http://planenews.com Your aviation news and services. en-us gil@keskydee.com (Gil Gruson) gil@keskydee.com (Gil Gruson) 2008-05-16T23:05:28-04:00 hourly 1 2008-05-16T23:05:28-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9382 WASHINGTON (Reuters): Vought Aircraft Holdings Inc said on Friday it is planning an initial public offering of as much as $250 million in common stock... 9382@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-16T20:40:00-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9381 The Federal Aviation Administration plans to meet with American Airlines to discuss the company’s revised inspection procedures for suspected lightning strikes, an agency spokesman said Friday... 9381@http://planenews.com FAA 2008-05-16T20:39:33-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9380 MOSCOW: Algeria has asked Russia to deliver between 14 and 16 additional Su-30 Flanker fighters in exchange for the MiG-29 Fulcrum aircraft it was supposed to receive under a contract that was terminated this year, a Russian business daily said... 9380@http://planenews.com Military 2008-05-16T20:39:01-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9379 Did you hear about that Helicopter training power-house, Silver State Helicopters ? It sounded a nice proposal, to become a heli instructor but for 2,000+ people, the dream was shut down quite badly and bitterly. It is suspected to be a pyramid scheme even..... 9379@http://planenews.com Helicopters 2008-05-16T20:15:17-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9378 SEATTLE: A China Eastern Airlines (CEA) Boeing [NYSE: BA] Next-Generation 737-700 today completed a flight into China’s Lijiang Airport to validate the capability and benefits of an advanced navigation method known as Required Navigation Performance (RNP). 9378@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-14T16:22:16-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9377 Greenhouse gas emissions from domestic commercial aviation have fallen 13 percent between 2000 and 2006, according to recently released figures from the Environmental Protection Agency. Is it enough to fend off the imposition of crippling emissions controls?.. 9377@http://planenews.com Politics 2008-05-13T23:18:43-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9376 The legendary founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher, recounted the stories behind his airline, explained the philosophy and corporate culture that makes Southwest so successful, and offered some thoughts on current developments in the airline business... 9376@http://planenews.com Airlines 2008-05-13T23:13:11-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9374 A new project implying construction of helicopter pads close to the Moscow Ring Road has been approved by the expert council at the Russian Ministry of Transportation... 9374@http://planenews.com Helicopters 2008-05-13T15:09:27-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9373 LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC (Marketwire via COMTEX News Network):Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW307B engine has been selected by Bombardier Aerospace(i) to power the all-new composite Learjet 85(i) midsize business jet. Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company... 9373@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-13T13:50:14-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9372 The destruction caused by an improvised liquid bomb exploding has been showed to a jury in the case of eight men accused of trying to blow up transatlantic airliners... 9372@http://planenews.com Terrorism 2008-05-13T13:49:33-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9371 In the May 12th edition of Fortune Magazine, there is an interesting article titled "Copter Crisis" that delves into how the growth in offshore drilling for oil and gas has led to increased utilization of helicopters to get to and from the offshore platforms. This offshore drilling boom combined along with increased usage of choppers for private travel has led to a shortage of helicopters and their parts... 9371@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-13T13:48:51-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9370 MOSCOW: A manufacturing plant in southwest China has started to assemble Russian-designed Mi-171 transport helicopters, one of Russia’s key arms exports, the Russian business daily Vedomosti said on Monday... 9370@http://planenews.com Helicopters 2008-05-13T13:48:03-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9369 By Scott Spangler on May 8th, 2008 - www.jetwhine.com On the ground and in the air, ever increasing fuel costs are eviscerating the disposable income of wannabe pilots and the profit margins of flight schools who teach them to fly. Looking forward, many schools are wringing their hands and searching for viable solutions. May I suggest the light-sport aircraft. 9369@http://planenews.com Aviation News 2008-05-13T10:27:09-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9368 By Robert Mark on May 11th, 2008 - www.jetwhine.com Are you serious about a flying career? Then you’ve probably already heard someone speak to the value of a Flight Instructor rating because it offers an opportunity to build flight time until you get hired by the airlines or with a corporation. Almost without question though, if a pilot mentions teaching people to fly for a living, the laughter is bound to be loud. That’s because many of the folks who work hard for their CFI only make the effort because they want to fly, not teach. 9368@http://planenews.com Aviation News 2008-05-13T10:23:16-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9367 SEATTLE: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and El Al Israel Airlines have completed an order for four 777-200ERs (Extended Range). The Israeli airline has secured options for two additional 777s and holds conversion rights for the 777-300ER, a larger version of the 777 with increased payload and range capability. The order is valued at $850 million at list prices. 9367@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-13T00:54:02-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9366 Langley Air Force Base, Va.: New wings are the answer to Air Force concerns on the aging A-10 Thunderbolt II, an airframe flying since 1975. Air Force officials awarded a contract to Boeing last year requiring 242 new A-10 wings constructed and delivered to depots for installment on the thin-skinned airframes by 2011... 9366@http://planenews.com Military 2008-05-12T12:14:44-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9365 PAKISTANI officials are expected in Australia soon seeking to buy equipment including unmanned surveillance aircraft to help patrol Pakistan’s mountainous and porous border with Afghanistan. The tiny aircraft is fitted with cameras that can be used by night or day and has proven successful when used by Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Full Story 9365@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-12T03:44:20-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9364 In the nearest month Venezuela intends to spend around 2 billion US dollars on Russian military equipment. It is expected that Venezuela President Hugo Chavez will personally come to Moscow by the end of May to make an agreement with Russia’s new President Dmitry Medvedev. 