “The efficiencies RNP introduces help Southwest be a good neighbor while also maintaining our low fares.”

    The Company’s Pilots and Dispatchers now follow these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics to fly specifically designed satellite-based navigation approaches to many Southwest airports. The primary airports with efficient RNP procedures include Amarillo*, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi*, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham, and San Jose.

    With RNP/NextGen procedures designed at 11 Southwest airports, the Company’s projected savings is $16 million a year, with an anticipated savings of more than $60 million per year once all Southwest airports have efficient RNP procedures.

    “RNP is a significant step in the future for the NextGen Air Traffic Control system,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This milestone culminates substantial efforts by our Company working with the FAA to position Southwest as a leading participant in a modernized air traffic control system.”

    In addition to modifying 345 Boeing 737-700s with new flight display software and ensuring that all new aircraft are RNP ready, this cross-company effort involving Technology, Maintenance & Engineering, and the Operations Coordination Center also featured intense training efforts to support achieving this milestone.

    “I am very proud of our Flight Operations Team for the design, training, and implementation of NextGen procedures, including training more than 5,900 Pilots to fly Primary Flight Display Navigation Display (PFD/ND) procedures,” said Captain Chuck Magill, Vice President of Flight Operations. “This extensive training allows us to capture RNP procedures as well as provide flexibility in any new aircraft platform we might use in the future.”

  • |

    Lockheed Martin Receives $360 Million in Contracts to Support U.S. Navy MH-60R Helicopter Fleet

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Navy demonstrated its continued commitment to keeping its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet at the forefront of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, awarding Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a variety of production and development contracts totaling $360 million. The end-of-year awards cover a spectrum of systems aboard the MH-60R, built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (NYSE: UTX).

    “The Navy’s investment in the MH-60R fleet ensures our pilots and aircrews have the best and most advanced equipment for every mission,” said Capt. Dean Peters, U.S. Navy MH-60 program manager. “We are looking for reliable, modern aircraft upgraded efficiently and affordably, and that’s why we have devoted these resources to the MH-60 fleet.”

    As Lockheed Martin prepares for its 300th cockpit delivery milestone in late February, the Navy exercised a $38 million option under the current multi-year contract to cover production of the next lot of common cockpits for MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters. The bulk of the work will be performed at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Owego, N.Y., and is scheduled for completion by April 2013.

    Additionally, the Navy will provide MH-60R/S crews with improved situational awareness by incorporating Lockheed Martin’s Situational Awareness Technology Insertion (SATI) aboard the aircraft under a $35 million contract. The award covers a pre-development iteration of SATI, an eight-component package of upgrades and improvements to the helicopter’s flight management system. Improvements include a new integrated digital map to give pilots a clear picture of their operating area, and an upgrade to the Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) system. The IFF upgrade will prevent interference during transmission and ensure interoperability with the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies.

    One of the most highly advanced systems aboard the MH-60R – Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination (ARPDD) – will transition from system development and demonstration (SDD) to production under a $36 million contract award. The Telephonics radar used in ARPDD is the latest iteration of the radar currently deployed with the MH-60R, but adds a new mode requiring improved radar performance and eight times the processing power of the previous version.

    In October 2010, Lockheed Martin and the Navy successfully completed initial flight tests of the system aboard an MH-60R, marking the first time a helicopter has had the functionality for its on-board radar to automatically discriminate between a periscope and other small surface objects, significantly improving the probability of finding a submarine. This recent contract award covers the infrastructure required to meet full-rate production and the fielding of the ARPDD radar system aboard six MH-60R production aircraft to support Initial Operational Capability in 2013.

    Construction of the next lot of 24 MH-60R mission avionics suites and 18 MH-60S cockpits will begin under a $72 million Multi-Year II advanced acquisition contract award that covers long-lead items for the helicopters and cockpit systems. Lockheed Martin and partner Sikorsky Aircraft have delivered more than 85 MH-60R helicopters to date and are on track to reach the century mark early in 2011.

    Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44 billion.

  • |

    Hainan Airlines Wins Prestigious 5-Star Rating From SKYTRAX

    BEIJING, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Hainan Airlines was awarded the honor of a “SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline” at a gala awards ceremony in Beijing. The award was presented by SKYTRAX President Edward Plaisted to Hainan Airlines President Wang Yingming. With this award, Hainan Airlines officially becomes the world’s seventh five-star airline.

