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The US CDC wants you to get enough sleep. The agency tracks a variety of ailments, including Type 2 diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular disease, that have been associated with a lack of sleep. They also contributed a member to an advisory board that formulated a long-term plan (PDF) for research into sleep disorders. Now, just in time for National Sleep Awareness Week, the CDC has released figures indicating that the US population isn't getting enough rest.
These figures come in two forms. The first was last month's publication of data from their National Health Summary, generated from interviews conducted in 2006. Data from that survey were compared to the results generated from a previous survey performed in 2005 to track trends in sleep, or lack thereof.
Among all age groups over 18 (children were not surveyed) and in both sexes, there was a clear trend towards reduced sleep time. Measured in terms of averaging less than 6 hours of sleep a night, over 30 percent of men in their thirties were sleep deprived. Women were slightly less unrested than men, but both sexes showed the same trend: more people are sleep deprived now than they were a decade ago.
Data source: CDC
Separate data from 2006 also reveal a surplus of wakefulness in the US. The CDC used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System obtained in four states—Delaware, Hawaii, New York, and Rhode Island—to examine the rates at which people self-reported the number of days they had what they considered insufficient sleep within the past month. About 30 percent of the respondents said this wasn't a problem, while ten percent said that it was a nightly issue.
Some odd differences are apparent in the numbers. For instance, Hawaiians sleep well (about 40 percent said insufficient sleep was never a problem), while Delaware and Rhode Island residents were equally restless, coming in at under 30 percent in that figure. Education decreased the rates at which people get a good night's sleep. Those without a high school diploma were about as rested as Hawaiians, while people who started or completed college education reported at least one restless night over 75 percent of the time.
There are some hints in the data that an organized work schedule helped people maintain a regular sleep schedule. Those in the categories of fully or otherwise employed reported the lowest rates of a month of poor sleep (both about 10 percent). That number crept up to 13 percent in the unemployed, and went up to nearly 25 percent in those unable to work. Regular workers still missed a few days of sound sleep a month, while that never happened for over half the retired population (although that might be a function of age).
These numbers need to be viewed with some caution. Although the CDC has calculated confidence intervals, they were not released along with the data. Given the different ways of viewing this data (always getting a poor night's sleep vs. never doing so vs. having at least one poor night, etc.), it's also difficult to assign too much value to any one of these figures. Still, the data suggest that a significant percentage of the US population is consistently getting too little sleep, and that the the number of people with sleep issues is rising.
Two things to ponder as you celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week: the CDC indicated that the phrase is a registered trademark, but did not indicate who owns the trademark. The second is that the idea of awareness appears to be counter to the whole spirit of enhanced rest.


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Kick-off Meeting
On October 12, 2012, the consortium held its first kick-off meeting at Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport North Hotel, GA. The attendees are
- Dr. Hua-Jun Fan (PI, PVAMU)
- Dr. Tommy Rockward (co-PI, LANL)
- Dr. Eric L Brosha (co-PI, LANL)
- Mr. Robert L. Green (co-PI, Allen)
- Dr. Willie S. Rockward (co-PI, Morehouse)
- Dr. Eddie C. Red (Morehouse)
- Dr. Thomas Searles (Morehouse)
- Dr. Diola Bagayoko (co-PI, Southern)
- Dr. Anthony Stewart (Southern)
- Dr. Lizhi Ouyang (co-PI, TSU)
- Dr. Yu Shen (TSU)
During the meeting attendees presented each member's capability and research interests. A consensus was reached on the research plan and its implementations.
After the meeting, Drs. Fan, Ouyang, Ye and Stewart visited Dr. Rockward Lab at Morehouse College.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mobile World Congress instant preview
The striking thing about the GSMA confab, which kicks off today, is the presence of virtually none of the web heavyweights with mobile ambitions. Here's what to look for (or avoid):
Handset OS wars: A current favourite, given new life by Nokia's embrace of Microsoft, and extra spice from Elop's insistence that RIM doesn't exist. It will be handsets at 30 paces when Elop and RIM's Jim Balsillie share a platform on Wednesday.
Mobile vs. the web: Another saga; Eric Schmidt played the baddie to perfection last year and is back again for more this year with a dedicated keynote session of his own. Respect! This year the other net-centirc speakers – Chambers, Otellini, Son and Bartz - have been bottled up into one session.
Mobile traffic loads: Vendors big and small are pitching ways of smoothing out groaning traffic levels on mobile networks. Alcatel-Lucent is promising to do away with the base station altogether.
New threats: Even for the continually-disrupted telcos, the latest challenges look especially stressful, with Apple plotting its own multi-SIM phone and Facebook and PlayStation also prepping handsets. None of those will be in Barcelona, nor will Google, Twitter or Skype; along with Apple (a perennial truant) these are the web firms that will most impact on mobile.
A quick glance at the MWC conference agenda will tell you what else is preying on the minds of operators: advertising (ie, how to make money out of it), social networking (ditto), mobile money (how not to get screwed by the banks), and innovation (how to get some).
Otherwise, a bog standard telecom industry conference, with delicious tapas not quite enough to make up for congested Wi-Fi and the steep hotel tariffs. At least the rip-off roaming rates will make the cellco guys feel at home.
Update: This post has been revised to reflect that Eric Schmidt was in fact a conference speaker (I missed that he was given his own late afternoon session!). His presentation contained nothing new, apart from announcing a video editor for the Honeycomb version of Android and unsuccessfully trying to show a demo of it, according to Ovum.


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As I am at the end of my American wines promotion, known as #USwineweek, I thought I would re-publish this article I found on the Wine Institute website. The original article can be found at this link - http://www.wineinstitute.org/consumerstories
I've been lucky enough to have done a few road trips through Californian wine country, although unfortunately at the time I went to drive up the famous Hwy 1 it was closed due to rocks that had fallen from the cliffs and taken out the road!
And whether you are a wino or not, driving through Malibu on a summer's afternoon and stopping by the Malibu Wines Tasting Room was one of my all time favourite things to do in Los Angeles.
My time in the USA has demonstrated to me that I had man misconceptions prior to my first trip in 2010. America is not only a beautiful country where I met nothing other than very friendly and generous people, it also makes amazing wine. Unfortunately we don't get anywhere near their best wines here in Australia so until that changes the only way to experience it is to head over and try it from the source. What better way to do this than a roadtrip through Californian during their summer, missing out on our winter! Please enjoy this article courtesy of Wine Institute!
SAN FRANCISCO - You, friends and family, a convertible and the wide open California road. What could be a better combination? Pairing it with California wine country, of course! Because there are so many choices, California's Wine Institute has developed five big road trip ideas to inspire wine lovers, giving them options to pick their favorites and set their pace. And speaking of pace, don't forget to pace yourself when wine tasting (spitting is more than polite in wine country!) and have a designated driver.
From California's iconic coast to dramatic deserts and the magnificent High Sierras, the great California road trip is on just about everyone's bucket list. With a little planning, you can include amazing wine regions in your adventures, from hidden gem off-the-beaten path regions like the Sierra Foothills and Temecula to the most well-traveled, such as Sonoma, Napa and Paso Robles.
Here are five of California's great wine country road trips that can be done in five days, starting from either San Francisco or Los Angeles. Don't forget to check out other amenities offered at many wineries, from picnics, bocce ball and concerts to hiking, biking, horseback riding and garden tours. For more information on visiting California wine country go towww.discovercaliforniawines.com. And to help get you inspired, you can also check out this new California Wine Road Trip video:
There's nothing like a drive on California's scenic North Coast to show you not only the Pacific Ocean's dramatic beauty but also how profoundly it affects the region's climate. That coastal influence gives us San Francisco's famous fog, towering redwood trees, and a perfect home for cool-climate grapes like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and others -so let's explore! This scenic five-day round trip from San Francisco takes you wine tasting, shopping, dining, kayaking and more: visit Sausalito; Muir Woods national park; quaint, coastal Mendocino; and Sonoma County's diverse wine regions.
