Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Airbus Booked 1,419 Orders In 2011 | AVIATION WEEK
Airbus Booked 1,419 Orders In 2011 | AVIATION WEEK
Airbus closed out its 2011 record year with $588 billion commercial airline orders in its backlog (or 4,437 aircraft), after booking 1,419 net orders.
The order intake includes 1,226 firm A320NEOs, not including the deal for 130 aircraft with American Airlines which Airbus previously listed as firm. Other deals were for 19 A380s and 52 widebodies.
Airbus also booked a number of cancellations, its gross order level reached 1,608 aircraft, including a International Lease Finance Corp. cancellation of 10 A380s and Etihad Airways’ decision to cancel six A350-1000. The gross order level was an industry record, Airbus COO for customers, John Leahy notes.
Boeing booked 805 net orders with 921 net orders. In revenue, Airbus had 56% of market share. Leahy concedes the market share could drop below 50% this year.
Airbus also had a record year in deliveries, with 534 units, with a target of around 570 in 2012. Another 30 military aircraft are to be delivered
For order intake, Airbus CEO Tom Enders expects around 600-650 gross orders for 2012.
“The ramp-up is a major point for 2012,” Enders says, with the company working on getting to production rates of 42 narrowbodies a month, ten A330s and three A380s this year. Final assembly for the A350 should start in March, initially on a static test specimen before the first flight aircraft will be built.
Leahy also notes that A330s may receive winglets to keep that product alive, even as the A350 nears its planned in-service date in 2014.
One of the big questions remains over financing for new aircraft. But Leahy notes deliveries for the first half of the year are largely secured. Money is “tighter” than 2011, he says, but adds “we believe we will get through.”
Airbus closed out its 2011 record year with $588 billion commercial airline orders in its backlog (or 4,437 aircraft), after booking 1,419 net orders.
The order intake includes 1,226 firm A320NEOs, not including the deal for 130 aircraft with American Airlines which Airbus previously listed as firm. Other deals were for 19 A380s and 52 widebodies.
Airbus also booked a number of cancellations, its gross order level reached 1,608 aircraft, including a International Lease Finance Corp. cancellation of 10 A380s and Etihad Airways’ decision to cancel six A350-1000. The gross order level was an industry record, Airbus COO for customers, John Leahy notes.
Boeing booked 805 net orders with 921 net orders. In revenue, Airbus had 56% of market share. Leahy concedes the market share could drop below 50% this year.
Airbus also had a record year in deliveries, with 534 units, with a target of around 570 in 2012. Another 30 military aircraft are to be delivered
For order intake, Airbus CEO Tom Enders expects around 600-650 gross orders for 2012.
“The ramp-up is a major point for 2012,” Enders says, with the company working on getting to production rates of 42 narrowbodies a month, ten A330s and three A380s this year. Final assembly for the A350 should start in March, initially on a static test specimen before the first flight aircraft will be built.
Leahy also notes that A330s may receive winglets to keep that product alive, even as the A350 nears its planned in-service date in 2014.
One of the big questions remains over financing for new aircraft. But Leahy notes deliveries for the first half of the year are largely secured. Money is “tighter” than 2011, he says, but adds “we believe we will get through.”
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Boeing advances first South Carolina Built 787
Boeing has advanced production of its first North Charleston, South Carolina-built 787, moving the aircraft from its major assembly join to systems installation and testing.
The milestone, known as "weight on wheels", took place on 18 December, rolling the aircraft from position one where the wings, fuselage sections and empennage are installed to position two where electrical, hyrdraulic and mechanical systems installation and testing will continue over the next several weeks, said Boeing.
The aircraft, which is the 46th 787 built, is believed to be for Air India, which will take delivery of the aircraft before June 2012 sometime in the first half of the year.
The installation of the aircraft's interior and engines, expected to be twin General Electric GEnx-1B powerplants, is expected to begin "soon".
The aircraft is the first non-Puget Sound assembled Boeing widebody aircraft in the company's history, excluding its McDonnell Douglas legacy aircraft which were merged into its commercial portfolio in a 1997 merger.
Source: Flight Global
The milestone, known as "weight on wheels", took place on 18 December, rolling the aircraft from position one where the wings, fuselage sections and empennage are installed to position two where electrical, hyrdraulic and mechanical systems installation and testing will continue over the next several weeks, said Boeing.
