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April 22, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) The April 23, 2008, program of Conversations with Cops at The Watering Hole features a conversation with special agent and author James O. Born.

Program Date: April 23, 2008

Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific

Topic: A conversation with James Born

Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

About the Guest

James Born is a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He has been involved in investigations such as organized crime, violent crimes, economic crimes, drug cartels, and police corruption.

Before working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, James Born joined the US Marshals service in early 1986 as a deputy marshal.  One year later, he transferred to the Drug Enforcement Administration. In four years with Drug Enforcement Administration, he was assigned to the West Palm Beach field office, and traveled within the United States and Panama. He spent a great deal of time in Miami during the height of the drug wars. His investigations at Drug Enforcement Administration generally focused on cocaine smuggling from Colombia. In addition, he worked undercover in a number of situations, in one case volunteering to assist the ATF as an undercover agent in the Ku Klux Klan during an explosives investigation. 

James Born writes fictional novels set in Florida.  According to one reader, “It's always exciting to pick up a novel by an author who started off with great work and who keeps getting better with each new book.  Born fits that description. Escape Clause, his third novel featuring Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent Bill Tasker, is easily his best, not an easy mark to reach considering the high quality of Walking Money and Shock Wave, his first two novels.”  James Bornâ€^TMs fourth novel is Field of Fire.

About the Watering Hole

The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life.  Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years.  He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.  He holds a bachelorâ€^TMs from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Masterâ€^TMs Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University.  He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, technology and leadership.  Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.  He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement

Program Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA

http://us.f544.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=editor@police-writers.com

909.599.7530

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A dedication to the hard work DONE BY THE POLICE.. Full Post View | List View

Police in the NEWS --- A wild look at their lives and what they do out there, news wise..............................

Entry for March 13, 2008 --- Coming into the MELROSE AREA....

saps--southafricanpolice, newssaps, sapshelicopters, saps, | Edit Tags

Thursday March 13, 2008 - 03:29am (PDT) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 0 Comments

2AM ---- WATCHING THE SEARCHLIGHTS ON THE HELICOPTER AND THE GREEN LIGHTS UNDERNEATH IT....

12 News Photos

• 1. Boy too dark to be South African - police Independent Online - Mar 11 2:01 AM After spending 30 hours locked up, not even his birth certificate was enough to convince police that he was a South African.
• 2. S'African Police, Customs Deny Colluding with Robbers This Day - Mar 11 7:41 PM The South African police and customs have denied the allegation that robbers connive with them to attack passengers at Tambo international airport.
• 3. Boy too dark to be South African - police Cape Argus - Mar 11 3:58 AM The minister of safety and security must pay a teenage boy R90 000 in damages after the boy was almost deported to Mozambique despite his protests that he was a South African.
• 4. South Africa: Death Penalty Referendum Call - Critics Cry Populism AllAfrica.com - Mar 12 10:29 PM Jacob Zuma, the president of the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party in South Africa, has of late been called a chamaeleon who adapts his speeches to what his audience wants to hear.
• 5. Sorry, girls, you're too fat to join the police Daily Dispatch - Mar 11 7:05 PM 2008/03/12 MORE than 10 candidates who went for job interviews at the Mthatha Police College were turned down this week because they were too fat. The candidates answered a call from the South African Police Services who want to fill 700 vacancies for trainee cops.
• 6. Lethal letter is sent to prosecutor as he leads case against future South African president Daily Mail - Mar 10 12:02 PM A letter laced with poison has been sent to one of South Africa's premiere prosecutors as he leads a corruption case against African National Congress (ANC) party leader Jacob Zuma. Although Mokotedi Mpshe did not touch the letter himself, National Prosecuting Authority staff who came in contact with the substance after it was opened were given medical treatment for rashes
• 7. Egyptian police kill would-be migrant to Israel The Daily Star Lebannon - Mar 10 2:09 PM Egyptian police shot dead a Sudanese and seriously wounded an Eritrean on Monday as they opened fire on African migrants trying to cross illegally into Israel, a security official told AFP. Police spotted Adam Mohammad Othman, 23, near the border south of the town of Rafah and shot him dead when he failed to heed.
• 8. Poisoned letter sent to top South African prosecutor Gulf Times - Mar 10 11:13 PM JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's top prosecutor, who is pursuing corruption cases against senior officials including ruling party leader Jacob Zuma, has been sent a letter laced with poison, his spokesman said yesterday.
• 9. South Africa: Taxi Industry Apologises for Humiliating Woman AllAfrica.com - Mar 11 7:59 AM The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has expressed disappointment at the public humiliation of a young woman by taxi drivers at the Johannesburg taxi rank three weeks ago.
• 10. South Africa's Zuma wants evidence supressed Calcutta News - Mar 11 6:36 AM African National Congress leader, Jacob Zuma, has appealed to the Constitutional Court in South Africa to supress corruption evidence against him.

