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+++ Shuttle in orbit, but grounded again +++ GROB SPn flies +++ Airbus delivers 2500th A320 family aircraft +++ MD Helicopters has new owner +++ Embraer delivers first 175 +++ EADS has good first half +++ Initial EGNOS operations started +++ GOL increases 737 fleet +++ News in brief +++
Shuttle in orbit, but grounded again
Weiter Probleme mit dem Shuttle
NASA's Space Shuttle Return to Flight mission (STS-114) got under way when Discovery lifted off Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. at 10:39 a.m. EDT. Discovery's first launch attempt July 13 was postponed because of problems related to a liquid hydrogen low-level fuel sensor inside the external fuel tank. Hundreds of engineers across the country worked to analyze and understand the issue. The sensor system was repeatedly tested during today's launch countdown, and it performed without a problem. The STS-114 Return to Flight mission was hailed as the first step in realizing America's Vision for Space Exploration, which calls for a stepping-stone strategy of human and robotic missions to achieve new exploration goals. The Shuttle will be used to complete assembly of the International Space Station. The Station remains a vital research platform for human endurance in space, a test bed for technologies and techniques that will enable the longer journeys to the moon, Mars and beyond.
Soon, however, the Shuttle fleet was grounded again, as NASA engineers were evaluating the loss of a large piece of insulation foam from the Space Shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank during launch. Based on initial assessments, the foam -- which appears to measure approximately 24 to 33 inches long, 10 to 13 inches wide and 2-1/2 to 8 inches thick -- was seen by high-resolution camera equipment added to the Shuttle system after the loss of Columbia in 2003. There was no indication the piece of foam sighted Tuesday caused any damage to Discovery. "As with any unexpected occurrence, we will closely and thoroughly evaluate this event and make any needed modifications to the Shuttle before we launch again," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said.
After completing leak checks, the STS-114 crew entered the International Space Station at 8:50 a.m. EDT on 28 July. The seven astronauts ended their two-day chase of the Station when Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the orbital outpost at 7:18 in the morning. STS-114 is the first Shuttle mission to visit the Station since STS-113 left in December 2002. The two crews conducted a Station safety briefing and began joint operations after they greeted each other. Before docking, STS-114 Commander Eileen Collins and Pilot Jim Kelly guided Discovery through a back-flip, enabling the Station crew to photograph Discovery's heat shield. Unprecedented imagery of the Shuttle from a variety of sources continues to provide NASA with valuable data for the safety of this flight and future flights. A team of about 200 people across the country is working to analyze these photos. Foam loss from the external tank indicates a need for more improvements to the tank's insulation. Shuttle managers have said they will deal with the problem before flying another mission.
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GROB SPn flies
Erstflug des Grob-Geschäftsreisejets
GROB Aerospace´s new GROB SPn Utility Jet completed its maiden flight. It departed Allgäu Airport (EDJA) near Memmingen in southern Germany on July 20 at 11:14 am. The aircraft was commanded by Capt. Gerard Guillaumaud and co-test pilot Tore Reimers. It landed 66 minutes later after performing initial handling tests and system checks. Following the first flight of the prototype and its public unveiling at the Paris Air Show in June, the GROB SPn Utility Jet enters into the flight test stage of its development program. Previously, a test airframe successfully passed a program of full strength testing on the fuselage and wing required for certification. Achievement of this important milestone follows completion of intensive systems and ground tests, and marks a major milestone on the way to scheduled EASA certification for the aircraft in the first quarter of 2007 followed by FAA approval and start of customer deliveries in the second quarter.
Combining the performance and passenger comfort of a light business jet with the operational versatility of a turboprop, GROB has created a new class of "Utility Jet" aircraft. The GROB SPn Utility Jet offers a superior range payload capability, robust short field performance, and exceptional cabin volume and cargo conversion capability never seen before in an aircraft of this size. With six passengers and one pilot, the GROB SPn Utility Jet will fly an impressive 1,800 nm (3334 km). It holds a maximum payload of 2,491 lbs (1130 kg) which substantially exceeds any business jet below midsize. Beyond impressive range and payload capabilities, the GROB SPn Utility Jet only requires a Balanced Field Length (BFL) of 3,000 feet (914 m). It is specifically designed for hassle free regular operation on "unimproved" runways which are usually the exclusive domain of turboprops and are often comprised of gravel or grass surfaces.
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Airbus delivers 2500th A320 family aircraft
2500. Flugzeug der A320-Familie ausgeliefert
On 26 July, Airbus achieved a very significant milestone, when China Eastern (CES) took delivery of the 2500th A320 family aircraft, an A320. This auspicious occasion falls in the same month that the A320 Family reached 40 million flight hours, a statistic that underlines its position as the benchmark of single-aisle airliners. “This is a historical day for Airbus and the aviation industry, as no other airliner programme has ever attained this level of deliveries in its basic version. This is a clear reflection of the success of this unique Family with customers and operators and with the travelling public”, said Gustav Humbert, Airbus president and Chief Executive Officer. “And as China Eastern Airlines was our first Chinese customer, we are delighted that this 2,500th aircraft has been delivered to them as part of their fleet expansion,” he added.
