Saturday, 12 December 2015

VistaJet, bombardier challenger 350 sets world speed record

VistaJet, bombardier challenger 350 sets world speed recordA Bombardier Challenger 350 aircraft, owned by VistaJet, a global leader in premium long-range private jet travel, set a world speed record in its class, flying from Napa Valley to the Cayman Islands – a distance of 2,774 miles (4,463 km) – in five hours and five minutes.
he US-registered Challenger 350 aircraft, managed and operated by Priester Aviation**, departed Napa County Airport in California at 8:22 a.m. PDT on October 28, 2015 with three crew and two passengers on board. The maximum cruising speed was M 0.83 at a cruise level of 41,000 feet (12,497 m). The pilots touched down at Owen Robert International Airport in Grand Cayman at 1:27 p.m. PDT with more than sufficient fuel reserves.
“The Challenger 350 aircraft handled beautifully throughout the flight,” said Priester Aviation’s Captain Andy Wegman. “Thanks to its unmatched climb characteristics, we took it straight to 41,000 feet (12,497 m) in under 20 minutes, where we cruised comfortably at ground speeds up to 545 kts to set the record.”
“This achievement is another example of the impressive speed, climb and range capabilities of the super midsize Challenger 350 aircraft,” said David Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We are pleased to share this honour with our valued customer VistaJet and congratulate the entire VistaJet and Priester Aviation team on achieving this new world record.”
“We’ve taken delivery of 13 Challenger 350 jets over the past year, and to date, our experience with this aircraft has been very positive,” said Nick Van Der Meer, Chief Operating Officer, VistaJet International. “We provide our customers with the best aircraft options for their intercontinental and transcontinental travel needs, and the capability showcased by the Challenger 350 jet on this new world speed record serves to reinforce this commitment.”
“We’ve taken delivery of 13 Challenger 350 jets over the past year, and to date, our experience with this aircraft has been very positive,” said Nick Van Der Meer, Chief Operating Officer, VistaJet International. “We provide our customers with the best aircraft options for their intercontinental and transcontinental travel needs, and the capability showcased by the Challenger 350 jet on this new world speed record serves to reinforce this commitment.”

Honeywell, $270bn worth demand for business jets in 10 years

Honeywell's business aviation forecast sees up to 9,200 deliveries of new business jets valued at $270b through 2025As a slow growth economic environment takes hold across many global markets, the business aviation industry is not immune to its impact.
In its 24th annual Global Business Aviation Outlook released, Honeywell Aerospace forecasts up to 9,200 new business jet deliveries worth $270 billion from 2015 to 2025, with a 3 to 5 percent reduction over the value noted in the 2014 forecast.
"While emerging markets like Brazil continue to be a bright spot for business aviation over the medium term, we have seen weaker demand across other key growth markets, which may affect near-term order and delivery levels," said Brian Sill, president, Business and General Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace. "And while the sluggish economic growth and political tensions are driving a more reserved approach to purchasing, we are seeing operators invest in retrofits and upgrades for their existing aircraft, especially around connectivity, boosting aftermarket opportunities."
There are key global findings in the 2015 Honeywell outlook include deliveries of approximately 675 to 725 new jets in 2015, a single-digit percentage growth year over year. The improvement in deliveries expected in 2015 is largely due to new model introductions and an increase in fractional-usage type of aircraft deliveries.
Moreover, 2016 deliveries are projected to be slightly lower reflecting weaker emerging market demand partially offset by deliveries to fractional operators and operators surveyed plan to make new jet purchases equivalent to about 22% of their fleets over the next five years as replacements or additions to their current fleet.
The total new business jet purchase plans, 19% are intended to occur by the end of 2016, while 17% and 20 % are scheduled for 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Operators continue to focus on larger-cabin aircraft classes, ranging from super mid-size through ultra long-range and business liner, which are expected to account for more than 80 percent of all expenditures on new business jets in the near term. Also, the longer-range forecast through 2025 projects a 3% average annual growth rate despite the relatively flat near-term outlook as new models and improved economic performance contribute to industry growth.
Source and image: Honeywell