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News Stories for POLICE

(Results 1 - 10 of about 378,914) Sort Results by: Relevance | Date 5,500 News PhotosPlay Play 396 News Videos

• 1. Indian police arrest Tibetan exiles AP via Yahoo! News - 54 minutes ago Police detained more than 100 Tibetan exiles as they marched to their homeland Thursday in protest of China's hosting of the Olympic Games, charging them with threatening the "peace and tranquility" of the region, officials said.
• 2. Tibetan marchers arrested in India: police official AFP via Yahoo! News - 39 minutes ago Indian police Thursday arrested a group of 100 Tibetan exiles trying to walk to their homeland as part of a major protest ahead of the Beijing Olympics, although the demonstrators vowed their march would go on.
• 3. Police perplexed by frozen body in hotel USA Today - 1 hour, 5 minutes ago Police thought they were handling a routine drug bust at a ritzy hotel until they opened a large container and found a woman's body preserved on a bed of dry ice.
• 4. Pakistan police hand over remains of bomb victims AFP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 5 minutes ago Pakistan police handed over the remains of at least 20 victims of the suicide bomb strikes on Benazir Bhutto's homecoming procession to officials of her Pakistan People's Party.
• 5. Suicide attack in Afghan capital kills six: police AFP via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 18 minutes ago A suicide car bomber rammed a convoy carrying foreign troops near the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul Thursday, killing six civilians and wounding another 18, police said.
• 6. Tibetan marchers arrested in India: police official AFP via Yahoo! News - Mar 12 11:53 PM India police on Thursday arrested some 100 Tibetan exiles trying to walk to their homeland as part of a major anti-China protest, a police official said.
• 7. Suicide attack in Afghan capital kills six: police AFP via Yahoo! News - Mar 12 11:06 PM A suicide car bomb targeting foreign troops in the Afghan capital on Thursday killed six civilians, Kabul's police chief said.
• 8. India police arrest 2nd man over UK tourist murder Reuters via Yahoo! News - Mar 12 10:13 PM Indian police have arrested a second suspect in the rape and murder of a 15-year-old British girl found dead last month on a beach in Goa.
• 9. Police: Woman sat on toilet for 2 years USA Today - Mar 12 9:57 PM Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.
• 10. Indian police detain Tibetan exiles marching in protest International Herald Tribune - Mar 12 9:16 PM Indian police detained more than 100 Tibetan exiles as they marched in protest of China's hosting of the Olympic Games, charging them with threatening the "peace and tranquility" of the region.

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Thursday March 13, 2008 - 03:19am (PDT) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 0 Comments

Entry for March 11, 2008 --- WATCHING SAPS HELICOPTERS UP THERE...

African Pilot Website: http://www.africanpilot.co.za/
E-mail: http://us.f544.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@africanpilot.co.za
Telephone: +27 11 702 2342/3
Fax: +27 11 468 2637

African Pilot Newsletter 10 â€" 2008
Monday 10th March 2008

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. George Bernard Shaw- World famous Irish playwright 1856-1950

African Pilotâ€^TMs April edition
The April edition of African Pilot has been delivered to the printers and when complete will be packaged together with the annual African Pilot Aviation Services Guide for national distribution. The process has taken a little longer than in normal months due to the extra packaging requirement, but the magazine should be fully distributed by the last week of March. The April edition features our Kit-built and Home-built aircraft survey, which due to the nature of the types involved has been rather difficult to compile. The May edition will feature Turboprop types available in the South African market. Although the questionnaire has already been sent to the marketers of all known turboprop types, we have placed a questionnaire on the African Pilot Website: http://www.africanpilot.co.za/

Marketing position at African Pilot
AFS Studio (Pty) Ltd, the company that produces African Pilot as well as a variety of other publications, has an opening for a suitably qualified marketing person. Interested? Please send a maximum two-page CV to: http://us.f544.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=editor@africanpilot.co.za.

