|
|
+++ First Japanese EH101 flies +++ Ryanair orders 70 more Boeing 737s +++ First KC-767 tanker for Italy rolls out +++ Air France/Continental code-share +++ Onex takes Boeing plants +++ Bombardier delivers 329 aircraft in 2004/05 +++ Germany: 9 per cent more passengers in 2004 +++ News in brief +++
First Japanese EH101 flies
Erstflug der EH101 für Japan
A major milestone was achieved on Tuesday February 15th when the maiden flight of the Japanese EH101 was successfully completed at AgustaWestland's Yeovil facility in the UK. The helicopter, designated KHI-01, is the first of 14 aircraft ordered by the Japanese Defence Agency to meet its Transportation, Airborne Anti Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) and Antarctic survey requirements. Assembly of the aircraft at Yeovil was successfully completed in just 44 weeks, a record timescale for a 'first of type' EH101. Alan Johnston, Westland Helicopters Managing Director said: “Since contract award 16 months ago we have achieved all our major programme milestones on schedule and we are delighted that the first flight has now taken place.” Deputy Chief Test Pilot Andy Strachan, who took the controls for the 30 minute flight said: “The aircraft performed exactly as expected. We flew a standard initial test schedule including aircraft system checks and aircraft/engine handling as well as forward flight to 120 knots and low speed manoeuvres.” Following an acceptance phase in the UK, the first aircraft will support KHI Pilot training prior to being shipped to Japan later this year. The aircraft will then undergo completion work by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), which will include the installation of radio equipment, defensive aids suite and other customer-specific equipment.
AgustaWestland and KHI signed a licence and purchase agreement in 2003 to produce and support the Japanese EH101s. KHI has established manufacturing, test flight and support facilities at its Gifu works in Japan. Fourteen utility RTM322 powered, rear-ramped variants of the EH101 have been ordered to replace the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force's (JMSDF) fleet of Sikorsky MH-53Es and S-61s. Aircraft kits for the remaining 13 aircraft will be prepared by AgustaWestland in the UK with final assembly taking place in Japan. The KHI build line is due to receive the first two aircraft in the last quarter of 2005 with delivery of the first aircraft to the JDA in 2006.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Ryanair orders 70 more Boeing 737s
Neuer Großauftrag von Ryanair
On 24 February, Ryanair placed an order for a further 140 Boeing 737-800 series aircraft. The order comprises of 70 firm aircraft valued at over $4 billion and 70 options. This agreement (which is subject to shareholder approval at an EGM) brings the total Ryanair/Boeing order book up to 225 firm aircraft and 193 options. At the end of 2005, Ryanair will have taken delivery of about 100 new Boeing 737-800's (from the original 155 firm order) and these 70 new firm orders, which are due for delivery primarily between 2008 and 2012 will allow Ryanair to maintain its planned double digit growth during the latter years of this decade. When all these firm aircraft have been delivered, Ryanair (which in the fiscal year to March 2006 expects to carry 34m. passengers) anticipates that it will carry in excess of 70m. passengers p.a., making it Europe's largest airline.
These 70 new aircraft will result in the creation of more than 2,500 new jobs in Ryanair principally for pilots, cabin crew and engineering people. Half of these jobs will be generated at the airlines existing 12 European bases, with the remainder at the 10 or more new bases which will be developed by Ryanair over the next seven years. This increased $4 billion aircraft order is the result of a Ryanair-Boeing agreement on improved pricing from 2005 onward. The agreement reinforces the Ryanair-Boeing partnership as it delivers the lowest per seat aircraft cost in Europe. The transaction also includes agreement on winglet modifications to Ryanair's entire fleet (delivering a 2% reduction in fuel consumption) and improved support terms. As a result of this agreement, Ryanair will now enjoy the lowest per seat operating cost in Europe, and this will enable Ryanair to widen its lowest cost/lowest fare leadership over all other European airlines.
Meanwhile, Ryanair also announced an order for 225 Blended Winglet Systems, with purchase options for up to 200 additional Systems, and a strategic plan to transition its entire fleet to Performance Enhanced Next Generation Boeing 737-800s. Beginning immediately Ryanair will retrofit its existing 737-800s with Blended Winglet Technology. Then, starting in January 2006, all new aircraft deliveries will come with factory installed Blended Winglets.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
First KC-767 tanker for Italy rolls out
Erster Tanker für Italien vorgestellt
On February 24, Boeing officials and their Italian Air Force customers revealed the first KC-767A advanced aerial refueling tanker during ceremonies today at the Boeing site in Wichita, Kan. The Rollout event marks completion of essential structural modification to the world's most advanced aerial refueling aircraft.