Czech Military Eyes New Helos, Transport Aircraft

Czech Military Eyes New Helos, Transport AircraftThe Czech Ministry of Defense has invited producers from other NATO member states to supply offers for the delivery of 12 multipurpose helicopters for the Czech military with the aim to replace its outdated Soviet-designed helos.
Other plans include the acquisition of new transport aircraft to significantly increase the Czech Air Force's air transport capability, the ministry said in a statement.
“In the field of helicopters, it is our priority to buy 12 multipurpose helicopters to replace the Mi-24s and Mi-35s, which currently don’t comply with the requirements for deployment to foreign military missions,” Col. Jiri Vavra, the director of the ministry’s Air Force Development and Planning Department, said. “By 2025, we are also expecting to purchase two medium-size transport aircraft, which will significantly increase our air transport capability and enable the transport of vehicles and major gear.”
The Czech government has announced it will intensify its efforts to replace Soviet- and Russian-made military gear with weapons and equipment supplied by NATO member states following Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine.
The new transport aircraft are to replace the Czech military’s Yakovlev Yak-40 planes. The Mil Mi-24 and Mi-35 helicopters are built by Russia’s state-run Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant.

Senator Mike Sonko Endorses And Praises Hon Raila Odinga

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko in a public speech praised Hon Raila Odinga for his fight against corruption and public looting by government officials.
Mike Sonko, who is a vocal supporter of the Jubilee government made the rare remarks that have since gone viral across YouTube.
In the speech, Sonko praises Raila saying that he has never had Raila insult the president. This comes after the likes of Moses Kuria have persistently insulted Raila even threatening to sue Raila over his comments on demanding accountability from the government on behalf of the Kenyan people.
Sonko went ahead to say that through Raila’s pressure, officials who have been behind these mega corruption schemes have been arrested a testimony to the good work Hon Raila is doing.Raila has been summoned to appear before the commission tasked with investigating the Eurobond scandal. It is not yet clear if he will honor the summons. It has been alleged that the timing may collide with several commitments Hon Raila has for tomorrow.
He however said will make a decision on whether to honor the summons or not. Raila said that his decision will be based on the best interests of Kenyans.

VIP flight attendant: a dream job or a Pandora’s box?

VIP flight attendant: a dream job or a Pandora’s box?  Being a flight attendant is a dream job for many, but being a VIP flight attendant is close to a pure fantasy even for all those already in the business. They fly less hours, visit the most amazing places on earth and, according to the Daily Mail, earn from 2 to 8 times more than their commercial counterparts. However, great rewards come with unprecedented responsibility and the so called Bond-style life, where the phone ringing in the middle of the night is just another call to mission.
According wikiHow, becoming a corporate flight attendant is easy. You just have to follow 4 simple steps – have a passport (not a step, really), undergo training, apply for a job and show up for an interview. However, in order to learn how to do this job properly and to understand the executive clients you would be working for, you need to obtain far more knowledge and experience than the one provided during this 4 step program. Whilst scrolling through various VIP attendant job ads, it seems that fluency in languages, training and experience are all equally important for the role. Nevertheless, the truly crucial traits are versatility, knowledge and just shier devotion of a person.
“Almost everything this industry covers has to be flexible and flight attendants are no exception. The ability to take care of safety and understand your in-flight operational responsibilities is just a tip of the iceberg,” says Vitalij Kapitonov, the CEO of KlasJet. “On top of the commonly known duties, an attendant must maintain awareness of all passengers’ food allergies as well as dietary restrictions and preferences. Moreover, the skills of a PA come in handy when you have to arrange, for instance, a frozen butterball turkey, no smaller than 33lbs, in a few-hour notice (real story, by the way). It might come as a surprise, but food is where the attendants’ know-how is most valuable for every employer.”VIP flight attendant: a dream job or a Pandora’s box?
First off, the person must be skillful in culinary arts. After all, not only is he or she responsible for serving Michelin star plates, but also commonly in charge of finding, arranging and transporting food to the take-off airport. Such skills as the one of a sommelier are also highly appreciated in the industry. Apart from that, VIP crew must be acquainted with food safety and correct food handling techniques. No travellers, including CEOs, multibillionaires or pop stars, want to get sick because their beluga caviar wasn’t opened or stored the right way.
So the road to becoming a VIP flight attendant could be basically summed up in three words – learn, learn and learn. And if you work hard enough you are more than likely to get a call from a private jet operator offering you your fantasy spot. And you’ll be in for a treat. Having adjusted to the 24 hour notices, you’ll meet and chat with the brightest and the best as well as have the chance to literally see the world and your name on a $120 000 yearly paycheck.
Without a doubt, aside from the culinary education, industry-specific training also plays a big role in a flight attendant’s working in business aviation life. According to the KlasJet executive, almost all of the companies require candidates to have CPR, AED and first aid, in-flight cabin service, food catering, and FACTS Training. However, the main criteria remain the know-how and the ability to be flexible and organized. “In general, companies with extensive experience in the field offer the greatest conditions, however, that means you also have to be the best candidate,” concludes Vitalij Kapitonov, CEO of KlasJet.
Source and image: KlasJet

