New air traffic control tower at Reno airport

October 27th, 2010

The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA devoted a new, modernized 195 foot-tall air traffic control tower at Reno Tahoe International Airport.

The improvement of air transport infrastructure is one of our highest priorities and this new tower will provide Reno-Tahoe International Airport with one of the nations most modern air traffic control facilities said in a report by US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

This is a great day for aviation in Nevada said in a report by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. The new tower will improve safety and efficiency by providing controllers with better airfield views and more modern equipment. The new tower was built with FAA facilities and equipment dollars which are used to modernize the air traffic control system.

Reno new control tower is almost three times the height of the old tower which was built in 1957.  The airport runways are very longer than they were when the old tower was built which made it challenging for controllers to see aircraft on certain taxiways and runways. The old tower also experienced glare from lights on the cargo areas.

Reno controllers also now will have state-of-the-art equipment that includes multicolor radar displays, touch-screen voice communications and touch screen work stations that provide instant information on everything from weather conditions to air traffic manuals. Double thick sun shades will help prevent glare inside the 610-sqft controller work area. Moreover new tower will have two backup power systems to help ensure uninterrupted operations.

Tower controllers direct aircraft within about five miles of airport up to an altitude of 3,000 feet.  The new tower and a 10,000 square-foot base building cost $29.4mn to build and furnish. Construction began in January 2008.  Reno-Tahoe International Airport served about 100,000 flights in 2009.

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ATA announced Revenue Growth for September

October 20th, 2010

The Air Transport Association of America or ATA industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines reported that passenger revenue based on a sample group of carriers rose 19% in September 2010 compared to same month in 2009 marking the ninth consecutive month of revenue growth.

The global economy is spending on air travel with passenger revenue exceeding last years depressed levels. The industry remains hopeful that the nations economic recovery will progress in the months ahead said in a report by ATA President and CEO James C. May.

A sample of US airlines saw cargo traffic, as measured in cargo revenue ton miles, rise 14 percent year over year in August 2010. Data for all reporting US airlines is available on a time-lagged basis from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The revenues from the air transportation of passengers in scheduled air service, not including amounts paid to change tickets, transport baggage or perform other types of ancillary services defined by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Data for all reporting US airlines is available on a time-lagged basis from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. ATA monthly press releases cited the number of passengers previously to align more closely with the per-mile price statistics, ATA is now reporting traffic on a total mileage basis.

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New Air Traffic Control Tower in Frederick: FAA

October 18th, 2010

The U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration or FAA announced over $5mn in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars will be used to build a new air traffic control tower at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland.

The General air transport plays an important role at all levels of our nation economy. Recovery Act projects are helping to upgrade our aviation infrastructure so the system can continue to run safely and efficiently said in a report by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

These Recovery Act dollars will improve the safety and efficiency of Fredericks airport while providing a boost to Marylands economy said Michael Huerta, deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration at a ground breaking ceremony.

The $5.3 million Recovery Act project will pay for the construction of an air traffic control tower, access road and other infrastructure at one of Maryland’s largest airports. The Frederick Municipal Airport currently does not have an air traffic control tower.

Approximately 200 aircraft are based at Frederick Municipal Airport, a reliever airport for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The airport handles more than 135,000 aircraft operations annually. The Recovery Act has provided an additional $35 million in upgrades at airport runways and aircraft parking aprons in and around the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Nationwide $1.3bn in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects, air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities and equipment and airport projects. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.

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FMCSA Administrator in Commercial Motor Vehicle Technology Showcase

October 15th, 2010

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro participated in Commercial Motor Vehicle Technology Showcase that featured new-to-market and emerging roadside inspection technologies designed to improve safety performance of commercial truck transports and buses.

Held at FMCSA Roadside Technology Corridor on Interstate 81 in Greene County, Tennessee the showcase provided a first hand look at how state-of-the-art technology better equips state law enforcement as they conduct commercial motor vehicle or CMV safety inspections. FMCSA in partnership with Tennessee Department of Safety, Tennessee Department of Transportation, University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, organized the showcase.

