 October 28, 2009 | News for the aerospace industry |
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- NextGen radio system could have helped prevent MSP overshoot
Experts say an outdated air traffic control system contributed to the Oct. 21 incident in which a Northwest Airlines jet flew 150 miles past its intended arrival airport. Pilots flying cross-country must manually change radio frequencies dozens of times to stay in touch with controllers, and mistakes can prove costly. Digital radio with text-message capability would help to alleviate the problem, but the NextGen system is still years from completion and international aviation authorities have yet to agree on a standard technology for radio upgrades. USA TODAY
(10/28)       
- Obama to sign defense bill with call for further cuts
President Barack Obama was scheduled to sign the 2010 Defense Department authorization into law today, even as he continues to criticize what he sees as wasteful spending. "This bill isn't perfect," the president said in excerpts of his speech released to the media. "There is still more waste we need to cut. There are still more fights we need to win." The White House had threatened a veto of the bill, but Obama instead decided to highlight his victories, including spiking a congressional effort to spend "nearly $2 billion to buy more F-22 fighter jets that the Pentagon says they don't need." Reuters
(10/28)
- General Dynamics reports lower profit despite growing defense sales
Weak demand for business jets helped drag down third-quarter profit at General Dynamics by almost 10%, even as gains in defense-related sales led the company to increase its full-year profit forecast. A plunge in deliveries of Gulfstream jets led to a 55.5% drop in operating profit for the Gulfstream Aerospace division, while combat systems, military vehicles and information systems all experienced sales growth. Houston Chronicle/The Associated Press
(10/28)
- L-3 reports 5% sales gain for 3rd quarter
Third-quarter earnings at L-3 Communications Holdings jumped nearly 20% on growing sales and tax benefits, the company announced Tuesday. Government services lagged, but overall sales were up 5% because of strength in aircraft modernization and maintenance as well as in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. TheStreet.com/The Associated Press
(10/27)
- Today marks final Boeing 737 flight at United
United Airlines captain Bob Russo says it will be "a tremendous honor" to be at the controls of the carrier's final Boeing 737 flight, scheduled to land this evening at San Francisco International Airport. United is retiring the workhorse 737 as it shifts to newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft. Analysts say the move mirrors a broad trend throughout the industry. USA TODAY
(10/28)
- Report: American plans to close Kansas City overhaul facility
American Airlines, after years of downsizing, is reportedly set to close its maintenance base at Kansas City International Airport. About 500 employees would be affected by the move, with a formal announcement expected today. Officials in Tulsa, Okla., expect much of the work to be shifted to a new $9.8 million maintenance facility at Tulsa International Airport. The Kansas City Star (Mo.)
(10/27)
- S.C. Senate committee passes Boeing incentive package
South Carolina lawmakers have given first approval to a lucrative incentive package designed to bring a Boeing Co. 787 assembly line to North Charleston. The plan includes low-interest construction bonds and tax-free fuel for test flights. The legislation does not specifically mention Boeing, and lawmakers have been urged not to discuss the company by name. Google/The Associated Press
(10/27)
 | Introducing the world's smallest, lightest flight deck printer, now with WiFi!
Astro-Med's new ToughWriter 5 airborne printer has the smallest footprint, yet offers features not found in any other ARINC744 printer available. Check out these features: only 9 pounds, WiFi compatible, fast page printing, graphical image printing and more! Read more |
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- Space junk may drive up cost of future missions
Scientists fear a "blizzard" of space debris will make future rocket launches dramatically more expensive. With the U.S. now tracking 19,000 objects in orbit around Earth, Hugh Lewis of the University of Southampton in the U.K. predicts a 50% rise in near-misses over the next decade -- and a 400% jump by 2059. By that year, his statistics show, satellite operators will have to take five times as many collision-avoidance measures as they will in 2019. New Scientist
(10/27)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Systems Engineering was named by CNNMoney.com as the best job in America in 2009.
Online courses in Systems Engineering can help you to make a transition to this growing job field. Register now for online courses that can be applied to a systems engineering master's degree or certificate of completion from Colorado State University. Learn more today!
Interested in learning more about advertising in the AIA dailyLead? Contact Jim Eubanks at (202) 407-7822 or jeubanks@smartbrief.com.
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| Homeland Security | | |
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- Air cargo industry is struggling to meet screening deadline
Cargo shippers and federal officials are meeting this week in Orlando, Fla., to discuss the looming deadline for screening 100% of freight shipped on commercial airliners. Up to 10 million pounds of cargo are loaded onto passenger flights every day, and Congress wants every item individually screened beginning in August. "There will not be enough [certified screeners] to meet the demands of the supply chain, not at the current rate of certification," warns a TSA official in charge of cargo screening. The president of the Global Trade and Commerce Association agrees. "It's going to be a serious issue come next fall," she says. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)
(10/28)
- Baggage screening is a priority as stimulus funds are released
Of the $355 million in stimulus funds granted for six airport-security projects, about $254 million went to inline baggage screening systems, including $20 million for such a system in the new international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The largest single grant, $154 million, went to Washington Dulles International. Global Atlanta
(10/27)
| AIA News | | |
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National Aerospace Day calls people the industry's greatest asset
A congratulatory message from President Barack Obama and Senate and House resolutions set the stage for the first-ever National Aerospace Day Sept. 16. Read more.
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