press release

  • |

    NTSB TO MEET ON 2008 CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 1404 ACCIDENT AT DENVER AIRPORT

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    July 8, 2010

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. There is one item on the agenda.

    On December 20, 2008, Continental Airlines flight 1404 departed the left side of runway 34R at Denver International Airport during takeoff. There was a post-crash fire. The captain and five of the 110 passengers were seriously injured.

    A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be available on the Board’s website at http://www.ntsb.gov/events/Boardmeeting.htm.

    Technical support details are available under “Board Meetings” on the NTSB website. To report any problems, please call 703-993- 3100 and ask for Webcast Technical Support.

    A summary of the Board’s final report, which will include findings, probable cause, and safety recommendations, will appear on the website shortly after the conclusion of the meeting. The entire report will appear on the website several weeks later.

  • |

    Boeing CEO McNerney Statement on Export Council Appointments

    CHICAGO, July 7 — Boeing (NYSE: BA) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney issued the following statement after today’s announcement by the White House of appointments to the President’s Export Council. President Obama named McNerney chairman, and Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO of Xerox, vice chairman of the council on March 11.

    “President Obama has assembled an outstanding team to help reach the goal he has set for our nation to double U.S. exports over the next five years. It is an ambitious goal. However, with this team in place, I am confident we can develop a solid plan for the public policy decisions that will expand free and fair trade and strengthen the United States economically. I congratulate and welcome the new members named today and look forward to working with them in the months ahead.”

  • |

    FAA, Georgia Tech Sign NextGen Research Agreement

    July 6 – The FAA has reached an agreement with Georgia Tech to research how the increased sophistication on the flight deck under the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) will affect flight crewmembers and controllers. The agreement is the first of several the FAA expects to announce in the coming months with universities that specialize in aviation-related human factors research. For the FAA, the work will be conducted by the Human Factors Research and Engineering Group, which is part of the Research and Technology Development Office.

    Amy Pritchett, an associate professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Aerospace Engineering, will lead a study of pilot response to alerts from the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) under NextGen. TCAS warns pilots about potential mid-air collisions and gives specific instructions on evasive action to both pilots. Pritchett’s team will examine how pilots should respond to these alerts in the future, when the increased safety and efficiency that comes with NextGen’s satellite-based technologies means that aircraft may be operating closer together.

    Frank Durso, an Engineering Psychology professor, will lead a team exploring how flight crews and controllers interact with automation. Specifically, Durso’s team will focus on how roles will evolve with NextGen technology. Durso will first lay the groundwork by examining how pilots and controllers work with today’s automation. His team will then see how pilots and controllers in the future can use automation to manage their workloads and to improve their situational awareness and performance. Research results will also help FAA develop guidance for aviation safety oversight of NextGen operations.

    Georgia Tech, which has conducted important aviation-related human factors research for the FAA and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was chosen after the FAA conducted a thorough market survey of schools with expertise in this area. In addition to an outstanding staff and students, the school has a wide range of aviation research capabilities including air traffic control simulators and an Airbus flight deck simulator.

    The research done by Georgia Tech will be shared with the public through presentations of research findings at national and international symposia in order to foster a broad understanding of how NextGen will enhance the ability of pilots and controllers to effectively use new technologies and procedures.

  • |

    FAA Proposes Major Changes to Icing Certification Rules

    For Immediate Release
    June 29, 2010
    Contact: Les Dorr or Alison Duquette
    Phone: 202-267-3883

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a significant expansion of its icing certification standards, including a new requirement that manufacturers show airplanes can operate safely in freezing drizzle or freezing rain, conditions that constitute an icing environment known as “supercooled large drops” (SLDs).

    The proposed regulations would improve safety by mandating that new transport category aircraft most affected by SLD icing conditions meet expanded safety standards, including additional airplane performance and handling qualities. The rule also would require all new transport category designs be able to fly in conditions where supercooled liquid and ice crystals exist.

    The FAA is also proposing changes that would expand the icing certification requirements for engines, engine installations and some airplane components (for example, angle of attack and airspeed indicating systems). These systems would need to be able to perform in freezing rain, freezing drizzle, ice crystals and combinations of these icing phenomena.

    “These new icing standards are part of our continuing effort to make the world’s safest aviation system even safer,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

    “These regulations will help ensure future aircraft can operate safely in some of the toughest icing conditions,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    The proposed rule is based largely on recommendations from the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The FAA tasked the ARAC to study how icing certification regulations should be expanded after the tragic 1994 icing-related accident in Roselawn, IL. The NTSB recommendations stemmed from the same accident.

    Previously, the FAA issued 112 airworthiness directives for transport category aircraft related to icing. Of the 112 ADs, 21 were specifically related to SLD. The ADs require flight crews to exit icing conditions when they see visual cues indicating the conditions exceed the capabilities of the aircraft’s ice protection equipment.

