briefs

The family of a Bombardier test pilot who was killed the crash of a Canadair Challenger in Wichita, Kan., filed suit against fourmanufacturers: Rockwell Collins Inc., Parker Hannifin Corp., Honeywell, andLucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corp. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of$75,000 and alleges defective equipment contributed to the crash. The NTSB hasnot yet issued […]

The best odds in Vegas can’t be found on a blackjack table.They’re in real estate, and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nev.,is a prime example. The airport is planning to build 34 new gates and a newterminal and add nifty state-of-the-art baggage-screening equipment to handlethe estimated 55.6 million (up from the current 35.2 million) […]

FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey announced the following appointments byPresident George W. Bush to top agency posts: Robert Sturgell has beenappointed Senior Counsel to the Administrator. Sturgell previously worked as a line pilot and flight operationssupervisor. He will now advise the administrator on policy and managementissues, as well as on the agencys capital programs and […]

United Air Lines says it’s reached an agreement with itsflight attendants … maybe. The airline announced a tentative agreement hadbeen reached to cut costs and hopefully avoid bankruptcy. United is notreleasing specific details, but did confirm that the deal included pay cuts.The airline’s stated goal is to reduce labor costs of flight attendants andmachinists by […]

Allied Pilots Association President John Darrah met thisweek with American Airlines chief Don Carty to ask for a role in the planningprocess as the nation’s largest airline looks at cost-cutting. Through a unionstatement, Darrah said, the pilots were “prepared to explore a range ofcompensation options …” Darrah added that American Airlines pilots workat rates well […]

The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation is currently acceptingapplications for their aviation scholarship. Three scholarships will be awardednext spring in memory of LeRoy Homer. LeRoy was the First Officer on UnitedAirlines Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pa., on September 11, 2001.”LeRoy had a passion for flying,” says Cheryl Homer Wilson, executivedirector of the foundation, […]

Smaller Stadiums Ask For Flyover Bans Its a tough time to be in the banner-towing business. No one wants anything that scary flying over a bunch of crazed, hairy-chested and painted patrons. The FAA recently released a new ruling that said flights would not be allowed over stadiums with more than 30,000 people unless a […]

United Gets Leaner And Meaner Its more layoffs for United Air Lines. The company announced Monday it would trim another 1,250 jobs in an attempt to save another $100 million per year. The airline will close three reservation centers, a maintenance line and switch five of its routes over to United Express service. The company […]

AD Watch The FAA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would replace a current Airworthiness Directive (AD) requiring a one-time inspection of the fuel boost pump wiring inside and outside the boost pump reservoir and repair or replacement of the wiring as necessary on certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 441 airplanes. This […]

AOPA Expo Opens In The Desert Its a calendar full of fun and excitement as usual as AOPAs Expo 2002 unfolds this week in Palm Springs, Calif. There was the Parade of Planes to the Expo on Wednesday. Today,FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakely is scheduled to address the opening general session. Its likely to be […]