Flight International articles from November 2007

Flight International archives from November 2007

Emirates all but rules out return to A380 Freighter.
November 6, 2007... Byline: cargo max kingsley-jones london Dubai carrier says cargo version needs 'drastic improvement' to figure in its future plans "I like the A380 for its volume, but little else - its numbers have got to change a lot"...

Other approach tests performed in Australia and USA.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: TRIALS SCAT-1 trials with ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) were run by the US Federal Aviation Administration in the 1990s, but abandoned when the FAA decided that wide area augmentation systems could produce Cat I...

Air Transport.(testing and installation of navigation satellite)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Flying the SCAT-1 Flight International's David Learmount watched two night SCAT-1 approaches to Runway 04 at BrA[cedilla]nnA[cedilla]ysund from the jump seat of a WiderA[cedilla]e Dash 8-100. He describes the arrival: "Flying the...

WiderA[cedilla]e Dash 8 makes GNSS history.(global navigation satellite system)
November 6, 2007... Byline: NAVIGATION DAVID LEARMOUNT BRANNAYSUND Precision approach system will be installed at 24 airports in Norway after successful inauguration at BrA[cedilla]nnA[cedilla]ysund The world's only certificated global navigation satellite...

Low-level 737 destroys runway lights.
November 6, 2007... Byline: investigation david kaminski-morrow london Twinjet operating UN charter damaged after descending well below approach path when landing at Katowice airport in fog Polish investigators are probing a serious incident in which a...

Composite wing for Russia's MS-21.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: airframers vladimir karnozov irkutsk OAK also reveals new twinjet will have aluminium lithium fuselage, and outlines design and production allocation plans Russia's next-generation narrowbody airliner, the MS-21, will have a...

Liebherr heads list of Western partners for new twinjet.(Liebherr Aerospace)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: suppliers vladimir karnozov MOSCOW Liebherr Aerospace has been revealed as the first Western supplier for the MS-21, to supply the landing gear through its joint venture with Russia's Hydromash. Franco-German company Liebherr...

Poor maintenance and operational practice led to Metro III fuel scare.
November 6, 2007... Byline: report nicholas ionides singapore A final report into an incident in 2005 in which a Fairchild Metro III nearly ran out of fuel while on a domestic flight in Australia has blamed maintenance procedures as well as the airline's...

Most airlines are happy to use non-OEM spare parts.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: survey aimee turner london More than three-quarters of airlines are fitting replacement aircraft parts that are not sourced from the original equipment manufacturer, according to Flight Insight, Flight International's sister...

Q400 operators keep faith.(influence of withdrawal of Q400 by SAS Group on other airlines)
November 6, 2007... Byline: sAFETY mary kirby philadelphia SAS Group decision to dispose of its entire fleet after suffering another incident is unlikely to be followed by other airlines "There may be a short-term hit in terms of acquisition ...

SAS lays out its withdrawal strategy.(Scandinavian Airlines System)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: grounding david kaminski-morrow london SAS Group carriers were forced to cancel dozens of flights last week, following the decision to withdraw their entire Bombardier Q400 fleet. After implementing short-term route...

THY plans order for A350 or 787.(Turkish Airlines)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: fleet renewal tolga ozbek istanbul The Airbus A380 made its first visit to Istanbul last week, where incumbent carrier Turkish Airlines revealed long-term ambitions to operate the ultra-large aircraft, but says the replacement of...

Business.
November 6, 2007... "Capacity increases are the only solution to achieve the public's desire and need to travel" Boeing Commercial Airplanes boss Scott Carson told the Aero Club in Washington DC that moves to ease US air congestion by damping demand are a...

Business.
November 6, 2007... BOEING PUMPS $7 BILLION INTO SHARES STOCK Boeing is to repurchase up to $7 billion of common stock. The company, which a week ago posted a $1.1 billion third quarter net profit and cut 2008 revenue forecasts owing to 787 delays, has bought...

FAA: fatal general aviation accidents down by 5%.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: safety john croft washington dc kate sarsfield london The US Federal Aviation Administration says the number of fatal general aviation accidents in fiscal 2007 decreased by 5%, down to 314 from 331 in fiscal year 2006. The...

Third SPn makes successful test flight 11 months after fatal crash.(Grob Aerospace)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: prototype kate sarsfield london Grob Aerospace's third SPn prototype took to the skies on 29 October from its development and manufacturing facility in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, near Munich. The programme milestone came 11 months...

KC-X fuels WTO complexity.
November 6, 2007... Byline: SUBSIDIES GRAHAM WARWICK WASHINGTON DC The timing of rival WTO disputes and a USAF tanker decision complicate any negotiations Europe and the USA may realise their Airbus versus Boeing subsidies battle is headed for stalemate,...