    London-based SKYTRAX, a research and certification organization for the air transportation industry founded in 1989, evaluates more than 200 airlines around the world each year in regards to their service quality. The star rankings reflect the customer experience – not just the platform of product standards offered by an airline such as cabin seating, in-flight entertainment and catering, but the assessment of service quality – using a rating system made up of more than 800 different areas of product and service delivery for each airline. As a global leader in the industry, SKYTRAX offers the most professional evaluation and rating services. Star ratings for the airline industry can vary from one to five stars, with “five stars” being the highest rating.

    Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines has grown into a successful international airline offering personalized and gracious service. It was the first mainland Chinese airline to be awarded SKYTRAX four-star status in 2009. In accordance with SKYTRAX’s rigorous evaluation standards and the airlines’ own Chinese-style service concept, Hainan Airlines built an international brand through its superior service programs that encompass “convenience, hospitality and surpassing expectations” as its core values. Hainan provides its customers with unique and premium ground and cabin service, in-flight catering and entertainment based on diversified customer needs. As a result of its exceptional brand values and service, Hainan Airlines transitioned from four-star to five-star status in just one year, a significant achievement. Hainan Airlines is one of the airlines in the HNA Group of companies.

    At the SKYTRAX award ceremony, HNA Group Chairman Mr. Chen Feng said, “By winning the ‘SKYTRAX five-star award’, Hainan Airlines now becomes one of the most successful brands in the industry.”

    SKYTRAX also rated Hainan the best airline in China in 2008 and 2010, and the company has earned numerous awards including the “Customer Satisfaction Award” in the Chinese civil aviation industry repeatedly since 1998. In 2008, it received CCTV’s “60 Years- 60 Brands Award”, the only airline to be so honored.

    Hainan has a large network in China and also throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Beginning January 19, Hainan spreads its wings “down under” to Sydney, Australia.

  • |

    American Way Magazine Commemorates 45 Years of Publication With a Full Redesign


    FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — American Way, the award-winning inflight magazine of American Airlines and American Eagle, commemorates 45 years of publication with a redesign which debuts with the first issue of 2011, onboard planes now.

    “American Way is still the only inflight magazine published twice monthly, which is a great service to our frequent travelers,” said Susan Gordon, American Airlines Publishing President and Group Publisher. “We pride ourselves on consistently delivering an industry leading magazine to our customers, so it makes sense to redesign the magazine as our culture changes.”

    Most notable will be the new American Way masthead, inspired by the typeface on a 1930s-era American Airlines DC-3. Redesigned departments include the combination of UpFront and DownLow to create a new super-department called Itineraries, as well as the addition of Briefs, which highlights both a celebrity and a destination.

    “The goal was to bring a more contemporary and graphically pleasing palate to the magazine, while continuing to serve our readers as an invaluable source of information and entertainment,” said David Radabaugh, American Way Design Director.

    Other changes include the addition of new maps and helpful widgets, the organization of stories in a more reader-friendly format, and incorporating an unconventional approach to original photography and illustration. Every issue can be found online in its entirety at www.americanwaymag.com.

  • |

    GE Aviation’s Flight Management System Provides Technology behind Southwest Airlines RNP

    January 12, 2011
    GE Aviation’s Flight Management System Provides Technology behind Southwest Airlines RNP
    –Grand Rapids, MI — GE Aviation’s flight management system TrueCourseTM is providing the technology to enable Southwest Airlines’ pilots to begin flying Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures at 11 airports. TrueCourse is standard on all Boeing 737 aircraft. RNP is a satellite-based navigation that brings together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics, and new flight procedures.

    With RNP/NextGen procedures designed at 11 Southwest airports, Southwest Airlines’ projected savings is $16 million a year, with an anticipated savings of more than $60 million per year once all Southwest airports have efficient RNP procedures.

    “TrueCourse enables operators to fly the most efficient RNP operations available,” said Chris Beaufait, president of Avionics for GE Aviation Systems. “Southwest is well equipped and is positioning to lead the way in the expansive use of these approved routes realizing fuel, emission and noise reductions.”