The A320 Family success on the market is such that in just over six years, delivery numbers have increased from 1,000 to 2,500, making it the best selling single-aisle family of all time. These delivery milestones will become increasingly frequent as the production ramp-up raises to 30 aircraft per month by the first quarter of 2006, a step necessary to meet the heavy demand for these aircraft in addition to the backlog of more than 1,100 airliners. Today A320 Family aircraft are in-service with some 160 operators and customers around the globe on the most varied network, flying very short “hops” with eight flights per day, or longer distances and long daily utilisations of up to 13 flight hours per day. All this with a fleet-wide average dispatch reliability that is significantly higher than 99 per cent, with more than 40 operators achieving 100 per cent. The A320, the first of the four-member A320 Family that entered into service in April 1988, pioneered the fly-by-wire flight control system, setting a new standard in world aviation. Fly-by-wire controls are not only lighter, but they provide for easier maintenance and offer better aircraft manoeuvrability for pilots, while also facilitating operational commonality. By the end of June 2005, the best-selling A320 Family had more than 3,600 firm orders from 138 customers.
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MD Helicopters has new owner
Neues Kapital für MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters recently completed a significant restructuring transaction. As part of the transaction, Patriarch Partners, LLC, a New York based financial firm with approximately $4.5 billion under management, acquired a controlling interest in MD Helicopters, Inc. The restructuring ensures that MDHI will have adequate working capital to continue production of existing product lines, aggressively improve customer support and fulfill existing orders. Following the recapitalization, MDHI is an independent Arizona-based company. As part of the recapitalization, RDM, a Netherlands-based group, has retained a minority interest through one of its operating companies. RDM purchased the light helicopter operations from The Boeing Company in 1999. "I am very pleased with this transaction as it is fully in line with our efforts over the past years to support the company and its products," said Joep van den Nieuwenhuijzen, RDM's owner. "This recapitalization assures our customers that MD Helicopters will have sufficient working capital to be a strong, viable company fully able to support its products and its customers in their operations," said Henk Schaeken, CEO of MD Helicopters. "We are proud to add MDHI to our company portfolio. We believe that the demand for MD Helicopters' products is deep and strong. We are pleased to be part of this great product line's future. The strength of Patriarch Partners and the depth of our asset base provides the long-term financial and strategic support that the Company needs to rise to its natural level in the light helicopter market," said Lynn Tilton, the Chief Executive Officer of Patriarch Partners.
Schaeken said MD Helicopters' immediate goal is to restore customer confidence in the Company and in its ability to support its products. "We will be meeting with our customers and suppliers as soon as possible to restore their confidences in our long-term viability and the solid working relationships we once enjoyed," Schaeken said. MD Helicopters has ignited its supply chain and production line. The company has a backlog of 17 helicopters, including recent orders by the police departments of Houston, Glendale and Columbus and two private owners. MD Helicopters also intends to bid its MD Explorer for the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter program.
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Embraer delivers first 175
Embraer 175: Lieferungen beginnen
On July 27, Embraer celebrated delivery of the third of 15 EMBRAER 175 jets to Air Canada, the launch customer for the model, in a ceremony at Embraer's headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. Deliveries of all 15 EMBRAER 175s to Air Canada are expected to be complete by the end of the year. Deliveries of the first two EMBRAER 175 jets to Air Canada took place last week. "Embraer's E-Jets are a key component of Air Canada's fleet strategy and business plan, and we are proud to be partners of this customer-oriented airline. The EMBRAER 175 now joins the EMBRAER 170 already in service with other airlines around the world, and strengthens our concept of a family of airliners that combine comfort, reliability and outstanding economics," said Mauricio Botelho, Embraer President and CEO.
The EMBRAER 175s for Air Canada will be specially configured to offer premium comfort and service in two classes. Air Canada's EMBRAER 175s will carry 73 passengers, nine in Executive Class (three abreast at 38-inch pitch) and 64 in Hospitality Service (four abreast at 34- and 32-inch pitch). The EMBRAER 175, along with the EMBRAER 170, received certification earlier this month from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), Canada's certification authority. Air Canada has also ordered 45 EMBRAER 190s to be equipped with a 93 seat configuration (nine in Executive class and 84 in Hospitality class). EMBRAER 190 deliveries to begin in November 2005, following certification of this airplane in Canada. As of June 30, 2005, the EMBRAER 170/190 family had logged 412 firm orders and 373 options.
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EADS has good first half
Gute Ergebnisse für EADS
EADS has said it performed strongly in the first half year of 2005 mainly due to an increase in Airbus deliveries and better results from its Space and Defence Divisions. EADS reached an EBIT of Euro 1.54 billion in the first six months, 57 percent higher than the figure for the same period of 2004 (Euro 979 million). The EBIT margin has increased from 6.7 percent to 9.6 percent. EADS, which published its half year results on Wednesday, also confirmed its confidence in 2005 EBIT to exceed Euro 2.6 billion. The EADS CEOs Tom Enders and Noël Forgeard said: ”Following excellent results in the first half of 2005, EADS is set to deliver strong group-wide performance for the full year. Our business development will be guided by financial prudence and a focus on long-term value enhancement as well as absolute attention to profitability and cash.”
