Pilots Landing at Sea-Tac Airport Report Laser Incidents

This past weekend several pilots landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reported someone was shining a green laser light into the cockpits of the aircraft. This annoyance and safety issue is an ongoing issue that has plagued pilots throughout the country.

In the Seattle incidents, all the aircraft landed safely. But according to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 148 laser-related incidents this year. Last week a laser incident was reported at San Jose airport.

Aviation officials fear that the laser pointers may one day contribute to a plane accident, as the lights are pointed directly into cockpit windows during take-off or landing phases, the most dangerous part of any flight.

Pilots Landing at Sea-Tac Airport Report Laser Incidents

This past weekend several pilots landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reported someone was shining a green laser light into the cockpits of the aircraft. This annoyance and safety issue is an ongoing issue that has plagued pilots throughout the country.

In the Seattle incidents, all the aircraft landed safely. But according to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 148 laser-related incidents this year. Last week a laser incident was reported at San Jose airport.

Aviation officials fear that the laser pointers may one day contribute to a plane accident, as the lights are pointed directly into cockpit windows during take-off or landing phases, the most dangerous part of any flight.

Multiple Fatalities As Commuter Jet Crashes Near Buffalo

Breaking News: 10:00PM
Initial reports indicate there are no survivors.

A Continental Airlines commuter plane crashed and burst into flames late Thursday in Clarence Center, New York, just outside of Buffalo. Flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air was enroute from Newark, when it went down about five minutes prior to landing in Buffalo. The FAA reports the plane was carrying 44 passengers, and 4 crewmembers. Live updates from MSNBC.

Emirates Launches San Francisco Service Today

The inaugural flight between San Francisco and Dubai will also go down in the books as the world's longest green flight trial

At 3:45 PM today, Emirates Airlines will launch nonstop service between San Francisco and Dubai. The 16-hour flight will, at least initially, operate three times a week utilizing brand new Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, featuring luxurious private suites in First Class, lie-flat seats in Business Class, and generous space for Economy Class guests. 

But today's flight is much more than the debut of a top notch premium airline. The flight from SFO later today is also a trial to launch a new environmental program to execute the world's longest green journey. Simply put, it means rolling out the most environmentally-sophisticated route and trip possible to save an estimated 2,000 gallons of fuel and 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions. 

Specifically, today's inaugural flight will demonstrate many fuel and emission saving measures including:

• The new 777-200LR will be specially washed beforehand to minimize drag.
• A pre-planned priority departure route out of Dubai will provide an unimpeded climb through to cruise altitude, allowing the aircraft to reach its optimum cruise altitude as quickly and efficiently as possible.
• The aircraft will track close to the North Pole following extensive work by Emirates and aircraft manufacturers to open this new routing. 
• Flexible routings will be pursued over Canadian airspace.
• The FAA and San Francisco Air Traffic Control will seek to offer optimal routings for arrival and if possible a continuous descent approach to minimize fuel burn.
• All on-board glass, newspapers, aluminium and paper will be collecting for recycling.

Passengers traveling through San Francisco Airport today will have an opportunity to see the new Emirates aircraft parked at the International terminal. The scheduled arrival time from Dubai is 1pm. Immediately following the arrival, local media will attend a press conference on the new service and best practices in Eco-efficient air travel. 

For more information on Emirates and the world's longest green flight, visit www.emirates.com.

Also Read: "Emirates Airlines' flying to S.F raises issues" -SFGate

American Airlines Plane Departing SFO Makes Emergency Landing

An American Airlines jet made a safe emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday after the pilot reported smoke and the smell of fuel in the cockpit, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.

American Flight 442 was en route from San Francisco to Miami when the pilot declared an emergency, diverted to Los Angeles and landed shortly after 2 p.m., said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. There was no fire on the plane, which carried 180 passengers, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman d'Lisa Davies. Read more from CBS5

What is the Essential Air Service Program?