The aircraft, which is the 46th 787 built, is believed to be for Air India, which will take delivery of the aircraft before June 2012 sometime in the first half of the year.
The installation of the aircraft's interior and engines, expected to be twin General Electric GEnx-1B powerplants, is expected to begin "soon".
The aircraft is the first non-Puget Sound assembled Boeing widebody aircraft in the company's history, excluding its McDonnell Douglas legacy aircraft which were merged into its commercial portfolio in a 1997 merger.
Source: Flight Global
US Airways Flight 1549 Gets Its Wings
US Airways Flight 1549 Gets Its Wings: Historic A320 Being Reassembled In Charlotte
We all remember the dramatic live TV shots of passengers standing on the wings of US Airways Flight 1549, waiting to be rescued after the ditching that came to be known as the "Miracle on the Hudson." (Photo: Gregory Lam.) For the first time since the famous Airbus A320 was pulled from the Hudson River in New York City and disassembled in early 2009, its wings were put back in place last week at the North Carolina museum where it is now on permanent display.
WCNC-TV in Charlotte reports that a crew of volunteers, including current and retired US Airways mechanics, with the assistance of two huge cranes, positioned the wings for reattachment last Wednesday at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. There is hope this portion of the job can be finished by January 15, the third anniversary of what has been called the most successful ditching in aviation history.
Charlotte was the intended destination of Flight 1549 when it left New York LaGuardia on that fateful day. While there are lots of other interesting civilian and military airplanes and helicopters on display at the facility, museum Director Shawn Dorsch tells WCNC the famous A320 is what everyone is coming to see. "Attendance went from about 15,000 to 50,000 people a year on an annual basis," he says. "I actually believe that by this time next year we'll probably be running 70,000 to 80,000 people a year."
We all remember the dramatic live TV shots of passengers standing on the wings of US Airways Flight 1549, waiting to be rescued after the ditching that came to be known as the "Miracle on the Hudson." (Photo: Gregory Lam.) For the first time since the famous Airbus A320 was pulled from the Hudson River in New York City and disassembled in early 2009, its wings were put back in place last week at the North Carolina museum where it is now on permanent display.
WCNC-TV in Charlotte reports that a crew of volunteers, including current and retired US Airways mechanics, with the assistance of two huge cranes, positioned the wings for reattachment last Wednesday at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. There is hope this portion of the job can be finished by January 15, the third anniversary of what has been called the most successful ditching in aviation history.
Charlotte was the intended destination of Flight 1549 when it left New York LaGuardia on that fateful day. While there are lots of other interesting civilian and military airplanes and helicopters on display at the facility, museum Director Shawn Dorsch tells WCNC the famous A320 is what everyone is coming to see. "Attendance went from about 15,000 to 50,000 people a year on an annual basis," he says. "I actually believe that by this time next year we'll probably be running 70,000 to 80,000 people a year."
ASN: Aviation safety better in 2011
Last year there were 507 aviation fatalities as a result of 28 fatal accidents. The ASN has said in a report released on 27th December 2011.
According to ASN, 2011 was the second safest year by number of fatalities and the third safest year by number of accidents. it was also the longest period without a major fatal airliner accident counting from 81 days counting as from January 2. The number of fatalities is lower than the ten year average of 764. The ASN said.
According to the report, the worst accident took place January 9, when a Iran Boeing 727 crashed killing 77 people while on approach to Orumiyeh, Iran.
ASN data revealed that 7 out of the 28 airliner accidents involved airlines on European Union, EU's blacklist as opposed to six out of 29 the year before.
The EU added nine airlines to its blacklist and removed three airlines based on its improved safety record.
In 2011, Africa accounted for 14% of all passenger fatalities while the continent accounted for 3% of departures
According to ASN, 2011 was the second safest year by number of fatalities and the third safest year by number of accidents. it was also the longest period without a major fatal airliner accident counting from 81 days counting as from January 2. The number of fatalities is lower than the ten year average of 764. The ASN said.
According to the report, the worst accident took place January 9, when a Iran Boeing 727 crashed killing 77 people while on approach to Orumiyeh, Iran.
ASN data revealed that 7 out of the 28 airliner accidents involved airlines on European Union, EU's blacklist as opposed to six out of 29 the year before.