  • | |

    Lion Air Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary With Two New 737-900ERs

    SEATTLE, July 1 e-FirstCall/ — Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Lion Air, Boeing (NYSE: BA) today delivered two Next-Generation 737-900ERs (extended range) to the Jakarta-based carrier. Lion Air, which operates an all-Boeing fleet, was the launch customer of the 737-900ER and is currently the largest operator of the airplane. With today’s deliveries, the Lion Air fleet consists of 36 737-900ERs and two 747-400s. In addition, Lion Air is a launch customer for the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior.
    Lion Air plans to carry 20 million passengers this year to destinations within Indonesia as well as to Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. The carrier is based at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia.

  • FAAST Blast — July 01, 2010 FAA Safety Briefing News Update

    FAA Issues Piper AD
    Last week, FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft (models PA-32-301T and PA-46-350P). The AD, which becomes effective July 28, 2010, requires the replacement of any V-band exhaust couplings that have been spot-welded, with ones that are riveted. The AD results from reports that indicate the spot-welded couplings are failing and could cause the exhaust pipe to detach from the turbocharger. FAA says the AD affects 596 aircraft in the U.S. registry provided they have the affected exhaust coupling installed. For more information, reference AD 2010-13-07 at http://www.faa.gov/.

    Looking for a Few Good Numbers
    If you own an aircraft and received a form in the mail in early June for FAA’s 32nd annual GA and Part 135 Activity Survey, please consider taking the time to complete it. The information collected in this survey helps the FAA understand more about GA activities, assess GA’s impact on the National Airspace System (NAS), and determine the need for increased traffic facilities and services. The survey also helps the FAA prepare accurate estimates of aviation safety and uses the data collected to calculate GA fatal accident rates.
    In addition to mailing in the survey, selected aircraft owners can also complete it online at http://www.aviationsurvey.org/. Use your aircraft N-number to login. Names and information submitted with the survey are kept strictly confidential and will not be published or released in any format that would reveal specific information of the participant. For more information call 1-800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@paconsulting.com.

    Announcing New FAA Safety Briefing Weather Issue
    There is little that is more important to a pilot than being up to speed on weather. This year, FAA Safety Briefing dedicated its July/August issue to this topic that impacts safety for all pilots. Articles address obtaining and interpreting weather data, developing strategies for avoiding marginal or hazardous weather, and what services ATC can and cannot provide in adverse conditions.
    In her article, “The Whither and Whether of Flying in Weather,” FAA Safety Briefing editor Susan Parson discusses how to fine tune your weather knowledge and build a framework for sound go, no-go decisions in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
    “Part of being proficient and safe in IMC is knowing and adhering to your individual personal minimums,” says Parson. “One way to approach this is to consider how comfortable you are in each of the different basic weather categories in aviation—VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, and low IFR.”
    Check out the July/August issue at www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/.

    Happy Fourth of July from the FAA Safety Briefing team!
    Produced by the editors, FAA Safety Briefing, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
    Address questions or comments to: SafetyBriefing@faa.gov.
    You can also follow us on Twitter @FAASafetyBrief or www.twitter.com/FAASafetyBrief.

  • |

    NTSB RELEASES 2009 ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2010
    SB-10-26

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board
    today delivered its 2009 Annual Report to Congress, which
    provides a comprehensive accounting of ongoing and completed
    investigations, as well as other agency activities. The
    report also highlights successes for the Most Wanted List of
    Transportation Safety Improvements.

    “The NTSB is dedicated to executing thorough accident
    investigations and issuing recommendations for improved
    transportation safety,” said Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.
    “The report issued today shows this dedication through
    detailed and clear accounts of our work and achievements in
    2009.”

    New to the 2009 report are enhanced features that illustrate
    the scope and complexity of the NTSB’s work. Among these
    features are: maps of regional office locations in addition
    to investigation launch-site maps; additional information
    describing how non-investigative units support the NTSB
    mission; key industry facts showing the impact and breadth
    of completed agency work; and updated “At A Glance” boxes
    calling out the status of recommendations, investigation and
    report production statistics, and staff demographics.

    Among the highlights from the year’s activity described in
    the report are that the NTSB issued 240 new safety
    recommendations across all transportation modes. Closed
    recommendations encompass 42 aviation, 10 highway, 14
    marine, 6 railroad, and 2 pipeline safety improvements.
    During 2009, the NTSB also initiated 13 major accident
    launches and released 19 major investigative reports.

  • | | |

    This Months Bad News: Trans States Holdings Inc

    This month’s poster child for how not to run your commuter airline:

    Trans States Holdings Inc.

    After two incidents in the last four months, there’s now a $2.5 million civil penalty in the offing for Trans States Holdings Inc. from the FAA. But more crucial than the last two incidents, the problem really comes down to hundreds of safety violations on 320 flights over the past two years, all related to maintenance, after repeated warnings and reoccurring violations.

    What is it I always say?

    Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

    See Below:

    FAA Proposes $2.5 Million in Civil Penalties Against Trans States, GoJet

    WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing $2,476,075 in civil penalties against Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines of Bridgeton, Mo., for violation of various maintenance procedures and operating nine jets on 320 revenue passenger flights when the aircraft were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines are both owned and operated by Trans States Holdings. Trans States Airlines performs maintenance and training on GoJet aircraft.

