Nflyers Pilots Network Blog

Introducing Iran’s Newest Attack Helos, Wait a Second…

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Sicilia) — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:00:16 +0000

Continuing it’s tradition of reverse engineering and fabricating its stockpile of 40-year old American weaponry, Iran announced that it is about to unveil its first ever domestically produced Cobra attack choppers.

Yup, nearly 50-years after the U.S. introduced the Cobra, Iran has figured out how to make its own. Kinda reminds me of Iran’s Saeqeh fighter jet — a Northrop F-5 knock of featuring some Iranian modifications and a paint job that resembles the U.S.

Air India pilots 'ready for talks' to end strike

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Bill Seger) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:31:22 +0000

Striking pilots of the national carrier Air India have agreed to hold talks with the government, reports say.

Dozens of flights have been cancelled because of the strike, which has entered its 18th day.

No charges for woman who caused US jet 'implant' alert

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Sicilia) — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:29:49 +0000

A French woman who caused a security scare on a US airliner on Tuesday by claiming to have a surgically-implanted device will be released without charge, a US prosecutor says.

The North Carolina-bound US Airways flight was diverted to Bangor, Maine, after Lucie Zeeko Marigot, 41, alerted attendants to the alleged device.

Flying tips: Minimizing an aviation fuel emergency

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Sicilia) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Most people don't like to admit that they have dug themselves into a hole and need help to extricate themselves from their predicament.

This is evident in the common tendency people have to minimize their problems when communicating with others, and has led to many adverse outcomes because people who could have helped did not fully understand the extent of the difficulty that pilot or crew were in.

Red Arrows given official go-ahead for 2012 season displays

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Bill Seger) — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:41:59 +0000

The Red Arrows are preparing for their first public display of the season after being given the official go-ahead.

The Lincolnshire-based aerobatic display team has to be granted its Public Display Authority each season.

China fake parts found in US military aircrafts

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Amanda Wog) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:06:54 +0000

Vast numbers of counterfeit Chinese electronic parts are being used in US military equipment, a key Senate committee has reported.

A year-long probe found 1,800 cases of fake parts in US military aircraft, the Senate Armed Services Committee found.

Australia's Qantas to cut 500 jobs

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Amanda Wog) — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:11:55 +0000

Australian airline Qantas has announced it will cut 500 jobs as it relocates its heavy maintenance and engineering work out of Melbourne.

The cutbacks include the loss of 422 jobs at its site in Tullamarine in Melbourne, and 113 posts at its Avalon operations in Victoria.

Eclipse jet production moves to Poland

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Sicilia) — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Eclipse Aerospace has signed an agreement with Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec in Poland covering the production of Eclipse jet wings, fuselages, empennages and other components.

The parts will be built by PZL Mielec at its factory in southern Poland and shipped to the Eclipse factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for final assembly and customer deliveries once production starts next year.

AW169 makes first flight

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Amanda Wog) — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

AgustaWestland’s AW169 took to the skies for the first time last week, marking a significant milestone on its path to certification in 2014, the company announced.

According to AgustaWestland representatives, the AW169 – launched nearly two years ago at the Farnborough International Air Show – performed and handled “as expected” during the test flight at the company’s Italian facilities.

Air India staff 'stole alcohol and caviar'

blog.editor@blog.nflyers.com (Bill Seger) — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:41:55 +0000

Some staff of India's national airline Air India have been found stealing alcohol and caviar from flights, the aviation minister said in parliament.

The airline's vigilance department is also probing reports that a pilot took 22m rupees ($404,800; £254,191) in flying allowances even when he was grounded for medical reasons.