HEICO Acquires AeroAntenna Source: HEICO Flight Support Group HEICO Acquires AeroAntenna Source: HEICO Flight Support Group Close

In August 2017, HEICO had entered into an agreement, subject to regulatory approval which was subsequently received, to acquire AeroAntenna. The purchase was completed under the previously announced terms.

Based in Chatsworth, California, AeroAntenna designs and produces active antenna systems for defense applications, precision-guided munitions, commercial aircraft, and other uses. The company's numerous antenna types include GPS, aircraft navigation, and satellite communications antennas.

HEICO said that AeroAntenna will continue to operate in its current location with its current management team in place, and that it does not expect any material staff turnover to result from the acquisition.

Opposition to H.R. 2997 grows Source: NBAA Opposition to H.R. 2997 grows Source: NBAA Close

The six acclaimed aviators - former team commanders with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration teams - are featured in a recent video forcefully expressing opposition to ATC privatization, and encouraging American citizens to speak out against this controversial legislation.

The video was released by the International Council of Airshows (ICAS), one of more than 150 aviation groups standing unified against H.R. 2997. It features commentary about the controversial legislation from former Blue Angels commanders Greg McWherter, Steve Foley and George Dom, along with Thunderbirds team leaders Brian Bishop, Richard McSpadden and Ron Mum, urging citizens to contact their elected representatives in Congress and urge them to vote against H.R. 2997.

"We know firsthand that the air traffic control system in our country is the safest, the largest, the most diverse and most efficient in the world," Foley noted in the video. "This legislation will not reduce the vast majority of delays caused by bad weather and the airlines themselves," Dom added, with McWherter stating that the bill would, "add billions to our nation's budget deficit, negatively impact our national security and needlessly complicate border protection."

The demonstration team members are the latest legendary aviation and aerospace figures to speak out against ATC privatization. Earlier this month, ICAS posted on its website a separate video featuring former astronauts Thomas Stafford, Jim Lovell, Robert "Hoot" Gibson and Ken Cockrell explaining the risks inherent in handing ATC management over to a private board, dominated by the big airlines and their allies, and unaccountable to Congress.

"We know better than most that our national airspace is precious and that our freedom to use it now hangs by a thin thread," explained Stafford, a four-time spacefarer in NASA's Gemini and Apollo programs. Gibson, a five-time Space Shuttle astronaut, cautioned that "legislation...to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system would damage this country."

These voices join Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who made a heroic emergency landing of a US Airways airliner in the Hudson River in 2009. In a TV ad, he asked, "Why in the world would we give the keys to the kingdom to the largest airlines? Because they definitely have their own agenda - to lower their costs."

"These American heroes have put country and others ahead of themselves, and they are the best of the best in the flying world," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "They are among the most knowledgeable Americans about aviation, and we thank them for lending their expertise to this important debate, and for stating their strong opposition to this legislation to privatize ATC."

Other groups that have raised concerns about ATC privatization include more than 100 U.S. mayors, more than 100 business leaders, consumer groups, think tanks on the political left and right, consumer groups, congressional watchdog organizations and members of Congress from both political parties.

A hui hou Source: United Airlines A hui hou Source: United Airlines Close

This journey will serve as the ultimate throwback for customers, employees and invited guests as it recreates the first 747 flight operated by United in 1970. From a 1970s-inspired menu to retro uniforms for flight attendants to inflight entertainment befitting of that first flight, passengers will help send the Queen of the Skies off in true style. The original United 747 aircraft that first made this journey from San Francisco to Honolulu was named the "Friend Ship," the same name bestowed on this farewell flight.

The seats in the upper deck will not be sold, giving all guests the opportunity to spend time in this iconic space. Customers seated in United Polaris first class and United Polaris business class will be entered into a drawing that will take place at the gate prior to boarding for an opportunity to occupy one of a select number of seats in the upper deck during the flight.

The journey will begin with a gate celebration at 9 a.m. local time at San Francisco International Airport, featuring a Boeing 747 gallery, remarks from United employees and executives, as well as refreshments. The flight will depart San Francisco International Airport at 11 a.m. local time, landing at Honolulu International Airport at 2:45 p.m. local time. Upon landing in Honolulu, local employees will welcome the aircraft with final festivities to close out the historic day. Customers and fans of the Queen of the Skies are encouraged to use the #UA747Farewell hashtag in social media posts.

United and the Boeing 747 through the Years

April 13, 1966: Boeing announces it will build a 490-passenger 747 transport. Construction is set to begin in June on a new plant in Everett, Washington.

January 3, 1967: The first production workers for the 747 program arrive in Everett. The 50,000 who would produce the world's largest civilian airplane were known as The Incredibles, and they earned the label by bringing the Jumbo Jet dream to reality in only 16 months.

September 30, 1968: The first Boeing 747-100, City of Everett, is rolled out at their Washington plant, painted with the insignias of the 27 airlines that had already ordered the aircraft including United.

February 9, 1969: The Boeing 747-100 makes its first flight.

January 21, 1970: The Boeing 747 makes its first commercial flight from New York to London for Pan American World Airways.

June 26, 1970: Continental Airlines becomes one of the first carriers to put the Boeing 747 into U.S. domestic service, flying from Chicago to Los Angeles and onward to Honolulu.

June 26, 1970: United Airlines receives its first Boeing 747-100 complete with a christening ceremony fit for a luxury liner.

July 23, 1970: United makes its first Boeing 747 commercial flight, with a trip from San Francisco to Honolulu.

January 1977: A modified Boeing 747-100 is delivered to NASA to serve as a carrier vehicle for the Space Shuttle.

April 22, 1985: United announces its plan to acquire Pan Am's Pacific routes, as well as 11 Boeing 747SP planes. The 747SPs feature a 48-foot-shorter body and fly higher, faster, and farther than standard 747 models.

January 29-30, 1988: Friendship One, a Boeing 747SP owned by United Airlines, sets the around-the-world air speed record of 36 hours, 54 minutes, and 15 seconds. This special flight raises $500,000 for children's charities through the Friendship Foundation. Tickets cost a minimum of $5,000, and special guest passengers included astronaut Neil Armstrong, famed test pilots Bob Hoover and Lieutenant General Laurence C. Craigie, and Moya Lear, the widow of Lear Jet founder Bill Lear.

June, 1989: United Airlines receives their first Boeing 747-400 which provides increased range.

August 23, 1990: The first of two modified Boeing 747-200Bs is delivered to the Air Force for presidential transport. Better known as Air Force One, these planes still serve the president today, having replaced the Boeing 707-320Bs that had served as the presidential aircraft for almost 30 years.

September 1996: A 747SP previously flown by United is transformed into NASA's SOFIA, or Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, which carries a 17-ton, 8-foot-wide infrared telescope mounted behind an enormous sliding door.

June 28, 2014: Boeing delivers the 1,500th 747 to come off the production line. The 747 aircraft is the world's first wide-body airplane in history to reach the 1,500 production units milestone.

January 11, 2017: United announces that it will retire the Boeing 747-400 fleet in the last quarter of 2017.

July 28, 2017: United schedules a special domestic flight from Chicago O'Hare to San Francisco to allow more people to say farewell to the Queen of the Skies.

October 29, 2017: United flies its last international 747 flight from Seoul to San Francisco.

November 7, 2017: United celebrates the retirement of the Boeing 747 with a fitting full-circle moment. A special retro event sees the aircraft flying from San Francisco to Honolulu-a nod to its first-ever flight back in 1970.

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