    The proposed civil penalties involve seven GoJet+ Canadair Regional Jets and two Trans States Embraer 145 regional jets. The FAA alleges Trans States and GoJet operated aircraft when maintenance had been carried out incorrectly, and that the company failed to complete required maintenance record-keeping.

    The FAA alleges Trans States and GoJet violated a number of maintenance regulations and procedures, including use of outdated manufacturers’ maintenance instructions to perform repairs; failure to connect a wing flap actuator to its torque tube, rendering the flaps inoperative; failure to document an inspection after an aircraft was damaged by severe turbulence; failure to document and carry out proper repairs after aircraft warning systems identified problems; improper repair of an engine oil leak and failure to comply with minimum equipment list regulations.

    “Air carriers cannot ignore maintenance requirements or allow employees to take a pass on following regulations,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Safety depends not only on maintenance work being done correctly, but also being recorded properly.”

    Trans States and GoJet have 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letters to respond to the agency.

  • |

    DR. EARL F. WEENER SWORN IN AS NTSB MEMBER

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2010
    SB-10-25

    Earl F. Weener, Ph.D., took the oath of office today as a
    Member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

    Dr. Weener is a licensed pilot who has dedicated his entire
    career to the field of aviation safety. He most recently has
    been a consultant and fellow for the Flight Safety
    Foundation, where he worked to reduce accidents through
    coordinated industry programs.

    From 1984 to 1999, Dr. Weener held a series of positions
    with The Boeing Company, including three Chief Engineer
    positions, in Airworthiness, Reliability and
    Maintainability, and Safety; in System Engineering; and in
    Safety Technology Development. He also served four years as
    Boeing’s Manager of Government Affairs.

    He has served as a general aviation flight instructor and
    Part 135 pilot.

    Dr. Weener earned all three of his academic degrees in
    Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan – his
    bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate.

    Among his awards are a 1994 Laurel Award from Aviation Week
    and Space Technology magazine and, in 2005, the Honeywell
    Bendix Trophy for Aviation Safety.

    Dr. Weener’s term as a Member of the NTSB expires December
    31, 2015.

  • IATA e-freight goes-live in Austria

    Vienna – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced that IATA e-freight is now operational in Austria, with Vienna Airport being Austria’s first airport to implement the e-freight standard.

    IATA e-freight is one of the Simplifying the Business projects that improve service and cut costs. It aims to take the paper out of the air cargo supply chain. Facilitated by IATA, the project is an industry-wide initiative involving carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers and customs authorities. IATA e-freight effectively eliminates the need to send 20 core paper documents with air cargo shipments, hence streamlining processes, improving speed and reliability and cutting costs.

    The e-freight implemention in Austria is truly a industry effort, with participation from the whole supply chain. The e-freight implementation team was led by Emirates Sky Cargo and Lufthansa Cargo. The team started the implementation process in April 2010 and delivered IATA e-freight on schedule. The strong support and involvement of the forwarding community and their association including DHL Global Forwarding, Kühne & Nagel and Schenker, as well as the Bundesministerium für Finanzen (BMF) and the local customs authorities contributed to the success of the e-freight implementation. Austria is the 28th e-freight location worldwide to deliver paper-free cargo.

    With e-freight implemented in Austria, there will be time savings for the transportation and availability of goods by up to 24 hours due to the electronic clearance and paper free process. E-freight will also bring similar benefits to other airports in Austria. IATA aims to build on the success at Vienna Airport to implement e-freight in more airports in Austria, starting with Salzburg and Linz.

    IATA’s target is to implement e-freight in 44 countries by the end of 2010, representing more than 80% of global air-freight volumes. These countries need to have the appropriate international treaties and customs framework in place in order to be able to implement e-freight.

    IATA e-freight is also operational in Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, Dubai, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

  • |

    Boeing Statement on IAM 837 Contract Ratification

    ST. LOUIS, June 27, 2010 — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) 837, which represents about 2,500 employees in the St. Louis area, voted 1,237-838 today to ratify the adjusted best-and-final contract offer that The Boeing Company presented last week. Boeing responded with the following statement:
    “We are very pleased that our employees represented by IAM 837 voted today to ratify the contract we have been discussing over the past several weeks. When we began negotiations, our goal was to produce a contract that recognizes both the significant contributions of our employees and the competitive environment in which we must compete to keep jobs here in St. Louis. This contract does both. The vote by our employees allows us to keep delivering on our commitments to our customers.

  • FAA Awards Contracts to Accelerate Environmentally Friendly Technology

    For Immediate Release
    June 24, 2010

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced $125 million in contracts to develop and demonstrate technologies that will reduce commercial jet fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The contracts are part of the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program — to speed the introduction of “green” technology into aviation.

    “The FAA is working with the aviation community to aggressively meet critical environmental and energy goals,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The CLEEN program is a central piece of the Next Generation air traffic modernization environmental strategy.”