Bombardier reveals Learjet NXT to take on mid-size competitors.
November 6, 2007... Byline: product launch graham warwick washington dc New aircraft will fit into product line between 60XR model and Challenger 300 Bombardier has moved to fill the gap between its mid-size Learjet 60XR and super mid-size Challenger 300...

Business.(influence of labor relations on merger of United Air Lines Inc.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... united airlines Labour relations dog the carrier's bid to sell its San Francisco maintenance, repair and overhaul operation. Private equity and MRO rivals are interested, but chief financial officer Jake Brace says: "We have some issues with...

Business.
November 6, 2007... b/e aerospace The cabin parts maker nearly quadrupled third-quarter pre-tax profit to $60.1 million as sales rose nearly 50% to $428.2 million. Seating sales nearly doubled to $164.7 million thanks to "significant" market share gains driven by...

Business.(appointment of Marty Bentrott by Boeing Co.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... West Point graduate Marty Bentrott will take over in January as VP Middle East and Africa sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes from Lee Monson, who is taking a leave of absence Bentrott was formerly VP sales and marketing operations for...

Think global, act local.(supply chain management of Boeing Co.)
November 6, 2007... Boeing needs to learn from its failure to manage a modern supply chain for the 787 when it builds its single-aisle replacement aircraft the concept of globalised sourcing is still sound Mike Bair did not need to say a word. The aviation...

Busting through barriers.(plan of British Airways PLC to set up its subsidiary abroad)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... British Airways' plan to set up a wholly owned subsidiary operating Boeing 757s out of Europe's major hubs to the US East Coast looks set to put a cat among the pigeons. Operators registered in one European Union country setting up...

Bids are in for Brazilian helicopter requirement.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: competition AgustaWestland, Eurocopter and Russia's Rosoboronexport arms agency have submitted a combined seven proposals in response to a Brazilian air force requirement for 24 new medium-lift and attack helicopters. ...

Defence.(contract of new aircrafts by poland air force)(bilateral exercise between air forces of Bulgaria and USA)(management of defense project by UK Ministry of Defence)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... POLISH LIFT Poland is to expand its air force fleet of C-295 tactical transports to 12, after awarding EADS Casa a contract to deliver a further two aircraft during 2008. The deal follows two earlier C-295 orders from Warsaw, which...

First C-27J for Bulgaria on its way.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: delivery The Bulgarian air force is scheduled to take delivery of its first of five Alenia Aeronautica C-27J tactical transports at Sofia international airport's military area on 6 November. Formally accepted in Italy on 12 October...

Standardisation work cuts India's Sukhoi Su-30 fleet.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: fighters peter foster nasik Early aircraft will receive avionics and thrust-vectoring performance modifications and new mission computers Indian air force efforts to bring its fleet of around 70 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters to a...

New Zealand opts for AgustaWestland.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: trainers New Zealand has selected the AgustaWestland A109 for its training and light utility helicopter requirement, with price negotiations for five aircraft and a simulator to conclude in the first quarter of 2008. The Royal...

Boeing 707 retirements will cause Australian tanker gap.
November 6, 2007... Byline: in-flight refuelling peter la franchi london Initial operational capability with new A330-based KC-30B not expected before late 2009 The Royal Australian Air Force is facing a six- to 18-month gap in the availability of...

Royal Navy helicopters to provide coalition support.
November 6, 2007... Byline: operations craig hoyle RNAS culdrose Two deployments from early next year will head for Afghanistan and the Gulf The UK Royal Navy has begun preparations for two new deployments that will provide improved helicopter support for...

Sri Lankan rebels sting air force.(Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam attack Srilankan air force base)
November 6, 2007... Byline: attack siva govindasamy singapore Nine training and surveillance aircraft plus helicopters destroyed in assault by separatist LTTE organisation Analysts say the helicopter and K-8 losses are a major blow to the...

delivering the goods.
November 6, 2007... Byline: max kingsley-jones london Cargo is big business for the Gulf's flag carriers, which are supplementing the enormous capacity offered by the bellies of their passenger fleets with freighter aircraft The Gulf region boasts some of...

widening the net.(global operations of Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd.)
November 6, 2007... Byline: siva govindasamy singapore While its home turf of Singapore is a major player in the Asian maintenance, repair and overhaul market, ST Aero's sights are set on establishing a global network to support its customer airlines to the...

A gulf apart.(influence of gulf countries on air transportation industry)
November 6, 2007... With its handful of high-rise cities amid a lot of desert, the Arabian peninsula accounts for a tiny proportion of the world's population but wields a huge influence over the aviation industry. Its ever-growing airlines, including Emirates,...

