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    Strengthening the Foundations of Brazilian Aviation

    IATA Press Release
    20 August 2009

    Sao Paulo – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) set out an agenda for the Brazilian civil aviation sector, leveraging positive actions by the Government of Brazil to improve competitiveness and deliver broad economic benefits.

    “The new Civil Aviation National Policy is a great opportunity. Air transport supports 2.6% of Brazil’s economy. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of business depend on its success. Brazil must use the national policy to build a more competitive industry by overcoming major fiscal and infrastructure handicaps,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. Bisignani made his comments in a speech to industry and government leaders at the British Chamber of Commerce in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

    Bisignani held positive meetings with ANAC, the Ministry of Defense and the Minister of Institutional Relations and noted many recent encouraging developments in Brazilian aviation. These include the elimination of the PIS/COFINS tax on jet fuel which collected US$100 million annually, the adoption of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) by the Brazilian government, and the staged liberalization of air fares. “As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, we look forward to working even more closely with the government to further improve the competitiveness of Brazilian aviation and achieve cost-efficient infrastructure improvements,” said Bisignani.

    Bisignani offered to work with the Brazilian government in two key areas:

    Airport Concessions: Brazil is contemplating airport concessions to help speed infrastructure improvements. “Private investment with the right conditions can help improve infrastructure but concessionaires must be governed by robust economic regulation. Our common goal is to ensure that the airport is run efficiently, serves and consults with its customers and drives economic development. This is a natural role for ANAC. IATA is happy to bring its global expertise to ensure that ANAC has the independence to carry its mission effectively,” said Bisignani.
    Congestion at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport: Bisignani offered support for early implementation of IATA’s Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos airport. “Congestion pricing is not a solution. IATA’s Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines are helping airports around the world manage congestion. As we evaluate longer term solutions, we look forward to working with INFRAERO to make the most of existing terminals and infrastructure and to a robust consultation process on future developments,” said Bisignani.
    Bisignani also noted the need to improve the competitiveness of the Brazilian aviation sector by working together to addressing two specific issues:

    Petrobras’ import parity pricing policy: “This adds 30 cents to every gallon of jet fuel sold in Brazil. This US$450 million annual competitive disadvantage makes no sense for a country that supplies 80% of its fuel needs domestically. The result is that 32% of the cost structure of Brazil’s airlines goes to fuel, compared to a global average of 23%. We must find a policy that brings prices in line with market realities,” said Bisignani.
    ATAERO Tax: Airport charges paid to INFRAERO, Brazil’s airport operator, do not equally recover costs for each individual airport. Airlines pay a 50% surcharge (US$370 million annually) known as ATAERO to cover the gaps. “INFRAERO must be funded on a cost recovery basis, with charges that are transparent, agreed with users and in line with international standards,” said Bisignani.
    Finally, Bisignani urged Brazil’s government to be a strong voice driving aviation forward on two key priorities: environment and liberalization.

    Environment: IATA is leading industry efforts on aviation and the environment with three sequential targets: a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, carbon neutral growth by 2020 and a 50% absolute cut in emissions by 2050 (compared to 2005). “Brazil is critical to these goals. As a leader in biofuels, I hope that the Brazilian government will provide the fiscal and legal framework to encourage investments in sustainable biofuels which can significantly reduce aviation’s carbon footprint. Brazil is a major player in the UNFCCC process and at ICAO which is tasked with handling aviation’s international emissions. It has a leadership responsibility to ensure that ICAO can bring to the UNFCCC a position that supports a global sectoral approach to aviation emissions and reflects the industry’s globally harmonized approach to controlling emissions,” said Bisignani.

    Liberalization: Brazil was one of 15 governments participating in IATA’s Agenda for Freedom. An IATA study showed that market and ownership liberalization in Brazil had the potential to generate up to 400,000 new jobs and up to 24 billion Reais. “CONAC’s proposal to increase foreign ownership possibilities to 49% and a recent liberal bilateral agreement with Chile are steps in the right direction. As the region’s largest economy, I hope that Brazil can take leadership to promote liberalization in Latin America and globally,” said Bisignani.