"The KC-767A program represents the fulfilment of one of the most important goals in the Italian Air Force transport and support fleet modernization process," said General Giovanni Sciandra, the three-star general commanding the Italian Air Force Logistics Command. "As a transportation platform, the KC-767A will increase the expeditionary capability of the Italian Air Force." General Sciandra represented the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff at the ceremony. The aircraft unveiled at the ceremony is the first of four tankers being built for the Italian Air Force, and is scheduled for delivery in April 2006 after completion of flight testing and certification. To the more than 800 employees, suppliers and customers in attendance Albaugh emphasized the Company's commitment to its tanker program saying Boeing will continue to bring together the best of global industry and Boeing to meet its customers' specific requirements.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Air France/Continental code-share
Zusammenarbeit Air France/Continental
Air France and Continental Airlines signed a code-share agreement when Continental joined the SkyTeam Alliance in September 2004. Effective from 26 February, 2005, this agreement will enable Air France customers travelling on Air France transatlantic flights to continue their trip to 21 destinations in the United States on flights operated by Continental under 'AF' code. This agreement should be extended to other destinations in the months to come. Together with its partners, Continental and Delta, both members of SkyTeam, Air France already serves a network of 125 destinations in the USA directly or under code-share agreements. In return, Continental will be able to use its 'CO' code on Air France flights beyond Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle to 12 destinations in France, Europe and the Middle East. As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance with Air France, Continental Airlines flies to 272 destinations and operates nearly 3,000 flights daily offering passengers who are members of the Air France frequent flyer programme 'Frequence Plus,' even more opportunities to accrue miles and earn reward tickets. Continental also has 28 airport lounges available bringing the total number of SkyTeam lounges up to 390.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Onex takes Boeing plants
Boeing verkauft Fertigungswerke
On February 22, Boeing and Onex Corporation announced an agreement under which Onex will acquire the Wichita/Tulsa Division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The transaction includes Commercial Airplanes facilities and assets in Wichita, Kansas, and Tulsa and McAlester, Oklahoma. Transaction consideration to Boeing includes approximately $900 million cash, transfer of certain liabilities and long-term supply agreements that provide Boeing ongoing cost savings. The single-source supply agreements cover the structures and parts currently produced by the Wichita/Tulsa Division, providing a stable base of revenue for the new business to build upon. In addition, the Wichita/Tulsa operations will continue as a major partner on the 787 Dreamliner.
"This agreement fully supports our strategy to focus Boeing on large-scale systems integration, which is where we are most competitive and can add the most value to our airplanes and services," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. "Boeing will benefit from lower procurement costs and the Wichita/Tulsa operations now can grow by winning new business with other customers." Mulally said Boeing selected Onex based on its successful history of investing in and growing companies. Onex will form a new company to operate the facilities. The plants will continue to operate under the leadership of Jeff Turner, currently vice president and general manager of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Wichita Division, who will be the new company's CEO. "Onex has a strategy to build the most efficient and innovative company in the aerostructures industry. We intend to invest over $1 billion in Kansas and Oklahoma in the next few years," said Seth Mersky, an Onex managing director.
Approximately 9,000 Commercial Airplanes employees currently work at the Wichita , Tulsa and McAlester sites. The Division incurred approximately US$2.2 billion in annual costs for 2004. The facilities currently supply Boeing with fuselage and other structural components for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 programs, and the division is a supplier partner on the 787 Dreamliner.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Bombardier delivers 329 aircraft in 2004/05
Lieferungen stabil bei Bombardier
Bombardier Aerospace announced 329 aircraft deliveries for fiscal year ended January 31, 2005. This compares to the 324 aircraft deliveries in the previous fiscal year 2003/04 (year ending January 31, 2004). "As we proactively manage short-term challenges within the context of an industry in recovery, we continue to plan and make decisions for the long term to maintain our leadership position and ensure our success, " said Pierre Beaudoin, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace.
