Engineer shortage puts green economy and smart grid at risk (USA)

As a cornerstone of his energy, environment and economic plans, President Barack Obama urged the country to transform its energy system to make it greener and smarter. But a growing shortage of electric power and energy engineers will make the path to reaching that vision rocky.

Small manufacturers struggle to stay open (USA)

Potential cuts to U.S. defense programs, a slowdown in aviation spending and the general economic malaise are forcing small machine shops to sharpen their pencils to stay competitive.

China faces stability threat from aging (China)

The U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International studies warned that by 2050 China will have more than 438 million people older than 60, with over 100 million of them 80 and above.

Help for idled Boeing workers (USA)

The Boeing Co., has announced plans to reduce its work force by 6 percent this year in response to the global recession. At least 4,500 jobs with the company's commercial airplanes division here in the Puget Sound region will be lost through layoffs and attrition.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Machinists Union members approve new three-year contract (USA)

The agreement covers three IAM bargaining units - production and maintenance employees, firefighters and nurses - and includes Lockheed Martin employees in Fort Worth, Texas; at Edwards AFB, Calif.; and at NAS Patuxent River, Md. The union has more than 3,500 total members.

Six Bombardier officials paid $23.1-million (CAN)

Airplane and railway manufacturer Bombardier Inc. paid six of its senior executives a total of $23.1-million (U.S.) last year as it divvied up the proceeds of a record 2008 when the transportation giant earned $1-billion for the first time.

Alcoa layoffs mirror today's economic realities (USA)

Alcoa is, according to a news release, developing plans to reduce the hourly work force by an additional 250 to 275 employees is a difficult blow to the workers.

Some local firms are hiring, not firing (USA)

Booz Allen, which provides consulting services on government projects, is among the firms benefiting from the defense spending. It hired 152 workers last year in the San Diego region and now has openings for 65 more, mostly providing consulting on quality assurance and cost control at government projects.

Regulatory and Safety

Ex-FAA official faults agency on mechanic tests (USA)

A former federal aviation regulator says the government isn't doing enough to track down people who may have obtained fraudulent aviation mechanic's certificates a decade ago without taking the required test.

FAA's bird strike database goes public (USA)

Travelers can get their first glimpse of federal data documenting where and how often planes hit birds. But as the FAA publically releases its bird strike data for the first time, the agency itself acknowledges the information is far from complete.

Canadian pilots claim new airline safety system below standards (CAN)

The chairman of the Canadian Federal Pilots Association warned on Wednesday the country's aviation safety standards are below international benchmarks.

New CASA boss to put safety in focus (AUS)

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's new boss is reviewing all activities at the regulator to ensure they contribute to aviation safety as conditions in the industry continue to tighten.

Short-term FAA funding may delay debate over user fees (USA)

The Senate may be considering a two-year authorization for the FAA rather than a full, four-year bill in order to give the Obama administration more time to determine its funding policy.

HAI President testifies on the oversight of helicopter medical services (USA)

HAI President testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, on the subject of Oversight of Helicopter Medical Services, to address legislative proposals offered by Mr. Salazar (H.R. 1201) and Mr. Altmire (H.R. 978) and to discuss the oversight of helicopter medical services with the committee.

FAA plan would require alarms on air ambulances (USA)

A proposal aimed at stemming crashes of air ambulances would require that the helicopters carry alarms that would warn pilots if they are close to hitting the ground.

Commercial pressure could undermine North Sea helicopter safety (UK)

Pilots claim that commercial pressures could be undermining safety in the North Sea oil industry as it emerged that Super Puma helicopters were about to return to service.

Neighbors fume over LAX plan to redesign runways (USA)

LAX is by far the nation's worst commercial airport for dangerous near-collisions between aircraft on the ground, but attempts to fix the problem have run into powerful political opposition.

FAA nominee worked for wind farm opponent (USA)

J. Randolph Babbitt was an aviation consultant at his firm, Oliver Wyman, when the alliance hired him to lobby against Cape Wind's proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm.

Medical-Helicopter study on safety splits industry (USA)

As industry groups continue to squabble over how to reduce the risks of emergency medical helicopter flights, a safety study commissioned by Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter is pitting industry factions against one another, forcing Bell to distance itself from the conclusions to avoid antagonizing some corporate customers.

Civil Aviation

EASA certifies Embraer's Phenom 100 (EU)

The EASA TC confirms that the design of the aircraft complies with European safety and environmental standards. The Phenom 100 can now be legally registered and operated throughout the European Union.

Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc. announces verdict in case against GE Capital Aviation Services, Inc. (USA)

Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc., a leading provider of aircraft maintenance and modification services for the U.S. Government, announced that a jury in the Circuit Court of Dale County, Alabama found in favor of the Company in its complaint against GE Capital Aviation Services, Inc.

