Social Issues

EASA OKs TravelChair for Disabled Children
May 3, 2013 - 2:45am

Introduced at AIX, the TravelChair for severely disabled children also won first prize in the Crystal Cabin Awards Passenger Comfort Hardware category, receiving the trophy on April 9, the opening day of the show.

Years in development, the 13.2-pound chair is designed for children between the ages of three and 11 and fits most aircraft seats by way of a strap around the seat-back. It is further anchored using the standard seat belt, meeting airline regulations.
India Reduces Wait for Landing and Overflight Permits
April 11, 2013 - 3:20pm

India has reduced the advance application requirements for foreign-registered aircraft from seven to three business days for landing permits and from three days to one business day for overflight permits. The legislation, which has been cleared by the state cabinet, is now awaiting amendment to the civil aviation requirements by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enable it to be enforced. That process is likely to take around two months, sources have told AIN.
Boeing Technicians Approve Four-Year Deal
March 19, 2013 - 11:15am

Boeing technical workers have approved a new four-year contract that maintains annual 5-percent salary increase pools and guaranteed minimum wage increases each year. Of the 4,898 workers who submitted ballots, 4,244 voted to accept the same deal a narrow majority rejected on February 19.
Under Sequestration, FAA Will Bear Brunt of Cuts at DOT
February 28, 2013 - 3:10pm

With the automatic U.S. budget cuts known as sequestration all but certain to take effect tomorrow, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta explained why they will have such a deep effect on his agency. In testimony yesterday before the House aviation subcommittee, Huerta also lamented that the financial “predictability” the one-year-old FAA reauthorization provided his agency has been all but erased by sequestration.
Research: Graduate Student Studying Air Rage
February 25, 2013 - 9:40am

Eastern Michigan University senior Robert Chapin is conducting a survey on air rage as part of a research fellowship. After digesting nearly everything that’s been written on the topic since 2001, Chapin realized no one had ever surveyed airline pilots on the topic. If you’d like to take part in the survey, visit his research survey site.
Boeing Techs Vote to Strike, Engineers Accept Offer
February 20, 2013 - 9:14am

Members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) returned a split decision on Boeing’s offer for a new four-year contract. Engineers agreed to accept the offer by a count of 6,483 to 5,514, but technical workers voted to reject by a tally of 3,203 to 2,868.
Court Greenlights Hawker Beechcraft Reorganization Plan
February 1, 2013 - 8:45pm

In a decision opening the way for Hawker Beechcraft to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy later this month, U.S. Bankruptcy Court today approved the Wichita OEM’s joint plan of reorganization. “Today’s ruling marks the final significant step in the restructuring process,” said Hawker Beechcraft CEO Steve Miller. The company said that, as part of the reorganization, it will be rebranded Beechcraft Corp.
Hawker Beechcraft Confident It Will Exit Bankruptcy This Month
February 1, 2013 - 5:10am

At press time Hawker Beechcraft was expected on January 31 to seek confirmation of its plan of reorganization from bankruptcy court, allowing the company to emerge [from bankruptcy] some time in February, which is when the name change to Beechcraft Corp. will also become effective.
Court Delays Decision On Hawker Beechcraft
January 31, 2013 - 5:01pm

With Hawker Beechcraft attempting to clear the final hurdle in Chapter 11 proceedings and emerge from bankruptcy, Judge Stuart Bernstein said earlier today that he would approve the joint plan of reorganization for all but one of the subsidiaries currently under Chapter 11 protection. Bernstein reserved judgment regarding the Hawker Beechcraft Corp.
Boeing Engineers Set Date for Strike Vote
January 28, 2013 - 12:00pm

The Boeing bargaining unit of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) has set a date of February 4 for sending strike ballots to its members, union director Ray Goforth told AIN last Wednesday. Members of the Bargaining Unit Council (BUC), consisting of all the company’s “relevant” shop stewards, reached the decision on Tuesday night, during a meeting in which the council agreed to support the negotiating team’s rejection of the company’s “best and final offer.”

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