The EU added nine airlines to its blacklist and removed three airlines based on its improved safety record.
In 2011, Africa accounted for 14% of all passenger fatalities while the continent accounted for 3% of departures
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
STC Granted For In-Flight WiFi System On Beechjet, Hawker 400
STC Granted For In-Flight WiFi System On Beechjet, Hawker 400: Cutter Aviation Holds Certificate To Install Gogo Broadband An STC for in-flight, high-speed wireless connectivity for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 4
An STC for in-flight, high-speed wireless connectivity for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP family utilizing Aircell Gogo Biz in-flight broadband has been granted to Cutter Aviation in Phoenix, AZ.
Cutter developed the STC in partnership with Aircell utilizing the its ATG 4000 and ATG 5000 systems for installation in the Beechjet airframe. The STC was awarded on December 19, 2011 after nearly a year of development and is now available for purchase and installation on all Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP light business jet aircraft.
“In-flight wireless Internet access is no longer just an ‘extra’ for business aviation aircraft… it has become a requirement for peak in-flight productivity in the digital age,” said David Lohmeyer, Director of R&D for Aircraft Avionics and Services at Cutter Aviation. “Beechjet and Hawker 400XP operators have been waiting for a light, cost-effective in-flight WiFi solution for their aircraft and Cutter Aviation stepped up to meet their needs with the Aircell STC package.”
With the Aircell in-flight WiFi STC by Cutter Aviation, Beechjet operators may now access the Internet in the air just like they are able to at home, in the office or at public “hotspots” like their local coffee shop. Laptops, tablets and smartphones connect in-flight with ease just like a normal WiFi connection. In-flight users connect at speeds up to 3.1 megabites per second (mbps) and network coverage extends nationwide. The equipment and antennas developed by Aircell are light and compact enough for easy installation on a light jet like the Beechjet and more affordable than ever.
Various monthly data packages through the Aircell Gogo Biz provide Internet access for a wide range of budgets, from basic connectivity through unlimited data plans.
An STC for in-flight, high-speed wireless connectivity for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP family utilizing Aircell Gogo Biz in-flight broadband has been granted to Cutter Aviation in Phoenix, AZ.
Cutter developed the STC in partnership with Aircell utilizing the its ATG 4000 and ATG 5000 systems for installation in the Beechjet airframe. The STC was awarded on December 19, 2011 after nearly a year of development and is now available for purchase and installation on all Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP light business jet aircraft.
“In-flight wireless Internet access is no longer just an ‘extra’ for business aviation aircraft… it has become a requirement for peak in-flight productivity in the digital age,” said David Lohmeyer, Director of R&D for Aircraft Avionics and Services at Cutter Aviation. “Beechjet and Hawker 400XP operators have been waiting for a light, cost-effective in-flight WiFi solution for their aircraft and Cutter Aviation stepped up to meet their needs with the Aircell STC package.”
With the Aircell in-flight WiFi STC by Cutter Aviation, Beechjet operators may now access the Internet in the air just like they are able to at home, in the office or at public “hotspots” like their local coffee shop. Laptops, tablets and smartphones connect in-flight with ease just like a normal WiFi connection. In-flight users connect at speeds up to 3.1 megabites per second (mbps) and network coverage extends nationwide. The equipment and antennas developed by Aircell are light and compact enough for easy installation on a light jet like the Beechjet and more affordable than ever.
Various monthly data packages through the Aircell Gogo Biz provide Internet access for a wide range of budgets, from basic connectivity through unlimited data plans.
Few Clues As To Cause of FL Bell 206 Medevac Accident
Few Clues As To Cause of FL Bell 206 Medevac Accident: Pilot Was President of SK Jets and A Highly-Experienced Flyer News/Analysis By Jim Campbell, ANN Editor-In-Chief, Comm. Heli Pilot Few real de
Few real details are emerging in the tragic Monday accident that claimed the lives of three people and may yet still claim a fourth... the patient in need of a heart transplant who didn't get the heart in time for its transplantation.
The pilot was SK Jets President, Hoke Smith (68), described as a "highly decorated Vietnam Pilot with commendations that include The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, and The Distinguished Flying Cross." Smith founded SK in 1997 as the sole owner and operator of one helicopter, expanding the business to seven jets, two helicopters, and 40 employees.
