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Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne X-51A WaveRider Team Vies for Collier Trophy

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is among seven nominees competing for one of the most prestigious awards in aerospace, the National Aeronautic Association’s (NAA) Robert J. Collier Trophy. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is being nominated as part of the team that powered the hypersonic X-51A WaveRider vehicle last May in the longest-ever supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) powered flight. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

The other X-51A team members are the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and The Boeing Company. The Collier Trophy winner will be announced March 15 at NAA’s Spring Awards Luncheon.

The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne scramjet engine is the world’s first air breathing hydrocarbon-fueled and -cooled propulsion system capable of powering vehicles at hypersonic speeds. The X-51A WaveRider demonstrated a number of critical “firsts” and achievements during its 3:30 minutes of flight, including scramjet ignition, stabilized combustion and thermal balance, and acceleration.

“This historic flight has quite literally changed the course of aviation history, to the point where we can now be confident that scramjet power will be practical for transporting humans and payloads across the globe and into space at 6,000 mph, while also giving the U.S. military an effective tool to respond rapidly to threats,” said Steve Bouley, Vice President, Launch Vehicle & Hypersonic Systems, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. “The X-51A team would be an appropriate recipient of the 100th presentation of the Collier Trophy, named for a renaissance man whose interest in aviation did so much to encourage breakthroughs such as that demonstrated by the X-51A WaveRider.”
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines. For more information about Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, go to www.prattwhitneyrocketdyne.com. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is headquartered in Canoga Park, Calif., and has facilities in Huntsville, Ala.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and Stennis Space Center, Miss.

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    NTSB BRIEFING TODAY AT 4:00 PM (ADT) ON AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT IN ALASKA

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a press
    briefing on its investigation into last night’s airplane
    crash near Dillingham, Alaska.

    The briefing will take place today at 4:00 p.m. Alaska
    Daylight Time (ADT) at the Signature Flight Support
    Building, 2nd floor conference room, 6231 South Airpark
    Place, Anchorage, Alaska.

    NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will conduct the
    briefing.

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    NTSB MEETS TO CONSIDER SAFETY STUDY ON THE USE OF AIRBAGS IN GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    January 6, 2011

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public
    Board meeting to consider a safety study on the
    effectiveness of airbags in general aviation (GA) aircraft.

    The NTSB initiated the safety study to 1) examine the
    effectiveness of airbags in mitigating occupant injury in a
    survivable GA accident, 2) identify any unintended
    consequences of airbag deployments, and 3) develop
    procedures to assist investigators in documenting airbag
    systems in future investigations.

    During the course of the study, investigators became aware
    of several potential issues that could compromise occupant
    safety associated with the use, adjustment and design of
    restraint systems. All of these findings will be presented
    to the five-Member Board for their consideration.

    The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 11, at 9:30
    a.m., in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant
    Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.

    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.” To
    report any problems, please call 703-993-3100 and ask for
    Webcast Technical Support.

    A summary of the safety study, which will include its
    findings and safety recommendations, will appear on the
    website shortly after the conclusion of the meeting. The
    entire study will appear on the website several weeks later.

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    American Airlines Employees Aid Veterans, US Troops

    FORT WORTH, Texas, March 2, 2011 — Thanks to the fuel conservation efforts of American Airlines employees, a total of $409,513 is being provided to Air Compassion for Veterans, a not-for-profit organization that helps active military, veterans and their families travel for medical, counseling and rehabilitation needs.

    Through its employee-driven fuel conservation program, called Fuel Smart, American granted a portion of the proceeds from the initiative to assist those who have served or currently serve in the U.S. military when they need access to medical and related resources.

    “American’s ability to make such a significant contribution to help service members and their families is a direct result of our employees’ participation in Fuel Smart,” said Matt Pfeifer, American’s Managing Director – Operations Strategic Planning. “When our troops and veterans return home, it is imperative that we all pull together to ensure that they receive access to the best possible care. This is made easier because of our employees’ tremendous fuel conservation efforts.”

    In 2010, nearly 1,000 flights were made possible on American and American Eagle aircraft as a result of direct contributions from American Airlines employees. In addition to medical-related travel, Air Compassion for Veterans provides transportation for family members to visit service men and women who are undergoing treatment away from home.

    “So many of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have been injured during their military service and face years of surgeries, therapy and rehabilitation,” said American Airlines First Officer Tom Marquardt, a Major in the Air Force Reserve who plays an instrumental role in American’s partnership with Air Compassion for Veterans. “The ability to go home, or to have your family visit while you’re undergoing rehab, is such an important part of the healing process. My fellow employees are helping make sure this is possible for these brave men and women.”

