|
|
+++ Venus Express launch success +++ CARAPAS UAV demonstrator flown +++ ATV launch pushed into 2007 +++ Air Canada signs for Boeings – again +++ Independence Air files for Chapter 11 +++ Taurus KEPD 350 deliveries to start +++ Bombardier announces Challenger 605 +++ Boeing 777-200LR sets distance record +++ News in brief +++
Venus Express launch success
ESA-Sonde auf dem Weg zur Venus
The European spacecraft Venus Express has been successfully placed into a trajectory that will take it on its journey from the Earth towards its destination of the planet Venus, which it will reach next April. A virtual twin sister of the Mars Express spacecraft which has been orbiting the Red Planet since December 2003, Venus Express is the second planet-bound probe to be launched by the European Space Agency.
The 1240 kg mass spacecraft was developed for ESA by a European industrial team led by EADS Astrium with 25 main contractors spread across 14 countries. It lifted off onboard a Soyuz-Fregat rocket, the launch service being provided by Starsem. The lift-off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan took place at 09:33 hours local time on 9 November. Initial Fregat upper-stage ignition took place 9 minutes into the flight, manoeuvring the spacecraft into a low-earth parking orbit. A second firing, 1 hour 22 minutes later, boosted the spacecraft to pursue its interplanetary trajectory. Contact with Venus Express was established by ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) at Darmstadt, Germany approximately two hours after lift-off. The spacecraft has correctly oriented itself in relation to the sun and has deployed its solar arrays. All onboard systems are operating perfectly and the orbiter is communicating with the Earth via its low-gain antenna.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
CARAPAS UAV demonstrator flown
Erstflug der CARAPAS-Drohne
EADS Military Aircraft has just staged the successful first flight of the high-speed UAV demonstrator CARAPAS (CApacité drone RAPide AntileurreS) at the Biscarrosse missile test centre (CELM) in France. The aim of the flight was to check the system functions, the operating procedures and the technical installations at CELM. This marks the start of a flight test campaign scheduled to last until the end of 2005. "This first flight is a real success when one considers the technical challenge that had to be overcome and the extremely tight schedule needed to implement such a demonstration programme," stated Patrick Oswald, Director of the Tactical Drone Programme at EADS Military Aircraft.
By carrying two payloads in the form of a movable electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) device working in conjunction with electronic spectrum measurement (ESM), the CARAPAS system represents a world innovation realized on a high-speed tactical UAV. The demonstrator system of EADS comprises the CARAPAS UAV, the mission sensors, the datalinks and the associated ground link, which ensure mission planning, flight management, mission analysis and data fusion.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
ATV launch pushed into 2007
Weitere Verzögerungen für ATV
Today, about 98 percent of the hardware for Jules Verne, Europe's first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) spaceship, considered to be the most complex space vehicle ever developed in Europe, is already assembled and almost ready to fly. "Obviously we cannot launch unless we have everything 100 percent ready and fully tested", said John Ellwood, ESA's ATV Project Manager. "The extensive three-year test campaign on such a complicated programme -- with its unavoidable problems and delays -- will push us back by almost one year, to 2007." Since summer 2004, the Jules Verne spaceship has been progressively tested and assembled at ESA's research and technology centre, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Hundreds of integration operations, hardware checks and functional tests of the 19.7-tonne vessel have been achieved successfully, at times requiring new technical solutions, minor changes and a lot of fine-tuning.
The technical complexity of this ESA programme, which also involves close cooperation with NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos and several Russian aerospace companies, had already caused a two-year delay of the inaugural launch, to 2006. But some hardware failures occurred earlier this year and have impacted the campaign schedule with a snowball effect, now delaying the launch to 2007. A small structural failure, observed in April on one valve during auxiliary testing, could have far-reaching consequences. The fatigue failure of a three-millimetre rod inside the valve will force ATV engineers to remove, modify and replace all 48 valve-actuators in Jules Verne's fuel pipeworks of the propulsion system. Since the defective parts are deeply buried in the almost-completed ATV, the time-consuming operation, with secondary effects on other work, will delay the whole ATV schedule by at least five months. On a separate matter, some recurring anomalies on the drive mechanism of the crucial solar arrays have forced engineers to add a back-up device to monitor the good angular position measurement of the vital system. Some 95 minutes after lift-off, the ATV activates its navigation systems and deploys its nine-metre long solar panels, which must track the Sun to get energy in orbit despite an orbital speed of 28 000 km/h. The ATV schedule was also slowed down by a variety of other issues which are adding up. For example, new requirements and specifications, introduced by international partners such as NASA and Roscosmos, have impacted the ATV flight software, which consists of over one million lines of code. The ATV will dock with the Russian Zvezda module, a part of the ISS; NASA has the overall responsibility of the safety aspects of the Station.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Air Canada signs for Boeings – again
Boeing erneuert Bestellungen von Air Canada
On 9 November, Air Canada signed a contract with Boeing to upgrade the airline's fleet with up to 36 Boeing 777s and 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The conclusion of the order comes six months after the airline announced a widebody fleet renewal plan, subject to a number of conditions. "We're extremely pleased to move forward with the renewal of Air Canada 's widebody fleet with these new Boeing airplanes," said Robert Milton, president and chief executive officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., Air Canada 's parent company. "Our analysis of these aircraft confirmed overwhelmingly attractive economics; we estimate the fuel burn and maintenance cost savings alone on the 787 to be approximately 30 per cent versus the 767s they will replace. This is particularly important in the current high-fuel-price environment." As with the previous agreement, announced in April, the new contract with Air Canada includes firm orders for 18 777s, plus purchase rights for 18 more, in a yet-to-be-determined mix of the 777 family's newest models: the 777-300ER, the 777-200LR Worldliner (the longest-range airplane in the world) and the newly announced 777 Freighter. Air Canada 's new 777 deliveries will begin in 2007.
The order also includes 14 ultra-efficient new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, plus options and purchase rights for an additional 46 airplanes. Air Canada 's first 787 will be delivered in 2010. The firm orders in the agreement are valued at approximately $6 billion at list prices.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Independence Air files for Chapter 11
Weitere Insolvenz in USA
On 7 November, FLYi, Inc., parent of low-fare airline Independence Air, today announced that FLYi, Inc. and its subsidiaries including Independence Air, have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in order to restructure the company's aircraft leases and other obligations to achieve necessary cost savings. The company also announced it will request court approval to engage in a formal court-supervised auction process to seek outside investor(s) or purchaser(s) it needs to continue its operations. If the process is successful, it is expected to be concluded within the next sixty days. Those who have expressed interest during previous discussions, as well as new parties, will be invited to present their bids. Bidders will be permitted to demonstrate their interest in investing in the company, or to bid on all or portions of the company's assets. The company currently anticipates that it has the financial resources to fund its obligations-including the payment of employee wages and benefits-during the process.