The strong EBIT was mainly driven by the increase of Airbus aircraft deliveries from 161 in the first half of 2004 to 189 in the same period of 2005. First half year EBIT* was supported by favourable US Dollar hedging rates at an average exchange market rate of Euro 1 = US$ 1.01. The EBIT increase also results from improvements at the Defence and Space Divisions as well as a higher contribution from the 46.30 percent stake in Dassault Aviation. As usual, revenues and earnings of EADS' space and defence businesses are expected to be stronger in the third and fourth quarter.
EADS revenues increased in all divisions. Group revenues grew by 10 percent in the first six months reaching Euro 16.0 billion (H1 2004: Euro 14.6 billion). The EADS order intake from January to June 2005 grew to Euro 25.4 billion (H1 2004: Euro 13.5 billion), reflecting strong increase of Airbus orders and large defence orders such as MEADS and South Africa's A400M. At Euro 204 billion, the EADS order book continued to grow (year-end 2004: Euro 184 billion). This is partly due to the relative dollar strength in the last six months. The order book remains the strongest in the global aerospace and defence industry. At the end of June 2005, EADS had 111,169 employees (year-end 2004: 110,662).
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Initial EGNOS operations started
EGNOS nimmt Betrieb auf
The European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) has begun the Initial Operations Phase of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), following the successful conclusion of negotiations with the European Space Agency. During the Initial Operations Phase, the responsibility for providing the EGNOS signal and data will be transferred from the development agency (ESA) to the operator (ESSP). During this phase, the ESSP will technically qualify and optimise EGNOS operations. The EGNOS open service will be declared available in early 2006, once the operations have been proven to be stable and robust. The open service will be free of direct user charges and will support all except safety-of-life applications.
The ESSP will work towards the certification of the EGNOS system by national regulatory authorities (for example, Civil Aviation Authorities) for use in safety-critical applications. This should enable EGNOS Safety-of-Life Services in 2007, following completion of the certification process. The ESSP has been created by the major European air navigation service providers - AENA (Spain), DFS (Germany), DSNA (France), ENAV (Italy), NATS (United Kingdom), NAV (Portugal) and skyguide (Switzerland). The mission of ESSP is to be the operator of the EGNOS system and the provider of EGNOS safety critical services. EGNOS is the European augmentation service for GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS (Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System). EGNOS transmits wide area differential and ionospheric corrections and associated integrity information to users by means of geostationary satellites, delivering enhanced navigation performance.
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GOL increases 737 fleet
Neue Boeings für GOL
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A., Brazil's low-cost, low-fare airline, announced that it has increased the size of its total order for Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft to 101 from 63 in support of its continued expansion. The revised order doubles firm orders for Boeing 737-800s to 60 and increases purchase options to 41, totaling 101 aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2006 and 2012. The options, which lend greater flexibility to the Company's already adaptable expansion plans, are exercisable between 2007 and 2012. GOL currently operates 35 Boeing 737 aircraft, 10 of which are 737-800 Next-Generations. "As one of the industry's leading low-cost carriers, GOL has seen incredible growth over the past few years," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. "We value our partnership with GOL and we are extremely proud of the role our Next-Generation 737 -- the most modern, efficient and reliable airplane in its class -- will have in the airline's plans for future expansion." GOL plans to offer international flights to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Asuncion, Paraguay in 2005. The Company will use the new 737 Next-Generations to facilitate further route expansion in Brazil and South America.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (RDE) GmbH of Bremen has been awarded a contract to supply equipment for the new A400M military transport aircraft. Acting as subcontractor, the Bremen-based electronics specialist will be responsible for the complete Loadmaster Control System of the new aircraft throughout the entire period of production. Under the currently envisaged order volume of 180 planes, the value of the order comes to approximately Euro 72 million in 2005. RDE, a subsidiary of the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group, expects the total value of this project – which is set to run 20-25 years – to be in the region of Euro 200 million. The order is of great strategic significance: after already scoring major successes in the field of civil aviation, the company is now taking part in a major military aircraft project. Modern transport aircraft require a cargo hold system, which – both electrically and electronically – is easy to operate and completely reliable. The new Loadmaster Control System serves as the electronic brain of the entire cargo hold. It essentially consists of the following components: the Loadmaster workstation and control panel, as well as eight sidewall lock panels and a crew door panel.
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Northrop Grumman's RQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned air vehicle (UAV) reached another important milestone July 22 when the UAV successfully fired two test rockets. This is the first successful live weapons fire from an autonomous unmanned helicopter. This event proves Fire Scout's ability to perform strike missions -- in addition to conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance -- and subsequently expands its capabilities. The test supports the U.S. Navy's and U.S. Army's interest in weaponizing Fire Scout, which fired two 2.75-inch Mark 66 unguided rockets at Arizona's Yuma Proving Grounds. Once the Fire Scout lifted off, it traveled approximately 10 miles to the firing range where the first rocket was fired. Fire Scout was in forward flight at about 40 mph during the first firing. A second rocket launch was conducted later in the day as Fire Scout increased speed, traveling at 52 mph.
