The Future of Air Traffic Control

Responses for the Record.

DHS and NWA

Dry Run.

Air Canada

To offer carbon offset purchase.

Reliance on Watch Lists

threaten American security.

Immigration, they say its a security issue

Why we should care if their assertions are accurate.

Runway Incursions-BOS,ORD,PHL & LAX

DOT complains that FAA has done nothing to rectify situation after exhaustive report.

Prank may cause heart attack in seatmate

Heads up, it's not for real.

PATCO Strike Fall Out

Over 15K new jobs.

Tests for Liquid Explosives

EZ Pass for Breast Feeding Moms.

Sex in ATL airport stalls

Gay Heaven.

FAA contracting out

Report.

Snakes! On a PLANE!

No, not the movie... for real. This is only about the third time we know of that this ruse has been tried.

Dram Shop Liability

In USAToday,

USAirways was cited for the second time since November 11, 2006, for serving an intoxicated passenger liquor. On Friday (this past week) an intoxicated man was arrested on drunk-driving charges in ABQ after deplaning a USAirways flight. This past November, flight attendants served Dana Papst liquor, although he was already intoxicated, and Papst subsequently got off the flight in ABQ and drove the wrong way on a feeder to a freeway,colliding with and killing a family of 5.

Incident could lead to denial of USAirways ability to serve drinks in and out of New Mexico.

Virgin America deemed US Citizen

DOT reverses itself, conditions award on resignation of CEO. This is what we call a 'slippery slope', boys and girls.

Getting your money back when airfares fall

Not much liklihood of that, but what the hell, this site is all about cutting your search time:

Alerts to price drops for specific flights.

Predicts whether to buy or wait.

Historical pricing information.

TSA not liable in tort

For fall at Security Checkpoint.

Here's the opinion. What I'd like to know is this: when are there a sufficient number of falls to warrant judicial imposition of a duty? Humm? How many grannies have to fall before they get it?

Open Skies or Open Season

The real cost of open skies is likely to be lower average yields and foreign ownership.

International Passenger Screening

Report.

pilot termination overturned

Court Rules To Reinstate Pilot Who
Was Fired For Making Political Video


CINCINNATI (CN) – The 6th Circuit upheld the reinstatement of a pilot who was fired for making a political video of a pilot shooting a rifle at a DVD. Jason Piper, chairman of the airline union communications committee, said he made the video to express his opposition to a tentative agreement between the union and NetJets Aviation. The 29-second video displays the title “Contract Stress Relief – 10/10/04,” followed by a close-up of a semi-automatic rifle propped on the arm of someone wearing a blue uniform with three stripes. The pilot aims and shoots at a DVD called “The Contract is the Foundation for Success,” shattering it. The scene ends with the question, “Anyone care to guess how I voted?” Because Piper had posted a link to the video on an online bulletin board, NetJets officials saw the clip and called a meeting to question him about it. Piper told them it was meant as a joke, but NetJets fired him for acting “in an inappropriate and unprofessional manner demonstrating a total lack of judgment which resulted in inducing fears of workplace violence.” The circuit concluded that Piper’s actions were intended to make a political statement, not an implied threat of violence. See ruling in NetJets Aviation v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters via Courthousenews.com.

Homeland Security & Justice Issues

Testimony.

Blogging and the Law

DeFacto Isolation and a Professional Community. (especially significant among airline workers who are required, as a condition of employment, to belong to their air carrier unions, but are, nonetheless, without a place of social assembly.

Airline Quality Ratings Report

Airline Quality Ratings Report, 2007.

Retinal Scans in England's Airports

Philip K. Dick's Minority Report leaks into our dimension.

The Trouble with Travel

See page 3.

Passenger Bill of Rights (new site)

FlyersRights.

BA Route Applications

[Federal Register: May 16, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 94)]
[Notices]
[Page 27621-27622]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my07-126]

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

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 May 4, 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-2007-28129.
Date Filed: May 3, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion To Modify
Scope: May 24, 2007.
Description: Application of Oy Air Finland Ltd., requesting an
exemption and foreign air carrier permit to engage in charter foreign
air transportation of persons, property, and mail between a point or
points in Finland, on the one hand and a point or points in the United
States, on the other hand, via intermediate points.