Deliveries in the regional aircraft segment totalled 200 aircraft compared to 232 for the same period last year. Deliveries of the Bombardier CRJ Series reached 178 compared to 214 during last fiscal year 2003/04 and deliveries of Bombardier Q Series aircraft reached 22 aircraft compared with 18 in the previous fiscal year 2003/04. This includes delivery of 16 Bombardier Q400 aircraft, the new-generation, high-speed 70-passenger turboprop whose profitability and strong passenger appeal have been demonstrated by follow-on orders from operators such as ANA (All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd.), Japan Air Commuter, Horizon Air and FlyBE. In the business aircraft segment, 128 units were delivered compared to 89 for the same period last year, an increase of 44 per cent. Fifty-one of the business aircraft delivered this fiscal year were of the newest Bombardier business aircraft: the Learjet 40, Challenger 300 and Global 5000.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Germany: 9 per cent more passengers in 2004
Hohes Luftverkehrswachstum in Deutschland
The German statistics office reported that 135,8 million passengers have taken off or landed on German airports in 2004. That were 15,1 million or 9.3% more than 2003. Growth was caused exclusively by foreign air traffic. While the German domestic passenger volume stagnated at 21,1 million, the number of the foreign passengers rose 11,2% and reached 114,5 million. Traffic to airports in Europe rose around 9,6% to 87,5 million, among which traffic with airports within the European Union was up around 8,6% to 67,3 million. The growth rates were two digit for airports in Africa (5,1 million; + 19.7%), America (11,7 million; + 11.7%) and Asia (10,1 million; + 21.3%), while Australia with 95000 passengers had to register a minus of4,4%.
Air freight loading in Germany rose by around 13,5% to 1383700 tons; the discharge quantity increased by 16,5% to 1328600 t. In the international traffic the cargo volume added around 14,2% to 1318900 t; with deliveries to Germany there was a plus of 17,4% to 1263900 tons.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Boeing announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power business to Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company, for approximately $700 million in cash. Rocketdyne is primarily a rocket engine developer and builder, and provides booster engines for the Space Shuttle and the Delta family of expendable launch vehicles, as well as propulsion systems for missile defense systems. The divestiture includes sites and assets in California, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Approximately 3,000 people support the operations at those sites "This transaction makes sense for Boeing, for Rocketdyne's employees and customers, and for Pratt & Whitney," said Jim Albaugh, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "The acquisition of Rocketdyne by Pratt & Whitney will benefit our customers, as Pratt & Whitney is a company dedicated to the business of propulsion and is in the best position to build upon Rocketdyne's proud heritage. I have great confidence that the proud legacy of Rocketdyne from Mercury to Saturn V to the Space Shuttle will be in good hands. The sale also reinforces our strategic business aim to be horizontally -- not vertically -- integrated."
+++
Culminating more than four years of processing data, NASA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) have completed arth's most extensive global topographic map. The data, extensive enough to fill the U.S. Library of Congress, was gathered during the Space Shuttle Endeavour Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in February 2000. The digital elevation maps encompass 80 percent of Earth's landmass. They reveal for the first time large, detailed swaths of Earth's topography previously obscured by persistent cloudiness. The data will benefit scientists, engineers, government agencies and the public with an ever-growing array of uses. "This is among the most significant science missions the Shuttle has ever performed, and it's probably the most significant mapping mission of any single type ever," said Dr. Michael Kobrick, mission project scientist of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The final data release covers Australia and New Zealand in unprecedented uniform detail. It also covers more than 1,000 islands comprising much of Polynesia and Melanesia in the South Pacific, as well as islands in the South Indian and Atlantic oceans. "Many of these islands have never had their topography mapped," Kobrick said. "Their low topography makes them vulnerable to tidal effects, storm surges and long-term sea level rise. Knowing exactly where rising waters will go is vital to mitigating the effects of future disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami," he said.
+++
Boeing Senior Vice President and General Counsel Doug Bain issued the following statement after former Boeing executive Mike Sears was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va.: “Today's action brings this matter one step closer to closure. The Boeing Company has provided information every step of the way to support the government's ongoing review of Darleen Druyun-related procurements and to achieve our mutual goal to finally resolve this matter.In addition to dismissing Sears and Druyun in November 2003, the company commissioned an independent external review of its hiring practices, which determined that Boeing had in place well established policies and procedures. Nevertheless, the Company has adopted recommendations from that review and strengthened its policies in this area, including establishing an Office of Internal Governance reporting directly to the CEO. Today, every employee of The Boeing Company – at every level – understands that integrity and ethics are the foundation of our business, and we have both the will and the process to ensure accountability for any violation.”
