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Aviation news & comment -- 2009
Time off for Eclipse workers Feb 24
Bizjournals.com: Eclipse Aviation Corp furloughed 800 of its remaining employees — including 24 in Albany, NY— because negotiations over the company’s sale are taking longer than expected.
Eclipse, which makes the six-seat Eclipse 500 very light jet at its Albuquerque, NM, headquarters, filed for Chapter 11 protection with the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware last November.
What went wrong at Eclipse?
Flyingmag.com: In late November Eclipse Aviation filed for bankruptcy, and investors, suppliers, Eclipse 500 owners and order holders lost well over $1 billion. There has never been a financial failure of this scale in the entire history of general aviation.
More
Rap over knuckles for Qantas
The Age: Qantas has lost control of crucial maintenance staff and their qualifications, the airline safety regulator has warned, in the latest strong criticism of the airline's safety performance.
More
What next for aviation fuel?
Aero Friedrichshafen (April 2-5), Europe’s biggest GA show, will be hosting a number of important forums over the event, including one on aviation fuel. The organisers say: “Aero serves as a forum for general aviation focusing on key technical issues for the future.
In both commercial and general aviation, the main challenge is to find new fuels.
The only thing we know for sure is that the conventional aviation fuel Avgas 100LL will soon have to be replaced.
Leading experts attending a panel discussion hosted by the German Aviation Press Club and Swiss Aviation Journalists
will examine the alternatives.”
Web site
Retro Spacewalker under construction
From Qld: Following the sale in 2008 of the world-wide production rights of the
popular Spacewalker and Karatoo sport aircraft, ex-pat Aussie Neale
Dunstan has been busy setting up a new production facility in Malaysia,
complete with offices and runway. A bit closer to home, an interesting
variation on the simple Spacewalker theme is taking place. Starting with
the classic 1930s style, open-cockpit Spacewalker, Australian agent
Martin Hone (pictured) has replaced the four-cylinder 85-125 hp Lycoming or
Continental flat four originally specified with the locally-made
nine-cylinder Rotec radial engine.
Other than longer gear legs, no structural mods were necessary, but the
rounding out of the fuselage from the firewall back has certainly given
the aircraft an even more retro look. The aircraft is expected to be
completed and flying before Easter 2009. For more information contact
info@serentiyaviation.com or aerobiz@optusnet.com.au
More pics
Serenity Aviation
Rotary R&D to keep going -- industry
Vertical Online: In the run-up to Heli-Expo, major manufacturers have emphasized their commitment to research and development even — or perhaps especially — in uncertain economic times. In separate press conferences, representatives from Turbomeca, Eurocopter and even Bell Helicopter reaffirmed their commitment to R&D despite the current economic downturn…
More
Also…
From Rotohub: “Don’t go to HAI (the expo), you will get depressed,” was the advice Giuseppe Orsi, AgustaWestland’s CEO received. That piece of advice finally made up his mind that he would indeed travel to Los Angeles for the annual helicopter meet.
And his message to the press was just the opposite. “Don’t talk it down. Our industry is solid…
More
Air travel risks surprisingly numerous
Respected British medical journal The Lancet has recently published a paper on the variety of health issues which may be caused or aggravated by air travel. The list is remarkably extensive.
The Chicago Tribune has recently published a summary here.
Lancet article (membership or payment required)
Hudson heroes to testify
The crew of the Charlotte-bound plane (US Airways flight 1549) that crash landed last month in the Hudson River in the USA on January 15 will testify at a congressional hearing this Tuesday, Feb 23.
Hudson survivors owe much to 1944
The survival of the people on board the US Airways flight that landed in the Hudson River last month owes much to a ground-breaking test conducted with an old Liberator in 1944. Dailypress.com unveils a fascinating story…
Flying breakfast
Upcoming event: May 17 - the Gatton Airpark Brekkie Fly-in for 2009. Our annual breakfast fly-in is on again from 0730 Sunday.