U.S. challenges China at WTO over aircraft tax policy

U.S. challenges China at WTO over aircraft tax policy The United States has launched dispute settlement proceedings at the World Trade Organization by requesting consultations with China over its different tax policy on foreign aircraft versus planes produced in China, a top U.S. trade official said Tuesday.
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said that China imposes a 17 percent value-added tax (VAT) on imported aircraft generally weighing under 25 metric tons while exempting such aircraft made in China from the tax.
The Chinese government has also failed to publish its tax exemptions for domestically produced aircraft, he added.
"Transparency of laws and regulations impacting trade is a core WTO commitment that China must uphold, just as it expects other countries to do," Froman said. "For these reasons, the United States is filing a trade enforcement case to hold China accountable."
Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process. If the United States and China are not able to reach a mutually agreed solution through consultations, the United States may request that the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to examine the matter.
In a briefing with reporters, U.S. trade officials said the United States exported about half a billion U.S. dollars' worth of small- to mid-sized aircraft to China in the past three years, and they see China's newly self-developed regional jet ARJ21 as a competitor against U.S. aircraft in the future.
The USTR's request came as U.S. House and Senate lawmakers are nearing an agreement on a trade customs and enforcement bill, which would help strengthen U.S. trade enforcement.
The House and Senate have passed different versions of the customs and enforcement bill, but have yet to reconcile their differences to pass a final measure.
"The case is an important confirmation that enforcement matters. At the same time, I will continue working through the customs conference committee to give USTR even more enforcement tools," said Dave Reichert, chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against trade protectionism and work together with China and other members of the international community to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.
Source and image: English News

Pilot killed in plane crash North of Council Bluffs

Pilot killed in plane crash North of Council Bluffs The pilot of a single-engine plane was killed when his aircraft crashed in the median of Interstate 29 north of Council Bluffs on December 10.
Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said, ""Right now we have one deceased."
The Sheriff said the pilot left Eppley Airfield around noon. Moments later he radioed back saying he was experiencing problems with the plane. He requested permission to return to the airport. According to witness reports the plane then clipped a power line and crashed.
The plane went down near mile marker 58 east of Eppley Airfield and north of downtown Council Bluffs.
Darrell Wade was traveling along I-29 just before the plane went down. He told us, "I looked at the other two guys in the truck with me and said, 'Oh crap, he's gonna crash."
Wade said, "We were heading south on Interstate 29. Plane was flying on the other side, following the railroad tracks. Cut a hard right. Landing gear dropped. Clipped one of the power lines. Cartwheeled and landed face-first in the dirt."
Wade said, "When his landing gear came down I knew that he was having some kind of mechanical issue, obviously." He said he saw no fire but the wreckage was surrounded by fuel.
He told us he checked the pilot - the lone person on board and said, "No response. No pulse."
Traffic was interrupted after the crash but was moving again by 1 p.m.

Air New Zealand installs futuristic bag drops

Air New Zealand installs futuristic bag drops Air New Zealand is claiming another world first with its new electronic bag drops at Auckland International Airport.
The national carrier said checking-in would be faster with the new bag drops which featured "world-first biometric technology".
The technology was similar to that used by SmartGates, where passengers scan their passports and boarding passes to have their identities verified by a biometric camera.
Once identification has been confirmed passengers weigh their bags which are then processed through the airline's baggage handling system.
Five bag drops have been installed at Auckland Airport with eight more being installed in early 2016.
In November Air New Zealand claimed another first by introducing monitoring bracelets for minors, called Airbands.
The wristband is embedded with a chip which is scanned at stages of the journey, triggering text notifications to be sent to up to five nominated contacts.
Source and image: Lenta.ru