    The FAA is contracting with Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce-North America.

    The five companies will research and demonstrate a variety of technologies, including: sustainable alternative aviation fuels; lighter and more efficient gas turbine engine components; noise-reducing engine nozzles; advanced wing trailing edges; optimized flight trajectories using onboard flight management systems; and open rotor and geared turbofan engines.

    The five contracts are expected to total $125 million over the five-year span of the program. Under this “cost sharing” arrangement the companies will match or exceed the FAA’s contribution, bringing the overall value of the program to more than $250 million.

    The CLEEN program helps develop environmentally friendly and energy efficient aircraft and engine technology that could be introduced into the commercial aircraft fleet beginning in 2015.

    The goals of these research and demonstration efforts include: a reduction in fuel burn by 33 percent; a reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions by 60 percent; and a reduction in cumulative aircraft noise levels by 32 decibels.

  • Alaska Controllers Use Next Generation Air Transportation Technology to Improve Safety

    Washington Headquarters Press Release
    For Immediate Release
    June 24, 2010

    ANCHORAGE, AK — Air traffic controllers in the Alaska region are now officially using Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) technology to improve safety and efficiency in Alaska’s rugged terrain. The system – Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) – is a core technology under NextGen.

    “NextGen technology is already helping make aviation safer and more efficient,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This innovation is transforming air transportation and every traveler is going to see the benefits.”

    ADS-B provides benefits to both pilots and air traffic controllers. Pilots flying aircraft equipped with ADS-B know precisely where they are and are able to see other aircraft. ADS-B gives pilots a greater situational awareness when they are near bad weather and also allows them to receive updated flight information including Notices to Airmen and Temporary Flight Restrictions. Air traffic controllers use ADS-B to keep aircraft safely separated in the sky and on the runways.

    “Air travel is the primary means of transportation in Alaska so it’s critical to make sure flying is as safe as possible,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “While the landscape in Alaska is absolutely beautiful, its terrain can be challenging and ADS-B is making a real difference.”

    Alaska was the initial test site for ADS-B under a pilot project called Capstone from 1999-2006. Through the Capstone project, the FAA equipped hundreds of general aviation aircraft in Southeast Alaska with ADS-B avionics and installed ground-based infrastructure. Pilots were able to see on their displays where they were in relation to bad weather and terrain and the fatal accident rate was cut nearly in half for equipped aircraft. The success of the Capstone project led to the FAA’s decision in 2005 to deploy ADS-B nationwide.

    Controllers at both the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center and at the Juneau Air Traffic Control Tower are using ADS-B, which is critical in Juneau because, like in the Gulf of Mexico, there is no radar coverage. Radar transmissions cannot pass through the mountains in Juneau, making it one of the nation’s most difficult airport approaches.

    Another surveillance system in Juneau that began operating in January is the Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system. WAM is a ground-based system of small sensors that receive aircraft transponder signals and triangulate them to determine precise locations. WAM provides surveillance for the Juneau area for aircraft not yet equipped with ADS-B. The only other area with WAM is Colorado where the system provides surveillance for mountainous destinations.

    Alaska is one of four key sites that the FAA selected to test and demonstrate ADS-B services. The other sites include Houston and the Gulf of Mexico, Louisville, KY and Philadelphia. Each key site offers a different airspace environment.

    The NextGen plan calls for nationwide deployment of ADS-B by 2013.

  • NTSB ASSISTS GOVERNMENT OF CANADA IN AVIATION ACCIDENT

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    June 24, 2010

    The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched an aviation investigator to assist the government of Canada in its investigation of the crash of a Hawker Beechcraft Corporation King Air B-100 (C-FGIN).

    At approximately 05:58 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 23, the aircraft crashed near Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, shortly after takeoff. Preliminary reports indicate 7 persons were fatally injured. There are no reported injuries on the ground.

    NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated air safety investigator Ed Malinowski as the U.S. Accredited Representative. His team will include a technical advisor from Hawker Beechcraft.

    The investigation is being conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of the Government of Canada, which will release all information on the progress of the investigation. The agency’s phone number in Canada is (1) 819-997-7887 (24 hour) and the agency’s email address is: airops@tsb.gc.ca.

    # # #

  • |

    Boeing and FAA to Team for Cleaner Skies, Quieter Airplanes

    WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced today that they will work together to speed the development and application of environmentally progressive technologies for cleaner and quieter jet aircraft.

    As part of the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program, Boeing and the FAA each will contribute up to $25 million during the next five years to conduct flight demonstrations of emergent airframe and engine technologies that have the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and community noise.

    “By combining our resources and expertise, we believe we can transition promising technologies from development into service more quickly to help reduce the environmental footprint of airplanes,” said Matt Ganz, vice president and general manager of Boeing Research & Technology, which is leading the program at Boeing. “We recognize the importance of protecting our ecosystem and are looking forward to working with the FAA on a variety of innovative solutions to help define the future.”

