Sky Blue Radio

Virgin America tops 'Consumer Reports' airline ratings

Virgin America landed at the top of the latest Consumer Reports ratings of airlines in its first appearance on the list, receiving some of the highest customer satisfaction scores any airline has in years.

The airline, which made its debut in 2007, got high marks in all areas that the carriers were judged on, especially baggage handling even though there's a $25 charge for first and second checked bags.

Spirit Airlines found itself at the bottom of the ratings, with the lowest marks across the board. The carrier has some of the lowest fares in the industry but charges fees for everything from booking a flight to carrying on a bag. Readers also complained about Spirit's seats, some of the tightest spaces in the industry.

FSX Blue Angels To Perform At RAF Fairford

The FSX Blue Angels, announce their performance at the RAF Fairford, UK Air ShowPensacola, FL May 21, 2013: The FSX Blue Angels, announce their performance at RAF Fairford Air Show, on Saturday May 25, 2013, starting at 12:30PM EST. This will be the third performance of the season for the FSX Blue Angels.The FSX Blue Angels travel across the Atlantic to the United Kingdom, to perform at the RAF Faiford Air Show. RAF Fairford was constructed in 1944 to accommodate British and American troop carriers and gliders that would be used during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. After the war, the base experienced many transitions until 1950 when it was transferred to the U.S. Air Force for strategic bomber operations. Work commenced immediately to construct a 10,000-foot runway, which today, is the longest in the United Kingdom. In 1979, the U.S. Air Force deployed a squadron of KC-135 Stratotankers which would played a major role in supporting the attack on Libya in 1986. RAF Fairford is a fully functioning forward operating location. It also enables U-2 aircraft deployment, Deployed Operations Training for the Royal Air Force and served as an alternate landing site for NASA's Space Shuttle.

The Airport Guys Tornado relief fund

Hello, as we all are aware the deadly tornadoes in the midwest this week, we wanted to help out those affected. We have created an incentive offer to try to get people to donate to the relief fund in exchange for free scenery.More information is available here:http://www.theairportguys.com/okhelp.htmlThank youMichael McCracken
The Airport Guys

Piedmont intentional belly landing

A Piedmont Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-100 on behalf of US Airways, registration N934HA performing flight US-4560 from Philadelphia,PA to Newark,NJ (USA) with 31 people and 3 crew, was on approach to Newark when the crew reported they had a left hand main gear unsafe indication and requested a low approach to have the gear inspected from the ground. The aircraft was cleared for a low approach to runway 04L, offset left of the runway, tower asked the landing lights to be turned off to get a better sight of the aircraft. Tower subsequently reported the left hand main gear appeared only half way out of the wheel well. The aircraft climbed back to 3000 feet and entered a holding west of the aerodrome for about 90 minutes to work the checklists and burn off fuel. The aircraft positioned for an approach to runway 04L and landed with all gear up. The aircraft slid on its belly to a safe stop on the runway, the occupants evacuated through the left hand main door. No injuries occurred.

The airport was closed temporarily following the landing.

US Airways reported the aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted after a gear indication could not be resolved following multiple attempts to lower the gear. The aircraft landed safely on its belly, no injuries occurred. The passengers were evacuated and bussed to the terminal.

http://avherald.com/h?article=46273d9a&opt=0

Captain of a Air India Flight locked out of cockpit.

Air India made the news again this week.

A source from Air India says the cockpit door of one of its planes got jammed during a flight while the captain went to use the plane's lavatory, forcing an unscheduled landing by the co-pilot in central India.A door for the plane's cockpit was jammed and could not be opened from either the inside or outside. The co-pilot landed the plane at the nearest airport. The door was fixed by ground maintenance staff and the plane resumed its flight.Air India commented that this posed no danger to the passengers of this flight.

787 Live Chat May 16th

Boeing is allowing people to live chat with Mike Sinnett, 787 vice president and chief project engineer, and Capt. Heather Ross, flight test pilot. Mike and Heather will be discussing mile stones and related topics, as well as answering your questions. This exclusive event will take place Thursday, May 16th at 12:30PM PDT/ 3:30PM EDT Yo sign up for the event visit Boeing.com

IVAO Stress Test Event

Over the last few weeks the network team at IVAO have been busy upgrading the servers, hopefully you will have noticed the improvements in stability. However, we need your help!

We can only really test the effectiveness of the upgrades by placing the network under high load and therefore we would like to invite you to the "IVAO Stress Test" event on May 17th, 2013 from
17:00 to 20:00 UTC.

The FCC moves to introduce High Speed Internet

The Federal Communications Commission moved to establish a multi-gigabit in-flight Internet service using newly–available airwaves in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band on Thursday. The proposal, based largely on a petition from Qualcomm first made in 2011, would involve the creation of 150 ground stations which would beam Internet signals up to aircraft. In its petition, Qualcomm cited the explosion in mobile broadband usage, noting that the use of mobile is “now an integral part of many Americans’ lives “The reality is that we expect and often need to be able to get online 24/7, at home, in an office or on a plane,” said Julius Genachowski, the FCC chairman, at a meeting Thursday. “This will enable business and leisure travelers aboard aircraft in the United States to be more productive and have more choices in entertainment, communications and social media, and it could lower prices.”The new service would provide connectivity to aircraft flying within the contiguous United States and would not work over Alaska, Hawaii, or island territories

Happy Birthday Sky Blue Radio!!!

May 13th 2007 was a date that saw the birth of a global force in flight simulation entertainment. Sky Blue Radio took to the internet airwaves broadcasting 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Six years later Sky Blue Radio is still going strong, and this year we are having a party, with tons of presents. It will be party atmosphere here at Sky Blue Radio and a party without presents is just no fun at all so Sky Blue Radio will begin the weekend with a contest. Starting on Friday May 10th, Sky Blue Radio will be airing our “winning phrase” allowing our listeners a chance to enter this amazing giveaway. Listeners can enter up to 6 times, increasing their chances to win! The Birthday Bash giveaway culminates during the weekend of the 10th, with DJs’ LIVE on air from 1400 Zulu on Friday to 0300 Zulu Monday taking your requests and partying all weekend long! The contest will run through Sunday, May 19th!

Hawaii begins $739M upgrade to Honolulu International Airport

The state of Hawaii plans to break ground Thursday on a four-year, $739 million renovation and expansion at Honolulu International Airport, starting with a new maintenance building for Aloha Air Cargo.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the project, which has been in the works since 2005, will include a new rental-car facility, two new concourses, wider taxiways for larger planes and additional gates and space to park aircraft.

The newspaper reports the project will add six new gates for a total of 58 gates, and 10 additional parking spaces for aircraft for a total of 65 spaces.