FAA Issues Final Rule to Improve Helicopter Safety The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today  issued a final rule that requires helicopter operators, including air ambulances, to have  stricter flight rules and procedures, improved communications, training, and additional  on-board safety equipment. The rule represents the most significant improvements to  helicopter safety in decades and responds to government's and industry's concern  over continued risk in helicopter operations. "This is a landmark rule for helicopter safety," said Transportation Secretary  Anthony Foxx. "These improvements will better prepare pilots and better equip  helicopters, ensuring a higher level of safety for passengers and crew." All U.S. helicopter operators, including air ambulances, are required to use stricter  flying procedures in bad weather. This will provide a greater margin of safety by  reducing the probability of collisions with terrain, obstacles or other aircraft. Within 60 days, all operators will be required to use enhanced procedures for flying  in challenging weather, at night, and when landing in remote locations. Within  three years, helicopter air ambulances must use the latest on-board technology  and equipment to avoid terrain and obstacles, and within four years, they must be  equipped with flight data monitoring systems. "This rule is a significant advancement in helicopter safety," said FAA Administrator  Michael Huerta. "This rule will help reduce risk and help pilots make good safety  decisions through the use of better training, procedures, and equipment." Under the new rule, all Part 135 helicopter operators are required to: Equip their helicopters with radio altimeters. Have occupants wear life preservers and equip helicopters with a 406 MHz  Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) when a helicopter is operated beyond  power-off glide distance from the shore. Use higher weather minimums when identifying an alternate airport in a flight plan. Require that pilots are tested to handle flat-light, whiteout, and brownout  conditions and demonstrate competency in recovery from an inadvertent  encounter with instrument meteorological conditions. In addition, under the new rule, all air ambulance operators are required to: Equip with Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS). Equip with a flight data monitoring system within four years. Establish operations control centers if they are certificate holders with 10  or more helicopter air ambulances. Institute pre-flight risk-analysis programs. Ensure their pilots in command hold an instrument rating. Ensure pilots identify and document the highest obstacle along the planned  route before departure. Comply with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) weather minimums, Instrument  Flight Rules (IFR) operations at airports/heliports without weather reporting,  procedures for VFR approaches, and VFR flight planning. Conduct the flight using Part 135 weather requirements and flight crew  time limitation and rest requirements when medical personnel are on board. Conduct safety briefings or training for medical personnel. Since August 2004, the FAA has promoted initiatives to reduce risk for  helicopter air ambulance operations). While accidents did decline in the years  following that effort, 2008 proved to be the deadliest year on record with five  accidents that claimed 21 lives. The FAA examined helicopter air  ambulance accidents from 1991 through 2010 and determined 62 accidents  that claimed 125 lives could have been mitigated by today's rule. While  developing the rule, the FAA considered 20 commercial helicopter accidents from 1991 through 2010 (excluding air ambulances) that resulted in 39  fatalities. From 2011 through 2013, there were seven air ambulance accidents resulting in 19 fatalities and seven commercial helicopter accidents that claimed 20 lives.  The estimated cost of the final rule in present value for the air ambulance industry  is $224 million with a total benefit of $347 million over 10 years. The cost for  other commercial operators is $19 million with a total benefit of $83 million over  10 years. There is no cost for any operators to use new Class G airspace  weather minimums for visual flying but the benefit is $147 million over 10 years. The rule responds to the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 and  National Transportation Safety Board recommendations.

NUEVOS PILOTOS DE IBERIA Y PELUQUERAS

Los nuevos pilotos que sean contratados por Iberia tendrán un salario bruto anual igual que el que cobran las peluqueras de TV3.

Los nuevos comandantes que entren en la compañía aérea Iberia cobrarán cerca de 35.000 euros brutos al año, según fuentes del sindicato SEPLA, la misma cantidad que perciben las peluqueras de la Televisión de Catalunya (TVC), según el cuadro de retribuciones salariales de los trabajadores de la Corporación de Medios Audiovisuaes (CCMA).