As it undertakes the auction process, Independence Air plans to continue serving customers, and to continue its flight schedules in the ordinary course of business. The company plans to honor reservations and tickets on Independence Air and to allow its 1,000,000+ iCLUB(SM) members to continue to accrue and redeem points on the airline with no restrictions. The company has no plans to make any additional changes to its operating schedule or route map of destinations at this time. Independence Air now offers approximately 220 daily departures to 36 destinations. "After careful consideration, we have concluded that a court-supervised restructuring will allow us to complete our cost-savings initiatives while seeking outside investors or purchasers, and represents the best solution for Independence Air, our customers, employees, creditors and the communities we serve," said Kerry Skeen, Chairman and CEO of FLYi, Inc.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Taurus KEPD 350 deliveries to start
Abstandswaffe kann nun geliefert werden
Operational testing of the Taurus KEPD 350 standoff guided missile system destined for the German Air Force has been successfully completed at Overberg / South Africa. The trials confirmed that Taurus KEPD 350 completely meets the system performance specifications for deployment in the mission environment. Following the successfully completed verifications, the Taurus weapon system will now be declared ready for deployment on the Tornado IDS combat aircraft. The first missiles will be delivered to the German Air Force before the end of November 2005 under the contract concluded with TAURUS Systems GmbH (TSG) in the year 2002. This provides for the delivery of 600 missiles in all. The operational testing was carried out under the responsibility of the Federal Office of Military Technology and Procurement (BWB). TSG, a subsidiary of EADS/LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH and the Swedish Saab Bofors Dynamics, provided support for the campaign conducted at the Overberg test range, which covers 43,000 hectares and has a 70-kilometre long coastline, thus offering ideal conditions for extensive trials.
"The successful completion of operational testing is of great strategic importance for the Taurus programme and the German missile industry," said Stefan Zoller, CEO of the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division. "Through this, Taurus has established itself as a successful product in the market for modern standoff weapons." "In Taurus KEPD 350, the German Air Force is receiving the most powerful missile in its category. This missile system will in future help the Bundeswehr to even better fulfil the challenging tasks it has been entrusted with. The results of the trials have completely met our expectations, in particular with regard to the engagement of high-value targets," explained Werner Kaltenegger, Head of the EADS/LFK Business Unit and CEO of LFKLenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Bombardier announces Challenger 605
Neue Challenger-Version angekündigt
Bombardier Aerospace launched the new Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, the next major step in the evolution of its flagship Challenger business jet, at the 58th National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting and Convention. The new Challenger 605 builds on the reputation established by the world's best-selling large business jet, the Challenger 604, featuring one of the most advanced cockpits available today, and a more spacious, restyled interior offering increased comfort and convenience. An increased payload capacity of 200 pounds (91 kg) provides customers with additional flexibility to either add more options, add one more passenger or 200 pounds (91 kg) of fuel, while retaining the legendary range, comfort and value expected from the Challenger family. First flight is scheduled for first quarter of 2006. Certification by Transport Canada is expected in fourth quarter of 2006, with the first Challenger 605 jet scheduled to enter service in the third quarter of 2007. The list price for the new Challenger 605 aircraft is $26.7 million US.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Boeing 777-200LR sets distance record
Rekordflug mit der 777-200LR
On November 10, Boeing established a new world record for distance traveled nonstop by a commercial airplane when a Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner landed at London Heathrow Airport today. The 777-200LR (Longer Range) flew 11,664 nautical miles (21,601 km) during its 22-hour 42-minute flight that left Hong Kong flying eastbound the evening of Nov. 9. The distance set by the 777-200LR is farther than any previous commercial jetliner has flown and exceeds a distance of more than halfway around the world. The 777-200LR left Hong Kong International Airport at 10:30 p.m. local time Nov. 9 and landed at London Heathrow Airport at approximately 1:30 p.m. GMT Nov. 10. The airplane traveled eastbound towards London, flying over the North Pacific Ocean, across North America, and then over the mid-north Atlantic Ocean en route to London. "The performance of the 777-200LR during the record flight was exceptional," said Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, the project pilot leader for the 777-200LR record flight. "It took the support of a great team of people to make this historic flight a success. I'm proud to be a part of that team." On its flight from Hong Kong to London , the 777-200LR flew farther than any previous commercial jetliner, surpassing two notable previous distance records. For an airplane its size and class, the 777-200LR replaces the distance record set by a 747-400 in 1989 that flew 9,200 nautical miles (17,039 km) nonstop from London to Sydney. Also, the 777-200LR exceeded the distance traveled by a 777-200ER (Extended Range) that flew 10,823 nautical miles (20,044 km) from Seattle to Kuala Lumpur in 1997, setting a speed and distance record. Although the 777-200LR flew farther, this record will continue to stand because the 777-200ER was classified in a lighter weight category for its record attempt.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Bombardier Aerospace and Lufthansa Technik welcomed ExecuJet Aviation Group as its new partner within Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS) in Berlin, Germany. ExecuJet Aviation Group has signed an agreement to acquire a 20 per cent equity stake in the world-class maintenance facility. LBAS now expands its scope to include aircraft management services - thereby offering Bombardier customers even more options. The acquisition remains subject to clearance by the relevant European authorities. "This represents the logical next step in the strategic development of LBAS," said Andreas Kaden, managing director, LBAS." ExecuJet Aviation Group, a loyal customer for many years, brings a new element to our business allowing us to expand client services as we continue to focus on customer needs. Furthermore, LBAS and ExecuJet are jointly committed to seeking areas of future strategic cooperation and expansion within Europe"
+++
Airbus' Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family has grown bigger, with the introduction of a new member, the A318 Elite, based on the company's smallest airliner. With the same wide cabin as the rest of the popular Airbus A320 Family, the A318 Elite makes big-jet comfort and style even more affordable, complementing the Airbus ACJ in the middle of the family and the A320 Prestige at the top-end. The Airbus A318 Elite will thus serve as an entry-level airliner to the Airbus ACJ Family. Airbus still expects most demand for business jets of Airbus ACJ-size, but can now offer an even more affordable alternative for customers that are happy with a shorter cabin and less range. It continues to be driven by its customers' needs, offering a truly modern solution with full commonality across all of the Airbus ACJ Family. The Airbus A318 Elite is aimed at the medium-range market for flights of up to 4,000 nm range, in which it will offer greater levels of cabin comfort than currently available. Airbus will offer the A318 Elite in partnership with Lufthansa Technik with a choice of two cabin layouts seating up to 14 and 18 passengers, respectively, with seats and settees clustered in several lounge areas throughout the cabin. Both will be able to fly non-stop from London to New York, offering true intercontinental capability.