The state of aviation expertise in South Africa
Our country has been witnessing severe shortages of qualified and skilled people in almost all fields of the economy in recent years. This situation has become all the more noticeable as a direct result of governmentâ€^TMs failed Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy, which has impacted on the economy of South Africa. Every business has experienced the blunt end of ESKOMâ€^TMs inability to provide adequate electrical power to a growing economy. By now any person with an understanding of economic forces will be in a position to understand that a distinct lack of appropriate leadership and technical ability has led to the present disastrous economic situation in South Africa.

However, in aviation circles, businesses are witnessing a serious ‘brain drainâ€^TM to countries where qualified ‘white peopleâ€^TM are appreciated for the expertise they can deliver to the companies who have successfully recruited them. It is now a well known fact that several Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Australasian countries have been actively recruiting well qualified pilots, technical and engineering aviation people from South Africa. Information at hand suggests that South African Airways (SAA) alone has lost more than 200 qualified technical personnel and pilots in the past two years. The airline cannot hope to replace these skilled people in the short term, which means that ultimately the serviceability of its aircraft will suffer. In addition, many well qualified Airline Transport Pilots from SAA have sought greener pastures in countries where their skills are genuinely appreciated by the host country, and where they and their families can live in a much safer environment.

When will government realize that it cannot ‘fast trackâ€^TM black people who have not had the correct exposure to economic forces in business? Whilst African Pilot fully supports education and support structures that will uplift black people into a first world economy, this undertaking should be mindful of the correct economic forces within the economy. Simply said, it is impossible to take people who do not have the required academic, technical and business acumen and force these people into unfamiliar economic environments. Mentorship is what is required. There are plenty of well educated white people who have the desired qualifications to assist with the orderly ‘on the job educationâ€^TM of aspirant young black people who will do well in the aviation community when they have the standard of training that is required within the global community.

AVIATION CANNOT BE ‘FAST-TRACKEDâ€^TM â€" BECAUSE THE RESULT WILL HAVE DISASTEROUS CONSEQUNECES, WHICH WE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO WITNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Government needs to ‘wake upâ€^TM and place a moratorium on forcing its ‘BEEâ€^TM policy on financially viable businesses. The very businesses that are presently being targeted to prove BEE compliance are the most significant tax payers within the South African economy. My question to government is â€" “do you wish to lose all the current benefits you have in terms of a viable economic tax base? Furthermore, if you destroy the goose that lays the golden eggs, where are you likely to be in the future of the global community?”

EAA Talk Show Thursday 13 March
Readers are once again reminded that this coming Thursday is ‘talk timeâ€^TM again. Trevor Arnold was to be the guest, but Nationwide has sent him to England. However, there is never a shortage of interesting aviation personalities in South Africa and so our guests this week are two retired B747 Captains, Hennie van der Walt and John ‘Fluff â€^TMMcKerchar. Both men have a lifetime about which to talk. We just hope that our MC the evergreen Karl Jensen- returning from his operation - has time to coax the best from these two amazing men.

Last time African Pilot spoke with Jeremy Woods the EAA co-ordinator, there were very few seats left, so quickly call Jeremy on (011) 888 8495 or 082 883 0436. There is often the odd cancellation. You all know the format by now: 18h30 for 19h30. A quick steak/boerewors roll. Some liquid refreshment and away we go. The next show on 10 April will be equally fascinating with Basil Hersov and Graeme Conlyn. Booking is essential.
Thank you for your support.

South African Precision and Rally flying championships
On Wednesday the 12 March participants are required to be at Parys by 09h00 for the start of the South African Precision Flying Championships. The start of the South African Rally flying championships is scheduled for Friday 14 March. On Saturday 15 March SAPFA will host the South African fun flying championship, which is specifically designed for newcomers to this exciting sport.

