TSA's prohibited items confiscation

Is a waste of time and resources.

Required Training for serving drunks. . .

You could skip all this business if you just required the flight crewmembers to ask anyone who appears intoxicated to close their eyes and spell the carrier's name backwards. If they can't do that, they are cut off. Especially for those LONG names. It works.

Volare! Oh! Oh! Your love has given me wings. . .

[Federal Register: April 30, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 82)]
[Notices]
[Page 21312]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ap07-97]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B
(formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending April 20, 2007

The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience
and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits were filed under Subpart
B (formerly Subpart Q) of the Department of Transportation's Procedural
Regulations (see 14 CFR 301.201 et seq.).
The due date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motions to
Modify cope are set forth below for each application. Following the
Answer period DOT may process the application by expedited procedures.
Such procedures may consist of the adoption of a show-cause order, a
tentative order, or in appropriate cases a final order without further
proceedings.
Docket Number: OST-2007-27996.
Date Filed: April 18, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 9, 2007.
Description: Application of Volare, S.p.A., requesting a foreign
air carrier permit to carry international charter air traffic of
passengers and their accompanying baggage and/or cargo between any
point of points in the Republic of Italy and any point or points in the
territory of the United States and any point or points in any third
country or countries subject to the conditions set out in the currently
effective open skies agreement between the Republic of Italy and the
United States; and other charter trips in foreign air transportation.

Docket Number: OST-2005-20072 and OST-2005-21744.
Date Filed: April 19, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 10, 2007.
Description: Application of Skybus Airlines, Inc. (``Skybus''),
requesting a disclaimer of jurisdiction and reissuance of certificates
or, alternatively, approval of the transfer of Skybus's certificates of
public convenience and necessity and other operating authority from
Skybus Airlines, LLC, an entity which no longer exists.

Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E7-8174 Filed 4-27-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

LUV accident at Midway

JURISDICTION – A plane crashed through a barrier into the street and hit a car, killing one of the car’s occupants. The 7th Circuit reversed the district court’s ruling that the ensuing tort suits fell under federal court jurisdiction because no court of appeals has held that the national regulation of most aspects of air travel meant that a tort claim in the wake of a plane crash fell under federal law. SEE Bennett v. Southwest Airlines, via CourthouseNews.

DOT launches investigation of carriers for on time claims

More.

ADVISE

Analysis, Dissemination, Visualization, Insight and Semantic Enhancement - analyzes computerized information such as e-mails, news articles and reports to link people, organizations and events. The program should undergo a formal assessment of privacy risks, according to the GAO. A House panel either has or will hold hearings on the program. The program could link innocent people with criminal or terrorist acts.

The New E-Passport

The New American Icon.
Update: May 3, 2007

Please be aware that the US State Department is
experiencing massive delays in processing applications for
U.S. passports and passport renewals.
.
Expedited service providers are even taking four weeks or longer
to renew a passport. If you need to renew or obtain a
passport, the only way to assure prompt service is to make
an appointment and appear in person at a regional passport
agency.
.
To make the appointment, please call the National Passport
Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. The
center is currently staffed 6 A.M. to Midnight, Eastern Time,
with the best time to call early in the morning or after
business hours, as the appointment system is automated.

Luggage Delivery Services

Now that's a great idea! Plus,it gets us off the hook for having to fulfill our end of the bargain!

If you ask, they have to tell you. . .

We've already covered this ground, over a month ago. See the March 18th posts.

This is a joke. . .

What part of 'you will now be shot down' do they not get?

RFID

Security/Privacy Risks.

Safety/Capacity Issues with New A380

Look! Up in the Sky! It's an office building!

The Old European In & Out

Study.

Lust in Space

The case of Lisa Nowak, the Space Shuttle Astronaut who flipped out over a rival, is the best argument for a "past is not prologue" I can imagine. Here she was, a Naval Academy Graduate, Graduate of the Navy's Test Pilot Program, Astronaut, mother of three, etc., etc., and she is done IN by her own jealous demons. So much for the argument for background checks. Next.

Airline Quality Ratings Report

From Wichita State University and University ofNebraska at Omaha.

Retaliatory Firing

Pilot Claims Airline Fired Him
For Reporting Hazardous Cargo
PORTLAND, ORE. (CN) – Ameriflight wrongfully fired a pilot because he complied with his public duty by reporting to the FAA that he “found undeclared hazardous cargo in his plane,” the pilot claims in Multnomah County Court. Larry Schiermeister says that on Aug. 13, 2004, he had to make an emergency landing at Redmond, Ore., after “hazardous material leaked from the cargo bay into the cockpit.” Schiermeister says the FAA investigated and found that Ameriflight had shipped undeclared hazardous cargo on the flight from Portland. He says Ameriflight, a Nevada corporation, retaliated by harassing him, threatening to reduce his hours and transferring him, then firing him. He demands $300,000 for lost wages and inability to find work and $250,000 for emotional distress. He is represented by Philip Lebenbaum. See the complaint via CourthouseNews.

