31 JAN 2008 _______________________________________ *West Jet plane makes emergency landing in Winnipeg *1 Killed in Indonesian Plane Accident *Airplane makes emergency landing at Grand Junction Regional Airport *JetBlue Announces Aviation University Gateway Program for Pilot Candidates *Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Fla. *************************************** West Jet plane makes emergency landing in Winnipeg A West Jet plane from Calgary to Toronto made an emergency landing in Winnipeg Wednesday night after the pilot radioed in with engine problems. “The plane landed without incident at 8:45 p.m.” Richardson International Airport spokeswoman Christine Alongi said. Airport emergency responder crews were called out on standby along with Winnipeg Fire Department engines until the plane landed safely. The pilot of West Jet Flight 158 made his landing request to the Winnipeg airport tower at 8:37 p.m. after spotting a low oil reading on the starboard engine, located on the right side of the 737 aircraft. Reports said 106 people were on board and there were no injuries. A West Jet spokesperson could not be reached to say if passengers and crew were to transfer to another plane to continue their trip last night. The flight was bound out of Calgary and was in the air when the engine problem was discovered. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/story/4117501p-4712548c.html *************** 1 Killed in Indonesian Plane Accident JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A small plane hit several people after skidding off the runway Wednesday in eastern Indonesia, killing at least one bystander, according to an official and a witness. One of 15 people on board the Twin Otter propeller aircraft was slightly hurt, and one man on the ground was taken to a hospital, said Stefanus Yudi, a witness. Sudarmadji, a regional airport head who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said one person in the crowd was killed when the plane plowed into it. A local district chief had been on the plane and was unhurt, Sudarmadji added. It was not immediately clear what caused the accident at the Sugapa Airport in Papua province, he said. ************** Airplane makes emergency landing at Grand Junction Regional Airport Grand Junction (KJCT)- An American Airlines 757 plane made an emergency landing in Grand Junction after 10 p.m. tonight. Flight #119 was on its way to Los Angeles from Newark, NJ.  Passengers told us there was "haze" in the plane and "a bad smell".  They said it did not look like smoke. A fire official says the smoke apparently came from a fire that started in the back of the plane. Grand Junction Fire Department, Grand Junction Police Department, and airport officials were on the scene and helped passengers exit the plane. The passengers waited in the airport to find out more details.  A passenger told KJCT that another plane was coming to take them to L.A. Check back with us soon for an update on this developing story. ************** NATCA Honors Two Congressmen With 'Sentinel Of Safety' Award Honors Reps. LoBiondo, DeFazio For Commitment To Safety The National Air Traffic Controllers Association honored Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) with its annual "Sentinel of Safety" award during each Congressman’s respective appearances Tuesday before more than 350 air traffic controllers gathered at NATCA’s annual legislative conference, "NATCA in Washington." The "Sentinel of Safety" Award was created as a way to honor a member of the aviation and legislative communities who has displayed outstanding achievement in the advancement of aviation safety. The award is open to all leaders of the aviation community, with a special emphasis on those whose leadership on aviation safety issues NATCA considers to be historic, aggressive and courageous. A former ranking member of the House Aviation Subcommittee and now a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee, Congressman DeFazio has dedicated himself to promoting efficiency and fairness for all users of the National Airspace System, according to the controllers union. Throughout his Congressional tenure, DeFazio has authored, co-sponsored and supported bills and initiatives calling for vast overhauls in the aviation system -- including his introduction of legislation that would amend Title 49 of the Federal Code, to provide an expanded collective bargaining process for FAA employees. "Congressman DeFazio has fought to ensure that the United States continues to operate the safest and most efficient aviation system in the world. He has been the voice of reason and integrity and a champion for aviation employees," said NATCA President Patrick Forrey. "Throughout his career, he has stood as a friend for NATCA, often times selflessly defending us from our sharpest critics. His pointed commentary during committee hearings and working sessions has always been spot on in its support of NATCA, our membership and most importantly, the flying public." Currently serving his seventh term in the US House, Congressman LoBiondo is also beginning his fourth year as the Co-Chair of the Republican Labor Caucus. In that role, NATCA states, he has been an outspoken leader on issues affecting the lives of working union members and their