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The Bell 210 medium transport helicopter received its FAA Certification on 21 July following a development program that stretched from Texas to Tennessee. Dave Downey, FAA Rotorcraft Directorate Manager presented the aircraft's Type Certificate to Bell CEO Mike Redenbaugh in ceremonies at company headquarters in Fort Worth. The Bell 210, which made its first flight Dec. 18, 2004, at Bell affiliate company Edwards & Associates, Bristol, Tenn., was also flight tested at company facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. First customer deliveries will begin in November 2005. In addition to its appeal for commercial applications, the Bell 210 helicopter also satisfies the US Army's requirement for a Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). There are many missions now supported by the Army with assets that are marked for replacement in the LUH program that the Bell 210 could more economically perform. These Army Light Utility Helicopters would perform future utility missions for non-combat organizations (TDA), National Guard utility, drug interdiction efforts (RAID), MEDEVAC, and Homeland Defense (HLD) missions.
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Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission is set for the early morning hours of August 11 from the Spaceport in French Guiana, carrying the largest commercial telecommunications satellite ever to be placed in geostationary transfer orbit. The new liftoff date was set following checkout and work on components of the launcher, which was performed at Spaceport in French Guiana.
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As the World Cup 2006 heads Germany's way next year, the temperatures of soccer fans are nearing fever pitch. Reason enough for Lufthansa to kick off football year 2006 by launching its first Airbus with a "football nose" onto a heavenly pitch. Painted in black and white, the nose-tip of the Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 automatically has all the semblance of a football above the clouds. And the message it heralds to soccer fans around the world from all at Lufthansa is "Welcome to Germany".
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Boeing, teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, today awarded four multimillion-dollar contracts to three premier industry partners to participate in the first phase of development for two classes of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The UAVs - a key battlespace asset and integral part of the FCS system-of-systems solution - are slated for fielding in 2014 with the first fully-equipped FCS brigade-sized combat teams. The contracts, range in value from $3 million to $5 million dollars. Piasecki Aircraft Corp. received a contract for development of its Class II UAV Air Scout system. Contracts for development of the larger Class III UAV system were awarded to Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc. for its Prospector, AAI Corp. for its Shadow III and to Piasecki Aircraft Corp. for its Air Guard.
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Honeywell announced that its Bendix/King KGP 560 Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) will be included as standard equipment on all Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft models. "The KGP 560 offers protection from Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), one of the leading causes of general aviation fatalities, and we believe Cirrus is giving its customers a big boost in safety by including it," said Dan Barks, Honeywell Director of Marketing for Business, Regional & General Aviation.
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Following a significant move last year by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI) to order ten new EC135s, the decision to exercise the standing options will bring the total to twenty aircraft both for oil and gas support as well as air medical operations. With this popular and proven light twin, PHI continues to invest in the future with modern, reliable equipment. Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. is based in Lafayette, Louisiana with extensive operations in the United States and worldwide. The EC135 destined for offshore service will replace the workhorse BO105 as an IFR light twin and will be placed in service next year. All twenty aircraft are slated for delivery prior to year-end 2006.
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The B-52 Avionics Midlife Improvement program recently reached another milestone, successfully performing a B-61 captive-carry flight mission. The B-61 is a tactical bomb carried by three different platforms; B-52, B-2 and F-16. “Our capability to fly this weapon on the B-52 is significant because it is one of AMI's last weapons integration tests,” said 1st Lt. Robert Aguilar, a B-52 project manager. “We wanted to verify that the weapon integrates well with the new avionics suite, but also that the weapon would land within an acceptable range of accuracy.” This mission is part of the B-52 AMI, an upgrade to the B-52H model to extend its service for another four decades. The B-52H airframes were produced in 1960 and 1961. “We began flight-testing the AMI program in 1999, about four decades into the airframe's life,” said Mr. Michael Marquardt, B-52 test director/test conductor. “Thus the program name, Avionics Midlife Improvement, was truly applicable. The system upgrades were mostly intended to improve supportability and to maintain all system capabilities without degradation.”
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As the mid-afternoon sun blazed on the Mojave Desert and thunderclouds loomed in the distance, a sleek-looking dark gray war bird took to the sky July 14 to push the envelope of flight testing here. At the controls, test pilot Maj. John Teichert of the 411th Flight Test Squadron pushed the F/A-22 Raptor past Mach 1, opened the weapon bay and released a GBU-32 1,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition, marking the first time a Raptor has dropped a JDAM at supersonic speed. "Qualifying the Raptor to release GPS-guided bombs at supersonic speeds is a significant milestone for the program," Maj. Teichert said. "Releasing a bomb under such conditions provides a notable increase in Raptor tactical capabilities." The GBU-32 Separation Test Vehicle that was released is the same size, shape and weight as a real bomb, but without the guidance kit. In 2004, the Raptor proved it was capable of air-to-ground operations with subsonic JDAM releases, and other aircraft have released a JDAM at supersonic speeds. "But the speeds at which we will eventually release the JDAM over the next couple of weeks will far exceed any current aircraft's JDAM envelope," said the test pilot. Additionally, this was the first time a JDAM was released supersonically from an internal weapons bay.