    The TrueCourse flight management system controls the aircraft track to an accuracy of 10 meters (33 feet) and the time of arrival to within 10 seconds to any point in the flight plan. Benefits include the ability to fly shorter flight paths and idle-thrust descents which reduces fuel consumption, thereby lowering emissions and community noise levels. Software and hardware updates provide the latest technology to continue to meet the needs of the world’s evolving airspace requirements, offering safe and efficient improvements to aircraft operations and dispatch reliability.

    Southwest Airlines’ pilots and dispatchers now follow these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics to fly specifically designed satellite-based navigation approaches. The primary airports with efficient RNP procedures include Amarillo*, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi*, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham, and San Jose.

  • |

    Boeing Forms Information Solutions Business to Address Growing IT/Cyber Market

    ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 13, 2011 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has formed a new Information Solutions business to more efficiently offer proven, military-grade, software-based solutions for customers including the Department of Defense, the U.S. Intelligence Community, federal and international governments, and Fortune 1000 customers. John Hinshaw, Boeing’s former chief information officer, will lead the new business as its vice president and general manager.
    Information Solutions, a division of Network & Space Systems, part of the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) operating unit, combines teams with similar operating cultures and software-development expertise from across BDS, including:

    • The cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities of Network & Space Systems’ Intelligence & Security Systems division
    • The logistics command and control (LogC2) business Tapestry Solutions and international LogC2 work, both from Boeing Global Services & Support.

    “We have built significant cyber, logistics and information services capabilities across Boeing through internal research and development as well as by targeted acquisitions,” said Roger Krone, president of Network & Space Systems. “By bringing those resources together into one customer-focused organization, we are not only better aligned as a company, but also better able to serve our customers’ growing information solutions needs across the dot-ic, dot-gov, dot-mil and dot-com domains.”

    Information Solutions is headquartered in Arlington and has approximately 4,000 employees.
    “As the chief information officer of two Dow 30 enterprises — Boeing and Verizon Wireless — I’ve lived through the challenges that customers face in delivering integrated, reliable, and secure information technology to enable their operations,” said Hinshaw. “Boeing knows how to deliver complex, mission-critical products and services, and we now will extend that expertise into the broader information technology market.”

    Of Boeing’s 10 acquisitions during the past three years, eight are now part of Information Solutions: the cyber/C4ISR-related acquisitions of RavenWing, DRT, Kestrel Enterprises, exMeritus, and Narus, and the LogC2-related acquisitions of Tapestry Solutions, Federated Software Group, and CDM Technologies.

    “Aligning that collection of talented employees in one organization validates our strategy to significantly build our information services capability for the cybersecurity and logistics command and control markets,” said Chris Raymond, vice president of BDS Business Development.

  • |

    Office Closures Due to Inclement Weather

    Due to inclement weather, the following FAA regional offices are closed for normal business today, Wednesday, January 12, 2011:

    Eastern Region office in Jamaica, New York
    New England Region office in Burlington, Massachusetts
    Southern Region office in College Park, Georgia
    Employees and contractors who work in those offices should follow local procedures to obtain more information.

  • |

    NTSB STUDY SHOWS THAT AIRBAGS CAN PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN GENERAL AVIATION ACCIDENTS

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 11, 2011
    SB-11-03

    Today the National Transportation Safety Board adopted a study that concluded that general aviation (GA) airplanes equipped with airbags provide additional protection to occupants in accidents involving survivable forward impacts.

    Airbags are designed to mitigate head and upper body injuries and are installed in the lap belt or shoulder harness portions of the restraint system. They were first approved for use in the pilot and co-pilot seats in GA aircraft in 2003. Currently, there are nearly 18,000 airbag- equipped seats in over 7,000 of the 224,000 GA aircraft in the United States.

    “Although airbags have been mandated in automobiles for over a decade, the aviation industry has no such requirement for small aircraft,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “The good news is that over 30 manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and offer airbags as standard or optional equipment.”

    The study, which examined 88 accidents involving airbag- equipped airplanes that occurred between 2006 and 2009, found no instances where the airbag caused harm in properly restrained occupants. In addition, the study found 10 survivable accidents in which the crash forces were severe enough to cause injury and/or to deploy the airbag.

    Within the group of 10 accidents, 12 occupants experienced airbag deployments, and the study found that the airbag likely mitigated injuries for two of the occupants.