The accident aircraft, a 1979 Bell 206BIII, left early Monday morning on a heart harvesting run from Jacksonville' Mayo Clinic to Gainesville's Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. The pre-dawn flight carried Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Luis Bonilla and procurement technician David Hines of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, also a veteran of the Air National Guard.
The impact sight is a very short distance from ANN's HQ in Green Cove Springs and we found something amiss early Monday when Sheriff's officers arrived at the field looking for information as to the whereabouts of the (then) overdue helicopter. A short time later, a Law Enforcement helo discovered the fire surrounding the crash site and ID'ed the impact zone... some 6 hours after the aircraft went down. No indication as to the cause is currently evident though the scene shows the helicopter's main rotor having made contact with a series of trees on its way down into a heavily forested area used as a hunting club. Weather in area that morning reported lowered visibility and some fog. SK Jets has a pretty solid rep in this area, and their maintenance is said to be top-notch. A recent advertisement, featuring this helicopter for sale (N5016M), indicated that at that time, the total time on the aircraft was in excess of 11,000 hours.
The tragedy has had quite an impact locally. The heart that was to have been harvested was not available in sufficient time to be usable of the intended transplant and the intended recipient has had to be placed back on a transplant waiting list... and there is the possibility that another heart suitable for the transplant may not be found in time for that patient to survive their current cardiac issues.
John Noseworthy, Mayo Clinic president and chief executive officer, is quoted via a prepared statement as stating, "As we mourn this tragic event, we will remember the selfless and intense dedication they brought to making a difference in the lives of our patients. We recognize the commitment transplant teams make every day in helping patients at Mayo Clinic and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."
A statement issued by SK Jets said, simply, “The focus of our efforts at this time is to attend to the needs of our passengers, crew and their families and work with the NTSB and local public safety officials to determine the cause and extent of the accident.”
Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, Air National Guard Assistant to the USAF Surgeon General, and former State Air Surgeon for the Florida Air National Guard said that, “We mourn the tragic loss of David Hines. This tragedy emphasizes the dedication of those who risk their lives in order to give life to others. I was always impressed with David’s skill and dedication, as we worked together both in military and civilian careers. We extend our deepest sympathies to each of their families.”
Unfortunately, the AP report (distributed by a number of media sources) chose to quote a well-known aviation attorney as a "helicopter safety expert" when in fact, Gary Robb is a pretty active aviation litigator who has won some punishing verdicts against helicopter operators and manufacturers. We're not sure this guy has ever 'pulled pitch' on a Bell 206 of any kind, but he opined that the Bell 206 BIII (powered by the Allison 250) was prone to engine failure, cramped, possibly out of CG on this particular flight, and that the engine the aircraft utilized was now "discontinued" -- apparently seeking to suggest the possibility of an engine shutdown or failure -- an extremely rare occurence in my direct experience (and as borne out by the stats) with this series of helicopter and engine. A number of articles quote Robb as stating that, "We've seen a number of instances where that engine simply failed..."
The facts are not quite that simple... the reason that the Allison 250 C20J has been 'discontinued' is that new models have superseded it... and in all its many variants, the engine piled up a pretty solid rep (via a staggering number of configurations and installations)... as did the entire Bell 206 series... possibly one of the safest helicopters, statistically speaking, in the world. Quite a few readers who commented on the published stories took offense at Robb's imprimatur as a helicopter safety expert and scolded various outlets for quoting a person whose career has been built on finding companies and persons to blame (and pay for) for such tragedies. Hereabouts (on our local airports); Robb's remarks were met with scorn, disbelief and derision by a number of folks with actual (and in some cases, considerable) helicopter experience. ANN finds Robb's remarks (in our opinion) out of place, self-serving, and incredibly premature for an accident for which there are few facts to support any guess work involving engine failure, CG problems, and the like. We agree with those comments made that suggested that quoting Robb in the accident-related articles seemed like a poor choice.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 5016M Make/Model: B206 Description: BELL 206B HELICOPTER
Date: 12/26/2011 Time: 1053
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: FLORAHOME State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N5016M BELL 206M ROTORCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 3 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, ALERT NOTICE ISSUED AND WRECKAGE LOCATED NEAR FLORAHOME, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 3
# Crew: 3 Fat: 3 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Air Ambulance Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL (SO15) Entry date: 12/27/2011
Few real details are emerging in the tragic Monday accident that claimed the lives of three people and may yet still claim a fourth... the patient in need of a heart transplant who didn't get the heart in time for its transplantation.
