Model Airplanes

By Alwyn Scott

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Americans shopping for toy remote-controlled airplanes or helicopters may find, sometime in the near future, that they come with unexpected accessories: A raft of new regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration, by the end of the month, is expected to propose new rules governing small unmanned aircraft systems, the first major overhaul of its drone policy.

The agency is closely guarding details, saying only that the rules will cover a wide range of users flying aircraft or drones weighing 55 pounds or less.

But legal and policy experts who have advised the FAA and lobbied on drone regulations said they predict the new regulations will include restrictions on hundreds of thousands of people who fly quad-copters or toy planes in parks or backyards.

The focus on toy aircraft is a new twist. Such regulations have been in the works for years, largely because of pressure from businesses wanting to use drones for tasks such as aerial photography.

Experts said that based on existing drone guidelines,

Article source: https://au.news.yahoo.com/technology/a/25764896/insight-drone-downer-will-new-faa-rules-ground-recreational-fliers/

Local News

Wind blows out of Western Washington but leaves mark

Article source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/13/3538744/with-the-kids-for-december.html?sp=/99/1683/

The ordinance for park use and personal conduct was approved by a 5-1 vote, with Councilman Albert Gooch dissenting because he thought the ban on model airplanes went too far.

The council had adopted a similar set of park rules shortly before taking possession of the former Highland Lake Golf Course property in November 2013.

Since that time, Mayor Bob Staton said, “we’ve learned a good bit more about the operation of a park and we’ve determined that some of the rules were redundant or unnecessary. Others required some simplification or other modifications.”

During a public hearing before the law’s passage, former Mayor Terry Hicks was the only speaker to comment. He said he appreciated the hard work council had put in drafting the new rules.

“And I know the intent of this ordinance is nothing but good,” Hicks said. “Unfortunately, when I read it is sounds like it’s nothing but negative.”

The new law prohibits alcohol and tobacco use; off-path bicycling; boisterous language; skates, rollerblades and skateboards; advertisements; unleashed pets; feeding of wildlife; gambling; open fires; and any remote-controlled toy or “self-propelled devices.”

It also makes it “unlawful for any person to play football, soccer, baseball or other games of like character in such proximity to playground equipment or park structures as to threaten harm to persons using the park or damage to any park structure.”

Addressing a ban on fishing, swimming or wading in park ponds, Hicks said, “I personally understand why we don’t want people to fish in the ponds, although I’m

Article source: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20141211/ARTICLES/141219964

As Southwest comes close to completing the integration of AirTran, we assess what AirTran has done for Southwest. In our view, AirTran’s most notable contribution has been accelerating Southwest’s entry in to international markets. Geographically, AirTran added 21 cities to Southwest’s network and 7 of these cities lie in the international market. This international presence has positioned Southwest to expand to Central America and northern parts of South America – regions that are seeing fast growth in demand for air travel. In addition, the integration of AirTran has made Southwest the largest domestic airline, based on the number of passengers flown. Synergies from AirTran’s acquisition have also played a key role in growing Southwest’s profit from $178 million in 2011, to $421 million in 2012, and to $754 million in 2013. In the current year, these synergies, totaling $400 million for the entire year, have helped Southwest’s profit rise by 75% per year to $946 million in the first three quarters. All in all, AirTran has accelerated Southwest’s expansion in the continental U.S. and also positioned it well for long term growth in the international market.

We currently have a price estimate of $41 for Southwest, marginally below its current market price. We estimate that Southwest will post earnings of $1.95 per share in 2014, in line with its current consensus earnings estimate.

See our complete analysis of Southwest here

Southwest Has Dispelled Pre-Merger Fears

At the time of AirTran’s acquisition by Southwest in 2011, there were many fears that the deal

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/12/11/what-has-airtran-done-for-southwest-airlines/