    View Giovanni Bisignani’s full speech

    Notes for Editors:

    IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.
    For more information, please contact:

    Anthony Concil
    Director Corporate Communications
    Tel: +41 22 770 2967

    PORTUGUESE

    Reforçando os Fundamentos da Aviação Brasileira

    20 de agosto de 2009 (São Paulo) A Associação Internacional de Transporte Aéreo (IATA)
    definiu uma agenda para o setor da aviação civil brasileira, destacando ações positivas do
    governo brasileiro para melhorar a competitividade e proporcionar amplos benefícios
    econômicos.

    “A nova Política Nacional de Aviação Civil é uma grande oportunidade. O transporte aéreo
    sustenta 2,6% da economia brasileira. Milhares de empregos e bilhões de dólares em negócios
    dependem de seu sucesso. O Brasil deve usar a política nacional para construir uma indústria
    mais competitiva, abordando importantes descompassos fiscais e de infraestrutura “, disse
    Giovanni Bisignani, Diretor Geral e CEO da IATA. Bisignani fez seus comentários em um
    discurso para líderes da indústria e do governo na Câmara Britânica de Comércio em São Paulo,
    Brasil.

    Bisignani teve positivas reuniões com a ANAC, o Ministério da Defesa e com o Ministro das
    Relações Institucionais e constatou recentes desenvolvimentos encorajadores para a aviação
    brasileira. Estes incluem a eliminação do PIS/COFINS sobre a querosene de aviação, que
    representam US$100 milhões anualmente, a adoção do IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)
    pelo governo brasileiro e a progressiva liberalização das tarifas aéreas. “Com a preparação do
    Brasil para sediar a Copa do Mundo 2014, estamos dispostos a trabalhar ainda mais
    estreitamente com o governo para aprimorar a competitividade da aviação brasileira e alcançar
    maiores eficiências de custo de infraestrutura”, disse Bisignani.

    Bisignani se ofereceu para trabalhar com o governo brasileiro em duas áreas fundamentais:
    • Concessões de Aeroportos: O Brasil está considerando a concessões de aeroportos
    para acelerar melhorias na infraestrutura. “O investimento privado, nas condições
    adequadas, pode ajudar a melhorar a infraestrutura, mas os concessionários devem ser
    objeto de uma regulação econômica robusta. O nosso objetivo comum é assegurar que
    o aeroporto funcione de forma eficiente, sirva e interaja com seus clientes e impulsione o
    desenvolvimento econômico. Esta é uma função da ANAC. A IATA tem prazer em dividir
    sua experiência global para possibilitar que a ANAC tenha a independência para
    desempenhar sua missão de maneira eficaz”, disse Bisignani.
    • Congestionamento no Aeroporto de Guarulhos/São Paulo: Bisignani ofereceu apoio
    para a pronta implementação dos Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines no aeroporto de
    Guarulhos, em São Paulo. “A tarifa de congestionamento não é uma solução. Os
    Worldwide Scheduling Guidelines estão ajudando aeroportos ao redor do mundo a
    gerenciar congestionamentos. Enquanto avaliamos soluções de longo prazo,
    trabalharemos com a INFRAERO para tirar máximo proveito da infraestrutura e dos
    terminais existentes, além de um processo consistente de planejamento conjunto sobre
    futuros projetos “, disse Bisignani.

    Bisignani observou também a necessidade de melhorar a competitividade do setor de aviação
    brasileiro, trabalhando em conjunto para abordar duas questões específicas:
    Política da paridade de preços de importação da Petrobras: “Isto adiciona 30
    centavos para cada galão de querosene de aviação vendido no Brasil. Essa
    desvantagem competitiva de US$450 milhões anuais não faz sentido para um país que
    produz internamente 80% de seu consumo de combustível. O resultado disto é que a
    participação dos combustíveis nos custos das empresas brasileiras representa 32% do
    total, contra 23% da média global. Precisamos encontrar uma política de preços alinhada
    com as realidades do mercado”, disse Bisignani.

    ATAERO: As tarifas de aeroporto pagas para a INFRAERO, a operadora brasileira de
    aeroportos, não cobrem por completo os custos para cada aeroporto individualmente. As
    empresas aéreas pagam uma sobretaxa de 50% (US$ 370 milhões ao ano) conhecida
    como ATAERO para cobrir necessidades. “A INFRAERO deve ser remunerada em base
    de recuperação de custos, com tarifas que sejam transparentes, acordadas com os
    usuários e alinhadas com padrões internacionais”, disse Bisignani.
    Por fim Bisignani instigou o governo brasileiro a ser um líder no setor de aviação com relação à
    dois temas prioritários: meio ambiente e liberalização.