Day One: Start with an invigorating walk along San Francisco's livelyFisherman's Wharf, taking in the shops and eye-popping views of theGolden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Alcatraz, and if you're lucky, a show-stopping patch of mysterious fog. Then put the top down and head north on Highway 101 to the artsy village of Sausalito just across the bay. Treat yourself to a seafood lunch paired with a glass of California winebefore continuing north to see some of California's famous redwood trees at Muir Woods, a national park about 30 minutes away. Stroll among the giants, and when your neck gives out from too much looking up, get back in the car and drive an hour north to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. In addition to historic Railroad Square with restaurants, shops and a California Welcome Center to help you plan your journey, Santa Rosa is a great place to spend the night, offering centralized access to variousgreat wine regions and wine towns in Sonoma County.
Day Two: From Santa Rosa, there are a lot of great options for how to spend the day!
- In the morning, stroll Santa Rosa's Railroad Square, and if you're a Peanuts comic strip fan, check out the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center before heading out for lunch and wine tasting in the pastoral and picturesque Russian River Valley.
- If you like to greet the morning with exercise, go to Bodega Bay(where Hitchcock filmed The Birds) for a morning kayak ride, then head to the quaint town of Occidental, Freestone, Graton or Sebastopol for lunch before tasting the cool-climate Pinot Noirs of the Sonoma Coast in the surrounding areas.
- If your version of the great outdoors is to shop and dine alfresco, visit the fun wine country town squares of Sonoma to the southeast or Healdsburg to the north for lunch and shopping. If you head to Sonoma, explore the various wineries of Sonoma Valley, also known as Valley of the Moon. If you go to Healdsburg, check out the nearby wine regions where you'll find Alexander Valley's rich Cabernet Sauvignons and Dry Creek Valley's signature Zinfandels.
Day Three: In the morning, take 101 North, exiting at Highway 128 at Cloverdale. Soon you will be in Mendocino County's wine region, a great place to stop for brunch and wine tasting. Once in the postcard-perfect, seaside village of Mendocino, most of which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there are many options for entertainment. You can explore the charming shops and eateries, buying your loved ones a treat at the Mendocino Chocolate Company. You can spend the afternoon exploring via scenic Highway 1, checking out historic lighthouses, such as Point Cabrillo Light Station, which features an inn or take a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Try hiking coastal or wooded trails such as the Van Damme Pygmy Forest Trail (in the winter months you can enjoy whale watching). Stay overnight in a romantic B&B.
Day Four: Head up the coast in the morning on Highway 1, passing Fort Bragg, home to the redwoods Skunk Train, and continue until you get to 101 North. Soon you will see the awe-inspiring Avenue of the Giants, a world-famous drive through more than 51,000 acres of redwood groves. There are many quirky attractions in the area, including places you can drive through a redwood, but don't miss Rockefeller Forest's "Champion Redwood" at 370 feet tall. If you have an extra day, travel north toRedwood National and State Parks for hiking and an overnight stay. Stop for lunch as you go south on 101 in the early afternoon towards historic Ukiah, where you can check into a charming B&B and explore thearea's wineries. If you don't mind a slightly longer drive, before Ukiah take Highway 20 south to stay in scenic Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake entirely in California and a great home base to check out wineries in the Lake County wine region, known for its delicious Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Day Five: Spend the morning enjoying a stroll or hike in Ukiah or Clear Lake, before making your way south towards San Francisco. Make sure to stop in the Los Carneros wine region, which straddles both Napa and Sonoma counties. Los Carneros, which means sheep in Spanish, is aptly named for the sheep dotting the rolling hills. These natural weed controllers are the perfect reminder that more than 70 percent of California's acreage participates in California's Sustainable Winegrowing Program, the largest of its kind in the world. As you head back to San Francisco on 101 South, you can choose among several enticing small towns in Marin County. Nestled below majestic Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley's Lytton Square is reminiscent of a European village, complete with cafes, and fashionable boutiques. With celebrity musician residents like Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir and Sammy Hagar, it's no surprise that Mill Valley is home to the famous Sweetwater, one of the top roots music clubs in the nation, well-known for its famous guest musicians who occasionally "drop in" for an evening to improvise. The historic railroad town of Tiburon is reminiscent of a New England fishing village. Its chic Main Street - filled with trendy shops, art galleries, high-end waterfront restaurants and popular casual cafes -- is known as "Ark Row" because of the 1890s recreational houseboat lifestyle enjoyed in Belvedere Cove by sea captains, Bohemian artists, and summer residents from San Francisco.San Rafael, the oldest, largest and most culturally diverse city in Marin, boasts one-of-a kind shops, ethnic eateries and lovely Victorian buildings. Here you can also cruise down Fourth Street in San Rafael, where part of "American Graffiti" was filmed.
This five-day round-trip itinerary is a foodie's paradise, with stops from San Francisco's Chinatown and Little Italy to Berkeley, the legendary birthplace of California cuisine. It also takes you from mountains to the sea: you'll take in the thrilling scenery and wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Livermore Valley and Half Moon Bay.
Day One: Take advantage of San Francisco's food and wine culture! In the late morning, try one of the city's walking foodie tours, such as North Beach/Little Italy, Chinatown or the Mission District (Latin Quarter). Head to Jackson Square and sample some California wines at the various wine bars. Follow up with antique shopping in this lively neighborhood, or general shopping in Union Square. Take a spooky night tour of Alcatraz, paired with wining and dining on Fisherman's Wharf or nearby North Beach. Overnight in San Francisco.
Day Two: Spend the morning at a San Francisco museum or two, then put your day in gear and head east over the Bay Bridge to charming university town Berkeley. Take a guided or self-guided walking tour of the city's famous Gourmet Ghetto, sampling the neighborhood's culinary offerings. If you're not too full, don't miss Chez Panisse, the landmark eatery owned by Alice Waters, pioneer of California's locavore movement and California cuisine. For those who love wine bike tours, skip Berkeley and head straight to Oakland, where you can do a guided or self-guided biking tour of various urban wineries, including lunch. For dinner head back to San Francisco, leave the car at the hotel and walk to any number of eateries, where you can enjoy great California wine paired with regional cuisine. Overnight in San Francisco.
Day Three: After a leisurely breakfast of San Francisco's famous sourdough pancakes, drive southeast to beautiful Livermore Valley, one of California's oldest wine regions. Enjoy lunch in charming and historic downtown Livermore, filled with quaint shops, eateries and galleries. Enjoy wine tasting downtown at one of the tasting rooms or wine bars, or check out one of the local renowned wineries, some of which date back to the 1880s! In the late afternoon, drive 40 minutes southwest to San Jose for fun and dinner on Santana Row, a Mediterranean-style shopping and entertainment district filled with chic boutiques, trendy eateries, hotels, wine bars and lounges. Overnight in San Jose.
Day Four: In the morning visit a museum or gallery in the charming, tree-lined streets of downtown San Jose, all within a quick stroll of each other. Or go for chills and thrills at the spooky Winchester Mystery House, featured on many haunted and mystery television shows. At lunchtime, stop by the beautiful wine country town of Los Gatos for a bite and a short stroll. Then go wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains, one of California's first designated wine regions and an area rich with wooded peaks and small vineyards tucked into quiet hillsides. Noted by "Food and Wine" as a region to watch for Pinot Noir, the region boasts smaller wineries known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the west side, and Cabernet, Merlot and Zinfandel on the east. Dinner and overnight in Santa Cruz.
Day Five: If you like to start the morning with an adrenaline rush, head toSanta Cruz Beach Board-walk, California's oldest amusement park. Or if you're more in the mood for hiking, head north on Highway 1 for a coastal trek at Año Nuevo State Park, where you can catch a rare glimpse of elephant seals. Travel north on Highway 1 to the inviting Half Moon Bay, a crescent-shaped bay filled with surfers and fishermen. Watch the surfers and enjoy lunch, wine tasting and shopping on Main Street. Return to San Francisco for the night.