    The study also noted that there were no negative consequences as a result of airbag deployments. For instance, there were no cases in which the airbags were expected to deploy but did not. Nor were there any cases that involved airbags deploying under unexpected circumstances, hindering egress, fueling post-crash fires or interfering with rescue attempts. Yet investigators did uncover some safety issues with restraint systems.

    One such issue involved the incorrect usage or adjustment of seat belts. In certain aircraft types, the seat belts in the left and right seats can become reversed, which could result in the wrong airbag being activated if only one of the seats is occupied.

    There were also concerns with optimal airbag protection for occupants whose body mass indexes (BMI) classified them as either overweight or obese (BMIs of 25 or higher). The NTSB questions whether the airbag-equipped restraints were designed and tested with the high-BMI population in mind.

    An additional finding of this study was the strong affirmation that correctly installed shoulder harness/lap belt combinations provide significantly greater protection in GA accidents than that offered by a lap belt alone. Based on an analysis of over 37,000 GA accidents, the Board concluded that the risk of fatal or serious injury was 50 percent higher when an occupant was only restrained by a lap belt as compared to the combination lap belt and shoulder harness.

    “The simplest and cheapest improvement to the safety of general aviation aircraft occupants is the mandatory installation of shoulder harnesses,” said Hersman.

    The five-Member Board voted to adopt six safety recommendations, all directed to the Federal Aviation Administration:

    1. Require manufacturers to modify restraint systems vulnerable to being used incorrectly in newly built GA airplanes and to modify restraints in existing airplanes.

    2. Revise the guidance and certification standards for restraint systems to reduce the likelihood of misuse.

    3. Modify the guidance to GA airbag manufacturers as to how they should demonstrate that an airbag design provides adequate protection for a greater range of body sizes, including very small and very large individuals.

    4. Require the retrofitting of shoulder harnesses on all general aviation airplanes that are not currently equipped with such restraints.

    5. Evaluate the feasibility of requiring airbag-equipped aircraft to capture and record crash dynamics data to determine whether the system performed as designed.

    6. Develop a system to track safety equipment, such as restraint systems, airbags, and aircraft parachutes, designed to improve crash outcomes.

    The complete safety study will be available at www.ntsb.gov in several weeks.

  • |

    United and Continental Offer Rebooking Options to Customers Affected by Winter Weather

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY on united.com OR continental.com
    CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2011

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the U.S. Northeast region and Chicago. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the delay or cancellation of certain flights at Continental’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport for travel from Jan. 11 through Jan. 13 and United’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for travel on Jan. 11. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.

    The travel waiver for the Southeast region continues for customers traveling through Jan. 11.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

  • |

    Pratt & Whitney’s JT8D Engine Receives FAA Certification for Engine Enhancements

    EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, today announced the certification of several enhancements for the JT8D-219 engine. These enhancements successfully completed 150 hours of endurance testing in May, clearing the way for Federal Aviation Administration certification of the upgrades in early November.

    “The JT8D is a major part of Pratt & Whitney’s history; improving its reliability and modernizing its capability will keep it a viable engine for years to come,” says Rick Krueger, chief engineer for Pratt & Whitney’s Operational Commercial Engines.

    The overall project includes several configuration updates: a nickel high-pressure compressor rotor system that provides enhanced corrosion resistance, external changes to accommodate mounting the engine under the wing, an enhanced bleed override system, and higher load-carrying towershaft and gearbox elements to accommodate increased power extraction.

    The JT8D-219 engine will be offered to support B707 re-engining via the Supplemental Type Certificate approved by the FAA for Pratt & Whitney’s Joint Venture partner, Seven Q Seven, on July 20, 2010. Seven Q Seven is a San Antonio, Texas-based company that converts and upgrades aircraft, primarily Boeing 707s, for commercial and military support applications.

    The first enhanced JT8D-219 engine is on track to be delivered to Northrop Grumman in February, in support of re-engining the USAF E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft. The E-8C is a modified B707-300.

