Flight International articles from November 2008

Flight International archives from November 2008

Air Transport.(weather radar malfunction)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... safety 'Blind' Qantas 747 escorted across Pacific by ANZ airliner An Air New Zealand airliner assisted a Qantas Boeing 747-400 bound for Sydney from Los Angeles divert to Auckland on 29 October following a weather radar malfunction....

Air Transport.(Zhuhai air show)(aircraft MSN 001 (F-WWOW)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... demonstration Superjumbo visits Zhuhai air show Airbus's A380 development aircraft MSN 001 (F-WWOW) landed in Zhuhai, China on 3 November where it appeared at the air show from 4-7 November. The aircraft was in the static display and...

Air Transport.(Airbus A380)
November 4, 2008... separation david learmount honolulu A380 wake effect same as other 'heavy' jets: Airbus Airframer sees no reason for ICAO ruling requiring ultra-large aircraft's unique classification Unprecedented tests of conditions for aircraft...

Air Transport.(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... congestion aimee turner london Europe must act to align airport capacity with air traffic growth European aviation chiefs should pay as much attention to bottlenecks on the ground as in the air, according to one airports organisation...

Air Transport.(Federal Aviation Administration's runway safety projects )(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... air traffic management john croft washington dc Runway safety leads NextGen user-focus plan Two new runway safety projects unveiled by the US Federal Aviation Administration last week are part of a retooled business strategy the agency...

GE/NASA to study open rotor acoustics.(investigate the acoustic effects of open rotor engine technology )(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Byline: testing STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC GE and NASA last conducted open-rotor tests using a 727 in the 1980s GE Aviation has teamed with NASA to investigate the acoustic effects of open rotor engine technology next year at Glenn...

CFM outlines Leap-X technology plan.(Air Transport)
November 4, 2008... Byline: propulsion LEITHEN FRANCIS SINGAPORE Engine maker provides insight into how its new generation narrowbody turbofan will achieve target of 16% lower fuel burn CFM International has outlined more details about the technologies...

Air Transport.(Zhuhai air show )(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... propulsion LEITHEN FRANCIS ZHUHAI China unveils new turbofan engine for civil aircraft China has unveiled a turbofan engine that it is developing in a further sign the country is putting more emphasis on systems development. ...

Air Transport.(Emirates Airline)(A380 repair )
November 4, 2008... engineering support max kingsley-jones london Emirates blames 'foreign object' for A380 grounding Airline says the ultra-large airliner is now delivering high reliability following repair by Airbus Emirates attributes the...

Air Transport.
November 4, 2008... product STRATEGY MARY KIRBY PHILADELPHIA Embraer mulls development of larger airliner Any such move, either alone or in partnership, would bring it into fiercely competitive mainline narrowbody market Embraer is studying the...

Air Transport.(report on European airport demand)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... air traffic management aimee turner london Europe's airports will struggle to meet demand A long-term vision by air navigation organisation Eurocontrol depicts European airports desperately struggling to meet demand for air travel by...

Air Transport.(Federal Aviation Administration's rule on aircraft safety)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... securitye_SFlbJOHN CROFT WASHINGTON DC FAA issues rules on explosives survivability The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a final rule that will require manufacturers of newly certificated commercial aircraft after 28...

Air Transport.(Boeing Co's training for pilots)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Boeing tests recovery training Boeing reported to the Flight Safety Foundation International Aviation Safety Seminar the results of a controlled test it carried out on a group of more than 30 pilots from all backgrounds to determine...

Air Transport.(aircraft accidents)
November 4, 2008... SAFETY DAVID LEARMOUNT HONOLULU Loss of control becomes top 'killer' Accident category cited in five of the 15 major airliner accidents so far this year, says Flight Safety Foundation Loss of control is now the top "killer" airline...

Air Transport.
November 4, 2008... labour relations victoria moores london French pilots fury at new rules on retirement age SNPL union calls for strike, claiming 'serious repercussions' on flightcrew employment France's National Assembly, the lower parliamentary...

Air Transport.(Indian Airlines Ltd's contract with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft of Canada Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... regional aircraft tom zaitsev moscow Indian airline in major deal for Il-114 turboprops Up to 25 Pratt & Whitney Canada PWC127-powered Ilyushin Il-114-100 turboprops could be destined for an Indian carrier following an agreement...

Air Transport.(European Aviation Safety Agency's safety rules)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... safety DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW LONDON MD-80 flap-warning check before every flight: EASA Agency's airworthiness directive comes in wake of fatal take-off crash of Spanair twinjet European safety authorities are to require crews of...