+++
The commercial aircraft manufacturing industry posted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of $2.6 billion in the first half of 2005, a 36% hike from the same period last year and 175% over the first six months of 2003, according to Standard & Poor's in its semi-annual survey on the aerospace and airline industry. At the same time, airline industry profits, the primary driver of demand for commercial aircraft with 100 or more seats, remain almost non-existent. These and other findings are available in the report, Aerospace & Defense Industry Survey, published twice yearly by Standard & Poor's, a leading provider of independent investment research, ratings and indices. Standard & Poor's attributes most of the recent earnings and profitability rebound in aerospace to improved operating leverage from volume sales increases, as well as draconian multiyear cost-cutting efforts. The report details Aerospace Industry Association data. "Several factors drove the rise in order ratings, including a 225% hike in foreign airline orders, a 115% hike in U.S. airline orders, and an 80% rise in unidentified orders," says Robert Friedman, S&P equity research analyst and author of the report. "Although the airline industry continues to post large losses, the domestic and foreign discount airline segments are in relatively good financial health and are behind the rebound in U.S. and foreign commercial aircraft orders." Friedman says it is difficult to predict when the U.S. airline industry's fortunes will improve. While S&P expects passenger traffic to remain strong, various challenges continue to rock the domestic airline business. Several of the legacy airlines are in dire financial straits and many also suffer from intensifying competition from discount carriers and from spiking oil prices. S&P predicts that the domestic airline business will post an operating loss of about $5.5 billion in 2005.
+++
Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation (SSAC), manufacturers of the new SJ30-2 ultra high performance business jet announced that it has recorded an extraordinary number of new aircraft orders exceeding 295 sales in less than 30 months for the recently FAA Certified SJ30-2 twinjet. Orders currently represent a backlog exceeding One Billion, Five Hundred Million USD ($1.5 Billion). Gene Comfort, Senior Vice President of SSAC, Sales and Marketing stated today: "This is an absolutely incredible corporate jet with key performance VPR's (Value Price Ratios) exceeding every aircraft in this category in the world. Orders are accelerating into the stratosphere with advanced performance numbers recently confirmed for the SJ30-2 that include; the world's Fastest Light Business Jet with a high cruise speed of 560 mph, 487 kts. (Mach .83) and the world's Longest Range Light Business Jet, at 2,888 sm." A world record may have been set in light business jet aircraft orders booked in this category, with over 295 sales in less than 2.5 years prior to FAA Certification. In the previous month this year, the company averaged more than one sale a day. Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation has finalized FAA certification of the new SJ30-2 twinjet aircraft on October 27, 2005 in its international headquarters and manufacturing facilities at San Antonio Texas. The Company currently employs over 600 employees in four facilities totaling over 240,000 sq ft in the USA Coast to Coast.
+++
Japanese entrepreneur Daisuke “Dice-K” Enomoto will be the next private space explorer to visit the International Space Station (ISS), the world's leading space tourism company Space Adventures, Ltd. announced. Enomoto, 34, will be the fourth fare-paying private explorer – and the first from Asia – sent into space by Space Adventures, following Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, and most recently Gregory Olsen, who returned from the ISS last month. Enomoto's 10 day expedition, which will include eight days on the ISS, is currently planned for October 2006. Like previous space tourists, Enomoto will travel to the ISS in a Russian Soyuz capsule, and he has already begun his cosmonaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.
+++
MTU-Turbomeca-Rolls-Royce GmbH (MTR) recently delivered its 100th Tiger MTR390-2C standard engine. It is the 38th MTR390 for the French services and its operational location is the French-German pilot training school at Le Luc, in the south-east of France, where the pilot training on the French HAP and German UHT helicopters is conducted. In all, Germany and France have ordered 342 engines for a total of 160 helicopters (80 H/C for each Nation). The delivery programme for this initial standard engine will last till the year 2011.
+++
Lockheed Martin announced that it has successfully completed static loads testing of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) satellite structure. The test validated the satellite's strength and ability to sustain its launch weight of over 13,000 pounds. Advanced EHF satellites will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for all warfighters serving under the U.S. Department of Defense. The successful test, conducted by a team of engineers from Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the Advanced EHF system prime contractor, and ATK, Corona Calif., demonstrated with high confidence that the structure can carry the physical loads it will experience during the satellite's manufacturing, launch and operation in geosynchronous orbit. Advanced EHF satellites are based on Lockheed Martin's flight-proven A2100 spacecraft series.
+++
During a ceremony organised by the European Space Agency and the Dutch government at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the first Galileo satellite was officially baptised “GIOVE” (Galileo In Orbit Validation Element). This first satellite, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, will be launched by a Soyouz rocket from the Baïkonour space centre during the latter half of December 2005. It will transmit all Galileo signals. Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of transport, declared: “This is a big step in the history of Galileo. The in-orbit validation phase of the programme will now truly begin with the launch of this first satellite”. Following GIOVE, a second satellite, built by the consortium Galileo Industries, should be launched in spring 2006. These first two satellites will enable the verification of the function of key technology and provide essential measurements of the operational environment for the Galileo constellation. The launch of these first two satellites will be followed by the launch, in 2008, of the first four operational Galileo satellites.
+++
Raytheon and the NetFires Limited Liability Company (LLC), a company composed of Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, successfully passed a preliminary design review for the Non Line of Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM). The successful completion of the PAM preliminary design review (PDR) represents the accomplishment of a significant milestone in meeting the design and performance parameters of the NLOS-LS PAM supporting FCS Spin Out 1. NLOS-LS is currently in the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the program for the Army. Work under this contract began in 2004, and the PAM PDR was completed "right on schedule," said Scott Speet, executive vice president of the NetFires LLC and Raytheon's NLOS-LS program director. "The NLOS-LS PAM team, comprised of Raytheon and its component suppliers, worked very hard to meet this critical milestone, and this is a credit to the entire team."
