General Aviation/Helicopter News

Reignwood purchases 12 Bell Helicopters. The sale includes 10 Bell 407 aircraft and two Bell 429 aircraft. “Reignwood has demonstrated solid growth as an IR for Bell Helicopter in China,” said Chris Jaran, Bell Helicopter’s managing director, China. “They continue to work collaboratively with our Beijing-based regional sales team, and we are pleased with the progress.”

Airline passengers would be allowed broader use of mobile devices, laptops and tablets during flights, under a proposal the US FAA is due to begin considering next week. The Federal Aviation Administration will receive in the next few days advice about allowing greater use of personal electronic devices on aircraft from an advisory committee drawn from government and the aviation and consumer electronics industries, according to people familiar with the matter.

The new rules are likely to increase use of in-flight Internet services and may affect standards for electronic device manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, Google and Amazon. The rules also could make it easier for airlines to allow passengers to plug their own electronics into in-flight entertainment systems, allowing airlines to save the weight of providing screens for everyone. Current FAA rules require devices be switched off below 10,000 feet and ban cellphone calls at any altitude because of the risk they can interfere with aircraft systems.

Recognising that many passengers want to use smartphones, tablets, laptops and e-readers during takeoff and landing, the FAA last year set up the advisory group and took public comments on what could be accomplished without compromising safety. Many passengers have expressed strong concerns that the rules are either a nuisance, or that they are necessary to avert a crash, leading to confusion and stress. Many passengers routinely ignore the rules, leaving devices on purposely or by accident.

The 28-member committee approved the report on Wednesday and is due to submit it to the FAA by Monday, according to people familiar with the matter. The committee did not consider allowing greater use of cell phones. Instead, the report suggest specific ways that other electronics can be made safer in other phases of flight, by plane makers, airlines and others involved in flight safety. "There's no way they can police the individual devices... The solution is make sure the aircraft can handle whatever is thrown at it," said one person familiar with the matter.

Cell phone use has surfaced as one of the most divisive issues, but that issue was left out of the FAA's consideration since it is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Delta Air Lines said in a letter to the FAA last year that it found that virtually all of the violations with personal electronic devices on flights occur while planes are taxiing and most involve cell phone use. But the airline said it has seen no corresponding increase in safety problems. "The benefits of expanded in-flight PED usage outweigh the extreme low risk of an actual interference event occurring, based on the data Delta has assembled," Kirk Thornburg, Delta's managing director of aviation flight safety, said in the letter.

Thornburg, chair of the advisory committee, said Delta recommends allowing passengers to make cell calls while a plane is on the ground, and allowing them to use approved "non-voice, non-sound" throughout a flight. Airlines would still be the ones to decide which devices are approved. But approval could be complicated, especially with the proliferation of devices and uncertainty about whether they are functioning properly and in what mode.

"Since you can't test all the PEDs out there, and passengers are ignoring the rules, the report details various recommendations, methods and techniques that operators can follow to assure themselves and the FAA that PEDs can be safely used by passengers and flight crew throughout all phases of flight," said a person familiar with the discussions, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly. Pilots would retain authority to order passengers to shut off and stow devices if conditions warrant it, the source added. The FAA has long wrestled with the issue of electronics on flights, publishing its first rule in 1966, after studies showed FM radios could interfere with navigation systems.

Some airlines hope to launch in-flight entertainment systems that will stream movies and music across passengers' devices. Industry experts say the airlines expect they could reduce the weight of the plane by relying on passenger devices, saving fuel and lowering operating costs. Doug Kidd, executive director of the National Association of Airline Passengers and a member of the committee, said his group was surprised electronics were more of a concern than seat width and leg room. But he said interference from electronics is real, so the focus is on how to protect against it. Pilots have told him they heard cell phone noise in their headsets while flying. Even though people were not talking, the phones were still trying to connect to cell towers. "There is interference out there and it is noticed," he said. "We don't like to see the pilots distracted."

(Reuters)

Looks like Frontier Airlines will be sold pretty soon.

Republic Airways Holdings is expected to be selling their low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines to an affiliate of Indigo Partners for some $36 million plus $109 million in debt. The move now confirms months of speculation that Indigo would be the eventual buyer.