This adventurous round-trip itinerary starts in Napa Valley, any wine lover's dream destination, where exquisite Cabernet Sauvignons await alongside pampering hot springs and bike tours. Then it heads for the hills, exploring Gold Country and the Sierra Foothills for gondola rides, panoramic views and off-the-beaten-path wineries before winding back down to earth in Lodi, home to some of California's oldest Zinfandel vines, as well as the Madera Wine Trail. Your wine adventure starts here!
Day One: Travel about an hour northeast of San Francisco to delightfuldowntown Napa. Stroll the shops and tasting rooms, then enjoy a gourmet snack paired with local wines at the Oxbow Public Market. Head up Highway 29 and get an eyeful of scenic Napa Valley, stopping at renowned wineries for tasting and fun facts about Napa's 16 smaller appellations. Take a break in charming wine country towns, filled with great restaurants, artisan food and gift shops, tasting rooms and wineries, such as Yountville and St. Helena. Next, head north to Calistoga, where you can enjoy strolling the shops of Lincoln Avenue or take aguided biking tour of local wineries. Or if you'd prefer some pampering, take advantage of one of several hot springs resorts, where you can relax in a natural hot spring or enjoy a rejuvenating massage ormud bath. Dinner and overnight in Calistoga.
Day Two: It's worth the early morning rise to check out a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley, which culminates with a brunch paired with local wines. Next, explore the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, or spend the afternoon heading south on Napa's other main artery, the Silverado Trail—once the only road to Calistoga's silver mines and patrolled by bandits Black Bart and Buck English—to check out more wineries or any of the cool wine country towns you missed on Day One. As late afternoon approaches, head northeast about 90 minutes to Sacramento, taking scenic Highway 128 past Lake Berryessa over to hook up with Interstate 80. Explore historic Old Town and enjoy a trendy eatery and nightclub/comedy club downtown.
Day Three: Spend the morning at a museum, such as Crocker Art Museum, one of the leading art museums in the state, the California State Railroad Museum in Old Town, or the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center. Head 50 minutes northeast to the hidden gemSierra Foothills wine region, known for Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, Viognier and incredible scenery. A great place to stop first at the Gold Rush town of Placerville for lunch, shopping and winery tasting rooms. (If you're visiting in late spring when the snowpack melts, grab a sandwich at a deli and go whitewater rafting nearby.) To explore more winery activities, you can't go wrong with El Dorado County wineries or other Sierra Foothill regions such as Amador County, Calaveras County, Nevada County andPlacer County. Spend the evening an hour northeast in beautiful South Lake Tahoe, filled with great restaurants, glittering casinos and shows. Overnight in South Lake Tahoe.
Day Four: In the morning, ride the Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola for panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Spend the morning hiking, or if you'd rather get on the road straight away, head southwest 90 minutes on Highway 88 for lunch in the fun Gold Rush Town of Jackson. Shop or savor a tasting room in town, or check out a winery or two in Calaveras County, which offers 21 tasting rooms in historic gold rush towns bordered by giant sequoia trees—and was made famous by Mark Twain's story "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." If wine tasting in town is enough for you, and you want to live a bit of history, try panning for goldin Pine Grove. Head about 45 minutes southwest to Lodi, home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California. Stop in the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, which has an expansive tasting bar featuring a wide selection of regional wines, educational demonstration vineyard on grape growing and a gift shop featuring handcrafted products and Lodi giftware. If you're out of time, make a plan to go there in the morning. Overnight at a local B & B.
Day Five: Armed with information from the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, explore the Lodi wine region's wineries, enjoying lunch and shopping in picturesque downtown. Another way to explore the region is the Lodi Wine & River Tours, where you glide down the beautiful Mokelumne River while sipping local wines and looking for birds and other river creatures. If you have time to venture further two hours south to check out the dessert wines of Madera, gateway to Yosemite National Park, theMadera Wine Trail is a great wine adventure. Spend the evening in San Francisco.
What says California more than driving a convertible with the top down, traveling up Highway 1? With the ocean in view, wind in your hair and wine on your mind, this trip takes you from Santa Barbara's "Sideways" movie territory to the cool-climate wines of San Luis Obispo and red-wine mecca Paso Robles, then swings back to the ocean and beautiful Monterey before ending in San Francisco. Besides wining and dining, there's a zip line, hiking, Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium to interest you!
Day One: From Los Angeles, head north on California's iconic Highway 1 about two hours to Santa Barbara County, whose wine regions were featured prominently in the hit film "Sideways." Visit Old Mission Santa Barbara, one of the state's most famous spots on California's Historic Mission Trail. Stop for lunch and shopping on beautiful State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Make sure to sample regional wines at one of the street's many tasting rooms. Dinner and overnight in Santa Barbara.
Day Two: In the morning, head north to the unique historic Danish town of Solvang. Enjoy breakfast and coffee at a Danish bakery or café, followed by shopping for souvenirs and admiring the Old World architecture. Do a self-guided Sideways Tour of Santa Barbara's wine regions, grabbing lunch on the go. If there's time, try dinner at the Hitching Post II, famous for Santa Maria-style barbecue and featured in the film. Or if you're more in the mood for seafood after the tour, head north on Highway One for dinner in downtown Pismo Beach. Overnight in Pismo Beach.
Day Three: Today, you have a choice to make: stay near the coast or head inland? To keep it coastal, spend the morning in downtown San Luis Obispo, featuring museums, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the world-famous bubblegum alley and many shops. Enjoy lunch in one of the renowned restaurants before exploring various San Luis Obispo wineries including those in Edna Valley. Your other great way to spend the day is to head to downtown Paso Robles for shopping and dining, followed by winery hopping in the Paso Robles wine region, known for day/night temperature swings that create bold red wines. If you're seeking a more adventurous way to explore wine country, go zip lining over thehistoric Santa Margarita Ranch or hiking on a coastal trail. Enjoy dinner and overnight in the charming seaside town of Cambria.
Day Four: In the morning, stroll the shops in Cambria and head 15 minutes north to San Simeon. Sneak a rare peek at elephant seals before heading to the world-famous Hearst Castle, the former home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. You can see his wine cellars on the Kitchen & Cottages tour, and taste his descendants' wines nearby at Hearst Ranch Winery. Head an hour north on Highway 1 toBig Sur, the most famous stretch of the road, featuring dramatic oceanfront cliffs. Enjoy lunch at one of Big Sur's scenic eateries, followed by a short hike among the woods and beaches of Andrew Molera State Park. If you don't feel like hiking, take a short drive north to historic Cannery Row in Monterey, made famous in the John Steinbeck novel. Stop by the Taste of Monterey, the Official Regional Wine Visitors' Center, where you can learn more about Monterey Bay's unique "Blue Grand Canyon" and how it creates a unique cooling effect on the vineyards. Sample cool-climate wines from throughout the Monterey County wine region and plan your explorations for the following day. Dinner at Monterey's Cannery Row or nearby Fisherman's Wharf areas. Overnight in Monterey.
Day Five: Enjoy the morning at the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, followed by lunch in the elegantly charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, filled with great galleries and eateries. Spend a couple of hours exploring nearby wineries before heading two hours north to end your day in San Francisco.
Oh yeah, you're going to Hollywood! And for a wine lover, there's more to Southern California than blue skies, surf and sunshine—it's full of surprising wine regions, where winemaking has been taking place since the late 1700s. On this five-day round trip, you'll hit hot spots like Malibu and Palm Springs while also exploring wineries in Temecula, Cucamonga and even San Diego and Malibu.