Russia’s Transaero plans to come back in 2016

Russia’s Transaero plans to come back in 2016 In October 2016, AeroTime was pretty sure it is not yet a goodbye for Russia's second largest airline. Now, the founders of Transaero announced their plans to create a new airline, employing the rest of existing staff (over 200 people).
Read more: Known facts about Transaero and its bankruptcy to date
The news come from sources in an international aviation holding company engaged in airport construction holding, working on the development of the Moscow‘s fourth airport – Ramenskoye International. Russian newspaper ‘Izvestia’ claims that, according to the sources, Mikhail Prokhorov might finance the revival of Transaero scheduled for 2016.
It is expected that the name of the new company will most likely include the word "Transaero" and is planning to begin flights the first half of 2016. The flights will be carried out from Ramenskoye airport, which belongs to the state corporation Rostec and is scheduled to open in summer 2016.
The fleet of the newly established carrier will include from 7 to 9 aircraft, previously used by Transaero. The fleet can be expected to consist of 5-6 Boeing 737 and 2 or three Boeing 767 2-3 planes. The sources told that the new carrier will try to return some routes previously operated by Transaero. Most of them were lately re-distributed to Aeroflot, the state-run giant and largest rival of Transaero.
The total amount of Transaero‘s debt is around 260 billion rubles. A number of Transaero creditors is now trying to bankrupt the company. In particular, the claim on company's bankruptcy was filled in the by Sberbank and Alfa-Bank.
Russia’s Transaero plans to come back in 2016Ramenskoye International will be the fourth airport of the Moscow Aviation Hub which is currently being developed by Ramport aero group under the collaboration of Rostec and Avia Solutions Group. While operating the longest runway (5.5 km) in Europe, the airport will act as a major center of experimental, governmental and civil aviation.
Avia Solutions Group invested 1 billion RUB (over USD 30 million) into the Ramport share capital and control up to 75% of the newly established company stocks. The Russian industrial giant Rostec will contribute to the project by bringing in the land and real estate currently under its ownership in the territory of Ramenskoye aerodrome. In seven years’ time the total investment into the development of the fourth airport in Moscow is expected to top USD 236 million.

Star Alliance is set to expand its network under 'hybrid' model

Star Alliance is set to expand its network under 'hybrid' modelStar Alliance is set to expand its network reach with the launch of its Connecting Partner Model. Under this new concept, routes operated by “low-cost” and “hybrid” airlineswill be able to connect to the Alliance network. This will allow customers of Star Alliance member carriers to select from an even wider choice of destinations and flights.
“With this innovative concept, we are breaking new ground. We see a definite trend of convergence between the ‘traditional full service’ and ‘low-cost’ business models in the airline industry,” said Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance. “At the same time, our customers are telling us that they need access to markets where we do not yet provide ideal coverage. In many cases network carriers are not in a position to fill this gap and hence working with future Connecting Partners will allow us to provide an extended network to our travellers.”

Connecting Partners will be carefully assessed for their fit into the existing Star Alliance network. While these selected airlines need to comply and adhere to the high operating standard required by the Alliance, they will not become a member of the Alliance itself.

Customers travelling on an itinerary which includes a transfer between a Star Alliance member airline and a Connecting Partner will be offered Alliance benefits such as passenger and baggage through check-in. Moreover, Star Alliance Gold Card holders will enjoy a tailored set of privileges in line with the different product offerings of the individual Connecting Partner.
Connecting Partners will enter into bilateral commercial agreements with selected Star Alliance member airlines, which may include additional Frequent Flyer Programme based privileges.

Innovative and multi-award winning South African low-cost airline Mango has been selected as the first airline with which Star Alliance will be implementing the new concept.

“We are delighted to be working with Mango as we marry traditional and low-cost or hybrid airlines for the first time in our Alliance’s history. The airline’s innovative and progressive style makes it an ideal candidate for launching our new Connecting Partner concept. We aim to have first customers using this new offer as of the third quarter of 2016,” adds Schwab.

Mango’s first flight took to the skies on November 15th, 2006. Since then, the airline has grown its fleet from four to 10Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operating between South Africa’s key domestic points as well as between Johannesburg and Zanzibar. The carrier remains the only African airline to offer on-board Wi-Fi. In addition, Mango has been recognised for its Customer Service Excellence by various awards, including the World Travel Awards and Skytrax.

“Innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence are the cornerstones of Mango and fundamental to our culture as a business,” says Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout. Mango celebrates a decade in aviation next year and the carrier has recently become the largest low-cost airline in South Africa by passenger volume. “Participation in the development of, and ultimately becoming the launch Star Alliance Connecting Partner airline, wedges-in with our medium to long term business objectives,” he added.

