AVIATION MEGAFORCE

Scores dead in Indonesia plane crash -BBC Footage showed the burning wreckage in a residential street More than 100 people are feared dead after a military transport plane crashed in a residential area of the Indonesian city of Medan. The Hercules C-130 plane hit two houses and a hotel before bursting into flames, creating a huge fireball. Air Force head Agus Supriatna visited the crash site and told reporters he believed there were no survivors among the 113 people on board. At least 66 bodies have been recovered so far. A major rescue operation is under way at the site which was covered in flames and thick black smoke. The BBC's Alice Budisatrijo in Jakarta says that only the tail of the aircraft is still recognisable; the rest has been reduced to debris. Our correspondent says that there are reports that people are trapped inside wrecked buildings and the nearest hospital is continuing to receive bodies arriving from the crash site. Many of the passengers...

                                                              NAMA INAUGURATES  LAGOS  SUB- FIR  SECTORIZ ATION COMMITTEE    IN a bid to drive implementation o f the sectorization of the  Lagos  sub-Flight Information Region  (FIR ),  the Nigerian Airspace M anagement  Agency  has constituted a  five-man  committee  to  be headed by a Deputy General Manager in the Operations Directorate,  Mr  Andrew Amedu . Among others, the committee’s terms of reference includes restr ucturing the Lagos- Kano sub-FIR boundaries with a view to alleviating the cumbersomeness someti mes experienced by pilots with  radio frequency changes.  When implemented, this move is  also expected to reduce the workload of both pilots and Air Traffic Controll...

                Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB),-Nigeria has just launched the maiden edition of its quarterly publication, for the months of April to June, 2015.        According to the Head of Public Affairs Unit of the organisation, Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, ‘The Investigator’ is an in-house publication of the organisation.        Its focus according to him is to present the public; the revolutionary strides of the organisation, and to enhance its brand development.        The Magazine cover focuses on an insightful interview with the head of the organisation, Commissioner/CEO, Dr. Felix Abali on the achievements, challenges and its prospects under his watch.        The edition also focuses on the values, a newly constructed Wreckage Hanger that was handed over to AIB, brings to its operations.  ...

NAMA PLEDGES COOPERATION AS  CAPSCA  EMBARKS ON ASSISTANCE VISIT TO NIGERIA THE  Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim  Abdulsalam  has  pledged full support and co-operation of the agency towards the  actualization  of  medical emergency preparedness for the Nigeri  Engr.  Abdulsalam  who made this remark at the opening ceremony of the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events  in  Civil Aviation (CAPS C A) Assistance Visit to Nigeria held at the NCAA Annex, MMIA  Ikeja,Lagos  noted that since Air Traffic Controllers are central in the  procedures for notification  of medical emergencies on board aircraft,  NAMA would continue to give unflinching support to such collaborative efforts geared towards the prevention and management of public health emergencies.  In a bid to improve states preparedness, planning and responses to p...

MERGER OF MINISTRY OF AVIATION AND TRANSPORT  NOT A PANACEA TO SAVING COST OF GOVERNANCE.   Our Unions, comprising the above named bodies, are deeply worried by some untoward signals emanating from certain sections of the aviation interest groups. These rather dangerous signals bear the frequency of a well known aviation cabal which over the years has perfected the art of cornering every new administration, and then manipulate it towards their own selfish agenda which they dress in national colours. The present undeveloped state of the aviation sector bears true testimony to the great successes of this nefarious cabal. We therefore consider it expedient to draw attention of Mr. President to the existence of this cabal and to humbly advise Mr. President to keep a safe distance from them. The cabal presently has strong interest in, and is the unseen forces behind the emergent distractive debate about the merger or de merger of the Aviation Ministry with, ...

Boeing has strengthened its position as the aerospace industry's leader in innovation and technology at a highly successful 2015 Paris Air Show. "Innovation is the heart of our strategy," said Boeing Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer  Dennis Muilenburg . " "It is what differentiates us not only from existing competitors but also from the competitors of the future. We have more research, development and capital projects underway and are bringing innovation to market faster than at any time in our history. That innovation is helping to drive our customers' success and we were able to demonstrate that with the products we brought to the show." Customers showed their confidence in the Boeing commercial product lineup. Additional orders were posted today on the  Boeing Orders & Deliveries website , including 21 Next-Generation 737s for unidentified customers. Customers announced orders and commitments during the week for a total ...