Pilot appeared to be 'troubleshooting' before Fla. crash (USA)

Shortly before Cecil Murray's plane plunged from the sky and into an Oakland Park, Fla., house last week, the 80-year-old pilot sat on a Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport ramp and tinkered with his aircraft.

France seeks cooperation with China on jumbo jets (China)

Anne-Marie Idrac, French Minister of State for foreign trade, said at an ongoing aerospace convention that French companies could be suppliers of engines, take-off and landing gears, and electronic devices -- an industry in which the French are highly competitive.

Wrongful death suit filed in plane crash (USA)

The family of Ron and Linda Davidson - the Westfield couple killed when Continental Flight 3407 crashed into a house in Clarence Center in February - has filed wrongful death lawsuits against the airline and the plane's manufacturer alleging negligence and ''a series of failures'' in the design and maintenance of the ill-fated aircraft.

Pilot's reaction among Flight 3407 crash causes (USA)

The aviation disaster lawyers of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February 2009 on behalf of Jonah and Jacob Mink, whose mother, Susan Wehle, was killed in this tragedy.

EASA pilots complete initial flights on Superjet prototypes (EU)

Test pilots from the European Aviation Safety Agency have completed familiarisation flights of the two Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototypes in the flight-test programme.

20% firms not producing quality goods, says survey (India)

Indian firms not only lack quality machineries but also absorption of supporting technologies such as precision measuring, material engineering and product control.

IATA aims to improve aviation standards in former Soviet Republics (RUS)

The signing of an agreement was undertaken by The International Air Transport Association (IATA) with Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) and covers aviation safety throughout the CIS region took place in Moscow.

Firefighting plane crashes in Utah; crew of 3 die (USA)

A converted military plane crashed Saturday in heavy fog in the mountains that frame the Salt Lake valley, killing three members of a private firefighting company, authorities said.

Maritime

Ghana to extend its Continental Shelf (Ghana)

Ghana announced that the ministry is to submit drafts for the extension of Ghana's continental shelf. The drafts to be submitted to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) is in line with article 76 of the 1982 UN convention on the law of the Sea which enjoins member states to extend their maritime rights beyond the mandatory 200 nautical miles.

Defense

Army wins three Department of Defense awards for environmental stewardship (USA)

Army installations earned three Department of Defense Environmental Awards for fiscal 2008, recognizing progress in environmental quality, natural resources conservation and cultural resources management.

'Secret' submarines lead show of China's naval might (China)

China showed off its nuclear submarines to the world for the first time with two previously top-secret vessels leading a naval parade in the East China Sea.

Tainted products--sabotage or shoddy manufacturing? (USA)

Computer equipment is arriving on stores shelves in the U.S. with viruses and other malicious software, but industry insiders said at the RSA conference that they don't know whether it's the result of intentional manipulation or just poor manufacturing processes overseas.

USS San Francisco returns to fleet (USA)

The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine collided with an uncharted undersea mountain Jan. 8, 2005, and was placed in the dry dock facility for repairs after a 5,600-nautical mile open ocean transit from Apra Harbor, Guam to PSNS and IMF.

Army speeds testing of robotic systems (USA)

Robotic systems that can save lives on the battlefield are getting into Soldiers' hands more rapidly than ever before, and the Army Developmental Test Command is transforming its business practices to support that effort.

Next generation of the Power Knee in early release at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (USA)

Ossur, a global leader in non-invasive orthopaedics, announced that LTC Greg Gadson was fit last week at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) with the second generation of the Power Knee, the first technology to use sensors, power, artificial intelligence and actuators to provide amputees with the ability to walk naturally and safely without even thinking about it.

Up, Up and Out (USA)

the secretary of defense, has proposed a budget overhaul that will go a long way toward improving our national security, but more can be done to meet his long-term goal: creating the right military for the 21st century.

Luke Air Force Base awaits study for basing F-35 fighter (USA)

The military installation in Glendale is up against Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho to be home to the Joint Strike Fighter. Luke supporters see the F-35 as vital to keeping the base alive - a $2 billion-a-year economic engine for Arizona - when the F-16 is phased out.

Space

Educational launch planned for Spaceport America (USA)

Spaceport America and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium at New Mexico State University will conduct the first annual educational launch from Spaceport America.

Small satellites provide low-cost entree (USA)

Smaller, less-costly satellites weighing 500 kg. (1,100 lb.) or less are emerging as practical options. In recent years, large countries, including the U.S., as well as small ones have recognized the benefits of these platforms.

FL Senator pushing to delay Shuttle retirement (USA)

Florida Senator Bill Nelson, a former Space Shuttle astronaut himself, is working toward extending the shuttle program to protect thousands of jobs in his state that would likely be jeopardized by the programs' planned retirement at the end of 2010.