Air Transport.(Royal Air Maroc)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... start-up MARK PILLING PARIS Royal Air Maroc to launch regional turboprop subsidiary in 2009 Royal Air Maroc is to launch a regional turboprop subsidiary in March 2009. Driss Benhima, president of the Moroccan flag carrier, explained...

Air Transport.(Scandinavian Airlines System)
November 4, 2008... fleet restructuring david kaminski-morrow london SAS expects to complete disposal of Q400s by June Scandinavian airline group intensifies effort to lower cost base to that of its rivals SAS Group aims to complete the disposal of...

Air Transport.(Superjet 100 airframe testing)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... testing Superjet delivered for fatigue trials The sixth Sukhoi Superjet 100 airframe (MSN 95006) was flown by Antonov An-124 on 3 November from the assembly plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Novosibirsk where it will undergo fatigue tests...

Second Superjet 100 prototype poised to join flight-test programme.(flight testing by Sukhoi)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Byline: regional aircraft DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW LONDON Sukhoi expects to start flight-testing a second Superjet 100 airframe in November, although the aircraft is still awaiting its PowerJet SaM146 engines. The aircraft (95003) has...

Air Transport.(Syrian Arab Airlines and Airbus)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... fleet renewal Syrian awaits approval for new jets Syrian Arab Airlines is yet to finalise an agreement to renew its fleet, as it awaits clearance to import Western-built aircraft. The airline is subject to US sanctions against the...

Air Transport.(US Airways Inc.)(Airbus S.A. and Boeing Co.)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... capacity CUTS MARY KIRBY PHILADELPHIA US Airways reveals additional fleet reduction plans US Airways plans to implement further fleet cuts in 2009 and 2010 and has pushed back delivery of its 22 Airbus A350 XWBs by one year, to 2015....

Air Transport.(developing in flight entertainment systems)
November 4, 2008... ife MARY KIRBY PHILADELPHIA Bandwidth concerns dog wi-fi uptake Technical challenges mean that Panasonic and Thales are still focusing on wired IFE solutions - even for Airbus A350 Challenges associated with bringing wireless...

Air Transport.(Star Alliance Services GmbH)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... design concepts VICTORIA MOORES LONDON Star team works to shape next narrowbody jets A working group of 13 Star Alliance member carriers has engaged with aircraft and engine manufacturers to outline their preferred specifications and...

Business Aviation.(planning fixed-wing charter operations services)
November 4, 2008... CHARTER SIVA GOVINDASAMY SINGAPORE Fixed-wing offer is next big move for Pawan Hans Amphibians could be servicing outlying islands from 2010 Pawan Hans, India's largest operator of civil helicopters, hopes around 2010 to begin...

Business Aviation.(Avcon Jet)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... DELIVERY G150 makes it lucky 13 for Avcon Jet Austrian business aircraft charter and management company Avcon Jet has taken delivery of a new Gulfstream G150 business jet, bringing the Avcon fleet to 13 including a Bombardier Learjet...

Business Aviation.(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... investment KATE SARSFIELD LONDON Grob files for insolvency as rescue fails The battle to rescue the beleaguered German airframer Grob has been set back after the company was forced to file for insolvency on 1 November, having failed to...

Business Aviation.(Retracting Amphibious Pontoon Technology)
November 4, 2008... SEAPLANES EMMA KELLY PERTH Tigerfish seeks funding for drag reducing float A South Australian company is seeking funding for a patented retracting float system that it says can reduce drag by as much as 20% compared with traditional...

Business Aviation.(National Business Aviation Association)(Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)(Transportation Security Administration)
November 4, 2008... APPEAL KATE SARSFIELD LONDON US trade bodies want more time on security plan Proposed changes need greater consideration: NBAA/AOPA Two major US trade associations are calling on the Transportation Security Administration to extend...

Business Aviation.(Aircraft accidents report)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Mexico's interior minister Juan Camilo Mourino was among the eight people on board a government-operated Bombardier Learjet 45 who died when it crashed into a street in the financial district when on approach to Mexico City's international...

Business.
November 4, 2008... EMBRAER Currency hedging gone wrong put the airframer's third-quarter profits into a nosedive, losing 70% to $57.7 million despite an 8% rise in sales, to $1.54 billion, a one-unit increase in deliveries, to 48 aircraft, and foreign exchange...

Business.
November 4, 2008... business briefs ROCKWELL COLLINS STRONG DESPITE STRIKES EARNINGS Strikes at Boeing and Hawker Beechcraft failed to slow fourth quarter and full-year earnings growth at Rockwell Collins, but the company has trimmed sales forecasts for...