+++
NASA has formed the Commercial Crew/Cargo Project Office to spur private industry to provide cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit and the international space station in support of the Vision for Space Exploration. Part of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, the office is located at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. NASA named Alan J. Lindenmoyer project manager. The office will manage orbital transportation capability demonstration projects that may lead to the procurement of commercial cargo and crew transportation services to resupply the space station. The commercial sector will soon get an opportunity to provide these services. In testimony before a Congressional committee last week, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said, "Later this month NASA will issue a draft solicitation requesting commercial service demonstrations for space station crew and cargo delivery and return. Where commercial providers have demonstrated the ability to meet NASA's needs and safety requirements, commercial services will be purchased instead of using government assets and operations."
+++
Boeing and Singapore Airlines recently signed a maintenance agreement that will help the airline reduce operating costs. Boeing will manage the airline's total expendable spare parts inventory as well as provide a means to monitor the health of its airplanes in flight. Singapore Airlines is the first to sign for this integrated maintenance solution, which combines Boeing's Integrated Materials Management (IMM) and Airplane Health Management (AHM). Through IMM, Boeing will be responsible for purchasing, inventory management and logistics for Singapore Airlines total expendable aircraft parts. Through AHM, Boeing will provide real-time airplane information to reduce schedule interruptions and increase maintenance efficiency. Specific terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
+++
Boeing has completed the initial laboratory verification of the EA-18G tactical aircraft's Interference Cancellation (INCANS) system, and demonstrated the system's capabilities during aircraft ground testing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The INCANS engineering development hardware was installed in an F/A-18F, the first time the system has been installed in an aircraft. The aircraft was then suspended in an anechoic chamber at Patuxent River for testing. A team consisting of members from the U.S. Navy, Boeing and EDO verified proper radio frequency cancellation. The demonstration included voice quality checks with active ALQ-99 jamming from a centerline pod. "Demonstrating INCANS capability has been a key milestone in our program's progress," says Bob Feldmann, EA-18G program manager for Boeing. "We know that this capability is critical to the fleet, so it is outstanding to gain this level of success so early in the development program."
+++
The Mexican start-up Interjet has signed a contract with Airbus for the acquisition of ten firm A320s plus 10 options, becoming a new Airbus customer. This deal confirms Interjet's selection of the Airbus aircraft as announced during the Paris Air Show in June. Deliveries of the newly ordered A320s to Interjet will begin in the second quarter of 2007. Each aircraft will accommodate 150 passengers in a comfortable single-class configuration. No engine choice has been made to date. Interjet, a company fully owned by ABC Aerolíneas SA de CV, will start operations in December 2005 from Toluca airport, next to Mexico City. Interjet's initial fleet consists of seven previously owned A320s recently acquired by ABC Aerolíneas in Europe.
+++
Cessna announced it will offer the Citation Encore+ as the successor to its light jet market pleaser, the Citation Encore. Deliveries start in February 2007. The Encore+ offers customers increased efficiency, a new integrated avionics suite, increased payload capability, and improved cabin lighting. "We are exceptionally proud to add yet another winner to the popular Citation series of business jets, The Encore+ offers significant improvements in efficiency, crew situational awareness, and payload over its predecessor, the Encore," said Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. "Additionally, as with our other Citation products, Encore+ customers can expect to receive exceptional quality, superior value, and award-winning after-sale customer service." Propulsion for the Encore+ is generated by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535B engines equipped with dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC). The PW535B shares an architecture similar to the Encore's PW535A engine, and is rated at 3,400 pounds of thrust. Maximum payload for the Citation Encore+ has been increased by 200 pounds over the Encore, enabling the operator to realize a useful load (over and above two pilots) of 6,600 pounds. The avionics on the Encore+ are the most advanced available on this class of business jet. The integrated Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite encompasses many of the same features as the Citation CJ3, CJ1+ and CJ2+. The Primary Flight Displays (PFD) and enhanced Multi-Function Display (MFD) are presented on three 8-inch by 10-inch active matrix color liquid crystal displays. The copilot's PFD with second air data computer is standard equipment and will meet reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) requirements.
+++
Embraer revealed at the world's largest business jet exhibition the names of its new very light and light jets -- the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300. The names were announced during the unveiling of the full-scale mock-ups of Embraer's new executive jets at the annual convention of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Orlando, United States. The Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 will compete in the very light, entry and light jet segments. Their distinctive advantages, namely cabin size and comfort, pilot-friendly cockpit and high availability, make them an excellent choice for personal use, business travel and air taxi operation. Embraer has chosen Garmin to supply the integrated avionics suite for its new Light and Very Light Jets launched earlier this year. Garmin joins Pratt & Whitney Canada, the powerplant supplier, as the second major partner on the new Embraer program. Flight decks on Embraer's new business jets will be called Prodigy. Embraer also displayed the interior design of its recently launched Very Light Jet and Light Jet aircraft at the world's biggest business jet trade show. Embraer selected BMW Group DesignworksUSA to design the interior and cockpit of its new business aircraft. "Having in mind our operators and owners' needs and demands, Embraer envisioned a spacious aircraft interior with unparalleled comfort and refined details," said Mauricio Botelho, Embraer President and CEO, who is hosting the unveiling at NBAA. "We are proud to present our exclusive interior design concept, where the flight deck is harmoniously integrated with the cabin."
+++
The Fraport Group's operating business has developed very well during the first nine months of fiscal year 2005. In the third quarter of 2005, the Group again reported noticeable growth in revenues and earnings. Dr. Stefan Schulte, Fraport AG's executive board member responsible for finance, therefore expects year end results to exceed slightly the current forecast for the 2005 business year. "Fraport is progressing well in all business areas," explained Schulte. Furthermore, he said that EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) will probably increase by about five percent. Up to now, it had been assumed that the EBITDA increase would be in the 3 to 4.5 percent range. Regarding net income for the year, Schulte is now expecting even an increase of about ten percent compared to 2004. Thus, this reaches the upper end of the current forecast of five to ten percent growth. During the first three quarters of 2005, revenue for Germany's biggest airport operator climbed by 5.1 percent to EUR1,562.6 million. Above all, airport charges and increased revenue from security services contributed to this growth. In the third quarter of 2005, the important trade and gastronomy sector also contributed noticeably to Fraport AG's growth in revenue. Due to stringent cost management, Fraport's non-staff costs and personnel expenses increased by only 3.8 percent during the reporting period - thus remaining clearly below the 5.1 percent growth in revenue.
