Delta Dedicates Aircraft to David Wright (10/2/06)

LGA Kids' Day Enjoyed By Thousands (9/30/06)

JetBlue Announces Nonstop Service to Cancun, Mexico (9/14/06)

Two Aircraft Collide at La Guardia (9/8/06)

JetBlue Starts the Texas Two-Step (9/7/06)

Harmony Airways Begins Flights to JFK from Vancouver (7/2/06)

Blue Angels Surprise Big Apple (5/26/06)

US Airways Brings Most Recent Heritage Scheme to Town (5/18/06)

MaxJet to Start New York to London Stansted (9/23/05)

Crowd Flocks to Newark Collectibles Show (9/11/05)

NYCAviation.com Unveils Revamped Site (9/9/05)

Delta to Retire 767-200s by December 2005 (9/7/05)

Local Enthusiasts Get Excited for Kids Day (9/5/05)

Helicopter Crashes Near Wall Street Heliport (6/14/05)

American JFK-SEA flight Diverted; Possible Device On-Board (6/13/05)

Dismembered Body Parts Fall from South African Flight (6/7/05)

Virgin Atlantic Flight Sends False Alarm Hijack Signal (6/3/05)

Planes Crashes on Landing at Teterboro (5/31/05)

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Delta Dedicates Aircraft to Mets' David Wright

by Melanie Rose
October 2, 2006

As usual, the formidable sight of white Canon lenses were aimed at the Mets' 3rd baseman David Wright, but today they were not in the media pit at Shea Stadium. Instead, they were gathered at LaGuardia's rather unsuspecting Marine Air Terminal.

Just a day before the Mets kick off their postseason, Delta, which is the official airline of the team, designated Shuttle MD-88 (N912DE) in the player's honor by placing a decal displaying his name, number and signature by the boarding door for all passengers to see.

"Delta is as excited about the success of The New York Mets as fans throughout the city," said Tim Mapes, managing director of marketing for Delta. "As the Official Airline of The Mets, this is our way of congratulating the team by dedicating one of our aircraft to its all-star third baseman, David Wright. We wish the Mets the best of luck in the 2006 playoffs."

Wright, all smiles, also seemed very excited to be there. He brought along and signed a few baseballs for some young travelers in the waiting area.

This isn't the first time that Delta has placed a baseball player's moniker on an aircraft. Just a year ago, Song nicknamed one of their planes (N67171) "Big Papi," after Boston Red Soxer, David Ortiz.

Contact Melanie Rose at melanie@nycaviation.com.


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LGA Kids' Day Enjoyed by Thousands

by Phil Derner Jr.
September 30, 2006

Another year, and another collection of smiles from the thousands that attended this year’s Kiwanis Club Kids’ Day event at La Guardia Airport.

From 12pm-4pm, Children from the Kiwanis Club and the public got to enjoy and explore the wonders of aviation for free. Some airlines brought over some of their aircraft and we received visitors in the form of the New York Skytypers, some World War II birds, helicopters, and more.

American Airlines offered an MD-82 (N7539A), giving out keychains and other gifts to those who boarded and Delta rolled one of their Shuttle MD-88s over (N914DE). As with all attending aircraft, self-tours allowed attendees to sit in the cockpit, talk with crew, take a rest in comfy seats and enjoy the excitement of flight without leaving the crowd.

US Airways’ contribution was an Airbus A319 (N750UW). Many were hoping US Airways would display an aircraft bearing one of the new heritage paint schemes that they have. But due to some people being confused by the Star Alliance scheme as last year's event, they decided to use a plane with the now-merged airline's new scheme.

War Birds Over Long Island (http://www.warbirdsoverlongisland.com) shared with everyone an immaculate P-51 Mustang and a Curtiss-Wright P-40 WarHawk, both pilot by a father and son duo. The two first flew down runway 4/22 and broke formation with a tight turn and climb and let everyone hear the sounds of aviation from yesteryear before landing. Once the propellers stopped, children swarmed the aircraft, probably filling the ultra-shiny P-51 with their tiny fingerprints.

The regular visit from the New York Skytypers included four of their T-4 Texans, a flyby dropping smoky trails before landing ooh-ed and aah-ed the children and their families.

Held in the back of transient parking on the northern end of the airport, people were able to also enjoy watching airline activity on runway 4/22 throughout the day, though clouds rolled in around 1pm and put only a slight damper on photographs.

An NYPD Agusta A-119 Koala Helicopter (N319PD), a military Blackhawk Helicopter, a PAPD Sikorsky-76 (N116PD) and a display from the nearby Rikers Island Department of Corrections also helped out by showing the crowd what they do.

