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Press Release – FAA Awards $18 Million Environmental Grant to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the award of its largest Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) grant for an $18.3 million project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) to improve air quality and to reduce the use of conventional fuels at the airport.

With the VALE grant, Sea-Tac will be able to install a centralized preconditioned air plant that will allow aircraft arriving at the gates to shut off their auxiliary power units and connect to a cleaner central heating and cooling system. This project will greatly reduce aircraft emissions on the ground.

“This program is helping airports around the country make needed technological investments so they can be more environmentally friendly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Since the first VALE grant award in 2005, the FAA has funded 40 projects totaling $83 million dollars.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt announced the grant during a press conference in Seattle where he highlighted environmental efforts under way at Sea-Tac and by the Alaska Air Group (AAG) as examples of the kind of innovative work being done in the aviation community.

“The FAA is encouraging airlines and airports to find creative ways to reduce aviation’s impact on the environment,” said Administrator Babbitt. “NextGen technology will also help aviation go even greener by significantly reducing the amount of fuel burned during air travel.”

Administrator Babbitt discussed an innovative program under way in the Sea-Tac area known as the Greener Skies over Seattle project. The project began in early 2009 with the Alaska Air Group (AAG), which includes Alaska Airlines and Horizon Airlines, the Port of Seattle and the Boeing Co. The AAG is seeking to improve efficiency at Sea-Tac through expanded use of NextGen satellite-based technologies to provide more direct and optimized descent paths to landing.

The program has the potential to provide environmental benefits to the region through reducing fuel burn, emissions, and the number of people impacted by aircraft noise. In addition, lessons and benefits gained from this effort may be transferred to other airports around the nation. In mid-2010 Greener Skies over Seattle became a FAA project and the first phase of Performance Based Navigation instrument flight procedure development is now under way.

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    Press Release – FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt Breaks Ground on Recovery Act Funded Oakland Control Tower

    For Immediate Release
    October 15, 2010

    OAKLAND, Calif. – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt helped break ground today for a new air traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Oakland International Airport ARRA grant, totaling $33.2 million, is the FAA’s largest, single Recovery Act award.

    “This Recovery Act project will make a difference for the Oakland area economy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “People will be put to work building an environmentally friendly tower that will better serve the airport and the community.”

    The Recovery Act grant will pay for construction of the 236-foot-tall tower and a 13,000 square-foot base building, as well as some equipment for the facility.

    “This brand new, modernized tower will give air traffic controllers a better view of the airfield and help improve airport efficiency,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The Recovery Act is allowing us to make needed investments at airports around the country.”

    Two air traffic control towers currently serve Oakland International Airport. A 158-foot-tall tower on the southern portion of the airfield was built in 1962 as a part of a terminal expansion project. In 1972, construction of a large hangar blocked some views from the south tower, requiring the Port of Oakland to build a second tower to handle traffic on the north runways.

    Replacing both towers with a single one will improve air traffic operations and reduce operating costs. The FAA expects to start using the new tower in 2013.

    The new tower will feature a number of environmental benefits, including a covered parking structure with solar panels on the roof of the base building, which will provide power for the tower and its electrical systems. The tower also will have a geothermal heating system and a rainwater storage system.

    In addition to the Oakland tower funding, the FAA provided a total of $37 million in Recovery Act grants to Bay Area airports.

    Oakland International Airport received a $14.9 million ARRA grant to rebuild a large apron area used by airlines and cargo carriers and to reconfigure a taxiway. By replacing old apron pavement, the project will improve efficiency and allow larger aircraft to use the taxiway.

    San Francisco International Airport received ARRA grants totaling $14.5 million to resurface two runways. The projects leveled out the runways, which tend to settle over time because of ground conditions. The new asphalt concrete resurface also will prevent unexpected runway shutdowns due to pavement breakdown, and will guard against crumbling pavement debris that can damage aircraft.

    In San Jose, a $5.2 million Recovery Act grant is funding the extension of a taxiway at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. This project will improve safety by eliminating the need for private planes to cross a runway while taxiing to an engine run-up area.

    An additional $2.4 million in Recovery Act funds is modernizing and making safety upgrades at area facilities and airports.

    Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

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    GE and AVIC Sign Agreement for Integrated Avionics Joint Venture

    GE Aviation of the United States and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) today announced the signing of the agreement to form their new joint venture company. Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke witnessed the public signing by David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation and Zhang Xinguo, vice president of AVIC today in Chicago.