Features.(comparison between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in growth in aerospace indsutry)
November 6, 2007... Bob Johnson: relishing opportunity INVESTMENT Following the leader The UAE's big two emirates have ambitions to diversify their economies by becoming global aerospace players, but can Abu Dhabi catch up Dubai? MURDO MORRISON...

Features.
November 6, 2007... air show To Dubaito buy With governments and entrepreneurs in the Gulf in spending mood, next week's Dubai air show will not be short of order announcements MURDO MORRISON DUBAI From airline board directors through top...

Bell freezes 429 exterior profile.(information of helicopter from Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: design KATE SARSFIELD LONDON Bell Helicopter has frozen the final exterior profile of its 429 twin-engine helicopter nearly two years after the light helicopter was unveiled. Two prototypes have completed more than 400h of flight...

Columbia suitors get ready to declare interest.
November 6, 2007... Byline: SELL-OFF jeffrey decker oshkosh Columbia Aircraft's favoured buyer Cessna has completed due diligence of the Bend, Oregon-based manufacturer, but at least five other potential buyers including Cirrus Design, are preparing bids ahead...

Check all aircraft,parachuting clubs told after crash.
November 6, 2007... Byline: investigation emma kelly perth ATSB wants organisations to review survivability issues There were too few aircraft cabin floor harness attachments for the number of occupants The Australian Transport...

Pilots warn BA on contracts for new subsidiary.(This week)
November 6, 2007... Byline: INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS The British Air Line Pilots Association used a high-profile UK radio programme to fire shots across the bow of British Airways as it prepares to launch a subsidiary with bases at most of the main hubs in...

This week.(resignation of Milton Zuanazzi from Brazilian civil aviation authority)(Umecos acquisition by Ametek)(report of Federal Aviation Administration)
November 6, 2007... BRAZIL AVIATION CHIEF STEPS DOWN RESIGNATION President of Brazilian civil aviation authority ANAC's board Milton Zuanazzi is to resign amid the ongoing political struggle over reorganisation of the country's civil aviation sector. Brazil...

M-55 to provide Malaysian broadband.
November 6, 2007... Byline: communications siva govindasamy singapore vladimir karnozov moscow Wireless coverage plan calls for fleet of 13 Russian-made high-altitude spyplanes flying 5h shifts at stratospheric level Russian-made Myasishchev M-55...

Budget delay threatens Orion target.(influence of budget on space program)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: MANNED SPACEFLIGHT rob coppinger london NASA's March 2015 target launch date for its proposed Space Shuttle replacement, the Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV), could be in doubt if the agency's difficult budgetary situation...

UK to propose controlled airspace emissions cuts.
November 6, 2007... Byline: environment john croft washington dc UK airspace authority National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is to propose to its board of directors target levels for 2020 emissions and fuel burn reductions for aircraft flying under its control....

First R66 gets FAA registration.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: rotorcraft Robinson Helicopter has registered the first Robinson R66 turbine helicopter with the US Federal Aviation Administration as the new-generation machine - N466R - is unmasked for the first time by the Robinson Helicopter...

Australia's Rex in pilot training joint venture.(Regional Express Airlines)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: flight schools nicholas ionides singapore Australia's Regional Express (Rex) and two partners have agreed to set up a joint-venture pilot training school near Melbourne. The Civil Aviation Training Academy (CATA) will be at...

Britain looks to blast back into space race.
November 6, 2007... Byline: satellites rob coppinger london Government set to provide funding for launch vehicle study The UK government is ready to provide seed-corn funding for indigenous launch vehicle development, for the first time since its Blue...

Biofuels focus for Embraer strategy.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: environment stephen trimble washington dc Search for turbofan and turboprop advances is centralised Embraer has centralised and strengthened its environmental protection efforts, including new plans to fly a biofuel-powered jet,...

Raytheon triumphant in F-15 radar competition.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: fighters stephen trimble washington dc Raytheon has defended its claim as sole radar supplier for the US Air Force Boeing F-15 fleet, beating a rival bid by Northrop Grumman for an active array upgrade contract. Boeing selected the...

X-49A Pathfinder initial test phase nears end.(testing of aircraft by Piasecki Aircraft Corp.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: ROTORCRAFT JOHN CROFT WASHINGTON DC Piasecki Aircraft is nearing the end of its initial test run of the X-49A vectored thrust-ducted propeller (VDTP) compound helicopter. The modified Sikorsky YSH-60F Seahawk, which has...

