Aircraft News - North America

AirGuide Business, Oct 13, 2008

Oct 13, 2008

U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it has transmitted to the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would strengthen the security of general aviation by further minimizing the vulnerability of aircraft being used as weapons or to transport dangerous people or materials. The proposed regulation would reduce the susceptibility of large aircraft misuse by individuals wishing to harm the United States and its citizens.

The Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) regulation would require all U.S. operators of aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds maximum take-off weight to implement security programs that would be subject to compliance audits by TSA. The proposed regulation would also require operators to verify that passengers are not on the No Fly and/or Selectee portions of the federal government's consolidated terrorist watch list. [sup.3]General aviation operators are excellent security partners and this will give them a strong common framework for security that will reduce risk while supporting the open nature of the general aviation industry,[sup.2] said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley.

TSA said the Large Aircraft Security Program is a significant component in the department[sup.1]s plans to enhance domestic general aviation security. The LASP would require currently unregulated general aviation operations over a specific weight threshold to adopt security measures, which would align these operations with operations currently regulated for security purposes. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov Oct 11, 2008

Alaska Airlines, Boeing

Alaska Airlines today voiced concerns that the Boeing strike could greatly affect its fleet and capacity plans. The all-Boeing 737 operator's capacity agenda is dependent "on what happens in the Boeing strike", said Alaska VP finance and controller Brandon Pederson during the Boyd aviation forecast conference in Aspen. According to Flight's ACAS database, Alaska holds firm orders for a further 21 737-800s. A total 10 of these are slated to be delivered by April, says Pederson, warning that "not having those airplanes would have a significant impact on our business". The Seattle-based carrier shed the last of its Boeing MD-80s on 25 August. The decision to rid the fleet of MD-80s made sense to Alaska in 2006 at $40/barrel oil but it "certainly makes sense at $100/barrel oil", says Pederson. Oct 6, 2008

Boeing

Boeing Weighs Output Goals in `Difficult' Market, Marketing Director Says Boeing Co., the world's second- biggest aircraft maker, is reviewing production levels as a ``more difficult'' time for airlines means the manufacturer needs to closely monitor demand. Oct 12, 2008

Boeing

US aircraft maker Boeing and its striking machinists union have agreed to contact federal mediators, following informal contacts between company and union officials on Wednesday, according to a newspaper report. Oct 9, 2008

Boeing

Boeing CEO James McNerney on Monday said striking machinists were hurting both the company and the aerospace industry as a whole, risking the sort of long-term decline suffered by U.S. automakers. With more and more competitors lining up to produce jets the size of a 737, McNerney said Boeing's dominance is far from assured. "If our collective Boeing team -- with both nonunion and union-represented employees -- cannot reliably supply our customers, other competitors will do so." The Seattle Times/The Associated Press (10/6) Oct 7, 2008

Boeing

Boeing booked 11 more commercial aircraft orders last week, taking its year-to-date net to 623, but said that third-quarter deliveries fell 23% year-over-year. Oct 6, 2008

Boeing

Boeing strike delays new jets. One month into a machinists strike against Boeing, fliers are starting to feel the pain as carriers from Australia to the U.K. cancel service due to late deliveries of new jets. A Delta Air Lines spokeswoman said the company is "expecting some delay in our deliveries" of 10 new Boeing aircraft this fall, though no cuts in service were announced as a result. No talks are currently scheduled between Boeing management and the International Association of Machinists. Oct 6, 2008

Bombardier

Bombardier DHC-8-Q400 landing gear to retract after take-off have prompted US FAA officials to propose a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the turboprop. The proposed AD would mandate incorporation of new weight-on-wheels (WOW) and steering harnesses that have a new conduit construction, says the FAA today in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). It estimates that about 42 products of US registry will be affected, and that the cost to operators of implementing the AD will be $43,680 or $1,040 per unit. The action described in the NPRM was previously addressed in a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) document issued by Transport Canada after several cases were reported whereby the landing gear did not retract after take-off. Oct 10, 2008

Bombardier

Bombardier unveiled its new all-composite Learjet 85 aircraft interior to customers and special guests at the Bombardier static pavilion at Orlando Executive Airport. [sup.3]The Learjet 85 aircraft[sup.1]s cabin features more volume and comfort than any existing mid-size offering and now our customer can experience it first hand,[sup.2] says Bombardier Business Aircraft president Steve Ridolfi. [sup.3]Development of the Learjet 85 aircraft is progressing well as we enter the next phase of this exciting new Bombardier[sup.1]s aim is to provide a larger, more comfortable cabin than any existing midsize aircraft, the Learjet 85 aircraft[sup.1]s 665cu ft cabin is the largest Learjet aircraft cabin ever - offering eight passengers a stand-up environment built to ensure superior productivity. A key element of the aircraft[sup.1]s cabin is its large windows, measuring approximately 12in x16in (305mm x 406mm), maximizing the amount of natural light into the aircraft as well as passenger viewing capability. Oct 6, 2008