    Meio ambiente: a IATA está liderando os esforços da aviação civil com relação ao meio
    ambiente, com três metas sequenciais: 1,5% de melhoria anual na eficiência de combustível até
    2020, crescimento neutro de carbono até 2020 e redução absoluta de 50% nas emissões até
    2050 (em comparação à 2005). “O Brasil é chave para estas metas. Com um líder em
    biocombustíveis, espero que o governo brasileiro desenvolva um modelo fiscal e legal para
    encorajar investimentos em biocombustíveis sustentáveis, que podem reduzir significativamente
    nossa pegada de carbono. O Brasil é um ator importante no UNFCCC e na ICAO, que foi
    incumbida de gerenciar as emissões da aviação internacional. O Brasil possui uma
    responsabilidade de liderança para garantir que a ICAO consiga levar para o UNFCCC uma
    posição que represente a abordagem da indústria da aviação e reflita o objetivo de
    harmonização global para o controle das emissões”, disse Bisignani.

    Liberalização: O Brasil foi um dos 15 governos que participou da reunião Agenda for Freedom,
    da IATA. Um estudo da IATA indicou que a liberalização do acesso ao mercado e à propriedade
    tem o potencial de gerar até 400.000 novos empregos e até R$ 24 bilhões de incremento no PIB
    do país. “A proposta do CONAC de aumentar as possibilidades de propriedade estrangeira para
    49% e um recente acordo bilateral liberal com o Chile são passos na direção correta. Como a
    maior economia da região, espero que o Brasil assuma a liderança para promover a liberalização
    na América Latina e globalmente”, disse Bisignani.

    O texto complete do discurso de Bisignani está disponível em www.iata.org

    Contato:
    Anthony Concil
    Diretor de Comunicação Corporativa
    + 41 22 770 2967
    Email: corpcomms@iata.org

    Nota para os editores:

    • IATA (International Air Transport Association) representa 230 empresas aéreas,
    compreendendo 93% do tráfego aéreo internacional regular.

    Spanish
    Se refuerzan los cimientos de la aviación brasileña

    20 de agosto de 2009 (Sao Paulo) – La International Air Transport Association (IATA) ha
    dibujado una agenda para el sector brasileño de aviación civil, aprovechando las acciones
    positivas del Gobierno brasileño para mejorar la competitividad y obtener beneficios económicos
    más amplios.

    “La nueva Política Nacional de Aviación Civil es una gran oportunidad. El transporte aéreo
    supone el 2,6% de la economía brasileña. Miles de puestos de trabajo y miles de millones de
    dólares de penden de su éxito. Brasil debe usar la política nacional para construir una industria
    más competitiva dando respuesta a los principales retos en materia fiscal y de infraestructura”,
    dijo Giovanni Bisignani, Director General y CEO de IATA. Bisignani hizo estos comentarios en un
    discurso ante líderes de la industria y el gobierno en la Cámara de Comercio Británica en Sao
    Paulo, Brasil.

    Bisignani sostuvo encuentros positivos con el ANAC, el Ministerio de Defensa y el Ministerio de
    Relaciones institucionales, y se hizo eco de varios desarrollos positivos recientes en la aviación
    brasileña. Estos incluyen la eliminación del impuesto PIS/COFINS sobre el combustible de
    aviación, que obtenía 100 millones de dólares anualmente, la adopción de la Auditoría de
    Seguridad Operacional de IATA (IOSA), por parte del Gobierno brasileño, y la liberalización
    escalonada de las tarifas aéreas. “A medida que Brasil se prepara para ser la anfitriona de la
    Copa del Mundo de la FIFA en 2014, esperamos trabajar cada vez más estrechamente con el
    Gobierno para mejorar aun más la competitividad de la aviación brasileña y lograr mejoras en la
    eficiencia de los costes de las infraestructuras”, dijo Bisignani.

    Bisignani ofreció trabajar con el Gobierno brasileño en dos áreas clave:

    • Concesiones aeroportuarias: Brasil está estudiando concesiones aeroportuarias para
    ayudar a agilizar las mejoras en infraestructura. “Las inversiones privadas con las
    condiciones adecuadas pueden ayudar a mejorar la infraestructura, pero los
    concesionarios deben ser gobernados por regulaciones económicas sólidas. Nuestro
    objetivo común es asegurar que los aeropuertos funcionan de forma eficiente, dan
    servicio y se comunican con sus clientes y ayudan al desarrollo económico. Esta es una
    tarea natural para ANAC. IATA está muy satisfecha en aportar su experiencia global
    para asegurar que ANAC tiene la independencia para llevar a cabo su misión de forma
    eficiente”, dijo Bisignani.