OAK puts Russian vision into action.(United Aircraft)
November 6, 2007... Byline: production vladimir karnozov moscow Rationalisation will focus nation's aerospace plants, providing improved efficiency and much greater output capability The move will allow production rates to rise to meet targets...

Last call for NASA's Shuttle.(management of space stations )
November 6, 2007... Byline: manned spaceflight rob coppinger london The International Space Station will have to outlive its supply vehicle when the orbiter fleet is grounded in 2010 The successful attachment of the European-built Harmony Node 2 module to...

Technology.(testing of aircraft engine by Boeing and Aurora Flight Systems)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Boeing and Aurora Flight Systems have tested a Ford-developed hydrogen engine planned to power future high-altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicles. The test run included three days at a simulated 65,000ft (20,000m) altitude. The gasoline...

Technology.(influence of technology on aicraft industry)(research of NASA on turbomachinery using foil bearings)
November 6, 2007... Tech notes UK studies neutron strikes on avionics RELIABILITY A [pounds sterling]140 million ($290 million) facility to test the effects of neutron radiation on aircraft and spacecraft electronics is nearing completion in the UK....

Technology.(influence of technology in reducong pollution caused by air crafts)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... What were the objectives of the Vivace programme? Vivace is a European Union Sixth Framework (FP6) research programme. The objectives were a 5% overall reduction in the investment to bring a new aircraft to market a 5% decrease in its final...

European collaboration bears fruit.(economic aspects and research of aircraft industry)
November 6, 2007... Byline: research rob coppinger toulouse Progress made during four-year project has spurred industry to target 2020 for the introduction of virtual certification A prototype collaborative design environment that could contribute to...

Biofuels to power US transcontinental trip.(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... Byline: alternative fuels rob coppinger london L-29 flight will demonstrate potential of recycled cooking oil Greenflight plans to make a 10-leg flight across the USA using the L-29 Following the first flight of an Aero Vodochody...

Features.(influence of technology on defence equipments)
November 6, 2007... DEFENCE Efficiency gains After years of building up their armed forces, Middle Eastern states are now likely to focus spending on technologies to get the best out of their arsenals STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC The build-up...

Features.
November 6, 2007... National strategy JORDAN BIDS TO FIND ITS NICHE Jordan's Prince Feisal bin Al-Hussein, the brother of King Abdullah II, believes that the country's aerospace industry can benefit from concentrating on niche markets, but says the Middle...

TWO MONTHS IN MRO.(personnel training program of Lufthansa Technik )(Shanghai Airlines management of freight services)(Shanghai Technologies Aerospace plans for construction of hangar)
November 6, 2007... We chart key recent market developments as part of our regular series of maintenance special reports Lufthansa Technik has begun training personnel for its new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in the Indian city of Hyderabad while...

PMA MAKES ITS MARK.(parts manufacture approval)
November 6, 2007... Byline: AIMEE TURNER LONDON The PMA bandwagon is beginning to gather pace. Flight Insight's survey of airlines uncovers a positive attitude towards ordering spares from alternative manufacturers Pratt & Whitney's announcement in 2006...

Features.
November 6, 2007... stealth FIGHTERS New arms race ahead Israeli acquisition of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is likely to drive Arab states into purchasing similarly stealthy fifth generation fighter aircraft STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC ...

Features.(influence of growth of business aviation on air transportation industry)
November 6, 2007... BUSINESS AVIATION Corporate hotbed The business aviation market centred on Dubai and Abu Dhabi continues to grow, with new names joining the start-ups established in the past few years MURDO MORRISON DUBAI AND ABU DHABI Blink...

Features.(influence of growth in health care industry on air traffic)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... medevac patient build-up for gulf medical market Until recently, most medevac traffic from the Gulf was one way, comprising wealthy locals and expatriates heading to Europe or the USA for specialist private medical treatment...

Features.(management of airport and air traffic )(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... AIRPORTS AQABA targeted for development Jordan's other main airport, Aqaba King Hussein International in the south of the country, is to be developed under a new masterplan prepared by Singapore's Changi Airports International (CAI)....

Features.
November 6, 2007... Jordan's privatisation programme, which has been running for about a decade, is widely viewed as one of the most successful in the Middle Eastern region and the kingdom, after a period of uncertainty, is finally preparing to relinquish its hold...

Features.(product information of Jordan Aerospace Industries)(Brief article)
November 6, 2007... light aircraft Diesel-engined CH2000 to fly by year-end Jordan Aerospace Industries (JAI) is planning to conduct the first flight of a new diesel-engined version of its Sama CH2000 light aircraft by the end of this year. The...

Features.
November 6, 2007... MANUFACTURING Soaring Seabird looks for space King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau's light surveillance aircraft manufacturing joint venture Seabird Aviation Jordan believes that it will need to quadruple the size of its...