Concretamente, según este convenio laboral -con datos de finales de 2012-, las peluqueras que trabajan en TV3 cobran un salario de 34.848,44 euros.

El jefe de la sección sindical de SEPLA en Iberia, Justo Peral, afirma que "los pilotos de Iberia serán los más baratos", asegurando que un comandante de nueva contratación -que será segundo de cabina- de esta compañía "cobrará la mitad que uno de Easyjet", apuntando que en la aerolínea británica de low cost el sueldo de los pilotos está alrededor de los 82.000 euros al año.

LOS PILOTOS ESPAÑOLES QUE EJERCEN EN EL EXTRANJERO VALORAN MEJOR A SUS COMPAÑÍAS

Los pilotos españoles no confían en sus compañías aéreas y consideran que las instituciones públicas no cumplen de forma adecuada con sus funciones de supervisión de las operaciones aéreas y defensa de los derechos de los pasajeros. Son los datos que se desprenden del Aerobarómetro 2013, un estudio realizado por el Colegio de Pilotos de la Aviación Comercial (COPAC), entre los más de 6.000 colegiados.

El estudio, realizado por tercer año consecutivo, muestra la percepción negativa de los pilotos hacia sus compañías, la Autoridad aeronáutica y otras instituciones, así como la falta de perspectiva en el sector. El deterior profesional, la debilidad de la industria nacional  el desempleo son los principales problemas del sector para los pilotos.

De acuerdo con los resultados, el COPAC considera prioritario establecer el clima de confianza entre profesionales, compañías e instituciones para reflotar un sector fuertemente castigado por la crísis y con gran importancia económica para el país. El Aerobarómetro pone de manifiesto que los pilotos volando fuera de nuestras fronteras otorgan mayores puntuaciones a aerolíneas e instituciones de los países donde ejercen.

IAG - IBERIA Y EL SEPLA LLEGAN A UN ACUERDO

International Airlines Group (IAG) informa que Iberia ha alcanzado un principio de acuerdo con el SEPLA (Sindicato Español de Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas), para introducir cambios estructurales permanentes y mejorar la viabilidad de la aerolínea.

Las claves más importantes del acuerdo son :

<    -Mejora sustancial de la producción de Iberia.

<    -Los sueldos permanecerán congelados hasta 2015. Después los  incrementos salariales estarán sujetos a la rentabilidad de la  compañía.

<  -El Acuerdo de Mediación fijó una reducción salarial del 14%  para el colectivo de pilotos y un recorte de un 4% adicional  ligado al acuerdo de productividad.

<    -Facilitar el crecimiento de Iberia e Iberia Express.

El presidente ejecutivo de Iberia, Luis Gallego, señaló: “Quiero agradecer el esfuerzo realizado por SEPLA y el equipo directivo de Iberia que han trabajado juntos para alcanzar este pacto que marca un hito en la historia de la compañía. Este acuerdo reduce la estructura de costes de Iberia y establece los cimientos para el crecimiento de la aerolínea. Una Iberia fuerte y rentable supone la protección de empleos a largo plazo y el impulso del turismo, un sector clave para la recuperación económica de España y del aeropuerto de Barajas”.

Este principio de acuerdo está sujeto a la aprobación de la asamblea general de SEPLA.

Fuente: IBERIA

75 ANIVERSARIO DEL BOEING STRATOLINER

75th ANNIVERSARY

The Stratoliner the world's first pressurized commercial airplane, was bom in the 1930s, during a time of rapid evolution in the science and technology of flight, beginning with dramatic advancements in aircraft structures. Wood and fabric gave way to metal monoplanes replaced biplanes and, before the decade was out, another great innovation would revolutionize flight-cabin pressurization.

Singapore Air Show 2014

Singapore Air Show

Vídeo: Cortesía de AIRBUS

AirbusDirect@Singapore Airshow: Spotlighting the A380 and Asia

Airbus Day 2 Singapore Airshow broadcast offers insight on Amadeo's firm order to 20 A380s, along with the potential of this 21st century flagship jetliner to capture growth in the Asian air transport sector in addition.