US aviation regulators began considering on Monday how to let passengers make greater use of laptops, tablets and e-readers on board, while still ensuring the devices don't compromise flight safety. The suggestions, contained in a long-awaited report, are an important issue for passengers, many of whom have objected to strict rules that require portable electronic devices be turned off for takeoff and landing. Some passengers fear their devices will imperil a flight by disrupting navigation or radio signals. Others consider the risks remote and leave devices on during those critical phases of flight when planes are most prone to accidents.

The report by an industry-government committee recommends allowing tablets and e-readers to remain on at altitudes below 10,000 feet on newer aircraft that are designed to resist electronic interference, but says larger devices such as laptops or DVD players should still be stowed for takeoff and landing so they don't pose a physical hazard, according to people familiar with the matter. There are no recommendations to alter the devices themselves; however, older aircraft may need further checks to ensure they won't be affected by interference, the people said. Personal cell phone calls weren't considered by the committee, and would still be banned during flight.

The recommendations arose amid intense interest from the public and some members of Congress, prompting the FAA last year to set up the committee to recommend how the rules should change. The committee began work in January aiming to conclude in six months. In July it got a two-month extension to come up with guidance on how airlines can assess the safety risks posed to critical flight systems and develop a policy on stowing devices that would work with expanded use of the devices. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta "will review the report and determine next steps," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said.

OLD PLANES, NEW DEVICES

Restrictions on portable electronics on flights have simmered for decades. The FAA first set rules in 1966 to govern in-flight use of FM radios, the hot new technology of the day, after studies showed they interfered with navigation. Many of the older aircraft remain in use and "are as susceptible today as they were 45 years ago," the FAA said.

The switch to electrical aircraft steering mechanisms from older systems of pulleys, cables and hydraulics posed further risk to the plane, since those critical flight controls, known as "fly-by-wire" systems, added to the components that could be affected by electrical interference. Current commercial aircraft, made by Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier, are designed to resist interference from portable electronic devices. But some older fly-by-wire planes don't have such protection, the FAA said. And even the more recently made aircraft carry delicate navigation and radio equipment that can be influenced by "spurious radio frequency emissions" from portable electronics.

Meanwhile, portable electronics have changed dramatically. Many emit cellular, Bluetooth and internet signals and even those that don't can put out low-power signals on radio frequencies, the FAA said. E-readers, for example, can emit a signal when the user turns a page, the FAA said. A damaged device can transmit an even more powerful signal. So far, the FAA has banned use of portable devices in flight unless airlines have determined they don't pose a hazard. Accordingly, the committee suggested standards airlines can follow to determine if older planes can withstand interference, much as airlines do with inflight WiFi and entertainment systems, one of the sources said. Private jets follow the same FAA guidelines and restrictions as commercial planes when using portable electronic devices, according to corporate jet leasing company Netjets.

Some electronic device makers have taken their own steps to prove their devices are safe. In 2011, Amazon tested devices by putting lots of them on a plane and seeing if they interfered with its systems. They didn't, and Amazon submitted that report to the FAA, the company said. Amazon, which sells both the Kindle Fire tablet and variety of Kindle e-readers, was the only device maker to have a direct seat on the 28-member committee, though the Consumer Electronics Association also was a member. Drew Herdener, a spokesman for Amazon, said in a statement that the endorsement of broader use of electronics in flight is "a big win for customers." "Frankly," he added, "it's about time."

(Reuters)

Boeing is taking steps to deal with possible delays in airliner deliveries, including the 787 Dreamliner, caused by the federal government shutdown that has idled thousands of US aviation officials needed to certify the planes. The delays, if they started, would likely affect the plane maker's newest models, such as the 787, and could affect development of other new models such as the stretched 787-9 derivative, the company said. Older models like the 737, which don't require significant engineering as part of the production, are less likely to be affected. Boeing's statement comes as other aerospace and defence companies are assessing their exposure to the shutdown. In cases where plants are operated in conjunction with government, such as the Abrams tank facility in Ohio, the furlough of workers such as government security guards could shut the factory, locking out the 900 private workers of General Dynamics. Boeing said the delays depend on how long the shutdown lasts and would worsen if the budget impasse persists. It also would affect numerous programmes and products in the company's defence business.