+++
On 24 October 2005, the French DGA (Délégation Générale pour l'Armement) announced its acceptance of MADRID, MBDA's strapdown infrared seeker model (Maquette d'Autodirectuer Infrarouge Rigide). This model has been successfully tested by the Laboratoire de Recherche Balistique et Aérodynamique (LRBA) of the DGA thereby concluding the contract awarded to MBDA on 27th September 2002. In 2001, the DGA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a low cost, anti-surface imaging infrared seeker model. The RFP called for the delivery of a test model in 2005. MBDA delivered the model to the LRBA in April 2005. The series production cost of the system being proposed by MBDA is around 20%-30% lower than that of other imaging seekers.
+++
Boeing Business Jets today announced it has sold a program total of 102 BBJs, surpassing its goal to reach 100 orders before the end of the year. The achievement is unmatched by other large-cabin, ultra long-range business jet manufacturers. "There is a significant market that values large cabins and long-range capability," Boeing Business Jets President Steven Hill said during a media briefing at the National Business Aviation Association's convention in Orlando. "With three times the cabin space as traditional business jets and the ability to fly more than 6,000 nautical miles, the BBJ offers the ability to travel with family, friends or business associates while working, eating, sleeping or entertaining in the air as you would on the ground. The order tally underscores the value of the BBJ, and we expect that trend to continue." The latest orders for five business jets came from all corners of the world including the first order from Hong Kong. At the request of its customers, Boeing does not reveal the identities of BBJ owners and operators.
+++
Lufthansa is holding course, even in turbulent times. Despite soaring oil prices, we have utilised our market potential and grown profitably. The strategy is right. We have turned opportunities into success,” said Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber at today's presentation of Group results. In the first nine months of the year, the Lufthansa Group lifted operating profits by 220 million to 471 million euros. Profits after tax rose sharply in parallel to 416 million euros. The Executive Board has again raised its full-year forecast and is now anticipating an operating profit of significantly over 400 million euros. Pointing to the strengths driving the Group's performance, Wolfgang Mayrhuber said: “We have further invested in products and quality, customer satisfaction is at an all-time high. Simultaneously, we have continued with our fitness drill. We are now more dynamic and more flexible.“ The Group has built further on its financial strength. Lufthansa commands liquid funds of more than four billion euros and is practically debt-free. All six of the Group's business segments developed well in the nine-month-term and improved their operating result – an exemplary team effort by all the staff. “Thomas Cook has recovered. The leisure travel subsidiary will be posting profits again for the first time in four years”, said Mayrhuber. Restructuring at LSG is making headway, the first signs of success are in sight. The inflight catering arm is well on the road towards profitability, although business in the US is still problematical. The Lufthansa Chairman and CEO reaffirmed the Group's strategy of focusing and product development. The airlines in the Group stand for mobility à la carte with quality products in all segments, including bargain fares. The integration of SWISS is right on schedule, he said. Customers of both airlines are already profiting from a variety of advantages. Another strategic step is Lufthansa's acquisition of a stake in Fraport. Competition in air traffic is no longer only between airlines or airline alliances but between entire air traffic systems, encompassing airports, air traffic control and airlines. “Our stake in the Frankfurt Airport operating company will improve cooperation within the air traffic system. A strong air traffic system in Germany will stand up in competition against London, Paris or Amsterdam.” Wolfgang Mayrhuber also dwelt on the difficult situation still confronting the airline business. Cost-cutting still tops the list of priorities, he emphasised. “Our Action Plan aimed at reducing costs and raising efficiency will be implemented. We are set on improving results by 1.2 billion euros by year-end 2006 and we will realise that target.“ We have already saved 708 million of the 780 million euros targeted for this year. But even afterwards, the Group must continue seeking new ways of driving down costs. “We will not let up. Costs must go down, flexibility must increase.“ The Lufthansa Group is strongly poised for future challenges: “A good staff and reliable management stand for progress and security for our investors.”
+++
On 8 November, the Inmarsat 4-F2 satellite lifted off from a floating platform in the equatorial Pacific Ocean at 1407 GMT (9:07 a.m. EST) atop a commercial Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket. The three-stage booster took about 85 minutes to haul the 13,108-pound (5,945-kilogram) spacecraft to the desired altitude. When it enters service from geostationary orbit 22,300 miles (35,888 kilometers) above Earth next year, the craft will join the Inmarsat 4-F1 satellite that was successfully launched on Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5 rocket in March from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Together, the two craft will deliver broadband communications to 85 percent of the world. "Putting almost half-megabit data speeds for people to access globally where terrestrial networks don't go we see as a fundamental service," said Inmarsat CEO Andrew Sukawaty. "It's really about taking the office with you where terrestrial networks don't go economically." Inmarsat's newest generation of satellites come with the tag line "broadband for a mobile planet." Built in Europe by EADS Astrium, the Inmarsat 4-series spacecraft will provide office-like broadband services such as Internet, email, voice and data-relay using laptop and palm-sized terminals. The sophisticated satellites transmit over 200 spot beams to deliver strong signals to the small receivers. Each craft has a giant unfurlable antenna reflector stretching 30 by 39 feet. The new craft are 60 times more powerful and have 20 times more capacity than their predecessors, the Inmarsat 3-series of satellites.
+++
During the 58th Annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting & Convention, Adam Aircraft announced the first customer aircraft delivery of the A500 centerline piston-engine twin aircraft. Serial Number 005 was delivered to a Colorado Springs business executive on Monday, November 07, 2005. "This is great news for the firm. Adam Aircraft has moved from a developmental startup company that makes experimental aircraft to a FAA certified manufacturer that is delivering standard airworthiness aircraft," said Rick Adam, Chairman and CEO of Adam Aircraft. "Additionally, we are very pleased that the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Board of Directors has unanimously voted Adam Aircraft into its national trade association which represents the leading general aviation manufacturers." The delivery announcement follows the Approved Production Inspection System (APIS) certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This allows Adam Aircraft to accelerate production of the A500 by inspecting its own aircraft under a system approved by the FAA. An APIS designation essentially substantiates that Adam Aircraft quality systems and procedures are mature and effective enough for reduced FAA oversight. APIS is the precursor to a Production Certificate (PC), which is the approval to manufacture and deliver duplicate aircraft under an FAA-approved type design with periodic FAA audits of the production process.