    • Congestión en el Aeropuerto Guarulhos de Sao Paulo: Bisignani ofreció el apoyo
    para la implementación de la Guía de Programación Mundial de IATA en el Aeropuerto
    Guarulhos de Sao Paulo. “Cobrar para evitar la congestión no es la solución. La Guía de
    Programación Mundial de IATA está ayudando a los aeropuertos de todo el mundo a
    gestionar la congestión. Mientras evaluamos soluciones a largo plazo, esperamos
    trabajar con INFRAERO para conseguir lo máximo de las terminales e infraestructuras
    existentes y llegar a un sólido proceso de consultas sobre los desarrollos futuros”, dijo
    Bisignani.

    Bisignani también hizo notar la necesidad de mejorar la competitividad del sector brasileño de
    aviación trabajando juntos para dar respuesta a dos problemas específicos:

    • La política de paridad de importación en los precios de Petrobras: “Esto añade 30
    centavos a cada galón de combustible de aviación vendido en Brasil. Esta desventaja
    competitiva de 450 millones de dólares anuales, no tiene sentido para un país que
    suministra domésticamente el 80% de sus necesidad de combustible. El resultado es
    que el 32% de la estructura de costes de las líneas aéreas brasileñas es el combustible,
    en comparación con la media mundial del 23 %. Debemos encontrar una política que
    coloque a los precios en línea con la realidad del mercado”, dijo Bisignani.

    • El impuesto ATAERO: Las tasas aeroportuarias que se pagan a INFRAERO, el
    operador brasileño de aeropuertos, no recuperan costes de forma similar en cada
    aeropuerto individual. Las líneas aéreas pagan una sobretasa del 50% (370 millones de
    dólares anuales), conocida como ATAERO para cubrir los agujeros. “ATAERO debe
    financiarse sobre una base de recuperación de costes, con tasas transparentes, de
    acuerdo con los utilizadores, y en línea con las normas internacionales”, dijo Bisignani.
    Finalmente, Bisignani urgió al Gobierno brasileño para que apoyase el futuro de la aviación
    basándose en dos prioridades clave: medio ambiente y liberalización.
    Medio Ambiente: IATA está liderando los esfuerzos de la industria sobre el medio ambiente con
    tres objetivos esenciales: Una media del 1,5% anual de mejora en la eficiencia del consumo de
    combustible hasta 2020, crecimiento neutral en carbono para 2020 y una reducción absoluta del
    50% en las emisiones en 2050 (en comparación con 2005). “Brasil es crítico para lograr estos
    objetivos. Como líder en biocombustibles, espero que el Gobierno brasileño ofrezca el marco
    fiscal y legal para ayudar a las inversiones en biocombustibles sostenibles que pueden reducir de
    forma significativa la huella de carbono de la aviación. Brasil es uno de los principales actores en
    el proceso de UNFCCC y en OACI, que tiene la responsabilidad de gestionar las emisiones
    internacionales de la aviación. Tiene la responsabilidad de líder para asegurar que OACI pueda
    dar a UNFCCC una propuesta que apoye una filosofía sectorial global y refleje la filosofía
    armonizada globalmente del sector para controlar sus emisiones”, dijo Bisignani.

    Liberalización: Brasil fue uno de los 15 países cuyo Gobierno participó en la “Agenda for
    Freedom” de IATA. Un estudio de IATA mostro que la liberalización de mercado y de la
    propiedad en Brasil tenía el potencial de generar hasta 400.000 nuevos empleos y 24.000
    millones de Reais. “La propuesta de CONAC de incrementar la propiedad extranjera hasta el
    49% y un reciente acuerdo bilateral liberal con Chile son pasos en la dirección correcta. Como la
    mayor economía de la región, espero que Brasil tenga el liderazgo para promover la
    liberalización en América Latina y globalmente”, dijo Bisignani.

    El texto complete del discurso de Bsisgnani está disponible en www.iata.org.

