NASA Langley researchers have developed a "revolutionary new technology" that will predict aircraft wake turbulence on final approach, "so airliners can be spaced more safely and efficiently." The technology is called AVOSS or Aircraft Vortex Spacing System. AVOSS determines how winds and other atmospheric conditions affect the wake vortex patterns of different types of aircraft. It uses laser radar or lidar technology to confirm the accuracy of the forecasts.
Global Airlines, the company that wants to buy TWA, plans to purchase up to 450 StarLiner 100, 200 and 300 series regional jets. Global today will order 250 aircraft worth $4.6 billion, with 200 options worth $3.6 billion.The StarLiner is the brand of 70- and 90-seat jets built by Alliance Aircraft Corp., with first deliveries in 2003.
Boeing said the response of an EasyJet 737-300 on takeoff from Zurich and on landing at London Luton last Monday did not involve the rudder, according to flight data recorder information sent by the airline. Boeing denied a press report that the aircraft began to point sideways on takeoff, saying "that was not the position" of the 737. The aircraft could have experienced a "gust," Boeing said. The FDR "indicated the rudder was performing as it should" on landing, Boeing said.
Insurance settlements totaling at least $262 million have been paid out to the families of the 110 persons killed in the ValuJet crash in 1996, according to court records. Although the amount of settlements is generally shielded by confidentiality agreements, it became public after prosecutors began seeking payment from SabreTech following a trial in which it was found guilty of hazardous materials violations. Ken Quinn, attorney for SabreTech, which no longer exits, said Friday an appeal is planned. "We are awaiting sentencing on Aug. 14," Quinn said.
United's schedule cutbacks will continue into September, but CEO James Goodwin said he is "intensely focused" on reaching contractual agreements with pilot and machinists unions in the near future. "We are negotiating very hard at the moment, and I'm hopeful we'll reach a settlement very shortly," Goodwin told The DAILY.
Deutsche BA CEO Adrian Hunt expects a BA-KLM merger announcement by the end of the month--which may mean this week. As head of the BA subsidiary, Hunt says the impression he gets is that both parties "are getting much more serious" now and he sees KLM as an immensely successful hub operator.
Jetstream and Beech 1900 aircraft are slowly finding their way into Australia's regional market, according to Regional Airline Association of Australia President Alan Terrell. The ample availability of the twin turboprops from the U.S. is appealing to those eyeing increased capacity. Some Jetstreams are making their way into Australia on spec, Terrell said, and their age is making them "pretty cheap nowadays." Australia, with its high costs for licenses, has seen very few startups in the last five years.
Atlantic Coast Jet, which has five 32-passenger 328JETS and firm orders for 45 jet aircraft, Friday received its FAA operating certificate, clearing the way for the Delta Connection carrier to begin service Aug. 1. ACJet will serve Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem, N.C.; Columbia, S.C., and Richmond Va., from New York LaGuardia.
Nav Canada reported that revenues for its third quarter ended May 31 declined to $224 million from $231 million the same period last year. Operating expenses also declined, to $177 million from $180 million. As a cost-recovery business, Nav Canada returns excess revenues to its users in the form of lower charges. The company last September reduced user charges by 7.5% to 13.7% for its major services.
House and Senate sources no longer expect congressional conference action on the fiscal 2001 transportation appropriations bill before the five-week summer recess, which starts July 29. This means that the bill, which includes FAA funding, will have to clear a House-Senate conference in September or early October before congressional adjournment.
Considerations of revising Federal Communications Commission and FAA rules on the use of cell phones or other portable electronic devices (PED) on passenger aircraft apparently were sidetracked last week, when an Air Line Pilots Association safety official told the House aviation subcommittee that ALPA is opposed to any changes in present rules that prohibit the use of cell phones in all phases of flight.
VASP Brazilian Airlines flight personnel, which account for 25% of the carrier's work force, have announced a strike with 12-hour work stoppages between July 28 and Aug. 6, in protest of unpaid back salaries and dismissals. According to Pedro Azambuja, president of the National Airline Workers Union, the strike is not directed at VASP President Wagner Canhedo and his management team, but at the federal government.
Grupo TACA last week began the first phase of its new South American strategic hub at Lima Jorge Chavez Airport when it started service to the city, operated by its Peruvian affiliate TACA Peru (July 20). TACA President Federico Bloch said, "This additional step is a landmark in the aviation history of Peru." Overall, TACA's expansion seeks to offer business and pleasure travelers, as well as cargo shippers, more and easier connection options and a product geared to compete in the global economy.
Southwest's second quarter operating margin of 21.5% was its best since 1980, according to Merrill Lynch. Part of the revenue surprise was growth in full-fare passengers, which account for 40% of revenues. Another reason for impressive revenues is the strong demand and fare environment. Southwest raised fares four times since second quarter 1999 and still achieved a 74.3% load factor in the most recent quarter.
UPS reported record second quarter revenues of $7.3 billion, up 11% from the $6.6 billion last year. Net income rose 18.2% to $695 million, and operating profit gained 16.2% to $1.2 billion. "More than anything, we are pleased by the company's growth across all segments," Chairman Jim Kelly said. Global package delivery volume gained 6.7% to an average of 13.2 million pieces a day. U.S. domestic volume rose 8.4%.
Mexico's Transportation Secretary Aaron Dychter Poltolarek said his department will intervene if a recent hazmat fine proposed by FAA for Mexicana affects the Mexican government in any way. FAA proposes to assess a $240,000 civil penalty against Mexicana for allegedly transporting six separate shipments of hazardous materials -- each containing an oxygen generator -- between Brownsville, Texas, and Yorba Linda, Calif., during 1998.
Pratt&Whitney Canada signed a 10-year fleet management program agreement valued at $44 million with CommutAir, which serves 32 cities in 10 states in the eastern U.S. as a partner of US Airways.
World Airways yesterday reported operating income of $1.7 million and net income of $600,000 for the second quarter, compared to an operating loss of $1.7 million and a net loss of $3.1 million for the same quarter last year. The company also reported it ended the quarter with cash of $20 million, a 235% increase over its cash position at the end of the previous quarter. Operating expenses declined to $61.1 million from $69.2 million. Separately, World said it will relocate its headquarters from Dulles, Va., to the Atlanta area early next year.