families. Most notably, the union says LoBiondo has championed NATCA's fight with the FAA for a new collective bargaining agreement. He has also co-sponsored legislation to improve aviation security after 9/11, supported beefed up and standardized training for aviation cabin crews, and voted to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. "As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (including the Aviation Subcommittee), Congressman LoBiondo has stood up time and again for NATCA, fighting with the FAA on our behalf for a fair contract and a positive work environment for our members," Forrey said. "For that great effort we owe him a debt of gratitude." FMI: www.natca.org, www.house.gov/lobiondo, www.defazio.house.gov/ aero-news.net ************** JetBlue Announces Aviation University Gateway Program for Pilot Candidates   Airline Partners With Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of North Dakota, and Cape Air to Fill Pilot Pipeline NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Award-winning JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announces the creation of the Aviation University Gateway, a career-planning and mentoring program designed to identify and recruit talented men and women into the professional pilot ranks. Through rigorous academic training and regional airline experience, the Aviation University Gateway creates a clearly defined career path for aspiring pilots, beginning early in an aviator's college career and culminating in the possibility of a final interview at a major airline. JetBlue is partnering with prestigious aviation programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of North Dakota to fill the Aviation University Gateway's pipeline with top-flight candidates who demonstrate exceptional potential as professional pilots. JetBlue is also partnering with Massachusetts-based Cape Air to be the program's first regional airline partner, giving Aviation University Gateway participants valuable flying experience prior to interviewing at JetBlue. "Since JetBlue's inception eight years ago, we have filled our cockpits with some of the airline world's finest pilots," said Dean Melonas, the airline's vice president of recruitment. "JetBlue remains a desirable choice among pilot candidates looking for an innovative and unique culture, strong growth opportunity, and competitive compensation. We are proud to be the first airline to provide the mentoring and structure for a student from early on in his or her university career, all the way through to the right seat of a JetBlue aircraft. We look forward to taking the mystery out of the pilot career path with the Aviation University Gateway program." "Cape Air is thrilled to be part of this exciting program," said Dave Bushy, Cape Air's chief operating officer. "Airlines like ours want to attract the best employees and pilots in their formative years. We feel that Cape Air can provide some of the finest aviation experience in the world, while also flying to some beautiful destinations. Here at Cape Air we believe this program is a homerun for the industry. We look forward to serving as the first of many regional partners for JetBlue in its Aviation University Gateway program." "We are extremely pleased to have been asked to join this program as a university partner," said Dr. Tim Brady, dean of the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "We are proud of our accredited aviation programs and know that JetBlue will gain many outstanding pilots through the Aviation University Gateway Program." The Aviation University Gateway path is open to Embry-Riddle or North Dakota students with high academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or above) and recommendations from their professors. It requires a successful series of interviews with JetBlue and a regional airline partner, as well as the continued enrollment in an Aviation Accreditation Board International (ABBI)-accredited aviation program. During the Gateway program, participants will intern at Cape Air (and eventually other regional airline partners) and then serve as an instructor at their respective flight school. Following that process, candidates will fly with Cape Air for at least two years and then be eligible for a final interview at JetBlue. New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers the most legroom throughout coach (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines). JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 53 cities with 550 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com. ************** Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Fla. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Smoke filled the cockpit of an American Airlines flight from Puerto Rico on Wednesday, forcing an emergency landing, an airport official said. Seven people — the pilot, co-pilot, three flight attendants and two passengers — were taken to a hospital, but none of the injuries was life-threatening, The Palm Beach Post reported. A windshield was also broken, but the reason was unclear. The plane had left San Juan for Philadelphia and landed safely at Palm Beach International Airport, said Casandra Davis, an airport spokeswoman. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. ****************