    “Pratt & Whitney is excited to provide the enhanced JT8D-219 configuration, which will provide improved mission capability to the Joint STARS platform,” says Bev Deachin, vice president Military Engines and Customer Support. “Joint STARS will benefit from the significantly reduced fuel consumption and additional thrust. Joint STARS is the only all weather, long-range, real-time Wide Area Surveillance (WAS) and Battle Management System. The fleet operates out of Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and plays a significant role in supporting ground and airborne forces.”

    The JT8D-219 engines will be assembled and tested in Pratt & Whitney’s Middletown, Conn., facility. If the U.S. Air Force chose to retrofit its entire Joint STARS fleet, production quantities could result in excess of 80 engines.
    Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, CT, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities and operational engine performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in funding related to the JSTARS aircraft and JT8D engines, changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

  • |

    Delta Air Lines Supports Saudi Arabian Airlines’ Application to Join SkyTeam

    Jan 10, 2011

    ATLANTA, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today issued the following statement in support of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ decision to join the SkyTeam global airline alliance in 2012.

    “Saudi Arabian’s growing hub in Riyadh and extensive network throughout the Middle East will bring Delta customers greater access to destinations across one of the world’s most important economic regions,” said Charlie Pappas, Delta’s vice president – Alliances. “We are honored that Saudi Arabian has chosen to link its future growth and success with Delta and our SkyTeam partners, while bringing our alliance greater access to destinations across the Middle East.”

    Saudi Arabian has a broad Middle Eastern and international network that will add 35 new destinations to the SkyTeam alliance network including Alexandria, Islamabad and Colombo. Delta customers can connect onto Saudi Arabian flights at Delta and SkyTeam hubs, including New York-JFK, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Milan.

    Saudi Arabia is one of the Middle East’s leading economies and one of the world’s largest oil producers. SkyTeam is actively working to grow its presence in the region, with Saudi Arabian Airlines becoming the first Middle Eastern airline to announce its intention to join SkyTeam.

    In 2010, the SkyTeam Alliance saw considerable growth in its tenth anniversary year. Vietnam Airlines and TAROM joined the alliance in June, while China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas are each slated to join by 2012.

    More information on Saudi Arabian Airlines and SkyTeam is available in the SkyTeam news release.

    Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 357 destinations in 67 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline’s service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world’s largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

  • |

    Saudi Arabian Airlines to Join SkyTeam

    Alliance expands reach to the Middle East

    Jan 10, 2011

    JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 10, 2011 — Saudi Arabian Airlines, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, today signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012. The airline will be SkyTeam’s first member from the Middle East, adding 35 new destinations to the alliance network.

    Saudi Arabian Airlines complements the SkyTeam network by offering customers access to destinations across the Middle East not currently served by SkyTeam members. Through Saudi Arabia’s major hubs of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, travelers can connect to new destinations on the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Northern Africa. Examples are Alexandria, Aden, Colombo and Islamabad.

    SkyTeam members will have access to new potential customers from the region as Saudi Arabian Airlines offers direct flights to Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States. Customers can transfer to SkyTeam partner flights via hubs such as Paris, Rome, Nairobi and New York-JFK. SkyTeam partner China Southern also offers regular connections to Asia from Jeddah.

    Turnaround program to improve the product offering

    Saudi Arabian Airlines is focused on its four-year turnaround program to be completed by 2013. Key elements of this plan include modernization of its infrastructure, restructuring of its domestic and international network and implementing its fleet modernization plan through the purchase of the most advanced aircraft.

    Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Eng. Khalid Al-Molhem, said joining SkyTeam will add value to the carrier’s services: “The SkyTeam network provides our customers with excellent connections to most parts of the world. Through the exchange of services and knowledge between all member airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines can achieve qualitative improvements, made available to our customers. These include airport services, ground services and First Class and Business Class passenger lounges.”

    Leo van Wijk, Chairman of SkyTeam, said: “Saudi Arabian Airlines is a significant player in the Middle East and covers a considerable part of the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent. Its membership in SkyTeam will enable us to compete more efficiently within the region.”

    Marie-Joseph Male, Managing Director of SkyTeam, added: “Announcing our first new member in 2011 clearly illustrates the continuing global expansion that we accelerated last year. In 2010, China Eastern and its daughter company Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas all confirmed their future membership in SkyTeam. Adding Saudi Arabian Airlines will definitely complement our network offer to our customers.”

