AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency
102,398 news found
IndustryFinmeccanica signs agreement with the Region of Abruzzo to expand the Fucino space centre
Rome, Italy - Telespazio station (Finmeccanica/Alcatel) chosen as a Galileo control centre
"The President of the Italian Region of Abruzzo, Ottaviano del Turco, and Finmeccanica Chairman and CEO, Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, today signed a framework agreement to promote industrial growth and... more
Government actsQuestion Time: Alitalia pilots' training
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Marco Zacchera (AN)
Italian Deputy Hon. Zacchera intended to understand if Italian Government want to act to verify the supposed payments by pilots for training courses set by Alitalia in the past, to which hiring not necessary... more
AerospaceAriane 5: last 2005 mission on December 21
Paris, France - It will put into orbit an Indian satellite and a European device
The last launch of the current year for an Ariane 5 rocket carrier will happen from French Guyana on December 21. The rocket has been almost fully set and its task will be the one of putting into orbit... more
Civil aviationSlovakian Parliament cleared Armed Forces to shut down aircraft failing to follow landing order
Bratislava, Slovakia - The rule will enter into force next February 1st
From Febraury 1st 2006 Slovakian Armed Forces should shot down all aircraft that fail to follow the order of immediate landing issued by Slovakian authorities to planes entering country’s airspace without c... more
PeopleARJ-21: is it a "Chinese" DC-9?
Beijing, China - Some experts underlined the aesthetic similarity of the new Chinese regional jet with the well known McDonnell-Douglas' airplane
China will be watching its first regional jet/short range airliner flying in 2008. It deals with the ARJ-21, produced by Chinese aerospace company AVIC I, and operational activities should start in 2009.... more
Latest newsUSAF: a "Bonus" to the F-15 to postpone retirement
Washington, USA - The fighters to be upgraded when considering the reduction of the Raptors' number ordered by the armed force
The recent combat readiness of the first unit provided with the F-22A Raptor fighters (see for details AVIONEWS) certainly generated excitement among US Air Force, but the armed force’s representatives p... more
AirlinesVolare may be sold within the end of the year
Milan, Italy - More than 700 workers could know their new employers already on December 31
They were only rumors, but December 31 term within which more than 700 dependents of Volare may know their new employers appears probable. Take-over bids arrived at the Italian airline for acquiring the... more
PeopleElectrochromic glasses: a touch of high-tech privacy for the Dreamliner's passengers
Washington, USA - Designed by PPG, these windows are able to darken by a simple electric impulse
Among the several fresh devices that the 787 Drealiner’s passengers are going to find on the new airliner, there is certainly the one concerning lateral windows, practically devoid of the traditional p... more
MiscellaneousAdditional Israeli raids overnight
Gaza, Strip of Gaza - The new attack followed rockets launched by Islamic Jihad militants
Third consecutive raid overnight operated by Israeli Air Force on the Strip of Gaza. Palestinians had launched a Qassam II rocket last evening causing no victim among residents of Ashkelon area (Southern... more
Science and technologyRafael: "A soft impact, let's try our Air Bag"
Tel Aviv, Israel - An enterprising safety system for helicopters under testing as requested by US Navy
US Navy requested to Israeli Rafael (competent also for the production of weapons for military aircraft) to develop a special safety system to limit damages on helicopters in case of impact with the ground... more
Government actsQuestion Time: use of white phosphorous munitions at Capo Teulada shooting range
Rome, Italy - By Hon. Elettra Deiana (Rifondazione Comunista)
Italian Deputy Hon. Deiana asked Italian Minister of Defence for making clear which is his point of view about the use of white phosphorous munitions at Sardinia’s Capo Teulada shooting range as it seems t... more
Civil aviationVenezuelan plane landed on its belly
Caracas, Venezuela - A Conviasa's Dash-7 suffered for problems with its undercarriage's right wheels
A four-engine turboprop Dash-7 aircraft operated by Conviasa airline has been forced yesterday to land on its belly with 40 passengers departed from Caracas: after finding problems with plane’s undercarriage, p... more
AirlinesWind Jet offers 60,000 seats at EUR 1
Rome, Italy - Italian carrier will start new non-stop connections from Catania and Palermo to Paris as from MArch 27 2006
Italian low-cost carrier Wind Jet offered 60,000 seats at EUR 1 price to fly throughout Italy from January to March. Connecting the web site www.volawindjet.it or calling the call center number 899 809060... more
AirlinesAlitalia: a green light for the mortgage on 28 fleet airplanes
Rome, Italy - So, some EUR 371m have been recovered and they will prove useful with reference to the EUR 400m bridge-loan return