"We anticipate that we'll be able to deliver some airplanes during the shutdown," said John Dern, a spokesman at Boeing's headquarters in Chicago. "For models that we've delivered lots of before with the same engineering, we have the authority, delegated to us by the FAA" to certify, Dern added. "Newer airplanes and new configurations or those delivered from Charleston, those could be slowed or delayed during the shutdown." The slowdown would affect Boeing's 787 factory in North Charleston, South Carolina, because the FAA has retained some of its certification roles at that relatively new factory, Dern said. Boeing said it was taking steps to deal with potential delays, but declined to be specific.

"We're working on developing and implementing contingency plans," Dern said. "I can't get into details. There are management teams working on this and they are keeping in touch with customers and suppliers." The FAA said on Wednesday it is furloughing 15,500 workers out of 46,000 employees. The agency said that while some aircraft certification work will continue during the shutdown, it will be limited.

(Reuters)

General Electric will soon launch an upgrade for the H80-series turboprop engine family, to increase its power rating and fuel efficiency. “There are some improvements we can make,” says Brad Mottier, vice-president and general manager of GE Aviation’s business and general aviation division.

Airbus has been conducting minimum-unstick testing with the A350-900 prototype at Paris Vatry airport as part of the aircraft's certification programme. The twinjet, MSN1, has "successfully completed" the test as part of the high-lift configuration optimisation effort, says the airframer. Minimum-unstick tests involve determining the lowest threshold airspeed at which the aircraft will become airborne, which requires holding the jet at a high nose attitude on rotation, to the point where the tail makes ground contact. MSN1 had emerged in August with a tail-skid fitted, indicating that the testing was approaching.

Etihad Airways is expecting to launch services that bridge Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles International airport (LAX) next summer. Such a move would make LAX the Gulf carriers fourth US destination. The UAE carrier will operate the daily services using 237-seat Boeing 777-200LR aircraft on the route, which it will launch pending regulatory approvals at the start of June 2014. The airline says its the new route caters for growing leisure and business traffic demands in Los Angeles.

Bell Helicopter has signed a number of purchase agreements with Chinese customers, expanding its regional presence in China.

Lufthansa Technik Malta (LTM), a subsidiary of Lufthansa Technik, is expanding its hangar capacity for maintenance and overhaul work on Airbus widebody aircraft.

Airbus forecast shows world-wide air freight traffic will grow by an average of 4.8 per cent annually over the next 20 years.

Etihad is still working hard to stay current and fuel its growth. Last week, the Gulf carrier announced the June 1 launch of nonstop flights to Los Angeles from Abu Dhabi. They also have purchased five Boeing 777-200LRs from Air India. By the end of the year, Etihad plans to expand its fleet to 87 airplanes, including the five Air India jets and 14 new widebodies delivered by Boeing and Airbus.

New technology for aircraft designed to harness environmental conditions and enhance passenger comfort goes on show to the world this week at the 2013 edition of the NBAA. Vision Systems Aeronautics' Energia system is essentially a transparent, dimmable window powered by the sun. Fast-acting, it's a triple-layered structure comprised of photovoltaic transparent glass, polarizing film and an Xlite window. According to Vision Systems, Energia can bring about significant savings for airline and is also capable of collecting and storing solar energy which can then be used to light aircraft interiors.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has postponed a hearing on the fatal July crash of an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777-200ER to December, due to the impact from the 16-day US government shutdown.

Jet Blue's future tactics revealed in their Press Release from today.

http://investor.jetblue.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=131045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1869503&highlight

FAA changes in-flight electronics bans -- electronic devices now allowed throughout all phases of flight.... no calls though.

Toronto’s Porter named best small airline in the world

http://www.citynews.ca/2013/10/31/torontos-porter-named-best-small-airline-in-the-world-conde-nast/

A row has flared up between Boeing and Airbus over the width of economy class seats on long-haul flights, setting the tone for a bitter confrontation at this month's Dubai Airshow. The dispute focuses on the width of seats for economy passengers - not always the ones most courted by airlines, but whose allocated space holds the key to efficiency claims for the latest jets offered by Airbus and Boeing. Airbus this week called for an industry standard that would provide for a seat at least 18 inches wide in economy cabins, but Boeing says it should be for airlines to decide.

