Monthly Archives: September 2012

Wichita Aero Club seeks nominations for annual trophy

Sept. 26, 20126:40 a.m.

The Wichita Aero Club is seeking nominations for the recipient of its annual trophy honoring someone who has made achievements and contributions in the field of aviation or aerospace with close ties to Wichita and Kansas.

The organization’s first honoree was Velma Wallace, philanthropist and widow of long-time Cessna leader Dwane Wallace. Wallace was followed by Spirit AeroSystems CEO Jeff Turner, who received last year’s trophy for outstanding performance during difficult economic times.

The trophy may be awarded to a living person, group or organization.

The recipient will be honored at a gala in January.

The selection committee includes members of the Wichita Aero Club’s board of directors and members of the aviation community.

Nominations are due by Oct. 15.

For more information, go to http://www.wichitaaeroclub.org/award/ or to http://www.wichitaaeroclub.org/content/upload/files/WACTrophyForm2012v2.pdf to download a nomination form.

 

 

By Molly McMillin | Filed under associations, aviation industry, general aviation | Comments Off

SPEEA recommends members at Boeing in Puget Sound reject contract offer

Sept. 18, 201210:58 a.m.

Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace negotiators are recommending that members of its professional and technical unit in Puget Sound reject Boeing’s offer of a labor contract.

SPEEA bargaining unit council members voted unanimously to recommend rejection.

The union says that the offer includes wage pools that are the lowest since 1975, and that the offer increases costs for medical benefits, changes retireee benefits and eliminates disability and life insurance benefits for those on military leave.

The union represents 23,000 professional and technical workers at Boeing in Puget Sound.

Votes will be counted Oct. 1. Members aren’t voting on whether to strike.

A strike vote could come later, the union said.

“A strong rejection of these contract offers will send a loud message to Boeing corporate leaders that they must return to negotiations ready to actually negotiate a contract that respects our contributions,” union leaders said in a statement.

 

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Boeing, unions | Comments Off

Traveling exhibit honoring Tuskegee Airmen coming to Collegiate, McConnell AFB

Sept. 13, 20126:35 a.m.

A traveling exhibit honoring Tuskegee Airmen will be on display at Wichita Collegiate School on Sept. 26 and 27 in advance of McConnell Air Force Base’s open house.

“Rise Above,” a 14-minute movie, focuses on what the Tuskegee Airmen overcame to be allowed to fly and fight during World War II.

The movie, which is free, will be shown inside a 53-foot customized trailer with expandable sides that holds a movie screen and seating for 30.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron. The movie is sponsored by the Texas Flying Legends Museum.

The exhibit, along with a restored red-tailed P-51C Mustang, will be on display during the McConnell open house, held Sept. 29 and 30.

 

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aviation industry | Comments Off

Gulfstream G550 receives South African type certificate; G280 earns FAA certification

Sept. 11, 20122:19 p.m.

Gulfstream Aerospace’s G550 large-cabin business jet has received type certification from South African Civil Aviation Authority, the latest of nearly 30 countries and regions that have certified the aircraft.

The news comes days after Gulfstream’s new G280 business jet earned type certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel.

The certificates verify the airworthiness of the airplane’s design and are among the final steps needed to deliver the jets to customers.

Deliveries of the G280 will begin before the end of the year.

Spirit AeroSystems builds the plane’s wings.

The G280 is a joint effort between Gulfstream and Israel Aerospace Industries.

Gulfstream introduced the G550 in 2000. It received type and production certificates from the FAA in 2003.

 

 

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, aviation industry, general aviation, Spirit AeroSystems | Comments Off

Embraer adds Phenom 300 to Florida assembly line

Sept. 11, 201210:53 a.m.

Brazil-based Embraer has added the Phenom 300 light aircraft to its assembly operation in Melbourne, Fla.

The first wing and fuselage arrived in late August.

The company currently produces the Phenom 100 at its Melbourne plant.

Embraer added the Phenom 300 to bring production closer to customers, officials said.

The Melbourne facility employs 233 people, including 160 assembly personnel.

Eventually, the assembly line will be able to produce eight planes per month.

The first Phenom 300 to come off the line is scheduled for delivery in March, one of more than 12 scheduled for production in Melbourne next year.

Embraer is also developing an engineering and technology center at the site, scheduled for completion next year.

It plans to add 200 employees at the center over the next five years.

By Molly McMillin | Filed under aircraft manufacturers, Embraer, general aviation | Comments Off

Forecast: Germany will need more than 1,000 new airplanes in next 20 years

Sept. 11, 201210:43 a.m.

Germany will need more than 1,000 new passenger planes and freighters valued at $148 billion at today’s list prices over the next 20 years, a new Airbus global market forecast said.

Demand will include 690 single-aisle planes, more than 230 twin-aisle medium to long-range jets and close to 100 very large aircraft, such as the Airbus A380, the forecast said.

The forecast comes as the Berlin Air Show opens at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport on Tuesday.

Hawker Beechcraft, meanwhile, announced its participation at the Berlin show, which runs through Sunday.

The company will have on display a King Air 250 and Baron G58.

Germany is the largest business aviation market in Europe, Hawker Beechcraft said. About 16 percent of the region’s business airplanes are based in the region.

The country will also be  the biggest market in Europe for passenger aircraft in the next 20 years, according to the Airbus forecast.

Its fleet is expected to nearly double over the next two decades.

Germany’s air travel has grown 45 percent from 2000 to 2011.

 

 

By Molly McMillin | Filed under Airbus, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, aviation industry, Boeing | Comments Off