Safety MEASURES.(management of safety measures of aviation industry)
November 6, 2007... Byline: AIMEE TURNER LONDON Human factors in maintenance contribute significantly to accidents. Is there a way to manage the risks? Dr Mike Rejman is fond of quoting the fractured rhythms of a US secretary of defence when addressing...

Features.(research on safety of aircraft industry)
November 6, 2007... Dr Bert Boquet heads the human factors and systems department at Daytona Beach, Florida-based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He recently led a team which applied a human factors analysis and classification system to 1,935...

Boeing may dump sub-par suppliers.(management of business logistics of Boeing Co.)
November 6, 2007... Byline: production stephen trimble washington dc After suffering delays on 787, airframer looks to shake up production chain and return to centralised control on aircraft Questions about Boeing's revolutionary decentralised...

A burning desire to help others.(Paul Fisher)(Interview)
November 6, 2007... Paul Fisher is senior fire officer at London Ashford airport (Lydd). He explains what makes an airfield firefighter and why it is practice that provides the vital seconds that can make the difference between life and death Seconds count...

Turkish Airlines 737 flew too low.(Air Transport)(UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch )(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... Byline: SAFETY DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW loNDOn UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch thinks crew misunderstood notes on Stansted departure plate UK investigators believe that a Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 pilot misinterpreted...

FAA aims to give 737 pilots power to turn off misbehaving IFE systems.(Air Transport)(Federal Aviation Administration )(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... Byline: DIRECTIVE JOHN CROFT WASHINGTON DC The US Federal Aviation Administration wants Boeing 737 operators based in the USA to install new circuit breakers, relays, wiring and switches in the cabin to give flightcrews the ability to...

BMI hints at A330 strategy.(Air Transport)(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... Byline: fleet plans dan thisdell cairo Star Alliance carrier BMI is likely to use its Airbus A330 fleet expansion to support the growth of its Cairo, Moscow and forthcoming Tel Aviv routes. BMI now serves Moscow and Cairo using A320s...

Chirp slams UK airport safety rules.(Air Transport)
November 13, 2007... Byline: security david learmount london Confidential reporting system says 'humiliating' daily security searches cause anger and degrade staff's ability to do jobs Airline safety is being compromised by airport security procedures,...

La Poste gives stamp of approval to Irish airline.(Air Transport)(Air Contractors)(Europe Airpost)(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... Byline: MAIL VICTORIA MOORES loNDon French postal service La Poste has selected Dublin-based freight operator Air Contractors as the preferred bidder for its airline subsidiary Europe Airpost. Paris Charles de Gaulle-based Boeing...

Abu Dhabi set to overhaul Gamco.(Air Transport)
November 13, 2007... Byline: acquisition david kaminski-morrow london Government arm to invest more than $500m over five years Abu Dhabi's governmental investment vehicle Mubadala has detailed ambitious plans to rename and revamp Gulf Aircraft Maintenance...

Green push for 2015 regional aircraft.(Air Transport)
November 13, 2007... Byline: ENVIRONMENT LUCA PERUZZI GENOA Ambitious European Union research programme aims to exploit technologies to reduce environmental impact of aircraft Alenia Aeronautica is to lead the Green Regional Aircraft (GRA) Integrated...

Dispatch reliability target for MRJ Pro Line cockpit.(Air Transport)
November 13, 2007... Byline: avionics john croft washington dc "We have baseline functionalities nailed down, but a lot of details have not been nailed down" dave wu Director of flightdeck systems marketing for Rockwell Collins ...

Air Transport.(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... EMERGENCY 737-200 loses right engine A Nationwide Boeing 737-200 bound for Johannesburg shed its right-hand engine taking off from Cape Town International airport on 7 November. The crew made a safe emergency landing at Cape Town. None...

Air Transport.(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... Pratt & Whitney should conclude validation tests within six weeks on 19 alternative life-limited parts for the CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-3 engine. The tests mark the next major step in P&W's potentially game-changing attempt to...

EASA gives airworthiness all-clear.(Air Transport)(European Aviation Safety Agency )
November 13, 2007... Byline: SAFETY Having met all the parties relevant to the three SAS Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 undercarriage accidents, the European Aviation Safety Agency says the incidents were not the result of a design fault. Airworthiness authorities of...

Ryanair ready to test OnAir service.(Air Transport)(Brief article)
November 13, 2007... Byline: connectivity graham dunn london Budget carrier Ryanair will roll out the OnAir in-flight mobile connectivity service initially across 25 aircraft during the first quarter of next year. Ryanair is OnAir's full launch customer...