The pilot was SK Jets President, Hoke Smith (68), described as a "highly decorated Vietnam Pilot with commendations that include The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, and The Distinguished Flying Cross." Smith founded SK in 1997 as the sole owner and operator of one helicopter, expanding the business to seven jets, two helicopters, and 40 employees.
The accident aircraft, a 1979 Bell 206BIII, left early Monday morning on a heart harvesting run from Jacksonville' Mayo Clinic to Gainesville's Shands Hospital at the University of Florida. The pre-dawn flight carried Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Luis Bonilla and procurement technician David Hines of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, also a veteran of the Air National Guard.
The impact sight is a very short distance from ANN's HQ in Green Cove Springs and we found something amiss early Monday when Sheriff's officers arrived at the field looking for information as to the whereabouts of the (then) overdue helicopter. A short time later, a Law Enforcement helo discovered the fire surrounding the crash site and ID'ed the impact zone... some 6 hours after the aircraft went down. No indication as to the cause is currently evident though the scene shows the helicopter's main rotor having made contact with a series of trees on its way down into a heavily forested area used as a hunting club. Weather in area that morning reported lowered visibility and some fog. SK Jets has a pretty solid rep in this area, and their maintenance is said to be top-notch. A recent advertisement, featuring this helicopter for sale (N5016M), indicated that at that time, the total time on the aircraft was in excess of 11,000 hours.
The tragedy has had quite an impact locally. The heart that was to have been harvested was not available in sufficient time to be usable of the intended transplant and the intended recipient has had to be placed back on a transplant waiting list... and there is the possibility that another heart suitable for the transplant may not be found in time for that patient to survive their current cardiac issues.
John Noseworthy, Mayo Clinic president and chief executive officer, is quoted via a prepared statement as stating, "As we mourn this tragic event, we will remember the selfless and intense dedication they brought to making a difference in the lives of our patients. We recognize the commitment transplant teams make every day in helping patients at Mayo Clinic and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."
A statement issued by SK Jets said, simply, “The focus of our efforts at this time is to attend to the needs of our passengers, crew and their families and work with the NTSB and local public safety officials to determine the cause and extent of the accident.”
Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, Air National Guard Assistant to the USAF Surgeon General, and former State Air Surgeon for the Florida Air National Guard said that, “We mourn the tragic loss of David Hines. This tragedy emphasizes the dedication of those who risk their lives in order to give life to others. I was always impressed with David’s skill and dedication, as we worked together both in military and civilian careers. We extend our deepest sympathies to each of their families.”
Unfortunately, the AP report (distributed by a number of media sources) chose to quote a well-known aviation attorney as a "helicopter safety expert" when in fact, Gary Robb is a pretty active aviation litigator who has won some punishing verdicts against helicopter operators and manufacturers. We're not sure this guy has ever 'pulled pitch' on a Bell 206 of any kind, but he opined that the Bell 206 BIII (powered by the Allison 250) was prone to engine failure, cramped, possibly out of CG on this particular flight, and that the engine the aircraft utilized was now "discontinued" -- apparently seeking to suggest the possibility of an engine shutdown or failure -- an extremely rare occurence in my direct experience (and as borne out by the stats) with this series of helicopter and engine. A number of articles quote Robb as stating that, "We've seen a number of instances where that engine simply failed..."
The facts are not quite that simple... the reason that the Allison 250 C20J has been 'discontinued' is that new models have superseded it... and in all its many variants, the engine piled up a pretty solid rep (via a staggering number of configurations and installations)... as did the entire Bell 206 series... possibly one of the safest helicopters, statistically speaking, in the world. Quite a few readers who commented on the published stories took offense at Robb's imprimatur as a helicopter safety expert and scolded various outlets for quoting a person whose career has been built on finding companies and persons to blame (and pay for) for such tragedies. Hereabouts (on our local airports); Robb's remarks were met with scorn, disbelief and derision by a number of folks with actual (and in some cases, considerable) helicopter experience. ANN finds Robb's remarks (in our opinion) out of place, self-serving, and incredibly premature for an accident for which there are few facts to support any guess work involving engine failure, CG problems, and the like. We agree with those comments made that suggested that quoting Robb in the accident-related articles seemed like a poor choice.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 5016M Make/Model: B206 Description: BELL 206B HELICOPTER
Date: 12/26/2011 Time: 1053
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: FLORAHOME State: FL Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N5016M BELL 206M ROTORCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 3 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, ALERT NOTICE ISSUED AND WRECKAGE LOCATED NEAR FLORAHOME, FL
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 3
# Crew: 3 Fat: 3 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Air Ambulance Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: ORLANDO, FL (SO15) Entry date: 12/27/2011
AZ CBP Receives Fourth Predator-B
AZ CBP Receives Fourth Predator-B: Aero-News Network - Your Daily Aviation and Aerospace News.