NPRM-Icing

Not the kind on the cake.

Route Applications

[Federal Register: April 26, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 80)]
[Notices]
[Page 20908-20911]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26ap07-102]


[[Page 20908]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B
(Formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending April 13, 2007

The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience
and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits were filed under Subpart
B (formerly Subpart Q) of the Department of Transportation's Procedural
Regulations (See 14 CFR 301.201 et seq.). The due date for Answers,
Conforming Applications, or Motions to Modify Scope are set forth below
for each application. Following the Answer period DOT may process the
application by expedited procedures. Such procedures may consist of the
adoption of a show-cause order, a tentative order, or in appropriate
cases a final order without further proceedings.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-3.
Date Filed: April 11, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of United Parcel Service Co. requesting
that the Department award it indefinite blanket authority to serve all
existing U.S. open-skies partners, along with prospective blanket
certificate authority to serve any future open-skies partner once an
agreement between the United States and that partner is being applied
by the two governments.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-2.
Date Filed: April 11, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Arrow Air, Inc. d/b/a Arrow Cargo
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage
in scheduled foreign air transportation of property and mail between
any points in the United States via intermediate points to a point or
points in Albania, Aruba, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde,
Chad, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, El
Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana,
Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan,
Korea Republic of, Kuwait, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia,
Maldives, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Netherlands
Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Samoa,
Senegal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland,
Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab
Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and to points beyond with full traffic
rights to the extent the applicable aviation agreements grant such
rights.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-6.
Date Filed: April 12, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Federal Express Corporation (``FedEx
Express'') requesting indefinite blanket open-skies certificate
authority, which will enable FedEx Express to serve current and future
U.S. open-skies partners.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-5.
Date Filed: April 12, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (``Hawaiian'')
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate
between the United States and all countries with which the United
States has ``Open Skies'' agreements now or in the future. Further
Hawaiian asks that such authority allow it to integrate that authority
so it may operate to and from any country to which DOT has given its
certificate or exemption authority and to which Hawaiian has been
designated.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-7.
Date Filed: April 12, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Eos Airlines, Inc. requesting a
certificate of public convenience and necessity to obtain authority to
provide foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail to all
markets with which the U.S. has an open-skies agreement or may, in the
future, enter into one.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-8.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Polar Air Cargo, Inc. (``Polar'') and
Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (''PACW'') requesting issuance of a
certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing Polar and,
at a later date, PACW to engage in foreign air transportation of
property and mail between a point or points in the United States, on
the one hand, and a point or points in those countries with which the
United States has concluded or subsequently concludes open-skies air
transport agreements, on the other, via intermediate points and beyond,
to the extent the applicable aviation agreements grant such rights.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-9.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Atlas Air, Inc. requesting a
certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage in foreign
air transportation of property and mail between a point or points in
the United States, on the one hand, and a point or points in those
countries with which the United States has concluded or subsequently
concludes open skies air transport agreements, on the other, via
intermediate points and beyond, to the extent the applicable aviation
agreements grant such rights.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-10.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Amerijet International, Inc.
(``Amerijet'') requesting an indefinite blanket open-skies certificate
of public convenience and necessity authorizing it to provide scheduled
foreign air transportation of property and mail between points in the
U.S. and a point or points in all countries with which the U.S. has an
open-skies aviation agreement or may, in the future, enter into one.
Amerijet also requests authority to integrate the authority requested
herein with its existing certificate and exemption authority subject to
the conditions normally imposed by the Department on such integration
authority.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-11 and OST-1999-6246-14.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Supplement 6 of Delta Air Lines, Inc.
requesting a new or amended certificate of public convenience and
necessity for open entry routes to serve all open-skies MALIAT partner
countries under the procedures set forth in the Open-Skies Certificate
Notice and Order 2007-4-2.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-13.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.