Business.
November 4, 2008... business briefs AEROSPACE HOLDS ITS OWN FOR GKN ENGINEERING Sales and pre-tax profits at engineering group GKN for the nine months to the end of September were up 7% and 4% respectively, but fell short of expectations formed at the...

Business.(UMECO PLC's profit)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... UMECO Interims were strong despite some Boeing strike headwind, with pre-tax profit up 60% to [pounds sterling]13 million ($20.7 million) on sales up nearly a third to [pounds sterling]197.2 million. Supply chain management for Rolls-Royce is...

Flying the flag for Rafale.(Thales determined to boost export fortunes )
November 4, 2008... Byline: DEFENCE ELECTRONICS ANDREW DOYLE PARIS Thales determined to boost export fortunes of French fighter as UAV prospects brighten As polite laughter rippled through a sunny conference room on the top floor of Thales' Paris...

PEOPLE moves.(Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association elects Carl Kuwitzky )
November 4, 2008... Southwest pilots' union president, Etihad recruitment chief Kuwitzky: top man at SWAPA Capt Carl Kuwitzky has been re-elected to a second two-year term as president of the 6,000-member Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association. He joined...

Business.
November 4, 2008... Quote of the week "The question at $140 a barrel long-term would be industry survival. Then we won't worry about fuel consumption of A340s" Swiss International Air Lines chief network and distribution officer Harry Hohmeister in an...

Business Aviation.(Embraer Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. to receive certification from Federal Aviation Administration for its Phenom 100 )
November 4, 2008... development BRENDAN SOBIE WASHINGTON DC Phenom 100 on track for certification this month Embraer also confident Lineage 1000 will follow it before the end of the year Embraer is confident it will finally secure US Federal Aviation...

Business Aviation.(Cessna Aircraft Co.)(Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... FINANCIAL CRISIS BRENDAN SOBIE WASHINGTON DC Airframers see slowdown in orders Cessna, Gulfstream confident backlogs will hold up enough for them to ride out current global economic turmoil Third quarter reviews from Cessna and...

Dear Mr President.(Comment)
November 4, 2008... Barack Obama has until 20 January to work out an action plan to get his term of office under way. In the meantime, Flight International offers some advice on aerospace matterse_SClB You will be urged to support US aerospace...

Turbulent decision-making.(Airbus A380 testing)(Viewpoint essay)
November 4, 2008... There isn't any point in doing more trials on the Airbus A380's wake vortices because so much data has been gathered already that not all of it has been fully analysed. It would just be money wasted. Naturally, the International Civil...

Cover.
November 4, 2008... new top killer How loss of control has become the leading cause of fatal airliner accidents this year 15 suborbital trips Why personal spaceflight may beat supersonic transports in the market for high speed travel 30

Cover.
November 4, 2008... atr lookalike Xian displays 70-seat regional turboprop that bears strong resemblance to European airliner 15 meba preview why middle east operators still mean business 10-page report

Defence.(BOE1800 penetrator bomb reinvented)
November 4, 2008... WEAPONS STEPHEN TRIMBLE ST LOUIS Boeing reinvents penetrator bomb BOE1800 designed to defeat concrete underground bunkers Boeing claims to have successfully reinvented current fuze and warhead technology to design a penetrator bomb...

Defence.(Boeing Co.)
November 4, 2008... TRANSPORTS STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC Boeing to cut C-17 production rate, maintain cost Boeing may adjust tactics in its three-year campaign to prolong manufacturing of the C-17 strategic transport. Sensing a shift in financial...

Defence.(Marshall Aerospace contracts with United Kingdom. Royal Air Force)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Marshall Aerospace has received a [pounds sterling]97 million ($153 million) contract to provide engineering and maintenance support for the Royal Air Force's fleet of nine Lockheed TriStar tanker/transports until 2015. The deal also includes...

Malaysia puts EC725 order on hold.(Eurocopter EC725)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Byline: ROTORCRAFT SIVA GOVINDASAMY SINGAPORE Economic woes force cancellation of Nuri replacement deal with Eurocopter, but plan could be revived around 2011 Malaysia has shelved a controversial plan to buy 12 Eurocopter EC725 utility...

Defence.(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... certification Eurofighter in-flight refuelling tested EADS has conducted the first of nine planned test flights leading to certification of the Eurofighter to undergo in-flight refuelling from the German air force's four Airbus A310s....

Defence.(Singapore. Air Force's contract with Boeing Co.)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... assembly First F-15 for Singapore rolled out The Republic of Singapore Air Force's first of 24 Boeing F-15SG fighters was rolled out at the manufacturer's final assembly centre in St Louis, Missouri on 3 November, and will now enter a...

