New skills crucial for nuclear future (UK)

The Tees Valley must upskill its nuclear workforce to take full advantage of the nuclear renaissance coming its way, according to a new report. The industry needs a thousand new recruits every year if the current level of nuclear power generation is to be maintained to 2025 and beyond.

Government of Canada makes major investments in aerospace and defence (CAN)

The R&D for this project will help maintain a highly skilled Canadian workforce and facilitate collaboration with academic, federal and other partners.

Dodd secures funding to protect U.S. security and save thousands of Connecticut jobs (USA)

Senator Chris Dodd announced $2.5 billion in funding that will help save between 2,000 and 3,000 Connecticut jobs. The funding will go towards transitioning workers currently producing the F-22 Raptor to building aircraft engines for 10 more C-17 cargo aircraft.

Aerospace expert says job loss will damage NASA (USA)

On the heels of the Augustine Commission's conclusion that NASA's current plans to get back to the moon and beyond would cost an extra $3 billion a year, it is now up to the White House to decide what's next.

TSU aviation school under investigation by FAA (USA)

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a complaint that raises serious questions about the validity of Texas Southern University's School of Aviation, according to officials familiar with the case.

Boeing Charleston workers choose to decertify their union (USA)

Production and maintenance workers at Boeing Charleston, the former Vought factory in North Charleston, S.C., voted to remove the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) as their collective bargaining representative.

Regulatory and Safety

ICAO's standards 'll enhance safety in Nigeria's airspace, says Minister (Nigeria)

The Minister of Aviation, Mr Babatunde Omotoba, said that the International Civil Aviation Organisation''s recommendations on regulatory standards would enhance safety in Nigeria's airspace.

The European Union approves new aviation rules (EU)

The Council of the European Union adopted two regulations to improve the performance and safety of the European aviation system: the first strengthens the Single European Sky legislation (3640/09), while the second extends the tasks of the European Aviation Safety Agency-EASA (3641/09).

FAA Reauthorization Bill Update (USA)

If the Senate fails to act on an FAA Reauthorization bill before the end of the month, another short-term reauthorization of the agency will be required.

EU regulators decree pitot tube replacement (EU)

European aviation-safety regulators have decided Goodrich pitot tubes must replace Thales-made pitot tubes on Airbus planes.

EASA and FAA Airbus pitot requirements (EU-USA)

The FAA jumped right to a final rule in mandating the replacement of the Thales pitot tubes on certain Airbus A330 and 340 aircraft.

FAA looks into Hooper accident (USA)

The accident happened when children and adults converged on a field to gather candy and numbered sponges that could be redeemed for prizes, dropped from an experimental aircraft that flew about 40 feet overhead.

AAAE urges action on multi-year FAA Bill (USA)

AAAE President urged congressional leaders to act immediately to approve a multi-year FAA reauthorization bill that raises the cap on PFCs, increases AIP funding and rejects a controversial aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) proposal.

Safety at risk (India)

A number of fatal accidents in recent years happened because of the lack of a basic decision-making process or skills or a combination of both.

FAA introduces time technology to NextGen test flights (USA)

Beginning in the fall, flight demonstrations of the new flight management system in 4D trajectory based operations will help determine how well aircraft avionics predict and execute the optimum trajectory of an aircraft while sharing the information with ground systems.

Cap on tarmac waits might get off ground (USA)

The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would compel planes to unload passengers after three hours on the tarmac.

US House's foreign repair station provision remains divisive (USA)

US Congressional staff expressed optimism Friday that FAA reauthorization legislation can be passed this year but conceded that several contentious issues, in particular regarding FAA inspections of foreign repair stations, remain unresolved.

Aircraft in Gulf to be tracked using satellites (USA)

Air traffic controllers will begin using satellite technology in December to track aircraft flying over the Gulf of Mexico, a significant milestone in the government's program to replace the nation's radar-based air traffic system.

Whistleblower quitting over 'FAA's inaction' (USA)

She twice reported near misses and cover-ups among air traffic controllers at D/FW International Airport and both times, she was proved right.

Air safety probe sought (CAN)

Opposition MPs are calling on Auditor-General Sheila Fraser to investigate Transport Canada's air-safety practices after government inspectors warned of fictitious accounting inside the department.

Civil Aviation

TAM is Awarded FAA Certification (Brazil)

Technological Center, the MRO business unit (Maintenance,Repair and Overhaul), has just been certified by the American aviationauthority, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to be able to performmaintenance operations on aircraft registered in the United States.