[[Page 20909]]

Description: Application of JetBlue Airways Corporation
(``JetBlue'') requesting a certificate of public convenience and
necessity to operate between the United States and all countries with
which the United States has ``Open Skies'' agreements now or in the
future. Further JetBlue asks that such authority allow it to integrate
that authority so it may operate to and from any country to which DOT
has given it certificate or exemption authority and to which JetBlue
has been designated.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-14.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Spirit Airlines, Inc. (``Spirit'')
requesting indefinite blanket open-skies certificate authority to serve
all existing U.S. open-skies partners and for prospective blanket
certificate authority to serve any future open-skies partner once an
agreement between the United States and that partner is being applied
by the two governments. Further, Spirit asks that the Department permit
it to integrate this certificate authority with Spirit's other
certificate and exemption authority, consistent with applicable
agreements between the United States and foreign governments. Finally,
Spirit asks that the Department designate it for each of the open-skies
partners, as necessary, to allow Spirit to respond quickly to new
market opportunities.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-15.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Brendan Airways, LLC d/b/a USA 3000
Airlines, Inc. (``USA 3000'') requesting blanket open-skies certificate
authority, authorizing it to provide scheduled air transportation of
persons, property and mail to all existing U.S.-Open Skies partners,
along with prospective blanket certificate authority to serve any
future open-skies partner once an agreement between the United States
and that partner is being applied by the two governments without the
need for further action by the carrier or the Department.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-16 and OST-2004-19398-5.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Amendment 1 of TradeWinds Airlines, Inc. to
its current open-skies certificate of public convenience and necessity
to the extent necessary to authorize it to provide scheduled air
transportation of property and mail to include all countries that have
concluded ``Open Skies'' Air Services Agreements with the United States
since issuance of its current open-skies certificate, along with
prospective blanket certificate authority to serve any future open-
skies partner once an agreement between the United States and that
partner comes into force and effect, without the need for further
action by the carrier or the Department.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-17.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Alaska Airlines, Inc. (``Alaska'')
requesting a blanket certificate of public convenience and necessity of
indefinite duration permitting Alaska to engage in the scheduled
foreign air transportation of person, property and mail between the
United States and all countries with which the United States has
entered into an open skies agreement, as well as any country with which
the United States may in the future enter into such an agreement, once
the agreement is being applied by both countries.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-18.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of ATA Airlines, Inc. (``ATA'') requesting
a blanket certificate of public convenience and necessity of indefinite
duration permitting ATA to engage in the scheduled foreign air
transportation of person, property and mail between the United States
and all countries with which the United States has entered into an open
skies agreement, as well as any country with which the United States
may in the future enter into such an agreement, once the agreement is
being applied by both countries.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-19.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Florida West International Airways,
Inc. (``FWIA'') requesting a blanket certificate of public convenience
and necessity of indefinite duration permitting FWIA to engage in the
scheduled foreign air transportation of person, property and mail
between the United States and all countries with which the United
States has entered into an open skies agreement, as well as any country
with which the United States may in the future enter into such an
agreement, once the agreement is being applied by both countries.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-20.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Frontier Airlines, Inc. requesting
blanket open-skies certificate authority to transport property, mail
and travelers on routes between the U.S. and all countries which
currently have, or in the future agree to, an open-skies agreement with
the U.S.
Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-21 and OST-2004-19189-5.

Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Centurion Air Cargo, Inc.
(``Centurion'') requesting that its certificate of public convenience
and necessity for Route 833 be amended: (1) add Cook Islands, Kuwait
and Liberia to the list of open skies countries contained in
Centurion's Route 833, and (2) include in the certificate a provision
that authorizes Centurion to serve additional countries that may have
an open-skies agreement with the U.S. that is being applied without the
necessity for further action by the Department or Centurion.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-22.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Evergreen International Airlines, Inc.
requesting an indefinite blanket open-skies certificate of public
convenience and necessity authorizing it to provide scheduled foreign
air transportation of property and mail between points in the U.S. and
a point or points in all countries with which the U.S. has an open-
skies aviation agreement or may, in the future, enter into an open-
skies aviation agreement.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-23.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of World Airways, Inc. requesting a
certificate of

[[Page 20910]]

