briefs

In what looks like a case of too little, too late, a lone Chicago Alderman (one of 50) has spoken in support of reopening Meigs Field. Ald. Joe Moore (D-49th Ward) stood up at last Wednesday’s full meeting of council to call for public hearings into alleged safety problems caused by the March 31 closure […]

In last Monday’s edition, we incorrectly identified Jim Crook as a spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Crook is actually with the Air Traffic Control Association. We apologize for any confusion caused by this error.

As AVweb recently reported, general aviation plays an important role during the busy fire season. Once again, GA aircraft have proven themselves over stubborn fires located in the Cucamonga Canyon above Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Helicopters initially directed ground personnel to hot spots, which were reachable via foot. Additional air support helped get the blaze under […]

Avjet has reached an $11.7 million settlement with the families of three people killed in the crash of a Gulfstream III flying into Aspen’s Pitkin County Airport on March 29, 2001. All 15 passengers and three crew members were killed when the jet crashed into sloping terrain about 2400 feet short of Runway 15 during […]

At least one U.S. airline is relaxing its policy on cellphone use by passengers. Continental Airlines announced it will allow customers to use their cellphones sooner after an aircraft lands. While departure and in-flight phone use policies will remain unchanged, the airline says the devices will be permitted for calls after landing pending approval from […]

It seems airline passengers can’t get a straight answer on the issue of compensation for the development of blood clots on long-haul airline flights. Known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), this condition is characterized by the formation of deadly blood clots after long periods of immobility. Last week, Britain’s Court of Appeal upheld a lower-court […]

AOPA has made its voice heard and it appears that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) commander is listening. Admiral James Loy says his agency and the FAA are reevaluating more than a dozen temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) set up shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks out of the dozens currently listed. “AOPA members are asking, […]

You may recall AVweb’s recent coverage of a missing African airliner believed to be in the hands of criminals or terrorists. Well, the Boeing 727 has reportedly been located — with a new paint job. The Guardian reports the jet turned up last week in Guinea after disappearing from Angola’s main airport more than a […]

Has flying become mundane? We hope not, but if you want something with substantially more than your run-of-the mill spam can, you might want to check out a Russian company providing a true “out-of-this-world” experience. Moscow-based Kompas Hit Ltd. operates Fly The Legend, a service that provides adventurous clients the opportunity to fly in aircraft […]

Russians swept the top three places at the World Aerobatic Championships in Lakeland, Fla., last week. Sergey Rakhmanin edged Svetlana Kapanina, who held first place going into the final round of the four-round competition and was trying to become the first woman to win the title. Alexander Krotov completed the sweep. Robert Armstrong, of Athens, […]