Boeing boosts airplane wi-fi with potatoes

How do you simulate a full airliner cabin to test wireless signals? If you're Boeing, with potatoes.
In a news release Wednesday, Boeing touted its new "advanced method to test wireless signals in airplane cabins," saying:

Boeing engineers created a new process for measuring radio signal quality using proprietary measurement technology and analysis tools. This enables engineers to more efficiently measure how strong a signal is and how far it spreads, ensuring safe yet powerful signal penetration throughout an airplane cabin.
Once the new method was established, testing that previously took more than two weeks to conduct was reduced to 10 hours.

Boeing didn't say much about the technical aspects of its test process, other than that it "takes advantage of state-of-the-art technology and ground-breaking statistical analysis to identify strong and weak signal areas and balance them by adjusting the connectivity system accordingly."
Boeing conducted a series of tests using the process on a decommissioned airplane. That's where the potatoes came in.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/business/boeing/article/Boeing-boosts-airplane-wifi-with-potatoes-4132642.php#ixzz2Ff3Aq45G

Tanzania Tourist Board and Ethiopian Airlines Sign MOU

Posted by Mamo Gebrehiwot on Dec 18th, 2012 // No Comment

The Tanzania Tourist Board and Ethiopian Airlines have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding.

 The MoU was signed with the intention of increasing the number of visitors to both Tanzania and Ethiopia, increase the presence of Tanzania tourism in key international markets, as well as enhance the business profile of Ethiopian Airlines.

The MoU ceremony took place in Tanzania at Uhuru Hotel in Moshi near Kilimanjaro and was signed by Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, Managing Director for Tanzania Tourist Board and Mr. Hailemelokot Mamo, Sales Representative for Ethiopian Airlines.

Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, Managing Director for Tanzania Tourist Board said, “Ethiopian Airlines currently provides extensive airlift to Tanzania’s three major gateways (Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar) and the new joint promotion agreement will expand the already strong partnership that we have with Ethiopian Airlines, especially in the North American market.”

Tanzania Tourist Board will develop and implement activities to promote tourist traffic to Tanzania via Ethiopian Airlines including promoting Ethiopian on the tourist board’s website, allowing Ethiopian to have a presence at Tanzania stands in trade and consumer fairs as well as organize joint road show promotions.

Other areas of cooperation between Tanzania Tourist Board and Ethiopian Airlines will focus on Tanzania and Ethiopia as twin destinations; and further support Ethiopian in developing programs and packages to Tanzania through its in-house tour operators. In the United States, ET African Journeys already offers a full range of destination Tanzania itineraries including to the northern and southern safari circuits.

Ethiopian Airlines will be responsible for providing support for familiarization programs for trade and media to Tanzania and in facilitating seat reservations on Ethiopian for Tanzania tour operators.

Ethiopian Airlines currently has 36 weekly frequencies from 62 destinations worldwide into Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (JNIA), and Zanzibar International Airport (ZIA).Ethiopian Airlines’ North American gateways are Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

2012: The year in aviation

December 18, 2012 -- Updated 1433 GMT (2233 HKT)

Boeing and AirAsia won; SAS and Iberia lost. Here are the stories that had the air industry moving -- or not -- this year. We start with one of Europe's oldest airlines -- and one that still knows the meaning of passenger service -- SAS, which is in dire straits. If the airline fails, and it's been on the brink before, this will continue the trend in Europe toward consolidation that included the acquisition by British Airways of struggling Iberia.

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• SAS, Iberia among airlines on the brink
• Boeing and Airbus both suffer setbacks and delays
• China expands its aerospace industry ambitions
• Highly-anticipated EADS and BAE Systems merger collapses

(CNN) -- With 1 billion tourists in 2012, it's little wonder the last 12 months have drummed up some juicy fodder for aviation reporters.

London's Olympic Games were a success -- the expected tourism boon not so much.

"Dark tourism" (travel to sites of death, disaster or the macabre) became a phrase.