+++
GoJet Airlines, a new carrier based in St. Louis, Missouri, has taken delivery of three of six Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets under a lease agreement with General Electric Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS). "The excellent track record of the Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft along with our new partnership with GoJet Airlines offers us the opportunity to expand our business with two quality organizations," said Todd M. Freeman, Senior Vice-President and Manager, Regional Jet Programs, GE Commercial Aviation Services. GoJet began operating the CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express banner for United Air Lines in September 2005. The airline has already taken delivery of three of the four CRJ700 jets to be delivered by Bombardier, and will take delivery of the remaining three of six GECAS aircraft, now through the first quarter of 2006.
+++
CHC Helicopter Corporation announced it has been awarded a five-year contract renewal by ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited for the provision of helicopter services in support of its Southern North Sea operations. The service will utilize a dedicated Sikorsky S76C, plus additional flight hours from the CHC pool of medium aircraft and is valued at approximately CDN $40 million over the fixed five-year term.
+++
At the NBAA Convention, Dassault announced a new addition to the Falcon line of business jets. The new Falcon 2000DX combines large cabin comfort and small cabin fuel economics with unsurpassed airport performance that are the hallmarks of the Dassault fleet. The 3250 nm 2000DX will replace the Falcon 2000 in 2007 which has almost 230 units flying worldwide today. “The 2000DX will carry on the long tradition of high performance, superior efficiency and cabin comfort that the Falcon family is known for,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “We expect a very warm market reception for this extraordinary aircraft given its attractive price point and operating costs.” The standard equipped aircraft will have the capability to climb directly to 41,000 feet in 17 minutes and offer a low approach speed of 112kts which is ideal for short field landings. The 2000DX will also come standard with the advanced EASy flight deck. More than 60 EASy equipped aircraft are currently in operation and the system has received high marks for its integrated features and intuitive displays. The 3250 nm range of the new 2000DX delivers the same spacious, quiet interior as its longer range sibling, the 2000EX, but was developed for customers with less extensive city pair requirements. The design makes it the only business jet in its class capable of landing with fuel tanks nearly full. The 2000DX can leave New York for Washington DC and continue to San Francisco without adding fuel. Likewise, the airplane can leave London with four passengers, pick up four more in Paris and continue to Dubai without adding fuel.
+++
Dassault Falcon announced that the Falcon 900DX received both EASA and FAA certification recently. Introduced at EBACE in May 2004, the first delivery will be made in the coming weeks. “We are seeing a very strong worldwide market demand for the 900DX,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “Part of that demand can be attributed to the superior fuel efficiency the 900DX possesses against the direct competition. Other large-cabin business jets will burn nearly 50% more fuel on similar missions compared to the 900DX.” With the exception of the structure of the fuel tanks and the forward section, the Falcon 900DX shares the same engines (Honeywell TFE31-60), avionics and other cockpit and cabin equipment as the Falcon 900EX EASy. The fuel system has been partially redesigned from the 2000EX and 900EX EASy. This process makes it possible to provide the aircraft with a large number of new features and improvements without significantly increasing its price compared to its predecessor, the Falcon 900C. Additionally, development cycle time was reduced by using the front fuselage of the Falcon 2000EX which also has a direct effect on the production cost of the 900DX.
+++
Rockwell Collins announced that its eXchange broadband data and live TV solution will debut on Samsung Techwin's two Bombardier Global Express XRS business jets, as well on a Bombardier Global 5000 demonstrator aircraft. A third undisclosed customer has also selected eXchange for their Global Express XRS business jet. The eXchange system will first be installed on the Bombardier Global 5000 demonstrator aircraft, with Samsung Techwin and the third customer aircraft to follow.
+++
NetJets has signed a letter of intent to award Rockwell Collins a 10-year contract for implementing a fleet-wide eFlight information management solution. The final agreement is expected to be completed by year-end. "The eFlight solution selected by NetJets will connect the aircraft and the ground in an efficient way replacing hundreds of pounds of paper with simplified, electronic formats." said Mark Harris, vice president, eFlight for Rockwell Collins. "The end result for NetJets will be greater operational efficiency, accurate and up to date information and reduced costs." Rockwell Collins will supply dual Class 2 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) functionality for multiple aircraft in the NetJets fleet. The EFB will be integrated with the Rockwell Collins eFlight ground and onboard software to provide seamless database distribution and loading, and document management.
+++
Innovative Solutions & Support announced that the Company in a teaming arrangement with ABX Air has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) of its Flat Panel Display System for use on B-767 aircraft. ABX Air provided the aircraft and turnkey services including installation kits, labor, pilot training and technical manual updates. The STC provides B-767 operators with a low cost, rapidly implemented retrofit of their cockpit avionics with a modern pilot and copilot suite of high resolution multi-color LCD flat panel displays. Operators will also benefit from improved dispatch reliability, logistics savings, and adaptability to future requirements.
+++
Boeing and the U.S. Navy held a successful P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program Preliminary Design Review last week in Seattle, Wash. During the five-day session, Navy representatives reviewed the P-8A's system architecture and initial design to ensure the Boeing-led industry team is on target to meet program performance requirements and can proceed to detailed design. While the integrated team now must complete nine action items before the PDR can be considered officially "closed" or complete, review participants deemed it a success. Rear Admiral Jeff Wieringa, NAVAIR's assistant commander for research and engineering and chairman of the review board, said the P-8A program was "the best major weapons system PDR we have ever reviewed. The entire P-8A team was well-prepared for the PDR and has worked extremely hard to ensure we're on cost, on schedule and meeting or exceeding our technical requirements, said Tony Parasida, Boeing vice president for maritime systems. "The positive feedback we've received to date is confirmation that we're headed in the right direction."
+++
OHB Technology AG took benefit in the third quarter from first-time consolidation of MT Aerospace AG in the OHB Group as of July 1st, 2005 in accordance to IFRS 3. The OHB Group's total revenues in the first nine months of 2005 came to EUR 73.4 million, slightly up on the year-ago figure of EUR 73.3 million. It can thus be seen that the previous year-on-year shortfall of some EUR 10 million in total revenues in the first half of 2005 has been completely made up for with the acquisition of MT Aerospace. Including the non-recurring income from the negative goodwill arising from the first-time consolidation of MT Aerospace, the Group posted EBITDA of EUR 14.7 million (previous year: EUR 7.7 million) and EBIT of EUR 11.3 million (previous year: EUR 5.5 million) in the first nine months of 2005. Net income for the first nine months came to EUR 8.9 million, substantially exceeding the year-ago figure of EUR 3.9 million. Earnings per share of EUR 0.60 for the period were inflated by the addition of the non-recurring income of EUR 0.36 per share from the negative goodwill arising from first-time consolidation. A further EUR 0.02 per share is attributable to the operating earnings again - following a weak first half - posted by MT Aerospace in the third quarter of 2005. Otherwise, OHB Technology AG in the structure which it possessed a year ago contributed EUR 0.22 per share, equivalent to a year-on-year decline of EUR 0.05 per share. This drop in earnings is due to the lower total revenues generated in the Space Technology + Security business unit.