Bezuidenhout said that while the Connecting Partner product flies in the face of convention, the common ground for the concept relates directly to the bottom line. “Becoming a Connecting Partner will give any low-cost or hybrid airline a competitive advantage that immediately grows market share while creating greater choice for travellers,” he said.

Friday, 11 December 2015

Turkish warplanes enter Iraq airspace

Turkish fighter jets carried out a new barrage of air strikes against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq overnight. 
The Turkish military said on December 9 that the overnight raids "destroyed" targets of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in four areas.
A PKK spokesman in Iraq, Dahmat Agit, said the strikes targeted three villages, adding that no PKK members were killed in the raid.
Turkey has been waging an offensive against PKK strongholds in the southeast of the country and in northern Iraq following the collapse in July of a two-year cease-fire with rebels.
Meanwhile, the presence of Turkish troops near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul in northern Iraq is a "violation" of international law, Iraq's president said Saturday.
President Fuad Masum called the move a "violation of international norms, laws and Iraq's national sovereignty," and said it was contributing to increased tensions in the region.
Hakim al-Zamili, the head of parliament's security and defense committee, went a step further, calling on Iraq's prime minister to launch airstrikes against the Turkish troops if they remained in Iraqi territory.
Turkey has said a military battalion equipped with armored vehicles has been in the Bashiqa region close to Mosul in the northern Ninevah province for the last five months as part of a training mission to help forces fighting the Islamic State group. Mosul fell to the extremists in June 2014 amid a stunning collapse of Iraqi security forces.
Plans to try to retake Mosul last spring were sidelined as the extremist group advanced on other fronts.
The founder of the training camp outside Mosul, former Ninevah governor Atheel al-Nujaifi, told The Associated Press that the Turkish trainers were at his base at the request of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi. He said the Turkish forces are training but not arming Sunni fighters.
"They didn't give us any weapons even though we asked them to," he said. "We equipped this force from the black market with our own money and we believe they're the best force to liberate Mosul... These people will be very effective to hold ground because they are from there and there'll be no resistance to them from local people."
Sunni fighters in Ninevah and the western Anbar province say the Shiite-dominated government has failed to provide them with the support and weaponry needed to defeat the IS group. The government fears that arming Sunni tribes and militias could backfire. Sunni grievances were a key factor fueling the rise of the IS group, and many Sunnis initially welcomed the extremists as liberators.

HondaJet receives type certification from FAA

HondaJet receives type certification from FAAThe HondaJet received type certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 
The FAA presented the type certificate to Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino in front of more than 2,000 people, including FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, government representatives, community leaders, HondaJet dealers, suppliers, and Honda Aircraft associates.
“Achieving FAA type certification for the HondaJet is a monumental milestone for Honda,” said Fujino. “We established Honda Aircraft as a new aerospace company and introduced our first product — an advanced light jet with technologies developed from serious research activities. We designed, tested, and have now certified this clean-sheet design aircraft – an unprecedented challenge for Honda.”
Honda Aircraft Company validated the HondaJet’s performance, safety, function and reliability through rigorous ground and flight tests with the FAA. Total flight hours exceeded 3,000, with testing conducted at more than 70 locations across the United States.
“This day was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the FAA and Honda Aircraft Company,” said Melvin Taylor, manager of the FAA’s Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office. “Collaboration is not easy, it often is a difficult subject. But when it is done successfully like this program, the rewards are gratifying to us all.”
The HondaJet’s innovative Over-The-Wing Engine Mount configuration, natural-laminar flow wing and composite fuselage make it a higher performance, more fuel-efficient and more spacious light jet. The HondaJet is the fastest in its class at 420 knots (483 mph) and the most efficient in its class.
With HondaJet FAA type certification achieved, Honda Aircraft is now ramping up production in Greensboro with 25 aircraft on the final assembly line. The Honda Aircraft workforce is nearing 1,700 people, as the company prepares for deliveries, pilot training and after-sales customer service and support by the end of the year.
“This is an exciting day for North Carolina and our state’s aerospace industry,” said North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. “As far back as the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk, our role in aviation has always been significant. Now, when we look up in the sky, we will see jets made right here in North Carolina. Congratulations to Honda Aircraft Company on this enormous achievement.”

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A body has been found in a Lufthansa A340’s landing gear at Frankfurt airport

  A dead body has been found in the undercarriage of a Lufthansa aircraft that arrived at #Frankfurt airport from Tehran. German newspaper B...