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On 26 July 2005, the first qualification firing of the Franco-Italian Aster 30 SAMP/T ground-based, medium range air defence system took place at the Landais test range belonging to the French DGA's (Délégation Générale pour l'Armement) CELM (Centre d'Essais de Lancement de Missiles) missile testing facility. This qualification firing marks the first ever combined use of all the SAMP/T's system elements: the target engagement module, the ARABEL radar and target identification module, the vertical launcher and the Aster 30 munition. The firing scenario was set up to demonstrate the capacity of the SAMP/T system to intercept a threat posed by a combat aircraft, in this case simulated by a C-22 target flying at an altitude of 7,000 metres.
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CHC Helicopter Corporation announced it has signed a Letter of Intent for the sale of its 37.8% shareholdings in Inaer, which operates light and medium aircraft primarily in the Spanish helicopter market. CHC acquired its shareholdings in Inaer as part of the 2004 acquisition of Schreiner Aviation Group. The transaction, with proceeds estimated at CDN$45 million, is subject to several conditions including completion of satisfactory due diligence by the buyer and regulatory approval. As part of the transaction, CHC and Inaer will provide non-compete covenants in favour of each other for a period of three years. Inaer will agree not to provide helicopter services in regions where CHC operates and CHC w ill agree not to provide helicopter services in regions where Inaer operates.
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On July 7, 2005, the Government of the Czech Republic approved the plan for AERO Vodochody a.s. (AV) privatization in a public two-round tender. The Government of the Czech Republic decided on the sale of all equity holding of the State in AERO in the amount of 99,97 % of interests, together with the sale of all state demands on AERO. The Czech Consolidation Agency (CKA) will be the organizer of this sale. A joint committee will watch over the sale. The committee will also suggest qualification criteria for the first round of the public tender to the Government. In the second round, only the offered price should serve as a criterion. At the same time, CKA has launched a tender for an advisor with the AERO's privatization. It is expected that one of the qualification criteria will also represent handling of the Czech Ministry of Defence interests, connected to the support of the existing fleet of 24 L159A aircraft in service with the Czech Air Force.
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Against the backdrop of sustained dynamic growth at Munich Airport, the airport operating company, FMG, is set to enter the planning stage for the construction of a third runway. At a meeting of the supervisory board and general sharholders on Tuesday, airport management stressed the necessity of expanding the runway system in order to sustain future growth and avoid anticipated capacity bottlenecks in coming years. Continuous strong traffic growth at Munich Airport in recent years is beginning to put a strain on the capacity limits at peak periods at Munich Airport. In view of current traffic forecasts, the result of this trend will be substantial waiting times and delays in the very near future. The figures speak for themselves: between 1992, the year the airport opened, and 2004, the number of aircraft movements at Munich Airport more than doubled, from 175,000 to 370,000. In the same period, total passenger volume increased from 12 million to 27 million per year. In the first six months of 2005, the dynamic growth continued unabated. The airport posted an increase of about 7 percent in total passenger traffic and about 6 percent in take-offs and landings. According to Munich Airport CEO, Dr. Michael Kerkloh, projected traffic increases in the coming years will significantly add to the severity of capacity problems. The existing runway system, which consists of two parallel, 4-kilometer long runways that can operate independently of one another, has a capacity limit of 89 scheduled aircraft movements per hour. Even with possible optimization measures taken into account, any significant increase to this limit will be at best negligible. As early as 2008, the existing runway system will be operating at full capacity, and as of 2010 it will definitely no longer be possible for runway capacity to keep pace with demand. In order to avert this kind of bottleneck, it is essential to increase the current 89 landings per hour to 120—something that would be realized with the construction of a third runway.
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Rockwell Collins has entered into an agreement with Czech Airlines to provide its WXR-2100 MultiScan Hazard Weather Detection System and Airshow 4200 moving map and inflight information product for 12 Airbus A320 aircraft. The agreement also calls for an option on 12 additional aircraft with deliveries scheduled to begin in March 2006. The WXR-2100 MultiScan Hazard Weather Detection System is a fully automatic radar that reduces pilot workload, and enhances safety and passenger comfort by reducing unexpected turbulence encounters. MultiScan provides optimal weather detection from the nose of the aircraft to 320 nautical miles.