+++
The International Space Station crew is preparing for the arrival of fresh supplies aboard a Russian cargo ship. The seventeenth Progress to go to the Station is set to launch on Feb. 28 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. It will dock with the orbiting laboratory March 2. Expedition 10 Commander and NASA Station Science Officer Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov are in the fifth month of a six month stay in orbit. The Progress cargo spacecraft attached to the Station will be undocked, reenter the atmosphere and burn up on Feb. 27. This week several steps were taken to ensure all supplies are used from aboard the docked Progress before it is jettisoned. On Tuesday, Russian flight controllers fired the Progress engines for about seven and one half minutes, boosting the Station's orbit by approximately two miles. Additional propellant was transferred from that craft into tanks aboard the Station. Oxygen from tanks aboard the Progress is the primary method for refreshing Station cabin air. Several repressurizations of the cabin are planned to deplete those tanks before the craft is jettisoned. The Elektron, a device that normally generates oxygen for the cabin by recycling wastewater, has been intentionally turned off.
+++
The first GE Rolls-Royce F136 Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) development engine has successfully begun testing at the GE Transportation Outdoor Facility located in Peebles, Ohio, USA. The engine was connected to the Rolls-Royce LiftSystem and was fired up for the first time to perform idle leak checks, dry and wet motoring, and begin its initial mechanical and controls evaluation. The engine is expected to run through May of 2005 and total of 300 hours of testing are planned. This successful STOVL test is significant as the last major milestone to be achieved in the F136 Phase III, pre-SDD program and is the first major milestone achieved since the FET was awarded its Transition Award Contract in November of 2004. The Transition Award Contract is designed to fund the F136 program until August of 2005 when the FET anticipates the awarding of a new multi-year SDD contract. Based on the current schedule, SDD development testing commences in 2006, which signals the start of thousands of hours of ground and flight-testing. This culminates with delivery of the first F136 powered F-35's in 2012.
+++
More than eight years after Turkey kicked off its ambitious program to co-manufacture attack helicopters for its Army, procurement officials in Ankara are almost back to square one. Turkey's defense procurement office, the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM), on Feb. 10 released a long-delayed request for a proposal, or a detailed bidding document, for the attack helicopter program. Turkey asks contenders to submit their bids by June 10. The 30 gunships are expected to cost anywhere between $1-2 billion, with Turkey eventually planning to buy some 90 helicopters. Potential bidders are Boeing, Bell Helicopter with the AH-1Z; Sikorsky with an armed version of its S-70 Black Hawk; Eurocopter, maker of Tiger; Agusta (A129), Mil (Mi-28 Havoc). Officials said the new program involves an initial off-the-shelf purchase of 10 choppers. Later, some critical subsystems, including the mission computer, electronic warfare suites and weaponry are to be installed on the remaining 20 platforms locally.
+++
Bell Helicopter announced the sale of 24 Huey II Upgrades to the U.S. Air Force. The decision calls for the Huey II Upgrades to be delivered to the USAF over the next four years. The Huey II aircraft will be used at Fort Rucker, Alabama, to train helicopter pilots for the Air Force, which still has a substantial number of UH-1N helicopters in its inventory. The Air Force Huey II will feature a Bell 212 nose and a fully integrated glass cockpit in addition to all of the other aircraft improvements and enhancements that are standard with the Huey II program. The helicopters will be assembled at US Helicopters in Ozark, Alabama. Lockheed Martin will, in cooperation with the US Air Force, conduct a Military Qualification of the Huey II for training with the prototype first flight scheduled for June 2005.
+++
Keystone Helicopter has added final assembly on major components to its S-92 program, which has shown dramatic growth in the U.S. and overseas. The major components include cabins, cockpits, aft transitions, landing gear, forward and aft sponsons, and production modifications on components from Sikorsky's suppliers. According to Darryl Jones, Vice President of Completions, the company's completions work on the S-92 and S-76, plus its record in maintenance and repair, gave it an edge with Sikorsky. "The completions we've done have brought us to a new level and I think more OEMs are going to look at us differently," he said. "Outsourcing is generally driven by cost-efficiencies, but you know Sikorsky wouldn't partner with us on this if we didn't have the technicians with the right skill and experience."
