Flight Safety Information November 16, 2016 - No. 228 In This Issue GA Loss of Control Stays on NTSB's 'Most Wanted' List China's business aviation coming of age: NBAA president New York Area Has the Nation's 3 Worst Airports, Study Says Lasers striking, disorienting pilots over Central Texas Austrian Airlines to recruit 100 new pilots in 2017 Chinese airlines offering foreign pilots $300,000 tax free to fly for them O'Hare passengers who fled burning jet sue American Airlines, manufacturers Sun Flyer Prototype Begins Power-on Tests This Slick Jet Could Repave the Way for Commercial Supersonic Flight Russia's Smokey Carrier Loses Fighter Jet on First Day of Operations Boeing shares fall as United Airlines defers $5 bln order Airbus: China will need almost 6,000 new aircraft in the next 20 years Aircraft firm to set up £8.5m centre of excellence at Glasgow Prestwick Airport GA Loss of Control Stays on NTSB's 'Most Wanted' List The U.S. NTSB is keeping in-flight loss of control (LOC-I) in general aviation on its "Most Wanted" list of transportation safety improvements for the third year in a row. The Safety Board, which yesterday released its list for the 2017 to 2018 time frame, re-emphasized a number of themes from previous lists, including fatigue, distractions, medical fitness and substance impairments. In retaining LOC-I on the list, the NTSB noted that data between 2008 and 2014 confirms that LOC-I "continues to be the biggest killer in general aviation," accounting for nearly half of fatal fixed-wing general aviation accidents. The accidents resulted in 1,194 fatalities, the Safety Board added. The NTSB pointed to multiple reasons for LOC-I, such as pilot distraction, loss of situational awareness or weather, but said the most common type involves a stall. "Stalls may happen because a pilot lacks understanding about how a stall actually relates to exceeding a wing's critical angle of attack as opposed to the more common idea that it's just related to airspeed," the NTSB said. "When airplanes are close to the ground, such as in a landing pattern, there is limited time and altitude available to recover from a stall or spin, making these stalls particularly deadly." The Board cited as an example the Nov. 10, 2015 crash of a Hawker 700A while on a non- precision approach to Akron Fulton International Airportand pointed to the crew's mishandling of the approach in the probable cause. "Although LOC happens in all phases of flight, approach to landing, maneuvering and initial climb are, statistically, the deadliest phases of flight for LOC accidents," the Safety Board said. "To prevent unintended departures from flight and better manage stalls, pilots need more training and a better awareness of the technologies that can help prevent these tragedies." "General aviation has seen enormous gains in terms of safety in recent years," said AOPA senior v-p of the Air Safety Institute George Perry, noting that the fatal accident rate has dropped from 1.73 per 100,000 flight hours in 1994 to 0.89 in 2015. But, Perry added, "Even more progress can be made by allowing pilots to install modern and proven safety enhancing equipment in aircraft." Regulations governing the process for equipping aircraft with new technology can stifle modernization, he said. He added that the association also is continuing to find innovations to improve pilot training. "With access to the latest technologies in the cockpit and future training improvements, we hope pilots will benefit and continue to make gains in aviation safety," Perry concluded. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2016-11-15/ga-loss-control- stays-ntsbs-most-wanted-list Back to Top China's business aviation coming of age: NBAA president BEIJING - Business aviation in China is "moving beyond infancy" as the greater aviation market continues to flourish, said the president of the US National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). "The business aviation industry in China has been evolving in positive ways, despite a slowdown in its growth rate," Ed Bolen said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. China's business aviation fleet numbered about 300 last year. While this was up about 5 percent year on year, growth was much slower than the consecutive year-on-year double- digit expansion before 2014. The fleet of business aviation aircraft, or corporate aircraft, were estimated to 18,000 in the United States. Bolen said the numbers don't represent the whole picture, but they are good indicators of the industry and market. The business aviation sector in China has been constantly growing, with the fleet expanding and flight hours increasing. "Starting from zero, it is a quite young and new industry in China. Alongside the fleet base increase, it's natural to see a declining annual increase rate over the years," he said. Business aviation began in China in the mid-1990s when the country's first business aviation charter service was launched by Deer Jet, an arm of Hainan Airlines Group. In 2004, China's