Day One: Start the morning with a guilty pleasure. Head to Grauman's Chinese Theater on the Hollywood Boulevard strip, and see how your hands and feet measure up to the autographed imprints of Hollywood legends. There you can sign up for Starline Tour's latest two-hour tour of the celebrity homes and hangouts, the TMZ Tour. This hilarious tour, created by TMZ producers, shares insider information and the guides are on the lookout to film celebrities in action. Following the tour, grab some lunch and visit the intimate, high-elevation wineries in Malibu and other neighborhoods of Greater Los Angeles. Dine and play at the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade in the late afternoon and evening. Overnight in Los Angeles.
Day Two: Drive two hours south to playful San Diego, where there are many ways to enjoy fun in the sun. Start in magnificent Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park, boasting 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, lovely gardens and many other cultural and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. Options for the afternoon include Mission San Diego de Alcala, home to the oldest grapes in California, or visiting some of the San Diego area's 50 wineries, known for Merlot and Chardonnay. End the night with dinner and nightlife in the historic Gaslamp Quarter downtown. Overnight in San Diego.
Day Three: There are several "must see" attractions to explore in the morning. In addition to the zoo, Sea World and Legoland are sure bets. In the afternoon, head off the beaten path (about an hour northeast) to the fast-growing Temecula wine region, which has been growing grapes since the late 1700s. Tempered by coastal fog, this warm region is best known for its Italian and Rhône varietals—and its annual Balloon and Wine Festival. Enjoy dinner and overnight in charming and historic downtownTemecula.
Day Four: A popular pursuit is an early morning hot air balloon ride or biplane ride over Temecula Valley, which gives you a great view of the local wine country and ends with a champagne brunch. If you'd rather sleep in, spend time exploring the shops of downtown Temecula. In the afternoon, don't miss the amazing bargains at Desert Hills Premium Outlets on the way to Palm Springs. Enjoy the impressive collection of Art Deco architecture in downtown Palm Springs, as well as great restau-rants for dinner. If you're feeling lucky, head to one of the many casinos, or fun evening shows like the campy Palm Springs Follies, a Broadway-caliber celebration of the music, dance, and comedy of Mid-Century America with a delightful cast old enough to have lived it. Overnight in Palm Springs.
Day Five: If you're feeling adventurous, take a morning desert jeep tour, with stops at oases, ghost towns and the San Andreas Fault. If you're feeling more laid-back, travel to the eerily beautiful Joshua Tree National Park, made famous by the top-selling U2 album. You can drive through the park at your own pace, but don't miss the ranger-led tour ofKeyes Ranch inside, which lets you get a hands-on glimpse of the tough pioneer lifestyle in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. On the way back towards Los Angeles, check out a winery or two in the Cucamonga Valley, which preserves the past with historic ranches and vineyards and is known for Port-style wines and old-vine Zinfandel.
For more ideas on these and other great California wine country road trips, including California wines, wine regions and winery activities—from tastings to tours, picnics, concerts, bocce ball and more—go to Wine Institute's lifestyle and travel website at:www.discovercaliforniawines.com.
About Wine Institute
Wine Institute is the association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related busi-nesses dedicated to enhancing the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world, making 90 percent of all U.S. wine and two out of every three bottles enjoyed in the U.S. Each year, nearly 20 million tourists visit wine regions throughout the state to explore and enjoy the wines, the cuisine and cultural offerings associated with California's signature industry. September, during California Wine Month, is a great time to visit to experience the annual winegrape harvest first hand. Go to: www.discovercaliforniawines.com for more information.


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Bishop Magua Centre, Ground Floor.
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Tel: +254-020-217-7453
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Nairobi, Kenya


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Commercial, Military, Products, Public Service, Regulatory
By Staff Writer | October 1, 2005
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Unprecedented Helicopter Force Takes Field in Katrina's Wake
Hurricane Katrina destroyed, and helicopters by the score swept in behind her to save and bring succor.
In the wake of that devastating Aug. 29 maelstrom and the flooding that followed it, helicopter owners and operators of every size and stripe flew to the grief-stricken regions of Louisiana and Mississippi to help in any way they could.
Nearly to a person, they did so out of good will. Only a few reported flying under contract or in pursuit of one as the hours dragged into days of misery and suffering for the people of New Orleans and Chalmette, La., of Biloxi, Gulfport and Waveland, Miss. and hundreds of other towns and hamlets near them.
For tens of thousands of the storm's victims, the first signs of rescue and relief--of hope--came in the form of the whopping, whirring rotor blades of a helicopter overhead.
"This is, by far, the most helicopter-intensive event in America other than the Vietnam War," observed Coyt Bailey, owner of Jackson, Miss.-based Mercury Aviation, who spent days flying medicines and supplies to victims stranded along the Gulf Coast.
The many helicopter heroes of the disaster relief effort are very likely are too numerous to name. But perhaps foremost among them are those leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard who decided to act before the storm hit--thus setting themselves far apart from most other federal, state and local officials in the storm's path. The Coast Guard was playing for keeps. Two to three days before Katrina made landfall, that service began moving every available rotary-wing asset on the Eastern Seaboard to staging positions in Florida. Extra crews were flown down, too, as were spare parts. It was not by chance that most of the helicopters you saw in TV shots of rooftop rescues were orange and white. Is it any wonder a Coast Guard flag officer was out in charge after FEMA stumbled so badly?
One thing that television did not capture, as horrid as its images were, is just how bad things were on the ground. Without exception, persons reached in the week or so after the storm said everything was far, far worse than media accounts portrayed. The destruction was far more severe and widespread. The suffering of victims on rooftops, in hospitals and at shelters and field clinics was far more extreme. The confusion and ill-preparedness of emergency-response managers was far more complete. The behavior of some was far more bestial than any sane person would care to see on TV. Firing on rescue helicopters was the least of it.
Many individuals pitched in. Pilots had nothing but praise for the FAA personnel manning FEMA's Recovery Desk (the one to call for clearance into the temporary flight restriction areas) and the air traffic controllers at Louis Armstrong International Airport. Crews made fuel and spares and anything else needed available for fellow crews.
The obstacles were formidable, and accentuated by the confusion among the "leadership." For example, Tulane University Hospital and nearby Charity Hospital were to be evacuated by air; neither has a helipad. One familiar with the situation said helos landed on a rooftop parking deck at Tulane--but only after light stanchions on the deck were cut down.
Perhaps most distressing were the cases when assets--aircraft, crews and skilled, experienced emergency personnel--were ready to join the effort, only to be stood down, turned down, even threatened with sanctions if they launched. This while New Orleans doctors told CNN patients were dying before their eyes.
The hope now is that good will come of that mess, that officials in Washington, statehouses and municipalities will recognize both the unique value of rotorcraft in relief operations and the need to have plans in place well in advance to utilize them. The test will be whether this is a cause that captures Washington's attention. If not, hundreds will be forced to say, "We told you so.".
Military Brings Order to Relief Chaos
When the U.S. government finally settled on sending in the troops to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the troops came in force and things on the ground and in the air changed.
U.S Northern Command actually set up Joint Task Force Katrina, headed by Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, commander of the 1st Army, a day before Katrina struck. Honore established headquarters for the task force at Camp Shelby, Miss. three days later. Civilian pilots flying voluntary relief missions in the region reported a noticeable difference between the operations over Mississippi and those over New Orleans. You know whose in charge around Biloxi," one pilot said. "The military is, clearly."
Military assets flooded into the region. The Navy dispatched the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan from Texas. It soon was followed by the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and a flotilla of other vessels, including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman, which in short order had 13 helicopter squadrons operating from its fleet deck.
Helicopter units came from as far away as NAS North Island, Calif. and CGAS Cape Cod, Mass. The U.S. Air Force Space Command, for the first time in its history, dispatched UH-1 used to ensure the security of intercontinental ballistic missile fields away from those fields to aid in the relief.
Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawks flew in from rescue wings and groups in Georgia and Arizona. The 16th Special Operations Sqdn. sent air traffic controllers to assist in managing the skies around New Orleans. The Army sent 48 helicopters from Fort Hood, Texas, and U.S. Marine Corps CH-53Es and CH-46E were on the job, too. Within a week, thousands of National Guard, Reserve and active-duty troops were aiding relief efforts.
