Boeing 787 Flights Extended

Boeing 787 operators have received FAA approval to fly Extended Operations (ETOPS), a development that the company says will enable aircraft to fly on a wider range of routes and to more destinations. 

The ETOPS approval allows 787s to be operated for up to 330 minutes (5.5 hours) away from an airport, up from the previous 180 minutes. The FAA's approval is a sign of confidence in the aircraft that received negative publicity throughout 2013 after incidents involving its lithium-ion battery system grounded the global 787 fleet for more than three months. 

"Our customers are eager to expand their 787 operations," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager, 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We're delighted that this capability, which was designed into the airplane from the very beginning, has been certified." 

Boeing announced the ETOPS approval less than one week after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued recommendations to the FAA for an improved certification process for lithium ion batteries installed on aircraft. Last year the 787's lithium ion battery system was redesigned following the global fleet grounding in order to prevent overheating. 

To date, Boeing has delivered 146 Dreamliners to 19 different customers, and has received 1,030 orders for the aircraft from 60 different customers. The company plans on an entry into service for two new versions of the aircraft with the 787-9 toward the end of this year, and the 787-10 in 2016.

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FAA, NTSB investigating close call between 2 planes

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating an incident nearly three weeks ago when two jets came within miles of each other. 

On April 25, United Airlines Flight 1205 from Kona to Los Angeles responded to a warning from the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System about 200 miles northeast of Kona.  The warning told the crew to avoid a U.S. Airways Boeing 757 heading westbound.

The FAA says the required separation between aircraft in the airspace where the incident occurred is either 5 miles laterally or 1,000 feet vertically.

Preliminary data shows that the aircraft were 8 miles apart when the alert came.  The United plane was told to descend.  On the next radar hit 12 seconds later, the aircraft were 5.3 miles apart laterally and 800 feet apart vertically.

The FAA says it not drawing conclusions about whether the aircraft were on a collision course.  The agency began investigating the incident immediately and says it has taken steps to prevent a recurrence.  FAA officials say the TCAS performed as it was designed.

A joint FAA and NTSB investigation team was scheduled to arrive on Oahu on Thursday.

Since the 1980s, the FAA has required the TCAS on airliners with more than 30 passenger seats to help prevent mid-air collisions.  It alerts pilots to potential conflicts and may issue them instructions to climb or descend to avoid the conflict.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating an incident nearly three weeks ago when two jets came within miles of each other.

United Airlines says it is working with the NTSB in its review of the incident.

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NTSB reminds pilots not to land at the wrong airport

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a safety alert Wednesday about landing at the wrong airport, the gist of which was that pilots should be careful not to land at the wrong airport.

You can blame Southwest Airlines and Atlas Air for this one.

“All of us have experienced a loss of situational awareness at some time, but the consequences for pilots mistaking a nearby

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