General Dynamics Aviation Services-Lincoln Receives EASA Approval for Parts Repairs and Overhaul (USA)

The General Dynamics Aviation Services facility in Lincoln, Calif., recently received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to perform component-level maintenance for generators, alternators, convertors and instruments on aircraft registered for operation in European Union countries.

Boeing's Chinese challenge (China)

AVIC has an airliner in the works. And with a planned capacity of 190 passengers, the new C919 aims at Boeing's position in the large airliner market.

European commission to rule on Antonov An-26 operations (EU)

The European Commission will decide shortly whether to renew the derogation permitting the Antonov An-26 twin-turboprop freighter to be operated in Europe.

Questions remain after ice chunk crashes onto Detroit home (USA)

Gerald Young saved a foot-long mass of ice wrapped in multiple bags in his freezer, to show as evidence to the FAA.

FAA releases audio of jet hitting turbulence (USA)

The Federal Aviation Administration has released audio of communications between Miami controllers and a Continental flight that experienced severe turbulence on a Rio-to-Houston flight on Aug. 3.

Maritime

The winds of change continue to blow: Coast Guard proposes new ballast water discharge limitations (USA)

New concentration levels for living organisms in ballast water discharges will soon become a reality for vessel owners and operators discharging ballast water into U.S. internal waters and within 12 nautical miles of shore.

Lifeboat issues hampering Norwegian oil (Norway)

A number of freefall lifeboat-related issues have emerged in the region over the past year, ranging from quality-control to a need to strengthen canopies.

India's potential in maritime training: Providing seafarers to the world (India)

If India can create a vast talent pool of professionally qualified and technically trained maritime personnel it will not only be able to overtake the Philippines as the largest provider of seafarers but also script a success story similar to what it has already done in the IT field on the global scene.

EU adapting maritime industry policies to counteract economic downturn (EU)

The shipbuilding and marine equipment industry and trade unions to discuss the difficult situation of maritime industry in Europe and to revisit the policy framework of the LeaderSHIP 2015 agenda in light of the current crisis.

Defense

The Japanese Reserve (Japan)

The Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) is currently in a state of flux. Seeking to manage the new threats of the 21st century and remain interoperable with the U.S. military, the SDF is becoming more agile and technologically advanced.

Russian firm sues arms exporter for $15 mln over Algeria deal (RUS)

According to Vedomosti, the Dux plant, contracted to make missiles for MiG-29 fighters as part of a 2006 contract with Algeria, is seeking 470 million rubles ($15 million) in compensation from Rosoboronexport following the African country's decision to tear up the contract, citing the "inferior quality" of the planes.

Navy approves Northrop welding action plan; says subs, sailors 'not at risk' (USA)

Following what it described as a 16-month "in-depth review," the Navy approved a report submitted by Northrop and sub-building partner General Dynamics Electric Boat that deals with welding errors found on Virginia class submarines in 2007.

Space

Repaired Hubble telescope back in action (USA)

NASA scientists showed off spectacular new pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope, a stunning gallery of remote galaxies, a stellar nursery, an enormous globular cluster packed with countless pinpoint stars, and a dying sun blowing off its outer atmosphere in butterfly-like wings of debris.

NASA should pursue partnerships (USA)

A manned flight to the moon by 2020 isn't likely to get off the launch pad under current financial constraints that require NASA to reconsider its manned space flight program for the next couple of decades.

Commercial Spaceflight Federation (USA)

Review of U.S. human space flight plans committee`s summary report finds
commercial procurement of human space transportation will cut costs, reduce
spaceflight gap.

"COTS-like": The future of space procurement (USA)

The current Administration's Review of Human Space Flight Plans Committee has generated a lot of debate, but one message has emerged loud and clear: NASA is going to have to find a way to do more with less, which means a greater use of commercial procurement practices.

Augustine taking findings to Capitol Hill (USA)

Senators and representatives will get a chance to respond to the recommendations of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee this week, with back-to-back hearings on the panel's findings.

Playing the waiting (and winning) game (USA)

A successful flight would put Armadillo in prime position to claim the $1-million first prize for Level 2 as part of NASA's Centennial Challenges program.

An invasion of start-ups from outer space (USA)

Imagine a potential investor trying to keep a straight face when an entrepreneur says the market reach of their business spans...galaxies.