U.S. Air Marshals will be Aboard Cuba Flights

US air marshals will be deployed on some flights between the US and Cuba when commercial air service between the two countries launches on Aug. 31. "In the spirit of enhancing the security of international civil aviation, the United States and The Republic of Cuba entered into an aviation security agreement that sets forth the legal framework for the deployment of US in-flight security officers — more commonly known as federal air marshals — on board certain flights to and from Cuba,"… (www.miamiherald.com) More...

Marines to Add Flight Simulators to Recruiting Offices

Marine Corps Recruiting Command is looking to buy new state-of-the-art flight simulators in order to inspire young people to consider aviation careers. Marine leaders want to send 22 simulators to recruiting offices around the country that will put even the best gaming experience to shame. (www.marinecorpstimes.com) More...

Another Business Shuttle For Texas

Texas Air Shuttle aims to attract business travelers with monthly memberships that will provide unlimited flights between four Texas airports — McKinney, which is about a half hour from downtown Dallas; North Houston Regional; Stinson, just outside San Antonio; and Austin. (www.avweb.com) More...

Analyst: Learjet Sale ‘Increasingly Plausible’

A divestiture of Wichita-based Learjet from Bombardier’s aerospace portfolio is “increasingly plausible to lighten the overhang of $6.7 billion in debt” that matures starting in 2018, according to an investor analyst report published this week by Cowen and Company. During its second-quarter financial call last Friday, Bombardier chairman and CEO Alain Bellemare said the company is “addressing Learjet’s position due to significant pricing pressures.” (www.ainonline.com) More...

Ryanair – The First Airline Carrying Over 11 m Passengers Per Month

By the end of July Ryanair had carried 110.7 million customers so far in 2016 – with 11.3 million people flying with the Irish airline during July alone. (aviationvoice.com) More...

GAO Report Validates NBAA Position on Improper Diversion of Jet-A Taxes

The report, published this week by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), determined that as a result of the provision, between $1 billion and $2 billion has been improperly held back from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund over largely unfounded concerns about the use of aviation jet fuel in ground vehicles. (www.nbaa.org) More...

AW609 Tiltrotor Flight Testing Resumes

AW609 tiltrotor prototype AC1 arrived at the Leonardo-Finmeccanica Philadelphia plant yesterday after recently resuming flight testing in Arlington, Texas. The AW609 flight-test program had been voluntarily halted following the fatal October 2015 crash of AC2 in Italy. (ainalerts.com.s3.amazonaws.com) More...

US Marines Testing Pocket-Sized Helo Drone

The U.S. Marine Corps is testing a pocket-sized drone that can deliver live video feeds from three cameras and is small enough that it's almost invisible from the ground. The Black Hornet PD-100 can stay aloft for 25 minutes and has a range of 1.6 km (1 mile). That means Marines can use it for surveillance far beyond their current position. (www.computerworld.com) More...

The FAA is Hiring Air Traffic Controllers

In preparation for the future workforce, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it will be accepting applications from entry-level candidates for air traffic controller positions from August 8-15, 2016. (aviationvoice.com) More...

Rattled By North Korean Test, Japan Steps Up Missile Defense

A mobile missile launcher in western North Korea moved into position, probably trundling out of a hiding place. The crew prepared the vehicle’s liquid-propellant ballistic weapon, then fired. It flew about 1,000 km (600 mi.) and landed closer to Japan than any previous North Korean missile. And Japan’s defenses seem to have been caught entirely by surprise. Rattled by that Aug. 3 test, Tokyo has issued a standing order to its armed forces to shoot down foreign missiles. (aviationweek.com) More...