News-Travel agiency - Trekking agency

---

• Contracts for January 02, 2013
• Today in the Department of Defense, 1/3/2013
• National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of January 1, 2013
• Panetta Thanks Congress, Hopes For End to Sequestration
• Statement by Secretary Panetta on Sequestration Delay
• Face of Defense: Air Force's Top Firefighter Retires
• Legislators Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Delay Sequester Process
• Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Seizes IED Materials
• DOD Heightens Training, Prevention to Target Human Trafficking
• DOD Offers Non-medical Counseling to Troops, Families
• Propwash

Contracts for January 02, 2013 Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:12 PM PST You are subscribed to Contract Announcements for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Contracts for January 02, 2013 01/02/2013 04:00 PM CST FOR RELEASE AT 5 p.m. ET No. 003-13 January 02, 2013 CONTRACTS DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY             Global Information Grid Services Management - Engineering, Transition and Implementation (GSM-ETI), (HC1028-10-R-2001); Digital Management Inc., Bethesda, Md. (HC1028-13-D006); Onyx-Technica Joint Venture, Columbia, Md. (HC1028-13-D-0007); NES Associates L.L.C., Alexandria, Va. (HC1028-13-D-008); Cambridge International Systems Inc. Arlington, Va. (HC1028-13-D-0009); TurningPoint-EMW Joint Venture L.L.C., Rockville, Md. (HC1028-13-D-0010); By Light Professional IT Services Inc. Arlington, Va. (HC1028-13-D-0011); and IPKeys Technologies L.L.C., Stafford, Va. (HC1028-13-D-0012), was awarded on Dec. 21, 2012, a multiple indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  The contract is issued for worldwide support necessary to carry out required engineering, transition, implementation, integration; connection approval and IT service management activities, in support of existing and future Defense Information System Network (DISN) networking capabilities.  Performance will predominantly be within the continental United States; however, support services are also required at multiple overseas locations.  The period of performance includes a base period of two years, one two-year option period and one one-year option period for a total period of five years.  The estimated contract ceiling value for the two-year base period of this action is $568,000,000.  Furthermore, $1,420,000,000 is the sum total ceiling value for all seven GSM-ETI contracts, which cannot be exceeded over the life of the potential five years.  Solicitation was issued via the FedBizOPps website and was set aside for small business concerns; nine proposals received.  The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity              BAE Systems Information Solutions Inc., McLean, Va., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract on Dec. 21, 2012, for XTS Enterprise Guard Solution (consisting of hardware, software and maintenance support) for e-mail, file transfer and Web services.  The total obligated amount of this action is $3,200,000, funded by fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 procurement funds and fiscal 2012 research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) funds.  The total lifecycle value of the contract is $8,200,000.  The period of performance is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2013, with four option years.  Performance will be at DISA, Lab Building, Fort George G. Meade, Md.  The original solicitation was issued as an other than full and open competitive action pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and one proposal was received.  Solicitation HC1028-13-R-0001 was issued directly to the sole source contractor.  The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, is the contracting activity (HC1028-13-C-0014).  NAVY             BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., was awarded on Dec. 28, 2012, a $50,180,546 undefinitized contract action as a modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00024-10-C-4308) for the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) fiscal year 2013 extended drydocking selected restricted availability.  Extended drydocking selected restricted availability includes the planning and execution of depot-level maintenance, alterations, and modifications that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities.  Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by August 2013.  Funding in the amount of $10,000,000 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds in the amount of $10,000,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Norfolk Ship Support Activity, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.              Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $49,841,643 modification to previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00024-12-C-5405) to exercise an option for Design Agent Engineering and technical support services for Phalanx, SeaRAM, and Land-based Phalanx Weapon Systems.  Phalanx Close-In Weapon System is a fast-reaction terminal defense against low and high-flying, high-speed maneuvering anti-ship missile threats that have penetrated all other defenses.  Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by January 2014.  Funding in the amount of $5,889,407 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds in the amount of $250,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C, is the contracting activity.             BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $24,186,962 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2011) to exercise an option for the procurement of Common (Identification Friend or Foe) Digital Transponder (CXP) hardware for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and the governments of Saudi Arabia, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including transponders, mounts, modification kits, Remote Control Unit modes.  Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in August 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $24,186,962 are being obligated on this award, $490,883 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($13,045,499; 53.9 percent); U.S. Army ($9,170,817; 38 percent); and the Governments of Saudi Arabia ($1,083,863; 4.5 percent); the Netherlands ($472,901; 1.9 percent); Australia ($297,590; 1.2 percent); and UAE ($116,292; 0.5 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.  DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY             Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was issued a modification on contract SPM4AX-12-D-9402.  The modification is a firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract with a maximum $19,006,747 to supply spare parts to support numerous aircraft platforms.  Location of performance is in Connecticut with a March 31, 2013 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.  There was one solicitation with one response.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 Defense Working Capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Va.  AIR FORCE             CAE USA Inc., Tampa, Fla., (FA3002-13-D-0006) is being awarded a $12,500,000 maximum ceiling, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for C-130B-H simulator training.  The location of the performance is Tampa Bay, Fla.  Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2017.  The contracting activity is Air Education Training Command CONS/LGCI, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.  Contract involves foreign military sales.     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Contracts/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Today in the Department of Defense, 1/3/2013 Posted: 02 Jan 2013 02:08 PM PST You are subscribed to Today in DoD for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Today in the Department of Defense, 1/3/2013 01/02/2013 04:00 PM CST Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, January 03, 2013   Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter have no public or media events on their schedules. Use Pick a Day to go to a different day. Check Other Events for additional listings, including air shows, band concerts, Congressional hearings, reunions and much more. What's New in DefenseLINK More: news, photos, advisories, contracts, transcripts Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in the Department of Defense are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of Defense may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Public Inquiries All others are invited to contact our public inquiries section by phone or U.S. mail or through the web. See our comment page for details. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131. In case of a family emergency, please contact your local American Red Cross. Today in DoD | Pick a Day | Other Events | Subscribe |   U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/Today/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of January 1, 2013 Posted: 02 Jan 2013 01:21 PM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of January 1, 2013 01/02/2013 03:10 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 002-12 January 02, 2013 National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of January 1, 2013             The Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve announced this week a decrease in activated National Guard members and reservists while the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve announced an increase of activated reservists.  The net collective result is 708 fewer National Guard members and reservists activated in comparison to last week.              At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 39,612; Navy Reserve, 5,006; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 7,875; Marine Corps Reserve, 2,169; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 555.  This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 55,217, including both units and individual augmentees.              A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found online at http://www.defense.gov/news/MobilizationWeeklyReport010113.pdf     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Panetta Thanks Congress, Hopes For End to Sequestration Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:16 PM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Panetta Thanks Congress, Hopes For End to Sequestration 01/02/2013 02:04 PM CST Panetta Thanks Congress, Hopes For End to Sequestration By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2013 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta expressed his gratitude to U.S. lawmakers for delaying sequestration and voiced optimism for finding a permanent way to avoid an additional $500 billion in budget cuts. "On behalf of the Department of Defense, I want to express our thanks to the Democratic and Republican members of Congress who voted to temporarily avert sequestration," Panetta said in a statement issued today. "Hopefully, this will allow additional time to develop a balanced deficit reduction plan that would permanently prevent these arbitrary cuts." Congress passed legislation yesterday delaying the sequestration process by two months. Sequestration, included in the 2011 Budget Control Act, would have automatically cut $500 billion from defense spending over 10 years on top of $487 billion in spending reductions already identified over the same timeframe. Had Congress not acted, the Defense Department, along with other federal agencies, would have been forced to take dramatic steps which would have "severely impacted" civilian personnel and disrupted DOD's mission, Panetta said. "For more than a year, I have made clear that sequestration would have a devastating impact on the department," he said. "Over the past few weeks, as we were forced to begin preparing to implement this law, my concerns about its damaging effects have only grown. "As an example, had Congress failed to act, I would have been required to send out a notice to our 800,000 civilian employees that they could be subject to furlough," Panetta added. The defense secretary credited Congress with preventing the "worst possible outcome" by delaying sequestration for two months, but noted the threat of sequestration continues. "Unfortunately, the cloud of sequestration remains," Panetta said. "The responsibility now is to eliminate it as a threat by enacting balanced deficit reduction. Congress cannot continue to just kick the can down the road." The Defense Department is "doing its part" to help the country address these budget concerns by working to implement $487 billion in spending reductions in accordance with its new defense strategy, Panetta said. "The specter of sequestration has cast a shadow over our efforts," he said. "We need to have stability in our future budgets. We need to have the resources to effectively execute our strategy, defend the nation, and meet our commitments to troops and their families after more than a decade of war." The defense secretary lauded the DOD workforce for its service and sacrifice. He said federal government leaders and members of Congress have a "responsibility" to provide the necessary support for them to accomplish their missions. "Every day, the men and women of this department put their lives on the line to protect us all here at home. Those of us in Washington have no greater responsibility than to give them what they need to succeed and to come home safely," Panetta said. "My hope is that in the next two months, all of us in the leadership of the nation and the Congress can work together to provide that stability and to prevent sequestration once and for all," he said. "Our national security demands no less."   Biographies: Leon E. Panetta Related Sites: Panetta Statement Related Articles: Legislators Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Delay Sequester Process   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Statement by Secretary Panetta on Sequestration Delay Posted: 02 Jan 2013 11:26 AM PST You are subscribed to News Releases for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Statement by Secretary Panetta on Sequestration Delay 01/02/2013 01:11 PM CST IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 001-13 January 02, 2013 Statement by Secretary Panetta on Sequestration Delay             "On behalf of the Department of Defense, I want to express our thanks to the Democratic and Republican Members of Congress who voted to temporarily avert sequestration.  Hopefully, this will allow additional time to develop a balanced deficit reduction plan that would permanently prevent these arbitrary cuts.               "Had Congress not acted, the Department of Defense -- along with other federal agencies -- would have been forced to begin taking dramatic steps that would have severely impacted our civilian personnel and disrupted our mission.  For more than a year, I have made clear that sequestration would have a devastating impact on the Department.  Over the past few weeks, as we were forced to begin preparing to implement this law, my concerns about its damaging effects have only grown.  As an example, had Congress failed to act, I would have been required to send out a notice to our 800,000 civilian employees that they could be subject to furlough.               "Congress has prevented the worst possible outcome by delaying sequestration for two months.  Unfortunately, the cloud of sequestration remains.  The responsibility now is to eliminate it as a threat by enacting balanced deficit reduction.  Congress cannot continue to just kick the can down the road.              "This Department is doing its part to help the country address its deficit problem by working to implement $487 billion in spending reductions in accordance with our new defense strategy.  The specter of sequestration has cast a shadow over our efforts.  We need to have stability in our future budgets.  We need to have the resources to effectively execute our strategy, defend the nation, and meet our commitments to troops and their families after more than a decade of war.              "Every day, the men and women of this Department put their lives on the line to protect us all here at home.  Those of us in Washington have no greater responsibility than to give them what they need to succeed and to come home safely.  My hope is that in the next two months, all of us in the leadership of the nation and the Congress can work together to provide that stability and to prevent sequestration once and for all.  Our national security demands no less."     