By Mike Grasso

Back in the late 1970's with airline deregulation, air carriers had much freedom to choose which domestic routes they wanted to fly. Favoring larger markets which offered high passenger loads and yielding higher returns often meant bypassing services to smaller communities.

So the government stepped in and introduced the Essential Air Service Program (EAS). Rural cities distanced more than 70 miles from a medium or large commercial airport qualified for a partial federal subsidy. Greater than 210 miles - no cap on the governments subsidy. So while United Airlines/Skywest Airlines may not want to provide air service from San Francisco to Crescent City, on the far north coast, a nice kickback from the government helps them reconsider.

Approximately 140 cities across the United States are part of the EAS program, mostly throughout the Midwest and Alaska. In California, SkyWest Airlines to Crescent City, and Air Midwest, serving Visalia and Merced, receive federal funds of up to $1 Million each year.

Opponents of the program say having service to rural communities promotes business opportunities, and better connects people to the rest of the country.

Critics say the essential air program is actually unessential, citing many flights actually depart with only a couple passengers, an unnecessary government expenditure. They also argue that since the program was developed nearly 30 years ago, regional airports have absorbed much of the demand coming from rural areas, making this program unnecessary.

Related:

AirMidwest to suspend operations by June 30th.

Virgin America Plans Chicago Flights

Virgin America announced Monday their intention to add Chicago O'Hare to their growing list of cities served. The San Francisco-based airline currently flies to seven U.S destinations, and hopes to add Chicago by November. Subject to approval from the FAA, the airline plans to fly non-stop from San Francisco and Los Angeles into Chicago.

American, Delta cancel hundreds of flights

Following yesterday's cancellation of over 200 flights, American canceled another 132 flights today, while Delta airlines expects to cancel 275 flights today and Friday. As mentioned in yesterdays post, the airlines are racing to check wiring bundles on their aircraft. Although no instance of immediate passenger danger was noted, the inspections resulted from audits from the airline and FAA. If you have flights scheduled this week, be sure to check your flight status with the airline regularly.

State of the Skies: Has flying become more dangerous?

In an ABC News closeup report dated January 10th (above), we learned that significant staff shortages are effecting key Air Traffic Control Centers in the United States. Some experts claim that under staffing, as well as fatigue and large numbers of ATC personnel recently retiring may be to blame for close calls by aircraft. The FAA asserts new personnel are quickly being hired to replace outgoing staff, and says regardless, the skies are safe.

Related Link: Fox News report describing close calls on the runway.

FAA Radar failure in Memphis, TN caused flight delays nationwide

Radar failure in Memphis for 2 hours temporarily caused nationwide delays and some cancellations through early afternoon. Air traffic controllers had to use cell phones to reroute some planes. Details here.

FAA orders emergency inspections on newer 737 planes

Aviation authorities have ordered emergency inspections of newer model Boeing 737 airliners in response to last week's explosion and fire that destroyed a China Airlines plane in Japan.
The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday ordered all U.S. airlines to check for loose hardware in panels which are extended on the wings to increase lift for take-off and landing.

The FAA said loose hardware appeared to have punctured the fuel tank of the China Airlines jet on August 20 in Okinawa, Japan. Leaking fuel caused a fire that engulfed and destroyed the airliner. All aboard escaped safely.

There are more than 780 affected planes registered to U.S. airlines. About 1,500 are in service with other airlines around the world.

Airlines to replace "No Smoking" with "No Mobile"

With the introduction of mobile phones services onboard some European-based airlines next year, the outdated "no smoking" signs above each seat will soon be replaced with "no mobile."

The illuminated "no smoking" signs have now become outdated since almost universal bans on lighting up on scheduled passenger planes were introduced in the late 1990s.

The "no mobile" sign will show a mobile phone crossed out and will be illuminated during takeoff until the plane has reached a certain altitude in order to ensure there is no interference with mobile networks on the ground.