    – IATA –
    Contacto:
    Anthony Concil
    Director Corporate Communications
    + 41 22 770 2967
    Email: corpcomms@iata.org
    Nota para los editors:
    • IATA (International Air Transport Association) representa a unas 230 líneas aéreas, que
    suponen el 93% del tráfico aéreo internacional regular.

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    Denver Crash Update

    Weather vaning where a strong crosswind pushes a plane’s tail and turns the aircraft’s nose into the wind, much like it turns a weather vane” is being considered as one of the causes of the Denver Crash. At the time, gusts of 37 mph were recorded. So far, the National Transportation Safety Board has cleared the plane’s brakes and engines of fault. Other possible mechanical failure could still be a possibility. Other experts say a crosswind of that mph is not strong enough to have caused a problem unless ice on the runway was also a factor.
    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737 flight 1404 Denver to Houston Registration N18611
    Where: Denver International Airport on runway 34 Right
    When: 20 DEC 2008 18:18 local time
    Who: 107 passengers 5 crew (at least 38 injured, nothing life-threatening) Ten passengers were taken to Denver Health. 15 passengers were taken to the Medical Center of Aurora. University Hospital in Aurora took in eight. Four passengers were taken to Swedish Hospital
    Why: The plane suffered a runway excursion at runway 34R during takeoff, slid into a ditch and caught fire after the crash. The #1 engine separated from the wing and the undercarriage collapsed. There was a 31 knot (36 mph) crosswind.
    Passengers debarked on emergency slides as the plane burned. 38 people were taken to 4 Denver hospitals with injuries ranging from broken bones to bumps and bruises. Fire burned the right side of the plane. Two patients at University of Colorado Hospital initially listed in fair condition were downgraded to critical condition with fractures.

    By the time the passengers had evacuated, the fire had spread inside and started melting the luggage compartments.

    Debris remained on the runway, with the plane about 200 yards away and its landing gear and left engine shorn off.

    The plane’s first flight was 1994-05-31.It has 2 CFMI CFM56-3C1 engines.
    NTSB Preliminary Report: Identification: DCA09MA021
    Scheduled 14 CFR Part 121: Air Carrier operation of CONTINENTAL AIRLINES INC
    Accident occurred Saturday, December 20, 2008 in Denver, CO
    Aircraft: BOEING 737, registration: N18611
    Injuries: 5 Serious, 27 Minor, 83 Uninjured.
    This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

    On December 20, 2008, at 1818 mountain standard time, Continental flight 1404, a Boeing 737-500 (registration N18611), equipped with CFM56-3B1 engines, departed the left side of runway 34R during takeoff from Denver International Airport (DEN). The scheduled, domestic passenger flight, operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121, was enroute to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, Texas. There were 37 injuries among the passengers and crew, and no fatalities. The airplane was substantially damaged and experienced post-crash fire. The weather observation in effect nearest the time of the accident was reported to be winds at 290 and 24 knots with gusts to 32 knots, visibility of 10 miles, a few clouds at 4000 feet and scattered clouds at 10,000 feet. The temperature was reported as -4 degrees Celsius.

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    Press Release – FAA Proposes Civil Penalty Against American Airlines

    For Immediate Release
    August 26, 2010

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $24.2 million civil penalty against American Airlines Inc. for failing to correctly follow an Airworthiness Directive involving the maintenance of its McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. This civil penalty is the largest ever proposed by the FAA.

    “We put rules and regulations in place to keep the flying public safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect operators to perform inspections and conduct regular and required maintenance in order to prevent safety issues. There can be no compromises when it comes to safety.”

    The FAA alleges American did not follow steps outlined in a 2006 Airworthiness Directive requiring operators to inspect wire bundles located in the wheel wells of MD-80 aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive, AD 2006-15-15, required a one-time general visual inspection by March 5, 2008 for chafing or signs of arcing of the wire bundle for the auxiliary hydraulic pump. It also required operators to perform corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of the applicable manufacturer’s Service Bulletin.

    The purpose of the Airworthiness Directive was to prevent the shorting of wires or arcing at the auxiliary hydraulic pump, which could result in loss of auxiliary hydraulic power or a fire in the wheel well of the aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive also sought to reduce the potential of an ignition source adjacent to the fuel tanks, which, in combination with the flammable vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion.