The dispute comes as they vie to sell ever-larger versions of their twin-engined long-haul aircraft, with potentially record orders expected at the November 17-21 Dubai event. How the back of the plane is laid out - particularly whether seating is 9 or 10 abreast - is central to the economic performance claims being made for new 'mini-jumbo' designs. Boeing says its revamped "777X" will hold 406 people based on economy seats over 17 inches wide and set out 10 in each row.

Airbus says the competing version of its A350 will carry 350 people in 18-inch-wide economy seat laid out 9 abreast. Plane giants often trade blows on technical matters through advertising in the trade press. Now, Airbus is appealing directly to the public ahead of the Dubai Airshow, where the 777X is expected to dominate with over 100 orders. It recently previewed what may be the start of a new ad war by showing financiers a slide illustrating three people squashed together at a restaurant, titled "Would You Accept This?"

"Boeing is proposing long-distance flying in seats narrower than regional turbo-props," said Airbus sales chief John Leahy. As diets change, people are getting bigger but aircraft seating has not changed radically. Between the early 1970s, when the Boeing 747 jumbo defined modern long-haul travel, and the turn of the century, the weight of the average American 40- to 49-year-old male increased by 10 percent, according to US Health Department Data.

The waist of the average 21st-century American male is 39.7 inches, according to US health statistics, which equates to a diameter of 12.6 inches. This leaves 2 inches either side in many plane seats, which are narrower than at an average cinema. Airbus says that is not enough for long-haul travel and says its rival is sticking to a seat concept from the 1950s, when the average girth of the newly christened 'jet set' was narrower.

Airbus says it has commissioned research suggesting an extra inch in seat width improves sleep quality by 53 percent. Boeing disputes Airbus's figures on seat measurements and says it is not up to manufacturers to make decisions on how airlines balance fares and facilities. It also says research shows cabin experience depends on more than the width of a seat. "It really comes down to providing flexibility to airlines and allowing them to do the things that they believe they need to do to be successful," said Kent Craver at Boeing. "They don't want us to dictate to them what makes them profitable. They know their business better than anyone else."

AIRLINE SQUEEZE

For flyers it is about more elbow room, but for suppliers it is increasingly an issue that could affect earnings. Behind the dispute is a race for plane orders with at least USD$700 billion of estimated business at list prices in coming decades. Airbus and Boeing claim 20 percent better efficiency per seat in their latest twin-engined long-haul designs than the current market leader in that segment, the 365-seat Boeing 777-300ER. Boeing's performance claims depend in part on comparing the 10-abreast 777X with an original 9-abreast 777 design. The gain in unit costs is blunted compared with 10-abreast now in use.

"The reason Boeing are doing this is to cram more seats in to make their plane more competitive with our products," said Kevin Keniston, head of passenger comfort at Airbus. On the other hand, analysts say full 10-seat-per-row cabins for existing 777s suggest many passengers are voting for the denser layout, which may go hand in hand with cheaper fares.

"18 inches in seat width would be great for passengers, but the reality is that from a business point of view the Airbus proposal is driven by the threat of the 777," said Mary Kirby, editor of the Runway Girl Network. Airbus and Boeing do not supply seats but offer a catalogue of suppliers for airlines to choose from. Globe-trotting jet sellers even carry tape measures to check on competing layouts. While boasting comfort, all builders also offer jets with high-density layouts for low-cost airlines and regional travel. Airbus offers a 10-abreast A350 but says it has not yet sold it. Until recently, Airbus was stressing the need for more cabin options by offering wider aisle seats on some of its aircraft. Without the support of the only other maker of large modern jets, experts say its call for a new industry standard is unlikely to fly, but could distract from a wave of 777X sales.

(Reuters)

Boeing is in advanced talks with its machinists' union to assemble the company's new 777X jet and build its wings in the Seattle area, several people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.

Bombardier St-Laurent Manufacturing Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foB1ER-TCXA