+++
Iridium Satellite reported that it continues to experience rapid growth in the aeronautical satellite communications sector. Aviation business for Iridium more than doubled in 2005. In a statement released at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) exhibition in Orlando, the global mobile satellite communications carrier said the number of aircraft fitted with Iridium equipment has grown by more than 100 percent during the last 12 months. Iridium subscribers in the aviation market recently surpassed 5,000. In addition, the number of aircraft fitted with Iridium-based data systems has grown 200 percent in the last 12 months. "The aviation sector is a core and growing market for Iridium," said Don Thoma, executive vice president of Iridium Satellite LLC. "Our rapid growth in this market is largely due to the efforts of our strong network of value-added partners and service providers in the aviation industry worldwide."
+++
Bombardier Aerospace and Lufthansa Technik today announced they have finalized an agreement, securing 17 positions at Lufthansa Technik's Hamburg facility for the completion of Challenger 850 business jets over the next three years. This new agreement further strengthens Bombardier's commitment to offer its customers superior quality executive aircraft interiors from leading completion houses worldwide. Lufthansa Technik uses the latest technology and materials to design and deliver aircraft interiors certified to 16G standards, within an industry leading 26-week cycle. "The addition of the Challenger 850 business jet translates to a significant upgrade of our product portfolio," said Bernhard Conrad, senior vice-president completion center and head of approved design organization, Lufthansa Technik AG. "We have now combined our 40-plus years of experience in VIP completions with the industry's top provider of innovative transportation solutions."
+++
Bombardier Aerospace raised the bar for the entire midsize jet category with the introduction of the Learjet 60 XR business jet - the latest evolution of the powerful, proven Learjet 60 - at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Annual Meeting and Convention. The Learjet 60 XR business jet retains the unbeatable combination of value and high-speed performance of its Learjet 60 parent, while adding one of the most advanced cockpits available on the market today, together with a stand-up cabin redesigned for style, comfort and functionality. A full size cockpit mock-up and an interactive virtual tour of the aircraft cabin are featured at the Bombardier exhibit (Booth 3197, North Hall) at the Orange County Convention Center. "With the introduction of the Learjet 60 XR aircraft, customers now have the best of both worlds - advanced avionics and ultramodern cabin features coupled with superior reliability and proven performance," stated Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "In the past 15 years, Bombardier has introduced eight new members to the Learjet family, and the Learjet 60 XR is another great example of how we are continually working to deliver best-in-class value and performance to our customers." The Learjet 60 XR aircraft features the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21, an avionics suite that applies the latest flight deck design, human factors concepts and system technology to offer pilots instant, intuitive access to critical flight information. The integrated avionics package includes four 8-inch by 10-inch (20.3-cm by 25.4-cm) high-resolution liquid crystal display adaptive flight screens, increasing the overall display area by 75 per cent and dramatically improving the quality of the visuals.
+++
ARINC Incorporated announced plans to expand its portfolio of aeronautical voice and data communications services through an agreement with Iridium Satellite, LLC. The company plans to roll out its new Iridium-based services by the first quarter of 2006 and has signed a distribution agreement with Iridium Satellite to offer voice and data services. “We believe that our Iridium-based products will be attractive to all segments of the aviation market,” stated Brian Pemberton, ARINC Iridium Service Manager. “We see Iridium as complementary to the products and services we currently offer.” "We welcome ARINC's expansion of providing Iridium service," said Don Thoma, Executive Vice President, Iridium Satellite. "ARINC's substantial stature in the aeronautical and other markets is widely recognized."
+++
Pilatus Business Aircraft announced that its PC-12 single-engine turboprop will receive several upgrades next year, raising the base price of the aircraft by $80,000 to $2.79 million and a typically equipped aircraft to $3.4 million. The 2006 PC-12 will offer an additional 530 pounds of useful load, bringing it from 3,600 to 4,130 pounds for a typically equipped aircraft in an executive configuration. Maximum takeoff weight increases from 9,920 to 10,450 pounds. New winglets, derived from technology developed for the Pilatus PC-21 military trainer, reduce drag and improve crosswind control, and Flettner tabs on the ailerons reduce roll control forces by 60 percent at low speeds and 72 percent at high speeds, according to Pilatus.
+++
China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC 1) and Airbus signed a protocol to confirm the extension of their cooperation in activities to produce A320 Family wing boxes in China. The protocol was signed today in London during Chinese President Hu Jintao's official visit to Britain. Iain Gray, Airbus General Manager and Yang Yuzhong, Executive Vice President of AVIC 1, signed the protocol in the presence of the Chinese President Hu Jintao and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The protocol refers to the initial contract, with a projected total value of over US$ 500 million, signed in Beijing earlier this year between Airbus and AVIC 1, which committed the parties to the third phase of the A320 Family Wing Cooperation Programme, comprising the production of wing boxes and now also including the management of a second tier supply chain. It represents further significant progress in Airbus' overall programme of technology transfer to the Chinese aviation industry. "The A320 Family Wing Cooperation Programme is a key industrial cooperation programme between Airbus and AVIC I," said Yang Yuzhong, AVIC I Executive Vice President. "We have successfully kicked off the third phase of the programme in April this year. With joint efforts and close cooperation of the two sides, we are very confident that we can gradually undertake the production of whole wing box packages for the A320 Family."