first private aircraft was purchased by an entrepreneur in the chemical fiber business. Around 2010, the industry started to take off as Chinese executives realized how charter flights could save time getting around the vast country and expanding abroad like their foreign peers. "Global aviation insiders were astonished at the year-on-year two-digit increases in China's business aviation fleet. China was on my global travel list," said Bolen. However, business aviation has also raised popular ire in some quarters with users accused of flaunting their wealth or entertaining government officials with "hidden bribery". Bolen noticed how the nouveau-rich once preferred to show off in new long-range, wide- body aircraft. "However, positive changes have been seen since the sector was affected by the global economic slowdown and the Chinese government's anti-corruption campaign," said Bolen. "China's business aviation is evolving in multiple positive ways, in both the customer and government sides." He said that China's business aviation fleet is multi-dimensional with various types of aircraft suited for different purposes. Customers are more rational and practical in selecting private and charter aircraft. "In some remote areas in China's massive western regions, more and more small turboprop planes are shuttling around cities, mines or engineering facilities with the management or technical team aboard. Chinese companies are running their businesses like their foreign peers, with airplanes as efficient tools," said Bolen. Some Chinese entrepreneurs are considering more cost-effective second-hand aircraft, while some require in-flight WiFi to make the aircraft an office or meeting room in the air. "We are encouraged to see the Chinese authorities have realized the importance of general aviation, with business aviation as a crucial part," said Bolen. "They are opening up low-altitude airspace, have more efficient flight approval procedures, more airports to take off and land at, and more rules and safeguards so the industry can grow," he added. Like most industry insiders, he is confident in the future of China's business aviation, despite it being particularly sensitive to the nation's economic vitality and policy environment. "Business aviation is a good industry. Like a 'time machine', business aircraft speed progress for Chinese business people and bring the nation closer to the world," Bolen said. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2016-11/16/content_27395710.htm Back to Top New York Area Has the Nation's 3 Worst Airports, Study Says Delayed plane passengers at La Guardia Airport in Queens in 2014. Credit Joshua Lott/Reuters Those who fly to or from New York are fully accustomed to long security lines, labyrinthine paths to the terminal, flight delays, cancellations and other unpleasant happenings, not to mention the arduous or expensive journey to the airport itself. According to a study by The Points Guy, a travel publication, those customers have the right to complain. The three New York-area airports are the three worst among the nation's 30 busiest airports, based on a study that considered timeliness, accessibility and amenities. La Guardia Airport, famously described by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2014 as akin to what one would find "in a third world country," ranked as the worst. Right behind it were John F. Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International. "People don't realize what we have is a lot worse than what other people deal with," said Brian Kelly, a New Yorker and the founder and chief executive of The Points Guy. The list of faults at the New York-area airports was long. La Guardia had the highest rate of flight delays and cancellations, the second-longest drive time to the center of the city and steep parking rates. J.F.K. had the longest drive time - over an hour - and the longest waits to get through security. Newark was dinged for a long drive time and "lackluster ratings across the board." The best airport in the rankings was the one in Phoenix, which received high marks for reliability, convenient light rail, food options and free Wi-Fi. It's not a sleek airport, Mr. Kelly said, but it was consistently good across the board. The rankings were weighted most heavily toward timeliness, with 50 percent of the rating measuring performance in flight delays, cancellations and wait times at security. The study also considered public transportation options, how long it takes to get to the city center, Wi-Fi fees, parking rates and the availability of restaurants and lounges. It used data from a variety of sources, including government statistics, market research firms, airport websites and Google Maps. Phoenix was followed in the top 10 by the airports in Portland, Ore., San Diego, Salt Lake City, Honolulu, Seattle-Tacoma, Philadelphia, Charlotte, N.C., Las Vegas and Minneapolis- St. Paul. At the bottom of the list, the New York airports finished dead last, below Chicago O'Hare International, Detroit