Vídeo : Cortesía de AIRBUS

Singapore Air Show 2014, Airbus and SIA

AIRBUS AND SIA

Vídeo : Cortesía de SINGAPORE AIR SHOW

Singapore Air Show 2014 Airbus annoucement - Amedeo firms up order for 2...

SINGAPORE AIRSHOW'S DAY 2

Vídeo : Cortesía de AIRBUS

Singapore Airshow 2014

Singapore Airshow's

SINGAPORE AIRSHOW'S 2014

Singapore Airshow's Airbus press

SINGAPORE AIRSHOW'S OPENING

Airbus takes centre stage at the Singapore Airshow's opening

It was a red carpet day for Aiebus, with the A350 XWB at the centre of attention durin the Singapore Airshow's official inauguration and in the air for its first-ever air show flight presentation.

AEROPUERTO DE JEREZ

CERTIFICACIÓN DE LA AGENCIA ESTATAL DE SEGURIDAD AÉREA

El Aeropuerto de Jerez acaba de obtener la certificación de la Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA), que acredita el cumplimiento de la normativa recomendada y auspiciada por la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional (OACI).

La consecución de este documento, con el que culmina un proceso que ha requerido más de tres años de trabajo, avala la amplitud de la infraestructura y su personal para gestionar operaciones de transporte aéreo de conformidad con las normas técnicas de diseño y operación de aeródromos de uso público.

La certificación implica mejoras en seguridad operacional y el cumplimiento de estándares técnicos internacionales.

Working at Emirates | Emirates

WORKING AT EMIRATES

Vídeo : Cortesía de EMIRATES

ATERRIZAR EN LOS AEROPUERTOS VASCOS

ATERRIZAR EN FORONDA ES MÁS SENCILLO QUE EN HONDARRIBIA

Cuando la cizalladura colapsa el aeropuerto de Bilbao, los expertos prefieren, como aeropuerto alternativo a Foronda y no a Hondarribia.

El aeropuerto de alavés  tiene una pista larguísima y cómoda.

 La llegada a Foronda por la llanada es tranquila y sencilla por lo que es la mejor elección. Es un pedazo de aeropuerto, sus infraestructuras y elementos de apoyo para los pilotos son de primer orden.

Más complicadas son las salidas y llegadas del aeródromo guipuzcoano de Hondarribia. La pista es más corta y las ayudas para la aproximación son

limitadas.

Además, en Hondarribia, las condiciones meteorológicas se asemejan bastante a las de Bilbao; puede haber lluvia persistente, viento, nieblas, etc.

The Emirates A380 and Barcelona

Barcelona y Emirates

Vídeo : Cortesía de EMIRATES

El A330 "Miami" de IBERIA

Hoy despegó de Madrid rumbo al aeropuerto internacional de Miami-Dade el sexto Airbus A330 de Iberia, recién incorporado a su flota y bautizado con el nombre de Miami

Vídeo : Cortesía de IBERIA

RV: FAA Press Release Update

FAA Clears Path for Installation of Angle of Attack Indicators in Small Aircraft Measure Could Improve Safety in Thousands of Aircraft The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today took an important step to help improve safety in small aircraft by simplifying design approval requirements for a cockpit instrument called an angle of attack (AOA) indicator.  AOA devices, common on military and large civil aircraft, can be added to small planes to supplement airspeed indicators and stall warning systems, alerting pilots of a low airspeed condition before a dangerous aerodynamic stall occurs, especially during takeoff and landing. "Safety is our top priority, and with today's announcement we are improving safety by streamlining regulations and cutting red tape – a win-win situation," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. An "angle of attack" is the angle between a plane's wing and the oncoming air. If the angle of attack becomes too great, the wing can stall and lose lift. If a pilot fails to recognize and correct the situation, a stall could lead to loss of control of the aircraft and an abrupt loss of altitude. Stalls can happen during any phase of flight, but they are critical when planes are near the ground and have less room to recover, such as during landing and takeoff. AOA indicators may help prevent loss of control in small aircraft because they provide a more reliable indication of airflow over the wing. Although they have been available for some time, the effort and cost associated with gaining installation approval has limited their use in general aviation. The streamlined requirements are expected to lead to greater use of the devices and increased safety in general aviation. "We have eliminated major barriers so pilots can add another valuable cockpit aid for safety," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. "These indicators provide precise information to the pilot, and could help many avoid needless accidents." Under the new policy, manufacturers must build the AOA indicator system according to standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ATSM) and apply for FAA approval for the design via a letter certifying that the equipment meets ATSM standards and was produced under required quality systems. The FAA's Chicago Aircraft Certification Office will process all applications to ensure consistent interpretation of the policy. The FAA believes this streamlined policy may serve as a prototype for production approval and installation of other add-on aircraft systems in the future.