U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) On the Web: http://www.defense.gov/releases/ Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132 Public Contact: http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1 Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your User Profile Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Face of Defense: Air Force's Top Firefighter Retires Posted: 02 Jan 2013 10:07 AM PST In 1985, Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Donald Warner retired after 20 years of active duty service. Courtesy photo Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution In 1965, at age 19, Air Force firefighter Donald Warner's first duty station was Pope Air Force Base, N.C. Courtesy photo Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Face of Defense: Air Force's Top Firefighter Retires 01/02/2013 11:57 AM CST Face of Defense: Air Force's Top Firefighter Retires By John Burt Air Force Civil Engineer Center TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Jan. 2, 2013 - The Air Force's top firefighter has stepped down after 46 years of military and civilian service. Air Force firefighter Donald Warner pictured outside the fire station at Tan Sun Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, in 1970. Courtesy photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Donald Warner, chief of the Fire Emergency Services Division in the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Readiness Directorate here retired on Dec. 29, 2012, ending a career in firefighting that has spanned six decades. "When I enlisted in 1965, the Air Force chose the firefighting career field for me," Warner said. "They did a good job because I have loved it. I can't think of anything else I would have rather done." Over his career, Warner has seen Air Force firefighting evolve and, as the Air Force Fire Chief for the past 11 years, he has helped guide many of those changes. "Our career field has become more technical and our duty responsibilities have expanded tremendously," he said. "When I came in, we were almost exclusively crash-response firefighters. Now we are an all-hazards response force." Warner said the principal call received by Air Force firefighters today is for emergency medical services response. "We provide the first level of care typically on Air Force bases and have a lot of success stories," he said. "Our firefighters save about 30 people per year. I'm very proud of that." The most apparent changes in Air Force firefighting have been technological advances in vehicles and equipment, Warner said. In the past, the Air Force only used firefighting vehicles specified and built for the military. "They were very basic," he said. "We now buy commercial, off-the-shelf equipment. This change was a significant departure from our business practices of the past, but it enables us to keep up with technology and allows our firefighters to be more competitive and better prepared for a career after they leave the Air Force." In overseeing Air Force fire department operations and about 10,000 airmen and civilian firefighters, Warner has faced numerous challenges. Key among these was addressing staffing requirements in the face of budget constraints. "We had to dramatically change how we operated and were forced to make some tough decisions on the size of our total [firefighting] force," he said. Warner and his team at AFCEC and major commands found that varying the number of firefighters on duty was the only means of achieving the manpower savings required -- making more firefighters available during higher risk periods and fewer firefighters at other times. "We incorporated a risk management approach into our business to make certain our fire chiefs had the appropriate number of personnel according to local risk factors," he said. Warner says one of the biggest advancements in vehicle and equipment modernization is the development of ultra-high pressure firefighting technology. "With ultra-high pressure, we can put out fires using significantly less ... firefighting agent and sustain our firefighting operations longer," he said. "With conventional vehicles, we have about three minutes of firefighting time. UHP gives us three-and-a-half times that." When fully fielded and trained, UHP will transform the way Air Force firefighters respond to crashes and will eventually change civil firefighting as well, the Air Force fire chief said. One achievement that Warner said brought him personal satisfaction was garnering recognition for Department of Defense firefighters who had made the ultimate sacrifice. "I was the catalyst for getting our military firefighters added to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md. Their omission had been a serious oversight and I was pleased to get that corrected," he said. "The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation went back and retroactively memorialized all DOD firefighters who had died in the line of duty since 1983. We have 13 on the memorial now, including an airman who was killed in the line of duty last year." Warner said he retires with mixed emotions and many memories. "There are things that a firefighter will never forget," he said. "It's a lifetime memory. I will miss the association with other firefighters. We have a good team. I won't miss, however, the heartbreak I feel every time we are unable to save someone. It is very emotional for me and all our firefighters. It's not just a number on a report, it represents a person." The chief of the AFCEC Readiness Directorate said Warner leaves an indelible legacy. "Mr. Warner has guided Air Force firefighting through significant changes," said Col. Mike Mendoza. "He has represented not only Air Force firefighters, but military firefighters with integrity, honor and dedication to service. He will be sorely missed." Donald Warner, the chief of the Fire Emergency Services Division in the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Readiness Directorate, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., retired Dec. 28, 2012, completing 46 years of military and civilian service as a firefighter. U.S. Air Force photo by Eddie Green Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution

Legislators Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Delay Sequester Process Posted: 02 Jan 2013 09:52 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Legislators Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Delay Sequester Process 01/02/2013 11:43 AM CST Legislators Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Delay Sequester Process By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2013 - Congress has avoided the fiscal cliff, but Pentagon Press Secretary George Little called on the body to continue efforts to permanently eliminate the threat of sequestration. The House of Representatives passed a Senate proposal that avoided the fiscal cliff last night. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is pleased Congress acted, Little said, but notes there is more work to be done. Had Congress not acted, sequestration -- taking an additional $500 billion from the DOD budget -- would have kicked in. The legislation passed yesterday delays that process for two months. Panetta hopes that within that time Congress can find a way to end sequestration once and for all, Little said. If not, sequestration will trigger automatically, leaving little time to make the required cuts. "While we have whistled by this fiscal cliff, we need to keep our eye on the ball and make sure sequestration does not take effect, ever," Little said. Little emphasized that the threat of sequestration still hangs over the department. "It is very important that we avoid sequester permanently," he said. "This can't be a situation where we delay every two months. The specter of sequestration -- of guns to the head -- none of that is anything that we welcome. We hope to avoid it at all costs." Panetta has repeatedly stressed that sequestration would be devastating to national defense. The department was preparing for the worst, Little said. If sequestration were triggered, he said, DOD would try to make monetary reductions via furloughs rather than in reductions in force. "We were prepared to do the prudent thing and tell our civilian workforce that many of them might face some kind of furlough if sequestration had taken effect," Little said. "Our first assumption is we are not going to try to punish a small group of civilian employees by firing them because Congress can't do its job," he said. "Furlough is the preferred course of action." The potential for furloughs shows that sequestration isn't just some abstract circumstance affecting only dollars and decimal points, he said. "This is something that will have an impact on real people, doing real work and on real missions in the department," Little said. The deal that Congress reached is likely to have some effect on the fiscal 2013 defense budget and for planning for the fiscal 2014 budget, Little said. DOD officials are waiting for guidance on this from the Office of Management and Budget, he added.     Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Seizes IED Materials Posted: 02 Jan 2013 09:51 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Seizes IED Materials 01/02/2013 10:14 AM CST Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Seizes IED Materials Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Shah Wali Kot district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province today, military officials reported. The arrested Taliban leader provided weapons and ammunition to insurgent fighters in the central Arghandab and southwest Shah Wali Kot districts, officials said. He also planned and coordinated improvised explosive device attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making materials during the operation, officials said. Also today, a combined force arrested a member of the Haqqani network in the Pul-e 'Alam district of Logar province. The arrested Haqqani insurgent planned and executed attacks against Afghan government officials as well as Afghan and coalition forces. He was also responsible for the movement of weapons and provided funds to Haqqani fighters operating in the Pul-e 'Alam district. In Afghanistan operations yesterday: -- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province. The arrested Taliban leader directed IED operations in the Zharay and Panjwa'i districts. He also provided supplies, weapons and ammunition to insurgents for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province. -- A combined force arrested a Taliban leader in the Khanabad district of Kunduz province. The arrested Taliban leader organized insurgents and procured IEDs and other weapons for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. -- In the Sabari district of Khost province, a combined force arrested a local Haqqani leader, detained several other suspects, and seized multiple weapons. The Haqqani leader planned and executed direct-fire and IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and oversaw IED emplacements in the district. In Dec. 31, 2012, operations: -- In the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province, a combined force killed the Taliban leader, Nurullah Khan, and one other insurgent. Nurullah Khan, also known as Shaker, transported and distributed weapons for insurgents in Kunduz province. At the time of his death, Nurullah Khan was coordinating the movement of explosives for use in a future IED attack. -- In the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, a combined force arrested a local Taliban leader and detained three other suspects. The arrested Taliban leader coordinated IED attacks and distributed IEDs and IED-making components to insurgents. -- In the Khost district of Khost province, a combined force arrested a Haqqani leader and killed one other insurgent. The arrested Haqqani leader planned the Dec. 26, 2012, vehicle-borne IED suicide attack against Forward Operating Base Chapman. Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

DOD Heightens Training, Prevention to Target Human Trafficking Posted: 02 Jan 2013 06:38 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOD Heightens Training, Prevention to Target Human Trafficking 01/02/2013 08:07 AM CST DOD Heightens Training, Prevention to Target Human Trafficking By Amaani Lyle American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2013 - To spark awareness and vigilance against a growing global human rights crisis, President Barack Obama has proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Linda Dixon, the Defense Department's program manager for combating trafficking in persons, told the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service in a recent interview that DOD has strengthened training modules and reporting avenues to combat trafficking in persons, a criminal enterprise that generates roughly $32 billion per year worldwide. "That's the second-largest source of revenue for criminal enterprises, and it's growing," Dixon said. "Trafficking is a zero-tolerance policy; it's not only immoral, but it is illegal." The United Nations International Labor organization estimates more than 12 million human trafficking victims worldwide, with an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 new victims each year. Some victims are Americans, Dixon said, but most victims come from elsewhere. "Source countries are usually areas that are poverty-stricken," she said, "but trafficking is everywhere." The Trafficking Victim Protection Act defines trafficking in persons as the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person to provide labor or services or commercial sex. The crime, Dixon explained, can run the gamut of exploitation, and includes elements of recruiting, harboring, transportation, providing or obtaining a person for the purpose of exploitation. State Department officials said the three most common forms of trafficking are labor trafficking, sex trafficking and child soldiering. Child soldiering entails the unlawful recruitment of minors who, as young as age 7, are sexually and physically abused and forced to commit atrocities in more than 57 armed conflicts worldwide, according to State Department officials. DOD's demand-reduction and prevention program is a mechanism to report violations and thwart offenses, Dixon said. In addition to a general awareness training module, she added, the program also includes law enforcement, contractor and leadership-specific training modules. "We have put together training modules ... [and] a clause in our contracts to prohibit contractors from being involved in trafficking," Dixon said. "All of the agencies have a [trafficking in persons] point of contact -- the services, the combatant commands [and] defense agencies." Indicators include heavily guarded areas where workers appear intimidated or are being escorted from a facility to their home, or who lack personal documents such as passports or other identification, Dixon explained. "You should report it to your local authorities; report it through your chain of command," Dixon said. If DOD personnel are involved in trafficking offenses, she added, the inspector general investigates the type and scope of the offense to determine a course of action. Noting that 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Dixon said the year will feature summits, events and conferences to sharpen awareness and eradicate trafficking. "In DOD, we're charged with making sure that we protect our country's security, and trafficking in persons is a threat to that security," she said. Dixon said great strides have been made at the highest level to stop this modern-day slavery and restore human dignity. "There's an education process that's taking place, not only with people in general, but with our law enforcement, to recognize it, understand and know that it is a chargeable offense," Dixon said. "It is a danger to our troops. It's a danger to national security."   Related Sites: Presidential Proclamation 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation Defense Department Combating Trafficking in Persons Office State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

DOD Offers Non-medical Counseling to Troops, Families Posted: 02 Jan 2013 06:37 AM PST You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. DOD Offers Non-medical Counseling to Troops, Families 01/02/2013 08:27 AM CST DOD Offers Non-medical Counseling to Troops, Families By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr. American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2013 - The Defense Department continues to ensure the well-being of service members and their families through no-cost, short-term, non-medical counseling in the interests of military and family readiness, a defense official said. Jena M. Moore, program analyst for counseling in the Office of Military Community and Family Policy, explained the program during an interview with The Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service. "The Military and Family Life Counseling program ... offers short-term, non-medical counseling," Moore said. "And it's confidential for our service members and family members." The program, administered by licensed professionals with master's or doctorate degrees in a mental health-related field, provide services for active duty, National Guard and reserve members and their families, as well as DOD civilians "serving as part of the expeditionary workforce and their families." The program's goal, she said, is to prevent the development of or the exacerbation of mental health conditions that can detract from military readiness. "Another goal of the program was to establish a different avenue of counseling for service members and family members, in addition to what's already available through their military community," Moore said. Data indicates usage of non-medical counseling has increased from 10 percent of active-duty service members in 2003 to about 35 percent, she said. According to Moore, the program provides non-medical counseling for issues that can be resolved or supported through short-term support. "These are daily issues that come to our lives like dealing with work or dealing with family," she said. "And, specifically for the military community, it's those normal reactions that service members and family members can have to the stressful attributes that can come with being a military family member." Moore said medical counseling is not provided through the program since such care typically would be used for health issues requiring longer-term care. Counselors ensure service members or family members are connected with the right resource before finishing the counseling sessions, she said. "Examples of [medical counseling] would be issues related to child abuse, spouse abuse, or suicidal ideations," Moore said. "These are counseling sessions that you could find within a military medical treatment facility or through TRICARE." Moore explained how the MFLC program delivers counseling to the military community in a variety of ways. "One of the largest ways that we're utilized is on installations on rotations up to 180 days," she said. "And typically these MFLCs are found within our family support centers, but they also can be found throughout military installations as well as embedded in military units. "We also have our child and youth behavioral MFLCs that support child and youth on installations," Moore continued. "Those can be found in our child development centers as well as public schools that have high populations of military children." For commanders, Moore noted, there are surge support services available to units that are returning from combat. And there are on-demand medical services that primarily support National Guard and reserve members, she said, which are usually available at family events and during drill weekends and deployment-related events. "If a commander is interested in receiving surge support for their unit that is returning from deployment, they would request through their family program manager at service headquarters," Moore said, "and then that request would come through to the MFLC program where we'd review it, and provide support as needed." For troops with privacy concerns, the sessions with the MFLC counselors are confidential -- even their commander won't know -- and the counseling will not impact their security clearances, she said. Additionally, Moore said, full-time program counselors can be accessed through joint family support assistance programs, available in all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia. And MFLC program options include speaking to a military chaplain, or going to a family support center, she said. Moore said research data indicates the program is working. "In a recent review of the MFLC program that was conducted by Virginia Tech, [of] those that were surveyed, 98 percent indicated that the MFLC counseling program was effective in dealing with their issues," she said. Senior commanders like retired Navy Adm. Eric T. Olson, who led U.S. Special Operations Command, also have provided feedback, Moore said. "In 2010, [Olson] spoke to the MFLC program and the support that the MFLC program provided his service members and family members," she said. "[Olson] mentioned how the MFLC program is flexible, and it's so accessible ... that his families and service members feel comfortable in utilizing it." Olson "really thinks that it's a value added for his service members and family members to have that resource," Moore said.   Related Sites: Military OneSource Military Installation Support   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense

Propwash Posted: 02 Jan 2013 01:09 AM PST ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News Network "Propwash" E-Mail Aero-News Summary A Free E-Mail Newsletter ISSN: 01.02.13 Issue 157/02 Aero-News.Net 'Propwash' Daily News Provided to registered subscribers, Daily: ISSN: 1530-9339 For Subscribe/Unsubscribe procedures: Manage Your Subscription here For Subscribe/Unsubscribe procedures and Privacy Statement, scroll to end. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to this day's ANN 'Propwash' Daily News Brief. We welcome and encourage your comments, criticism and suggestions... and hope that you'll become active members of the ANN community, though we'd like to ask you one big favor... PLEASE TELL EVERYONE ABOUT AERO-NEWS! NEWS SUMMARY: Remember... You Have to Go to www.aero-news.net to read the WHOLE story! There's much more! ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN Daily Sponsor: 01.02.13 Edition: Airborne 12.28.12: SpaceX Leaps Tall Bldgs, NM Permits Seaplanes, G650 Delivers Also: SpaceShipTwo Progress, Seaplane City, 3K WAAS Approaches, ForeFlight/WingX Updates, Carter VTOL Slows Down, Happy New Year! SpaceX's Grasshopper took a 12-story leap towards full and rapid rocket reusability in a test flight conducted December 17, 2012 at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. Score one for grassroots advocacy. The State of New Mexico, which had proposed a general ban on amphibious aircraft and seaplanes from all of its state parks, relented following an effort spearheaded in part by 'The Seaplane Forum' online. The first fully outfitted ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 aircraft has been delivered to its new owner... a U.S. customer. This important first delivery came just hours after Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. received two important certifications for its new flagship aircraft. All this... and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!! Airborne 12.28.12 is chock full of info about the half-week period ending Friday, December 28th, 2012... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Ashley Hale, and supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalists Tom Patton, and Glen Moyer, this episode covers: 1) SpaceX Grasshopper Test 2) New Mexico Relents On Proposed State Park Seaplane Ban 3) Gulfstream Receives FAA PC, Begins Deliveries Of Outfitted G650s 4) SpaceShipTwo Completes 1st Glide In Powered Flight Configuration 5) Florida City Banking On SeaRey Production To Solidify Brand As 'Seaplane City' 6) Prepar3D Now Compatible With ForeFlight Mobile 7) FAA, NPS Release Air Tour Reporting Guidance 8) Carter Slowed-Rotor VTOL Demonstrates Impressive Lift-To-Drag Values 9) FAA Exceeds 3,000 WAAS LPV Approaches 10) WingX Pro7 Version 6.9 Adds Multiple Features 11) Happy New Year From ANN and Airborne! Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, in just a few days! © 2012, Aero-News Network, Inc., ALL Rights Reserved. FMI: www.aero-news.net, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews, The Full ANN/YouTube AIRBORNE Roster -- www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL42E90078D99B1053&feature=view_all For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=1ef8133b-5837-4ae6-8f63-37eb46c61d9a ----------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Aero-TV: Col. Mark Tillman (3)--The Most Important Left Seat In Aviation An Honored Flyer Tells Of His Service To America (Part 3 of 4) OK... we gotta tell you... this one was one of the best speeches we have EVER heard at any aviation event... and it occurred this year at the 2012 AEA Convention and Tradeshow. The kind folks of Universal Avionics pulled off quite a coup and arranged for a truly inspiring speaker for one of the most important gatherings in all of aviation -- the opening ceremonies of the 55th Annual AEA International Convention and Trade Show. And Universal's choice knocked it out of the park. Former Air Force One Command Pilot Colonel (ret) Mark W. Tillman, the United States’ 12th Presidential Pilot, served as Commander of Air Force One from 2001-2009. Col. Tillman was at the controls of Air Force One on September 11, 2001, keeping President Bush out of harm’s way and connecting the flying oval office to the nation’s first responders. He was also the first pilot to fly the Commander-in-Chief into a war zone. The challenge was unprecedented – it was a “Zero Fail Mission”. A truly amazing aviator, in 2004 Tillman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also promoted to brigadier general by the President of the United States -- the first military line officer to receive this honor (not confirmed by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee). One of his more extraordinary adventures took place as he became the first pilot to fly the commander in chief into Baghdad. The challenge was unprecedented -- safely transport the most targeted man in the world into the heart of terrorism. One mistake would have left the president vulnerable to attack and would have cost the lives of U.S. service members. Tillman personally orchestrated and executed this covert operation with flawless success. His planning, done entirely in secrecy, allowed for a complete surprise to the world. Please join ANN in this four part tribute and presentation of Col. Tillman's exciting speech at the 55th Annual AEA International Convention and Trade Show. FMI: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=19148, http://www.universalavionics.com, www.aea.net, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=49108572-1d13-4792-8c58-d4f8c2630780 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Aero-TV: Col. Mark Tillman (2)--The Most Important Left Seat In Aviation An Honored Flyer Tells Of His Service To America (Part 2 of 4) OK... we gotta tell you... this one was one of the best speeches we have EVER heard at any aviation event... and it occurred this year at the 2012 AEA Convention and Tradeshow. The kind folks of Universal Avionics pulled off quite a coup and arranged for a truly inspiring speaker for one of the most important gatherings in all of aviation -- the opening ceremonies of the 55th Annual AEA International Convention and Trade Show. And Universal's choice knocked it out of the park. Former Air Force One Command Pilot Colonel (ret) Mark W. Tillman, the United States’ 12th Presidential Pilot, served as Commander of Air Force One from 2001-2009. Col. Tillman was at the controls of Air Force One on September 11, 2001, keeping President Bush out of harm’s way and connecting the flying oval office to the nation’s first responders. He was also the first pilot to fly the Commander-in-Chief into a war zone. The challenge was unprecedented – it was a “Zero Fail Mission”. A truly amazing aviator, in 2004 Tillman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also promoted to brigadier general by the President of the United States -- the first military line officer to receive this honor (not confirmed by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee). One of his more extraordinary adventures took place as he became the first pilot to fly the commander in chief into Baghdad. The challenge was unprecedented -- safely transport the most targeted man in the world into the heart of terrorism. One mistake would have left the president vulnerable to attack and would have cost the lives of U.S. service members. Tillman personally orchestrated and executed this covert operation with flawless success. His planning, done entirely in secrecy, allowed for a complete surprise to the world. Please join ANN in this four part tribute and presentation of Col. Tillman's exciting speech at the 55th Annual AEA International Convention and Trade Show. FMI: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=19148, http://www.universalavionics.com, www.aea.net, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=a6f32e83-62f1-4c30-b4cc-6cf6d6fa9155 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FAA Orders Inspections Of Some Older Boeing 737s AD Follows 2009 Incident In Which A Football-Sized Hole Opened In The Roof Of A Southwest Airplane The FAA will publish an airworthiness directive in the Federal Register Wednesday ordering the inspection of 109 Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 airplanes. Most of the planes covered by the AD are reported to belong to Southwest Airlines. The move follows a 2009 incident in which a football-sized hole opened up in the roof of a Southwest 737-300 during a flight. In a statement issued on Monday, the FAA says that it "always evaluates the effectiveness of our safety improvements" and that the AD is intended "to reduce risk further and assure continued safe operation." The inspections are expected to cost operators of the airliners about $5.2 million, according to a report appearing in USA Today. If repairs are needed the cost is estimated to be nearly $18,000 per airplane. This will be the third AD to be issued in relation to the incident, which occurred on a Southwest flight from Nashville to Baltimore. The plane diverted to Charleston, WV, and made an emergency landing. There is at least one additional AD in development associated with that flight. The FAA said the AD to be published Wednesday was due to reports of more cracks found in joints around the crowns of 737 fuselages caused by repeated pressurization cycles. (Southwest 737-300 pictured in file photo. Not incident airplane) FMI: www.faa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=d00cc11f-baa9-4871-adbb-7b67b01c59c2 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN 2012 Year In Review: General Aviation An Up And Down Year For GA, But Some New Airplanes Were Introduced And User Fees Were Forestalled General aviation showed some limited signs of life during 2012, with the introduction of plans for new airplanes in the category, and at least incremental advances made in avionics for weekend pilots as the ADS-B deadline came closer. But the year was marred by the bankruptcy filing of one of the best-known names in GA. While there is still no permanent administrator for the FAA, the agency has its first long-term funding bill in place since 2007. Here are just some of the top GA stories from the year just completed. January That sense of urgency that came through in the latest filing by LightSquared with the FCC asking that it expedite approval of plan to build a 4G wireless data network may stem at least in part from a deadline imposed by Sprint Nextel Corp, which had agreed to share network expansion and equipment costs over the next 15 years. The doctor and his daughter who ditched their Cirrus off the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas Saturday continued their medical mission to Haiti ... albeit on a commercial flight. In response to a petition calling on the president to reconsider his support for user fees, A White House staff person sent a message to all signatories to the petition, defending the Administration's position on the issue. The NTSB cited an operational error by a tower air traffic controller as the probable cause of a near mid-air collision involving a commercial jetliner and a small private plane over the Gulfport-Biloxi airport. The White House OMB was reportedly considering closing nearly half of the non-federal control towers in operation in the U.S. A report on the AOPA website indicates that most of the towers affected would be those at GA airports. House and Senate leaders said that they have reached a compromise that will lead to a long-term funding bill for the FAA, but one more Continuing Resolution to get the job done. The chair of the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee plans to hold a hearing to look into the FCC's allocation of spectrum of LightSquared before key interference questions were addressed. The FAA has cleared development of a 64-turbine wind farm west of Pratt Regional Airport in Kansas. But the Pratt County Zoning Board is left scratching its collective head after a former FAA employee who's also a commercial pilot, flight instructor, and expert witness in 60 lawsuits says the FAA screwed up, and building the wind farm could leave the county liable for aviation accidents. Speaking at a car show in Dearborn, MI, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that a long-term funding bill for the FAA is a "done deal," and expressed additional optimism that a long-term transportation measure would also be passed this year by the congress. February A conference committee made up of House and Senate leaders reached agreement on long-term FAA legislation to improve the nation’s aviation infrastructure, modernize our air traffic control system, and reform FAA programs. LightSquared had until mid-March to resolve its issues with the FCC over its proposed 4G broadband network under an extension of its deal with Sprint Nextel. At a time when deficit spending and a business exodus in California threatens the state with a fiscal crisis next month, aviation business advocates are warning a lawsuit against the leaded avgas supply chain could devastate the aviation business in the state. Three directors have been added to the Experimental Aircraft Association board, which governs the 176,000-member aviation organization. The three new directors ... Jack Pelton, Stuart Auerbach and Darren Pleasance ... bring extensive aviation and business background to the board, in addition to longtime EAA involvement and thousands of hours of flight time. Overflight of certain marine sanctuaries below 1,000 feet msl, or in some cases below 2,000 feet msl, could result in fines of up to $100,000 imposed by NOAA, according to the AOPA. The NTSB announced that it had issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking public comment regarding amendments to 49 CFR parts 821 and 826, setting forth rules of procedure for the NTSB's review of certificate actions taken by the FAA and applications for fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). The final piece of the long-term FAA funding puzzle fell into place as President Barack Obama signed the $63.4 billion long-term FAA funding measure hammered out by Congress. The signing brings to an end a string of 23 short-term continuing resolutions which have funded the agency since 2007. Jim DiMatteo, a decorated U.S. Naval Aviator who has served in several aviation leadership positions, joined EAA as Vice President, AirVenture Features and Attractions. In that role, DiMatteo is responsible for developing and coordinating the programs for the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in. Following a decision by the FCC to not allow LightSquared to proceed to develop its 4G broadband data network on frequencies adjacent to those used by GPS receivers, LightSquared issued a statement blasting the agency, saying it had caved in to special interests by protecting GPS. In what one group is calling a landmark victory for the preservation and accessibility of historic aircraft data, the recently passed long-term FAA authorization bill contains an amendment that requires the FAA to protect aircraft technical drawings and other design data from the beginning of civil aviation in the United States. Mayors representing more than 100 communities in 48 states wrote to President Obama on February 14, urging him to recognize the contributions of general aviation to the U.S. economy and to drop his user fee proposal. The final assembly for Cessna's Skycatcher LSA was moved from Yingling Aviation in Wichita to the company's single-engine plant in Independence, KS. GAMA celebrated ten years as an international association at its annual “State of the Industry” press conference. GAMA first incorporated manufacturing companies based outside of the United States in 2002. Most general aviation aircraft flying in the world today were built by GAMA member companies. A new rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) usurps the FAA’s authority to regulate airspace and could leave pilots unintentionally violating a restricted zone that does not appear on any current aeronautical charts. March The CEO of LightSquared stepped down from his post at the start-up broadband company under a cloud of questions about his political ties to the White House. For the first time in its history, the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival was cancelled for a second consecutive year. Organizers of the event said there was not enough time to plan for the show given its expanded focus. In a show of strong opposition to aviation user fees, 195 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama expressing contempt toward an Administration budget proposal that would impose a $100 per flight fee on general and commercial aviation. The Transition Roadable Aircraft, developed by Terrafugia, made its auto show debut at the 2012 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), April 6th through the 15th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. A new variant of the much used (and abused) Rotax 912 was announced... this one, fuel injected. According to Rotax sources, the Rotax 912 iS engine will deliver 38% to 70% better fuel efficiency than comparable competitive engines in the light sport, ultra-light aircraft and the general aviation industry. Members of the General Aviation (GA) Avgas Coalition said that a lawsuit filed against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) over piston-engine aircraft’s use of leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) is not taking into consideration the considerable work already completed toward the development and deployment of an unleaded solution. The FAA began seeking public comments on the establishment of six sites where UAVs can be tested for their eventual inclusion in the National Airspace System (NAS). House Committee leaders put the TSA on notice that they expect the agency to implement reforms