Written by Sharon Vanhouwe - 600 Action News-Local First

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

The first students training to maintain aircraft will be entering a new program in Saskatoon in 2009. The program will be delivered by the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology and was made possible by a 2 point 75 million dollar donation from Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Rockwell Collins. Bill McKnight, head of the office of the Treaty Commissioner says the investment opens up a great opportunity for aboriginal youth. With the cash, the Indian Institute will establish a high school aircraft maintenance program that will be offered at Mount Royal as well as a diploma Aerospace Maintenance Engineering program. Resources have also been allocated to purchase equipment and create a new training site.

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According to Aviation Week (6/23, Warwick, Norris), JAL “is the fifth airline to announce a biofuel demonstration.” In addition to the previously mentioned airlines, “[l]ow-cost carrier JetBlue Airways…has partnered with Airbus, A320 engine supplier International Aero Engines and Honeywell process technology company UOP to develop and test sustainable biofuel, aiming for certification by 2013.” JAL also announced that “high fuel prices are forcing it to close down its 747-400 flight training base at Moses Lake in Washington.” The company “plans to begin phasing out passenger 747s in 2009,” and will not fly cargo-oriented 747s “in sufficient numbers to warrant a special flight training section.”

The AP (6/23) added that “JAL will use a biofuel mixed with kerosene in one of four engines on the jet, with the three remaining engines powered by ordinary jet fuel or kerosene.” The company “said it plans to use a new generation of biofuel made of non-edible materials to avoid using potential food sources.”

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Aude Lagorce at MarketWatch covers this story in more detail.

-Andy

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The eight-week program pairs teachers “with an industry mentor” and “augments his or her science and math skills by solving real-world problems.” The teachers are expected “to use the experience to stimulate student interest in math and science.”

This year, the fellowship “will focus on technical challenges associated with space-based programs…including satellite telecommunications, missiles, defense systems and other advanced technologies.”

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The Nehru College Educational and Charitable Trust was established in 1968, with the primary objective of rendering selfless, dedicated and yeomen service to the cause of higher education initially in the filed of Aeronautical Engineering and subsequently in the field of other Engineering branches, Management, Arts & Sciences and Para-Medical Courses.

The Trust was the pioneer one to introduce Aeronautical Engineering studies in the South. Naturally college of Aeronautical Science & Technologies have all the advanced facilities and dedicated faculty in this branch.

Degree options include B.Sc. Aeronautical, Aircraft Maintenance Science and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.

The Campus is equipped with 8 Aircrafts for practical training with all other Indian & imported equipments.

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The Aeroplane, June 21, 1922

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In a front-page story, the Wall Street Journal (6/16, A1, Michaels, subscription required) reports that Lufthansa “has a unique sideline [business] rebuilding and flying antique aircraft,” which includes $400-per-ticket flights on a 1936 Junkers-52 and, in 2010, flights on a Lockheed 1649A Super Constellation “Starliner.”

The company purchased three of the aircraft last year, which will be used to create one functional aircraft. The Journal article details the history of Lufthansa’s Starliner use from the 1950’s through the 1970’s, including the amenities offered and common mechanical issues encountered while flying the aircraft.

In the rebuilt model, “Lufthansa will install modern flight controls,” as well as modern digital safety systems and seat belts. The Journal notes, “Once, many carriers maintained their antiques to show off, but years of financial pressure have put an end to most of that.” In the case of Lufthansa, the company “can afford its costly projects partly because active and retired employees volunteer to reconstruct, maintain and fly the old planes.”

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Deliveries are sought from early 2009, with a formal request for proposals expected very soon. The air force’s selection of the T-6A follows a long-running evaluation process, and comes as the service has launched the first steps to shift training activities from the Zukit due to its growing maintenance costs.

The service last month began to conduct some flight academy “combat check” sorties using its Grob G120AI basic trainers, although the Zukit will also support this task - during which cadets perform aerobatic manoeuvres to determine whether they will be streamed on to combat aircraft - over the coming year to ensure that the switch does not affect the quality of its sorting process.

In addition to providing students with access to a modern aircraft using advanced avionics equipment, Israel’s introduction of the T-6A will also cut its fuel consumption by 66%, according to the DSCA. The formerly Raytheon T-6A is already in service with the Greek air force, the Bombardier-run NATO Flying Training in Canada system and provides the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System for the US Air Force and US Navy.

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Interesting coverage here from our friends across the Pond (BBC News) regarding FAA air control staffing.

-Andy

The US Federal Aviation Administration has hired so many new air traffic controllers that it cannot train them efficiently, according to a report.

It has exceeded its own quotas for inexperienced staff at more than 20% of its facilities, the US Transportation Department’s inspector general said.

It found the FAA had underestimated how many controllers would retire or leave, leading to a surge in hiring trainees.

The FAA has accepted most of the report’s recommendations.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told Reuters news agency that there had been other occasions over the years when the percentage of controllers in training went up.

“We’ve been able to maintain a safe system,” she said.

It can take up to three years before new recruits and controllers transferred from other control towers are fully trained to cover all positions at a facility.

Confusion

The inspector general’s report said that the FAA had taken on so many new staff that it had exceeded its own maximum trainee quota at 22% of its 314 air traffic control facilities.

The FAA says that each facility can accommodate up to 35% inexperienced controllers while still operating effectively and training the new staff.

The inspector general found that 52% of controllers were inexperienced at one New Jersey control tower last December.

The report also found confusion within the FAA over who was responsible for hiring and training employees and errors in its training database.

“Facility managers, training managers and even headquarters officials were unable to tell us who or what office was ultimately responsible for facility training,” the report said.

The FAA had proposed strengthening controller training protocols in 2004 but never followed through on the policy, the inspector general found.

The US House of Representatives is due to hold a hearing on Wednesday on air traffic controller staffing.

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