Docket Number: OST-2007-28149.
Date Filed: May 4, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion To Modify
Scope: May 25, 2007.
Description: Application of British Airways Plc, requesting
issuance of an amended foreign air carrier permit to the full extent
authorized by the Air Transport Agreement between the United States and
the European Community and the Member States of the European Community
to enable it to engage in: (i) Foreign scheduled and charter air
transportation of persons, property and mail from any point or points
behind and Member State of the European Union via any point or points
in any Member State and via intermediate points to any point or points
in the United States and beyond; (ii) foreign scheduled and charter air
transportation of persons, property and mail between any point or
points in the United States and beyond; (iii) foreign scheduled and
charter cargo air transportation between any point or points in the
United States and any other point or points; (iv) other charters
pursuant to the prior approval requirements set forth in Part 212 of
the Department's Economic Regulations; and (v) transportation
authorized by any additional route rights made available to European
Community carriers in the future. British Airways further requests a
corresponding exemption to the extent necessary to enable it to provide
the service described above pending issuance of an amended foreign air
carrier permit and such additional or

[[Page 27622]]

other relief as the Department may deem necessary or appropriate.

Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E7-9408 Filed 5-15-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

E for Effort

To strengthen International Passenger Screening.

Air Travel Consumer Report

May, 2007.

Airline Customer Satisfaction Index

From the University of Michigan's Surveyors.

Airline Data Privacy Pact

Closer.

BTS

4th Q Results.

Air Travel & Health

This is from The House of Lords, 2000, however, their new one is due out any day now and I suspect you'd be able to find it by looking in this vicinity.

BTS

Statistics.

carbon footprint

I told you so. . ..

Bureau of Transportation Statistics Report

New.

New Routes Applications

[Federal Register: May 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 91)]
[Notices]
[Page 26862]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11my07-108]

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

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 27, 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-2007-27060.
Date Filed: April 24, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 15, 2007
Description: Application of Zoom Airlines Limited, amending its
exemption and foreign air carrier permit to add a request for authority
to serve Bermuda (``BRA'') as an intermediate point on its proposed
scheduled service between London Gatwick Airport (``LGW'') and John F.
Kennedy International Airport (``JFK'').

Docket Number: OST-2007-28046.
Date Filed: April 24, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 15, 2007
Description: Application of Air Executive Charter GmbH (``Air
Executive Charter''), requesting an exemption and a foreign air carrier
permit authorizing Air Executive Charter to provide the following
service using small aircraft: (a) Charter foreign air transportation of
persons, property and mail between any point or points in Germany and
any point or points in the United States; and between any point or
points in the United States and any point or points in a third country
or countries, provided that such service constitutes part of a
continuous operation, with or without a change of aircraft, that
includes air service to Germany for the purpose of carrying local
traffic between Germany and the United States; (b) effective March 30,
2008, charter foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail
from points behind EU Member States, via the EU Member States and
intermediate points to any point or points in the United States and
beyond; (c) effective March 30, 2008, charter foreign air
transportation of persons, property and mail between any point or
points in the United States and any point or points in the European
Common Aviation Area (``ECAA''); and (d) other charters between non-EU/
ECAA third countries and the United States.

Docket Number: OST-2007-28073.
Date Filed: April 27, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 18, 2007.
Description: Application of Star Air A/S, requesting an exemption
and a foreign air carrier permit to provide charter foreign air
transportation of property and mail on any and all routes authorized
pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the United States
of America and the Government of Denmark Relating to Air Transport
Services (``U.S.-Denmark Open Skies Agreement'').

Docket Number: OST-2007-28087.
Date Filed: April 27, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 18, 2007.
Description: Application of ABX Air, Inc. (``ABX''), requesting the
Department of Transportation disclaim jurisdiction over the transfer of
the certificate of public convenience and necessity and other operating
authority issued to ABX to facilitate the formation by ABX of a holding
company.

Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E7-9080 Filed 5-10-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

FAA Forecasts

2007-2020.

Foreign Airports

Report.