public convenience and necessity to engage in foreign scheduled air
transportation of persons, property and mail from a point or points in
the United States, via intermediate points, to a point or points in all
existing U.S. open skies partners, along with any future U.S. open-
skies partners, and beyond.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-24.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of North American Airlines, Inc.
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage
in foreign scheduled air transportation of persons, property and mail
from a point or points in the United States, via intermediate points,
to a point or points in all existing U.S. open skies partners, along
with any future U.S. open-skies partners, and beyond.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-25.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of ASTAR Air Cargo, Inc. requesting a
blanket open-skies certificate of public convenience and necessity of
indefinite duration to provide all-cargo service (scheduled foreign air
transportation of property and mail) between the United States and all
current open-skies countries and any country with which the United
States may in the future enter into such an agreement, where that
agreement is being applied by both countries.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-26.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of MN Airlines, LLC d/b/a Sun Country
Airlines requesting a new blanket ``Open Skies'' certificate
authorizing it to provide scheduled air transportation of persons,
property and mail to all existing U.S.-Open Skies partner countries, as
well as prospective blanket certificate authority to serve any future
open-skies partner once an agreement between the United States and that
partner is being applied by the two governments, without the need for
further action by DOT.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-27.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Kalitta Air, L.L.C. requesting a
certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing it to
conduct scheduled foreign air transportation of cargo between a point
or points in the United States, via intermediate points, to a point or
points in U.S. Open-Skies Agreement partner countries, and beyond, for
an indefinite period.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-28.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Custom Air Transport, Inc. requesting a
certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing it to
conduct scheduled foreign air transportation of cargo between a point
or points in the United States, via intermediate points, to a point or
points in U.S. Open-Skies Agreement partner countries, and beyond, for
an indefinite period.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-29.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of TEM Enterprises, d/b/a Xtra Airways
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity
authorizing it to conduct scheduled foreign air transportation of
persons, property and mail between a point or points in the United
States, via intermediate points, to a point or points in U.S. Open-
Skies Agreement partner countries, and beyond, for an indefinite
period.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-30.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Ryan International Airlines, Inc.
(``Ryan'') requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity
authorizing Ryan to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of
persons, property and mail between (i) a point or points in the United
States and a point or points in all countries with existing ``Open
Skies'' Air Services Agreements with the United States (``U.S. Open-
Skies Partners''), via intermediate points and beyond; and (ii) a point
or points in the United States and a point or points in all countries
that in the future become U.S. Open-Skies Partners, via intermediate
points and beyond.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-31.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Capital Cargo International Airlines
Inc. requesting a indefinite certificate of blanket open-skies
authority to serve all existing U.S. open-skies partners, along with
prospective blanket certificate authority to service any future open-
skies partner once an agreement between the United States and that
partner is being applied by the two governments.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-32.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Allegiant Air, LLC (``Allegiant'')
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity
authorizing Allegiant to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation
of persons, property and mail between (i) a point or points in the
United States and a point or points in all countries with existing
``Open Skies'' Air Services Agreements with the United States (``U.S.
open-skies partners''), via intermediate points and beyond; and (ii) a
point or points in the United States and a point or points in all
countries that in the future become U.S. open-skies partners, via
intermediate points and beyond.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-33.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Air Transport International, LLC
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity
authorizing it to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of
persons, property and mail between (i) a point or points in the United
States via intermediate points and a point or points in all countries
with existing ``Open Skies'' Air Services Agreements with the United
States (``U.S. open-skies partners''), and beyond; and (ii) a point or
points in the United States via intermediate points and a point or
points in all countries who in the future become U.S. open skies
partners, and beyond.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-34.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.

[[Page 20911]]

Description: Application of MAXjet Airways, Inc. (``MAXjet'')
requesting a certificate of public convenience and necessity
authorizing MAXjet to engage in foreign scheduled air transportation of
persons, property and mail from points behind the United States, via
the United States and any intermediate points, to points in the
territory of current and future open-skies treaty partners, and beyond.

Docket Number: OST-2007-27790-35.
Date Filed: April 13, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 4, 2007.
Description: Application of Gemini Air Cargo, Inc. requesting a
certificate of public convenience and necessity for indefinite blanket
authority to serve all existing U.S. open-skies partners, along with
prospective blanket certificate authority to serve any future open-
skies partner once an agreement between the United States and that
partner is being applied by the two governments.

Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E7-7992 Filed 4-25-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

fire bottle extinguishing rules

April 25, 2007

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)

Air carrier certification and operations, extinguishing agent container requirements: Change in Extinguishing Agent Container Requirements, Federal Register, April 20, 2007, Volume 72, Number 76, Rules and Regulations, Page 19793, 14 CFR Parts 121, 135, Docket No. FAA-2007-26969, Amendment Nos. 121-331 and 135-109, RIN 2120-AI99, Direct final rule, request for comments.
[TEXT] [PDF]
(This direct final rule is effective June 4, 2007. Any public comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before May 21, 2007.)

SUMMARY: This action aligns the operational and certification safety requirements regarding over-pressurization of airplane extinguishing agent containers or fire bottles to prevent bursting; and it removes an obsolete section reference from part 135. This action eliminates the requirement for an over-pressurized fire bottle to discharge extinguishing agent outside an airplane to prevent bursting, because newer non-corrosive extinguishing agents can now be discharged inside an airplane without degrading an airframe.