Alitalia recovered some EUR 371m to be used regarding the EUR 400m bridge-loan return and it was possible by a mortgage involving 28 airplanes from its fleet (consisting of a total amount of more than... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-330/300, A-340/200, and A-340/300 series airplanes (2005-25-20)
Washington, Usa - To prevent cracking of the fuselage skin in the area of the VHF2 antenna, which could result in depressurization of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73925-73930] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Airbus model A-330/243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 TRENT 700 engines (2005-25-21)
Washington, Usa - To prevent fatigue cracking of the hinges integrated into the 12 o'clock beam of the thrust reversers, which could result in separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73919-73921] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA (Embraer) model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR; EMB-145, 145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP (2005-25-17)
Washington, Usa - To prevent fuel accumulation and subsequent flammable fuel vapors in the APU cowling, which, combined with an ignition source, could result in a fire or explosion
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73933-73935] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
CuriositiesNieuport 10 brought to life again: the rare "Treasure" makes a parade of itself at "Caproni" Museum in Trento
Trento, Italy - A meticulous refurbishment work for this airplane which goes back to 1918
A training twin-seated version of a rare 1918-built Nieuport 10 can be admired at "Caproni" Museum (Trento, Italy) as recently refurbished. It is one of the remaining two existing worldwide thought it... more
Latest newsF-22A: Air Dominance era begins
Washington, USA - A 16 stealth fighters-based Squadron is combat ready, and they are actually re-deployable anywhere worldwide
The F-22A Raptor has become combat ready with US Air Force since yesterday. A Squadron consisting of 16 stealth fighter interceptors can be deployed for any exigency with reference to US air space air... more
IndustryDynCorp International LLC awarded of a over 13 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18
DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas is being awarded a $13,683,264 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide maintenance and support services for Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18 Program under the Foreign... more
IndustryBell Helicopter Textron Inc. awarded of a near 7 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For Bell 206B-3 Jet Ranger Helicopters
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded on Dec. 13, 2005, a $6,985,600 firm-fixed-price contract for Bell 206B-3 Jet Ranger Helicopters. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas,... more
IndustryGeneral Electric Aircraft Engine awarded of a near 178 USDm contract
Washington, Usa - For the entire T-700 family of engines
General Electric Aircraft Engine, Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded on Dec. 15, 2005, a $177,879,422 firm-fixed-price contract for an overhaul and repair effort for the entire T700 family of engines. Work... more
IndustryAero Vodochody: 12 subjects prove interested in Czech company denationalization
Prague, Czech Republic - The "Short list" to be announced on Monday
The denationalization procedure for Aero Vodochody, the Czech company producing military aircraft, is about to end. Some 12 firms and groups of enterprises proved interested and the bid for the sale of... more
IndustryAvio-Rosoboronexport's agreement on aviation powerplant research
Moscow, Russia - And Tupolev is likely to sign deals with Italian Campania region aerospace industry next week
New growth chances for aviation industrial relations between Italy and Russia. Avio signed a deal with Rosoboronexport (as ther Russian authority attending to promotion of defence products in the international... more
Science and technologyBudapest Airport denationalization: British Airport Authority won the bid and sale contract sign is about to arrive
Budapest, Hungary - It was announced by Hungarian Government's spokesman, Andras Batiz
British Airport Authority won the bid for the denationalization of Budapest Airport operator (Budapest Airport SPA) up to a 75% stake, and the related contract is even likely to be signed by the end of... more
IndustryThales-DCN: their merger has come
Paris, France - French naval sector reinforcement begins also looking at Europe
French Government revealed that the merger programme between Thales and DCN in the naval sector has gained a green light and it will be completed by the first half of 2006. Actually, Thales acquired a... more
AirlinesBritish Airways: disciplinary measures affecting three ground employees
London, UK - Effects of support ensured to the carrier catering company's personnel going on strike on last August
Three ground employees of British Airways are in trouble due to support ensured by such trade to the carrier catering company’s personnel, as gone on strike at Heathrow on last August (see for details A... more
Latest newsIndia: "Heavier" orders for the new fighter?