737 MAX progressing toward final assembly 787-10 Dreamliner design ahead of schedule 777X approaching firm configuration Boeing  today provided insights into the development of its newest commercial airplane products – the 737 MAX, the 787-10 Dreamliner and the 777X – further validating its strategy for successful airplane development. "Our commercial airplane development programs are progressing as planned and are on schedule," said  Scott Fancher , senior vice president and general manager of Airplane Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Each of our seven development programs is meeting its design and performance targets. Design requirements are stable and our customers continue to tell us we're on the right track to deliver the airplanes they need to support their fleet strategies and serve their passengers." In various phases of development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes are the 737 MAX 8, MAX 9, MAX 7 and MAX 200; the 787-10; and the 777-8X an...

Boeing   and Minsheng Financial Leasing (Minsheng) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Paris Air Show for the purchase of 30 737 airplanes, a mix of Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX airplanes. "Minsheng has enjoyed a successful relationship with Boeing," said Wang Fuhou, Vice President of Minsheng for Aviation Unit. "Thanks to the continued emergence of low-cost carriers and regional airlines, the single-aisle market is projected to be the fastest growing and most dynamic segment. The Next-Generation 737 of today and the 737 MAX of the future combine market-leading economics, reliability and comfort to meet requirements from airline customers like Ruili Airlines."  As one of the first five leasing companies approved by China Bank Regulatory Committee, Minsheng was founded in  April 2008  by China Minsheng Banking Corp [600016.CH/ 1988.HK], the largest private commercial bank in  China . Minsheng has become a top-tier leasing company in...

Memorandum of Understanding includes intent to purchase two additional 777-300ERs, options for 20 additional 737 MAXs.  Boeing  and Korean Air today announced the airline's intent to purchase 30 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners, with options for an additional 20 737 MAXs. The agreement is valued at approximately   $3.9 billion   at current list prices. Boeing will work with Korean Air to finalize the order, at which time the order will be posted to the   Orders & Deliveries website . "This agreement reflects Korean Air's ongoing fleet modernization program, and we are committed to introducing new next-generation airplanes that are environmentally friendly and fuel efficient, while also providing maximum comfort to our passengers," said  Walter Cho , Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Korean Air. With this commitment Korean Air is poised to become a new 737 MAX customer when this order, which incl...

Boeing and AerCap announced an order for 100 737 MAX 8s today at the Paris Air Show. The order, valued at   $10.7 billion   at current list prices, is the first 737 MAX order for AerCap. "This order complements our existing order book in the single-aisle category and is in line with our customer needs and our fleet strategy of leasing the most-in-demand and technologically advanced equipment," said AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly. "We see significant market appetite for this aircraft type from our diverse customer base spanning approximately 90 countries around the world." "The 737 MAX 8 will give AerCap's customers a unique advantage in the heart of the single-aisle market," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO  Ray Conner . "We appreciate AerCap joining the 737 MAX family of customers." The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver t...

A passenger travelling on-board a 6.45am Aero flight on Monday was caught stealing about N350, 000 from a luggage belonging to an Austrian passenger on the flight. The suspect seating  on 23C of the Cabin ,was spotted the Cabin Excutive when he removed the Austrian’s bag from the over head luggage compartment pretending to be changing seat. The suspect had removed the bag from the compartment  where the Austrian sat, took it to his own  seat and stole a sum of N150, 000 and 500 Euros belonging to the Austrian. But he ran out of luck when the Cabin  Executive raised alarm,and asked him to remain seated while he was trying to return the bag before the Austrian could suspect any foul play. “While trying to return the bag I asked him to seat down. But he became uncomfortable before the plane landed and the white man raised alarm that he couldn’t find his bag,” she said. After the suspect was stripped naked, he told other angry passengers that he mi...