Route Applications

[Federal Register: May 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 91)]
[Notices]
[Page 26862]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11my07-108]

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

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 27, 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-2007-27060.
Date Filed: April 24, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 15, 2007
Description: Application of Zoom Airlines Limited, amending its
exemption and foreign air carrier permit to add a request for authority
to serve Bermuda (``BRA'') as an intermediate point on its proposed
scheduled service between London Gatwick Airport (``LGW'') and John F.
Kennedy International Airport (``JFK'').

Docket Number: OST-2007-28046.
Date Filed: April 24, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 15, 2007
Description: Application of Air Executive Charter GmbH (``Air
Executive Charter''), requesting an exemption and a foreign air carrier
permit authorizing Air Executive Charter to provide the following
service using small aircraft: (a) Charter foreign air transportation of
persons, property and mail between any point or points in Germany and
any point or points in the United States; and between any point or
points in the United States and any point or points in a third country
or countries, provided that such service constitutes part of a
continuous operation, with or without a change of aircraft, that
includes air service to Germany for the purpose of carrying local
traffic between Germany and the United States; (b) effective March 30,
2008, charter foreign air transportation of persons, property and mail
from points behind EU Member States, via the EU Member States and
intermediate points to any point or points in the United States and
beyond; (c) effective March 30, 2008, charter foreign air
transportation of persons, property and mail between any point or
points in the United States and any point or points in the European
Common Aviation Area (``ECAA''); and (d) other charters between non-EU/
ECAA third countries and the United States.

Docket Number: OST-2007-28073.
Date Filed: April 27, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 18, 2007.
Description: Application of Star Air A/S, requesting an exemption
and a foreign air carrier permit to provide charter foreign air
transportation of property and mail on any and all routes authorized
pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the United States
of America and the Government of Denmark Relating to Air Transport
Services (``U.S.-Denmark Open Skies Agreement'').

Docket Number: OST-2007-28087.
Date Filed: April 27, 2007.
Due Date for Answers, Conforming Applications, or Motion to Modify
Scope: May 18, 2007.
Description: Application of ABX Air, Inc. (``ABX''), requesting the
Department of Transportation disclaim jurisdiction over the transfer of
the certificate of public convenience and necessity and other operating
authority issued to ABX to facilitate the formation by ABX of a holding
company.

Renee V. Wright,
Program Manager, Docket Operations, Federal Register Liaison.
[FR Doc. E7-9080 Filed 5-10-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

Homeland Security

Report.

FAA's budget request

Hearing.

The Carbon Footprint of Aviation

Best Taken Seriously.

The Next Generation Air Traffic Control System

A Report.

Fraud in the Airline Industry

A Report.

Imitation is the highest form of flattery

Doing Security the way Israel does it would work if it weren't for the fact that when we do it, we interview wanna be hijackers like the Shoe Bomber for 12 hours and then let him board an airplane anyway, wearing the very shoes that he plans to use to execute his plan, sitting right there in front of us all along. Not encouraging. Nope. Not encouraging at all. Perhaps all this security questioning is just another way of destroying Southwest's business model, because as this article points out, at some point, folks will just drive.

Privacy in a Surveillance State

New Book.

Airworthiness Directive- MD 80s

[Federal Register: May 8, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 88)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 25960-25962]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08my07-5]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28100; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-103-AD;
Amendment 39-15045; AD 2007-10-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-
81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-
83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive
inspections to detect cracks in the horizontal stabilizer, and related
investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from
reports of cracks found in the horizontal stabilizer--in the upper and
lower aft skin panels at the aft inboard corner at station XH = 8.2,
and in the rear spar upper caps adjacent to the aft skin panel at
station XH = 10.0. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks
in the upper and lower aft skin panels and rear spar upper caps, which,
if not corrected, could lead to the loss of overall structural
integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.