Now is the time to submit entries. Please send an e-mail to Wynne Dedwith at: http://us.f544.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=wynnwith@mweb.co.za, with your name, aircraft type, registration and nominated speed. For further information please visit the Website: http://www.sapfa.org.za/competitions.php

Please remember that these National competitions are the second leg towards selection for the Protea Team selected to attend the World Championships in Austria later this year.
Frank Eckard Tel: (011) 395 1968 Cell: 083 269 1516 E-mail: http://us.f544.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=frank.eckard@mweb.co.za

President's Trophy Air Race â€" Received from Robin Spencer-Scarr
Two and a half months to go, and there are already 40 entries. Tremendous. This must be a record for an event where competitors always leave it to the last minute. For those of you who have not yet entered please bear in mind that we try to allow you to keep your number from last year whenever possible, but the organisers cannot hold them forever. Therefore, if you want to use the same number, please put your entry in as soon as possible to avoid losing it. If your number was simply bad luck, and you do not ever want it again, simply say so on your application and I am sure our illustrious committee will be only too happy to change it to something more appropriate.

eMalhleni (Witbank) is buzzing with PTAR fever. The townsfolk are getting more and more wound up in anticipation of a ‘Grand Prixâ€^TM type weekend. The glitz and glamour of a race weekend sometimes lost on those who are courageous enough to participate, is moving into high gear and the tension in the air is palpable.

Now is the time to start polishing and fine tuning your aircraft and a little practice is not a bad thing. Clear concise communication between pilot and navigator is critical to air racers and those who practice the most tend to be successful. Understanding and using the wind is the next most important issue when participating in air racing and it is often those who fly higher who outpace the ‘power line junkiesâ€^TM simply because they use the wind to their advantage. A slow cruise climb or a maximum rate climb to reach whatever altitude you have decided you need to get into the tailwind? A bit of practice both ways will teach you which method is best suited for your aircraft type. These are some of the little things the experienced pilots have learned over the years and we should all take heed. “Why should we bother?” you say, “We are just taking part for the fun. The fast guys are going to win anyway.” NOT TRUE! Remember. This is a handicap race. The fastest aircraft does not necessarily win. Anyone has a fair chance of winning if he or she flies on course and smoothly. You only have eleven weeks to go.

SAA and Star Alliance strengthen focus on Africa
South African Airways (SAA) is moving into the next phase of its membership of Star Alliance, with both parties focusing their efforts on furthering their combined presence on the African continent. SAA joined the Star Alliance network two years ago with warm African exuberance at the airline's headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. This past week SAA and Star Alliance underlined their co-operation at a workshop in Johannesburg where opportunities for further enhancements were discussed. The Star Alliance member airlines endorsed these initiatives and pledged their support to drive members' traffic through SAA's major hub in Johannesburg.

"We are most pleased with our further efforts to strengthen our position in Africa and Star Alliance's support of our African strategy. SAA fully supports the drive from the alliance to further build on its presence in Africa. As SAA, we see our primary role in Star Alliance as bringing customers from all over the world to Johannesburg, the financial capital of the continent, and further into the rest of Africa," said Khaya Ngqula SAAâ€^TMs CEO, at a press briefing.

Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht said: “Star Alliance is proud to have SAA as our first member in Africa. Our aim is to make our alliance offerings available to many more customers in more countries in Africa. By exchanging our experience, our knowledge and our skills, we will further strengthen our partnership for the benefit of alliance airlines, their employees and their customers.â€^TMâ€^TM

SAA is the only African carrier in the Star Alliance network at this time, but should be joined by Egypt Air by the end of the year. Their future joint membership status gives other international carriers in the alliance access to an extensive route network throughout Africa. A total of 11 Alliance members currently service Africa as part of their route network. SAA has the strongest presence on the continent with 19 African destinations, particularly in East and West Africa.

Jaan Albrecht announced the following further developments in Africa:

• Two additional flights per week to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania were recently launched
• One additional flight per week to Luanda, Angola was recently launched
• From 1 March flights to Entebbe, Uganda were increased to daily
• More seats will be added to Mauritius
• More seats will be added to Livingstone in Zambia
• During the fourth quarter of the year, another popular African tourist destination will be added, following government approvals
• Two additional new destinations in Africa will be launched in the next 12 months

Star Alliance and SAA will work together to develop this African strategy which will allow the airline to further entrench its position as the leading airline on the African continent, whilst presenting an integrated Star Alliance presence in Africa. Star Alliance members have undertaken to further concentrate on feeding traffic through Johannesburg as a key hub on the continent. Since its membership SAA has benefited as a Star Alliance member with its customers now having access to the global route networks of Star Alliance carriers. Star Alliance allows SAA to extend its network reach beyond the points served directly to 897 destinations in 160 countries.

