Search

The conviction of a Tennessee professor for passing on sensitive information to China has brought raised many issues relevant to compliance with U.S. export laws amid a growing population of overseas students in American universities. Professor J. Reece Roth was charged with fraud following non-compliance with the law.

The U.S. Department of Justice has accused engineers and managers associated with aerospace technology in the transfer of information related to Iran and China. This has benefited the development of the space program of both nations.

Chicago's Midway Airport may soon be privatized following an offer from Midway Investment and Development Co. (Midco) for a 99-year lease. Midco explained that it is likely to offer high-quality services by charging passengers a premium to earn income and cover operating costs.

The article discusses the costs, transport mechanisms and risks involved in the process of distributing alternative fuels to airline buyers by potential providers of such fuel. Some of the problems that may be encountered and solutions for the same are elaborated.

The cooperation and partnerships between the military and industry that are working to the benefit of both are presented.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is researching the safe transmission of electric power and new technologies developments such as self-repairing wires and repair techniques for use in aviation. Research is focused on wire bundle smart clamp that sends a signal when something is wrong and fault current management that limits electrical current on a power line, using resistors.

The rising fuel costs prompt U.S. airlines to reduce capacity and retrench staff. No changes in operating costs are expected unless fuel costs decrease or the price of tickets are increased.

The increased safety checks initiated by the FAA forces American Airlines (AA) to ground its fleet of MD-80 aircrafts for re-inspection.

The U.S. Transportation Department has put forth a proposal to ease congestion by allowing airports to assess landing fees. However, some airlines feel that the proposed policy will disrupt airline networks, although airports are supportive of the proposal.

Technicians of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron have found 119 major structural repairs in the KC-135 fleet of 542 aircraft, but it will be tackled while keeping the fleet still flying.

The article discusses about Implementation of safety management systems that are leading to the civil aviation airlines improves their efficiency.

A variety of alternative energy sources are being evaluated for production of non-petroleum-based jet fuel, as the U.S. confirms the practicality of processing coal and natural gas to produce synthetic commercial jet fuel.

Wisconsin state law could have a bearing on AirTran Airway merger plans with Midwest Airlines. Wisconsin state laws protect shareholders rights when an out-of-state company acquires a certain percentage of shares and this law could affect the merger plans.

The article discusses the evolution of the air cargo sector, the effect of the increasing fuel prices and the need for extra security arrangements.

The U.S. Air Force and industry are working together on producing alternative fuels to supplement and replace petroleum-based products, so as to enable conversion of domestic operations to synthetic kerosene by 2016. The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative is partnering with academia to search for a viable alternative fuel, while continuing to focus on synthetic kerosene produced from coal and natural gas.

Researchers are using a new design approach for providing unprecedented power to spare for lightweight Legacy engine. The University of Tennessee and Power Source Technologies Inc. have signed a $275,000 contract to evaluate the GEN002 version of the engine and also to set up an engine simulation system.

The impact of disposing the trash generated by the US airlines and airports into landfills or burned in incinerators is discussed. The Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit organization, has advised the airline industry to reduce its ecological footprint by conserving energy and expanding recycling and also recommended new terminal designs that reserve space for recycling.

Tests of synthetic kerosene have demonstrated the usability of the fuel in high bypass turbofans that would power a B-52 in an in-flight trial in September 2006. A half-and-half blend of synthetic kerosene which was developed by the Fischer-Tropsch process, and JP-8 fuel in a TF33 engine testbed performed the same as 100% JP-8 during a 50-hr. endurance test at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Rising populations are resulting in airline traffic growth, though the airlines, airports or air traffic management services do not seem to be ready for it. Aircraft manufacturers are preparing for an increased need for airplanes, and with higher air traffic rates predicted for Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, China is a nation preparing for the future with its plans for dozens of new airports.

Export control regulations divide research universities and the US government, as university officials believe that government bureaus are too strict in their interpretation of security directives related to the use of scientific equipment. Specifically, the government emphasis on research that is stamped 'sensitive but unclassified' could keep away foreign students and the non-US citizens from participating, thereby undermining academics' rights to publish and share results of research, except when classified by the government.