DETAIL: Since at least 1949, the FAA has required fire extinguishing containers (fire bottle) to have a pressure relief line to prevent a container from bursting in case of excessive internal pressure. This pressure relief line would discharge outside the airplane because fire extinguishing agents were corrosive.
Eventually, industry developed non-corrosive extinguishing agents, and in 1977, the FAA published in the Federal Register a final rule that amended the airplane certification rules in 14 CFR 25.1199 to adopt a performance standard. This rule changed the airplane certification standards, to require airplane manufacturers to place pressure relief discharge lines in such a way to not damage an airplane, which could be inside or outside the airplane.
However, the corresponding operational requirements in Section 121.267, and by reference in Section 135.169, were not changed in 1977 and therefore only allow for the termination of the fire bottle discharge line outside the airplane. This final rule changes the fire bottle requirements so the pressure relief valve can be inside or outside the plane.
This direct final rule also removes an obsolete section reference from part 135. In a December 20, 1995 rulemaking (60 FR 65832) the FAA removed and reserved Section 121.213, which contained special airworthiness requirements, which were included in Section 121.211 (Applicability). However, a reference to Section 121.213 was inadvertently left in Section 135.169(a). This direct final rule amends part 135 to remove the reference to Section 121.213.

AMENDMENTS: 14 CFR Part 121 and 135 is amended as follows:

PART 121--OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS

Section 121.267 is revised to read as follows:

Section 121.267 Extinguishing agent container pressure relief mechanism.

(a) Extinguishing agent containers must be provided with a pressure relief mechanism to prevent bursting of the container because of excessive internal pressures. The discharge line from the relief connection must be installed in a manner so it can be inspected from the ground. Depending upon whether the discharge line terminates outside or inside the airplane, the certificate holder must accomplish the following inspections pre-departure:

(1) The discharge line terminates outside the airplane. As part of the pre-departure check, visually inspect the pressure indicator at the end of the discharge line to confirm that the container has not discharged.
(2) The discharge line terminates inside the airplane. As part of a pre-departure check, visually inspect the pressure indicator for the container for loss of pressure within the container.

(b) The certificate holder also must ensure that only non-corrosive extinguishing agents are used in systems where the pressure discharge line terminates inside the airplane.


PART 135--OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: COMMUTER AND ON DEMAND OPERATIONS AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT

Section 135.169 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Section 135.169 Additional airworthiness requirements.

(a) Except for commuter category airplanes, no person may operate a large airplane unless it meets the additional airworthiness requirements of Sections 121.215 through 121.283 and 121.307 of this chapter.
* * * * *

Route Applications

New.

Foreign Ownership ( Of US Carriers) Rules

Transportation Says U.S. Citizens
Must Run U.S. Airlines
WASHINGTON (CN) - Airlines run in the United States, or those operating as U.S. air carriers on international routes, must have U.S. citizens at the helm. According to new regulations, the president and at least two-thirds of the board of directors of the company holding the certificate to run a U.S. airline must be U.S. citizens, and at least 75 percent of the voting interest must be owned by U.S. citizens:

Air carrier control, fitness review policies, citizenship issues: Review of Data Filed by Certificated or Commuter Air Carriers To Support Continuing Fitness Determinations Involving Citizenship Issues, Federal Register, April 23, 2007, Volume 72, Number 77, Rules and Regulations, Page 20034, 14 CFR Parts 204 and 399, Docket No. OST-2003-15759, RIN 2105-AD25, Final rule.

(This final rule is effective May 23, 2007.)

SUMMARY: The Department adopts its proposed editorial changes to its rules on Data to Support Fitness Determinations, 14 CFR Part 204, and will maintain its existing procedures for conducting reviews of the continuing fitness of air carriers. The Department had earlier withdrawn a proposal made in this rulemaking to modify the Department's standards for determining whether carriers remain under the actual control of U.S. citizens.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William M. Bertram, Chief, Air Carrier Fitness Division (X-56), Office of Aviation Analysis, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-9721.

DETAIL: By statute, only citizens of the United States may obtain and hold certificate authority under 49 U.S.C. 41102 or 41103 authorizing them to provide air transportation within the United States or operate as a U.S. air carrier on international routes. The statutory citizenship requirements require that at least 75 percent of the voting interest of a U.S. air carrier be owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, that the president and two-thirds of the board of directors and managing officers be U.S. citizens, and that U.S. carriers be subject to the actual control of U.S. citizens. 49 U.S.C. 40102(a)(15).

WHEN CARRIER CITIZENSHIP USUALLY IS EXAMINED: DOT examines carrier citizenship primarily in two situations.

