Aircraft News - North America

AirGuide Business, March 17, 2008

Mar 17, 2008

US FAA mandated "significant upgrades" to aircraft cockpit voice and flight data recorders. All voice recorders in aircraft carrying more than 10 people must capture the last 2 hr. of cockpit audio instead of the current 15-30 min. New rule also requires an independent backup power source for voice recorders to allow continued recording for 9-11 min. if all power sources are lost or interrupted. "Voice recorders also must use solid state technology instead of magnetic tape, which is vulnerable to damage and loss of reliability," FAA said. New rule further mandates that FDRs measure more frequently, including primary flight control movements and pilots' movement of controls. The recorders also must retain the last 25 hr. of recorded information. It formalizes current FAA policy that voice and data recorders must be housed in separate units and cannot be disabled by a single electrical failure. Rule applies to all aircraft manufactured after March 7, 2010, and calls for retrofitting of some equipment on prior-built aircraft by March 7, 2012. Mar 14, 2008

The U.S. airline industry has a strong safety record, but the FAA should improve the oversight process so inspectors remain impartial to carriers they oversee, the USA TODAY editorial board writes. An opposing view was provided by acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell, who acknowledges that at least one inspector "looked the other way" when inspecting Southwest Airlines aircraft. "That's wrong and completely inexcusable," he writes. Sturgell says, however, that the inspection system works well. Mar 12, 2008

Demand for internet service during flights has been growing rapidly and it seems that the competition is finally beginning. In recent months several U.S. airlines including American Airlines, Continental, Virgin America, Southwest, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines have announced plans to provide internet access on some routes. The airlines will employ different strategies, in terms of delivery and pricing, as this new market develops. Mar 12, 2008

Airlines hope to eventually use biofuel to improve the efficiency of jetliners, lower their fuel costs and reduce emissions. "We want it. And unlike car drivers, we'll use it," said John Heimlich, chief economist of the Air Transport Association. He noted that airlines paid $41.2 billion for jet fuel last year, up from $15.2 billion in 2003. Mar 11, 2008

Airbus, EADS

Officials in Mobile, Ala., have made a concerted effort to attract aerospace companies to their city over the past few years. They visited Seattle to get a sense of how the city accommodates large aerospace firms. Their diligence has paid off: European aerospace company EADS has pledged to build refueling tankers and commercial jetliners in Mobile. Mar 11, 2008

American Airlines, Aircell

American Airlines and Virgin America plan to provide Internet access via Aircell's gogo service. This system uses EV-DO Rev A to deliver broadband service at rates up to 2 Mbps while over continental North America. According to Aircell, basic pricing will be $12.95 for cross-country trips and $9.95 for flights lasting less than three hours. American Airlines plans to equip 15 of its Boeing 767s with this technology beginning this spring. They plan to target business passengers on routes between Miami, New York, Los Angeles and San Fransisco while Virgin America plans to make gogo available to all passengers on all flights via a seatback entertainment system. Mar 12, 2008

American Airlines, Boeing

American Airlines wants to buy aircraft to replace today's current narrow-body jetliners. In the meantime, it continues to fly its aging McDonnell Douglas MD-80s, which burn up to 30% more fuel than the Boeing 737. If the airline replaces its older planes now, it may miss the next generation of fuel-efficient aircraft, observers say. Mar 10, 2008

Astronics, Thales, Boeing

Astronics Selected as In-Seat Power Supplier for Thales In-Flight Entertainment System for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Astronics Corporation announced Mar. 11 that it has signed an agreement with Thales, a leading international electronics and systems group, to develop and supply the in-seat power system (ISPS) to be used in conjunction with Thales' TopSerie In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system which will be offered on Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner Aircraft. The TopSeries IFE platform is a web-based system designed to support on-demand in-seat audio and video entertainment options, broadband communications with internet-ready capability and in-seat power for passengers' personal electronic devices, such as laptop computers. Thales IFE system has proved to be popular among worldwide commercial airlines ordering Boeing's 787, and the agreement with Thales establishes Astronics as the exclusive provider of the ISPS with the installation of IFE systems. Mar 13, 2008

Avionica, Continental Airlines, Boeing

Avionica said Continental Airlines secured its ACARS communications in passenger service over the Iridium satellite network. One of CO's satLINK-equipped Boeing 737-800s reached its Houston headquarters as it flew over the Pacific. The carrier also plans to install satLINK on 757-200s. Mar 10, 2008