9364@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-12T03:28:52-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9363 On May 9 morning the most grandiose parade of the last 18 years took place in Red Square in Moscow, and included demonstration of the most modern military equipment and a small air show. 9363@http://planenews.com Russia 2008-05-12T02:54:45-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9362 China has launched a new commercial plane maker which it hopes will one day compete with the likes of Boeing and Airbus, state media have reported. China Commercial Aircraft will aim to develop regional aircraft able to carry more than 150 passengers, Xinhua said... 9362@http://planenews.com China 2008-05-11T17:08:14-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9361 Etihad Airways has signed a contract with New York-based CIT Aerospace for the lease of two new Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The two A320-200s are scheduled for delivery to the Abu Dhabi-based airline by the end of 2008. The aircraft will be powered by IAE V2527-A5 engines... 9361@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-11T17:04:07-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9360 MADISON, Wis. (AP): A medical helicopter dropped off a patient and then crashed shortly after it took off on its return flight to Madison, killing the surgeon, nurse and pilot on board, officials said Sunday... 9360@http://planenews.com Crash 2008-05-11T17:03:24-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9359 This fall, if our San Francisco Bay Area readers spot a zeppelin overhead, don’t worry, you haven’t been caught in a time warp. It will just mean that a startup called Airship Ventures has succeeded in bringing the zeppelin (an icon of 1930s aviation) back to the United States. The company just raised $8 million in a first round of funding... 9359@http://planenews.com Balloons 2008-05-11T17:02:50-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9358 CAFE Foundation president Brien Seely, M.D. on the role of his organization to promote the development both super-fuel efficient and electric-powered aircraft... 9358@http://planenews.com Engineering 2008-05-10T16:23:22-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9357 (AP): Jon Edwards often manages what appears impossible. He has recovered precious data from computers wrecked in floods and fires and dumped in lakes. Now Edwards may have set a new standard: He found information on a melted disk drive that fell from the sky when space shuttle Columbia disintegrated in 2003... 9357@http://planenews.com Shuttle 2008-05-10T16:23:04-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9356 (www.jetwhine.com): If I were a United Shareholder... Still trying to recover its corporate composure after a stinging slap in the face last week from Continental, United Airlines is now turning its focus on US Airways as a potential partner to reach the holy grail of corporate success... increased shareholder value. Continental would have been a good fit, at least for United. Luckily for Continental, their managers were smart enough to run while they still had the chance however, because I think they smelled the blood in the water. 9356@http://planenews.com Airlines 2008-05-09T19:27:20-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9355 SEATTLE The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Asiana Airlines have completed an order for two 777-200ERs (Extended Range). The order is valued at $438 million at list prices. The South Korean airline holds rights to substitute the larger 777-300ER which features increased payload and range capability, if needed, in the future. 9355@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-08T18:14:52-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9354 Dubai: Qatar Airways have plans for an aggressive expansion of fleets with orders for more than 200 aircraft worth over $30bn over the next few years according to its CEO, Akbar Al Baker... 9354@http://planenews.com Business 2008-05-08T18:14:19-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9353 Don’t call it a flying car. It’s a "roadable aircraft." It’s named the Transition, and the first full-scale model is taking shape inside a former machine shop on an industrial back alley in Woburn, MA. Between now and late July, the 10 employees of angel-funded startup Terrafugia will be spending "a lot of long days, nights, and weekends" in that shop, says CEO and founder Carl Dietrich... 9353@http://planenews.com Engineering 2008-05-08T18:13:30-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9352 When the Senate froze debate this week on a bill that would refund and reorganize the Federal Aviation Administration, it also froze travelers’ hopes that badly needed changes in the nation’s aviation system would come about any time soon... 9352@http://planenews.com FAA 2008-05-08T18:13:06-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9351 The latest war-funding bill might pay for more than just the battles in Iraq and Afghanistan. It could add billions of dollars’ worth of the latest manned and robotic aircraft to American fleets, as well. Nearly a third of the $165.4 billion measure, $51.8 billion, would be "devoted to new weapon systems," Inside Defense reports... 9351@http://planenews.com Air War 2008-05-08T18:12:26-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9350 MARIETTA, Ga: Two Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors successfully sent classified sensor data to ground stations in the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 (JEFX 08) conducted April 15-25 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev... 9350@http://planenews.com Military 2008-05-08T18:11:44-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9349 Horrified passengers on a Paris-bound jet claim they suddenly climbed 10,000 feet to avoid another plane because their pilot was "showing off" to a boy who was with him in the cockpit, the U.K.’s Daily Mail reported Tuesday... 9349@http://planenews.com Incidents 2008-05-07T13:43:42-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9348 WASHINGTON (Reuters): Boeing Co (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) has cut the price and shortened the time it takes to reassemble its HH-47 helicopter as part of its bid to win a $15 billion Air Force competition for a second time, a Boeing executive told Reuters... 9348@http://planenews.com Helicopters 2008-05-07T13:43:23-04:00 http://planenews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9347 Partisan politics are being blamed for a failure to close off debate in the Senate today on FAA reauthorization legislation (HR 2881). Senators voted 49-42 in favor of the motion to invoke cloture, but a three-fifths majority is required, which means the long-awaited legislation remains stalled forcing the FAA to continue operating on a continuing resolution that will expire on June 30, 2008... 9347@http://planenews.com FAA 2008-05-07T13:42:44-04:00