+++
Raytheon Company's AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod has begun full rate production, marking a significant milestone in this already successful Navy program. The Advanced Targeting Forward-looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pods currently in the fleet have won praise from aircrew members who use them in training and combat. The targeting system augmented precision-strike missions involving offensive air support, which includes both close-air and deep air support, as well as battle-damage assessment. At present, the ATFLIR pods equip carrier-based F/A-18 A+/C Hornets and Super Hornets. The start of full rate production will ensure that more aircrews are better equipped to complete their missions. Raytheon is meeting its current commitments to deliver pods to the Department of the Navy, which plans to purchase up to 574 ATFLIR units for use on every F/A-18 in the fleet. The company is ready to meet its contract requirements for delivery of four units per month in 2005 and six in 2006. However, Raytheon is ramping up its production capacity beginning in June 2005 to 12 pods per month to accommodate international sales and current customer demand.
+++
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada will spend $725.6 million - a third of it from taxpayers - to upgrade its Montreal-area factory to build a new line of commercial helicopters. The investment will take place over 12 years and is expected to maintain the jobs of about 600 full-time workers at the Mirabel plant, the company said. The Canadian and Quebec governments, which granted large subsidies to attract the plant to Quebec in 1986, will share equally about $230 million of the new project's cost, but Bell Helicopter said the latest money will be repaid during production. The $115 million from Ottawa is provided through Technology Partnership Canada, a controversial program which has granted large loans to Bombardier Inc., among others. The Bell Helicopter investment involves developing a new approach to design, develop and produce components for a new family of four light civilian helicopters. The products to be designed at Mirabel include advanced composite cabin elements, a new electrical and avionics system, and a new drivetrain. Premier Jean Charest, attending the news conference, congratulated Bell for choosing Quebec for research, and defended his Liberal government's loan to the project, repayable through sales royalties. "Every (aerospace) industry everywhere in the world has the support of its government," he said at the plant north of Montreal.
+++
The Board of South African defence and telecommunications manufacturer Grintek Limited accepted and endorsed a proposal from the company´s partner and shareholder, SAAB AB of Sweden, for a buyout offer to minority stakeholders as a precursor to delisting the Centurion-based company. Under the offer by SAAB to the minority shareholders, Grintek will become a privately held partnership between Kunene Bros Holdings and the wholly owned local subsidiary of the Swedish manufacturer, SAAB South Africa Pty Ltd. It will lead to Grintek´s further integration with SAAB AB of Sweden for purposes of technology investment and exchange, international marketing, and worksharing. The proposal presents minority stakeholders, many of them institutional investors, with an opportunity to realise a very significant premium. Based on Grintek`s average share price in the 30 days to November 8th, 2004, the last trading date before the publication of the detailed cautionary announcement on SAAB´s intended buyout, the offer represents a premium of 60 cents, or 46%. As a jointly held entity, Grintek will be able to forge closer working relationships with SAAB locally and internationally. This will encourage and facilitate skills and technology transfers and joint product research and development, as well as shared international marketing initiatives. Grintek will be able to leverage SAAB's international infrastructure, growing South African exports and local skilled jobs through greater access to worldwide markets.
+++
To help the Space Shuttle safely return to flight, NASA engineers are acquiring data on how insulating foam debris or "divots" behave when these small pieces are shed from the Shuttle's external fuel tank during launch. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is conducting a series of flight tests of the divots as part of the Return to Flight team effort. The Lifting Insulating Foam Trajectory (LIFT) flight test series at Dryden is using the center's F-15B Research Testbed aircraft to test these "divots" in a real flight environment at speeds up to about Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound. Small-scale divoting occurs when the adhesive on the external tank thermal protection system (TPS) foam fails. This occurs as a result of decreasing atmospheric pressure combined with increased heating during Shuttle ascent causing air trapped beneath the TPS to expand. LIFT project manager Stephen Corda said objectives of the current flight tests on the F-15B include determining divot structural survivability and stability in flight and quantifying divot trajectories using videography. The flight data of divot trajectories may also be used for Computational Fluid Dynamic code validation.