  • | |

    Japan Airlines and American Airlines Announce Joint Business Benefits for Trans-Pacific Consumers

    TOKYO, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Japan Airlines and American Airlines today announced they have decided to commence their joint business from April 1, 2011, based on the expected start of revenue-sharing on applicable trans-Pacific flights. The airlines, after receiving regulatory approvals from the Japanese Government and the U.S. Department of Transportation, are using a phased approach to bring more travel choices and greater benefits to consumers as quickly as possible and to maximize the value for stakeholders.

    Customers can expect to benefit from better flight schedules, expanded codesharing, more coordinated services, and greater access to a wider variety of fares. Japan Airlines will also co-locate in American’s Terminal 3 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport effective March 27, when Japan Airlines’ summer schedule begins. Additional consumer benefits over the coming months are expected as the cooperation level deepens between the two airlines.

    In addition, to bring benefits to consumers sooner, Japan Airlines and American are announcing a jointly-formulated commemorative trans-Pacific economy-class airfare for sale in Japan from today for travel between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2011. Historically, routings involving both airlines were typically only available at much higher fare levels.

  • |

    American Airlines Assists Customers Affected by Weather in Northeast

    Travel in Southeast is Also Hampered by Icing Conditions

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Due to the anticipated weather impact on the Northeastern United States, American Airlines offers customers the convenience to change their plans. Customers ticketed to travel on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection flights to, from or through the airports listed below may change flights as shown without penalty.

    If you are traveling to/from/through those cities on Jan. 11-13 and your ticket was issued no later than Jan. 10, you may begin travel as late as Jan. 17.

    • Allentown/Bethlehem, Penn. (ABE)
    • Baltimore (BWI)
    • Boston (BOS)
    • Hartford, Conn. (BDL)
    • Newark (EWR)
    • New York Kennedy (JFK)
    • New York LaGuardia (LGA)
    • Philadelphia (PHL)
    • Pittsburgh (PIT)
    • Washington, D.C. (DCA and IAD)
    • White Plains, N.Y. (HPN)

    One ticket change is allowed with no penalty.

    Travel in the Southeastern U.S. has been hampered as well. If you are traveling to/from/through the following cities below on Jan. 11-14 and your ticket was issued no later than Jan. 10, you may begin travel as late as Jan. 14.

    • Augusta, Ga. (AGS)
    • Atlanta (ATL)
    • Asheville, N.C. (AVL)
    • Columbia, S.C. (CAE)
    • Chattanooga, Tenn. (CHA)
    • Charlotte, N.C. (CLT)
    • Columbus, Ga. (CSG)
    • Fayetteville, N.C. (FAY)
    • Greensboro, N.C. (GSO)
    • Greenville, S.C. (GSP)
    • Knoxville, Tenn. (TYS)
    • Raleigh/Durham, N.C. (RDU)
    • Tri-Cities, Tenn. (TRI)

    One ticket change is allowed with no penalty.

    To change travel dates, contact American’s Reservations personnel at 1-800-433-7300 within the U.S. or Canada. If you are calling from outside the U.S. or Canada, please check our Worldwide Reservations Numbers page on AA.com.

  • |

    American Airlines Statement Regarding Court Action Against Sabre

    FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 10, 2011 / — Today, American filed a lawsuit in Texas state court in Tarrant Country against Sabre. The lawsuit alleges that Sabre’s recent actions taken against American, including the biasing of American’s services in all Sabre flight displays, violates agreements between American and Sabre and harms American, the travel agent community, and the traveling public.

    Also, American today filed a request for a temporary restraining order prohibiting Sabre from continuing to bias its display of American flights. We are gratified that, after a contested hearing, the Court has granted American’s request for interim relief, to be in effect until the Court considers American’s request for longer term relief.

    The Court’s order prohibits Sabre from continuing its recently announced practice of intentionally making it difficult for American’s agents and customers from finding and purchasing American services in the Sabre global distribution system. American intends to vigorously pursue its litigation against Sabre, including seeking damages for other violations of our agreements.

  • |

    Boeing Celebrates Final Assembly of 1,000th 767

    EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 10, 2011 — Final assembly started today on the 1,000th Boeing (NYSE: BA) 767 airplane. Workers marked the milestone with a celebration at the Everett, Wash. factory.