    The new AVIC and GE joint venture company will develop and market integrated, open architecture avionics systems to the global commercial aerospace industry for new aircraft platforms. This system will be the central information system and backbone of the airplane’s networks and electronics and will host the airplane’s avionics, maintenance and utility functions. GE and AVIC will continue to service their legacy programs and existing contracts with customers. The agreement is subject to government approvals and the issuance of an operating license.

    This 50/50 joint venture represents a significant milestone in the growing aerospace relationship between Chinese aviation industry and GE Aviation since the mid-1980s. Chinese airlines now operate more than 2,500 jet engines produced by GE and CFM International (joint company of GE and Snecma), with an additional 1,000 engines on back order. GE Aviation’s collaboration in China also involves investment in a network of facilities for technical training, manufacturing, spare parts distribution, and engine maintenance and overhaul. Additionally, GE is powering China’s new ARJ21 regional aircraft and CFMI was selected to power the new Chinese C919 aircraft.

    The new GE-AVIC joint venture extends the relationship beyond engines into commercial avionics. It will enable GE and AVIC to grow a business together that will create jobs globally, including hundreds of new jobs in the US, the UK and China.

    “GE is extremely pleased and excited to be a part of this unique aviation business. The JV will build on the extensive avionics capabilities of both companies and create a technology center of excellence to serve the commercial aviation market,” said David Joyce. “GE’s aviation business in China results in 1,800 high-technology jobs in the U.S. The jobs are involved in producing and supporting jet engines for China, as well as developing the new engine and avionics system for the C919.”

    The joint venture company will be headquartered in China and will be the single route-to-market for integrated avionics systems for both GE and AVIC for new commercial aircraft. Also, GE and AVIC will each provide avionics products to the joint venture company as a customer and distributor.

    “The combination of AVIC and GE’s aviation experience, technical know-how and people skills will lead to the development of highly competitive commercial avionics products,” said Zhang Xinguo. “AVIC is looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

    The name of the joint venture is GE-AVIC Civil Avionics Systems Company Limited. The joint venture will have its Chairman and General Manager nominated by AVIC and GE respectively with final approval from its board of directors. The company will be initially located at Zizhu Digital Hub Science Park in Shanghai until a permanent location is secured.

    “The joint venture will work to secure systems and other avionics products on future aircraft adding to the overall economic value and jobs created,” said Lorraine Bolsinger, president and CEO of GE Aviation Systems. “The JV and C919 program will support and maintain at least 300 high-tech jobs locally in each the US and China. This venture will challenge our team to come up with break-through technology. GE and AVIC will together develop a world-class engineering organization and the JV itself will be creating new IP and new technology. This is a 50/50 partnership; you have to be all in and be very committed.”

    The initial focus for the joint venture is integrated avionics systems for the C919 aircraft. This selection was formalized in a Letter of Intent with COMAC memorialized in a public signing on July 12, 2010. COMAC anticipates delivering more than 2300 C919 aircraft over the 20-year life of the program. This market potential provides an estimated value for the AVIC GE avionics systems of approximately $2 billion.

    Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE and Lin Zuoming, president of AVIC, originally signed the framework agreement on November 15, 2009 regarding the formation of the visionary joint venture and the intention of jointly creating a market-leading integrated avionics system supplier.

    Since a major restructuring in November 2008, the AVIC Group has been ranked in the Fortune’s Global 500 list with a diversified aviation business portfolio ranging from helicopter-making to plane manufacturing. The company has also developed strong capabilities to supply avionics products to various models of aircrafts, both for military and civil use. AVIC has also been active in extensive international exchange and cooperation, viewing all industrial players in the aviation space globally as potential partners.

    China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) is an ultra large state-owned enterprise and an investment institution, authorized and managed by the Central People’s Government. It is reorganized from AVIC I and AVIC II. The AVIC group oversees a wide range of business units, including defense, transport aircraft, aviation engine, helicopters, avionics, electromechanical systems, general aviation aircraft, aviation research and development, flight test, trade & logistics and asset management. It has nearly 200 subsidiaries (branches) and over 20 listed companies with a total of 400,000 employees. AVIC was ranked 330th in the Global Fortune 500 for 2010. It was the first Chinese aviation industrial company to make it into the rarified league. For more information, please visitwww.avic.com.cn.

    GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE has a global service network to support these offerings.