Metro, Orlando International, Washington Dulles International, Denver International, Los Angeles International, Houston George Bush Intercontinental and Miami International. Few people disagreed with Mr. Biden's bleak assessment of La Guardia. In July, Mr. Biden and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York announced an $8 billion overhaul of the airport that will essentially tear it down and replace it by 2021. The plan calls for a rail link between the airport and a subway station in the Willets Point section of Queens, along with re-establishing ferry service to the airport. A spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the three airports, declined to comment on the study and referred questions to the Federal Aviation Administration. The Port Authority plans a runway reconstruction at J.F.K. in 2017 and 2018 that it hopes will increase capacity, according to the F.A.A. In April, the Federal Aviation Administration said analysis showed "significant improvements in on-time performance and delay metrics during peak periods of demand" at Newark. The F.A.A. said it was making changes in Newark that would allow "more efficient use of the airport terminal and runway capacity" as of Oct. 30. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/04/business/new-york-area-has-the-nations-3-worst- airports-study-says.html?_r=0 Back to Top Lasers striking, disorienting pilots over Central Texas The FAA reports more than two dozen laser strikes on pilots so far this year in Austin. One of those strikes resulted in an eye injury. (Photo credit: Austin Police Department) Pilots flying over Central Texas continue to be struck by lasers. The FBI has made a major push to end the strikes. In 2014, it even offered rewards for tips leading to arrests. Despite that, The FAA reports more than two dozen strikes so far this year in Austin. One of those strikes resulted in an eye injury. In 2015, there were more than three dozen strikes. Being struck by a laser can cause disorientation and temporary blindness. Sergeant Ben Dranguet flys helicopters for the Austin Police Department. He and his team catch criminals from hundreds of feet above. "We can search fields in a matter of minutes," said Sgt. Dranguet. "You name it, we do it. " Sgt. Dranguet said laser strikes are not uncommon. He has been hit several times. He said because the cockpit is made of mostly glass, the green bolt of light reflects throughout the cockpit. "The laser actually bounces throughout the cockpit," said Sgt. Dranguet. Dranguet said the danger is when it bounces and hits someone's eye. The light can render that pilot or crew member blind for seconds or minutes. "Airliners are carrying hundreds of people and if something were to happen to the crew, not only are the people in the plane in danger, but the people on the ground are in danger," said Sgt. Dranguet. Draguet said he and his crew use night vision goggles as a first line of defense, but it is not a real solution. An optic in the goggles helps stop the laser, but in the process, the goggles are often damaged -- and they cost several thousand dollars to replace. Draguet and his team are tasked with trying to track down the people who use the lasers. In 2014, a man was arrested and federally prosecuted for shining a laser into Draguet's cockpit. Gabriel Soza Ruedas was arrested and sentenced to 2 years in prison. He could have faced up to five. The laser pointers don't have to be big or strong to be dangerous. A laser costing less than $10 from major retailers like Walmart or Home Depot could temporarily blind someone. APD and the FBI ask parents to warn their children about the law and the risks associated with pointing lasers in the sky. http://keyetv.com/news/local/lasers-striking-disorienting-pilots-over-central-texas Back to Top Austrian Airlines to recruit 100 new pilots in 2017 Lufthansa Group subsidiary Austrian Airlines will recruit 100 new pilots without flight experience in 2017, and will train them in the European Flight Academy. According to Austrian, the additional need for young pilots is related to the retraining drive triggered by the integration of 17 Embraer E195s to replace 21 Fokker 70/100s, as well as the expansion of the fleet by two Airbus A320 (by the end of 2016) and one Boeing 777-200ER, which is scheduled for deployment from the 2018 summer flight schedule. Austrian will have hired 145 new pilots before the end of 2016. "In 2017, Austrian will recruit applicants on the market who not possess any flight experience, and will train them from scratch," Austrian Airlines accountable manager Jens Ritter said in a statement. "We will be able to give the go-ahead for the European Flight Academy, the new flight school for the Lufthansa Group, where future pilots will commence their basic flight instruction." By the end of 2016, the Star Alliance member will employ about 1,100 pilots. http://atwonline.com/labor/austrian-airlines-recruit-100-new-pilots-2017 Back to Top Chinese airlines offering foreign pilots $300,000 