When a firm applies for authority to operate as a U.S. carrier, DOT conducts an initial fitness review, which includes a review of the carrier's citizenship. DOT conducts initial fitness reviews through docketed proceedings, where a public record of the pleadings is maintained; DOT publishes all Department decisions in the case; and DOT gives interested persons an opportunity to comment on the application.

DOT conducts a continuing fitness review if an existing carrier undergoes a substantial change in ownership, operations, or management. DOT usually conducts continuing fitness investigations without a public proceeding and therefore does not create a docket containing record material, publish a final decision, or provide an opportunity for public comment. In some continuing fitness cases, DOT may decide to use more formal public procedures.



AMENDMENTS: 14 CFR Part 204 and 399 are revised as follows:

Section 204.1 is revised to read as follows:

Section 204.1 Purpose.

This part sets forth the fitness data that must be submitted by applicants for certificate authority, by applicants for authority to provide service as a commuter air carrier to an eligible place, by carriers proposing to provide essential air transportation, and by certificated air carriers and commuter air carriers proposing a substantial change in operations, ownership, or management. This part also contains the procedures and filing requirements applicable to carriers that hold dormant authority.


Section 204.2(c)(3) is revised to read as follows:

Section 204.2 Definitions.

* * * * *
(c) Citizen of the United States means:

* * * * *
(3) A corporation or association organized under the laws of the United States or a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States, of which the president and at least two-thirds of the board of directors and other managing officers are citizens of the United States, which is under the actual control of citizens of the United States, and in which at least 75 percent of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are citizens of the United States.
* * * * *

Section 204.5 is amended as follows:

Paragraph (a)(2) is revised to read as set forth below;

Paragraph (b) is amended to remove the “s” after “Carrier” in the third sentence in the reference to “Air Carrier Fitness Division”;

Paragraph (c) is revised to read as set forth below; and

A new paragraph (d) is added to read as set forth below.

The revisions read as follows:

Section 204.5 Certificated and commuter air carriers undergoing or proposing to undergo a substantial change in operations, ownership, or management.

(a) * * *

(2) The change substantially alters the factors upon which its latest fitness finding is based, even if no new authority is required.
* * * * *

(c) Information filings pursuant to this section made to support an application for new or amended certificate authority shall be filed with the application and addressed to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590, or by electronic submission at [http://dms.dot.gov].

(d) Information filed in support of a certificated or commuter air carrier's continuing fitness to operate under its existing authority in light of substantial changes in its operations, management, or ownership, including changes that may affect the air carrier's citizenship, shall be addressed to the Chief, Air Carrier Fitness Division, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590.

See also, CRS Report, Foreign Investment in US.


See also, IATA's study of lessons learned from removing barriers to investment in other sectors of economy.

Carbon Off-Set purchases drive inverse behavior

Remember 'The Sin Eater' from the Twilight Zone? No? Well, maybe that was before your time.

Providing Air Service to Small Communities

Congressional Study.

Average Air Fares (by market)

From the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

LUV considers selling internet access in flight

Now that's a good idea!

Loose Change

Conspiracy Theory.

CAL sues Pilot's union

HOUSTON (CN) - Continental Airlines has sued the Air Line Pilots Association International in Federal Court, seeking to vacate a System Board of Adjustment decision reinstating the license of Ronald A. McWhirter, a Continental pilot who refused to submit to a sobriety test in 2005 despite an agreement that the company could administer the test without notice. The “last chance” agreement stemmed from McWhirter’s being diagnosed as an alcoholic once tested positive for a blood alcohol content greater than .04 before a scheduled flight in 2000, Continental says. It claims he refused to take another test in February 2005. The airline is represented by Teresa Valderrama with Baker Botts. See Complaint via Courthousenews.

Earth's Magnetic Field

If you're wondering what this has to do with aviation, you will be surprised at the relationship between this feature of our planet and cancer induced by radiation at altitude.

Here's an instance of why this type of information is important. From the Center for Aviation Research

Next Solar Max in 2011-2012. Better get out your No. 5Million sun block.

See Nasa's site on Solar Max (the equivalent of our earth's hurricane season). It happens every so many years. Significant event if you're flying near the poles.

RFID Inside

Convenience? Or Privacy? You choose.

NTSB

Exceptions to the Freedom of Information Act request (as in, it's non of your business)as published in the Federal Register as Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Here's just another way they can bury what happened, what they knew and when they knew it.

Actions needed to improve airline passenger service

From the Congressional Testimony File.

Security Threat

Climate Change endangers US Interests.