And various climatic events conspired to wreak havoc on travel plans across the world.

But which were the stories that really stood out to those who are involved in the industry every day?

These are the top 10:

10. SAS on its last legs

"A new comprehensive plan will pave the way for a new, strong and competitive SAS," read the statement from SAS last month.

"The plan needs to be fully implemented and new collective agreements must be signed in a very short space of time in order for SAS to have access to necessary funding."

One of Europe's oldest airlines -- and one that still knows the meaning of passenger service -- is in dire straits. SAS faces aggressive competition from low cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle, which has hundreds of aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing.

The pioneer of polar flights, fully 40 percent of SAS's workforce is to be chopped.

If the airline fails, and it's been on the brink before, this will continue the trend in Europe toward consolidation that included the acquisition by British Airways of struggling Iberia.

Not that this consolidation under the International Airline Group (IAG) banner has gone well, either.

9. Iberia on the brink

IAG's Iberia will lose 4,500 jobs in a cost-cutting effort after losing €262 million (US$340 million) through September.

IAG characterizes Iberia in a "fight for survival." Nearly 25 percent of its aircraft will exit the fleet and pay might be cut by 35 percent.

There's a January 31, 2013, deadline for labor to reach an agreement with IAG, which is negotiating to buy Spain's Vueling Airlines, which is based in Barcelona.

Iberia cuts jobs in survival bid

8. A380 loved by passengers, but continues to be a profit drag on Airbus

The Airbus A380, a technological marvel and by all accounts a passenger delight, continues to be a thorn in the profit-and-loss statements of Airbus and parent EADS.

Discovery of wing rib bracket cracks in 2011 after the November 2010 high-profile engine failure on Qantas Flight 32 required costly refits.

Never a safety-of-flight issue and affecting only a handful of the thousands of brackets on the A380's wings, the retrofits and airline compensations cost Airbus nearly €300 million (US$394.8 million).

Airline schedules all over the globe were disrupted as fixes took aircraft out of service.

The ad wars that broke out between Boeing and Airbus in late November -- 747-8 versus the A380 -- only add another dimension to the long-running rivalry.

How do you pick up an Airbus A380?

7. Boeing roars back with 737 MAX

The first 737 MAX is scheduled for delivery to Southwest Airlines in 2017.

In 2011, Airbus stunned Boeing by announcing orders and commitments for about 1,500 re-engined A320neos.

This year, Boeing came roaring back, expecting to finish with firm orders for around 1,000 re-engined 737 MAX aircraft.

Boeing still trails market share, and the MAX will enter service two years later than the NEO. But any way you look at it, this was Boeing's year.

2012 annual pax reaches 3 billion, cargo traffic down 1%: ICAO

ICAO released (18-Dec-2012) its preliminary traffic* highlights for 2012, which showed passenger numbers rose 5% year-on-year to 2.9 billion in 2012. According to current projections, ICAO expects passenger numbers to reach 6 billion by 2030. 2012 traffic details include:

• Passenger numbers: 2.9 billion, +5.0% year-on-year;
• Passenger traffic (RPKs): +5.5%;
  • Africa: +6.7%;
  • Asia and Pacific: +6.9%;
  • Europe: +4.9%;
  • Latin America and the Caribbean: +8.4%;
  • Middle East: +16.8%;
  • North America: +1.2%;
    • International: +6.5%;
      • Africa: +7.4%;
      • Asia and Pacific: +5.5%;
      • Europe: +5.6%;
      • Latin America and the Caribbean: +11.7%;
      • Middle East: +17.3%;
      • North America: +1.3%;
    • Domestic: +3.9%;
      • Africa: +2.3%;
      • Asia and Pacific: +8.8%;
      • Europe: -0.7%;
      • Latin America and the Caribbean: +5.3%;
      • Middle East: +7.9%;
      • North America: +1.2%;
• Load factor: 78.8%;
  • Africa: 67.8%;
  • Asia and Pacific: 76.6%;
  • Europe: 79.4%;
  • Latin America and the Caribbean: 74.6%;
  • Middle East: 79.4%;
  • North America: 82.5%;
• Capacity (ASKs): +4.0%;
  • Africa: +5.2%;
  • Asia and Pacific: +5.9%;
  • Europe: +2.5%;
  • Latin America and the Caribbean: +6.1%;
  • Middle East: +11.6%;
  • North America: +0.7%;
• Cargo volume: 51 million tonnes;
• Cargo traffic (FTKs): -1.2%. [more – original PR]