Frontier Airlines had a tough first quarter of 2006 as Southwest Airlines entered the Denver market and United Airlines, its traditional rival expanded at the Mile High City. Due to tough competition, fares in Denver dropped an estimated 18% compared with the quarter in 2005.

The proposed design of the Airbus350 has come in for criticism from the chairman of International Lease Finance Corp. who calls it a derivative of the A330 and Airbus is asked to develop a new mid-size wide-body product line. The developmental bill for a redesigned A350 is likely to increase substantially and this could have implications for the existing dispute on aircraft development subsidies between the US and the European Union.

United Airlines and ATA Airlines are dealing with building the employee morale as are exiting Chapter 11 to resume their business plans. The immediate business plans of United and ATA Airlines after coming out of bankruptcy are presented.

The United Airlines Inc. (UAL) is burdened by 17.42 billion in debt and is advancing through final legal issues toward exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. If United fails to come out of this situation and produce a profit, the US's long dominance in global aviation will surely fade and Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and CEO of UAL is using this issue to secure changes in the US policy toward mergers, higher level of foreign investments and tax reductions.

The new US runways would add the required capacity even as reorganizing airlines are pulling down their flights. The runway projects that are nearing completion include Minneapolis-St. Paul, Cincinnati, Lambert-St. Louis, Atlanta, Boston Logan, Philadelphia (extension), Charlotte Douglas and Seattle-Tacoma.

President and chief executive officer of American Airlines who succeeded in healing the labor management relations bringing about a new spirit and work culture speaks about fuel prices, profits, hedges, fleet growth, labor-management relations, survival in the low-cost world and the success story of carrier. He believes that airline business is the ultimate team sport and by involving employees and unions in the process of deciding the company's future you make better decisions.

The objective of the American Airlines' project involving comprehensive redesign and modification of 767 interiors that will start in 2006 is to save time and money. Peter Sirucek, a managing director at American Airlines' Alliance Forth Worth maintenance base says crunching span time for modification project requires concentration, knowledge and cooperation as they have involved a dozen team members who are engineers and Transport Workers Union (TWU) mechanics in the program right from the design stage.

Cost pressures and increasing number of effective options are adding to the momentum of growing trend of outsourcing of aircraft maintenance which is already amounting to more than half of the annual value of work. Christopher Doan, CEO of TeamSAI, a Lakewood, Colo.-based consultancy predicts that by 2010 outsourced maintenance to third-party provider to increase to 65% of the total value spent which will eventually take 80% of the market.

The mechanics' strike at Northwest airlines pitting a stubborn union against a management determined to survive at the lowest cost in a low-fare world is likely to play out until either some form of surrender by the union, an end of the relationship through bankruptcy, or an unlikely government intervention. Northwest Airlines' management's strategy of setting up agreements with third-party maintenance contractors and hiring substitute workers from a private company seems to have worked when the flight-completion factor which declined to 92% on August 20, 2005 was restored to 98% within a few days.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is conducting initial audits to strengthen safety oversight of the commercial sector. The ICAO has issued warning and has advised nations that if their safety oversight offices are not in compliance with international standards and practices and deficiencies are not corrected then they should expect some dire consequences.

Aviation authorities in America and Europe are in the process of adjusting aircraft weight-and-balance rules to account for heavier passengers' bags. The increase in the average weight of American and European passengers along with their carry-on-items, and checked luggage stored in aircraft cargo, have increased the aircraft payload, and in some cases, forced operators to remove a seat or two from small aircrafts to keep the weight within bounds.

Latin America's oldest airline, Varig, is seeking reorganization under a new Brazilian bankruptcy law as it is fighting a losing battle with two low-cost carriers and is encumbered by debt nearing $4 billion. Varig is a Boeing Co.'s customer, operating MD-11s, 767s and 777s in international services, where the Boeing 737 is the mainstay of domestic flying.

The FAA is all set to revise the Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) order, as third-party manufacturers are growing more sophisticated. The revision will provide a new definition of a critical part and more emphasis will be placed on the manufacturers to look into the ongoing issues and continued operational safety.