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EADS SPACE Transportation welcomed the recent decision of the French Ministry of Defence to launch a demonstrator programme for ballistic missile upper stages. The demonstrator programme aims to design a future 3rd stage, which brings together leading edge technology guidance systems, structural materials and propulsion systems within a new architecture. It will also include testing and verification under real conditions enabling these leading technologies to be accurately assessed. This demonstrator programme will also help maintain the high level of technical competencies required for the technological base of France's deterrent forces as well as the ballistic missiles and space launchers sectors, where EADS SPACE Transportation is henceforth prime contractor -- in close collaboration with its partners, particularly Snecma-SNPE, Thales and Sagem.
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Sikorsky announced that its S-76 fleet has accumulated more than four million total flight hours. This achievement was made possible by the over 220 operators currently flying close to 600 aircraft in 59 countries around the world. "The S-76 is a versatile product capable of flying anywhere, under difficult conditions, with unmatched range and speed. Its success has been built by meeting the needs of our customers throughout the S-76's long and distinguished tenure," said Jeff Pino, Sikorsky's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial programs.
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Avio has delivered the first power transmission for the TP400 engine produced by the EuroProp International consortium to power the Airbus A400M. Avio's power transmission is the biggest ever to be developed in the west: it transfers the mechanical power generated by the TP400 engine, which can develop over 10,000 bhp, to the 5.5 m diameter propeller of the military cargo. Avio is the most important Italian company taking part in the program and is responsible for the design, development and production of the transmission, as well as all subsequent MRO work, based on a contract worth a total of ca 200 million Euro. "The power transmission – points out Franco Rodi, head of Avio's Aeroengine Business, is an extremely complex product, embodying innovative and stimulating technical criteria. It promotes the development of leading-edge technology for the aeronautical sector and keeps Avio at a level of unmatched know-how and experience, thereby contributing to confirm the leading position of the Group in the industry."
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American Eurocopter has further strengthened its leadership in the U.S. law enforcement marketplace with new orders and deliveries of EC120 and AS350 helicopters for federal, regional and local agencies that operate from coast-to-coast and along the country's northern and southern borders. This new business includes the contract award confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection for up to 55 EC120Bs; the startup of deliveries for four AS350B3s ordered by the same federal agency; the Phoenix Police Department's expansion of its AS350B3 fleet with two additional aircraft; the delivery of an initial three AS350B3s to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office in California; the handover of an initial AS350B2 for the Orange Country, California Sheriff's Office; the delivery of a second AS350B2 to the Suffolk County Police Department in New York State; and the delivery of a second EC-120 to the Fresno Police Department in California.
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The first UK-built Sentinel R Mk 1 aircraft for the Ministry of Defence's Airborne Stand Off Radar (ASTOR) programme, made its maiden flight from Hawarden airfield at Broughton in North Wales. Prime contractor Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL) is undertaking most of the major modification and integration work on the ASTOR system at its Broughton facility. The ASTOR aircraft, a heavily modified Bombardier Global Express business jet, was crewed by Peter Collins, Head of Flying at Raytheon Broughton and the Raytheon UK ASTOR Project Test Pilot, and Squadron Leader Tim Butler, the RAF ASTOR Project Test Pilot. During the four hour flight the aircraft reached an altitude of 17,000 ft and an indicated speed of 320 knots. Rob Crook, RSL's UK ASTOR programme director, commented, "This flight marks a major milestone in UK industrial participation in this advanced technology programme for the MoD. It is a great example of the high level of competence that RSL has acquired in systems integration capability."
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American Airlines dedicated Phase I of a new, state-of-the-art $1.1 billion terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport that will serve the needs of millions of domestic and international travelers for decades to come. Gerard J. Arpey, American's chairman and CEO, presided at a ceremony attended by about 200 government and civic leaders, customers, officials of countries served by American, labor union leaders, American employees and the media. "This terminal represents one of the biggest, boldest -- and most expensive -- projects in American Airlines' history, and it underscores our commitment to JFK and our determination to preserve its status as one of the world's premier domestic and international gateways," Arpey said. American's new terminal, the largest facility at JFK Airport housing a single airline, was designed to provide the most convenient and comfortable travel experience possible. In fact, American -- which annually serves about 8.5 million customers at JFK Airport -- over the past decade has invested in more airport facilities in the New York area than all other airlines combined.
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Vision Systems International announced that its Night Vision Cueing and Display (NVCD) made a successful first flight on board an F/A-18F as part of a collaborative effort to demonstrate the night capabilities of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). The NVCD system employs the QuadEye night vision goggle (NVG) and is designed to improve usability of current NVGs and exploit the aircraft's JHMCS interface by providing aircraft symbology, pilot head tracking and cueing. The mission profile included two sorties of an F/A-18 two-ship formation. As part of the familiarization process, the pilots performed various air-to-ground, air-to-air, low level and formation maneuvers. The system provides added cueing and display capabilities and an expanded 100-degree field of view over the current 40-degree NVGs. Additional flights are scheduled to take place over the next few months.