    “This milestone is a credit to every employee who had a hand in building 767s over the past 30 years,” said Kim Pastega, vice president and general manager of the 767 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It is a testament to engineering a high-quality product that continues to improve through the years.”

    Final assembly is the last step of the production process before the airplane rolls out of the factory on its way to the paint hangar and the Everett Delivery Center for ground and flight tests. The 1,000th airplane – a 767-300ER (extended range) passenger model for ANA (All Nippon Airways) – is the last 767 to complete final assembly in its current home. Beginning with line number 1001 – also a 767-300ER for ANA – all future 767s will complete that step in a new, smaller bay where production is scheduled to increase in 2011.

    The 1,000th airplane is scheduled for delivery next month. ANA, a long-time Boeing customer, has taken delivery of 89 767s since placing its first order in 1979.

    Boeing will use the 767 as the platform for its NewGen Tanker if it wins the U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker competition. That contract award currently is scheduled for early this year.

    The 767 family is a family of clean, quiet, fuel-efficient airplanes that provide maximum market versatility in the 200- to 300-seat market. The 767 family includes three passenger models — the 767-200ER, 767-300ER and 767-400ER — and a medium-widebody freighter, which is based on the 767-300ER fuselage.

  • |

    Boeing Director William M. Daley Resigns Board Seat

    CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Boeing (NYSE: BA) board of directors today accepted the resignation of director William M. Daley who, on Jan. 7, submitted his request to resign following his appointment as U.S. President Barack Obama’s chief of staff.

    “All of us at Boeing thank Bill for his contributions to our company and wish him well as he tackles this next phase of his exemplary public service career,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Jim McNerney.

    The resignation is effective as of Jan. 7. Daley, 62, joined the board in 2006. His public career includes serving as President Bill Clinton’s Commerce secretary from Jan. 1997, to July, 2000.

  • |

    Office Closures Due to Inclement Weather

    Southern Region
    Due to inclement weather, the FAA’s Southern Region Office in College Park, GA will be closed for normal business today, January 10, 2011.

    Employees and contractors who work in that office should follow local procedures to obtain more information.

    Central Region
    The FAA’s Central Region office in Kansas City, MO dismissed non-emergency personnel due to inclement weather effective at 1 p.m. Central Time, today, January 10, 2011.

    Central Region personnel should follow local procedures to obtain more information.

  • |

    Pilots urged to keep Warrnambool skies safe

    CASA Media Release –
    Monday 10 January 2011

    Warrnambool pilots are being urged to attend an important air safety workshop next week.

    The workshop will give local pilots special training to improve their flying and safety skills.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is holding the workshop to help make the skies over Warrnambool even safer.

    Safety issues to be covered at the workshop include airmanship. There will also be the opportunity for pilots to ask questions and raise issues about local flying.

    CASA’s Peter Gibson says the workshop is part of a national regional air safety campaign.

    “Giving pilots from Warrnambool extra training will lift their safety skills to even higher levels,” Mr Gibson says.

    “All pilots receive comprehensive training but this workshop means they will be even better equipped to fly safely at all times and deal with emergencies.

    “Warrnambool has a good air safety record but accidents do happen and everyone in aviation must work hard to keep local skies safe.”

    The workshop is being held at the Warrnambool Mid City Inn on Thursday 20 January 2011, starting at 6pm.

    CASA is providing free refreshments for everyone on the night.

  • |

    Press Release – FAA Proposes $330,000 Civil Penalty Against Heli-Dudes

    For Immediate Release
    January 6, 2011

    SALT LAKE CITY—The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $330,000 civil penalty against Heli-Dudes LLC, of Salt Lake City, for allegedly operating sightseeing helicopter rides for hire when it was not authorized to do so, a violation of Federal Aviation Regulations.

    The FAA alleges that Heli-Dudes did not have an FAA operating certificate or letter of authorization when it conducted 30 sightseeing flights for hire between Feb. 6 and Feb 14, 2010, using a Robinson R-22, a two-seat, piston engine-powered helicopter.

    The FAA denied two Heli-Dudes applications for a Letter of Authorization in January and March, 2010. The first denial was because the company submitted the wrong employee drug-testing certificate. The second denial came because Heli-Dudes conducted for-hire flights when it was not authorized to do so.

    Heli-Dudes has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.