Singapore's air force even launched four Chinook helicopter teams to the U.S. Gulf Coast to aid in recovery efforts.
Humanity Shines Amid Madness
After he'd checked that his Jackson, Miss. Mercury Aviation had survived Katrina, Coyt Bailey grabbed a cameraman and set off Aug. 30 in the R44 WLBT-TV charters from him to survey the storm damage. He'd covered six or eight hurricanes. The cameraman had covered more, including Hurricane Camille in 1969--the Big Storm before Katrina. "We'd never seen anything like this, either of us," Bailey said.
Returning that night, Bailey got a strange message.
Some woman in Dallas had called and said her father, an official in St. Bernard Parish southeast of New Orleans, and hundreds of residents were holed up in a shuttered local refinery. No one knew they were there. "Could you check on them?" After being told the area was secure--the sheriff was there--Bailey and a couple of pilot friends flew down. They found hundreds of people surrounded by floodwaters and running low on food and medicine.
The pilots spent the next three days finagling medicine and supplies and shuttling them down to the stranded. "They never asked to be rescued," he said, "just to be helped and supplied." One of many such stories, no doubt.
Relief Problems Highlight Need for Helo Plan
In recounting the devastation of wreaked on the U.S. Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, one radio correspondent observed that people don't give a second thought to the sound of a helicopter passing overhead until after a disaster like this. Sadly, that's as true for emergency-management leaders as it is for the general public.
Each year, natural and man-made large-scale disasters in the U.S. and around the world silence regular and emergency communications, destroy road and highway networks and shut airfields and maritime ports--the very things on which emergency-response and disaster-management plans are built. In such circumstances, helicopters are essential tools--often the only ones available--for grasping the scope of a disaster, spotting the most distressed victims, conveying that information to response managers and bringing victims rescue or relief.
But helicopters too often are an impromptu and overwhelmed part of emergency-response plans. We've seen U.S. government choppers in action in Katrina's wake. But there were too few of them right from the start to effectively triage the problem so limited response resources could be put to the best use.
Two things are needed after this and any similar disaster: more helicopters and a plan for using them. The sad thing is that plenty of helicopters are available, but emergency responders don't know that and therefore don't use them. The Gulf Coast, for instance, probably has more private and commercial helicopters than any place else in the U.S. except the North East. They're essential to ferrying crews to and from Gulf of Mexico oil and gas rigs.
For four years, helicopter trade groups have tried to work with the Department of Homeland Security to develop tools for emergency managers to identify what private helicopters are available, where they are and what they can do (perform rescues, transport medical patients or just carry passengers and supplies) and then put them to use. The department's plans still don't include such tools. t was days after the levees broke in New Orleans before FEMA even attempted a coordinated effort to use the private helicopters at its disposal.
Early Rescue Marks Start of Katrina Efforts
The rescue crews at CGAS Clearwater, Fla. got an early start on Katrina rescues.
As the hurricane churned through the Gulf of Mexico, it threatened to swamp the fishing boat Mary Lynn 25 miles west of the dry tortugas. The crew of three sounded a distress call. The coast guard picked up the signal about 8 p.m. Aug. 26 and Lt. Cdr. Craig Massello and his crew launched in their HH-60J Jayhawk by 9 p.m. They first steered east of Katrina, but after the Mary Lynn crew reported they 'd gone for a lifeboat, which capsized, Massello headed straight for them--and into the hurricane. By 1:30 a.m., the crew could make out the blur of the boat with their night-vision goggles, but they needed fuel. Massello headed for NAS Key West, returning about 5:30 a.m. Intense winds kept blowing the aircraft away from the boat. Massello knew he needed to hover nearby until daylight. By 7:30 they were back over the boat--which was now in 45-ft. seas. The flight mechanic, Petty Officer Rob Cain, lowered rescue swimmer Kenyon Bolton, who saved all three.
Private Helo Operators Pitch In While Gov't Officials Fiddle
While government officials dithered about how to response to the ravages of Katrina, private and commerical helicopter operators wasted no time.
Industry members large and small, from Robinson owners in California to pro golfer Greg Norman (who owns a Bell 407 in Florida), made themselves or their aircraft available.
Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter, Robinson and Sikorsky all made crews or aircraft available to anyone who needed them. Air Evac Lifeteam, Evergreen Helicopters and Air Logistics did the same.
Vortex Helicopters owner Joe Shearin flew relief missions for days, despite the fact that his company in Long Beach, Miss. was severely damaged..
U.S. Army Extends LUH Deadline As Eurocopter Joins Race
The U.S. Army has given bidders in its Light Utility Helicopter competition another month to submit their bids, extending the deadline for submitting entries to Oct. 12. The extension was made after the Aviation and Missile Command, "received multiple requests by interested Offerors to extend the proposal submission date."
American Eurocopter is the latest OEM to announce an entry in the contest, submitting the UH-145, a militarized version of its EC145. EADS North America, parent company to American Eurocopter, will lead the program and serve as prime contractor for the UH-145 team. Ralph Crosby, Jr., chairman and CEO of EADS North America, said that the U.S.-built UH-145 meets or exceeds all speed, range, endurance and performance requirements for the LUH program and "will offer the Army a modern platform that combines advanced rotary-wing technology and proven commercial capability, and which outperforms other existing or remanufactured solutions."
Bell has now stated that with the new RFP requirement for an IFR certified aircraft, the 210 originally submitted may not be its best entry. The company is considering which model it will propose for the LUH competition.
AgustaWestland has stated that will enter the competition with some version of its A109 series, with an announcement expected to be made at the AUSA meeting in Washington, D.C. early this month.
Lockheed Martin and MD Helicopter have formed a joint program using the MD902 Explorer. MD Helicopter will provide the MD902 airframe to Lockheed Martin, which will provide systems integration and turn-key military systems. This aircraft uses the NOTAR no-tail rotor anti-torque system.
CSAR-X RFP, Flight Eval. Expected Soon
The U.S. Air Force was expected to release the final RFP on its Combat Search and Rescue aircraft (CSAR-X) competition last month, and may have done so at this time. This could mean that the flight evaluations required under Attachment 14 of the draft RFP could be initiated as early as this month or November. The USAF said that a series of flight evaluations "that highlight the mission profiles will start as soon as possible after the proposal submission date." Flights will be conducted in the Nellis AFB local flying area near Las Vegas, Nev. The flight evaluation will consist of five basic tasks: mission profile flight capabilities, hovering operations, tactical profile/terminal area operations, deployability/maintenance and cabin configuration.
The evaluations will done by a team comprised of the Air Force Material Command, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, and Air Force Special Operations Command personnel from the HH-60 Combined Test Force stationed at Nellis AFB. The CSAR-X will ultimately replace the Air Force's HH060G fleet. Initial Operational Capability of the selected aircraft is scheduled to be no later than fiscal year 2011, and consist of a total of 10 production aircraft, five of which will be delivered to the training site and five to the operational site.
In releasing its draft RFP, the Air Force said that it estimates a research development Test & Evaluation budget of $633 million through FY11, and a production funding of $1.214 billion between FY08 and FY11.
Turkey Launches Major Helicopter Competition.
Turkey's Under Secretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM) has formally opened an international competition for the purchase of 32 military helicopters and 20 fire-fighting helicopters to be used by the Forestry General Directorate. Total value for the 52 helicopters will be around $700 million.
The purchase will be administered by SSM in a single package for both the military and civilian helicopters. Bidders are asked to reply to a request for proposal no later than Dec.5. The lion's share of the military shopping bag will go to the Army with 20 helicopters, while the Air Force and the Navy will receive six platforms each.
An SSM official said he expected several manufacturers to show up for the competition, in which one single helicopter type will be selected for all three services. "The Army, the Air Force and the Navy will not be able to choose different platforms. The winner will take all."
