The European Union has begun the rulemaking process that could lead to approval of single-engine commercial air transport operations in instrumentmeteorological conditions or at night (SE-IMC/night). However, approval is not expected to take effect until the middle of the next decade.

SE-IMC/night is equivalent to operations under U.S. single-engine instrument flight rules. Formal consideration of SE-IMC [...]

Eighteen months ago, the business aviation industry was happily floating in a sea of black ink. Now, a year-and-a-half later, it’s drowning in red ink. And it’s debatable whether the end of the economic recession is in sight or whether it’s a good idea to hang onto the life preservers just a little longer.

It was [...]

WSI has rolled out the Fusion 2.2 version of its online software service, which provides worldwide information on changing flight, airport and airspace conditions. The company reported  that Version 2.2 offers expanded international tracking of lightning information, satellite-derived tropical “pseudo-radar” imagery of convective activity and projected aircraft positioning.

WSI Fusion, the company said, aids international operations [...]

SkyBooks, a unit of Textron, is adding an integrated inventory tracking module to its maintenance-tracking and operations management service. The user-managed program allows users to add, edit and track cores, bench stock and consumables in their inventories. The module interfaces directly with SkyBooks’ other features, which manage maintenance, warranty, flight operations, expenses, pilot currency and [...]

Honeywell’s new SmartRunway and SmartLanding technologies have received FAA Technical Standard Order approval. The approval clears the way for installation of the new products as software upgrades to the company’s Mark V and Mark VII enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS). Installation takes one hour, according to a spokesman.

SmartRunway is an extension of Honeywell’s runway [...]

Japan’s finance minister is planning to meet with the country’s transport minister today to discuss a potential government bailout of Japan Airlines, which saw its weakened financial status deteriorate further over the weekend when its largest creditors balked at providing ¥300 billion ($3.3 billion) in debt relief and equity swaps.

Link to the original site

Related Reading:
New [...]

US FAA is investigating American Airlines’ maintenance of MD-80s, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing preliminary agency findings that “have identified as many as 16 [AA MD-80s] that were operated for months despite allegedly substandard bulkhead repairs.”

Link to the original site

Related Reading:
New and Projected Aeronautical and Space Systems, Design Concepts, and Loads: Volume 1, Flight-Vehicle [...]

Aegean Airlines expects 2010 and 2011 to be “very difficult years,” but it is targeting growth “even in a tough environment” thanks to the Star Alliance membership expected to take effect next May, MD Dimitris Gerogiannis told ATWOnline last week.

Link to the original site

Related Reading:
New and Projected Aeronautical and Space Systems, Design Concepts, and Loads: [...]

BAA’s appeal against the March Competition Commission ruling ordering it to sell three of its seven UK airports (London Gatwick, Stansted and either Edinburgh or Glasgow International) within two years was launched yesterday at the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Link to the original site

Related Reading:
New and Projected Aeronautical and Space Systems, Design Concepts, and Loads: Volume 1, [...]