Defence.(Lockheed Martin F-22A under administration)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... FUNDING STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC US DoD urged to spend to keep Raptor on track Lawmakers have asked the US Department of Defense to spend $140 million allocated by Congress to keep production of the Lockheed Martin F-22A on track...

Defence.(United States. Navy to inspect Boeing F/A-18)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... inspection STEPHEN TRIMBLE WASHINGTON DC Safety bulletin issued as fatigue cracks appear on US Navy Hornets The US Navy in late October issued a safety bulletin requiring urgent inspections to all 636 of its early-model Boeing F/A-18...

Defence.(Boeing F/A-18A-D fighters inspected)
November 4, 2008... FIGHTERS STEPHEN TRIMBLE ST LOUIS Structural fatigue grounds just 10 US F/A-18A-Ds Navy anticipates 'minimal operational disruption' following aileron hinge crack inspections on 476 aircraft Only 10 US Navy and US Marine Corps...

Defence.(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... dispute RADHAKRISHNA RAO BANGALORE Indian defence ministry plea for aircraft carrier funds denied India's finance ministry has for the second time rejected a proposal from the nation's defence ministry to approve an...

IAe adds AS332 Bandung assembly line.(AS332 Super Puma Mk II utility helicopter)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Byline: manufacturing Eurocopter and Indonesian Aerospace have agreed to establish a new assembly line for the AS332 Super Puma Mk II utility helicopter at the latter's Bandung site. The European manufacturer says the $42 million,...

Defence.(Lockheed Martin Corp's contract with Italy. Ministry of Defence)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... FIGHTERS PINO MODOLA GENOA Italy seeks extension to F-16 lease deal with Lockheed until late 2012 Italy's defence ministry is negotiating an 18-month extension to a lease contract for about half of its F-16A/B fighters, according to...

Defence.(Marine Corps and Navy wants improved missile warning technology)
November 4, 2008... missile warning stephen trimble washington dc US military looks for new class of countermeasures Navy, Marine Corps seek improved technology to warn against attack from ground fire US Navy and Marine Corps officials will look to...

Defence.(Honeywell Aerospace's contract with United States Navy)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... unmanned systems Honeywell receives first Tarantula Hawk contract Honeywell has received the first production contract for the US Navy version of its RQ-16 micro air vehicle, now named the Tarantula Hawk, or "T-Hawk". The navy has...

Defence.(General Dynamics Ltd's urban mapping system )(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... sensors CRAIG HOYLE LONDON Urban mapping system set for flight testing General Dynamics UK plans in early 2009 to flight test a developmental urban mapping system using a light aircraft or helicopter, and says it has already received...

Defence.(Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A's testing of unmanned air vehicle )(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... UNMANNED SYSTEMS PINO MODOLA GENOA Sky-Y completes new test campaign Alenia Aeronautica's Sky-Y medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle completed a second flight-test campaign at Sweden's Vidsel range in October,...

Defence.(Raytheon Co.)
November 4, 2008... unmanned air vehicles stephen trimble washington dc Raytheon tests submarine launch concept for UAVs Waste tube-launched aircraft to dramatically improve ability to identify surface contacts Raytheon is to soon demonstrate a system...

Defence.(Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.)
November 4, 2008... FIGHTERS SIVA GOVINDASAMY SINGAPORE Tejas prototypes set to begin weapons trials India's Tejas light combat aircraft is entering a crucial test phase, with the programme's second and third prototypes scheduled to begin undisclosed...

Defence.(Royal Thai Army's contract with Mil Moscow Helicopter Enterprise Joint Stock Co.)
November 4, 2008... HELICOPTERS SIVA GOVINDASAMY SINGAPORE Russia makes inroads in Thai market Army order for six Mi-17s continues Bangkok's move away from traditional dependence on USA for arms requirements Thailand's army plans to order six Mil...

Defence.(France Air Force contracts with Thales S.A)
November 4, 2008... SENSORS ANDREW DOYLE PARIS AESA radar to boost Rafale appeal Thales says active antenna increases detection range by 'about 40% compared with previous technologies' French industry is pinning its hopes for boosting the export...

Features.(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... sector Panel - heading. story-in-a-story element A global plan to meet the future worldwide pilot shortage Managing pilot fatigue to achieve safety and efficiency A regulator's view of fatigue risk management systems How...

COCKPIT INSIGHTS.(Flight International Crew Management Conference)
November 4, 2008... Byline: DAVID LEARMOUNT LONDON With changing safety-related regulations continually challenging airlines, next month's Flight International Crew Management Conference offers timely advice Managing pilots for maximum efficiency - while...

