briefs

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The annual Beech Party in Tullahoma, Tenn., attracted about 200 people and 81 aircraft. Although any kind of Beech was invited, the focus this year was on Staggerwings… U.S. trade negotiators are still hopeful of a negotiated settlement over subsidies paid to Airbus for the launch of new designs. Negotiator Rob Portman said negotiations are […]

We erred in last Monday’s edition by stating that the FAA had issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) on connecting rods made by ECi. As ECi’s President Ed Salmeron pointed out, the FAA has only issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and the company intends to file comments on the proposal. “We disagree with the […]

Lifeline Pilots set a record for flights in their efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The volunteer pilots’ group recorded a 65-percent increase in the number of missions booked and accomplished during the month. It was the most flights recorded in the group’s 24-year history. Lifeline normally flies people who don’t have enough […]

Japanese aerospace officials are optimistic the $10 million test of a model of a future supersonic airliner was a success. Well, at least they got their model back this time. A similar attempt three years ago resulted in the model’s separating prematurely from its booster rocket before boring a smoking hole in the Australian Outback. […]

As a boy, John Travolta dreamed what many have dreamed: that there would be an airplane parked in everyone’s backyard. A few have achieved that dream, but hardly any as spectacularly as Travolta. The veteran actor can now walk out of his airport-style home near Ocala, Fla., and hop aboard his personal Boeing 707 for […]

Pilots are used to taking calculated risks but some American Airlines pilots may be cashing in their chips early. The Allied Pilots Association, which represents American pilots, says it’s getting more inquiries from pilots growing tired of the pension crapshoot. They’re considering retiring early out of fears American will follow other major carriers in dumping […]

The National Air Transportation Association says the current system of fuel taxes is the fairest way to raise money for the FAA. Last month, the agency sent out a questionnaire to aviation groups, saying the current system needs to be replaced with a funding formula that links revenue to use of the system. The questions […]

GA operators at Seattle’s Boeing Field say Southwest Airlines’ bid to relocate to their airport would push out small aircraft. However, airport management claims that GA could coexist with an influx of 737s. Southwest is pushing for a move to Boeing Field because it claims the costs of operation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are too […]

AVmail: October 10, 2005Reader mail this week about Jet Blue, cockpit doors, a successful Wright Flyer and much more.