    The technologies being developed under the CLEEN program will be flight tested aboard two demonstration vehicles, a Next-Generation Boeing 737 in 2012, with a second series of test flights aboard a yet-to-be-determined twin-aisle airplane in 2013.

    This flight-test program builds on the success of the company’s Quiet Technology Demonstrators, which successfully highlighted a variety of noise reduction technologies during test flights aboard Boeing 777 aircraft from 2001 to 2005.

    According to Boeing CLEEN Program Manager Craig Wilsey, the technologies that will be developed and tested during demonstration flights include adaptive wing trailing edges and ceramic matrix composite acoustic engine nozzles.

    Adaptive trailing edges pertain to a collection of small controllable devices that are integrated into the aft portion of the wing. Most traditional wings are designed for best performance while at cruise, and have performance compromises during other flight phases. Adaptive trailing edges can help tailor the wing configuration to reduce fuel burn at takeoff, climb and cruise, and to reduce community noise at takeoff and landing.

    New-generation engines on commercial airplanes are more efficient, but require materials that are capable of withstanding higher temperatures than previous engines. Ceramic matrix composites offer the potential of better thermal and structural performance, while helping to reduce weight and acoustic footprint.

    In addition to Boeing Research & Technology, the company’s advanced central research, technology and innovation organization, Boeing’s CLEEN team is composed of engineers and support staff from Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Test & Evaluation.

    Boeing continues to take aggressive steps to improve the environmental performance of its products including:

    Producing the world’s newest commercial airplanes, the 787 Dreamliner and the 747-8, designed to be significantly more fuel-efficient and have lower emissions than earlier generation jetliners.

    Pioneering research into sustainable aviation biofuel made from biomass sources that do not compete with food crops or land or water use. Aviation biofuels have lower carbon emissions over their lifecycle and help lessen aviation’s dependence on fossil fuels.

    Developing ways to improve the efficiency of the global air traffic control network, which will enable passengers to arrive at their gates sooner and reduce the carbon footprint of commercial air travel.

  • Press Release: FAA Awards Contracts to Accelerate Environmentally Friendly Technology

    June 24, 2010

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced $125 million in contracts to develop and demonstrate technologies that will reduce commercial jet fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The contracts are part of the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program — to speed the introduction of “green” technology into aviation.

    “The FAA is working with the aviation community to aggressively meet critical environmental and energy goals,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The CLEEN program is a central piece of the Next Generation air traffic modernization environmental strategy.”

    The FAA is contracting with Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce-North America.

    The five companies will research and demonstrate a variety of technologies, including: sustainable alternative aviation fuels; lighter and more efficient gas turbine engine components; noise-reducing engine nozzles; advanced wing trailing edges; optimized flight trajectories using onboard flight management systems; and open rotor and geared turbofan engines.

    The five contracts are expected to total $125 million over the five-year span of the program. Under this “cost sharing” arrangement the companies will match or exceed the FAA’s contribution, bringing the overall value of the program to more than $250 million.

    The CLEEN program helps develop environmentally friendly and energy efficient aircraft and engine technology that could be introduced into the commercial aircraft fleet beginning in 2015.

    The goals of these research and demonstration efforts include: a reduction in fuel burn by 33 percent; a reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions by 60 percent; and a reduction in cumulative aircraft noise levels by 32 decibels.

  • | | |

    American Airlines eyes Boeing Engine Pylons

    Cracks in the engine pylons of three American Airlines Boeing 767’s are prompting concerns over the need of more frequent inspections of Boeing 767’s. The FAA says American and Boeing are looking for the cause of the cracking, which was discovered during routine metallurgical tests. Boeing is preparing a service bulletin establishing new guidelines for inspecting this particular part, over and above the every “1500 flights” which stands now. The flight which originally caught American’s attention had developed the cracks during the last 500 flights since its last pylon inspection. Caution about underlying structural issues is being addressed.

    The preliminary conclusion is that certain maintenance practices may play in the underlying cause of the cracking. A known issue is that some of the cracks arise from holes used to install bolts, implying that the bolt holes may compromise the structural integrity, or at least affect the pylon’s longevity; and may affect “fail-safe” design.

    The FAA has not yet mandated inspection of 767 other jets operated by other carriers, nor have they determined if winglets are a contributing factor.

  • NASA HOSTS VIRGINIA SCHOLARS DURING THREE WEEKLONG ACADEMIES

    HAMPTON, Va. – After spending six months learning and communicating via the web, more than 140 rising seniors from across Virginia will finish an intensive distance-learning program by attending weeklong summer academies onsite at NASA Langley Research Center.

    The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) program is an interactive, on-line science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning experience that offers selected students workforce experience as well as college credit. This year is the program’s third year and because of its success a third weeklong academy was added to the schedule this year to allow more students to participate. The academies will be held June 26-July 2, July 10-16 and July 24-30.

    While at NASA, scholars will use what they learned on-line by designing and implementing plans for a human journey to Mars. They will also tour various facilities, build and test robots and talk with NASA scientists, engineers and technologists.

    The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program is modeled after a distance-learning program designed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Texas. The Virginia program is managed by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium.