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For Austrian Airlines, the first half-year of 2005 was marked by very high fuel prices (peaks of over US$ 600/ton), overcapacity in the market and a weak load factor, especially in the first quarter. Despite increases in passenger volume and stabilisation in the load factor, which the company was even able to raise above last year's figure at the end of the second quarter, these factors combined to produce a clear reduction in the result overall. Compared to the same period last year, the adjusted EBIT fell from EUR -8.5m to EUR -63.5m. The EBIT, meanwhile, slid from EUR -18.9m to EUR –93.3m. Result before tax was EUR –106.6m, against EUR –27.5m the previous year (adjusted: down from EUR –18.3m last year to EUR – 83.3m in 2005). Vagn Soerensen, Chief Executive Officer of Austrian Airlines, commented as follows on the half-year result for 2005: 'At the beginning of the year, we slowed down our planned growth and adjusted flight capacity where necessary. At the same time, we launched an extensive sales offensive and increased the competitiveness of our Vienna hub by supporting transfer charges.
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Cooperation between the airport companies of Frankfurt am Main and Guangzhou is gaining momentum following today's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a joint training academy for airport managers in the Chinese metropolis in the Pearl River Delta. The MoU follows a general agreement signed by both companies in the autumn of 2004. Fraport AG's executive board chairman, Dr. Wilhelm Bender, and Guangdong Airport Management Corporation's vice chairman, Xiao Ning Chen, inked the important new agreement at the historic Römer city hall, with Frankfurt lord mayor Petra Roth in attendance. The idea is to combine the know-how of both companies for training airport managers in a range of areas such as operations, security, finance, strategic planning, and human resources. There is a huge need for airport experts in China, which is riding a boom in air transportation. Some 80 young managers from Guangzhou Airport have already participated in training programs at Frankfurt Airport since the autumn of 2003. The response from Fraport's Chinese guests has been overwhelmingly positive. This led to the idea of intensifying cooperation in the area of training and education. A trusting relationship between both airport companies has developed as a result of Dr. Bender's many visits to Guangzhou.
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With a demonstration flight that included several flybys and a perfect landing in front of a packed crowd of aviation enthusiasts, the experimental HondaJet made its public world debut today at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2005 in Oshkosh, Wis. Boasting a number of innovations including a patented over-the-wing engine-mount configuration, a natural-laminar flow (NLF) wing and fuselage nose, and an advanced all-composite fuselage structure, the experimental HondaJet is an advanced, lightweight, compact business jet that features far better fuel efficiency, more available space in the fuselage, and higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class. The HondaJet is powered by two Honda HF-118 engines, each rated at 1,670-pound thrust at takeoff power. "This public world debut of the HondaJet represents the continued advancement of Honda's long-standing dream of aviation," said Michimasa Fujino, HondaJet project leader and vice president of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "We are pleased and excited to be able to share this dream and our technology with the aviation community."
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European industry needs high-level specialists in space exploration. To respond to this requirement, three European universities have joined together to offer an MSc with a difference: a new international post graduate course in space exploration and development systems called SEEDS. The three universities concerned are the Politecnico of Turin, Italy; the University of Bremen, Germany; and the Grande Ecole Aérospatiale Supaero in Toulouse, France. The common denominator that binds the three universities together is their location. All three are based in towns that host space industries and research centres, and which have a long-standing tradition of cooperation in space. This guarantees the support and contribution of high level experts, and strong links with space industries and agencies. The Space Exploration and Development Systems (SEEDS) MSc differs from other space masters in that it focuses on space exploration and not utilisation. It aims to harness the most recent developments emerging from national, European and international space strategies to prepare the specialists needed for solar system exploration programmes. This new MSc is supported by European companies and space agencies involved in exploration projects such as ESA, the Italian Space Agency ASI, the French Space Agency CNES, Alenia Spazio, Astrium, OHB Systems and the EADS-ST group of companies. The MSc promises to provide space engineers oriented to specific exploration system products, who are accustomed to working in an international context and who have been trained on the job, using modern and company-oriented engineering methods.
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NASA and the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation announced their intention to pursue the first aeronautical competition in the Centennial Challenges program. The announcement was made today at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2005 air show in Oshkosh, Wis. The Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) Challenge will award annual prizes totaling $250,000 to the teams that can best design, develop, and demonstrate technology improvements in various general aviation aircraft capabilities. NASA's Centennial Challenges promote technical innovation through a novel program of prize competitions. It is designed to tap the nation's ingenuity to make revolutionary advances to support NASA goals and the Vision for Space Exploration. PAV is the fifth NASA Centennial Challenge. "The intent of the PAV Challenge is to encourage innovation in the amateur and sporting aviation communities to help enhance the general aviation transportation system," said NASA's Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Dr. J. Victor Lebacqz. "This prize competition is a great follow-on to previous NASA investments in small aircraft and complements existing industry consortia in general aviation," he added. To win one or more of the five PAV Challenge purses, teams must modify their general aviation or sport aircraft to demonstrate the best performance in five technology areas. NASA predicts the technologies targeted by this competition will have a quick and positive impact on the general aviation industry and on public air travel. The first competition will be in mid-2006. The purses will be awarded at EAA AirVenture 2006 in Oshkosh.