New Dheli, India - Specifications for the 126 multirole aircraft could be updated from a light to a medium class
Some newness regarding the Indian programme for the purchase of 126 multirole light fighters. It seems that specifications can be extended to a medium-light class and in this sense Dassault, the Eurofighter... more
Latest newsEurofighter: entering service today to monitor the Italian skies
Rome, Italy - The new fighter will be used by the Grosseto-based 4th Wing
Italy will be the first Eurofighter consortium member to operationally use the new European fighter-bomber starting on tomorrow. Italian Air Force’s Grosseto-based 4th Wing, which operates the EF-2000 T... more
Latest newsIraq: election protected by the US fighters
Baghdad, Iraq - Reconnaissance and attack missions have been already performed against rebels yesterday
The US armed forces significantly increased surveillance and close support activities against rebels in Iraq while waiting for today’s election, and some 54 missions were accomplished all over the Iraqi t... more
DefenseMartino: "Some 300 Italian soldiers to be back from Iraq in January"
Baghdad, Iraq - Contingent will be so reduced from present 2900 persons down to 2600
Italian Defence Minister Antonio Martino unveiled that Italian contingent in Iraq will be lowered for 300 units from the current 2900 soldiers down to 2600. This decision is part of the strategy for the... more
DefenseIs an Iranian Osirak going to occur next Spring for Israel?
Tel Aviv, Israel - Some experts think that March will be a major time for a decision on a preventive strike
Several converging factors and events next March could make this month a major one to decide if it is the case to resort to a preventive strike against the Iran’s atomic facilities. Some analysts are r... more
AccidentsCalifornia: small aircraft crashed near an US air base
Washington, USA - The pilot was killed in the incident
A small plane dropped last afternoon in Solano County (California), at about 5 miles from Travis Air Force Base. Aircraft’s pilot was killed. THe accident occurred shortly before 5:00pm: the wreckage h... more
HelicoptersEurocopter: FOCA officer investigated for a letter against the French company
Berne, Switzerland - The Helvetic officer was opposed to Army acquiring Eurocopter helicopters
He is under judicial investigation for having written a letter to Federal MPs saying he was against the purchase of new Eurocopter helicopters for Swiss Army. The matter comes from the tender for helicopter’s s... more
DefenseJSF: "Italy will keep on its efforts for this programme"
Washington, USA - Italian Minister of Defence Martino stated and the F-35 prototypes could attend NATO exercises in 2006, according to USAF
Italy will not modify its committment concerning the JSF programme and this also regards the recent Italian Finance Bill. Italian Minister of Defence Antonio Martino stated it during the meeting with press... more
DefenseUS and Italian embassy's representatives welcomed by General of Air Brigade Umberto Rossi ta Herat
Herat, Afghanistan - Colonel Maurizio Cocciolone welcomed them too
Visit of American ambassador to Kabul, Ronald E. Neumann, and Italian Embassy’s officer to Kabul, Nicola Minasi, has recently ended. They landed at Herat Airport by the Forward Support Base (Fsb) base, w... more
AerospaceSIASGE: an integrated satellite solution to manage emergencies
Rome, Italy - The Italian-Argentinian project is destined to be operated in 2010
The satellite programmes named SIASGE (Italian-Argentinian System for the Management of Emergencies) will be operated by 2010. It deals with an integrated solution for Earth observation aimed most of all... more
Government actsQuestion Time on alleged agreement EU-USA about use of European airports to transport prisoners
Rome, Italy - By senator Antonio Falomi (Misto-Il Cantiere)
Italian senator Falomi asked Italiana Ministero of Communitarian Policies for making clear a supposed agreement between European Union and United States signed in Athens on January 2 2003: it would provides... more
Government actsQuestion time on CIA ghost flights
Rome, Italy - By senator Luigi Malabarba (Misto-Altre componenti del gruppo)
Italian senator Malabarba asked Italian Minister of Defence, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Italian Minister of Justice for knowing if Italian Government knew about the so-called ghost flights... more