Analysts said the two major contenders are expected to be Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., maker of the S-70 Black Hawk, and NH Industries, which manufactures the NH90. NH Industries is the prime contractor for design, development, industrialization, production and logistical support for the NH90 in all its variations.
CHC Selling Off Non-Core Assets
Vancouver-based CHC Helicopter Corp. has sold off its remaining shares in two non-core companies, including Canadian Helicopters Ltd. Both companies, Canadian Helicopters and Inaer, a company that operates light to medium helicopters primarily in the Spanish helicopter market, provide on-shore oil and gas helicopter operations. CHC, whose initials do not stand for Canadian Helicopter Corp., was a minority shareholder in both companies and stated that selling off its assets in the two companies will allow it to concentrate more on its core efforts in off-shore operations..
CHC had already sold 55 percent of its holdings with CHL in 2000, retaining offshore oil and gas operations in eastern Canada. Sale of the remaining 45 percent was announced Sept. 1 and is expected to bring CHC approximately C$48 million (US$40.4 million). This would give CHC a combined pre-tax gain and dividend income of approximately C$20 million (US$16.8 million). The company said that its shares are being purchased by the Canadian Helicopters Income Fund, a fund established to purchase CHL indirectly.
In late July, CHC signed a letter of intent with Inaer to sell its 37.8 percent shareholdings in that company. CHC expects to realize an estimated C$45 million (US$37.9 million) from the sale.
India Finalizes Plans For 197-Helo Buy
In a major drive to modernise all arms---infantry, armor, artillery and mechanized units--the Indian army has finalized plans to expand its aviation wing with acquisition of 197 light helicopters, as well as equipping itself with light helicopter gunships for use in high-altitude areas.
Top officials said the army was awaiting the nod from the government for rapid expansion of its air fleet after making a strong case for having its own medium lift transport helicopters, assault choppers, anti-tank combat helicopters and, for the first time, a limited number of light fixed-wing aircraft.
Army officials have pressed for expansion of its air arm, citing lack of close air support in counter-insurgency operations, in high-altitude areas and during Kargil operations. The contract for 197 light helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Cheetahs and Chetaks is nearing the final stages with two major bidders, Eurocopter and Bell, completing their second and final round of summer trials in Jammu, Kashmir and Rajasthan.
The Army Aviation Corps proposes to buy 55 helicopters outright, with the remaining to be built under licence at Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics in a deal estimated to be worth more than US$500 million.
Russia Plans New Helo Manufacturing Holding Company
Russia is developing a new helicopter manufacturing holding company comprised of companies currently involved in the development and production of Mi-helicopters. The creation of the Oboronprom helicopter-manufacturing holding company is planned "to contribute to the development of Russia's defense potential," as well as "help to conduct structural reforms of the strategic branches of Russia's economy," according to Denis Manturov, Oboronprom general director.
Tatarstan's government has agreed to contribute 29.92 percent in Kazan Helicopter Works to the stock capital of Oboronprom, viewed as the basis for setting up a holding of Mi-helicopters. Kazan Helicopter Works is one of the largest makers of Mi-brand medium helicopters with loading capacity of up to 17 tons.
According to Moscow's helicopter-manufacturing plant General Director Andrei Shibitov, there are objective trends on the global market today that forced European and American helicopter manufacturers to merge into larger corporations. These trends have affected Russia as well, he said. "The creation of a new holding is an attempt to consolidate and integrate our efforts to produce helicopters of the Mi family. It is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of our companies on the global market and reducing production costs on the domestic market."
Heli Air Opts for Second Koala
Heliflite Pty Ltd, authorised distributor of Agusta Westland civil helicopters for Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea, has sold a second new Agusta A119 Koala helicopter to Heli Air Pty Ltd. Heli Air Pty Ltd is one of Australia's leading helicopter charter companies with significant interests in media related helicopter services, corporate and government charter, training and fire fighting. Heli Air has substantial hangar and maintenance facilities at several key locations throughout southeast Australia. Heli Air has acquired its second A119 KOALA to meet a Government fire-fighting contract for the 2005-2006 fire season.
Eurocopter Flies BK117 With Electric Flap Controls
On September 8, 2005, an experimental BK-117 helicopter lifted off from Eurocopter's Donauworth, Germany facility in Bavaria for its official maiden flight with an electrical flap control system. This milestone in the development of a trendsetting helicopter control technology positions the company ahead of the international technology competition concerning the area of so-called "adaptive rotor systems," surpassing its key competitors in Japan and the United States, Eurocopter said.
The primary objective of this new type of control method is to reduce the system-inherent, relatively high noise level of the rotor blade tip vortices to levels significantly below those of current helicopter models, many with noise levels already below the required standards.
At the same time, the vibrations that components and passengers alike are subjected to will be reduced significantly to increase the comfort of passengers during the flight and expand the capacity of future helicopters, thereby promoting commercial use of these aircraft.
The development program concerning adaptive rotor systems is sponsored by the German Ministry of Economics and Labor and is based on cooperation between the partners Eurocopter Deutschland (management, design, production, controls, tests), the EADS Corporate Research Centre CRC (piezoceramic actuators), DaimlerChrysler (energy supply, data transfer), as well as the German Aerospace Center DLR (controls, data transfer).
Bell Selects All-Chelton Cockpit for 407
Bell Helicopter has picked Chelton Flight Systems to provide the "glass cockpit" system for its 407 light single engine helicopter. The contract has a potential value in excess of $100 million.
With the selection, Bell becomes the first major OEM to offer synthetic vision for all light and medium single-engine helicopters. The 407, slated to be the first aircraft to receive the upgrade, is the fastest selling aircraft in history in its class. Plans call for Chelton equipment to become the "preferred" equipment offered for the 206B JetRanger, 206L LongRanger, and the new Bell 210.
This a major OEM win for Chelton, a global aerospace enterprise that has historically focused on military, airline, and special-mission markets.
"This obviously represents a significant milestone for Chelton," says Gordon Pratt, President of Chelton Flight Systems. "While this technology has been FAA certified for years in aircraft ranging from the Bell JetRanger to the Cessna Citation, Bell will be the first OEM to offer this advanced technology from the factory."
Western Pacific-Bound
A U.S. Navy Landing Signal Enlisted prepares a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter for lift-off from the flight deck of the USS Tarawa (LHA 1) while the ship operates at sea on July 29, 2005. Tarawa is the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group 1 and is on a Western Pacific deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. licopter for lift-off from the flight deck of the USS Tarawa (LHA 1) while the ship operates at sea on July 29, 2005. Tarawa is the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group 1 and is on a Western Pacific deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Russians Dominate World Helicopter Championship
The Russian helicopter team took first place in the 12th FAI sponsored World Helicopter Championship held August 16-20 in Rouen, France. France and Germany were second and third, respectively, in the team competition, followed in order by Austria, the U.K., Byelorussia (or Belarus) and Switzerland. Overall first place individual winner was Vladimir Zyablikov, with crewmember Valdimire Gladchenko, of Russia flying an Mi-2. Second place individual winner was also from Russia, Viktor Korotayev and his crewmember Nikolay Burov, also flying an Mi-2. Third place was Jean Claude Duverne of France and his crewmember Philippe Arnould.
Caroline Gough-Cooper and her teammate Imogen Asker retained their titles of Ladies World Champions flying their R-22 for the United Kingdom. Second place winners in the women's teams were Galina Shpigovskaya and Ljubov Goubar of Russia while third place went to Svetlana Chupina and Elena Prokofieva of Russia, both teams flying Mi-2s.
Winners were determined by the total number of points achieved in four categories: navigation, precision flight, fender rigging and a slalom.
Bell Delivers 3000th Mirabel Helicopter
Bell Helicopter delivered the 3000th aircraft assembled at its Mirabel, Canada facility on Aug. 24, with CEO Mike Redenbaugh handing the keys for the Bell 412 to Air Logistics CEO Bill Chiles and General Manager Mike Suldo. Air Logistics' fleet of six 412s, including the newest one, provides transportation and support for oil and gas industry companies in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the company's 183 helicopters, 132 are Bell models.
