 June 19, 2009 | News for the aerospace industry |
 |  |
- Airlines no longer in "panic mode," says Airbus exec
Despite orders that came in far below last year's levels, John Leahy, the chief salesman at Airbus, says the sentiment at the Paris Air Show shows the airline industry has turned a corner. In late 2008, he says, "It looked like a situation of free fall. Nobody then was thinking about anything but survival, and in many cases that meant survival for the next two weeks, not survival for the next 20 years." But the orders logged in Paris prove that airlines have begun planning for recovery, he says. "The fact that some airlines are starting to do some forward planning, I think, is indicative of the fact that people aren't in a panic mode anymore." NYTimes.com
(6/18)      
 | Engineered Solutions, On Time and On Budget
Leading aerospace manufacturers rely on us, the only vertically integrated supplier that offers engineered solutions from mill products to finished parts & assemblies, for their titanium & specialty metals needs. Learn more about our products, services, & manufacturing capabilities at RTIIntl.com |
- Gates moves missile defenses to Hawaii
Amid reports that North Korea plans to test-fire a missile in the direction of Hawaii, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he was deploying sea-based radars and missile interceptors to the islands. While stopping short of a direct threat to shoot down the North Korean missile, Gates noted that the technology was available. "The ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action," he said. "So without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say, I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary to protect American territory. Los Angeles Times
(6/18)
- Northrop attracts challengers for dominance in drone market
After producing more than 100,000 unmanned aircraft over six decades, Northrop Grumman Corp. is the clear leader in the field. But rivals including Boeing Co. and Raytheon Co. are mounting a concerted effort to challenge Northrop for a bigger piece of the rapidly growing pie. The growing competition is prompting Northrop to expand its offerings of smaller, cheaper models such as the Fire Scout. Bloomberg
(6/19)
- Gates blasts vote on F-22 as top general breaks ranks
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is blasting a congressional move to fund 12 additional F-22 fighter jets despite an administration budget that calls for canceling the program. Gates called Wednesday's 31-30 vote in the House Armed Services Committee a "big problem." But a top general has broken ranks on the issue, calling on Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., to support continued production. "In my opinion, a fleet of 187 F-22s puts execution of our current national military strategy at high risk in the near- to mid-term," Air Force Gen. John Corley, head of the Air Combat Command, said in a letter to the senator. Google/The Associated Press
(6/18), Reuters
(6/18)
 | Improve safety and reliability. Reduce operational costs.
Learn more about how S1000D delivers dynamically filtered content based on equipment configuration and current conditions in clear, precise instructions for technicians.
Click here to receive the FREE white paper "Reducing Operating Costs With EMC S1000D Applicability" today. |
- Boeing racing the clock with 787 time line
With the first test flight of the 787 Dreamliner just days away, Boeing Co. is looking to shave about three months off the schedule for remaining test flights as it scrambles to meet revised delivery goals for its much-delayed technological marvel. But even Scott Carson, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, admits the schedule is ambitious and wonders whether the FAA will be able to keep up with the company's requests for certification. The Wall Street Journal
(6/19), Aviation Daily
(6/19)
- United takes lead in testing satellite-based weather forecasting
United Airlines is testing satellite-based weather forecasting technology that could help pilots avoid severe storms like the one that may have contributed to the crash of Air France Flight 447. But with weather-related accidents extremely rare, it's hard to make the case for private investment in such expensive systems, according to experts. That's why governments are getting involved: The FAA and its regulatory counterparts around the world have been working for years to develop such technology that will eventually become part of the $22 billion NextGen program. Bloomberg
(6/18)
- Fuel concerns weigh heavy at Paris Air Show
Fuel economy was a hot topic at the Paris Air Show, with aircraft manufacturers seeking to wow buyers with the latest green technology. "Fuel consumption has always been one of the main criteria," for airliners, notes the deputy chief for environmental issues at Airbus. That has led to increasing use of lightweight composites in newer models as well as research into biofuels. Google/Agence France-Presse
(6/18)
- Plane lands without incident after pilot dies in cockpit
A Continental Airlines pilot died at the controls Thursday during a flight from Brussels to Newark, N.J., but the flight continued so smoothly that passengers noticed nothing wrong until the plane arrived safely at the gate. There were "no announcements, no panic, no nothing," said one passenger on Flight 61. After a cardiologist onboard failed to revive the 60-year-old pilot, the copilot and a reserve pilot continued the flight without incident. A company spokesman said copilots at Continental are trained to the same qualifications as captains, exceeding federal requirements. USA TODAY
(6/18), Chicago Tribune/The Associated Press
(6/19), The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.)
(6/18)
 | Ask Tom Adams. Do environmental regulations, corrosion, friction, and wear problems all drive up your costs and stress level? Tom Adams, president of Tiodize, has been helping manufacturers solve these problems for over 40 years. No matter what you make, Tom can probably help. Ask Tom - it's easy. Just call him at 714-898-4377, or send Tom an email. |
| Space |  |  |
|
- NASA launches lunar mission as precursor to manned exploration
NASA turned its attention back to the moon on Thursday, launching two spacecraft designed to find a suitable landing site for future manned missions. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will map the moon's surface for a year, while the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite will crash into a crater, searching for signs of water. "This is the first step in the next journey of space exploration," said program manager Todd May. "We're looking forward to getting started." Florida Today (Melbourne)
(6/19)
| Suppliers' News | | |
|
- Plane makers seek to reassure suppliers on delivery schedules
Suppliers to Airbus and Boeing Co. are skeptical that the big aircraft makers can sustain production levels in the face of a global travel downturn. Despite airline losses of $10.4 billion last year, the manufacturers plan to deliver 960 aircraft in 2009 and have yet to announce any significant cuts for 2010. But with lead times of up to two years, suppliers are wary of sudden, costly cutbacks. "There is raging skepticism because there is no historical precedent for the ability to do what they're suggesting to do," says Clay Jones, CEO of Rockwell Collins Inc. Bloomberg
(6/19)
| Homeland Security | | |
|
- DHS testing drone along Canadian border
The Department of Homeland Security is testing Predator B unmanned aircraft to help patrol the border between Upstate New York and Canada. Tests are being conducted at 19,000 feet in the restricted airspace above Fort Drum, helping to reduce the risk of collisions, according to officials. Though Customs and Border Protection currently uses five drone aircraft, none are permanently based in the Northeast. WWTI-TV (Watertown, N.Y.)
(6/18)
| AIA News | | |
|
-
Join the Aerospace Industries Association
AIA provides leading manufacturers of the U.S. aerospace industry with the resources they need to succeed, including a network of contacts comprised of the top decision makers in the industry to assist your company with its unique challenges. AIA's Membership Services Department will help you get the most out of your AIA membership by identifying your company's priorities and matching them with the particular councils and committees from which your company will benefit. For more information about AIA membership, click here.
| AIA Aero Webinars | | |
|
-
July 16 Webinar: Legal framework for securing unified communications
To properly secure their networks and systems, companies must build, acquire and install security tools that 20th century legal rules could not possibly have addressed. This webinar will present an inventory of existing Unified Communications solutions, known security risks and available security controls. In addition, the presentation will identify any potential tensions between using those controls and existing laws governing telephone services, privacy and other topics. Sign up now.
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope."
|
| |
| |
|
Read more at dailyLead.com |
|
A powerful website for dailyLead® readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent AIA dailyLead® Issues:
- Thursday, June 18, 2009
- Wednesday, June 17, 2009
- Tuesday, June 16, 2009
- Monday, June 15, 2009
- Friday, June 12, 2009
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
Contributing Editor: Robert Jones
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
