FAA alleges helicopter operator failed to conduct employee drug testing

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $55,125 civil penalty against Whirlybird Helicopters, LLC of Ogden, Utah, for allegedly violating DOT’s drug and alcohol testing regulations.

The FAA alleges Whirlybird failed to conduct pre-employment drug tests on eight employees prior to their being hired to perform safety-sensitive functions on the company’s helicopters, which it uses in commercial air tour operations. Further, the agency alleges three of these employees were not in Whirlybird’s random testing pool as required by DOT regulations.

Whirlybird has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

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British Airways begins transatlantic service from Austin, Texas

British Airways launched its inaugural flight between Austin, Texas and London, England on Monday. This marks the first regular transatlantic nonstop service for the city of Austin. The inaugural flight into Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) will be met by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and British Airways EVP Americas Sean Doyle.

“For this much anticipated route, British Airways will operate one of the newest aircraft in its fleet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner,” the airline said in a press statement. “The service will be available five days a week, increasing to daily flights in May.”

The new aircraft features three cabins: Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).

“This first time, nonstop service between ABIA and Heathrow Airport is sure to take our cities to new levels for both business and vacation travelers," said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The new route marks British Airways' third destination in Texas, with the airline also serving Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. Travelers will fly into the modern Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.

British Airways is one of the world's leading global premium airlines and the largest international carrier in the United Kingdom. The carrier has its home base at London Heathrow and flies to more than 70 different countries. In 2012 the airline carried more than 37 million customers. The airline currently has a fleet of more than 270 aircraft.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport served a record 9.4 million passengers in 2012 and traffic has increased six percent year-to-date. Austin's airport has nonstop service to 41 destinations and is home to 13 airline carriers. The airport generates a $2.4 billion economic impact to the Austin area annually.

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NASA awards aircraft engine contract to Pratt & Whitney

NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., has awarded Pratt & Whitney Engine Services, Inc. a $168,693.50 contract for a replacement aircraft engine on the agency's UC-12B. Pratt & Whitney is the original manufacturer and sole provider of the PT6-41 aircraft engine for the NASA UC-12B. NASA announced the contract award on Friday.

The UC-12B is fitted with a variety of instruments and sensors that collect data on earth science investigations.

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Armed unmanned aircraft a threat to US military in near future

U.S. forces will be increasingly threatened by reconnaissance and armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the near future, the U.S. Army said in contract documents released Thursday. [Full story]

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Air Force/NASA small-business conference coming to El Segundo

Officials from the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and NASA will host an Industry Day meeting next month to provide an opportunity for women-owned small businesses to meet with decision-makers regarding doing business with the agencies. [Full story]

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Army seeks contractor to support airlift services in Arizona

The U.S. Army's Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) has a requirement for Airlift Support Services in Arizona. [Full story]

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Forest Service needs aircraft for aerial patrols in Colorado

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is looking for a light fixed wing aircraft fully operated by qualified personnel and equipped to meet Forest Health Aerial Detection Survey services for use in the administration of public lands. [Full story]

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