  • | |

    Statement from the FAA

    Statement from the FAA in Response to the Associated Press Story about Temporary Flight Restrictions over the Gulf of Mexico
    For Immediate Release
    June 17, 2010

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today’s story by the Associated Press contains a number of inaccuracies with regard to the government’s oversight of flyovers in and around the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Since May 28th, the FAA has approved every request to fly over the area–more than 176 requests. While the temporary flight restriction requires pilots to stay above 3,000 feet, the FAA is working with news organizations and granting exceptions so that pilots can fly at lower altitudes throughout the day.

    The reason for these requirements is safety, pure and simple. So far, there have been a number of reported near misses over the Gulf due to heavy traffic and pilots flying above the oil spill to give their passengers a closer look.

    On Sunday, a helicopter carrying a member of the Associated Press violated the temporary flight restriction around the oil clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. The helicopter operator was not authorized to fly into the restricted area and was flying at various altitudes well below 3,000 feet. For over 30 minutes, the pilot was not in communication with the Border Patrol aircraft that is providing traffic advisories for all participating aircraft. Border Patrol was forced to divert other traffic in the area, creating a dangerous situation for everyone involved. When the pilot was finally reached he was told to leave the area.

    A pilot deviation (an action that results in the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation) is being filed against the helicopter pilot.

  • |

    FAA UPDATE: NextGen Research Agreement Moves Forward

    June 18–The FAA and the European Commission concluded negotiations today on an agreement that will allow the U.S. and Europe to work together on research aimed at providing seamless air traffic services for aircraft flying between the two continents.

    “Harmonization is the key to the future of air travel over the North Atlantic,” said FAA Chief Operating Officer Hank Krakowski, who signed a Memorandum of Consultations with Daniel Calleja, European Commission Director for Air Transport in Madrid. “This agreement allows us to work together to give the airlines a seamless transition between our airspaces.”

    The goal of the agreement is to provide aircraft flying over the North Atlantic with consistent service in terms of avionics, communication protocols and procedures, and operational methods under NextGen and its European counterpart, the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR).

    The agreement calls for 22 specific areas of cooperation. These areas include research on Data Comm, which will improve safety and efficiency by replacing voice communications with data communications, and System Wide Information Management (SWIM), an information platform that will allow FAA systems to speak to one another. Research will also be conducted on systems used by other parts of the aviation community, including the European Commission, the airlines, the military and the Department of Homeland Security. Collaborative research will also be done on emerging technologies such as 4-D Trajectory-Based Operations, which introduce the fourth dimension of time to the existing dimensions of latitude, longitude and altitude in an aircraft’s flight profile, meaning pilots and air traffic controllers will know when an aircraft will be at specific points along its flight path.

    Today’s agreement, which was finalized in Madrid because Spain holds the current presidency of the European Union, replaces a Memorandum of Understanding reached between the FAA and the European Commission in 2007. That agreement allowed both sides to collaborate on basic strategies in the move toward NextGen and SESAR. This agreement calls for specific, joint research and development on NextGen/SESAR projects.

  • |

    Press Release: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Passes 1,000 Hours of Flying

    EVERETT, Wash., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight test fleet passed 1,000 hours of testing yesterday. The program estimates that it is about 40 percent through the test conditions required to certify the first version of the all-new jetliner.
    “More work remains but we are seeing excellent progress in flight test,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Even more important than the hours we’ve logged are the test conditions we have completed. The team is being very efficient in getting the data we need.”

    “It’s also important to note that we are making solid progress on the ground testing required on the flight test fleet as well,” Fancher said.

  • |

    Boeing Team Helps Royal Netherlands Air Force Achieve Aviation Milestone

    GILZE-RIJEN AIRBASE, Netherlands, June 16, 2010 — Boeing ] and The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) today made aviation history when a Boeing AH-64D Apache became the first rotorcraft in the world to fly using a blend of sustainable bio-kerosene and standard aviation jet fuel.
    The 20-minute flight, conducted at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, home of the RNLAF’s combat rotorcraft squadrons, was witnessed by dozens of industry observers and defense journalists.
    The sustainable biofuel used in the flight was produced using algae-based biomass and used cooking oil, and processed by UOP, LLC, a Honeywell company, into a Bio-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (Bio-SPK), which has been used in previous commercial biofuel flights. In a series of preflight tests, the 50/50 bio-kerosene and traditional jet fuel blend met or exceeded the JP-8 fuel specifications for the Apache. No engine or airframe modifications were made prior to flight.
    “This is a tremendous achievement for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Boeing, Honeywell, and the engine manufacturer GE Aviation in our efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuel solutions,” said Al Winn, vice president of Apache Programs for Boeing, who attended the demonstration. “Both Boeing’s commercial and military customers are pursuing alternatives to fossil fuels, sharing a vision that was demonstrated flawlessly by our Apache customer today.”