Hot breakfast, fully catered with proceeds going to the Lions Club.
Cappuccino available
Come and visit the Airpark -- all flyers welcome.
Airfield details in ERSA, or phone 0419 368 696 for more info.
Bombardier crash may be pilot error
The NTSB in the USA has indicated that pilot error, rather icing, may have caused the crash of the Bombardier Q400 at Buffalo, NY, on Feb 12.
The Wall Street Journal reports: The commuter plane slowed to an unsafe speed as it approached the airport, causing an automatic stall warning, these people said. The pilot pulled back sharply on the plane's controls and added power instead of following the proper procedure of pushing forward to lower the plane's nose to regain speed, they said. He held the controls there, locking the airplane into a deadly stall, they added.
More
$101.4 million loss for Virgin Blue
Virgin Blue today reported an after tax loss of $101.4 million for the last six months of 2008, a spectacular turn-around from the $113.3 million profit for the same period in 2007.
Our underlying business remained resilient despite an exceptionally challenging and historically unprecedented operating environment,” said Brett Godfrey, Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive.
“The increase in the price of oil (WTI up 44% to USD102 per barrel) saw our fuel costs rise to over $400 million for the period, up $134 million against last year. The subsequent and materially significant fall in both fuel prices combined with the USD exchange rate resulted in certain of the hedges we put in place last year being deemed ineffective.”
The company also started up V Australia, its international service.
2008 GA numbers down Feb 17
Today, the USA-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that 2008 year-end worldwide shipments of general aviation airplanes decreased for the first time in five years.
Speaking at GAMA’s Annual Industry Review and Market Outlook Briefing, GAMA Chairman, Mark Van Tine, president and CEO of Jeppesen, reported that despite a positive year for revenue attributed to order backlog, the industry is feeling a significant impact from the slowing worldwide economy. “Many of GAMA’s member companies have been forced to reduce their work force as they manage backlogs to compensate for the weakness in orders.” Van Tine added, “While our industry is challenged in the current economic climate, we are focused on planning for a stronger future. The world's economy depends upon a robust air transportation system and general aviation is absolutely a vital component of that global system. Our industry's continued investment in research and development of new products is unprecedented. We have learned from history that investing smartly in our future and that of our customers’ is the best way to build our way out of tough economic times.”
Industry billings reached $24.8 billion, a 13.4 per cent increase over 2007. The positive billings numbers reflect the fulfillment of orders placed for turboprops and business jets during the strong economic years of 2006 and 2007. Conversely, 2008 year-end, worldwide shipments of general aviation airplanes showed a decline with a total of 3969 units, a 7.1 per cent decrease over the previous year’s total of 4272 airplanes.
The piston airplane segment was down 20.8 per cent in 2008, with 2119 units delivered as compared to 2675 airplanes in 2007. The turboprop segment experienced the strongest growth in 2008 with shipments up nearly 17 per cent. 535 turboprops were shipped, up from 459 units in 2007. Business jet shipments reached a new plateau in 2008 with a total of 1315 airplanes, up 15.6 per cent over the previous year’s figure of 1138 airplanes.
More
No plane, no gain
Also from GAMA: Looking to reinforce the value of business aviation to American workers, policymakers, companies and communities across the US, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today unveiled a comprehensive new joint advocacy campaign with a familiar name: “No Plane No Gain.”
“The contributions of business aviation to our nation’s employment, commerce, competitiveness and health are profound but not always well understood,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “We are launching this new multi-media educational campaign to get the word out that business aviation is working for America. It is responsible for well over 1 million manufacturing and service jobs, and is one of the few industries that contributes positively to our nation’s balance of trade. It is also serving as a lifeline for communities all across the country that are seeing scheduled airline service being reduced or eliminated.”
More
More powers for CASA
The Age: Australia's aviation watchdog, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), will get greater powers to check the safety of foreign airlines.