    The FAA first detected the violations on March 25, 2008, during an inspection of two aircraft. The FAA informed American’s management that the aircraft did not comply with the AD, prompting a series of re-inspections and additional maintenance work that occurred during the following two weeks. On March 26, after American performed additional maintenance on its MD-80 fleet, the FAA inspected eight aircraft at American’s Tulsa maintenance base and found that seven did not comply with the Airworthiness Directive. On April 7, the FAA inspected another nine MD-80 aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and found that eight of them still did not comply with the AD. A tenth aircraft inspected by American mechanics also did not comply. On April 8, American began grounding its MD-80 fleet to conduct new inspections and redo work as necessary.

    The FAA subsequently determined that 286 of the airline’s MD-80s were operated on a combined 14,278 passenger flights while the aircraft were not in compliance with Federal Regulations. American ultimately completed the work required by the 2006 Airworthiness Directive.

    Over the last year and a half, FAA safety officials have reported progress in working with American Airlines to help improve the airline’s maintenance culture. The FAA is committed to continuing that work.

    American has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

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  • | |

    Aero Friedrichshafen


    Global Airshow for General Aviation
    April 8-11 2010

    Friedrichshafen, Germany –
    Over the past 30 years, AERO, a former aerial sports and leisure fair, has developed into an international communication platform for the businessoriented General Aviation industry.

    We would show more of the 2010 Press Releases but they aren’t up yet.

    This page will have the hall, exhibitors, products, aircraft, novelties and contact information “Starting in spring 2010.

    The show’s brochure will be available approx. 4 weeks prior to the show.

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    Purdue University Opening New Aviation Engine Testing Facility

    WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University will operate a new federally funded facility to test aircraft engines and develop alternative fuels in work that also aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on imported oil.
    The National Test Facility for Fuels and Propulsion is funded with a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Air Force and will be housed in the Niswonger Aviation Technology Building at the Purdue Airport.

    “The aerospace industry now has an unprecedented interest in developing green aircraft using biofuels,” said David L. Stanley, an associate professor of aeronautical engineering technology at Purdue and principal investigator of the facility. “Testing will be conducted while fuels are being researched for development. This means input will be provided during the development phase, not after the fuel has been developed, which helps to ensure the best results possible.”

    The facility, expected to open in late 2010 or early 2011, will test aerospace hardware in engines and aircraft and provide data related to fuel-sustainability and emissions goals and for economic assessments.

    “This is a multidisciplinary research approach that begins with growing crops, developing fuels from those crops in the laboratory and then testing those fuels in engines,” said Denver Lopp, a professor of aviation technology and one of two co-principal investigators.

    The other co-principal investigator is J. Mark Thom, a professor of aviation technology.

    Work will focus on jet engines but will include some testing related to piston engines.

    “The project involves faculty members in the colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Science and Technology to develop a well-rounded and capable research team for fuels research, with particular focus on aviation and aerospace,” Lopp said. “Purdue is strong in each of these areas, and having an airport also enhances these strengths.”

    The researchers will work with the Air Force, industry and government agencies to develop the fuels.

    “Roughly 17 billion gallons of turbine fuel are burned annually in the United States, and clearly a portion of this could be saved by blending alternative fuels,” Stanley said. “The U.S. Air Force intends to be able to operate its fleet on blends of these fuels.”

    The work will tackle four major bottlenecks to aerospace progress: access to hardware testing; development of control logic and systems permitting flex-fuel operation and realization of improved efficiencies; sustainability of biofuels related to crop productivity, as well as bio and synthetic fuels’ ability to meet both near- and long-term aerospace requirements; and regulatory compliance.

    “The overall goal is to update and maintain a multifaceted national testing facility with dedicated administration to support development and testing of alternative energy sources for aerospace equipment,” Lopp said. “This facility will address all energy sources and will not be an advocate of any particular fuel.”

    Writer: Emil Venere, 765-494-4709, venere@purdue.edu

    Sources: David Stanley, 765-494-6266, stanledl@purdue.edu

    Denver Lopp, 765-494-6387, denver@purdue.edu

    Purdue News Service: ( 765 ) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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    NTSB SAFETY RECOMMENDATION

    The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration:

    Amend 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 to require separate seats and restraints for every occupant. (A-10-121)

    Amend 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 to require each person who is less than 2 years of age to be restrained in a separate seat position by an appropriate child restraint system during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. (A-10-122)

    Amend 14 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 121 and 135 to require each person who is less than 2 years of age to be restrained in a separate seat position by an appropriate child restraint system during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. (A-10-123)

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