    “Today is an important milestone for the more intensive usage of sustainable bio-kerosene in aviation,” said Eimert van Middelkoop, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands.
    The RNLAF biofuel flight test program encompasses seven flights that will highlight the technical feasibility of flying rotorcraft using renewable fuels that do not reduce the availability of food crops or water. The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, which authorized the flight test program, has publicly stated its commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint of military aircraft.

    “This program also will help stimulate market development for aviation biofuel within the Netherlands that can help improve the environmental performance of commercial and military aviation,” said Jan Närlinge, president of Boeing Northern Europe.

    Boeing is engaged in sustainable biofuel research around the world and supported the Apache flight and the RNLAF through preflight planning, testing and technical consultation based on a strong body of biofuel experience. The company supplied technical support to a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines biofuel flight aboard a Boeing 747 in November 2009, and also to the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet biofuel flight on Earth Day this year. Boeing also supported four previous biofuel flights using varying fixed-wing commercial aircraft and engine types.
    Extensive laboratory testing by fuel processors, feedstock providers and engine manufacturers has further shown that aviation biofuels meet or exceed the high performance and quality standards specified for military and commercial jet fuels.

    A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

  • | |

    NTSB SENDING TEAM TO CANADA TO ASSIST WITH INVESTIGATION OF RUNWAY EXCURSION ACCIDENT

    The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a team of investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada with its investigation of today’s airplane accident in Ottawa.

    At about 2:30 p.m. EDT, a Trans States Airlines Embraer-145 regional jet operated as United Express flight 8050 (N847HK), overran runway 25 while landing at Ottawa International Airport. Preliminary reports indicate that there were several injuries among the 33 passengers and three crewmembers onboard. The flight originated from Washington Dulles International Airport.

    NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated Air Safety Investigator John Lovell as the U.S. Accredited Representative. The U.S. team will also include an NTSB flight operations specialist, an NTSB survival factors specialist, and technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration. The team will arrive in Ottawa on Thursday morning.

    The Transportation Safety Board of Canada
    (http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/contactez-contact/index.asp) will
    release all information on the progress of the
    investigation.

  • | |

    Taxi and Ground Movement

    NOTICE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION N JO
    Air Traffic Organization Policy
    Effective Date:
    June 30, 2010
    Cancellation Date:
    March 10, 2011
    SUBJ: Taxi and Ground Movement Operations
    1. Purpose of This Notice. This notice amends Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, Paragraph 3-7-2, Taxi and Ground Movement Operations, by deleting the phraseology and procedure of issuing “taxi to” when authorizing an aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway, thus allowing an aircraft to cross all runways/taxiways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned runway.

    2. Audience. This notice applies to the Terminal Services organization and all associated air traffic control facilities.

    3. Where Can I Find This Notice? This notice is available on the MYFAA employee Web site at https://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices/ and on the air traffic publications Web site at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications.

    4. Explanation of Policy Change. This change establishes the requirement that an explicit runway crossing clearance be issued for each runway (active/inactive or closed) crossing and requires an aircraft/vehicle to have crossed the previous runway before another runway crossing clearance may be issued. At airports where the taxi route between runway centerlines is less than 1,000 feet apart, multiple runway crossings may be issued after receiving approval by the Terminal Services Director of Operations.