B-2 Spirit crash update
The B-2 Spirit ‘Stealth Bomberâ€^TM that crashed on Saturday 23 February, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, was on fire prior to the crash, according to a report cited by the Air Force Times. The fire, which was reported shortly after takeoff, was followed by an un-commanded and uncontrollable roll to the right. The aircraft crashed between the ramp and taxiway at approximately 10h45 local time, but not before both pilots had safely ejected. One of the pilots suffered spinal compression and as of Thursday last week was still hospitalised. The crashed aircraft, the Spirit of Kansas, a part of the 509th Bomber Wing, had more than 5,000 flight hours. The remaining fleet is not ‘grounded,â€^TM but under a ‘safety pause,â€^TM according to the Air Force. The aircraft could be called to service if tasked with a mission. During the safety pause, six B-52s have arrived ‘to replaceâ€^TM the remaining three B-2s in Guam.

Fatal crash at EAA pancake breakfast in Florida USA
Two experimental aircraft collided on the ground on Saturday of last week at non-towered Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville, Florida, killing at least three people. At about 08h30 one of the aircraft (a Velocity XL RG) landed, was attempting to land or was performing a low pass when it struck the other aircraft (an RV-8) as it taxied. Two occupants aboard the experimental Van's RV were killed instantly. After the impact, the four-seat Velocity canard cart wheeled for roughly 300 feet before coming to rest, inverted. Witnesses came to the aid of that aircraft's two occupants, who suffered severe burns and were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Centre. One of those occupants has since passed away at the time of this writing, as both had suffered life threatening injuries.

SAAFA Dinner 1 March
African Pilot apologises for a couple of errors in the paragraphs on the SAAFA dinner, in last weekâ€^TMs newsletter. Leon du Plessis was President of the SAAFA Johannesburg branch from 2004-2007. The present National President is Philip Weyers. The Chairman of the Johannesburg branch of the SAAFA is Franklin Barratt. However, despite these errors it was still a great evening!

Avro Vulcan still requiring funds
Last year African Pilot reported extensively on the five-year project to restore an Avro Vulcan to full flying condition. Although she is ready to fly and perform at the United Kingdom airshows, funds to the tune of 150,000 Pounds are still required, before this iconic piece of British Aviation history can take to the skies on a regular basis.

Beijing Terminal breaks size barrier
A British Airways jet became the first international flight to land at the new terminal at Beijing Airport. The terminal, which had its first trial operation last week is 1.8 miles from end to end and is bigger than all five terminals at Londonâ€^TMs Heathrow put together. When the Chinese authorities decided to build the new terminal in 2004, there was no messing about with long drawn out enquiries and consultation. They just ‘went for it.â€^TM Ten villages were immediately demolished to make space. The new terminal will allow Beijing to handle more than 85 million passengers a year Officials say that 97 more airports are to be opened in China before 2020, bringing the total to 239 airports in the country.

British Airways profit margin falls
British Airways announced last week that its profits would fall in the coming financial year, because of record fuel costs and a slowing economy. A British Airways, Europeâ€^TMs third biggest airline spokesman said “The outlook for next year is consistent with economic slowdown, the impact of increased fuel costs, and one-off Terminal 5 transition costs. The International Air Transport Association forecasts that global airline profits will be dented by higher oil prices and slower economic growth this year.

Microlight runs out of runway
A weekend trip to Lesotho for a group of microlight enthusiasts went horribly wrong when one plane crashed on take-off on Friday morning and landed up in a field next to Beyers Naude Drive near Honeydew. The microlight hit a fence before crashing into an outbuilding that housed several people. Nobody in the outbuilding was injured. The injured pilot and his passenger wife were airlifted to Netcare Krugersdorp hospital for treatment. We are pleased to report that we believe their injuries are not life threatening.

VFR to IMC. Plane drops in to garden
An elderly couple in Kent, England had a lucky escape when a Cessna light aircraft landed nose first in the garden of their home. The pilot became lost in fog. The couple retaining their sense of humour said to the pilot and his passenger “Thanks for dropping in!” The Cessnaâ€^TMs occupants were treated for only minor injuries.
VFR to IMC---- You have been warned.

Algeria returns ‘sub-standardâ€^TM Russian jets.
Russiaâ€^TMs ambitions to be the worldâ€^TMs pre-eminent arms exporter, have suffered a setback after Algeria told the Kremlin that it wanted to return 15 fighter jets, because they were sub-standard. Algerian military chiefs allegedly complained that the aircraft, the first of a consignment of 36- MIG 29s, were second hand rather than new, and proved faulty in initial testing. Moscow denied the allegations. It would, wouldnâ€^TMt it?