+++
Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) team received the first laser system for the aircraft's Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) from BAE Systems Avionics, at a special event in Edinburgh, Scotland today. BAE Systems Avionics, a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin on the JSF program, presented the high-powered laser on schedule. The F-35 JSF will provide the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force affordable and stealthy tactical aircraft for the 21st century. The JSF EOTS laser system enables precision range measurements and designates tactical targets for laser guided weapons.
+++
Munich Airport has a new sister—the new "Centrair" airport operated by the Central Japan International Airport Co., Ltd., near to the Japanese city of Nagoya. The two international airports signed their sister agreement as part of the opening festivities for the new airport, which is built on an artificial island and has just started operations this past week. On hand for the signing was Munich Airport´s CEO, Dr. Michael Kerkloh, and Yukihisa Hirano, President of Centrair. The sister agreement sets the stage for close cooperation between both airports regarding the exchange of information, expertise and know how. Managers from both airports will also be able to profit from an employee exchange between the airports, and gain first-hand knowlegde of how their German or Japanese counterpart does his or her job. And both "sisters" are also concentrating their efforts on establishing a direct connection between Munich Airport and the new international Japanese gateway.
+++
Lufthansa German Airlines is strengthening its position as the leading European airline in Asia-Pacific with the start of new daily non-stop flights between Guangzhou and Frankfurt. The start of the non-stop service is part of Lufthansa's new summer schedule for 2005 which will run from 27 March to 29 October. During the summer schedule, Lufthansa will operate 149 flights to/from Asia-Pacific, an increase of 3.5 percent compared to the summer schedule 2004. The launch of daily non-stop flights between Guangzhou and Frankfurt from 28 March 2005 will reduce the travel time on Lufthansa flights between the two cities by five hours, giving greater ease and convenience to passengers. Lufthansa flights between Guangzhou and Frankfurt currently include a short stopover in Shanghai. The start of non-stop flights to Guangzhou is part of the expansion of Lufthansa's network in Asia-Pacific. On 17 February, the airline launched non-stop flights between Frankfurt and Hyderabad, giving it a fifth gateway in India joining Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Hyderabad is one of India's fastest growing cities due to its rapidly expanding technology industry. Flights to Bangalore will return to their previous five a week after being increased to seven a week on a seasonal basis during the winter schedule.
+++
The Sikorsky S-92 has entered into revenue service in the North Sea for the first time earlier this week. The aircraft is operated by Norsk Helikopter and is being used by Statoil for crew change missions throughout the North Sea area. 19 Statoil employees, in full survivor gear, were on hand to take place in this historic first flight on February 21 at 7:30 a.m. The S-92 helicopter flew four round trips and transported a total of 152 different passengers to and from various Statoil platforms in the North Sea. Norsk is the first European off-shore oil S-92 customer.
+++
Iridium Satellite LLC, the global supplier of mobile satellite communication services said that it had more than 114,000 subscribers as of December 31, 2004, a 22.5% increase over its total number of subscribers at the end of 2003. The company's revenue for the full-year 2004 increased by 23.2% over total revenue for the prior year. “In 2004, Iridium's subscriber base and revenue grew solidly in the double-digits,” said Iridium Satellite Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carmen Lloyd. “We also ended 2004 with positive EBITDA (Earnings Before Income Taxes Depreciation and Amortization) versus negative EBITDA in 2003 – a positive change of more than $20 million.” Lloyd said, “These results reflect the success of our vertical market strategy, which places particular emphasis on our three largest segments: maritime, aviation and defense/government. Of particular importance, demand for Iridium's data services grew sharply. In fact, in 2004, our data usage grew 49% over 2003.”
+++
The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System and Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) destroyed a ballistic missile outside the earth's atmosphere during an Aegis BMD Program flight test over the Pacific Ocean. Raytheon Company develops the SM-3. Lockheed Martin develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System. The Feb. 24 mission -- the fifth successful intercept for SM-3 -- was the first firing of the Aegis BMD "Emergency Deployment" capability using operational versions of the SM-3 Block I missile and Aegis BMD Weapon System. This was also the first test to exercise SM-3's third stage rocket motor (TSRM) single-pulse mode. The TSRM has two pulses, which can be ignited independently, providing expansion of the ballistic missile engagement battlespace. The SM-3 was launched from the Aegis BMD cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and hit a target missile that had been launched from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii.