Global Warming, Who Wins, Who Loses, from the Atlantic Magazine (first rate reporting).If you are wondering what a reference to climate change has to do with this blog, I'm talking about the looming aviation carbon tax. It won't be long now before people start to put 2 and 2 together. Citizens are not a thick as they sometimes seem. They just need leadership to show them how and what to do about their concerns, and how to act in a unified or collective way that has an impact. The time is fast approaching when the interests of big business will be subordinated to the interests of future generations. It is a choice we must make and we must make it soon. We approach the event horizon.

See, also:

Airport Operations (environmental impact of carbon footprint). (from the Congressional Research Service.

As well as:

Factors Affecting America's Future. (from the gob'mnt)

Unhappy travelers being heard

Update.

Climate Change and the Aviation Carbon Tax

April 19, 2007.

A Snap Shot of Climate Change Around the World.

Great Britian's Plane Stupid Center.

A funny thing happened on the way to the throne. Price Charles is a tree hugger.

On Time Performance

Investigating Airline Arrival Time Promises.


Compiled by government agency.

Sources of Air Travel Information

Various Resource Links.

Surely, you are on at least one of these lists. . .

Do not fly, etc.

Foreign Traffic Accidents

The Most Common Event in Travel Abroad.

Investor's Business Daily

Legacy Carriers Fly High Despite High Fuel Costs, Abating Demand Fears.

2nd Circuit: Ground Zero Workers Lose

Ground Zero Rescue Workers
Lose Case In Second Circuit
NEW YORK (CN) – The 2nd Circuit dismissed the claims of several Ground Zero emergency workers who said the government lied about the dangers of contaminants in the air. After the Sept. 11 attacks, rescue workers say, the Environmental Protection Agency assured the public that the drinking water and air quality at the World Trade Center site posed no significant health threats. Many workers said they chose to forego respirators as a result. Later, the plaintiffs say, they found that federal officials had edited the press releases to remove cautionary wording, including a warning that 25 percent of the bulk dust samples contained dangerous levels of asbestos. The circuit concluded that the government’s decision to restore order and offer reassurance after a national tragedy instead of warning the public about health risks does not rise to the level of “shocking the conscience.” See ruling in Lombardi v. Whitman. Expect more of the same next time. Behave accordingly. My opinion, this is an unconscionable result.

BedBugs at La Quinta

Litigation.

For more info.

For the blogger perspective.

iTestify

What needs to happen to improve airline passenger service.

Airline Passenger Bill of Rights (editorial)

(a)Incentives (and Disincentives) matter and (b)There are substitutes for (practically) everything in a free market.

Here's a novel idea. . .

Get the gobm'nt to bear the costs of negotiation, and then get unfettered access under a so-called 'free market' system!

EU passenger rights

New Document.

New Arrest in Airline Terror Plot

Britian.

Target Selection Calculus

This is why aviation is its primary target. It's called the multiplier effect, boys and girls.

Terror in the Balance

The Slippery Slope of Judicial Deference in the Erosion of Civil Liberties.

Climate Change and Jet A

Of course, this isn't exactly the report you think it is, but it is more significant than you would think at first blush if only because it "touches and concerns" Jet A availability. A Category 5 Hurricane, in the Gulf that comes up the Ship Channel will significantly disrupt Jet A availability.

See also, report on port recovery.

Some have suggested (Branson, in particular) that the purchase of carbon offset credits may induce a conservation mindset, particularly if that behavior is mandatory. This study suggests that the purchase of carbon offsets may drive inverse behavior, a result we most assuredly do not want.

DHS gets a D!

This is what we call an improvement, boys and girls.

Proposed Changes to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

Sometimes, we don't need a warrant.

Aviation & The Looming Carbon Tax

Climate Change on the Horizon. I post this study (even though it is not directly related to aviation issues) because I believe that the issue of climate change "touches and concerns" aviation. You are obviously smart enough to see this relevance as well, or you would not have bothered to seek out and read this blog. Cheers.

Airline Strategies for the Looming Recession

Notice all of them involve pain for the wage earner, exclusively.

The shrinking of 'discretionary income' (that is, income directly available for discretionary travel) is directly related to the preception of the loss of wealth in the form of real estate value. Hence, the looming recession in air travel markets.

Safety & Security Statistics, 2006

All Carriers.

On PBS, tonight

The World Since 9/11, the Men and Ideas Behind Al Qaeda. Of particular interest to readers of this blog will be the installment known as "Security vs Libery: the Other War" which is scheduled to air next Friday and looks at the debate concerning the tension between civil liberties and suveillance in the age of terrorism. Don't miss any of these, but particularly not that one.

Home Grown Terrorists

Protecting Ourselves (Congressional Hearings).

TWIC status report

Challenges Remaining.

Airline Passenger Bill of Rights

Senate Hearing Testimony Archive.