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UK Javelin, developed and produced by the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture for the U.K.'s Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon program, has been declared operational four months ahead of schedule. The announcement was made during a live-fire demonstration witnessed by industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials at Warminster. Officials said the early in-service date demonstrates the successful close working relationship on this venture between the U.S. Department of Defense and Army, the U.K. MoD, and the Javelin Joint Venture.
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GE Aircraft Engines has selected FADEC International to develop the full-authority digital electronic control for its next-generation engine, the GEnx. The fuel-saving GEnx engine is slated for use on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350. FADEC International, a limited-liability company formed by BAE Systems and Hispano-Suiza, will base the new control on the FADEC designs currently flying on GE and CFM International engines and slated for use on the Engine Alliance GP7200. “We are delighted and honored to have been chosen to provide the controls for this groundbreaking new engine,” said Dennis Slattery, president of FADEC International. “We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with GE in developing and fielding what will be our most advanced engine control design”, said Jamil Dirani, vice president of sales and marketing for FADEC International. The “FADEC 3” design that will underpin the GEnx control currently is in use on the world's most powerful jet engine, the GE90-115B, and on the GE CF6 and CFM56 engines. It also controls the GP7200, being developed by the GE-Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance joint venture and being developed for the Airbus A380.
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MTU Aero Engines Holding AG has successfully completed the first half-year of 2005. Sales increased by about 125 million Euro (+14 %) to 1,025.7 million Euro. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and special items (EBITDA), calculated on a comparable basis, improved by 59 % from 64.5 million Euro to 102.3 million Euro. Especially positive is the development of cash flow from operating activities, which increased from 50.9 million Euro to 232.8 million Euro. "We are satisfied with the course of business and the results for the first half of the year 2005," commented Udo Stark, president and CEO of MTU Aero Engines Holding AG. "The results attained confirm our growth targets for 2005 in sales and earnings, and the positive trend in liquidity permits further improvement of the capital structure. This has also reflected in the positive development of the price of our share since the IPO." So here are the details of the increase in sales in the first half of the year 2005, to 1,025.7 million Euro: The biggest increase was achieved in the field of commercial engine maintenance. In comparison with the first half of the prior year (266 million Euro), sales here improved by 31 % to 348 million Euro. A 13 % rise to 475 million Euro was notched up by sales in the commercial engine sector (first half-year 2004: 422 million Euro), attributable above all to the V2500 and PW4000Growth programs. Sales in military engine business were slightly down by 5 % at 203 million Euro (213 million Euro in the first half-year of 2004). The decline is largely ascribed to the Eurofighter engine EJ200, for which the delivery schedule has been temporarily stretched at the request of the customer.
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The Sea Launch Company announced that PanAmSat has selected the Sea Launch system for the launch of two new spacecraft in 2006 and 2007. Sea Launch and PanAmSat have also signed an agreement providing for the first mission with a new Land Launch offering plus options for additional Land Launch missions. The new Sea Launch missions will require Zenit-3SL vehicles to lift two 4700-kg spacecraft –– Galaxy 16 and Galaxy 18 –– to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Galaxy 16 is scheduled for launch in the 2nd Quarter of 2006, while Galaxy 18 will launch a year later. Built by Space Systems/Loral, the 1300-series hybrid satellites will carry 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders and each is designed for a 15-year lifespan in orbit. Sea Launch's direct insertion into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of life for each of the spacecraft.
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On July 28, 2005, a delegation of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) headed by Deputy Minister, Mr. R. Zakirov, accepted third Be-200ChS aircraft at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant of Irkut Corp. Acceptance procedure included take-off and landing on Baikal lake as well as test scooping and drops of water on simulated fire sources. Mr. Zakirov came to the city of Currently, two Be-200ChS amphibians are in service with the Ministry. One is deployed in the city of Ramenskoye, Moscow region, the second one is based in Khabarovsk. The third amphibian will also be deployed in the city of Khabarovsk. In July this year, Be-200 successfully participated in fire fighting and search & rescue operations in the Far East. In particular, extinguished 3 fires fire sources in the Far East region and carried out several missions to find and rescue fishermen in the region of Magadan. At present, one of Irkut's Be-200 is operated at Sardinia island b the Italian Civil Protection Department (Protezione Civile) on a leasing agreement. During operation started in mid June, Be-200 has flown for over 50 hours participating in fighting 5 fires of baffling complexity in mountain terrain and close to inhabited localities.
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SES Astra, an SES Global company, is pleased to announce that it has awarded the contract for the construction of its Astra 1M satellite to European manufacturer EADS Astrium, an EADS company. EADS Astrium, as prime contractor for Astra 1M, will design and build the satellite and supply both the payload and the platform. European industry will supply the majority of the spacecraft equipment and technology. The satellite will provide a full range of television broadcasting services, including HDTV and other advanced audiovisual as well as broadband services. EADS Astrium will manufacture the Astra 1M spacecraft based on its flight-proven and state-of-the-art Eurostar E3000 platform, the latest version of the Eurostar series, which became first part of the SES fleet with the Astra 2B spacecraft launched in September 2000.
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