*These figures are preliminary and cover revenue scheduled services only. The statistics are applicable to the traffic by region of airline domicile.

Boeing results share buybacks, boosts dividend

Posted: Dec 18, 2012 1:50 AM Updated: Dec 18, 2012 1:50 AM

CHICAGO (AP) - Boeing Co. says it will buy back $1.5 billion to $2 billion of its shares next year, and it is boosting its dividend.
Boeing says the buybacks and higher dividend are possible because it is generating cash and has a positive growth outlook. Boeing shareholders have been waiting to benefit from its new 787 plane.
The share repurchases will use up the rest of the money authorized for that purpose by Boeing's board in 2007.
Boeing also raised its dividend 10 percent, to 48.5 cents per share. It will be paid on March 8 to shareholders of record on Feb. 15.
Boeing shares have traded between $66.82 and $77.83 over the past 52 weeks. On Monday they rose 63 cents to close at $74.65.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

South African Republic to rehabilitate Soviet pilots

17.12.2012

 

South Africa's elite police unit "Hawks" has reopened the investigation of the crash of Tu-134, resulting in the death of Mozambican President Samora Machel. Perhaps now, 26 years later, the good name of the Soviet pilots will be restored.

The news was confirmed by global news agency. A representative of the investigative group Ramoloko told Agence France-Presse that he confirmed that the Hawks would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

The death of President Samora Machel of Mozambique in in a plane crash in 1986 caused a great deal of controversy regarding its causes. An international commission investigating the tragedy concluded that the cause of the tragedy was a pilot error. However, the flight engineer Vladimir Novoselov, the only surviving member of the crew, denied it. "I'm sure that this was not an accident, but sabotage. South Americans planned it in advance," Novoselov told reporters.

Indeed, the relations between Mozambique and apartheid South Africa were very tense. Samora Machel (FRELIMO) who came to power in 1975 after the collapse of the Portuguese colonial system, took course towards leaving the area of influence of South Africa and rapprochement with the USSR. The apartheid government strongly resisted it. From the territory of South Africa "the Mozambique National Resistance" (MNS) attacked local authorities, took hostages, blew up facilities. Given that these were the years of the "cold war", and that South Africa had better players behind it - the United States and Great Britain - Soviet specialists always preferred the theory of sabotage. However, documented evidence has never been found.

On the night of October 19, the president's plane Tu-134 was traveling from Lusaka (Zambia) to Maputo. Suddenly, 96 kilometers away from the airport, it turned at 37 degrees to the right of the course and 10 minutes later crashed into a mountain in South Africa, near the border with Mozambique. 39 people were killed. The plane was operated by Mozambique and manufactured in the Soviet Union, and in accordance with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the investigation was conducted on a tripartite basis, that is, with participation of representatives of South Africa, Mozambique and the Soviet Union. The first theory suggested that the pilots were drunk, but it was later withdrawn. The Joint Commission has determined that the aircraft was technically not defective; the crew strictly followed the chosen course, with a deviation from the axis of the route at no more than 4-6 km, which is admissible. The weather conditions were also normal.

As for the actions of the crew, the investigation confirmed that it was in good working condition, fully in control of the plane, and had clear communication with the dispatcher in Maputo airport. In January of 1987, the South African government unilaterally decided that the final conclusion would be prepared not by the joint commission but the court that started its hearing on January 20 in the capital of South Africa. As a result, the Soviet pilots were found the culprits of the accident. The Soviets had their own assessment of the tragedy and came to the conclusion that the reason for the deviation of the aircraft from the course was a false radio navigation beacon located outside the airport in Maputo. Soviet experts believed that it was a deliberate and well-planned action to destroy Samora Machel.    