+++
South Korea is looking to participate in the Galileo project, the satellite radio navigation program by the EU, as backup for the U.S.-led global positional system (GPS) it currently uses. During the fourth science-related ministers' meeting on Thursday (Feb. 24), the government decided to join the European project, which will enable people to pinpoint positions of objects within 1 meter. Toward that end, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) plans to present its intent to the EU as early as next month with the aim of sealing the agreement this year. Korea will be required to contribute at least 5 million euro (6.7 billion won) to be a part of the multi-billion euro Galileo program, which will be up and running in 2008. “Currently, we depend on the GPS system for satellite-based positioning services. Although the U.S. promises to supply the service seamlessly, we need to retain an alternative just in case,” said a MOST official, who wanted to be identified by only his surname, Park. However, Park added Korea would continue to use GPS as a primary platform while maintaining Galileo as a backup.
+++
After developing several tools used in many of the nation's busiest airports and air traffic control centers, NASA has completed its pioneering Advanced Air Transportation Technologies (AATT) project. The AATT project was established in 1996 to improve air travel. It focused on technology development to improve the capacity of transportation aircraft operations at and between major airports within the National Airspace System. During the past nine years, the AATT project worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airline industry. It helped develop decision-support tools for air traffic controllers, airline pilots and air operations managers to handle the growing demand for safe and efficient air travel. "NASA drew upon its aeronautics roots and engineering expertise to venture into a different aspect of aeronautics research," said NASA's Associate Administrator of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, J. Victor Lebacqz. "AATT has established NASA as a technology development leader for the modernization of the National Airspace System. We are building on that expertise, as we continue to work with other agencies like the FAA." A tool developed by AATT, the Traffic Management Advisor, is operational at eight Air Route Traffic Control Centers including Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Oakland, Calif. These centers control high-altitude aircraft approaching and departing an airport. The tool helps controllers manage air traffic by sequencing aircraft, as they approach their destination airport. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport realized a five percent increase in arrival capacity since the tool's implementation.
+++
Aloha Airgroup, Inc. and Aloha Airlines, Inc. today announced that they have reached an agreement in principle with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners II, L.P., a leading private equity investor, to provide up to $90 million in funding to the company. "This agreement with MatlinPatterson takes Aloha Airlines to the threshold of exiting bankruptcy in record time," said David A. Banmiller, Aloha's president and chief executive officer. "Aloha is fortunate to have attracted a significant commitment from such a highly regarded private equity investment firm." The deal is subject to U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval and other conditions. Aloha filed a motion with the Court today requesting an expedited hearing.
+++
Eurofighter announced that Major General Erich Wolf, Chief of Staff Austrian Air Force, has flown Eurofighter at a visit to the Royal Air Force at BAE Systems in Warton on Wednesday 23 February. General Wolf commented after the flight: "This was the most impressive aircraft I've ever flown and I've flown many aircraft including the F-16, F-18, MiG-29 and the Gripen. An outstanding aeroplane with outstanding performance that meets our expectations and requirements. The man-machine interface is superb and pilot orientated." Austria will receive their 18 aircraft from May 2007 onwards. In January 2004 an Austrian Air Force pilot had flown the aircraft, and expressed great satisfaction with Eurofighter. On Tuesday, 22 February, at the invitation of the Italian Air Force two pilots of the Turkish Air Force had the opportunity to fly Eurofighter Typhoon at Grosseto Base in a three ship formation with pilots of the hosting 4th Squadron. During the Typhoon flight that lasted 45 minutes, the Turkish pilots experienced the excellent aircraft performance of high manoeuvrability and exceptional thrust.
+++
Organizations advocating for good government and fiscal responsibility urged Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to stand firm in his decision to cancel the C-130J airlift program, citing concern over his recent statements saying that he would reevaluate the Pentagon's proposal to cut the program. In recent days, C-130J advocates have argued that canceling the program could cost up to $1 billion. However, a letter from Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) and the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) to Secretary Rumsfeld argues that “those numbers are inflated,” citing the contract's “cancellation ceiling amount of $383.3 million,” if it were cancelled on Secretary Rumsfeld's proposed schedule.
+++
Kingfisher Airlines has signed a contract with Airbus for three A319s, becoming a new customer for the type. It has already placed firm orders for ten Airbus A320s and taken options on a further 20, deliveries of which will begin in April this year. Deliveries of the newly ordered A319s will begin in December this year, and will complement the A320s by flying routes to smaller cities in India.