The facility northwest on Montreal, which opened in 1986, promises to be busy for some time. Bell Helicopter Canada President Jacques St-Laurent noted Bell's new, $2-billion-plus contract to provide up to 368 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters to the U.S. Army will bring $700 million of work to the facility during the roughly seven-year program. Mirabel will assemble the aircraft and deliver them green to Bell in Texas for completion. The first is to roll out next year.
In a related development, Bell subsidiary Edwards & Associates has begun the first of two phases of construction of a five-building, 140,000-sq.-ft. repair, refurbishment and sales facility. The Piney Flats, Tenn., facility will include a completion center, maintenance hangar, paint shop and a building for production of new Bell 210 light utility helicopters. The 14-month construction project will give Edwards a total of 300,000 sq. ft. in Piney Flats. Edwards' work force, which has grown from 330 to 370, is expected to increase to 430 in the next two years. Edwards is investing $8 million in the project, with $1.1 million in state and local incentives.
V-22 Progresses on Hill, Starts Tanker Tests
The House Armed Services Committee has now received a letter from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, certifying that the V-22 has satisfied certain criteria required prior to authorization for increased production rates of the tilt-wing aircraft. Production of the aircraft "above the minimum sustaining rate" had been prohibited under a law passed in December 2001.
In a letter dated Sept. 8, 2005, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Kenneth Krieg advised the committee that the V-22 had successfully demonstrated:
1. the reliability of hydraulic system components and flight control software to achieve low risk to crews and passengers under operational conditions,
2. sufficient reliability and maintainability levels to achieve operational availability at the level required for fleet aircraft,
3. operationally effectiveness when employed in operations with other V-22 and other types of aircraft, and
4. effective operations taking into consideration the downwash effects inherent in the operation of the aircraft.
A formal letter from the Defense Acquisition Board to the Congress recommending authorization for full production of the V-22 was expected to have been sent by the end of September.
The aircraft also began testing last August to determine the safety of air-to-air refueling with U.S. Air Force KC-135 tankers. It has already conducted, and passed, testing with Air Force KC-10 tankers, U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 tankers and Air Force Special Operations MC-130s. The testing consists of determining if the re-fueling mechanisms can safely be joined in mid-air, followed by the actual movement of fuel from the KC-135 to the V-22. of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Breeze-Eastern Wins Dhruv Rescue Hoist, U.S. Navy Contracts
Breeze-Eastern has been awarded a contract valued over $1.8 million from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Helicopter Division, Bangalore, India. The Breeze-Eastern HS-20200 electric rescue hoist system was chosen after best meeting the rigid requirements for the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) platform in performance, delivery, quality, and support. The rescue hoist systems are deliverable by March 31, 2006.
Breeze-Eastern currently supplies Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with hydraulic rescue hoist systems for the ALH platform.
Robert L. G. White, President and CEO of TransTechnology Corporation, Breeze-Eastern's parent company, said that, "This contract is a direct result of listening to the customer and providing them with the best solution for their requirements. This award for the electric rescue hoist system solidifies our position as the hoist supplier for the ALH platform."
Breeze-Eastern also said it has won a fixed price contract worth $548,000 from the U.S. Naval Inventory Control Point, Philadelphia, Pa. for its BL-27100-85 Hydraulic Rescue Hoists for use on the Navy's H-60 helicopter. All work under the contract will be performed at the company's Union, N.J. facility, and is to be completed by June 2006. The contract was competitively procured, with two proposals solicited and two offers received.
Headstone Needed For Marine Medal of Honor Winner
A U.S. Marine helicopter crew chief is attempting to raise funds for a special granite headstone to mark the grave of a fellow USMC crew chief who was awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. PFC Raymond M Clausen, Jr., was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on January 31, 1970, when he left the safety of his CH-46 helicopter and ran through a minefield to rescue elements of a marine platoon. The platoon had inadvertently entered the minefield while attacking enemy positions. Clausen guided the helicopter's pilot into an area that had been cleared by a previous explosion, then left the helicopter to assist 11 wounded marines and eight others back to the helicopter.
According to the citation, "despite the ever-present threat of further mine explosions, he continued his valiant efforts, leaving the comparatively safe area of the helicopter on six separate occasions to carry out his rescue efforts. On one occasion while he was carrying one of the wounded, another mine detonated, killing a corpsman and wounding three other men. Only when he was certain that all marines were safely aboard did he signal the pilot to lift the helicopter."
Clausen is reported to be the only U.S. Marine helicopter crew chief to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Nepal Persists in Everest Spat With Eurocopter
The government of Nepal just won't give up in its dispute with Eurocopter over the manufacturer's record-setting landing on Mount Everest. Nepal reportedly is preparing to ask international civil aviation organizations to take action against Eurocopter for making `false statement' about the landing.
"We are sending official letters to the International Civil Aviation Organization, French Civil Aviation Authority, International Federation of Airline Pilots' Association and Guinness World Records," said an official at the Ministry of Culture, Civil Aviation and Tourism. He said that the government is approaching the international authorities as it is impossible for them to take action against Eurocopter from Nepal.
Eurocopter says its AS350B3 model helicopter successfully landed on top of the world on May 14-15 as per F餩ration A鲯nautique Internationale. Nepal insists it was not allowed to do so.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), issued a statement on June 2 refuting Eurocopter's claim .
HAL takes re-engined and upgraded Chetan up to 21,300ft
The Chetan, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) re-engined and upgraded Chetak helicopter, set a new record for aircraft type when it successfully completed hot and high altitude tests in the Siachen Glacier recently. With this performance, Chetan has proved that it can conquer the Himalayan heights up to its service ceiling of 21,300 feet. Previously, the operations of the Chetak were restricted to 10,000 feet, due to a number of limitations.
Piloted by Wg Cdr P.S. Rao and Wg Cdr S. Jain, the Chetan underwent a series of trials from August 16-23 in the Siachen Glacier under hostile conditions. "We have gone for a trial validation and Chetan had never operated there before. The tests were conducted well within the existing envelope of the original helicopter (Chetak)," the pilots said.
Although the armed forces are using the Cheetah for high altitude operations, the Chetan provides certain significant benefits over the Cheetah due to its larger cabin volume. The recent tests by HAL have proven that the Chetan can comfortably carry a payload of up to 100 kg (220 lb.) at altitudes of 21,000 feet and at temperatures up to international standard atmosphere ISA+15 deg C.
Offshore Logistics Moves to Houston
Offshore Logistics, formerly Lafayette, La.-based, has moved its headquarters from Lafayette to Houston, Texas. President and CEO Bill Chiles explained the move by stating that the energy industry has experienced significant growth in recent years and the move to Houston "strategically places us in the heart of the international energy industry and is consistent with our ongoing strategy to grow our helicopter transportation services globally." However, he also noted that the company will continue to maintain a strong presence in Lafayette, New Iberia "and other south Louisiana communities through its subsidiaries, Air Logistics LLC and Grasso Production Management, Inc."
The company's new headquarters is at 2000 W. Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77042. The new telephone number is 713-267-7600.
Australian Helicopter Pilot awarded UK Distinguished Flying Cross.
The British Ministry of Defence announced on the 9 September that Captain Scott Watkins, a member of the Australian Army serving with the British Army Air Corps, has been awarded a DFC for gallant services as a helicopter pilot in Iraq.
"Scotty" Watkins was attached to the Army Air Corps in January 2003 on exchange from the Australian Army. He served in 652 Squadron in 1 Regiment based in Germany and went on numerous exercises in a variety of countries including Austria, Norway and Kenya. The highlight of his exchange was his deployment to Iraq as a Lynx Flight Commander.