Rumors of efforts to bring more military traffic, including two A-10s, A KC-10 and more, could not happen due to deployment requirements.

An annual event coordinated by the local chapter of Kiwanis Club and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Kids' Day lets the public and children see close-up various forms of aviation. Food and drink are supplied at no cost (with mustard being served this year to all by Queens Borough President Claire K. Shulman).

Contact Phil Derner Jr. at phil@nycaviation.com.


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Two Aircraft Collide at La Guardia

by Phil Derner Jr.
September 6, 2006

Two aircraft clipped wings while in-line for departure at LA Guardia Airport on Friday night.

Air Canada Flight 723 to Toronto, and Shuttle America (Delta Connection) Flight 6461, on its way to Chicago, clipped wings while taxiing to runway 13.

No injuries were reported among the 103 passengers on the Air Canada Airbus A319 or the 66 passengers on the Shuttle America Embraer 170 were reported. The plane taxied back to the gate for the passenger to deplane and either join other flights later that evening or the following morning.

Damage to the aircraft is said to be minimal, but the planes will be placed out of service during investigation.

Air traffic at LGA was delayed for one hour after the 7:20pm incident.

Contact Phil Derner Jr. at phil@nycaviation.com.


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JetBlue Starts the Texas Two-Step

New York's Hometown Airline Begins Three Daily Nonstop Flights From
Houston's Hobby Airport to New York City (JFK), Following the Launch
of Its Service to Austin Earlier this Year

HOUSTON, Sept. 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today begins three daily nonstop flights between Houston's Hobby Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Customers will enjoy JetBlue's award-winning service along with fares that are up to 50 percent lower than pre-JetBlue fares. The airline is currently offering a special $79(a) fare each way between JFK and Houston. Regular one-way fares will range between $117(a) and $349(a). Houston is the second Texas-served city for the airline, which launched three daily flights from Austin to New York-JFK as well as one daily flight to Boston's Logan Airport in January.

JetBlue is also celebrating its inaugural service by offering $99(a) special sale fares each way from Houston to the following destinations via connecting service at JFK: Boston, MA; Burlington, VT; Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, NY; Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, NC; Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, ME; Richmond, VA; and Washington DC (Dulles).

"The beginning of Houston service marks JetBlue's continued expansion into short and medium-haul markets, offering more low-fare options to Houstonians. We are proud to welcome Houston as our 43rd destination and look forward to sharing the JetBlue experience, including the most live entertainment options to customers in Texas," said David Neeleman, JetBlue's founder and CEO.

"We are very pleased to welcome JetBlue Airways to Houston," said Houston Mayor Bill White. "They will enjoy Houston's great business climate and be a successful addition to our growing air transportation network."

Service will be flown on JetBlue's A320 fleet, featuring 156 comfy leather seats, 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming(b) and industry-leading legroom. Members of JetBlue's customer loyalty program, TrueBlue, will receive four points per flight, with double points awarded for purchasing online at www.jetblue.com. Customers can earn TrueBlue points even faster by using the JetBlue Card from American Express. Every time cardholders purchase JetBlue travel with the Card, or earn at least one TrueBlue point through purchasing, all TrueBlue points in the member's account automatically extend for another twelve months.

JetBlue's schedule to Houston, TX:

New York (JFK) to Houston, TX (HOU) Houston (HOU) to New York (JFK)
Depart -- Arrive Depart -- Arrive
7:55am -- 11:00am 7:00am -- 11:45am (eff. 9/8)
1:10pm -- 4:10pm 11:50am -- 4:45pm
8:00 pm -- 11:00pm 5:00pm -- 9:45pm
-- all times local --

Houston becomes the second of six new destinations the low-fare carrier plans to launch in as many weeks, including Nashville, TN (service began 8/31/06); Aruba (service begins 9/15/06); Sarasota/Bradenton, FL (service begins 9/21/06); Tucson, AZ (service begins 9/28/06); and Columbus, OH (service begins 10/3/06).

In the six years since its launch, JetBlue Airways has focused on creating a new airline category -- an airline that offers value, service and style. Based out of New York City, the low-cost carrier currently serves 43 destinations with more than 470 flights daily. Onboard JetBlue, customers enjoy roomy leather seats and 36 channels of free DIRECTV(r) programming (b), the most live TV available on any airline. On flights longer than two hours, a selection of first-run movies and bonus features from FOX InFlight(tm) is also available. JetBlue offers customers generous brand name snacks and beverages, including freshly brewed Dunkin' Donuts(r) coffee, and delicious wines selected by the airline's Low Fare Sommelier, Josh Wesson from Best Cellars(r). On overnight flights from the West, the airline now offers Shut-Eye Service(tm), with a comfort kit designed exclusively for JetBlue by Bliss Spa and other special amenities including a "good morning" hot towel service. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.