Safety is our top priority said in a report by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. This technology showcase will help us as we seek innovative and more efficient ways to make our roads safer for everyone.

FMCSA is devoted to strengthening commercial vehicle safety through use of new technology said in a report by FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. By providing a platform to test, evaluate and refine new enforcement technologies, we are able to clearly understand their benefits and encourage deployment on the state level.

In a real world setting the showcase demonstrated various new safety technologies.

Wireless Roadside Inspection or WRI using a fixed site or mobile vehicle, the WRI is designed to conduct up to 25 times more vehicle inspections a year than the current, in-person inspection process. In real time, an inspector can obtain driver and carrier identity, vehicle condition and hours-of-service violations while vehicle is traveling at highway speed.

Smart Infrared Inspection System or SIRIS detects brake, wheel and tire problems by comparing infrared thermal images of wheels as vehicle enters a weigh station. Once this technology is complete, it will use software to read thermal images and alert law enforcement if an inspection is needed.

Performance Based Brake Tester or PBBT technology provides a safe, accurate and objective assessment of a vehicle’s brake force and overall performance.

Medium Truck Duty Cycle is safety sensor technology outfits vehicle with brake stroke, weight and tire pressure monitoring systems that collect data designed to help researchers develop tools that determine a vehicle’s safety fitness.

Technology In Motion Vehicle or TMV demonstration vehicle is equipped with electronic on-board recorders, raises stakeholder awareness and increases adoption of featured technologies.

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FAA propose $664,000 Civil Penalty against Parachute Center

October 14th, 2010

The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA is proposing $664,000 civil penalty against William C. Dause doing business as The Parachute Center of Acampo, California for allegedly failing to perform required aircraft parts replacements and failing to comply with safety directives.

Putting parachutists at risk by neglecting to follow safety procedures is unacceptable said in a report by U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood. We expect air transport operators to comply with our safety rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.

The FAA alleges that The Parachute Center operated a DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter when critical parts were well past their life limits and without inspecting portions of the wings for corrosion.

FAA alleges that The Parachute Center operated the air transport  on approximately 2,121 flights between March 21, 2008 and Nov. 4, 2009 with elevator control cables that were overdue for replacement and when the plane was not in compliance with Airworthiness Directives requiring visual inspections of the wing main spar lower spar cap extensions and wing support strut for possible corrosion.

The FAA also alleges that the company operated the aircraft on at least 500 flights between April 16, 2009 and November  4, 2009 with aileron control cables that were overdue for replacement.

Passengers and crew have to be able to trust that an operator has done the right thing and has complied with all the rules said in a report by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Safety and compliance are the right choices every time. The Parachute Center has 30 days from receipt of the FAA enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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Mercedes-Benz trucks assembling begin in Russia

October 5th, 2010

Mercedes-Benz the German automobile manufacturers Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok a joint project of German Daimler AG and Russian KAMAZ car producers has assembled its first Mercedes-Benz Actros 1841 LS truck in its Naberezhnye Chelny plant said in a combined report by the companies.

This is the first time Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been manufactured in Russia. It shows how much we are interested in boosting our share of the Russian market said in a report by Boris Billich Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok chief executive officer.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok was founded in 2010 as a general importer of Mercedes-Benz trucks to Russia. Daimler and KAMAZ each own 50% of the joint venture and have each contributed 5.9mn euros to its capital.

Mercedes-Benz Actros and Axor heavy-duty trucks are assembled in Naberezhnye Chelny on Volga where KAMAZ manufactures its trucks. The yearly capability of the plant is 4,500 vehicles.
The market leader in Russia our partner KAMAZ has wide knowledge and a wide sales network that will provide us with favorable conditions for effectively expanding into a market that promises to grow rapidly once global crisis is over said in a report by Trucks Hubertus Troska head of Mercedes-Benz.

In addition to Actros and Axors the plant will manufacture Mercedes-Benz Ategos and specialized Zetros and Unimog trucks when demand is strong enough. It is also planned to begin the production of redesigned Axor and Atego trucks on 2011 shortly.

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