included in a new aviation law ensuring that airports can opt out of all-federal security screening. The general aviation industry has good reason to be excited by both recent sales and future prospects for private aircraft in China. The FAA was in the process of verifying costs and pricing for AeroNav products to help develop a final proposal. Although the FAA has not set any dates for completion of the final proposal or a timeline for implementation, the agency will keep the aviation community informed about its progress. Two strategic agreements signed by officials of Cessna and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) could lead to the joint development of general and business aviation in the People's Republic of China. The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation said that the LEAP Electric Flight Program, which includes the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize, would become a program of the Lindbergh Foundation effective immediately. The Kingdom of Morocco planned to welcome Solar Impulse in the spring. After its inaugural flight to Paris and Brussels in 2011, the Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg’s solar airplane will attempt, for the first time ever, to fly over 1,550 miles without using a drop of fuel, finally landing in Morocco. April The Transition Street-Legal Airplane moved a significant step closer to being a commercial reality, according to Terrafugia, the company producing the roadable S-LSA. The Aviators Model Code of Conduct (AMCC)—Version 2.0 was released by the project’s Permanent Editorial Board. Developed by a team of aviation professionals and drawing upon decades of research and experience, the Code promotes ongoing improvements in flying quality and safety. John Collins, 81, and his 80-year-old wife Helen were flying home to Sturgeon Bay, WI from Marco Island, FL in their Cessna 414A (similar aircraft pictured) when John passed away at the controls of the airplane. Helen, who according to family members had flown in the past ... but not for thirty years and never in the 414, was forced to take matters into her own hands. A self-described anti-government "sovereignist" who was arrested following a 16-hour standoff at his 3,000 acre farm in North Dakota is about to become the central figure in what may become a test case for the use of UAVs by law enforcement. The aviation community got its first look at Pipistrel's long-awaited new four-place airplane April 18th at AERO Expo 2012 in Friedrichshafen Germany. The 4-seat all composite design features a retractable undercarriage, 200 kts cruising speed, 1000 NM range, comfortable cabin and a choice of three powerplants – conventional/hybrid/electric. Tecnam's latest offering, the P2010 flew for the first time 12th April, 2012. Tecnam's Test Pilot, Marco Locatelli said that the airplane is very stable once in trim, excellent visibility allows the pilot to have good references to the horizon, and that the Garmin PFD provides very good attitude and situational awareness. The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and IMC Club have formed a partnership through a mutual letter of understanding. The Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), held a hearing to review the FAA's safety oversight of the United States’ aviation system. May Hawker Beechcraft filed paperwork with the SEC that will allow it to keep its financial information private. An analyst not authorized to speak to the media told the Wichita Eagle that it will allow the company to keep its financial records private, which means competitors will not be able to learn about the company's finances. It also saves time and money for the company. It's not like no one saw this coming, but it was still a blow to the aviation manufacturing industry, not to mention the local economy in Wichita. Hawker Beechcraft has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy code. GAMA hailed the bipartisan agreement between Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer to end an impasse over the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. Hawker Beechcraft reached an agreement with a significant number of its senior secured lenders and senior bondholders on the terms of a financial restructuring plan that will strengthen the company for the future, eliminate approximately $2.5 billion in debt and approximately $125 million of annual cash interest expense. Only weeks after introducing its new four-place Panthera composite hybrid airplane, Pipistrel took the wraps off a its brand new Alpha Trainer ... which as the name suggest is designed as a primary training airplane. EAA issued a statement concerning the cancellation of this year's AirVenture Cup Race. The cancellation of the event this year has caused a lot of chatter on aviation bulletin boards and other discussion sites. After being rumored for months, LightSquared officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. The move came only hours before a deal to prevent the Internet start-up from defaulting on its debt was set to expire. For more than five decades, the FAA has compiled a proven track record of introducing new technology and aircraft safely into the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA has released a report called 'General Aviation Airports: A National Asset', which was compiled following an 18-month study to capture the many diverse functions of general aviation (GA) airports. The FAA put forth a proposal to make wholesale changes to the avionics industry, and a major trade Organization says those changes would have damaging and costly repercussions. The agency proposed to remove radio and instrument ratings and allow airframe-rated repair stations to work on radio and instrument components without qualifications or ratings. The news from down under was that GippsAero had flown its new GA10 Turboprop for the first time. The 20-minute flight took place Tuesday in Latrobe, Australia at Latrobe Regional Airport. June Eighteen members of the General Aviation Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to congressional conferees trying to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the highway authorization bill, urging the conference committee members to reject an amendment that would take control of airspace over national parks away from the FAA and give it to the National Park Service. The Solar Impulse aircraft of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg was scheduled to depart Madrid on June 4 at 2330 ESDT (1730 EDT) for the world’s first fully solar-powered flight over the Strait of Gibraltar and landing in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. The prototype landed successfully in Rabat-Salé airport at 2330 local time Tuesday evening. This is a symbolic victory for Solar Impulse as it is the first time the HB-SIA had landed on another continent. FAA documents obtained by opponents of a proposed wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod seem to indicate disagreement about the best course of action for mitigating radar interference from the wind turbines, as well as perceived political pressure to approve the project. Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe (R) first introduced his Pilot's Bill of Rights, which would limit the authority of the FAA in some proceedings it takes against pilots, in 2011. He wrote the legislation to address what he says is the ability of the agency to pull a pilot's airman privileges "on a whim." Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta had his first session with the United States Senate in the process that could lead to his confirmation and the removal of "Acting" from his title. Former Eclipse Boss, Vern Raburn and his wife Susan investigated the potential purchase of a small GA manufacturer. They looked at two companies and eventually entered into negotiations with American Champion Aircraft of Rochester, WI. The FAA published the final report and recommendations from the Unleaded Avgas Transition Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAT ARC), a collaborative industry-government task force of key stakeholders representing aircraft and engine manufacturers, fuel producers and distributors, operator groups, aviation associations, the FAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), a member of the Senate General Aviation Caucus and certified flight instructor, hailed the Senate’s unanimous passage of his bill, the Pilots’ Bill of Rights (S.1335). Inhofe had worked to pass the legislation for more than a year. July Hawker Beechcraft announced that it had executed an exclusivity agreement with Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd. (Superior), a Beijing-based aerospace manufacturer, regarding what it is calling a "strategic combination." The Terrafugia Transition production prototype completed the first phase of its flight test program. Phase 1 flight testing, conducted at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY, allowed Terrafugia to check off many critical early testing objectives for the Transition program. The aircraft moved into Phase 2 of its six planned Phases of flight-testing, according to a company news release. Phase 2 flight tests are a precursor to the start of documented ASTM compliance flights and focus on aircraft performance envelope expansion, airspeed system calibration, control surface effectiveness, and power-on and power-off stalls. The controversy over the Cape Wind wind energy project planned for an area off the coast of Massachusetts in Nantucket Sound continued to swirl. Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FL) is calling for a Congressional investigation into e-mails obtained by opponents of the program through an FOIA request. The Solar Impulse aircraft landed successfully at Toulouse-Francazal airport, but it's return to Switzerland was postponed while the crew waited for acceptable weather. The Minnesota Supreme Court handed down a ruling favorable to Cirrus Aircraft stemming from a 2003 accident which fatally injured a pilot and his passenger, both from Grand Rapids, MI. At Oshkosh, Glasair President Mikael Via introduced Mr. Fang Tieji, Chairman of China based Jilin Hanxing Group co., Ltd, and new owner of Glasair Aviation (Glasair), a general aviation kit aircraft manufacturer based in Arlington, WA. U.S. House passed the Pilot's Bill of Rights (S.1335). House passage of the Pilot's Bill of Rights meant the measure was cleared to go to the President’s desk to become law. King Schools, Continental Engines and Bad Elf teamed up to supply Simulator Training devices to China. Redbird company officials have developed their Zulu model of training which is customized to bring flight training to the customer so they can complete a good portion of their training before they even set foot in an airplane. EAA inaugurated the organization’s new Eagle Flights program. The program is designed to give adults an opportunity to achieve their aviation dreams, with a flight during the renowned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in and convention. Aspen Avionics announced that they has received TSO approval for the first in the series of the company’s revolutionary Connected Panel product line that provides a wireless link between certified instrument panel avionics and portable smart devices. August The Senate Commerce Committee voted to report out the nomination of Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to the full Senate. The move clears the way for a vote by the full body to remove the "acting" designation from Huerta's title, and start the clock on a full five-year term in the agency's top job. The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved H.R. 5961, The Farmer’s Privacy Act of 2012. The Pilot's Bill of Rights (S.1335) was officially signed into law by President Obama. The near-collision which happened when airplanes departing from and landing at KDCA in Washington, DC were inadvertently placed on a collision course has prompted the FAA to temporarily suspend opposite direction operations at commercial airports pending the development of new procedures. The National Aeronautic Association certified the June 21, 2012, flight of Gamera II at 49.9 seconds, a new national record for human-powered helicopter flight duration, and submitted flight information to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for approval as a world record. Aspen Avionics confirmed that Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval of Connected Pilot, the first in the series of the company’s revolutionary Connected Panel product line that provides a wireless link between certified instrument panel avionics and portable smart devices. The FAA announced an extension of the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking that was published on May 21, which is a proposed rewrite of Part 145. Students on the Gamera human-powered helicopter team at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering unofficially satisfied two of the three American Helicopter Society Sikorsky Prize competition requirements with a flight that unofficially lasted 65 seconds, stayed within a 10 square meter area and hovered at two feet of altitude. September The United States Navy has told the FAA that it should relocate St. Marys Airport in SE Georgia because of its proximity to the Kings Bay Submarine Base. The Navy says the airport is a security risk. Through an online survey, the ARC sought for aviation industry input on the consistency of regulatory application with regard to the certification and approval process. Input from individuals and organizations involved in the "day-to-day" of the aviation industry is not only valuable but necessary to ensure a favorable outcome. The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution which calls upon the U.S. Government to create a national aviation policy that will provide the kind of long-term stability aviation needs to remain the nation’s gateway for economic growth and development. Potential violations of the Hatch Act, which prohibits some federal employees from engaging in political speech in the workplace, were being investigated in a case involving FAA managers in Seattle. The FAA and the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) signed a Declaration of Cooperation at a ceremony during the ILA Berlin Air Show to work together in facilitating the promotion, development and use of sustainable alternative aviation fuels in the United States and Germany. Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder all passed proclamations recognizing the value of aviation to the national and local economy in the month of September, meaning that 45 state Chief Executives around the country have now passed proclamations recognizing the value of aviation. October As LightSquared continued to work its way through bankruptcy, the wireless broadband company petitioned the FCC for approval of a plan it says will resolve the interference issues with deployed GPS receivers. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $5.4 million in FAA grants for 13 airports nationwide that are taking innovative steps to reduce their impact on the environment. Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta renewed two important partnerships to encourage young people to pursue a career in aerospace. Aspen Avionics announced the closing of a $12.8 million round of equity financing to support continued product and emerging technologies development. While accident rates have been going down over the past 12 years, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a recently-released study that the FAA could do more to get to the root cause of the disproportionately high number of accidents involving GA airplanes. The European Union launched a consultation process that could lead to the establishment of a European Aviation Agency styled after the FAA. In a speech to an audience made up of many of the country's biggest GA manufacturers, acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said that he has put in motion a plan that could eventually mean sharp reductions in the costs and time associated with the certification of new general aviation airplanes. After one year of turning students into Private Pilots for a flat fee, Redbird Flight Simulation’s Skyport reports their experiment in simulator-based training is working. At its Migration Flight Training Conference this week, Redbird announced the school has graduated 20 Private Pilots, as well as completed 18 instrument ratings, one multi-engine rating and one instrument instructor certificate. California Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman wrote a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta saying the agency should accelerate efforts to reduce lead emissions from general aviation by taking immediate steps to expand the use of currently available unleaded fuels. ANN confirmed that the EAA Board of Directors accepted the resignation of President and CEO Rod Hightower. Hightower will be returning to St. Louis to reunite with his family. Jack Pelton, recently retired Chairman, president and CEO of Cessna Aircraft, was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAA. In his role as EAA Chair, Pelton will guide the organization through the leadership transition. November The NTSB issued recommendations to the FAA saying the agency should collect data about whether aircraft carry such safety equipment as ballistic parachutes and ejection seats. There is a concern that First Responders to accidents may be put in danger by the explosive charges used to deploy such devices. Seaplaneforum.com Owner and Editor Jason Baker announced a new section on his seaplane message board Friday, aimed at recreational Boaters and other Water Users. Both groups have been operating safely, respectfully and efficiently alongside each other for several decades with no major accidents or incidents to report. Representatives of the aviation industry met with FAA and Small Business Administration officials for a discussion of the proposed re-write of the FAA's rules governing Part 145 repair stations. The deadline for comments on the proposed new rules was November 19. It would appear that more layoffs are in the offing as Hawker Beechcraft moves through the bankruptcy process. The company said it plans to cut just over 400 more jobs in four states as part of its restructuring. Aviation issues make up only two of the ten items on the NTSB's 'Most Wanted' list, released by the Board, but Airport Surface Operation Safety captured the number one spot on the list. The FAA dropped the hammer on the infamous David G Riggs. An Emergency Revocation Order has been issued against Riggs in which the FAA has finally thrown the book at a man described by ANN (and many others) as one of the most dangerous men in aviation. The FAA again delayed the site selection for flight testing of UAVs that would eventually lead to their integration into the NAS. Acting Administrator Michael Huerta sent a letter to the Congressional UAV Caucus indicating that there were still safety and privacy issues to be resolved. David G Riggs, quickly assuming the aura of aviation's best known crook and con-man, lost another battle with the Feds... this time, namely, the NTSB and the FAA. South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint put aside his objections to the confirmation of Michael Huerta as FAA Administrator. DeMint had been blocking the confirmation hearings until after the election. December A government-industry rulemaking committee responsible for making recommendations to address the lack of FAA regulatory interpretation consistency issued its final report to the agency. The Civil Aviation Ministry of the Bahamas extended the waiver for the installation of 406 MHz ELT devices past the February 1, 2013 deadline. LightSquared popped up on the radar again, and this time the company which has been trying for some time to establish a wireless 4G LTE data network is proposing to share spectrum with NOAA weather balloons. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Piper Aircraft Inc. agreed to amend an earlier contract to retain the company's operations in Florida and increase investment in aircraft manufacturing facilities. On the eve of the NTSB hearing in which aviation con-man and bad boy, David Riggs, was expected to try and defend himself against the FAA's Emergency Order of Revocation, ANN learned that Riggs' company, Mach One Aviation, has filed suit against three of the witnesses who have provided testimony to the FAA, and who may be asked to appear against him in the hearing. In comments filed with the NTSB, the NBAA disagreed with the board’s position that an NTSB judge must continue to assume that FAA’s allegations are true. Pilots flying all types of aircraft are now able to reach more runways in low visibility conditions than ever before. The FAA said that the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) program exceeded 3,000 Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (LPVs) approaches published. The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) Board of Trustees revealed the names of four individuals who have been elected for enshrinement at its annual formal ceremony that will be held in October of 2013. FMI: www.aero-news.net For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=31a9642a-8aac-4757-9047-cac83e678b66 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN 2012 Year-In-Review: Airlines Bankruptcies, Problems With Dreamliners And A380s Balanced Against Record Orders And Strong Future Forecasts Both Airbus and Boeing had problems with their flagship products ... the A380 and the Dreamliner, respectively, and Congress passes legislation that will require far more experience for airline pilots. Europe blinked when it came to implementation of its Emissions Trading Schedule, and Boeing racked up some record orders mostly for its re-engined 737 MAX. Meanwhile, both Boeing and Airbus predict strong sales over the next couple of decades. Here are some of the top stories from the airline industry from 2012. January NYSE Regulation announced at the end of last week that it determined that the common stock of AMR Corporation (the “Company”) – ticker symbol AMR – and the related listed securities below, should be suspended prior to the opening on Thursday, January 5, 2012. Boeing said it wrapped up 2011 with 805 net commercial airplane orders, fueled by a late flurry of record-breaking deals. The company also delivered 477 airplanes, ending the year with a strong backlog of 3,771 unfilled commercial orders. Boeing said it would relocate approximately 800 – 900 engineering and program support jobs from Wichita, Kan. and Puget Sound, WA., to Oklahoma City by the end of 2013. The B-52, C-32, C-40, E-4B and VC-25 programs will now be supported at Boeing Oklahoma City, which will have approximately 2,000 employees when the transition is complete. The first composite center fuselage section for the Airbus A350 XWB program was delivered to the European planemaker by Spirit AeroSystems. The upper and forward lower shell (Section 15) composite fuselage panels were joined in Spirit's Saint-Nazaire, France, facility before being delivered to Airbus. Boeing successfully achieved a production rate of 35 airplanes a month for the Next-Generation 737, with the delivery of the first airplane produced at the new rate to AWAS Aviation Services, Inc. Norwegian Air Shuttle will lease the airplane from AWAS. After a six-month practical trial involving biosynthetic fuel, Lufthansa said that it had successfully operated 1,187 biofuel flights between Hamburg and Frankfurt. According to initial calculations, CO2 emissions were reduced by 1,621 tons. February As part of it bankruptcy reorganization strategy, AMR corp discussed the possibility of shedding its pension obligations to bring the company back to solvency. American Airlines released a business plan which targets an annual financial improvement of more than $3 billion by 2017, including $2 billion in cost savings and $1 billion in revenue enhancements. A second European airline folded up its tent. Hungary-based Malev Airline grounded all its planes, ending a reported 66 years of continuous service. Boeing says that problems discovered in the aft fuselage of some of its new 787 Dreamliners are being corrected, and that the repairs will not affect the airplane's production schedule. Political discourse frequently includes mention of the costs regulation imposes on business and their consumers. It's usually a vague concept, but Spirit Airlines ticked off Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood by itemizing the estimated cost of new consumer protection rules recently imposed by the department. It's even calling the $2/ticket surcharge the "Department of Transportation's unintended consequences" fee. According to a forecast released by Airbus, air traffic in Spain will almost double by 2030. Spanish airlines’ will need some 400 new passenger aircraft over the next 20 years. A day after China announced that its carriers would be forbidden to pay any charges under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) without Beijing’s permission, the European Union said it could suspend parts of a new law requiring airlines to account for their greenhouse gas emissions ... but only if countries were to make clear progress this year toward establishing a global emissions control system. Airbus CEO Tom Enders made a fairly blunt statement concerning cracks found in the wing rib feet of its flagship A380 superjumbo airliner. "We screwed that up," Enders said in a news conference just prior to the opening of the Singapore Air Show. The Airbus A380 is already upside-down on its development costs. A German magazine reported the company may incur additional costs of $132 million to check and repair cracks found in wing rib feet on the fleet. Just repairing the planes already flying may cost over $92 million. The final phase of wind tunnel tests began on the 737 MAX program. "Wind tunnel testing is on the critical design path of the program," said Michael Teal, chief project engineer and deputy program manager, 737 MAX program. March Jonathan Gaffney, president and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association, presented Boeing with two certificates confirming the official status of the two world records earned by the 787 Dreamliner in late 2011. Flight Attendants at United Airlines, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have ratified a contract covering the 15,000 pre-merger United Flight Attendants. The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines,filed an action for declaratory judgment with the bankruptcy court asking the judge to clarify how the Railway Labor Act and Section 1113 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code interrelate. It's not unusual for a new aircraft built with composite technology to have production fall behind schedule. But Boeing's 747-8 is a variation on the 747 theme that dates back more than 40 years, stretched to carry up to 467 passengers. Things are bad, but apparently they're not bad all over. Boeing delivered the first passenger version of its enormous new 747-8 to an anonymous customer, who's taking it to a completion center to be decked out as a personal VIP transport. The governments of the US and the European Union, in something of a surrogate war on behalf of Boeing and Airbus respectively, have both won findings in the World Trade Organization that some forms of government subsidy violate trade treaties. Now, a suggestion by Europe to negotiate an end to the battle has been called laughable by Boeing. Southwest Airlines and its wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways announced that the carriers have received approval from the FAA for a Single Operating Certificate (SOC), marking a key milestone in the integration of the two airlines. A decision by American Eagle to idle nine of its airplanes will result in the furlough of 50 pilots, the carrier said in a message to employees. Continental Airlines is officially no more as a separate airline. The last flights under the companies separate computer system took place in March. Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) and Boeing announced a collaboration agreement to partner in areas that will enable commercial aviation industry growth in China and potentially around the world. Boeing inspected five of the first 55 Dreamliners to come off the line after reports that a flaw was discovered in the composite airliner's fuselage. Boeing officially began construction on its new enhanced Everett Delivery Center (EDC) with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Boeing employees, customers and local dignitaries. April A high-profile gathering of over 100 Members of the European Parliament, policy-makers and industry representatives dubbed "Airbus Day 2012" was held in Brussels recently to discuss key issues for the European aerospace industry. In what may have seemed like a bad April Fools prank, Pinnacle Airlines announced Sunday the company and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”). JetBlue Airways released a statement by Connye Osbon, wife of Captain Clayton Osbon, on behalf of the Osbon family. Flight attendants at US Airways represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), voted to not ratify a proposed five-year collective bargaining agreement. The Boeing 747-8 is approved for operations at 200 airports around the world – less than six months after entering service. To date, 63 airports around the world are supporting revenue flights from 14 in-service 747-8 Freighters operated by five carriers. Final assembly of the first A350 XWB got underway at the brand new final assembly line in Toulouse. This latest step in the A350 XWB’s progress was achieved as Airbus began joining the 64 foot long center fuselage with the 69 foot long front fuselage. A rule published in the Federal Register in March removes a regulatory provision under FAA medical certification standards intended, in part, to require that individuals granted the Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) have their letter of Authorization in their physical possession or readily accessible on the aircraft while exercising pilot privileges. The last passenger flight by a Boeing 747 for Singapore Airlines was a commemorative farewell trip carrying more than 350 passengers from Hong Kong to Singapore. The union representing pilots flying for Pinnacle Airlines said the very survival of the regional carrier depended on a fair contract that will allow the airline to attract and retain qualified pilots. May The first Dreamliner to be assembled in South Carolina rolled out of final assembly to great fanfare from the crowd of nearly 7,000 Boeing employees and invited guests. A new winglet design concept for the 737 MAX was unveiled by Boeing. The planemaker said the new Advanced Technology winglet will provide MAX customers with up to an additional 1.5 percent fuel-burn improvement, depending on range, on top of the 10-12 percent improvement already offered on the new-engine variant. Industry trade organization Airlines for America (A4A) urged the FAA to significantly revise its proposed requirements for pilot certification and provide a system that builds on the industry's strong safety record, is recommended by safety experts and that recognizes the quality of a pilot's training and experience, rather than relying solely on a specific quantity of flight hours. We know it comes with a lot of responsibility, but the position of airline CEO also comes with a healthy, and apparently growing, compensation package. The first test flight for the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1200G engine family was conducted in May. The PW1217G engine designed for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft flew on a specially designed stub wing aboard Pratt & Whitney's Boeing 747SP flying test bed at the company's Mirabel Aerospace Center, in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. American Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corporation, announced that the third phase of its organization redesign was underway. Before Boeing dreamed up the Dreamliner, it was working on a supersonic airliner it called the Sonic Cruiser ... even to the point of beginning construction on a prototype in 2007. Boeing’s new 747-8 was found to still be just a tad overweight ... by several tons ... but that would not cause any restriction on its use by Lufthansa. Boeing said it plans to increase airliner production as airlines place major orders to replace older jets, but that efficiencies on its factory floors will allow it to slow the pace of hiring replacement workers. June Boeing marked the 20th delivery of its new 747-8. The airplane, a 747-8 Freighter, was delivered to Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. Atlas Air will operate it on behalf of Panalpina, the Swiss-based freight operator. Fabrice Bregier, who has served as Airbus Chief Operating Officer, was named by the board of directors as the new president and CEO of Airbus. The 50-year-old Bregier succeeds Tom Enders, who has now taken over as EADS CEO. The civil aviation authority of Nigeria confirmed that all 153 people aboard the Dana Air flight, a Boeing MD83, to Lagos were lost when the plane went down in a densely populated neighborhood near the airport. FedEx said it will permanently retire 18 Airbus A310-200 aircraft and 26 related engines, as well as six Boeing MD10-10 aircraft and 17 related engines, from service. The freight hauler said in a news release that the majority of these aircraft are currently parked and not in revenue service. The NTSB met to develop a set of safety recommendations stemming from a 2010 runway excursion which occurred in Wyoming. The Obama administration raised its opposition to the European law targeting aircraft emissions, and is applying greater pressure on Brussels and the UN to resolve global concerns. During a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, the airline industry trade group Airlines for America (A4A) called on the U.S. government to take immediate action to halt the application of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), which it says seeks to unlawfully tax U.S. airlines and establishes a dangerous precedent that could be used to tax the products and services of other U.S. industries. The head of the International Air Transport Association says the airline industry needs help from government to bring down the cost of biofuels, which could help in reducing pollution. Alberta, Canada airline partnership WestJet inked a deal with Bombardier which includes a conditional order for 20 Q400 NextGen turboprops following the letter of intent to purchase the aircraft that was announced by WestJet on May 1, 2012. July Airbus CEO Tom Enders said that media reports that the European planemaker will build a manufacturing plant in Alabama were premature, and that "no final decision" has been made about whether to establish a final assembly facility on the U.S. Gulf Coast has been made. Shortly thereafter, Airbus said it would establish a manufacturing facility in the United States to assemble and deliver A320 Family aircraft. The pilots of Delta Air Lines, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), ratified an amended collective bargaining agreement (CBA). According to the Boeing 2012 Current Market Outlook (CMO) released Monday, the planemaker projected a $4.5 trillion market for 34,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years as the current world fleet doubles in size. The French aviation accident investigating agency BEA released its final report in the accident of Air France Flight 447, which went down in the Atlantic Ocean June 1st, 2009, resulting in the fatal injury of all 228 people on board. The NTSB has adopted its report concerning the December 29, 2010 incident in Jackson Hole, WY, in which an American Airlines Boeing 757 ran off the departure end of the runway and came to a stop in deep snow after landing. Boeing and Air Lease Corporation announced a firm order for 60 737 MAX 8 and 15 737 MAX 9 airplanes, with reconfirmation rights for 25 additional 737 MAXs. The order, with a list-price value of $7.2 billion, represented the first 737 MAX order by a leasing company. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner laid out his goals during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, saying the company is hitting its stride on performance and making significant progress on new airplane programs. GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, agreed to purchase 75 737 MAX 8s and 25 Next-Generation 737-800s. Southwest confirmed that it, together with its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, had reached an agreement with Delta Air Lines and Boeing Capital to lease or sublease all 88 of AirTran's Boeing 717 aircraft to Delta. August The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and John Thune (R-SD) which would protect American consumers and jobs from a European Union tax on the U.S. airline industry. The NTSB opened an investigation into an engine failure that occurred on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner during a taxi test in Charleston, South Carolina. The FAA investigated a miscommunication between Warrenton Center, ATC at DCA, and the pilots of three US Airways jets that resulted in a near-collision just south of the city. Boeing announced some serious new orders for its growing order book. Boeing confirmed that SilkAir announced a commitment to order 31 737 MAX 8s and 23 Next-Generation 737-800s -- a deal that when finalized, will be worth $4.9 billion at list prices. The pilots of United and Continental Airlines, after more than two years of negotiating with the company for a joint collective bargaining agreement, and with the assistance of the National Mediation Board (NMB), reached an agreement-in-principle (AIP) with United Continental Holdings, Inc., on major economic issues. The NTSB's investigation of the July 28, 2012 contained engine failure that occurred on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner during a pre-delivery taxi test in Charleston, South Carolina was ongoing. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) reached a tentative agreement with US Airways for a contract covering all US Airways mainline flight attendants. After 61 percent of the Allied Pilots Association members voted against a tentative contract agreement with American Airlines, the union's president, Capt. Tony Bates, tendered his resignation at the request of the union's board. September Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a grand gathering of some 1,000 people in Tianjin to celebrate the completion of the 100th A320 Family aircraft assembled at the Airbus A320 Family Final Assembly Line China (FALC). The latest Global Market Forecast (GMF) from Airbus identified a need for some 28,200 passenger (of 100 seats or more) and freighter aircraft between 2012 and 2031 worth nearly $4 trillion, reconfirming an upward trend in the pace of new aircraft deliveries. Airbus said it will only sell airplanes it builds in China to Chinese clients, but that does not mean that they will never end up flying for other nations' airlines. The NTSB issued a recommendation to the FAA that large airplanes be equipped with an anti-ground collision aid, such as an on-board external-mounted camera system, to provide pilots a clear view of the plane’s wingtips while taxiing to ensure clearance from other aircraft, vehicles and obstacles. In its commercial airline forecast, Boeing projected that China will need 5,260 new commercial airplanes valued at $670 billion over the next 20 years, and that worldwide demand will be for 34,000 new commercial airplanes worth $4.5 trillion. Boeing's Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) surpassed 500 orders. The milestone was reached when a customer converted its 737-700s to 737-900ERs. Against a backdrop of negotiations with its engineers' union, Boeing chief engineer Mike Delaney said that the company has resources nationwide, and may look beyond the Puget Sound region for development work on new airliners. He cites costs as the primary driver. Flight attendants at American Eagle, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), approved a tentative agreement with management. October Top management at AMR Corp, the parent company of American Airlines, has apparently threatened legal action against the Allied Pilots Association (APA) while agreeing to return to the bargaining table in their ongoing labor dispute. In a move that union negotiators said shows that the leadership at Boeing is out of touch with its workforce - engineers and technical workers voted overwhelmingly to reject the aerospace giant’s contract offers. FAA and American Airlines officials inspected two AA Boeing 757s that had rows of passenger seats come loose from the floor during flight over the past several days. The airline said it has grounded its other six 757s as a "precaution." GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes made a deal with Boeing for the purchase of 60 737 MAX airplanes. GOL plans to use the 737 MAX to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. The order is valued at approximately $6 billion at published list prices. A third American Airlines 757 was found to have loose seats during a flight, causing the airline to pull additional aircraft from service. In all, the airline says 47 airplanes were temporarily grounded while their seat attachments were checked. Boeing and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) finalized a firm order for 85 737s, which includes 75 737 MAX 8s and 10 Next-Generation 737-800s. Another American Airlines jet was forced to return to its departure airport shortly after takeoff, but this time it was the landing gear that caused the problem, not the seats. Boeing marked a historic milestone with delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner built at its North Charleston, SC, facility to Air India. Boeing said it had doubled the number of Dreamliners is has delivered to customers when compared to the previous quarter, but all is not rosy with the company's new airliner. The war of words between the U.S. and the EU over subsidies for airplane manufacturers escalated again as the European Union accused the U.S. of violating confidentiality protocols by admitting it had received funding information about the A350XWB. November The FAA said that Israel complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on the results of an October FAA review of Israel’s civil aviation authority. Aeroflot, the Russian national carrier, took delivery of another A330-300, which will become the 100th Airbus aircraft to enter service with the airline. United Airlines successfully completed the FAA certification process for its 787 Dreamliner, and began flying the Dreamliner for passenger service. The FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advising owners and operators of all transport category aircraft with Weber Aircraft LLC seats models 4001, 4004, 5150, 5200, 6002, 6200, 7001, 7501, 7502, 8000 and 8001 installed, that the rear track fittings, part number 840620-401/-403, can potentially be installed incorrectly. Employees of The Boeing Company who worked in Palmdale, CA, and at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, were due back pay and benefits that could total in the millions, according to an arbitrator. Bombardier had hoped that its new CSeries single-aisle airliner would fly before the end of 2012, but unspecified delays in the program had company officials saying that the airplane likely won't leave the ground for the first time before June of 2013. Following regulatory changes by the U.S. Treasury and the IRS, American Airlines was given approval to freeze its pilots' pension plan. The move avoids a termination of the so-called "A-Plan" proposed by AA in February. December EASA certified the "Sharklet" wingtip devices on airbus A320s with CFM engines. This certification, received from the European airworthiness authorities (EASA), was expected to be followed "very soon" by FAA certification, Airbus said. Airbus successfully completed the main structural assembly and system connection of A350 XWB ‘MSN-001’ – the first flight-test aircraft. The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive for Boeing's new Dreamliner after receiving reports of fuel leaks on two different in-service airplanes, and the subsequent discovery of several improperly assembled engine fuel feed manifold couplings on in-service and production airplanes. The chairman of the FCC sent a letter to the Acting Administrator of the FAA asking that the agency reconsider its ban on the use of some portable electronic devices during takeoff and landing. Three organizations wrote a letter to acting FAA administrator Michael Huerta urging the agency to grant flight hour credit to current pilots based on their airline training and experience as they draft new regulations to raise certification standards for newly hired airline pilots. Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. reached an agreement for a new joint venture that the companies say will create an expanded trans-Atlantic network and enhance competition between the U.K. and North America. Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and SkyWest, Inc., the holding company for two regional carriers that conducts the world's largest combined regional airline operations, announced that they have executed a definitive agreement for the purchase of 100 MRJ90 aircraft and up to an additional 100 option aircraft. The pilots of United and Continental, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l, approved a joint collective bargaining agreement with United Continental Holdings, Inc. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, NY, approved a new collective bargaining agreement reached between American Airlines and its pilots' union. A few days later, the court placed its stamp of approval on three labor contracts between American Eagle airline and its primary collective bargaining units, the last such agreements that needed approval before AMR Corp could emerge from bankruptcy. FMI: www.aero-news.net For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=b6f4c80e-a645-458a-a7a1-c61c3bfbff9a ----------------------------------------------------------------- Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Rallies Support For Saving The 911th Airlift Wing Pittsburgh Base Slated For Closure In 2013 Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is urging federal officials to save the 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh, calling it a "link to the world and proof of our commitment to national defense." The base is targeted for closure in the coming year, Corbett (pictured) said, a decision which he called "shortsighted and a mistake." "It's not only bad for this region, it's bad for our national security," Corbett said. This base is one of the few adjacent to a major airport that includes civilian flights. It reaches 70 percent of the population of our nation in less than two hours." Corbett was joined by state lawmakers and other officials, including the Adjutant General Major General Wesley Craig, at a press conference on the base late last week. "My administration and the leaders of this region are prepared to do what it takes to make the strongest case possible for keeping the 911th open and our Air Force reservists watching over the skies of Pennsylvania. They have been here for us since the end of World War II and we are here for them today," Corbett said. "We have written Defense Secretary Panetta explaining the importance of this base and we hope the Obama administration will listen to the voice of Pennsylvania." FMI: www.pa.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=e2f128f4-7363-4886-9363-e94ac50a6029 ----------------------------------------------------------------- UFO Video Forwarded To The FAA Odd Object Allegedly Seen By A Passenger On An Airliner In Flight Nobody is quite sure what it is, but a UFO was allegedly captured on video by the passenger on an airliner flying from New York to Houston December 19th. The video has been forwarded to the FAA by the person who says he recorded the incident. According to a report from the International Business Times, the owner of the YouTube channel where the video was posted has asked UFOlogists to "be patient" while the agency analyzes the footage. The person recording the video, Mauricio Ruiz, places his hand by the window of the aircraft in an attempt to show that the light is not a reflection from inside the airplane. Some of the shots are fairly clear, but the object blinks out suddenly as if a light were turned off. There are skeptics. Ruiz has posted 26 videos to YouTube, many of them on the subject of UFOs and alien life. Ruiz commented on his own video "Granted, it could be anything from a distance. However the footage is real and it is now under the hands of the FAA. I do not want anyone else to handle this until the FAA returns their input. Please give me time. Many have requested interviews and the actual footage. UFOlogist please be patient. Thanks." There has been no independent corroboration of the sighting from anyone else aboard Southwest Flight 3745 from LaGuardia to Houston on December 19th. The sighting reportedly occurred in the Chicago area. (Image from Mauricio Ruiz YouTube Video) FMI: Watch the Video For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=833ec5e4-f750-4dd5-adc3-b6862b2180d0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NBAA's Bolen Looks Ahead To 2013 'Members Will Need To Be Vigilant' In The Coming Year As 2012 drew to a close, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said the Association and its Members would need to be vigilant as ever in the coming year, because members of Congress would likely need to find ways to cut costs and boost revenues as part of the “fiscal cliff” debate taking place in Washington. “In this environment, we are obviously concerned about spending cuts and their impact on FAA programs like NextGen, but also the need for Washington to raise new revenue,” Bolen said on the association's web site. The situation raises the specter of tax increases and the onus of a per-flight user fee, Bolen said. Proposed in White House budget plans, and considered in Congressional negotiations as one “revenue-raiser” to reduce the nation’s debt, a $100 per-flight user fee has evoked a strong response from the general aviation community and its supporters in Congress. “We know that ideas like a $100 per-flight fee…have been promoted, in some cases, promoted vigorously, over the last year or two, so I think we’re very concerned,” that user fees could again emerge as a “revenue raiser” in the coming Congressional session. Also on the line in the upcoming session are potential changes to the depreciation schedules for business aircraft. NBAA strongly opposes any lengthening of depreciation schedules as that will likely discourage investment in business aviation. Along with the need to target specific issues for advocacy by NBAA and its members in 2013, Bolen said it will be important to continue telling lawmakers – especially those new to Congress – about the importance of business aviation to the nation’s economy. Telling that story has been, and will remain, the central focus of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. “No Plane No Gain will be critical to our success in the new Congress,” Bolen said. As legislators look for ways to cut spending and increase revenue, they need to understand that an essential American industry – one still struggling with a challenging economy – shouldn’t be singled out with punitive policies. “We hope [elected officials] will work with us to [achieve economic goals] in a way that does not destroy business aviation,” Bolen said. “We hope lawmakers will work with us to find even better ways to harness the strength and potential of this great industry.” FMI: www.nbaa.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=fcd94cc3-576a-46d4-91b5-00c0ec5d17f3 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Mayors Petition President: No User Fees Chief Executives Of 115 Cities Sign AAAA Petition Mayors and other leaders from more than 115 cities and towns across the country have petitioned President Obama to rescind his proposed “$100-per-flight” tax on GA business flights. The petition was released recently by the Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA). “We can tell you firsthand that [GA] aircraft are a crucial tool and resource for businesses in our communities,” read the petition. “[They’re] businesses that keep our communities afloat and help workers... continue to put food on their table for their families.” The group reminded the president that GA supports 1.2 million American jobs and contributes over $150 billion in economic impact each year. “We are thrilled and encouraged that so many mayors ... across the country have signed our petition and recognize the critical importance of general aviation and local airports for their local community," said Selena Shilad, executive director of AAAA. In the petition, the political leaders reminded the president that GA is a ital part of the economy for thousands of communities around the country and essential to the national air transportation system. The group expressed “extreme concern” about repercussions from several presidential statements this year denigrating business aviation. “As you know well, the vast majority of businesses and organizations that own and utilize GA are not wealthy CEOs,” the petition states. “Rather, 85 percent are small to mid-sized businesses and organizations that rely on these aircraft to reach far-off plants and customers, serve rural markets without access to commercial aviation, or deliver medical care and other services.” The petition also touched on user fees proposed for GA aircraft operators. Not only would new taxes be an additional financial burden, the group wrote, but a huge administrative burden on businesses, farms and organizations that use GA aircraft. “[They] would have to literally keep track of invoices for fees for thousands of takeoffs and landings,” according to the petition. “At a time when our government is supposed to be finding new ways to reduce government spending, we do not understand why some in Congress seek to create a huge, new bureaucracy within the FAA to administer these new taxes.” The local political leaders offered to work with federal officials and the Obama administration to find alternatives to new taxes on a hard-hit industry. “At such a vulnerable time for our economy, we need to be doing everything we can to support jobs and help to stimulate our economy, not crippling an important industry which represents a lifeline to communities such as ours around the nation,” the petition says. FMI: www.aviationacrossamerica.