Pilot dies on flight
An airline pilot died during a flight from England to Cyprus last week. The dead pilot was the co-pilot on the flight. The Captain of the GB Airways Airbus A320 with 156 passengers on board landed safely at Istanbul after being diverted there when he notified ATC of the death of his First Officer. A spokesman for the airline said “At no time were the aircraft, passengers or crew in any danger.” The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Boeing captain sacked after ‘Top Gunâ€^TM stunt
VIPs and airline executives on the maiden flight of one of Cathay Pacificâ€^TMs new jets were a little surprised when the British Captain Ian Wilkinson executed a ‘Top Gunâ€^TM stunt. Wilkinson ‘buzzedâ€^TM the tower at Seattle, before taking the 230 ton Boeing 777-300 down to 28â€^TM above the ground, and then pulled up sharply. The passengers including Cathay Pacificâ€^TMs Chairman Chris Pratt who was on the ‘jump seatâ€^TM at the time, were stunned into silence. Captain Wilkinson, one of the airlineâ€^TMs most senior captains was subsequently sacked.

British Airways lose more baggage than anyone else.
British Airways lost more than a million bags in 2007. A higher figure than any other airline. BA blamed problems at Heathrow and the carry-on baggage restrictions- limiting passengers to one piece of hand luggage - for its poor performance. A BA spokesman said “A record level of bags in the summer, combined with the wettest UK June and July on record, and a critical level of security following the bomb attack at Glasgow airport, led to a range of operational difficulties, which also impacted on our baggage performance. Aviation watchdogs stated that “Whatever the extenuating circumstances, when passengers hand in their baggage at check-in, they should expect to be reunited with their bags at the other end.”

Missing Typhoons
Not only are British troops serving in Afghanistan desperately short of Chinook helicopters, but the RAF still cannot deploy its highly expensive Eurofighter Typhoon, as a ground-attack aircraft capable of blunting the Talibanâ€^TMs effectiveness. The Typhoon has been in the RAF service for more than two years now and has yet to see active service. It will be months before the planes can be adapted and deployed to Afghanistan. The situation has been exacerbated by the premature and misjudged retirement of all the Jaguar fighters, which delivered yeoman service in Iraq.

Airline insurance market expected to be tougher in 2008
Aonâ€^TMs Airline Insurance Market Review 2007 shows less soft market

The high level of hull and liability claims, at US$1.7bn, coupled with the lowest amount of lead hull and liability premium since 2000 (US$1.5bn), means that the airline insurance market was broadly unprofitable in 2007. As a result, the negotiating process is likely to be tougher in 2008, according to Aonâ€^TMs Airline Insurance Market Review of 2007. This is the key finding of the review that brings together data for the last year and extrapolates its likely effect on the market in 2008 and beyond.
The reviewâ€^TMs findings include:

• Total recorded lead hull and liability premium for 2007 was US$1.5bn. A reduction of 30% since 2005
• Total incurred claims, including hull, liability and an estimate for attritional losses, amounted to US$1.7bn
• North American fleet values, at US$192bn, fell below those of Europe and Asia, both at US$193bn, for the first time in 2007. North American passenger numbers, however, were still higher than the other two major aviation regions
• The proportion of passengers travelling with flag carriers has fallen from 66% in 2005 to 48% in 2007

After starting the year with average premium reductions of around 20%, the airline insurance market became gradually less soft as the year progressed with underwriters recognising the probability that the value of hull claims would outweigh the total lead hull and liability premium.
“After four years of soft markets, it looks like 2007 may well have seen the cost of airline insurance reach something of equilibrium,” says Doug Peterson, Aon Aviation & Aerospace group practice leader. “Despite the relatively high number of hull losses in 2007, there were fewer fatalities compared with the average over the last decade. Capacity continues to be high, but it seems unlikely that providers will continue to offer the high level of reductions witnessed over the last couple of years. As a result, 2008 looks set to be a fascinating year in the airline insurance markets.” The full report is available for down loaded at www.aon.com/aviation

US extends ICAO English proficiency deadline until March 2009
The International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) English language proficiency requirement went into effect last week, but the United States informed ICAO it has extended its compliance date by a year, to 5 March 2009. The new rule requires private, commercial, and airline transport pilots with powered aircraft ratings, flight engineers, flight navigators and control tower operators to have a certificate verifying proficiency in the use of the English language.

Decision over new US Air Force tanker Aircraft stil