South African journalist Jacques Du Preez who conducted his own investigation shared this opinion. Du Preez talked to local farmers who were the first ones to come to the crash site. In their stories they mentioned an army tent they saw on the mountain where the plane crashed. It was located approximately 150 meters from the remains of the aircraft. According to eyewitnesses, the tent was deserted the day after the accident.

However, these findings were not supported by experts from South Africa, the UK and the U.S. who were involved in the investigation. South African newspaper Times Live reported that the resumption of the investigation was personally authorized by South African President Jacob Zuma on newly discovered evidence. As follows from the above information, the facts were known, but for obvious reasons hidden. Senior Investigator Dumisa Ntsebeza told the reporters that the Ministry of Justice was given 43 documents relating to the catastrophe that they have not been able to fully explore due to the lack of time. These documents contain detailed information, including testimony under oath to military intelligence (apartheid) of witnesses who took part in the creation of false beacons.  

Why was the investigation reopened? The issue was raised at the political level in the framework of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission between South Africa and Mozambique. Ntsebeza told Time Live that people were dying, memory was fading, documents were getting lost, and the time was covering the tracks. If Samora Machel was lured into a deadly trap on South African soil, it was a crime, and a proper criminal investigation must be conducted.

Both Mozambique and Russia want to know the truth and await rehabilitation of the Soviet pilots.

Lyuba Lulko

Pravda.Ru 

Read the original in Russian

Turkey's Pegasus close to landmark Airbus order

(Reuters) - Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines appears close to making its first purchase of European passenger jets with an order for as many as 100 Airbus A320-family aircraft, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.
The decision to switch suppliers by a fast-growing airline that currently operates only Boeing (BA.N) jets follows a tough contest between the world's two largest planemakers.
Initial negotiations for 50 jets between Pegasus and the manufacturers were first reported by Reuters in July and became a flashpoint in the fiercest global battle for market share between Airbus and Boeing for a decade.
If confirmed, the airline's final purchase could reach as many as 100 aircraft worth more than $9 billion at official list prices, the sources said, asking not to be named.
Airbus and Pegasus declined to comment.
Founded in 1990, Pegasus has grown its fleet from just two aircraft to more than 40 mostly Boeing (BA.N) 737-800s over the past two decades and serves 52 destinations in 24 countries.
Its latest expansion highlights rapid growth in Turkish aviation after flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THYAO.IS) recently ordered long-range aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus.
Istanbul-based Pegasus is looking to seize on a 15 percent improvement in fuel consumption offered by the latest revamped models of narrowbody, medium-haul jets -- the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.
Industry watchers said the competition was intense as Boeing resisted efforts by Airbus to secure one of its entrenched customers, a type of duel known as a "flip fight".
Airbus is smarting after suffering the defection of one of its own high-profile customers, Silkair, the regional arm of Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI), which announced a $5 billion order for Boeing 737 jets in August.
Both companies have accused the other of waging a price war.
Airlines often stick with one supplier for the same aircraft category to save on maintenance and training costs. But the arrival of more efficient jets sparked a scramble for orders and allowed each supplier to woo customers previously loyal to the other side.
The step-up in technology has also produced wild swings in the fortunes of U.S. and European exports as first Airbus then Boeing sold more than 1,000 jets in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Airbus is expected to lose the annual order race to Boeing heavily this year after winning for four years in a row.
Longer term, the planemaking unit of Europe's EADS says it hopes to keep a 60 percent share of the 150-seat narrowbody segment, a market estimated at $2 trillion over 20 years.
Industry sources say Boeing is determined to defend a roughly 50 percent share of the same market. The A320 and 737 families are the world's most popular passenger planes and both serve as 'cash cows' for larger aircraft developments. (Editing by James Regan)