There is a rise in demand for turboprop-powered aircraft, the most fuel-efficient and low-cost tool in the regional manufacturer's arsenal. Turboprops are replacing small jet aircraft, and approximately 67% of 29, 500 Q400 departures each month are supplementing or replacing jet service at 10 airlines in Europe, Asia and North America.

Air cargo executives are inspired by the effective cost cutting drives at airline passenger divisions and are looking at ways to enhance revenues and reduce costs. Internet-Enabled Systems, Integrated Flow Control and Exception Management Systems and Agile Systems are the three major changes in information technology related to cargo that would help in cutting-costs.

The grounding of the aggressive discounter Jetgo brought relief and prospect of improved profits to the surviving airlines in Canada's combative industry. Jetsgo's 29 MD83 and Fokker 100 were grounded on March 11, 2005 thus stranding thousands of passengers.

Two F136 prototypes are reaching static-test milestones under General Electric/ Rolls Royce still-evolving, 10-year-old project to produce the second engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. At GE's outdoor test facility in Peebles Ohio, the focus would be on primary control integration, durability, screening testing, time at temperature and thrust measurements.

South Africa is revamping its air traffic control (ATC) capability under a strategic road map drawn up nearly eight years ago by government and industry under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) auspices. South Africa's Air Traffic and Navigation Services Co. have taken a major step in implementing the South African Advanced Air Traffic System (SAAATS).

A court dispute over WestJet's alleged unauthorized access of an Air Canada internal web site has generated the need for vigilance in protecting vital information on traffic and fares and raises concern over the vulnerability of data that rival airlines might find useful in day-to-day competition. Steps taken by Air Canada and new protections adopted for the same are reported.

The location is the main factor essential for the establishment of cargo hubs, international gateways and logistics centers so important in global delivery system. The international airports of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Korea are considered to be the world's leading Asian cargo airport hubs.

CFM International is experiencing market growth and is increasing its focus on the search for new technologies. The CFMI president and CEO Pierre Fabre expects that in 2004, company orders will reach 500 engines, breaking a down-cycle in place since 2002.

The commission investigating the September 11, 2001 attacks has advised the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Congress to intensify efforts to identify, track and appropriately screen potentially dangerous cargo. TSA is advised to require airlines to deploy a Hardened Unit Load Device in commercial and passenger aircraft to accommodate any suspect cargo.

ATA Airlines, a low-cost carrier, might not be able to meet its cash obligations in the first quarter of 2005, as it reported a net loss of $90 million and decreasing reserves of $150 million and cash equivalents. In order to reduce cash obligations, ATA officials are planning to restructure leases, revise labor contracts, reduce the workforce and cut the payroll for non-union personnel.

The Northwest Airlines pilot's group has proposed an exclusive pay and benefits system for pilots of 70-seat aircraft. The proposal states that the 70-seat aircraft would be employed at lower than-mainline pay rates and reduced benefits while the work rules would be more flexible than those applying to mainline operations.

Bruce R. Lakefield, the new president and CEO as well as former Lehman International Chairman, is undertaking a new business plan for seventh-ranked US mayor. The developing business plan would get into specifics and reveal the impact in dollar amounts needed from the unions and other sources.

Low cost carriers like ATA, Sabre, Spirit, and Air Trans airlines are upgrading their business and first class comforts to increase profitability. The service is focused on wider seats, improved snacks and beverages and fine-tuning of upscale cabins.

Joe Del Balzo, an Air Traffic control specialist and former FAA executive declared that the O'Hare Modernization Plan was fundamentally flawed, based on the information available to the public and the FAA. Hence, the FAA administrator David Hinson, the former chairman of Midway Airlines in Chicago, and Jonathan Howe, former head of the ACI in Geneva, volunteered to carry out further analysis of the issues raised by the plan.

The chronic delays at Chicago O'Hare International airport affected 40 percent of its flights and led to adverse effects with reference to the customer feedback. The United and American Airlines hence volunteered to test a 5 percent reduction of flights during peak hours to anticipate the spike in the delays.