Features.
November 4, 2008... HELICOPTERS In February a new AW139 medium twin helicopter assembly line was opened in Philadelphia Heavy rotation Finmeccanica's helicopter unit is looking far beyond national boundaries as it strives for growth - and to pass EC...

Features.
November 4, 2008... Unfinished barrels are transported to Charleston using a Boeing 747LCF, which required an extension of the runway at Grottaglie MANUFACTURING Progress paused The strike at Boeing has slowed Alenia Composite's momentum as it...

Features.
November 4, 2008... Elettronica grows Electronic warfare specialist Elettronica is growing on the international market through international programmes and industrial partnerships. With 800 employees and a backlog of around [euro]1 billion ($1.26...

Features.(Secondo Mona )
November 4, 2008... MANUFACTURING Centurion marches on Fuel systems and landing gear specialist Secondo Mona intends to almost double its turnover in the next 10 years NIALL O'KEEFFE SOMMA LOMBARDO In 2007 Secondo Mona's shareholders approved a...

Features.(Aerospace industry)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... individual style Independent from Europe's heavyweights, BAE Systems and EADS, Finmeccanica continues to dominate Italian aerospace. Subsidiary Alenia Aeronautica was hit by the Boeing strike, as a tier-one 787 supplier, but its C-27J...

Features.(Italian armed force continue reductions in budget and personnel)
November 4, 2008... The Italian armed forces are struggling to adjust to the post-9/11 world and the simultaneous demands for homeland defence and expeditionary warfighting, while also coping with continuing reductions in budget and personnel. The latest round of...

Features.(European space programmes)(Conference news)
November 4, 2008... SPACEFLIGHT Demands on space Italy is a prime mover in European space programmes, but its national ambitions could be affected by ESA budget needs ROB COPPINGER GLASGOW The European Space Agency is to have its most important...

AIR POWER IN DEMAND.(Military operations)
November 4, 2008... Byline: CRAIG HOYLE LONDON Continued hostilities in Afghanistan and Iraq, a brief conflict in Georgia and Turkish action against Kurdish rebel groups have kept air arms busy this year Continued combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq...

Features.(investment in aviation business)
November 4, 2008... "The market is healthy and competition is good because it encourages us all to develop ourselves" Faris Deeb Chief executive Prestige Jet ABU DHABI UAE capital aims high Emirate has been able to use its oil...

Features.
November 4, 2008... Kuwait's role as a staging post into Iraq is also a source of much business for the terminal, with construction and security personnel frequently passing through wider middle east Playing catch-upAbu Dhabi and Dubai remain the powerhouses of...

Features.(Middle East Business Aviation)(Conference news)
November 4, 2008... Expanding MEBA reflects business aviation boom If the global industry is heading for lean times, no-one seems to have told the Gulf's business aviation community. With more than 250 exhibitors and 60 aircraft on static display, the second...

Features.(Dubai wants to turn its giant Al Maktoum airport into a hub for business aviation)
November 4, 2008... "The business aviation customer wants to feel special. He doesn't want to have to wait for a 747" Mohammed Al Bulooki ADAC vice-president airline marketing and aeronautical revenue Plenty of business jets, but the...

Features.(maintenance, repair and overhaul)
November 4, 2008... MAINTENANCE Fixing the MRO deficit Most business jets in the Middle East travel to Europe for maintenance. A raft of initiatives could increase operators' options The maintenance, repair and overhaul sector has struggled to keep...

Features.
November 4, 2008... Owners of business aircraft in Arabia are making more informed choices OVERVIEW Land of black gold Can the Gulf sustain its healthy appetite for business aircraft built up over the past few years or are fleet predictions too...

Features.(recruiting and retaining experienced pilots)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... Finding the face that fits One of the biggest problems for fast-growing Gulf-based business aviation operators in recent years has been recruiting and retaining experienced pilots. The sun-soaked, family-friendly and tax-free lifestyle of...

Features.(Middle East Business Aviation convention)(Conference news)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... a gulf apart With Europe and North America lurching into recession and Asia's emerging markets faltering, all eyes in the business aviation world are on the Arabian peninsula, and whether rapidly growing demand for private air travel in...

Features.(Enrico Saggesse appoined by Italy. Space Agency)(Brief article)
November 4, 2008... A senior space industrialist, author, telecommunications journal editor and adviser to the Italian government's technical council of its research ministry and commission for co-ordination and orientation of the national aerospace plan, Enrico...

Features.
November 4, 2008... Alitalia's restructuring plan has been challenged by Ryanair AIR TRANSPORT Another dawn The latest rescue plan for Italy's flag carrier is the most far-reaching yet and has wide-ranging implications GRAHAM DUNN LONDON ...