A350 XWB visits Qatar Airways in Doha

Cortesía de : AIRBUS

Cloud Bands Over the Western Sahara Desert, Mauritania

Cloud Bands Over the Western Sahara Desert, Mauritania

This photograph of cloud bands over southern Mauritania was taken from the International Space Station with an oblique angle such that the cloud shadows are a prominent part of the view. Beneath the clouds, the plateau of dark sedimentary rocks appears as a ragged, near-vertical escarpment (image top right). Isolated remnants of the plateau appear as dark mesas (flat-topped hills) across the top and near the center of the image. The escarpment is about 250 meters high, with a field of orange-colored dunes at the base (image upper right). Prevailing winds in this part of the Sahara Desert blow from the northeast. (Note that north is to the right.) The wavy dunes are aligned transverse (roughly right angles) to these winds. The sand that makes the dunes is blown in from a zone immediately upwind (just out of the bottom of the image), where dry river beds and dry lakes provide large quantities of mobile sand. This pattern is typical in the western Sahara Desert, where plateau surfaces are mostly dune free and dune fields are located in the surrounding lowlands. Larger rivers deposit sandy sediment on the few occasions when they flow, sometimes only once in decades. Astronaut photograph ISS038-E-26862 was acquired on Jan. 8, 2014, with a Nikon D3S digital camera using a 180 millimeter lens, and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations experiment and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by the Expedition 38 crew. It has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. Image Credit: NASA Caption: M. Justin Wilkinson, Jacobs at NASA-JSC

FAA Press Release Update

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that India has been assigned a Category 2 rating under its International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, based on a recent reassessment of the country's civil aviation authority.  This signifies that India's civil aviation safety oversight regime does not currently comply with the international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); however, the United States will continue to work with India's Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) to identify the remaining steps necessary to regain Category 1 status for India. With a Category 2 rating, India's carriers can continue existing service to the United States, but will not be allowed to establish new service to the United States.   India achieved a Category 1 rating, signifying compliance with ICAO standards, in August 1997.  A December 2012 ICAO audit identified deficiencies in the ICAO-set global standards for oversight of aviation safety by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).  Subsequently, the FAA began a reassessment of India's compliance with ICAO standards under the FAA's IASA program, which monitors adherence to international safety standards and practices.  The FAA has consulted extensively with the DCGA and other relevant Indian government ministries during its evaluation, including consultations in India in September and early December, and meetings this week in Delhi.   "U.S. and Indian aviation officials have developed an important working relationship as our countries work to meet the challenges of ensuring international aviation safety. The FAA is available to work with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to help India regain its Category 1 rating," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.  The Government of India has made significant progress towards addressing issues identified during the September 2013 IASA assessment. On January 20, the Government of India took further steps to resolve outstanding issues when the Indian Cabinet approved the hiring of 75 additional full-time inspectors.  The United States Government commends the Indian government for taking these important actions, and looks forward to continued progress by Indian authorities to comply with internationally mandated aviation safety oversight standards.   Additional Background on the FAA's IASA Program: As part of the FAA's IASA program, the agency assesses on a uniform basis the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or have applied to operate to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures. Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations' technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.