HelicoptersSAR: the "First time" of the S-92
London, UK - The new Sikorsky's helicopter begins operating in the Search and Rescue field with British company CHC
Despite disputes with Bristow to perform the future SAR (Search and Rescue) operations in the United Kingdom, CHC proves more quite satisfied about the choice made and based on the S-92 (see for details... more
PeopleMorocco to conclude aviation deal with European Union
Marrakesh, Morocco - To expand country's air services and give a stimulus to airline's competition
Tourism to Morocco is expected to growth by one million annually over the next five years. So Government, to face the event, has decided to negotiate with European Union a deal to expand country’s air s... more
Civil defenseBell: a Centre of Excellence for the remote-controlled aircraft
Graford, USA - Opened with the first activities devoted to the Eagle Eye UAV tilt-rotor
Bell performed a major leap forward in carrying on its research activities in the remote-controlled aircraft field. The headquarter of the Centre of Excellence exclusively devoted to tests of the UAVs... more
Press releaseAlitalia Express: UGL pilots on 4-hour-strike next Saturday
Rome, Italy - Cancellations and delays are expected
Alitalia Express pilots members of UGL union will go on strike from 12:00am to 4:00pm next December 17. They protest against the breaking-off of negotiations. During the walk-out Alitalia Express flights... more
Latest newsABL programme: fire simulation with the anti-missile laser it's ok
Washington, USA - Next step regards an in-flight trial aboard the YAL-1A
Partners from the ABL programme (Airborne Laser) and US Air Force completed a series of tests with the airborne laser cannon designed to hit and destroy ballistic missiles. The laser proved capable of... more
MiscellaneousCIA flights: EU Parliament to open inquiry too
Strasbourg, France - Frattini: "There is no evidence confirming the allegations"
European Parliament’s members are about today to open an inquiry on allegations tha CIA would have operated supposed secret flights in Europe and established secret prisons for suspect terrorists. But t... more
IndustryThales: job cuts for the Air Defence division
Paris, France - There will be -357 workers by 2007
Thales intends to lower the total number of jobs at its specialized division competent for airborne sensors for military aircraft (Thales Air Defence). There will be some -357 employees and part of military... more
Aerospace"Galileo" to be the first European network's satellite on December 26
Paris, France - European Space Agency unveiled it
It has been called "Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element GIOVE-A" the first satellite destined to test tecnologies for Europe’s future satellite network "Galileo", satellite that will followed by a second "... more
AerospaceVirgin Galactic and New Mexico Announce Spaceport Agreement
Santa Fè, New Mexico - Virgin Galactic has agreed to locate its world’s headquarters and Mission Control in Us State
"At press conferences in London and New Mexico, officials from Virgin Galactic and from the State of New Mexico announced that they had reached an historic agreement which will see the building of a $200m... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) model ERJ-170 airplanes (2005-25-16)
Washington, Usa - To detect and correct missing attachment rods, which could result in reducing the ability of the seat to withstand a hard landing or rejected takeoff and possible injury to passengers
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73921-73923] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more
Civil aviationFAA AD on Boeing model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes
To prevent failed deployment of the emergency escape slide during an emergency, which could impede an evacuation and result in injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers, or inadvertent inflation and loss of an emergency escape slide during flight
Airworthiness Directive Federal Register Information [Federal Register: December 14, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 239)] [Page 73935-73937] Header Information DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal... more