The US Customs and Border Protection received an Unmanned Aircraft this week, the fourth to be based at National Air Security Operations Center Sierra Vista, Ariz. Flights performed from this location reportedly will provide critical aerial surveillance to CBP border security personnel on the ground along the Southwest border. The arrival of the Predator-B marks the second of two unmanned aircraft earmarked in the supplemental budget provisions identified in August 2010.
CBP's Unmanned Aircraft Systems operate under several FAA-approved Certificates of Authorization that enable CBP to deploy a UAS in the national airspace. On the southwest border, the first COA allows access into Texas from Arizona to just west of the Big Bend border area. The second COA enables CBP to launch and recover a UAS from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, and to operate along the entire Texas land border with Mexico, the coast, and over open water.
On the southwest border, CBP now operates a total of six Predator-B's from SierraVista, Ariz., and Corpus Christi, Texas. The missions from these two centers will allow CBP to deploy its unmanned aircraft from the eastern tip of California across the common Mexican land borders of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
CBP identified Arizona as a location for its ninth UAS because it will allow for the greatest support of the CBP Air and Marine Strategic Plan to secure the shared land border between United States and Mexico, and will allow for the most effective execution of counter-drug operations and Homeland Security missions.
Additionally, basing a fourth UAS in Sierra Vista will best posture CBP for rapid deployment throughout the southern tier of the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere. This operational capability increases CBP's ability to provide disaster relief and humanitarian support in the Gulf Coast region.
Since the inception of the UAS program, CBP has flown more than 12,000 UAS hours in support of border security operations and CBP partners in disaster relief and emergency response, including various state governments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The efforts of this program has led to the total seizure of approximately 46,600 pounds of illicit drugs and the detention of approximately 7,500 individuals suspected in engaging in illegal activity along the Southwest Border.
The US Customs and Border Protection received an Unmanned Aircraft this week, the fourth to be based at National Air Security Operations Center Sierra Vista, Ariz. Flights performed from this location reportedly will provide critical aerial surveillance to CBP border security personnel on the ground along the Southwest border. The arrival of the Predator-B marks the second of two unmanned aircraft earmarked in the supplemental budget provisions identified in August 2010.
CBP's Unmanned Aircraft Systems operate under several FAA-approved Certificates of Authorization that enable CBP to deploy a UAS in the national airspace. On the southwest border, the first COA allows access into Texas from Arizona to just west of the Big Bend border area. The second COA enables CBP to launch and recover a UAS from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, and to operate along the entire Texas land border with Mexico, the coast, and over open water.
On the southwest border, CBP now operates a total of six Predator-B's from SierraVista, Ariz., and Corpus Christi, Texas. The missions from these two centers will allow CBP to deploy its unmanned aircraft from the eastern tip of California across the common Mexican land borders of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
CBP identified Arizona as a location for its ninth UAS because it will allow for the greatest support of the CBP Air and Marine Strategic Plan to secure the shared land border between United States and Mexico, and will allow for the most effective execution of counter-drug operations and Homeland Security missions.
Additionally, basing a fourth UAS in Sierra Vista will best posture CBP for rapid deployment throughout the southern tier of the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere. This operational capability increases CBP's ability to provide disaster relief and humanitarian support in the Gulf Coast region.
Since the inception of the UAS program, CBP has flown more than 12,000 UAS hours in support of border security operations and CBP partners in disaster relief and emergency response, including various state governments and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The efforts of this program has led to the total seizure of approximately 46,600 pounds of illicit drugs and the detention of approximately 7,500 individuals suspected in engaging in illegal activity along the Southwest Border.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
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