tax free to fly for them HONG KONG - Chinese airlines are offering huge pay packages to tempt foreign pilots as demand for air travel skyrockets. Some carriers are advertising salaries of more than $300,000 a year - and they say they'll cover the tax bill, too. "There's not enough pilots in the world to fill the demand," said Dave Ross, the CEO of Wasinc International, a firm that finds pilots for Chinese airlines. "This is why the pay keeps going higher." China will need between 4,000 and 5,000 new airline pilots every year for the next two decades, analysts estimate. Chinese airlines are among the fastest growing on the planet - at home and abroad - and they're the biggest buyers of jetliners from Airbus and Boeing. Training schools in China aren't churning out enough pilots to keep up with the industry's meteoric growth, and there's an acute shortage of experienced captains. The airlines' rich offers have attracted industry veterans from all around the globe. "Before I was flying anywhere from 80-100 hours a month. Here, I only fly 50 for pretty much three times the pay," said Jeff Graham. He left a job with cargo airline Southern Air in San Antonio, Texas, last year to work for a carrier in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. For Fernando, a former captain for a top Mexican airline, the economics of moving to China were even more compelling. He says he's set to make five or six times as much money at a carrier in the city of Chengdu. "There were a couple of other options in Asia, but the pay - the best rate now - is in China," said Fernando, who declined to be identified by his full name because he didn't have permission from the airline to speak publicly. He and his wife moved to Chengdu in August, and he recently finished his training. Western pilots have long chased the financial incentives that come with hot demand for their skills and experience. Veteran aviators who once flew for U.S. and European airlines upped sticks previously for Middle Eastern carriers. Some of those same pilots are now headed from Dubai to China, according to one Boeing 777 pilot who has followed the money east. Multiple ads from Chinese airlines on recruitment sites like Wasinc offer monthly salaries of more than $25,000 (with tax paid) for captains. One from Chengdu Airlines boasts that it offers the "highest pay in China" at $25,800 a month with a $36,000 bonus for completing a three-year contract. "In China, pilots are always in short supply," said Guo Jing, a spokesperson for the airline. "And we offer high salaries because if we don't, nobody will come." The sums Chengdu and others are willing to pay compare with an average monthly salary of $17,400 for the most senior pilots at major U.S. carriers like United and Delta, according to aviation consultancy Kit Darby. Some top U.S. airlines have recently granted big pay raises as part of new labor agreements, and others are under pressure to do the same. Pilots at some regional carriers can earn less than $25,000 per year, according to the Air Line Pilots Association, International. Low pay and changes in rules governing pilot flight hours have caused an acute pilot shortage among those smaller carriers in the U.S. Graham says it would have taken him "another 10 or 15 years" in the U.S. to match what he makes now in China. Despite the head-turning sums, Chinese airlines are still struggling to find enough foreign pilots to match their shiny new jet fleets. "Their view is, 'We're paying very good money, keep sending us more candidates,'" said Liz Loveridge, North East Asia director for Rishworth Aviation, which recruits pilots. "But we may have a limited number of candidates who will be interested." Issues such as China's heavy bureaucracy and nasty pollution have prompted some potential candidates to think twice, according to recruiters. And it can be a long haul from being offered a job to getting the first pay check. The process of getting a Chinese pilot's license - from putting in the application, traveling to China for a written test and exhaustive medical evaluations, and then returning once more for a test flight - took Graham about a year, he says. Such hurdles test how much foreign pilots are willing to go through to land fat salaries in China. "If you're coming here strictly for a pay check, you're probably not going to be here very long," said Doug Ward, an American who's been flying planes in China for more than seven years. He also acts as a representative for the pilots Wasinc has recruited. Both he and Graham say they've enjoyed the experience of living in a different culture and the broader horizons it offers for their children. "We've only been here a year, but if it continues with this path, I'd like to stay as long as I could," Graham said. "I wouldn't mind staying 10 to 12 years." http://q13fox.com/2016/11/15/chinese-airlines-offering-foreign-pilots-300000-tax-free- to-fly-for-them/ Back to Top O'Hare passengers who fled burning jet sue American Airlines, manufacturers The right wing of an American Airlines 767 was charred after an engine part shattered and ignited the plane Oct. 28. Eighteen passengers who escaped an engine fire aboard an American Airlines 767 jet at O'Hare International Airport last month have sued the manufacturers and the carrier. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County court Monday, claims a jet engine part built by GE Aviation Systems was defective, dangerous and caused a "catastrophic failure." The lawsuit also names American Airlines and Boeing Co. Nine crew members and 161 passengers evacuated the plane, which was about to depart from O'Hare, with just minor injuries. Experts say the situation could have been much worse. A steel-alloy engine disk fractured into four pieces just before takeoff, National Transportation Safety Board investigators said. One section pierced the right wing, where fuel tanks are located, and ignited a fire. Attorneys with the Geneva-based Wisner Law Firm said Boeing and GE negligently assembled the aircraft and failed to give proper instructions about maintenance and inspections. The lawsuit also blamed the airliner for neglecting to maintain and inspect the plane, and for failing to give proper instructions on opening the emergency doors and evacuation slide. "We're proud of our pilots, flight attendants and other team members who responded quickly to take care of our customers under very challenging circumstances," American spokeswoman Leslie Scott said. "American is actively participating in the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation and will continue to work with the NTSB and the other parties." Passengers suffered "personal and bodily injuries both physical and psychological in nature" that will cause future pain and emotional distress, the lawsuit stated. The engine disk, which helps power the GE CF6 engine, exhibited signs of fatigue cracks, the NTSB reported. The disk "had 10,984 cycles and had a life limit of 15,000 cycles." The GE CF6 engine has been described as a reliable workhorse by independent experts and the manufacturer. "The American Airlines engine event is still in the early stages of the investigation which makes it too early for GE to comment," spokesman Rick Kennedy said. Boeing officials said they did not comment on pending litigation. Aviation attorney Floyd Wisner said in an earlier statement that "there are facts that may indicate a potentially recurring problem with GE engines." He noted the Oct. 28 occurrence was the third GE engine failure in little over a year that was "uncontained," in which engine parts fly out from covers. The lawsuit says the engine was made with defective material and couldn't stand up to heat stress. The GE disk is attached to a rotating shaft and holds turbine blades that move air. The part was well within its life limit but may have developed a fatigue crack as a result of a tiny imperfection, excess temperatures or other reasons, aeronautics experts said. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161115/news/161119342/ Back to Top Sun Flyer Prototype Begins Power-on Tests George Bye to Speak Nov. 17 at IDTechEx Show in Santa Clara, California Denver, Colorado - Nov. 15, 2016 - Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. (AEAC), the developer of the solar-electric "Sun Flyer" flight trainer, announced that power-on tests on the prototype Sun Flyer began in October. "We are thrilled to reach this significant milestone," said George Bye, CEO of AEAC. "The rigorous process of ground testing has commenced." The prototype Sun Flyer has completed a preliminary review and inspection, and has also received its temporary registration from the FAA. Following recent completion of operational test readiness reviews with the engineering team, the airplane is to begin the next stage of tests including ground, taxi and pre-flight tests. The 2-seat aircraft was unveiled to the public in mid-May and was displayed during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 in late July. Charlie Johnson, AEAC President and the former President of Cessna, is a strong proponent of electric propulsion for general aviation. "We have been preparing for the power-on tests for months, taking extraordinary precautions to develop comprehensive checklists and safety protocols," he said. Sun Flyer is intended to be the first FAA-certified, U.S.-sponsored, practical, all-electric airplane to serve the flight training and general aviation markets. It features a low operating cost, low aircraft unit cost, low noise and the elimination of exhaust pollutants. Electric energy, or "fuel," cost for Sun Flyer is multiples lower compared to the per-hour cost for piston-engine leaded avgas. Bye will present and update the Sun Flyer program on Thursday, Nov. 17, as part of the IDTechEx Show in Santa Clara. He will speak at 9:45 a.m. local time in the Great America Ballroom Track 8. For more information, go to http://www.idtechex.com/usa2016/show/en/. About Aero Electric aircraft corp. AEAC is developing Sun Flyer, the first FAA-certified U.S.