FAA Requires Airlines Test Jets After Explosion In Japan
After last week's horrifying air travel accident when an China Air 737 caught fire after landing in Japan, the United States Federal Aviation Administration has given American carriers three weeks to test their own planes.
According to an
FAA Airworthiness Directive issued this weekend, American companies flying certain Boeing 737 models must complete testing of their fleet by mid-September. The agency said that "Loose or missing parts...if not detected and corrected, could result in a fuel leak and consequent fire."
Aero-News Net has identified eight U.S. airlines flying the planes as Southwest, American, Delta, Continental Air Tran, Alaska Air, ATA and Aloha. The aviation news site is tracking airline compliance with the directive.
Labels: 737, Aero-News Net, Boeing, FAA
Air Wars Over Who Strands More, But Consumer Help Web Publishes Official Data
Fur, empty peanut bags and soda cans have been flying around airline cabins after a group of American Airline passengers reportedly formed a special interest group to lobby for airline passenger rights after being stranded on the airline. Commercial aviation groups have fought back, and the rhetoric has been heated on both sides.
As the U.S. Independence Day holiday approaches on July 4, here is the important data you need to know if you're flying:
* Expect security to be heightened after terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow.
* Don't worry about getting back in to the United States given the well-publicized passport delays if you are going to Canada, Mexico or the islands. Do worry if the country to which you are traveling requires a passport. The State Department
made an announcement about this weeks ago.
* The biggie has to do with liquids. Everyone will be in line. Everyone will be tired and/or excited. Don't hold the security line up. Here is the definitive word on liquids and other carry-on items:
The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
1. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
TSA calls this policy 3-1-1, and they don't mean Nick Hexum.
Check out the rest of the rules before you leave for the airport.
If you're driving, you may be familiar with AAA's famous gas price survey. The auto club now has an even better tool --
a database of 85,000 filling stations that lets you find the least expensive fuel options. Use it, and put the extra scratch in your pocket for a sparkler.
Labels: AAA, airline, FAA, gas prices, travel, TSA
FAA Adds To Summer Storm Policy To Avoid Vacation Travel Delays
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding an air traffic program that reduces flight delays during the peak summer season. The Airspace Flow Program, as it is known, gives airlines the option of either accepting delays for flights scheduled to fly through storms or flying longer routes to safely maneuver around them.
The agency successfully launched the program last year at seven locations in the Northeast. On bad weather days at major airports in the region, delays fell by 9 percent compared to the year before. Cost savings for the airlines and the flying public from the program are estimated to be $100 million annually.
“This is a much better way to handle summer traffic,” said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. “If your flight isn’t scheduled to fly through bad weather you don’t have to sit on the tarmac. If it is, your airline has the choice of taking a delay shared evenly by all the affected flights or flying around the storm.”
Before last year, severe storms often forced the FAA to ground flights at affected airports, penalizing flights not scheduled to fly through them. This program allows the FAA to manage traffic fairly and efficiently by identifying only those flights scheduled to fly through storms and giving them estimated departure times. In turn, the airlines have greater flexibility in planning schedules with less disruption for passengers.
This summer, the number of Airspace Flow Program locations — chosen for their combination of heavy traffic and frequent bad weather — will be expanded from seven to 18. The additional locations will ease delays for passengers flying through the South and Midwest, as well as those on transcontinental flights.
“Dynamic” programs will be introduced in other areas to target storms with surgical precision as they develop and move. Airspace Flow Programs will also be used in conditions not related to weather, such as severe congestion near major cities.
Airspace Flow Programs were conceived by the FAA two years ago and developed in close coordination with the airline industry. On bad weather days, agency and airline officials collaborate to decide where and when the programs should be put in place.
Labels: FAA, travel