(This is a press release issued by JetBlue Airways on September 7, 2006. NYCAviation.com is not responsible for its content in any way)

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By Melanie Rose
May 26, 2006

New York, NY - On the West Side of Manhattan aboard the USS Kearsarge, residents of New York City and visiting troops checked out high-tech company’s inventions that they would only expect to see in “futuristic” Hollywood movies. Civilians were even able to test out the advanced contraptions. Children and adults alike were wide-eyed, and for good reason; some of this technology will not be used for 10 to 20 years.

The Blue Angels, famous for their “Diamond Formation” was created by Retired Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, in attempts to keep the public interested in Naval Aviation. They first performed exactly 60 years ago, in June 1946. Clearly, the interest was upheld, as since their first show, they have performed for over 414 million fans.

Contact Melanie Rose at melanie@nycaviation.com

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This was the last scheme that US Airways will be making, having already made those of PSA, Allegheny and a few for America West.

Contact Phil Derner Jr. at phil@nycaviation.com

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by Phil Derner Jr.
September 11, 2005

Newark, N.J. - Saturday saw yet another annual EWR Airline Show and Sale at Newark's Sheraton hotel. A massive spread of vendors offering to enthusiasts all sorts of aviation memorabilia, the event was a very fun time for all that attended and left smiles on many faces.

Dealers from all across the country came to sell anything from airline slides to silverware. T-shirts, models big and small, key-chains, glasses, stuffed animals, stickers, safety cards, slides, postcards, photos and all kinds of interesting artifacts that would make a museum jealous, were available for the public to purchase.

NYCAviation.com had its first convention appearance of many to come around the country. Photographers and staff manned the 18-foot booth where the site offered T-shirts, airline magazines, prints from several NYCA photographers as well as promoting the new site with flyers (click to view) while introducing themselves to the public. In addition, NYCAviation unveiled a new t-shirt design that several bought and will be up on the site for sale in a few days.

Art Brett, NYCA affiliate and photographer, had his own booth for the announcement of his upcoming site Photovation.net. The new site will offer his own photo galleries and his new Digital Image Editing and Web Design Classes, which are slated to begin on October 1,2005.

With both of their booths having presence, print photo popularity was certainly climbing, while the dealers offering slides were very limited. NYCA Photographer Eric Dunetz did wonderfully racking up a high volume of sales throughout the event. Though 8" x 10" sales were not as frequent, 4" x 6" prints were all the rave. Staff members Brian Futterman and Josh Akbar also offered their exquisite work that was well received by attending enthusiasts.

Plane-spotters who decided to skip the event actually did get a good show at the local airports. At La Guardia Airport, where runway 4 was in use for landings, American Airlines' 737-800 Retrojet came in to please the near-empty Planeview Park. JFK spotters were able to witness the departures of rare visitors in the form of an L-1011 and a Russian IL-62.

Similar conventions occur throughout the year all over the country. It's a wonderful venue for enthusiasts of all kinds to get together and get excited about bringing home all sorts of toys and empty wallets to their disappointed wives. We all look forward to next year.

Contact Phil Derner Jr. at phil@nycaviation.com.

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Helicopter Crashes Near Wall Street Heliport

By Brian Futterman
June 14, 2005; 2:19pm EST

New York, NY - A sightseeing helicopter taking off from the Wall St. Heliport in Manhattan lost power immediately after becoming airborne on June 14 shortly after 1:30pm. The aircraft, operated by Helicopter Professionals, Inc. suffered an apparent mechanical failure with six passengers and one crewmember on board. It crashed into the East River with the blades rotating, causing it to capsize in the water where it remained upside-down.

The aircraft was Bell 206L N78TD. There are no fatalities among the seven people on board who sought refuge on the belly of the overturned helicopter. Six victims were able to walk away while one has been hospitalized.

The wreckage floated upstream where is has been tied to Pier 11 and laden with flotation devices while officials attempt to salvage it from the river.

Contact Brian Futterman at brian@nycaviation.com.

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American JFK-SEA flight Diverted; Possible Device On-Board

By Phil Derner Jr.
June 13, 2005; 11:32 p.m. EST

New York, NY - An American Airlines flight out of New York's JFK International Airport diverted to Chicago's O'Hare because of a possible device found on board. Flight 289, a Boeing 757-200, was bound for Seattle with 158 passengers on board.