-sponsored, practical, all-electric airplane serving general aviation and the aviation flight training market. For more information, go to www.SunFlyer.com. -###- Diane Simard Sr. Vice President/Director/Media Relations Bye Aerospace Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. DSimard@ByeAerospace.com Direct: (303) 817-7676 Back to Top This Slick Jet Could Repave the Way for Commercial Supersonic Flight Boom Technology releases details about their two-seater demonstrator aircraft-the first privately-built supersonic jet. More than a decade after the Concorde was retired, we finally seem poised to achieve commercial supersonic flight once again. Boom Technology, an aerospace company based out of the Denver area, just revealed the engineering design information for their XB-1 demonstrator aircraft-a two-seater supersonic jet that will serve as a one-third scale test aircraft to ultimately develop a 45- to 55-person passenger aircraft capable of achieving a cruise speed of Mach 2.2, or 1,450 mph. The XB-1 demonstrator design is the result of over 1,000 virtual wind tunnel tests to develop the flight controls and avionics. The airframe itself is currently under construction, and Boom hopes to achieve first flight by the end of 2017. The full-scale passenger aircraft that you could purchase a ticket on is slated to enter service by 2023. Boom Technology "60 years after the dawn of the jet age, we're still flying at 1960s speeds," said Blake Scholl, CEO and founder of Boom, in a press release. "Concorde's designers didn't have the technology for affordable supersonic travel, but now we do. Today, we're proud to unveil our first aircraft as we look forward to first flight late next year." Could Boom Be the Next Concorde? When the XB-1 takes to the skies, it will be the first independently-developed and privately-funded supersonic aircraft ever built. Boom has been able to make such large strides in a short period of time thanks to the extensive experience of their small engineering team, which includes aerospace and propulsion experts from NASA, SpaceX, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites, among others. And in addition to a stellar team of engineers, Boom Technology has Richard Branson's Virgin Group backing them with both funding and engineering support. "Virgin Galactic's decision to work with Boom was an easy one. We're excited to have an option on Boom's first 10 airframes," said Branson. "Through Virgin Galactic's manufacturing arm, The Spaceship Company, we will provide engineering and manufacturing services, along with flight test support and operations as part of our shared ambitions." Concept image of Boom Technology's XB-1 demonstrator. Boom Technology The XB-1 will be powered by three General Electric J85-21 turbofans, the same engine in the T-38 Talon trainer aircraft used by the military to train fighter pilots. The demonstrator will have some similarities to a two-seater military trainer, though at 68 feet long, it will be more catered to stable cruise flight, rather than air maneuverability. The XB-1 frame will incorporate lightweight, heat-resistant composite materials that Boom is planning to use on the full-scale aircraft as well. The chine fuselage and delta-wing design will allow the XB-1 and the ultimate passenger plane to achieve supersonic speeds without the need for afterburning turbofans, resulting in more efficient flight. One of the GE J85-21, non-afterburning turbofans that will be used on Boom's XB-1 demonstrator. Boom Technology Subsonic test flights for the XB-1 will be conducted by Boom at airfields east of Denver, and supersonic testing will take place at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. If the XB-1 hits Mach 2.2 before 2017 is out, we will be well on our way to an honest-to-god three-hour flight from New York to London, cruising up at 60,000 feet. "You'll be able to see the curvature of the Earth. The sky is going to be a deeper blue," says Scholl. "And we're going to give you big windows so you can enjoy that." http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/a23892/boom-demonstrator-jet-commercial- supersonic-flight/ Back to Top Russia's Smokey Carrier Loses Fighter Jet on First Day of Operations The pilot was safely recovered. The Russian carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, whose long voyage from Northern Russia to the coast of Syria was the subject of intense international scrutiny earlier this month, has lost a fighter plane on the very first day of combat operations. The unnamed pilot ejected and was picked up by Russian search and rescue forces. US Naval Institute News says the downed fighter was part of the 100th Independent Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment and one of four MiG-29KUBR fighters onboard the Kuznetsov. The MiG-29KUBR is a two seat aircraft, but it appears there was only one crewman aboard when it went down. The fighter was on approach to land on the carrier and two kilometers away when there was a "technical fault." A