Virgin Orbit Plans Aggressive Flight Schedule For 2020

The new CEO of Virgin Orbit, which was spun off from Virgin Galactic to capture a share of the small satellite launch market, says the company will carry out two missions per month in 2020, despite a delay in the initial flight of the company's launcher.
Dan Hart was promoted from company president to CEO in June, and the delays fall on his shoulders. Space News reports that Hart said during a panel at the recent Euroconsult’s World Satellite Business Week in Paris that he had made a few changes in the test program, which pushed the initial flight of LauncherOne into early next year. He said that the company plans three test flights of LauncherOne before moving to commercial operations. “That gives us plenty of ramp-up time to get to the 24-level in 2020,” Hart said during the panel discussion.

Hard said that after the initial flight test program, commercial operations will come quickly, with the launch rate doubling in 2019 and doubling again in 2020, reaching a rate of 24 launches in that year.

The first LauncherOne rocket was completed a few weeks ago, Hart said. It will be used for tanking tests and stage firings in Mojave, CA.

LauncherOne will be deployed from under the wing of a modified Boeing 747 dubbed "Cosmic Girl", making operations possible from multiple spaceports.

AF Awards Contract To Begin Designing Next Air Force One Aircraft

The contract modification includes the design to incorporate a mission communication system, electrical power upgrades, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system and autonomous ground operations capabilities into two commercial Boeing 747-8s.

These aircraft will replace the two aging VC-25A (747-200) presidential support aircraft.

“Following the award of the contract to purchase two commercial 747-8 aircraft, this contract award is the next major step forward toward ensuring an overall affordable program,” said Maj. Gen. Duke Richardson, Presidential Airlift Recapitalization program executive officer.

Under this contract action, Boeing and their suppliers will complete the initial design of the future Air Force One. The Air Force is committed to working with Boeing to ensure the PAR program meets presidential airlift mission requirements, as well as the president's affordability expectations.

The Air Force is also working with Boeing on a follow-on contract modification, referred to as the Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract modification, which will continue the program through detailed design, aircraft modification, test and delivery of two presidential mission-ready aircraft. The EMD contract modification is planned to be awarded in the Summer of 2018. These aircraft will provide the president of the United States with safe, reliable and affordable air transportation equipped with all mission capabilities necessary to continuously execute the constitutional responsibilities of commander-in-chief, head of state, and chief executive.

Spirit Airlines, Pilot Union Agree To Extend Temporary Restraining Order

Spirit Airlines has reached an agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) to extend indefinitely the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the U.S. District Court (Southern District of Florida), directing the pilots to restore the status quo while the company and union remain in mediated contract negotiations. The TRO will remain in effect until a collective bargaining agreement is signed and ratified or, if applicable, the parties are released from mediation by the National Mediation Board.

Spirit pilots have been urged to resume picking up open flying time. The extended TRO replaces the need for Spirit to seek a Preliminary Injunction (PI) in federal court. 

“On behalf of our customers and fellow Spirit team members, we really appreciate the effort of our pilots who are taking on open flying to restore the operation,” said John Bendoraitis, Spirit Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer.

The federal court granted the company's TRO motions after Spirit detailed how ALPA and the other named defendants are purposely and unlawfully disrupting the airline's operations, leading to hundreds of canceled flights, which has negatively impacted thousands of Spirit customers' travel plans. A federal court hearing is scheduled for May 15.

In a statement released by ALPA after the TRO was first imposed, the union said: “Spirit pilots are committed to helping impacted passengers and the company restore normal operations. Spirit pilots were instrumental in returning operations to normal in 2015 and several times since then by going above and beyond their schedules, and waiving contractual restrictions in order to accept more flying. The court has spoken and Spirit pilots will fully comply with the order handed down, which is completely in line with our overriding goal: the resumption of normal operations. We call on the company to join forces with ALPA and the Spirit pilots to do just that.” 

Snowbirds Airshow Pause Related To A 'Close Call' During Performance

The Canadian newspaper The Star reports that the team was performing a maneuver called the "Double Take", in which for aircraft fly in formation with two inverted at about 300 feet above the ground. One of the aircraft encountered turbulence from the jet in front of it, causing control issues. The pilot of that aircraft managed to recover, but at a very low altitude, according to team commander Lt.-Col. Brad Wintrup.

