The FAA is mandating updated aircraft cockpit voice and flight data recorders for airplanes with 10 or more seats and operating under Parts 121, 125 or 135. These improved devices–which are due by March 7, 2012, for in-service airplanes–will yield more data for accident and incident investigators. The rule also mandates these enhancements on all newly built aircraft and helicopters after March 7, 2010.
AINalerts » March 11, 2008
March 11, 2008 - 12:14pm
German-based airline Lufthansa has ordered two Cessna Citation CJ3 and two Citation XLS+ business jets for its Private Jet service, which offers connections and point-to-point travel to first-class passengers in Europe. The new fleet will also include three Citation CJ1+s that were part of an earlier Lufthansa order for training purposes. All Cessna deliveries are expected between this month and December.
March 11, 2008 - 12:11pm
The FAA sent a letter to Southwest Airlines on Thursday, notifying the carrier that because some Southwest Boeing 737s were flown while not in compliance with an Airworthiness Directive, the FAA wants to assess a civil penalty of $10.2 million. Most civil penalties are negotiated to a lower number.
March 11, 2008 - 12:10pm
The first very light jet to suffer major damage, Cessna Citation Mustang S/N 049, returned to service on February 29 after enduring the collapse of its left fuel tank and two broken wing spars on a December 19 ferry flight. According to the FAA, the twinjet received “substantial damage” during the flight from Cessna’s Independence, Kan.
March 11, 2008 - 12:08pm
In an exclusive interview with AINtv, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and Virgin Charter founder and CEO Scott Duffy describe what brought them together to form a new online, charter-booking company. Since the launch of the Virgin Charter Web site last Tuesday, the company reports registering 3,500 new users (in addition to those who participated during the six-month beta test) and receiving more than 1,000 trip requests.
March 11, 2008 - 12:06pm
Embraer plans to begin serial production of the Phenom 100 very light jet next month at its plant in Botucatu, Brazil. According to facility managing director Almir Borges, the Botucatu plant will be turning out six Phenom 100s a month by year-end, and when it meets maximum production capacity late next year the rate is expected to reach 17 airplanes a month.