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=ba0b8b83-2b87-413c-b499-09a8cdfc2143 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Space Fence Program Moves Forward Two Land-Based Radars Will Track Objects In Orbit Around Earth The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom AFB in Massachusetts recently put out a request for proposal to move the Space Fence program forward. Space Fence will be a system of up to two land-based radars, the first site located at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, to track objects entering Earth's orbit. According to program officials, it will form the foundation of improved space situational awareness by expanding the ability to detect, track, identify and characterize orbiting objects such as commercial and military satellites, smaller objects, maneuvering satellites, break-up events and lower inclination objects. "Space situational awareness is a continual concern and challenge for U.S. and ally nations," said Ken Francois, Space Fence program manager. "The Space Fence program will increase the capability to provide predictability in reducing the chance of a collision or attack." The RFP is for the final development and construction of the Space Fence Operations Center, Site 1, and an option for Site 2. It is a full and open competition that will conclude with a contract award, currently anticipated in spring 2013. The award will bring the program forward to final system development, fielding and initial operational capability. During a Defense Acquisition Board held in August, some changes were made to the program's acquisition strategy. "The most significant change is that we are moving to an incremental approach. Increment 1 includes the Space Operations Center and Site 1 facilities construction and radar build," said Francois. "Increment 2 includes Site 2 and system integration. This approach maximizes our efficient use of resources and will allow us to reduce costs to the Defense Department and the Air Force, ultimately saving money for the taxpayer." In early 2011, awards were made to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon for an 18-month period of performance to develop preliminary system designs and prototypes and conduct radar performance analyses, evaluations and other technical activities. As part of that, two preliminary design reviews for the Space Fence program were completed with final events demonstrating working radar prototypes capable of detecting and tracking a resident space object. "The PDRs were conducted through a series of four detailed incremental reviews, leading up to the two-day final events," said Francois. "This approach was used so the government could review various aspects of the designs over time and provide timely feedback on any issues." The incremental reviews included overall system design and architecture, radar hardware and software configuration items, allocated baseline, logistics, facilities, test, modeling and simulation along with the radar prototype demonstration. Following the reviews, the contractors worked on risk reduction activities and design maturation. "All the work up to now and as we go forward is so we can ensure the mature technologies that are needed are available and to reduce risks associated with the program," said Francois. Initial operational capability for Space Fence is anticipated in 2017 and full operational capability in 2020. (Graphic depicts resident space objects surrounding Earth. Courtesy U.S. Air Force) FMI: www.af.mil For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=e7fb5a02-9f92-4e19-ae2a-78a9351375c2 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NTSB Releases Prelim Report In GA DA40 Accident Pilot Reported He Was "In Trouble" Just Before The Plane Went Down The NTSB has released a preliminary report in an accident involving a Diamond DA40 which went down shortly after takeoff from Valdosta Regional airport December 10th. According to the report, the pilot, 52-year-old businessman Rick Poppel, told air traffic controllers "I'm in trouble" just before radar contact with the airplane was lost. NTSB Identification: ERA13FA083 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation Accident occurred Monday, December 10, 2012 in Lake Park, GA Aircraft: DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND INC DA 40, registration: N840DS Injuries: 1 Fatal. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. On December 10, 2012, at approximately 1950 eastern standard time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 40; N840DS, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain after a loss of control during climb, near Lake Park, Georgia. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight, which departed Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD), Valdosta, Georgia, and was destined for Jesup-Wayne County Airport (JES), Jesup, Georgia. According to the VLD Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) supervisor, at approximately 1935, the pilot radioed VLD ATCT and advised that he was ready to taxi for departure. The pilot was then issued current weather and taxi instructions to the active runway. The pilot then advised the controller that he would be departing to the east to JES. At 1939, the pilot advised ATCT that he was ready for departure and was issued current wind information and was cleared for takeoff. At 1942, the pilot was advised to squawk a beacon code of "1200" and that he could receive visual flight rules (VFR) advisory service with Moody Air Force Base Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) on frequency 126.6. The pilot then advised that he was changing to frequency 126.6 for advisory services. According to the RAPCON supervisor, after the pilot contacted the RAPCON for VFR flight following the pilot was advised to squawk a beacon code of "5576" but, at 1950, before the airplane was radar identified by the RAPCON, the pilot radioed "I'm in trouble". Moments later, both radar and radio contact was lost. At 1953, downed airplane procedures were initiated and a search for the airplane by federal, state, and local authorities was initiated. On December 11, 2012, at 1115, the wreckage of the airplane was discovered by the crew of a Georgia State Patrol helicopter in a heavily wooded area, approximately 7 miles from VLD. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane initially made contact with an approximately 56 foot high pine tree before striking two smaller trees and then the ground about 50 feet further on, from the initial impact point with the tree. The impact angle was measured at an approximate 45 degree nose down angle, and the airplane came to rest on a 107 degree magnetic heading in a depression on the forest floor. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane was heavily fragmented. Further examination revealed however, that all major components of the airplane were present and control continuity was established for all of the primary flight controls, and for the wing flaps. The recorded weather at VLD, at 1953, approximately 3 minutes after the accident included: wind variable at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 1,400 feet, temperature 22 degrees C, dew point 19 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.84 inches of mercury. According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on October 15, 2012. On that date, he reported that he had accrued 208 total hours of flight experience. According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in 2007. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was completed on April 27, 2012. At the time of the inspection, the airplane had accrued 203.1 total hours of operation. Portions of the elevator pitch trim system were retained by the NTSB for further examination. (Diamond DA40 image from file. Not accident airplane) FMI: www.ntsb.gov For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/genav.cfm?ContentBlockID=aae17610-68e3-4887-a5a1-0443174b8fa9 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Russian Jetliner Skids Off Runway After Landing Five Of Eight People On Board Fatally Injured, Crash Caught On Car Video A person driving along a highway adjacent to Moscow's Vnukovo Airport happened to catch the impact of a Russian Tu-204 airliner into an embankment on Saturday. The airplane, which belonged to charter airline Red Wings, had only crew on board at the time of the accident. Five of the eight people on the plane were fatally injured, including the pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer. Two flight attendants were also killed. The airplane was landing at Vnukovo Airport, according to multiple media sources including The Voice of Russia. The plane was reportedly manufactured in 2008, and had passed its most recent safety inspection on December 14. The plane reportedly broke into three pieces and caught fire after skidding off the runway. The video, captured by a dashboard camera that many Russians reportedly use to prove their cases in traffic court, shows debris from the impact flying across the roadway, hitting one car. There was light snowfall reported at the airport at the time of the accident. Officials are looking into possible mechanical and fuel problems as well as pilot error, and the airplane's cockpit voice and flight data recorders have been recovered for analysis. The French news service AFP reports that Russian investigators were focusing on the Tu-204's brakes. In a televised news conference, Russian Federal Air Transport Agency chief Alexander Neradko said that the pilots had reportedly applied full brakes when the airplane landed, but "for some reason, the airplane failed to stop. Most likely, the cause was defective reverse engines or brakes." The eight crew members on board were reportedly deadheading back from a charter flight from the Czech Republic. (Image of impact captured from YouTube video) FMI: www.ruaviation.com/dir/info/6/ For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=33a2cc36-c000-4a7e-b1a1-aa83db6e6050 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Cargo Aircraft Lands Short Near Group Of Spectators Transall C-160 Was On Its Final Flight To A German Museum A C-160 Transall military transport plane on its way to becoming a museum display missed its final final approach and landed short, very near a group of spectators who had come to see the airplane's arrival. According to a report appearing online in The Blaze, the incident happened in Ballenstedt, Germany. Nearly 1,000 people had gathered near the runway threshold to watch the airplane land. A video posted on YouTube shows the airplane on approach, but the pilot apparently got behind the power curve and the airplane touched its main gear on a road just beyond the runway threshold. There were several onlookers within a few feet of where the airplane touched the ground. The aircraft continues on to the runway, and there were no injuries associated with the incident. The German newspaper Bild reports that the incident would not be investigated as the 44-year-old airplane was being decommissioned and would not be flying again. The incident reportedly actually took place in October, but the video has just now begun to go viral, according to The Blaze. The Transall C-160 was originally developed by France and Germany, and was employed by the militaries of those two countries as well as South Africa. It is being replaced by the Airbus A400M. The airplane will be displayed at the Wernigerode Air Museum. (Image captured from YouTube video) FMI: Museum Website For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=4a12fafe-4915-4feb-b329-49338202eb3d ----------------------------------------------------------------- ICAO Council President Praises Qatar Aviation Biofuel Project Pilot Plant Could Produce Nearly 400,000 Gallons Of Sustainable Fuel Some encouraging results posted by a sustainable alternative biofuels research project out of Qatar University have drawn praise from the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Roberto Kobeh González. Kobeh visited the facility as part of his itinerary during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-18) in Doha, where he presented a status update on ICAO’s progress on several climate change mitigation fronts, including alternative fuels. “We really welcome this project as an example of the varying biofuel solutions that can be applied in different areas around the globe,” stressed Kobeh (pictured). “The Qatar project is notable in that it is State-backed and employs resources natural to the surroundings. These do not depend on arable land vital to food consumption.” A laboratory research team at Qatar University initially produced biofuel from organisms abundant in the country’s highly saline waters. The experiment was eventually scaled up to larger outdoor tanks and is currently being upgraded to 25,000 specially-designed research ponds. If successful, efforts will be further expanded to a pre-commercialization pilot plant with a capacity of nearly 400,000 gallons. In his remarks on the opening day of the Doha Climate Change Conference, Kobeh emphasized that alternative fuels are an essential part of the ICAO strategy as its Member States seek to meet their responsibilities and realize a sustainable future for international civil aviation. “Commercial flights on sustainable alternative fuels are now a reality,” he noted. “Airlines are using drop-in biofuels that do not require changes to aircraft design or fuel delivery systems. Facilitating the availability of such fuels at competitive prices and in sufficient quantities for use in aviation is the next challenge, one for which an ICAO expert group is currently developing global policies.” In addition to its efforts in the alternative and biofuels area, ICAO and the aviation sector are continuing to pursue emissions mitigation measures which include improved aircraft technology and Standards, more efficient operations, a new C02 certification standard for aircraft, State action plans and market-based measures. FMI: www.icao.int For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=6ea3b470-44f7-449a-9a4c-b128d44a6593 ----------------------------------------------------------------- New F-16 Software Platform To Be Tested By 40th, 85th First Time Developmental And Operational Testing Will Be Conducted At The Same Base Developmental testing for an F-16 operational flight program will be accomplished at the 40th Flight Test Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for the first time. The testing for Block 40 and 50 model F-16s is scheduled to begin in 2014 and will also be the first time developmental testing and operational testing of the OFP will be conducted at the same base. "This not only gives DT and OT pilots the unique opportunity for daily face-to-face contact to discuss potential test issues, but also allows OT pilots to participate in DT missions alongside their counterparts," said Beau Booth, the F-16 M7 OFP project specialist for the 40th Flight Test Squadron. An OFP is the software in the F-16 that controls the avionics and allows the jet to interface with external weapons. It is currently in the design-try-out phase here. This phase is primarily to help the software developers. "In the DTO phase, a few early versions of the software, with limited subsets of the planned new capabilities, are flight-tested to ensure basic functionality so the software engineers can easily make any fundamental changes before they get too far into the coding," said Booth. This takes on a greater importance with this new OFP because it's the first time an Air Force unit has developed the software. Previous F-16 OFP updates were created by Lockheed-Martin, but the 309th Software Maintenance Group from Hill Air Force Base, UT, is the developer for this iteration. Previous DTO phases had a limited number of sorties due to resources and test objectives. "While this approach is adequate, it results in a relatively small number of opportunities to find potential errors," said Booth. "Since there are multiple ways to execute most tasks in the F-16, there are a lot of potential combinations of pilot actions. DT does not have the resources to test." Although this F-16 OFP partnership is a new endeavor for the squadrons, the 40th and 85th are frequent collaborators in developmental and operational testing. They are even headquartered in the same building for additional functionality. "In these fiscally constrained times, the 40th and 85th are setting the benchmark on how to perform integrated test," said Lt. Col. Thomas Seymour, the 85th TES commander. "Being collocated is the key. This allows us to share aircraft, infrastructure, aircrew and ideas, which results in more effective and efficient test and a better end product for the warfighter." This new software package will be incorporated in all active-duty F-16s and many Reserve aircraft. FMI: www.af.mil For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=3a842a64-4041-40a0-afde-2415dc46921c ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kitchener Aero STC's Garmin G-500H In Eurocopter EC-120 Company Targets ENG, Law Enforcement Customers Canadian special mission aircraft modifier Kitchener Aero Avionics has received an STC for a glass cockpit upgrade for the Eurocopter EC-120 helicopter. KAAV says the heart of this mod is the Garmin G500H Flight Display system with Helicopter Synthetic Vision (HSVT), an Altitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) and Air Data. Also STC’d in the EC-120 were the Garmin GDL-69/69A XM Weather DataLink, an Avidyne TAS-605 Traffic Awareness System, and a Honeywell KRA-405B Radar Altimeter system. All of these additional systems are controlled by and displayed on the G-500H. Of particular interest to Special Missions customers including Electronic News Gathering and Aerial Law Enforcement, External Video from a Video Camera or FLIR System can also be displayed on the G-500H MFD. In announcing this new STC, Barry Aylward, President of KAAV stated “Our team has done a great job on this mod and our customer is extremely pleased with the result. The G500H is an absolutely stunning addition to the EC-120 cockpit, and dramatically improves situational awareness and overall safety. This STC has been eagerly anticipated by Garmin, and by EC-120 operators worldwide. FAA and EASA STC Validations are in process, and once they are in place this STC can be marketed by Garmin Dealers worldwide.” “We are thrilled with the addition of the EC-120 to our growing list of G500H airframe certifications,” said Jim Alpiser, Garmin’s director of aviation aftermarket sales. “The increased safety and reliability offered by the G500H will be attractive to EC 120 owners and operators all over the world.” (Image provided by Kitchener Aero) FMI: www.kitcheneraero.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=214ad48a-c4aa-4978-b23e-c2e7edbd6b14 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Boeing To Provide 2 More C-40A Transport Aircraft To US Navy Clipper Transports Based On The NextGen 737-700 Airframe The U.S. Navy has place a $145 million order with Boeing for two additional C-40A Clipper transport aircraft, increasing the service's ability to move military personnel and cargo around the world. The modified Next-Generation 737-700 aircraft will be the 13th and 14th C-40As in the Navy's Unique Fleet Essential Airlift Replacement Aircraft Program, which is replacing the Navy Reserve's aging fleet of DC-9-based C-9B Skytrains. "The C-40A offers superior performance and range, 21st century avionics and quiet, fuel-efficient engines, and is increasing the Navy's capability for rapid response," said Andy Reheis, Boeing Global Transport and Executive Systems program manager. "Boeing looks forward to continuing our support of the Navy and meeting the service’s airlift needs." The C-40A is certified to operate in an all-passenger configuration, an all-cargo variant, or as a "combi" that accommodates both cargo and passengers on the main deck. The Boeing 737 aircraft in the C-40A program are manufactured by in Renton, WA, and sent to the company"s facility in San Antonio for modifications and certification. Boeing delivered the first C-40A to the Navy Reserve in 2001. Boeing also provides contractor logistics support for the C-40A fleet with industry partners Delta Technical Operations and J.K. Hill and Associates. (Image provided by Boeing) FMI: www.navy.mil, www.boeing.