The suspicious device ended up being an old-style Walkman Cassette player left in the bathroom. Found by a passenger who did not recognize it, he alerted flight attendants and they landed at ORD as a precaution. The flight was cleared and departed at 12:20am EST to complete its flight to Seattle after landing in chicago at 8:23pm.

Contact Phil Derner Jr. at phil@nycaviation.com.

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Dismembered Body Parts Fall from South African Flight

By Brian Futterman
June 7, 2005

New York, NY - South African Airways flight 203 from Johannesburg, South Africa via Dakar, Senegal, landed at Kennedy Airport on June 7 with the partial remains of a wheel-well stowaway allegedly hanging out of the landing gear compartment. Workers identified the body parts as the aircraft taxied to the gate after landing on runway 22R.

The Nassau County Police Department soon received reports of human remains in the yards of Floral Park residents at about 10:50am. The victim was presumably dismembered by the hydraulic equipment in the cramped wheel well, and full legs and other extremities appear to have fallen from the A340-300 as it lowered its landing gear for a 7:00am arrival into JFK.

The grisly discoveries have prompted an in-depth FAA and Port Authority investigation.

Contact Brian Futterman at brian@nycaviation.com.

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Virgin Atlantic Flight Sends False Alarm Hijack Signal

By Brian Futterman
June 3, 2005; 1:06 p.m. EST

Halifax, Canada - A Virgin Atlantic Airways A340-600 (G-VEIL) sent out a distress call on its radio during a flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kennedy International (JFK) in New York. The transponder on VS045 allegedly malfunctioned, radioing a '7500' squawk code that notifies controllers of a hijacking in progress.

The signal was picked up by Canadian controllers, who quickly contacted local authorities. Fighter jets were scrambled and sent to escort the airline with 273 passengers and 16 crewmembers as it diverted to Halifax Intentional Airport. It touched down safely at 1:00am EST, met by Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Border Service Agency four hours after departing London at 3:59am.

The crew on board immediately confirmed that the aircraft was safe and secure. However, despite the false alarm, stringnetn policies since September 11, 2004, call for excessive caution in such situations, and the flight was told to head towards Nova Scotia. Bulletproof doors had been installed on the aircraft in accordance with these recent regulations to prevent any potential hijackings.

Contact Brian Futterman at brian@nycaviation.com.

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Planes Crashes on Landing at Teterboro

By Brian Futterman
May 31, 2005

Teterboro, NJ - A plane on short final to New Jersey's bustling Teterboron Airport (TEB) burst into flames in a dramatic accident on tuesday, May 31, 2005 - marking the third newsworthy incident at the airport this year.

While en route to runway 01 on a flight from Natucket (ACK), witnesses saw the Swearingen SA-226T (N22DW) swerving and behaving erratically as it passed over Moonachie Road. The right wing reportedly struck the runway and deparated from the aircraft, causing the wreckage to swerve uncontrollably to a stop in a grass strip within the airport perimeter.

The Federal Aviation Administration stated that the pilot and owner of the aircraft, Dominick Alfieri, is suffering from minor burns but is in fair condition, after declaring engine problems when his twin-engine Metroliner turboprop was only seconds away from touchdown.

Pilots who have flown N22DW commented, under anonymity, that the aircraft was not maintained properly and was prone to troublesome flight.

This comes in the midst of plans for a $500,000 project to install foam arrestor beds at the end of runway 06, a proven method designed to safely capture aircraft that run astray. These lightweight concrete barriers are due to be installed in 2007, and such a move would bring Teterboro's safety practices closer to the likes of Kennedy and La Guardia Airports, which already exhibit such features.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been under pressure to retrofit the airport with the arrestor beds since a serious incident on February 2. In a violent failed aborted takeoff from runwya 06, the DDH Aviation Canafair Challenger CL-600 N370V) bound for Chicago, IL skidded through the perimeter fence, across Route 46, and into a clothing warehours. There were no fatalities among the 11 passengers and crew or hundreds of people on the ground, but 20 serious injuries were reported. Had arrestor beds been in place, the 20 ton jet woudl not have been allowed to speed through the 300 feet separating the runway and the busy road.

A month later, on March 8, a Hawker business jet from Columbus, OH, Skidded 200 to 300 feet off runway 01 for an unknown reason.It came to a stop in a snowy field, where the 4 uninjured crew and passengers were able to escape.

The charred remains of the Metroliner are to be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and inspectors from the FAA.

Contact Brian Futterman at brian@nycaviation.com.

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