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament on Thursday an amendment to civil aviation law would give better oversight of foreign airline flying into Australia…
More
A320 freighter gets closer
The passenger-to-cargo conversion programme for Airbus A320s has achieved a major milestone by completing its technical definition phase, with the aircraft's details presented today to an international customer working group meeting in Miami, Florida.
Developed to meet the requirements for a new-generation aircraft capable of both express cargo and general market freighter operations, the A320P2F is targeted to enter service from 2012, when many of the world's current single-aisle freighters will be 40 years old.
More at Airbus
Also…
Airbus is adapting production rates of its A320 Family programme from 36 to 34 a month from October 2009 onwards. Production rates of the A330/A340 family will be paused at the current level of 8.5 a month, and not increased further as previously planned. This decision reflects Airbus' current view on market demand in times of airlines adapting their capacities and of continuing uncertainties caused by the worldwide economic crisis. At this point, no impact on employment is foreseen.
Tom Enders, Airbus Chief Executive Officer said: "We monitor the market continuously and try to be proactive. Flexibility and adaptability are essential in times of crises. We reached record production rates in late 2008, but now we see a drop of air traffic in most regions. Many airlines are taking capacity out of the market. I do not exclude further production cuts if the need arises."
More
777-300ER to V Australia
Boeing and the Virgin Group's new V Australia long-haul airline today celebrated the first 777-300ER to go to an Australian carrier. The airplane, delivered by Boeing to International Lease Finance Corp. and leased to V Australia, is one of seven leased and purchased 777-300ERs V Australia will deploy on trans-Pacific and other routes.
The Boeing Field ceremony included Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Chief Executive Brett Godfrey, ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven F. Udvar-Hazy and senior Boeing officials.
V Australia will launch three-class Sydney-Los Angeles non-stop service on Feb. 27, building to daily flights by March 20. Brisbane-Los Angeles flights begin April 8. "This 777 completes the circle for guests wanting to fly around the world on the unique service provided by Virgin Group airlines," Godfrey said. "The combination of Virgin service and the 777's passenger appeal will be a winner on the South Pacific. "We're doubly pleased to be flying the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class."
Also…
The Australian: Thongs, Vegemite and salt and pepper shakers in the shape of the Sydney Opera House will feature on flights by the nation's newest international airline as part of an assault on Qantas's claim to be the spirit of Australia.
More
777 Freighter gets approval
The newest member of the Boeing 777 family, the 777 Freighter, today received its formal stamp of approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). EASA validated the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Feb 3 type certification of the 777 Freighter.
New focus for C-17
Aviation Week: Boeing officials have shifted their strategy on future C-17 sales from reducing the annual production rate and toward cutting per-unit cost instead, according to industry officials.
The new focus is possible because of new opportunities in the international market including, possibly, interest from countries disappointed in consistent delays by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) in delivering its A400M airlifter.
More
Canberra as Sydney’s second?
The Australian: Canberra Airport has launched a bid to become the Sydney's second international airport as part of an ambitious 20-year plan that would see it emerge a significant aviation hub.
More
New Hall of Fame inductees Feb 14
Sun News, Macon: Robins Air Force Base (USA) — Two aviation pioneers, a husband and wife who were commercial airline pilots and a famous aviation artist will be inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame beginning at 7.00pm today with an induction dinner at the Museum of Aviation.
The hall of fame was created in 1989 by then-Governor Joe Frank Harris to honor men and women who have made lasting contributions to aviation and manned space flight. Tonight’s inductions will bring membership to 84.
More
New regs for long-haul?
Atlanta Journal (USA): As aviation has advanced to the point where U.S. airlines are flying jets around the world for 16 hours or more, federal regulators are introducing new safety measures to ensure pilots get enough rest for those ultra-long flights.
Pilot fatigue has become a growing concern as many crews work more hours under labor contracts and investigations have shown that fatigue has played a role in aviation accidents.
More
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