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military.cfm?ContentBlockID=0d911590-aecd-4ab2-9c2b-6206e7735532 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Back To The Future With Dassault Falcon's Retro Calendar Planemaker Celebrates The 50th Anniversary Of The Falcon 20 We know it's already after Christmas, but if you just couldn't come up with the perfect gift for Klyde Morris ... and who doesn't struggle with a gift for an ant ... well, it may not be too late. In May 2013, Dassault Falcon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the storied Falcon 20 which took to the sky just hours after the famous Charles Lindbergh's message to Juan Tripp, Pan American Airlines CEO: "I found the bird." The 2013 Dassault Falcon Calendar was especially designed around the upcoming celebration of Falcons' 50th Anniversary. For this, Dassault turned to Wilfrid Buch, a talented artist who used as his inspiration, a variety of 1960s design motifs. Buch created a series of vintage and avant-garde posters. In his mind, these are today's Falcons as they might have looked a half century ago. Those zany graphics, atypical fonts, psychedelic lines, improbable color blends - all evocative of the 60s. "Yes, we admit to a healthy dose of nostalgia, as we conjure up the long path journeyed by our Falcons in five decades," said Vadim Feldzer, head of Falcon communications for the EMEA. "And with Buch's artistry, we acknowledge the strong value Dassault has always placed in creativity. And our obsession with pushing the limits," concluded Feldzer. (Calendar Falcon 7X image provided by Dassault) FMI: www.dassaultfalcon.com/2013 For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/commbus.cfm?ContentBlockID=e17c438d-4679-4e6d-83ef-13f5d341b33d ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN FAQ: View Aero-News Your Way ... The 'View Everything' Option Choose How YOU Want To View Your Aero News: View Everything We're all pretty excited about the new website design here at ANN, but we HAVE heard from some of you that you liked the way that content was displayed on the old site. We hear you, and before you chuck your bitgrinder out a 5th story window, you should know that there are several ways that you can view your Aero-Content. ANN's New Main Page--Default Display Each time you visit www.aero-news.net, or click on your bookmark for us, you'll naturally come to the home page. The top content box lets you know what are the top stories of the day, and clicking on an image will take you directly to that story. Or, you can scroll down and find it on the page. Now, look to the right ... where it says "Change Display." If you are looking for an alternative way to access our content, one of these three clicks will most likely give you a presentation that you enjoy. For those of you who are looking for the full experience of the new site, try out "View Everything" ... and we mean EVERYTHING. Scroll Down And Select 'View Everything' Using this option, you'll get the full story, images, the whole enchilada ... and the list goes on for several days worth of content. Readers with slower connections may find this takes some time to load, so if you want to view the content this way, be patient ... and then scroll down the page to your heart's content. This Is What A Typical 'View Everything' Display Looks Like Of course, there are other ways to view your Aero-News. You can select just Headlines, or Headlines and Teasers. And, if you're interested in a particular genre of news, such as "Airlines" or "Sport Aviation", the nav bar at the top of the page will give you a list of just those stories. But if you go that route, you'll probably miss a lot. Customize The Page To Display A Topic At A Time! We hope you come to love the new site as much as we do. Our development team worked long and hard to bring it to your computer. And as always, thanks for reading Aero-News. FMI: www.aero-news.net For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=aeb18ecd-b43d-419e-af69-3c2865e874f9 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN FAQ: You Can Sponsor ANN and/or Aero-TV! Help ANN Grow So That We Can Be Of Greater Service To You! For the better part of a dozen years, ANN has set the pace for the growing and evolving aero-info revolution. No other news service has done what ANN has done... and no one did it before we showed the rest of the aero-world how it's done. But.... we're embarking on the most aggressive programs and efforts we have EVER undertaken... so new sponsors to help us meet our lofty goals are more welcome than ever before. We hope that's you... or a company that you do business with... and that you'll see fit to speak up for and advocate ANN's value to the aviation world, in no uncertain terms. ANN has produced over 140,000 individual stories for publication online since it's full-time inception in 1999 (though aspects of this program actually date back to 1993). As online technologies developed, ANN stayed on the cutting edge of online news delivery. The first serious adopters of multi-media content in aviation and aerospace news, over 4000 audio features have been made available for download since podcasts were added in 2004. And with the advent of Aero-TV in 2007, ANN has produced nearly 1000 expertly produced, independent, video features -- a feat matched by NO OTHER aviation news-media company.ANN has four venues by which we can market your planes, products and programs.... As one of ANN’s early advertisers, CONCORDE BATTERY CORPORATION recognized the value of advertising on this site because we have been a daily reader since its inception. We read ANN daily, so we were confident that our banner ad would be seen clearly and consistently. Jim Campbell has managed to form an expert staff of writers and audio-visual technicians. Personally, I believe in this day and age that print publications are history, as we can keep up to date on a daily basis with ANN. Skip Koss, VP of Marketing, Concorde Battery Corporation Every day, thousands of people flock to the ANN web site to see the best in aviation news, 24/7, each day, EVERY day. This is not the 'dog years' bragged about by others who posted material without any real schedule or even those who posted once or twice a week throughout most of their 'me-too' lifetimes... this is EVERY SINGLE DAY, 24/7, holidays, you name it (and even thorough three hurricanes and one office wipe-out). NO one has served the aviation world as aggressively as has ANN. News, stories, flight reports, gadget reviews, interview, and all manner of aero-info... ANN has done it all. Period. Jim Campbell and his Aero-News Network crew have established an information source that active pilots have come to depend on. Checking out what Jim has said today and what news Aero News Network has gathered is a regular part of an active pilot’s day. The robust traffic at Aero-News’ site is the main reason Aspen Avionics chooses Aero-News Network as one of our marketing vehicles. Although print advertising remains at the foundation of our marketing communications, we know that pilots and aircraft owners have come to rely on the detailed and insightful videos and reporting that are the hallmark of Aero-News Network. Brad Hayden, Vice President of Marketing, Aspen Avionics ANN sends three newsletters out each day, in special formats, (Text Only, HTML, and Adobe Acrobat)... each of which offer outstanding values for a potential sponsor. The folks who read ANN's Propwash' newsletters are a dedicated lot and for those days when we posted the news a little later while working late-breaking news, we caught hell for it... so be sure to include newsletter coverage in your ANN Marketing plans. Propwash is the longest running daily online aviation newsletter we know of... free to EVERYONE to so that its reach is unrestricted and its important information can reach everyone. Every business day, ANN hosts the longest running audio news and information 'Aero-Cast' programing extant. This is one of our most under-sung offerings... as popular as other forms of NewMedia may be, Aero-Casting has remained a strong and influential offering that has drawn rave reviews from all over the world and has even been read well above the Mother Earth. We run THREE programs every business day... a long-form news program (10-15 minutes), a shorter news-brief (generally about 3 minutes) and a long-form interview program (10-20 minutes)... featuring some of the most important topics and speakers from the aviation and aerospace world. And then there is Aero-TV... the aviation world's most comprehesnsiove video news and feature programming, nearly a thousand programs strong and touting truly professional video production standards, far above what we see elsewhere. We've made an investment exceeding a half million dollars in bringing Aero-Tv to the aviation world and we're justifiable proud of the work we can put before the aviation and aerospace community... folks we KNOW to be a discriminating and demanding audience. DO NOT miss a chance to make Aero-TV a part of your aviation marketing program. Most important; Aero-TV is about to introduce an aggressive new programming venue... still top secret for a little while... so be sure to see how you can be a part of the 'next big thing' from ANN and Aero-TV! "As you review your Marketing budget I hope you will consider sponsoring ANN. The direct effect of visibility on ANN is, of course, access to potential customers. But the greater effect is energizing General Aviation. ANN gets people talking. Sometimes controversial, always newsworthy, ANN brings us the news of General Aviation. It public talks about issues that pilots are talking about privately. In addition, ANN is becoming a resource for the general news media. We all know that better, more accurate, coverage of General Aviation by the broader news media is essential. ANN is taking on that challenge. I have knownJim Campbell for almost 25 years. In those years we have had many long conversations about the GA industry. Always an objective listener, Jim also has passionate opinions. Sometimes I change his mind, sometimes he changes mine, but it is always a great exchange. As an industry we need that exchange." Alan Klapmeier, Founder-Cirrus Design, CEO Kestrel Aircraft Oh, by the way... there is a fifth exceptional venue for you to consider -- our Special Event Coverage... whereby the ANN and Aero-TV crews host extensive, unique coverage of some of aviation's finest special events, airshows and tradeshows. Extensive, aggressive, sometimes even LIVE, ANN Special Event Coverage has NO peer... and continues to trailblaze new ground each and every year. Help us... help YOU... become an ANN sponsor! FMI: I Want To Sponsor ANN!!, 863-299-8680 For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=150a40d7-0f31-40c5-98d8-c0f592af42cb ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (01.02.13) Aero-News: Quote of the Day ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues. Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking. Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day. Let us hear from you, folks! Aero-News Quote of the Day “We hope [elected officials] will work with us to [achieve economic goals] in a way that does not destroy business aviation. We hope lawmakers will work with us to find even better ways to harness the strength and potential of this great industry.” Source: NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen in a look-ahead message posted on the association website. FMI: www.nbaa.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=1bf640d9-312f-449d-bba7-e4a290530f2a ----------------------------------------------------------------- Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (01.01.13) Aero-News: Quote of the Day ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues. Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking. Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day. Let us hear from you, folks! Aero-News Quote of the Day “We really welcome this project as an example of the varying biofuel solutions that can be applied in different areas around the globe. The Qatar project is notable in that it is State-backed and employs resources natural to the surroundings. These do not depend on arable land vital to food consumption.” Source: Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) president Roberto Kobeh González. FMI: www.icao.int For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=f0b0204b-772a-4142-ab39-4891130b86bc ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Term (01.02.13): CDTI Aero-Terms! Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game. Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms. Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term. CDTI An FAA NextGen Implementation Plan Acronym for Cockpit Display of Traffic Information. FMI: http://aviationglossary.com/cdti-nextgen/ For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=528ef30d-89d9-4413-af08-665a46593cb6 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Term (01.01.13): Instrument Flight Rules Aero-Terms! Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game. Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms. Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term. Instrument Flight Rules Rules governing the procedures for conducting instrument flight. Also a term used by pilots and controllers to indicate type of flight plan. FMI: www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/pcg/I.HTM For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=5055af9b-81da-48c2-b40e-7c5f099005cf ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (01.02.13) Aero-Linx! Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet. The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile. Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well. Aero Linx: Memphis Belle Memorial Association The Memphis Belle Memorial Association, Inc. is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring the "Memphis Belle," her crew, the 8th Air Force and everyone who served in defense of Freedom in WWII and educating all generations about the importance of the missions of the "Belle" and the other aircraft and crews who served. FMI: www.memphisbelle.com For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=dd2d715f-f6b3-4ca2-b30f-60397914f5d1 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (01.01.13) Aero-Linx! Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet. The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile. Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well. Aero Linx: Nine Planets This website is an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of the planets, moons and other objects in our solar system. Each page has text and NASA images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information. FMI: www.nineplanets.org For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/featurestories.cfm?ContentBlockID=d287100d-1bbb-4324-9f48-98e1a0cf3fbc ----------------------------------------------------------------- ANN Senior Staff Roster J.R. 'Zoom' Campbell CEO/Editor-In-Chief jim@aero-news.net Glen Moyer Aero-Cast Producer gmoyer@aero-news.net Tom Patton News Editor editor@aero-news.net Nathan Cremisino Ashley Hale Aero-TV Video Production Team Aero-TV HQ MKTG Inquiries Marketing Director mktg@aero-news.net Note: This newsletter is supported solely by sponsors like the one(s) listed herein. We stand 100% behind every ad that we run. If you ever have a problem with a company that advertises here please contact us and we will try to get it resolved. -- Aero-News Network Aero-News Network POB 305, Green Cove Springs, FL, 32043. 863-299-8680, www.aero-news.net ANN Aero-Casts /podcasts Provided to registered subscribers, Daily. ISSN: 1530-9339 For Subscribe/Unsubscribe procedures: Click here to manage your subscription To ensure future delivery of Aero-News Network's "Propwash" E-Mail newsletters to your inbox (and NOT to your junk or delete folders), please add our "From" address (either propwashtext@aero-news.net , propwashhtml@aero-news.net , or propwashpdf@aero-news.net -- depending on the type of newsletter you subscribe to) to your address book or e-mail whitelist. editor@aero-news.net For General Mail, Story Ideas, Questions or Concerns mktg@aero-news.net For Advertising and Marketing Topics news-spy@aero-news.net For Hot News Tips and Story Leads news@aero-news.net For Calendar Items, Press Releases or Questions about ANN News Coverage publisher@aero-news.net For All Web and Html Related Topics- Corrections Welcome! jim@aero-news.net Want to Get Right to the Boss? This Is His Address Get ANN's Free News Ticker We have designed a small "portable" News Ticker that will offer current ANN headlines about what is happening in the aviation world. It can be copied to virtually any Web site (including YOURS!) on the Internet by simply requesting the code and permissions from us. In addition to staying abreast of the latest headlines, you can click on any one of these News Tickers, no matter who's site it is on, and then go directly to ANN to read the news, in-depth, anytime you choose. You may request the code using our request form by logging on to www.aero-news.net/ANNTicker.cfm For those of you with web sites, be sure to drop us an e-mail at editor@aero-news.net and we'll be sure to check out your site for inclusion in our link sites, shortly. AND... don't forget to send your news and press releases to us via news@aero-news.net ! We want our coverage to include EVERY facet of aviation... so we need ALL the feedback we can get! Please Forward This Issue If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or business associates. Thanks so much! Copyright (c) 1998-2012: Please do NOT reprint, publish, or host on your Web site without our explicit permission. However, if you found this newsletter helpful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to e-mail it (unmodified) to a business associate or a friend. Thank you. "Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time." Marion Wright Edelman

You are subscribed to email updates from News-Travel agiency - Trekking agency To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610