+++
QinetiQ has won a £5.5 million contract from BAE Systems to deliver key elements of the Tornado F3 FSP programme for the UK MOD. Shortly before Christmas, QinetiQ worked with BAE Systems to successfully secure a £25.5 million contract with MOD's Tornado IPT, in which BAE Systems, will act as Prime and QinetiQ as sub-Prime. The two companies will deliver a number of activities in concert and within a tight timeframe. FSP sets out to address a number of issues identified at the end of the AMRAAM Optimisation Programme (AOP), the last F3 upgrade programme. This is combined with a requirement to integrate the latest standards of air defence missiles. FSP is the lead project for the Tornado IPT "Capability Lean" initiative which, using innovative ideas results in a saving of over 30% to the MOD compared to a traditionally constructed project.
+++
Rolls-Royce announced that Etihad Airways, the fast-growing Abu Dhabi airline, has chosen two more versions of its Trent engine family to power the latest phase of its fleet expansion. The deal involves Trent 900 engines for four Airbus A380s and Trent 700s to power 12 A330 twinjets. Including long-term TotalCare maintenance agreements covering all the engines, the contract is valued at $950 million. Etihad's initial Trent selection was announced at last summer's Farnborough Air Show when the airline ordered eight, four-engined, ultra-long-distance A340-600 airliners, for which the Trent 500 is the sole engine.
+++
Successful maiden flight of the 15 th AERO L-39 aircraft of the Royal Thailand Air Force was performed lately in Thailand. The aircraft has passed the overhaul ensured by the company AERO Vodochody a.s. (AV). “Information on the maiden flight was confirmed by Mr. Jan Novotný, the chief of the group performing the overhauls,” explains Mr. Jan Štechr, the manager of the program of overhauls in AV. “In total, 16 of our employees sequentially take the aircraft from the customer, disassemble them, remove completely the paintings, dismantle individual items, repair them or send them for repair. After that they repair the airframe, install the instruments, and provide the aircraft with the new camouflage,” he says.
+++
Lufthansa Technik and the Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines MEA have signed a further contract for the engine maintenance and overhaul of its Airbus A321 fleet over a period of four overhaul cycles (approximately 11 to 13 years). Lufthansa Technik's Engine Services in Hamburg will be servicing the IAE V2500-A5 engines of MEA's six Airbus A321-200 on behalf of its technical subsidiary MASCO under a Total Engine Support TES contract.
+++
On January 17, 2005, at a meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, the extended terms of reference of the European UAV Industry Consultation Body (Euro UAV ICB), which had been officially signed on January 14, 2005, were exchanged by the representatives of the 19 companies and organisations constituting this new organisation, including Boeing R&T Europe, Spain; Dassault Aviation, France; Diehl BGT Defence, Germany; EADS DS, France; EADS Deutschland GmbH; Galileo Avionica, Italy; QinetiQ, UK; Saab AB, Sweden; Sagem, France; Thales Airborne Systems, France. Subsequently, the Euro UAV ICB had it first official meeting. At this meeting, the Euro UAV ICB Steering Committee, consisting of one representative from each of the aforementioned companies, was constituted; UAV DACH and UVS International are participating as Observers.
+++
On Feb. 25, Boeing and Icelandair announced a firm order for two all-new 787 Dreamliner airplanes with which the carrier will expand its operations on long-range routes from Iceland, and develop its fleet. Icelandair ordered 787-8s, which will be delivered during 2010. The carrier is evaluating the two engine options, the General Electric GEnx (GE Next Generation) and Rolls-Royce's Trent 1000. The order is worth $240 million at list prices. Boeing now has 193 announced orders and commitments for the 787. Icelandair becomes the 16th airline to select the 787 in just 10 months following the Dreamliner's launch in April 2004.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Previous UPDATES are still available:
20 February 2005
13 February 2005
30 January 2005
23 January 2005
16 January 2005
9 January 2005
December 26, 2004
December 19, 2004
December 12, 2004
December 5, 2004
November 28, 2004
November 21, 2004
November 14, 2004
November 7, 2004
October 31, 2004
October 24, 2004
October 17, 2004
October 10, 2004
October 3, 2004
January - September 2004
January - December 2003
January - December 2002
January - December 2001
January to December 2000
January to December 1999
January to December 1998
January to December 1997
September to December 1996
|
|