In November 2004 a British Army battle group, mainly consisting of the 1st Battalion, the Black Watch (1BW), a Scottish regiment, was tasked to deploy to Camp Dogwood near Fallujah in aid of the US Marine Corps. On November 10, the USMC birthday, the first mission was to take a kilted piper to play at the birthday celebrations at Camp Kalsu. Afterwards Watkins, aircraft commander, along with his pilot Capt Keith Reesby and Door Gunner Corporal "Dinger" Ling were tasked, along with an RAF Puma, to move stores and equipment to and from Baghdad International Airport. Whilst over the airport Visual Reporting Point the Lynx was engaged and struck by insurgent fire. Capt Reesby was hit and Watkins took control and set heading for Camp Dogwood whilst Ling gave first aid to the pilot. After landing safely and seeing the pilot off to hospital, Watkins inspected the damage which seemed to have been the result of 7.62mm fire. Shortly afterwards whilst looking at the aircraft along with an engineer they were forced to take cover under the helicopter when several 107mm rockets landed nearby, one of which severed the hydraulic lines and control rods. Two days later Watkins was in action again and took further incoming fire from AK-47s. This time Corporal Ling returned fire and eventually several insurgents were captured and bomb making equipment found. In the seven days of his detachment Watkins flew 26 hours, came under rocket attack on four separate occasions and had two aircraft damaged by hostile fire. --Joe West
Bond Training Services Launches EC135 FTD Simulator
Bond Training Services has launched the world's first EC 135 helicopter simulator, with students undergoing various courses, including conversion and instrument rating at a 2.5 million USD purpose-built facility at Gloucestershire Airport.
The full motion, six axis Flying Training Device (FTD) combines the experience of Bond Air Services, the operator of the UK's largest fleet of EC 135T2 helicopters, and the technical expertise of cueSim, Europe's largest science and technology organisation.
Initial courses are being undertaken for Bond Offshore Helicopters' Co-pilots to Instrument Rating standard, including multi-crew cooperation, autopilot and glass cockpit training, as part of the Aberdeen-based operator's continuing build-up of services to the oil and gas industry.
CAA certification has been awarded for the maximum 40 hours credit of simulator training included in an instrument rating course.
The simulator will also be used for initial instrument ratings, type conversions, competency checks and continuation checks by Bond Air Services which in September will take delivery of the 11th of 15 EC 135 aircraft, on order for its UK-wide operations. Training for customers other than Bond companies will begin in September.
The range of courses available is attracting strong interest from companies in the UK and overseas - including France, Norway and Switzerland - with representatives visiting the simulator.
Industry Loses Pair of Pioneers
Jack Real, a major force in the helicopter industry during the second half of the 20th Century, passed away on Sept. 6.
During his career, he served as vice president and general manager for the AH-56A Cheyenne program, was president of Hughes Helicopter during development of the AH-64 Apache when it received the Robert J. Collier trophy and was head of all rotary wing programs at Lockheed from 1968 until he left in 1971 to become senior vice president of aviation for the Howard Hughes Corp.
He was serving as president and CEO of McDonald Douglas Helicopter Company when he retired in 1987.
Alaska aviation pioneer Carl F. Brady Sr. (upper right) died in his Anchorage home Aug. 20. He was 85.
Credited as the man who introduced the helicopter to Alaska, Brady left an indelible imprint on aviation, business and political circles during his nearly 60 years in the state.
"He had a good heart for the place where he lived, and he really helped change Alaska," former Gov. Wally Hickel said Monday.
Born Oct. 29, 1919, in Chelsea, Okla., Brady grew up on a farm near Springdale, Ark., where his family moved when he was 10 years old.
Throughout his life, Brady frequently cited Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic as his inspiration for becoming a pilot.
By 1940, living in Yakima, Wash., Brady had learned to fly planes. Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, pulling the United States into World War II and prompting Brady to move to Arcadia, Fla., where he served as a civilian flight instructor for the Army Air Corps.
He entered active military service in 1943, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant, and continued as a flight instructor on the home front throughout the war.
Soon after he got out of the service, Brady learned to fly helicopters. He moved back to Yakima, where in 1946, with two partners, he formed a crop-dusting company. Two years later, at age 28, Brady ventured north with one of the newfangled flying machines -- a Bell 47A, the first commercial helicopter produced in the United States.
In other sad news, Bill Dvorak of Air Logistics died in a helicopter accident, August 17, while landing on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. He was a member of HAI's Technical Committee, as well as a former Chairman of the committee.
Mr. Dvorak first began flying while in the U.S. Army. He was a Warrant Officer serving as a pilot on helicopters flying medical evacuation flights in Vietnam.
During his tour of duty, his helicopter was shot down. Mr. Dvorak was awarded the Army Air Medal 11 times and a Purple Heart. Mr. Dvorak left the Army in 1972 as a Captain.
Oct. 3-6--American Helicopter Society International Powered Lift Conference, Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Contact: Kim Smith, (703) 684-6777; Website: www.vtol.org.
Oct. 10-12--Heli-Asia 2005, Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. Contact: Sam Cader, 44-1628-606979; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; Website: www.shephard.co.uk/heli-asia.
Oct. 15-16--American Helicopter Museum Rotorfest, West Chester, Penn. Contact: (610) 436-9600; Website: www.helicoptermuseum.org.
Oct. 23--Wings, Wheels, Rotors Expo, Los Alamitos Army Airfield, Los Alamitos, Orange Co., Calif. Helicopters on display along with warplanes, classic cars and motorcycles. Includes Helicopter Awareness Day. Contact: Show organizers, telephone: (562) 598-6659; E-Mail: email@example.com; Website: www.wrexpo.com.
Oct. 24-26--Air Medical Transport Conference, Austin, Texas. Austin Convention Center. Contact: Natasha Ross, (703) 836-8732; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; Website: www.aams.org.
Oct. 25-27--American Helicopter Society National Technical Specialists' Meeting on Rotorcraft Structures and Survivability, Radission, Fort Magruder Inn and Conference Center, Williamsburg, Va. Contact: Jerry Irvine, (757) 878-3272; Website: www.ahs-hrc.org
Nov. 7-9--2nd Int'l Basic Research Conference on Rotorcraft Technology, Nanjing, China. Contact: Prof. Gao Zheng, 86-25-84892120; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com, or Prof. Daniel Schrage, (404) 894-6257; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Nov. 9-11--NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention, Orlando Orange Co. Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. Contact: NBAA 202-783-9000; E-mail: email@example.com. Website: www.nbaa.com. (Please note that this is a change from the previously scheduled NBAA Annual Meeting to be held in New Orleans, La. on Nov. 15-17)
Nov. 15-17--Heli Power 2005, Sheraton Roma Hotel & Convention Center, Rome, Italy. Contact: Herve Bavazzano (exhibitions), 44-1628-606980; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com, or Sam Cader (delegates), 44-1628-606979; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com; Website: www.shephard.co.uk/heli-power.
Nov 20-24--Dubai Airshow, Dubai, UAE. Contact: Clive Richardson, Fairs & Exhibitions, 44-20-8391-0999; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. Website: www.fairs-exhibs.com/airshow05, or www.dubaiairshow.org.
Pierre Fabre has been appointed Executive Vice-President of Turbomeca SA, replacing Henri Sala who will assume other functions within the SAFRAN Group. Sala retains his functions as the President of the Turbomeca subsidiaries Microturbo SA and CGTM. Fabre previously served as President and CEO of CFM International, a joint subsidiary of Snecma and General Electric based in Cincinnati, USA.
American Eurocopter has appointed Keith H. Haney to the position of Manager, Law Enforcement. A retired captain in the Ohio State Highway Patrol, where his service included 14 years in the aviation section, Haney joined American Eurocopter last February as Manager, New Helicopter Deliveries. Daniel Johnson, a former Los Angeles Police Department pilot, replaces Haney as Manager, New Helicopter Deliveries. Johnson had served as a flight instructor and check airman with the LAPD.
Standard Aero announced that Senior Vice Present Lee Beaumont has left to company to pursue other interests. He had been working on special projects reporting directly to CEO Dave Shaw.