    5. Procedures. Change FAA Order JO 7110.65, paragraph 3-7-2, to read as follows:
    3-7-2. TAXI AND GROUND MOVEMENT OPERATIONS Issue the route for the aircraft/vehicle to follow on the movement area in concise and easy to understand terms. The taxi clearance must include the specific route to follow. When a taxi clearance to a runway is issued to an aircraft, confirm the aircraft has the correct runway assignment.
    NOTE-
    1. A pilot’s read back of taxi instructions with the runway assignment can be considered confirmation of runway assignment.
    2. Movement of aircraft/vehicles on nonmovement areas is the responsibility of the pilot, the aircraft operator, or the airport management.
    a. When authorizing an aircraft/vehicle to proceed on the movement area, or to any point other than assigned takeoff runway, specify the route/taxi instructions. If it is the intent to hold the aircraft/vehicle short
    of any given point along the taxi route, issue the route and then state the holding instructions.
    NOTE-
    1. The absence of holding instructions authorizes an aircraft/vehicle to cross all taxiways that intersect the taxi route.
    2. Movement of aircraft/vehicles on nonmovement areas is the responsibility of the pilot, the aircraft operator, or the
    airport management.
    Phraseology, no change.
    06/30/10 N JO 7110.528
    2
    EXAMPLE-
    “Cross Runway Two Eight Left, hold short of Runway Two Eight Right.”
    “Taxi/continue taxiing/proceed to the hangar.”
    “Taxi/continue taxiing/proceed straight ahead then via ramp to the hangar.”
    “Taxi/continue taxiing/proceed on Taxiway Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven.”
    or
    “Taxi/continue taxing/proceed on Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven.”
    b. When authorizing an aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway, state the departure runway
    followed by the specific taxi route. Issue hold short restrictions when an aircraft will be required to hold short
    of a runway or other points along the taxi route.
    PHRASEOLOGY-
    “Runway (number) taxi via (route as necessary).”
    or
    “Runway (number) taxi via (route as necessary)(hold short instructions as necessary).”
    EXAMPLE-
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via taxiway Alpha, hold short of taxiway Charlie.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Alpha, hold short of Charlie.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via taxiway Alpha, hold short of Runway Two Seven Right.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Charlie, cross Runway Two Seven Left, hold short of Runway Two Seven Right.”
    or
    “Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Alpha, Charlie, cross Runway One Zero.”
    c. Aircraft/vehicles must receive a runway crossing clearance for each runway that their taxi route
    crosses. An aircraft/vehicle must have crossed a previous runway before another runway crossing clearance
    may be issued.
    NOTEA
    runway crossing clearance is required to cross or operate on any active/inactive or closed runway.
    EXAMPLE-
    “Cross Runway One Six Left, hold short of Runway One Six Right.”
    06/30/10 N JO 7110.528
    3
    d. When an aircraft/vehicle is instructed to “follow” traffic and requires a runway crossing, issue a
    runway crossing clearance in addition to the follow instructions and/or hold short instructions, as applicable.
    EXAMPLE-
    “Follow (traffic), cross Runway Two Seven Right.”
    or
    “Follow (traffic), cross Runway Two Seven Right, hold short Runway Two Seven Left.”
    e. At those airports where the taxi distance between runway centerlines is less than 1,000 feet, multiple
    runway crossings may be issued with a single clearance. The air traffic manager must submit a request to the
    appropriate Terminal Services Director of Operations for approval before authorizing multiple runway
    crossings.
    REFERENCEFAAO
    JO 7210.3, Para 10-3-10 MULTIPLE RUNWAY CROSSINGS
    Renumber subparagraphs d thru f as f thru h.
    6. Distribution. This notice is distributed to the following Air Traffic Organization (ATO) service
    units: Terminal, En Route and Oceanic, and System Operations Services; the ATO Office of Safety;
    Office of the Service Center; the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service; the William J. Hughes Technical
    Center; and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.
    7. Background. The FAA Runway Safety Call to Action Committee issued several recommendations
    to address improving runway safety across the NAS. In response to the Committee’s recommendations,
    the ATO convened a Safety Risk Management Panel to evaluate the safety of the Committee
    recommendations. These are two of the recommended changes from the Call to Action Committee.
    Changes will also be made to the AIM and AIP. Title14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91.129(i),
    will be changed after the completion of the rulemaking period.

  • |

    IATA Seals Strategic Partnership with Ukraine – Cooperation and Reforms Needed

    Kiev – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) formalized a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine and the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine with the signing of a Memorandum of Intention (MoI).

    The MoI was signed in Kiev by IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani, and UkraineTransport Deputy Minister and Chairman of the State Aviation Administration Anatolii Kolisnyk. The MoI outlines seven specific areas of cooperation: safety, security, technology, airport infrastructure, air navigation, ground handling and training. While in Kiev, Bisignani also met with the CEOs of Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosvit Airlines.

    “An effective air transport sector is a critical element of a nation’s competitiveness. IATA’s global standards and technical expertise can contribute significantly to the development of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible aviation in Ukraine. This MoI gives us a strong framework to contribute to building an even more competitive Ukraine air transport sector, with the benefits being spread across the economy,” said Bisignani.

    Specific points addressed in Bisignani’s dialogue with Transport Minister Kostiantyn Efymenko and Deputy Minister Kolisnyk included:

    Improving safety: Ukraine has made progress to improve safety but many challenges remain. The country has been a Category 2 state for five years under the US Federal Aviation Administration International Safety Assessment Program. “The safety record has improved but more needs to be done. We must accelerate the work to bring safety oversight in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) is already delivering significant benefits by improving safety. Both Aerosvit and Ukrainian International Airlines are on the IOSA registry. I look forward to exploring further ways to expand the use of all IATA’s auditing programs in Ukraine, including making IOSA a national requirement,” said Bisignani.
    Simplifying the Business: IATA’s Simplifying the Business program aims to improve service levels and reduce costs. “Ukraine International has led the implementation of new technologies for passenger handling in the country. Aerosvit has stepped up its work and is on track to reach the 100% bar-coded boarding pass year-end deadline,” said Bisignani.
    Infrastructure charges: Ukraine’s airport and air traffic control rates remain high and are not cost based. “Ukraine’s system is one of the most expensive in Europe and remains one of the least productive. This undermines the competitiveness of Ukraine. We need immediate reform. It is time to begin a new ere of consultation and transparency in line with ICAO guidelines. The government can no longer treat aviation—including air traffic management—as a cash cow,” Bisignani said.
    “Ukraine’s economy is growing again, which will lead to an improved aviation market. Our agreement and today’s meeting opens the door to even broader cooperation between Ukraine and IATA. It is our hope that the government can quickly address the challenges of safety and infrastructure. IATA brings global standards and expertise that will help ensure that aviation in Ukraine continues to develop and improve its competitiveness,” said Bisignani.