The team returned to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for additional training. The team's normal practice time was cut short this spring due to poor weather. Wintrup said that the team needs to fly at least once per day, seven days a week during training periods to build confidence and muscle memory. Often, the team flies as often as two or three times per day.

The team normally begins training in October for the next year's season. This year, several incidents including the one in Ft. Lauderdale led to the stand-down and additional practice.

Airflite Named Newest Piper Dealer

Airflite currently owns 18 Piper Seminoles and Senecas. As a lessor, owner, operator, maintainer and parts supplier, Airflite is uniquely positioned to guide and support current and future Piper customers through the selection, purchasing and operating phases of Piper Aircraft ownership.

 
"For many years Airflite has been a proud and highly satisfied owner of Piper products. Piper's value proposition and desire to engage with Airflite and the Customers in the region is exciting and promising for our future relationship and for aircraft owners and operators in the region. This Agreement represents another important step in building a diverse and robust Aircraft and Helicopter Sales and Brokerage capability at Airflite", said Airflite's General Manager, Kristian Constantinides.
 
Mr Nick Jones, Airflite's Vice President of Aircraft Sales, added "This Agreement provides Airflite with the opportunity to communicate the benefits Piper's wide range of products directly to our aircraft owners in Australia and New Zealand. As an example, we are looking forward to introducing the Piper M600 to the market through demonstration tours later in the year." 

"Airflite has the experience, presence and passion throughout Australia and New Zealand to become a dominant player in the sales of new Piper aircraft," said Piper Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support Ron Gunnarson. "We are delighted to add Airflite to our global network of Dealers.  The company's reputation, knowledgeable personnel and strategic locations at Perth, Moorabbin, and Jandakot provide an ideal foundation for growing sales of new Piper airplanes in this important region."

Singapore Airlines to retire four A380s by 2Q18

Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) will retire four of its A380-800s by March of next year, ahead of the expected delivery of three new aircraft of the same type. The fleet change plans were highlighted in its annual report which was released last week.

Other aircraft to be removed from the fleet are two A330-300s, two B777-200s and one B777-200(ER). Their removal will make way for the addition of ten A350-900s as well as the afore-mentioned A380-800s.

Presumably, Singapore will be looking to phase out the elder of its A380s. According to ch-aviation fleet data, the oldest of the aircraft in Singapore's fleet are 9V-SKA (msn 3), 9V-SKB (msn 5), 9V-SKC (msn 6), 9V-SKD (msn 8) and 9V-SKE (msn 10) all delivered during 2006 and 2008 and leased from DS Aviation/Doric Asset Finance.

The carrier anticipates that the changes in its fleet will lead to a marginal capacity increase of 0.4%

Nigerian pilot becomes first African to fly solo around the world

Cape Town – A Nigerian born pilot for Air Djibouti Ademilola "Lola" Odujinrin has made history by becoming the first African pilot to fly solo around the world. 

In a statement, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority (DPFZA) said that Odujinrin had completed the final leg of his historic journey, landing safely at Washington Dulles International Airport. 

"The pilot has completed the entire circumnavigation in a Cirrus SR22, stopping in more than 15 countries on five continents, returning to Washington DC, where his journey began back in September," the statement said.

The flight was part of Project Transcend, a foundation which aimed to inspire young people to achieve their goals regardless of their personal circumstances. 

Odujinrin, who has logged 4 000 hours as a commercial Boeing 737 pilot since his pilot licence six years ago said: "Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of one day flying around the world. We have a responsibility to lead by example and follow our dreams. I want African children to think: 'I can do this too!'. 

"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Air Djibouti’s Chairman, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, and Cardiff Aviation’s Chairman, Bruce Dickinson, who have supported me throughout this journey. Without them this would not have been possible," said Odujinrin.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Air Djibouti Aboubaker Omar Hadi said that with such an initiative the state owned airline was hoping to inspire "a new generation of pilots in Africa and help to pave the way for the aviation industry to thrive in the region.  

"The benefits will be felt within the region, as this will encourage more intra-African trade and sustainable economic development".