    Today, the final 2010 donation was made during a special ceremony at American’s Maintenance & Engineering facilities at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. A number of employee workgroups that helped make the contribution possible were honored for their efforts.

    “We are honored to partner with a company like American Airlines, which has made such a strong commitment to serving our military and veterans,” said Ed Boyer, President and CEO of Mercy Medical Airlift, the parent organization of Air Compassion for Veterans. “Without the hard work of American Airlines employees, many of the veterans and their family members simply would not be able to make important trips during rehab and recovery. On behalf of the men and women who wear the cloth of our great nation, we express our deepest thanks.”

    The success of this partnership depends on employee involvement in American’s Fuel Smart program, which aims to achieve fuel savings of 138 million gallons and reduce carbon emissions by 2.9 billion pounds in 2011.

    The employee-led program works across all departments to identify fuel savings opportunities and make them a part of daily routines. Several key programs drive donations and help improve fuel efficiency, including:

    Pilots reducing fuel burn by using a single engine to taxi in and out of gates when possible.
    Airport and flight crews working together to quickly connect ground power and pre-conditioned air hoses to planes and turning off the aircraft auxiliary power when they arrive at the terminal.

    Dispatchers and flight crews using all available planning tools, procedures and expertise to safely plan flight fuel loads without carrying excess fuel.

    American Airlines has a long history of supporting the nation’s armed forces and veterans, dating to World War II and C.R. Smith, the airline’s first president. Currently, more than 60 percent of American’s pilots and 10 percent of all American and American Eagle Airlines employees are active military/reservists or veterans. American supports members of the military, veterans and their families when they travel and in their communities, including special military airfares, waived baggage fees, support of non-profit organizations, and employee engagement in a wide variety of events and activities. To learn more about American’s Military/Veterans Initiatives, visit AA.com/JoinUs.

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    NTSB TO HOST INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ASSISTANCE CONFERENCE

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2011
    SB-11-06

    Washington, DC – The National Transportation Safety Board is hosting a conference to share best practices and promote post-accident family assistance in all modes of transportation. Family Assistance: Promoting an International Approach for the Transportation Industry, will be held in Washington, DC on March 28 and 29, 2011. The conference will bring together family members, transportation accident investigation agencies, industry representatives, government agencies, and the news media to share perspectives on lessons learned in providing family assistance following transportation accidents in an international context.

    “Following a major aviation or passenger rail accident in the US, the NTSB has the responsibility to coordinate support for survivors and families,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “With this conference, we are marking the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act and the 10th anniversary of ICAO Circular 285, with a unique forum to identify lessons learned and draw from international experiences to improve the support for families in the wake of transportation tragedies worldwide.”

    The first day of the conference will include panel discussions featuring family members, transportation industry representatives, vendors, non-governmental organizations, transportation accident investigative agencies, and the news media examining their perspectives on transportation family assistance.

    The second day will feature a series of presentations by NTSB Transportation Disaster Assistance staff as they discuss the Board’s family assistance model from an operational perspective.

    This conference, being held at NTSB’s headquarters, is provided free of charge to those interested in the provision of family assistance in all modes of transportation. A complete agenda and list of speakers will be published prior to the conference. The first day will be webcast at www.ntsb.gov.

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    FAA Proposes $1.05 Million Civil Penalty Against Boeing

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $1,050,000 civil penalty against the Boeing Company for allegedly failing to correct a known problem in production and installation of the central passenger oxygen system in its B-777 airliners.

    The FAA based its proposed civil penalty on inspections of nine newly assembled aircraft between April and October, 2010. Inspectors discovered that spacers in the oxygen delivery system distribution tubing on the aircraft were not installed correctly. Improper installation could result in the system not supplying oxygen to passengers should depressurization occur.

    “There is no excuse for waiting to take action when it comes to safety,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We will continue to insist on the highest levels of safety from our aircraft manufacturers.”

    “The FAA has strict regulations when it comes to the maintenance and installation of aircraft systems that all manufacturers and operators must follow,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
    Boeing has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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    Seats Available for NTSB Event

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594
    November 2, 2010

    The National Transportation Safety Board’s course,
    “Transportation Disaster Response – A Course for Emergency
    Responders,” scheduled for November 16-18, 2010, at the NTSB

    Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, still has openings for
    those who may have a role in responding to major
    transportation accidents.

    NTSB specialists and speakers from the FBI, the New Jersey
    State Police, and other emergency response agencies and
    organizations with response roles in recent accidents will
    discuss the operational and organizational challenges
    encountered in responding to large-scale, high-profile
    transportation accidents.

    The complete course description, agenda, and information on
    registration process and cost are available at:
    http://www.ntsb.gov/Academy/CourseInfo/TDA402_2010.htm

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