DATES: This AD becomes effective May 23, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 23, 2007.
We must receive comments on this AD by July 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information
identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Durbin, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5233; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We have received reports of cracks found in the horizontal
stabilizer--in the upper and lower aft skin panels at the aft inboard
corner at station XH = 8.2, and in the rear spar upper caps adjacent to
the aft skin panel at station XH = 10.0. These cracks were found during
maintenance visual inspections.
The cause of the cracking is still under investigation. If not
corrected, the cracked upper and lower aft skin panels and rear spar
upper caps could lead to the loss of overall structural integrity of
the horizontal stabilizer.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-55A065, dated
April 25, 2007. The service bulletin describes procedures for
repetitive low- and high-frequency eddy current inspections to detect
cracks of the horizontal stabilizer's upper and lower aft skin panels
and rear spar upper caps. The service bulletin provides options for
corrective action based on crack length, location, and repairability;
these options include some combination of the following actions:
Stop drilling the end of the crack;
Trimming the crack and installing a filler;
Installing a skin panel splice or rear spar upper cap
splice;
Replacing the skin panel or rear spar upper cap with a new
part; and
Repeating the inspection of the cracked area (including
aft skin panels, skin panel splice, and rear spar upper cap).
The repetitive inspection intervals, which range from 200 to 2,600
flight cycles, depend on the option used.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other airplanes of the same type design. For this reason, we
are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the upper and lower
aft skin panels and rear spar upper caps, which, if not corrected,
could lead to the loss of overall structural integrity of the
horizontal stabilizer. This AD requires accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information described previously, except as
discussed under ``Differences Between the AD and the Service Bulletin''
below.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Bulletin

The service bulletin specifies that any splice installed as part of
a crack repair option be inspected within 20,000 flight cycles after
the repair. But the service bulletin notes that the type, method, and
repetitive interval for this inspection will be identified by Boeing at
a later date. (See paragraph 1.E., note (a) of Tables 1 and 2 of the
service bulletin.) To ensure continued safety, we have determined that
this inspection and its repetitive interval must be adequately defined.
Therefore, this AD requires that the inspection type, method, and
repetitive interval be approved either by the FAA, or in accordance
with data that meet the certification basis of the airplane and that
have been approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing
Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization whom
we have authorized to make those findings.
For a crack that meets the Condition 2 criteria specified in Table
1 or Table 3 in paragraph 1.E. of the service bulletin, Options 1 and 2
specify temporary repairs followed by repetitive inspections of the
area, but provide no

[[Page 25961]]

terminating action for these repetitive inspections. In this case, this
AD requires, within 4,000 flight cycles after the crack is detected,
either installing a horizontal stabilizer aft skin panel splice or
removing and replacing the horizontal stabilizer aft skin panel, in
accordance with Option 3 or 4 of the applicable table, followed by the
applicable repetitive inspections specified in Option 3 or 4. We have
determined that this action is necessary to maintain the safety of the
fleet.
We have coordinated these differences with Boeing.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good
cause exists to make this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28100; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-103-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might
suggest a need to modify it.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit
http://dms.dot.gov.


Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-10-04 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15045. Docket No. FAA-
2007-28100; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-103-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective May 23, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-
81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88
airplanes; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of cracks found in the
horizontal stabilizer--in the upper and lower aft skin panels at the
aft inboard corner at station XH = 8.2, and in the rear spar upper
caps adjacent to the aft skin panel at station XH = 10.0. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the upper and lower
aft skin panels and rear spar upper caps, which, if not corrected,
could lead to the loss of overall structural integrity of the
horizontal stabilizer.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.

Repetitive Inspections

(f) Do eddy current inspections to detect cracks in the
horizontal stabilizer, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-55A065, dated
April 25, 2007.
(1) Do the initial inspections before the accumulation of 20,000
total flight cycles, or within 854 flight cycles after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(2) Except as required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD: Do
all applicable repetitive inspections and related investigative and
corrective actions in accordance with, and at the times specified
in, the service bulletin.

Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications

(g) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-55A065, dated April
25, 2007, specifies inspecting any skin panel splice or cap splice
installed as part of a crack repair

[[Page 25962]]

option: This AD requires the initial inspection within the
compliance time specified in the service bulletin, but the
inspection type, method, and repetitive interval must be done with
FAA approval in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (i) of this AD.
(h) For airplanes on which any detected crack meets the
Condition 2 criteria specified in Table 1 or Table 3 in paragraph
1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-55A065, dated April 25,
2007: If Option 1 or 2 is selected as the corrective action, either
install a horizontal stabilizer aft skin panel splice or remove and
replace the horizontal stabilizer aft skin panel within 4,000 flight
cycles after accomplishing Option 1 or 2, in accordance with Option
3 or 4 of the applicable table, and repeat the inspection thereafter
at the time specified in Option 3 or 4, as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(i)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. For a
repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification
basis of the airplane and 14 CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-55A065,
dated April 25, 2007, to perform the actions that are required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this
service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.


Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 1, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8768 Filed 5-7-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The Year of the Cat

Are you there? Are you caught up in the slip stream of the dare? Oh, I never thought I'd take you unaware.

The Liberty Consuming REAL ID Act

(with a German accent:)Let me see your papers.

Or

(in a Hommer Simpson voice:)Let those losers see what they get!

OR, if you are open to argument:

there's this issue. . .the one about the second magnetic ID strip not being secure.

Aviation Security - Recommendations to Congress

From the GAO.

Look it, I'm special, see?

Once widowed, twice a pain.

imstranded!

American passengers stranded on plane for over 8 hours on April 24; more calls for passenger bill of rights.

Join the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Activists.

GAO Report

Spending Money on Airport Security.

FAA Civil Penalties Site

Resources.

Unidentified remains from AA 587 crash

entombed.

When the Right and the Left Hand communicate. . .

Sharing Information.

Southwest's Accident at Midway

Update.

Who is guarding the guards?

TSA loses hard drive.

I said "get your head out of her lap . . . .

and if I have to tell you again, you'll be talking to the judge. . . ..

Incoming!

US inbound air cargo screening needs strengthening.

Biometric Visas

[Federal Register: May 4, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 86)]
[Notices]
[Page 25351]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04my07-118]

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

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5778]


Biometric Visa Program Transition to Ten Fingerscans

AGENCY: State Department.

ACTION: Notice.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Acker, Legislation and Regulations
Division, Visa Services, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-
0106, (202) 663-1205 or e-mail ackerrl@state.gov.
SUMMARY: This public notice announces the change in the standard for
fingerscans of the Biometric Visa Program from two fingerscans to ten
fingerscans. The establishment of the Biometric Visa Program was
announced to the public in December 2004 as a response to the
requirements established by the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry
Reform Act of 2002. When the program began, available technology only
allowed for efficient capture and comparisons of two fingerscans. Now,
improvements in technology allow the Program to incorporate a ten
fingerscan standard.

Why is the Department planning to take ten fingerscans from visa
applicants?

The Biometric Visa Program works closely with the US-VISIT Program
of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Both programs currently
require aliens to submit two fingerscans as part of their respective
application procedures. In consultation with DHS and the Department of
Justice, the Department is instituting the ten fingerscan standard to
improve our ability to detect and thwart persons ineligible for visas
by raising the accuracy rate in matching fingerscans.

Will this change affect all visa applicants?

Visa applicants subject to the Biometric Visa Program will be
required to provide ten fingerscans with their first visa application
following the transition.

When will this change take place?

The Department plans to begin deployment of the ten fingerscan
system to all visa issuing consular posts abroad beginning in April
2007, with completion scheduled for the end of 2007.

Dated: April 2, 2007.
Maura Harty,
Assistant Secretary, Consular Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E7-8604 Filed 5-3-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710-06-P

UAL pilot sues carrier over porn in the cockpit

Sexual tension in the cockpit, via courthousenews.

Minimum wage violation against AMR moves forward

Skycaps have legitimate complaint.

Passport Renewals

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.

Fast Company

Have you forgiven JetBlue?

Listen, it's easy to have low fares when you have a brand new workforce (because raises have to do with longevity) and airplanes you don't have to pay for (as in Airbus craft that they couldn't get rid of anyway so they basically said 'here, pay us when you can'). And for the most part, the pilots are willing to work for peanuts because what theyare doing is building up time to take someplace else when JetBlue folds. So whether or not you have forgiven them is immaterial. This is a farm team, preporatory to a job in the majors for partically everyone, except of course, the CEO.

Efficiency

Redundant Background Checks.

inbound air cargo

Security.

RegisteredTraveler Programs Grow

USAtoday.

Wiretap Report

UsCourtsReport.