AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

*QANTAS is expanding its use of the latest generation GPS-based navigation systems to some Melbourne, Australia flights that promises "a perfect flight path, gate to gate ", which is expected to save fuel, tons of greenhouse gases, flying hours, time and money. Starting today, Qantas 737-800s flying in and out of Melbourne will be using a cutting-edge flight system called "RNP" — Required Navigational Performance. It uses global positioning satellites to map very precise flight paths to and from Airport runways, which in turn delivers savings on virtually all fronts, from fuel, emissions, distance, time and even quieter landings. Qantas estimates that when the system goes nationwide, it will save the airline at least A$20 million a year in fuel and other costs, let alone the environmental benefits. The system has been installed on the Airline's 38 Boeing 737-800s. Melbourne goes live with the system today, with Sydney and Perth to follow soon.

*AMERICAN AIRLINES and private equity firm TPG have offered $1.1bn of investment to struggling carrier JAPAN AIRLINES, aka JAL.It said the offer was "far superior" to the $1bn offered recently by rival DELTA AIRLINES. Both carriers want a stake in the Asia Pacific market. JAL has said it will make a decision on the bids by the end of the year. The Japanese carrier has been struggling with competition, rising fuel prices and huge debts. Japan's government has bailed it out 4 times since 2001.

*The INDIAN AIR FORCE, IAF, has grounded its entire fleet of Sukhoi fighter jets after one crashed during a routine training exercise in Rajasthan state. All 100 such planes have been grounded as the IAF carries out "precautionary checks" following the crash. 2 crew members managed to eject from the Russian-designed Sukhoi-30MKI just before the crash on Monday. The crash was the 2nd such incident involving a Sukhoi fighter jet this year. The air force is believed to have sought assistance from Russia for this investigation.

 

*A DELTA AIRLINES Boeing 757 had to return to Bogota, Colombia, yesterday, due to a cracked windshield. Flight 44 was on International Service from Bogota to Atlanta, Georgia, with 115 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. About 30 minutes after departure the crew reported that an outer pane of the cockpit windshield had cracked. The 757 landed back at Bogota without incident, and was removed from service for repairs.

*A SPICEJET Boeing 737 had to make an emergency return to Mumbai, India, yesterday, due to pressurization problems. Flight 114 was on Domestic Service from Mumbai to Delhi, India, with 189 passengers and 7 crew members onboard. About 1 hour into the flight, the crew requested return noting that the cabin air conditioning system was no longer able to maintain the differential pressure. The 737 landed back in Mumbai without incident, and the aircraft was removed from service for a full inspection.

*A KLM A330 had to return to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, due to an avionics issue on Monday, November 30. Flight 677, on International Service to Calgary, AB, Canada, was inflight at 40000 feet over Scotland, when the crew requested return. The A330 landed back at Amsterdam without incident, about 3 hours after its initial departure. According to media reports, the A330 was delayed in departing Amsterdam due to a problem with a water pump in the rear galley. Passengers reported that they were told by the flight crew that they were returning to Amsterdam due to the avionics computer issuing a number of fault codes. The aircraft was removed from service for a full inspection.

*An AMERICAN EAGLE ERJ145 had to make an emergency landing in Toronto, Canada, on November 27, due to difficult handling of the aircraft due to icing. Flight 4187 was on International Service from Chicago OHare to Toronto, with 50 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. While on approach to Toronto, the aircraft began to accumulate ice while descending thru 12000 feet. The crew reported minor control difficulties, which were overcome by an increase in airspeed. While performing their checklists, the crew then declared an emergency reporting control difficulties due to ice on the stablizer. The ERJ continued on to land at Toronto without incident.

*An AIR CREEBEC Dash 8-100 had to make an emergency return to Timmons, ON, Canada, on November 24, after losing 2 pitot static ports. Flight 601 was on Domestic Service to Sudbury, ON, with 24 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. While climbing out of Timmons, the Captain and Co-Pilot both lost all of their static instruments. In addition, control became erratic, GPWS and TACAS alerts sounded, and rudder control became impaired. The crew declared an emergency and used standby instruments to land back at Timmons, about 20 minutes after their initial departure. Post flight inspection revealed that both pitot static lines were disconnected from the air data computer. The Airline, along with the Canadian TSB, are investigating the incident.