How Airlines Will Survive the Coming Recession

Consolidate or Spin-Off.

If your name is similar to one on this list. . .

you may be shunned by business associates without knowing why you've been treated in this manner. The law requires, apparently, that businesses check this list prior to doing business with anyone and then refuse commercial interaction with anyone so identified.

Here's the story in the Washington Post on misidentification of innocents.

Airline Passenger Bill of Rights

Senate Testimony, April 2007.

New Livery generally means impending sale of carrier

If you look back, that's generally the chronology. First, they burn some money getting the flight attendants new uniforms. Then, they get a new livery. Then they sell the whole mess outright. Check it out. It's happened a number of times. Guess Delta is next.

Wonder if this has anything to do with it:

[Federal Register: April 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 70)]
[Notices]
[Page 18509]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ap07-100]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B
(Formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending March 30, 2007

The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience
and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits were filed under Subpart
B (formerly Subpart Q) of the Department of Transportation's Procedural
Regulations (See 14 CFR 301.201 et seq.). The due date for Answers,
Conforming Applications, or Motions to Modify Scope are set forth below
for each application. Following the Answer period DOT may process the
application by expedited procedures. Such procedures may consist of the
adoption of a show-cause order, a tentative order, or in appropriate
cases a final order without further proceedings.
Docket Number: OST-2007-27782.
Date Filed: March 29, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: April 19, 2007.
Description: Application of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (``Delta'')
requesting an exemption and a certificate of public convenience and
necessity authorizing Delta to provide scheduled foreign air
transportation of persons, property, and mail between any point or
points in the United States and any point or points in any European
Community Member State or States either directly or via any
intermediate point or points, and beyond.

Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E7-6940 Filed 4-11-07; 8:45 am]


Maybe the pilots know something we don't. They have elected to cash out their claims:

Over 80% of Delta Pilots elect to cash out.

Mike Boyd, call David Letterman, he has a job for you that pays better!

The Boyd Group Advantage

Aviation Insight & Perspectives
Available Nowhere Else
____________

Hot Flash - April 9, 2007

The Latest Episode From The TSA Twilight Zone

You are traveling within another dimension...a dimension not only of sight and of sound, but of mind-numbing stupidity. A dimension the boundaries of which are limited only by the the gullibility of idiot politicians... A dimension where global terror is fought by eliminating lip gloss, toothpaste, and hairspray... A dimension where right and wrong, good and bad are no considerations whatsoever...
A wonderous dimension populated by political creatures who couldn't manage themselves through a re-run of Star Trek...
Wait! There's a signpost up ahead, a screening checkpoint...
Your next stop, The TSA Zone.

See his Hot Flash Column for more.

Data Mining with a view to lowest possible fare

New Tools.

(This is only useful if your time is worth less than your cash. For most of us, our time is worth more than our cash because elevating our cash to king makes us fly out of secondary airports and wait around for DAYS for a connection. But, you be the judge.)

If you need a US Passport

Help from the Dept of State.

DOT Air Consumer Travel Report

On Time Performance, Passenger Complaints, etc. April, 2007.

Aviation Security

WhiteHouseWhiteWash.

Majority not interested in RegisteredTravelerProgram

Looks like Brill just wasted a lot of money.

Nonetheless, you can always look to this space to keep up with trends in aviation. Oh, and you might want to read this:

This is why people aren't interested. It's called something like, I don't know, maybe it's a Likelihood of Confusion with someone else.

LeVecchio v FAA & UsAir

SeniorPilotsCoalition.org organizing point.


Looking for the suspension of the Age 60 retirement rule now, since the FAA has announced its intention to do away with it within 2 years anyway. You can follow this case via the 6th Circuit's website.

DIA vulnerabilities

TSA screening is a joke. I didn't say this, folks. These are the guys in charge of testing security for TSA.

Forces Acting Upon the Future of America

I have a crystal ball. Right.

Terror in the Skies

Academic Paper.

Airline Quality Ratings Report

Lost Bags/False Imprisonment.

See also, Airline Liability for Lost Luggage. (Scholarly article discussing basis in law of alternative remedies for the consumer).

Mobile Alerts

from FlightSTATS.

WTC Architectural Drawings

Do we even know who our enemies are?

Remote Piloting of Aircraft

What class of medical certificate should we require? I don't know about you, but I find it generally reassuring that the pilot will suffer the same consequences as everyone else from an error in judgment. That is, so long as he is ON BOARD.

LAX

Runway Incursions, Letter to Senator Boxer from OIG.

Terrorist Strike Movie Plot Contest

See second entry in Bruce Schneier's Blog for April 1st.