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    NTSB Release: Probable Cause of Denver Runway Accident Cited

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2010

    Lack of Rules Requiring Dissemination of Wind Condition Data and Pilot’s Insufficient Rudder Control Cited as Probablye Cause of 2008 Denver Runway Accident

    Washington, DC – The National Transportation Safety Board today determined that the probable cause of the 2008 Continental Airlines flight 1404 runway excursion accident was the captain’s cessation of rudder input, which was needed to maintain directional control of the airplane, about 4 seconds before the aircraft departed the runway, when the airplane encountered a strong and gusty crosswind that exceeded the captain’s training and experience.

    Contributing to the accident was the air traffic control system that did not require or facilitate the dissemination of key available wind information to air traffic controllers and pilots, and inadequate cross wind training in the airline industry due to deficient simulator wind gust modeling.

    On December 20, 2008, Continental Airlines flight 1404 veered off the left side of runway 34R during a takeoff from Denver International Airport. As a result, the captain initiated a rejected takeoff and the airplane came to rest between runways 34R and 34L. There was a post-crash fire.
    All 110 passengers and 5 crewmembers evacuated the airplane immediately after it came to rest. The captain and five passengers were seriously injured.

    At the time of the accident, mountain wave and downsloping wind conditions existed in the Denver area and the strong localized winds associated with these conditions resulted in pulses of strong wind gusts at the surface that posed a threat to operations at Denver International Airport.

    “This aircraft happened to be in the direct path of a perfect storm of circumstances that resulted in an unexpected excursion in an airport with one of the most sophisticated wind sensing systems in the country,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It is critical that pilots receive training to operate aircraft when high wind conditions and significant gusts are present, and that sufficient airport-specific wind information be provided to ATC controllers and pilots as well.”

    As a result of this accident the NTSB issued 14 recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding mountain waves, wind dissemination to flightcrews, runway selection, pilot training for crosswind takeoffs, and crashworthiness.

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    FAA Proposes $354,500 Civil Penalty Against US Airways


    WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $354,500 civil penalty against US Airways, Inc., of Phoenix, for operating a Boeing 757 airliner on 916 revenue flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
    The FAA alleges US Airways removed and replaced a leaking engine fuel pump on the aircraft on Aug. 3, 2010, and US Airways failed to carry out FAA-required tests and inspections before returning the aircraft to revenue service. The noncompliant flights took place between Aug. 3 and Dec 3, 2010.

    US Airways, Inc., has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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  • Flight Attendants Safely Usher Travelers to Holiday Destinations

    Upcoming Anniversary of the 2009 Christmas Day Bomber Reminds All that There is Never a Holiday from Safety and Security Work for Flight Attendants

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2010 /
    — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the world’s largest Flight Attendant union, reminds the traveling public of the heroic acts of Flight Attendants to thwart the terror attempt during the final approach of Delta flight 253 into Detroit on December 25, 2009. Flight Attendants are always vigilant and focused on their work as the last line of defense as well as their responsibilities as first responders. The traveling public can fly with confidence in the care of the nation’s Flight Attendants.

    “As the last line of defense, professional Flight Attendants are a vital link in the chain of commercial aviation security,” said AFA International President-Elect Veda Shook. “We are an integral part of a crew that works in concert for the security of each flight. In working to defend the best interests of professional Flight Attendants, AFA is in turn defending the best interests of the flying public and our national security.”

    One year ago on Christmas Day, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to take down Delta flight 253 by detonating an explosive. Swift action by the crew stopped the potentially tragic events and saved the lives of everyone on board. The professional Flight Attendants quickly took control of the situation, successfully averting a possible tragedy. Two Flight Attendants, with the assistance of one passenger, extinguished the fire, stripped and searched the offender and ultimately restrained him. In the midst of the chaos, the rest of the Flight Attendant crew acted to maintain control of the cabin and ensure the well-being of all passengers.

    The flight deck remained locked down as Flight Attendants assumed their role as first responders and maintained their role as the last line of defense by taking any and all measures to protect the integrity of the flight deck. Relying on communication with the pilots, their training and on personal judgment, they implemented the appropriate response to the security threat.

    Trained and certified in passenger safety, the nation’s Flight Attendants will not only usher millions of passengers to friends and family over the holidays, but also stand alert and ready to respond to any potential threats in the aircraft cabin.

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    Small Plane Crashed in Oklahoma; 1 Dead, 1 Injured

    Beechcraft BonanzaA single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza crashed in Colbert, Oklahoma, on the afternoon of July 26.

    The plane, carrying 2 people, was heading from Springfield, Missouri, to Fort Worth Spinks Airport, Texas, when it apparently lost power and crashed.

    Charles S Fehr, 64, died in the crash while his 64 year-old wife Vicki Fehr sustained injuries.

    The NTSB and the FAA are investigating the accident.

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