search and rescue helicopter located the pilot and rescued him. According to The Aviationist, the MiG was accompanied by two other fighters, one of which went on to land on Kuznetsov and the second landed at a friendly airbase in Syria. MiG-29K. Via Wikipedia Commons. The loss of the MiG represents a six percent loss of airpower for the Kuzetsov, which was supposedly loaded with fifteen fighters of all types, including four MiG-29KUBRs, Su-33 air superiority fighters, and Su-25UTG ground attack aircraft. A U.S. Navy carrier, by contrast, carries 44 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighters. The loss of a fighter on the first day of operations is the latest embarrassment for the Kuznetsov task force, which was seen billowing black smoke on its voyage and was accompanied by a tugboat in case the carrier broke down. The ship was also denied entry in Spanish territory and Malta over concerns that it would contribute to the bombing of the Syrian city of Aleppo. Mig-29s were indeed allegedly seen over Aleppo the day the fighter crashed but it's not known if these were from Kuznetsov or were from the Russian Aerospace Forces based in Syria itself. http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a23883/russian-carrier-loses- fighter-jet/ Back to Top Boeing shares fall as United Airlines defers $5 bln order SEATTLE/BANGALORE, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Boeing Co shares fell on Tuesday after United Continental Holdings said it will defer jetliner orders worth nearly $5 billion as part of a cost-saving drive. The airline's decision affects Boeing's 737 jet, one of its biggest moneymakers, and raised some fears that Boeing may not lift 737 production as planned and could miss financial targets. The world's biggest plane maker said United's move would have no impact on production. United, the No. 3 U.S. airline by passengers, said it will convert orders for 61 Boeing 737- 700 planes due to be delivered in the next two years into the newer 737 MAX model, but that it was still deciding on which size MAX planes to order and when they would be delivered, creating uncertainty for Boeing investors. United also will convert orders for four 737-700s to larger 737-800s due for delivery in 2017. Boeing shares fell 1.8 percent in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange and were last down 1.6 percent at $147.56. United shares rose 3.4 percent to $65.08. "We don't know when are they (the MAXs) going to come but they are going to come as 737 MAX, most likely MAX 8 or 9s," United Chief Financial Officer Andrew Levy said on a conference call with analysts. "The reason we are doing this primarily is because we just don't need these airplanes right now." BOEING STICKS TO PLAN Boeing said United's move would not alter its planned increases in 737 production rates and stressed it continues to have orders for more 737s than it can produce. Boeing will keep the 737-700s on its books until United finalizes the MAX order. United's orders "will switch over to MAXs on the order book when (the order is) finalized," Boeing spokesman Doug Alder said. Boeing's 737 order backlog of 4,321 airplanes "gives us the flexibility to meet those needs." Boeing affirmed recent comments by Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg that 737 output will rise to 57 a month in 2019 from 42 a month currently with interim steps to 47 and 52 a month. "Importantly, even at the 57 per month rate, we continue to be oversold," Muilenburg had said on Oct. 26. Some analysts said United's decision would only reduce the number of oversold jets, with no impact on output. But others worried that converting 61 current-generation orders to MAX orders implied a production delay. Boeing's factory is phasing out current generation 737s as it switches to the MAX, which is due to enter service next year. "It looks like 737 output will not grow as planned," said Richard Aboulafia, aerospace analyst at the Teal Group in Virginia. Boeing is already cutting production of the 777, its other cash cow, and 787 output is due to remain steady. Hitting 52 a month "seems to be a slam dunk," Russ Solomon, analyst at Moody's Investors Service, said of Boeing's rate increases. But reaching 57 a month "remains more of a question mark." He said Boeing is supposed to begin generating more cash from 787 production starting next year. Moody's was not altering its rating on Boeing. "They actually have a bit of a 'rich' problem" on 737s, Solomon said. "They probably cannot deliver all of the planes they have committed to near term." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-shares-fall-united-airlines-173523707.html Back to Top Airbus: China will need almost 6,000 new aircraft in the next 20 years China will become the lead country for passenger air traffic, for both domestic and international markets. Airbus (Toulouse, France) forecasts that China will need nearly 6,000 new passenger aircraft and freighters from 2016 to 2035, with a total market value of $945 billion. It represents 18 percent of the world total demand for over 33,000 new aircraft in the next 20 years. According to Airbus' 2016-2035 Global Market Forecast, new deliveries of passenger and freight aircraft for China will be 5,970 over the next 20 years, including 4,230 single aisle aircraft, and 1,740 wide-body aircraft. China will become the lead country for passenger air traffic, for both domestic and international markets as the passenger traffic in China will grow well above the world average, forecast to grow at 6.8% over the next 20 years, and will be the focal point for five of the top twenty traffic flows worldwide. With aviation continuing to prove an extremely efficient way to move people and goods around the country, domestic air traffic in China will become the world's number one traffic flow growing over three times from today's already impressive levels. Flows between China and the USA, Europe and Asia are expected to be amongst the fastest growing globally, with average annual growth rates 6.8%, 5.3% and 6.7% respectively. Between 2015 and 2035, the average annual growth rate for all international traffic from/to mainland China is forecast to be 6.7 per cent. "Domestic passenger traffic in Mainland China has quadrupled over the last 10 years, and is set to become the world's number one aviation market," says John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. "Airbus' share of the in-service fleet of aircraft over 100 seats on the Chinese mainland stands at 50%, with 55% of the Chinese widebody fleet today Airbus aircraft. In the next 20 years, the greatest demand for passenger aircraft will come from China." he added. By 2035, the propensity for the Chinese population to fly will grow from 0.3 trips per capita today, to 1.3, a higher level than the whole of Europe's propensity to fly today. This will be driven by economic factors such as growing wealth and growing private consumption, which today contributes 36% to the Chinese economy and by 2035, is expected to have grown 7.1% per annum to account for 50%. These developments combined with agreements to ease travel between China and other major markets have meant for example that Chinese outbound tourism is now double that of inbound, with over 100 million outbound tourists reported. http://www.compositesworld.com/news/aribus-china-will-need-almost-6000-new-aircraft- in-the-next-20-years Back to Top Aircraft firm to set up £8.5m centre of excellence at Glasgow Prestwick Airport An aircraft maintenance firm is bringing £8.5 million in investment to Glasgow Prestwick Airport . Chevron Aircraft Maintenance says it will establish a "world-class centre of excellence" for aircraft engineering, maintenance and training at the South Ayrshire airport. It will create up to 82 jobs, 67 of which are highly-specialised and skilled positions. The Manchester-based company expects to increase turnover from £9.6 million this year to £19 million by 2021. Holyrood Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: "The company's investment, which is being supported by our economic development agency Scottish Enterprise, underlines their commitment to Scotland and is great news for the local Ayrshire economy. "This development will bring many new and highly-skilled jobs to the Prestwick area. I wish the team every success with the new venture and look forward to hearing of their achievements." After a tour of hangar 747, where Chevron is now located at the airport, Mr Brown met project engineer Simon Yeardley, who is originally from Ayrshire and has worked in England since 2012. Supported by a regional selective assistance grant of £2 million from Scottish Enterprise, the project, which will be operational early in 2017, follows increased customer and market demand. The airport provides a large space for the firm's line maintenance support operations, including a maintenance and overhaul facility, a training school, an aircraft decommissioning site and on-site office and workshop. Neil Morris, managing director of Chevron Aircraft Maintenance, said: "The airport is in an excellent location at the midway point of the Great Circle Route making it a convenient stop-off point for the many aircraft that have existing flight planning over the airport. "The facility will enable the Chevron group to handle a large range of aircraft and we hope that we can offer additional benefits to Glasgow Prestwick's existing customer base across passenger, cargo, military, executive and general aviation." Glasgow Prestwick Airport chief executive officer Ron Smith said: "Chevron will bring in additional revenue for us through this lease but we also hope that this will provide us with an additional selling point for passenger and cargo airlines, and other aviation customers including executive, military and general aviation to operate services to and from Glasgow Prestwick Airport." http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/news/aircraft-firm-to-set-up-85m-centre-of- excellence-at-glasgow-prestwick-airport-35219396.html Curt Lewis