+++
EADS continues to deliver strong operational and financial performance. EADS achieved an EBITof Euro 2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2005, 41 percent higher than for the same period of 2004 (9/2004: Euro 1.5 billion). The EBIT margin has increased from seven percent to nine percent. These robust earnings have allowed EADS to raise its 2005 EBIT target to Euro 2.75 billion (FY 2004: Euro 2.43 billion) and its earnings per share (EPS) to around Euro 1.65 for the full year 2005 (FY 2004: Euro 1.27). EADS also expects its revenues to grow to more than Euro 33 billion and its Free Cash Flow to remain robust. The strong EADS performance is due to the further increase in Airbus deliveries, high revenues and earnings in its defence businesses as well as continued profitability improvement in its Space Division. The EADS CEOs Tom Enders and Noël Forgeard said: “Order intake momentum was extremely robust for Airbus and defence businesses confirming EADS' strong potential to continue growth and expansion. The excellent results achieved in the first nine months of 2005 have allowed us to raise further our earnings targets for the full year. We expect Airbus to be again Number 1 in aircraft deliveries and Eurocopter to reinforce its global leadership in helicopters. We are thus set to deliver a strong 2005 performance.” In the third quarter 2005, EADS has examined its global engineering and manufacturing across the Group to enhance the flexibility of its industrial resources and to mobilize further synergies between EADS business units and external resources. Airbus is currently hiring 100-120 engineers per month. “We are giving customer satisfaction and delivery on our promises the first priority and have instructed the management not to compromise in this respect,” the EADS CEOs announced.
+++
Rolls-Royce is predicting continued growth in business jet deliveries through the remainder of the decade and forecasts an engine market worth $61 billion over the next 20 years, with medium to long-range jets dominating in terms of aircraft and engine value. The forecast was released today at a press conference at the National Business Aviation Association Convention in Orlando, Florida.Additionally, the forecast identified the emerging markets of China, India and Russia as growth regions for the industry, indicating that these markets will play a relatively larger role through the forecast period. Alan Stiley, Rolls-Royce Vice President for Marketing, Corporate and Regional Aircraft said: "The growth trend for business jet deliveries now exceeds the pace of narrow body commercial airliner deliveries. The largest segment in terms of engine value will remain the medium, long-range and ultra long-range aircraft, where Rolls-Royce is well positioned with its BR710 and Tay engines. In fact the market share by aircraft value for these aircraft will remain near 70 percent." Rolls-Royce forecasts that 48,000 engines, valued at $61 billion, will be needed over the next 20 years to meet demand for 23,000 new corporate jet aircraft from very light jets through business jetliners. Demand is also being fueled by the business community's increasing recognition of the value of using business jets as a productivity tool. In addition, evolving fractional programs are expanding the market by lowering the cost of entry and ownership. The company projects deliveries of 15,400 aircraft in the 20-year timeframe, including 3,650 in the large business jet category, such as the ultra long-range Bombardier and Gulfstream families, powered by Rolls-Royce BR710 engines. In the corporate jet market, Rolls-Royce predicts growth in each segment, with a 32 percent increase in deliveries from 2005 to 2014 and an additional nine percent from 2015 to 2024.
While North America is expected to remain the largest market for business jet deliveries in the next 20 years, China, India and Russia are expected to witness a large increase in activity. The forecast for these countries, based on the key drivers of economic activity, infrastructure growth and market liberalization, predicts that 500-700 business jets would be delivered over the next 10 years, an increase of 600 percent.
+++
EADS is to equip the Eurofighter combat aircraft of Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Italy and Austria as well as the Tornado combat aircraft of the German Armed Forces with a total of 364 Digital Map Generator systems (DMG). Orders worth a total of approximately EUR 50 million have been placed with EADS Defence Electronics. Digital map generators create raster and vector maps of the relevant operational area for the pilot in the cockpit, the display – from the point of view of the flight direction – appearing in real time. In addition, the generators allow information relevant to the flight (e.g. flight corridors or approach and departure procedures) to be overlaid. A further benefit for the pilots is that tactical information, such as the current deployment situation, is automatically displayed via the digital map. Moreover, radar images generated by the airborne radar system can be displayed on the map. The delivery time for the generators ordered ranges between 2006 and 2012 and secures the future of highly qualified staff at EADS Defence Electronics.
+++
Technicians have installed a five-percent scale model of a blended wing body in the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. During tests in the tunnel's huge 30X60 foot test section, pilots "flew" the 12-foot wingspan, 80-pound model. It stayed aloft in the tunnel's wind stream constrained only by a tether cable. The flying wing is the biggest model ever free flight tested in the Full Scale Tunnel. "We want to understand the edge of the envelope flight characteristics of the blended wing body," said Dan Vicroy, blended wing body flight dynamics principal investigator. "We're comfortable with the flight characteristics of conventional tube with wings airplanes, but we don't have much experience with flying wings." NASA is working with Boeing Phantom Works, Long Beach, Calif., on this advanced, more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly airplane concept. Researchers say a blended wing body could be useful as a multi-role aircraft for the military, including functioning as a tanker, cargo or transport plane.
+++
Two months after development flight testing ended, the U.S. Air Force recently began operational testing of the Boeing Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) with a series of tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "While we've done our best to conduct development testing under realistic conditions, the operational tests are flown in scenarios that are as realistic as possible by crews with combat experience," said U.S. Air Force Col. Richard Justice, SDB program manager. "The weapons will be handled by 'blue suiters' from start to finish, just like they were in a combat zone." Boeing completed SDB development flight testing on schedule and on cost Sept. 25. During the highly successful development program, 35 SDBs were successfully tested against a variety of fixed targets, each hitting within an average of four feet from its surveyed target aimpoint. Operational testing is expected to last approximately eight months.
+++
EADS Defence and Communications Systems has officially handed over the first Surface-to-Air Missile Operations Centre (SAMOC) to the Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). With this delivery, EADS is equipping the “FlaRak Geschwader 2 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern”, SAM Wing 2 based with the German Air Force at Bad Sülze in Mecklenburg Western Pommerania, with the most up-to-date air defence control centre available on the market, thus setting new standards in this field. The SAMOC system, which was specially developed for the German Luftwaffe, has already proven its network-centric operations capabilities in numerous demonstrations before representatives of the Luftwaffe and other interested armed forces. Series production began at the beginning of 2004 and is expected to continue until the end of 2006. SAMOC provides planning, mission and evaluating functions for military operations and, through linking with tactical data systems, can deliver results in real time to various decision-makers. It can also rank data into potential threat categories, while still being able to distinguish between faulty data and high-quality results. In this way, precise data can be provided very quickly, enabling on-the-spot decisions to be made through coordination of all German ground stations and air defence systems, AWACS and partners in the Alliance.
+++
On Wednesday, 9 November, in Pärnu, Estonia, Defence Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have agreed on setting up a joint trilateral Command and Reporting Centre, CRC), which will help to strengthen the Baltic airspace control and to ensure a better control of the aircraft fighters which have been deployed to the NATO air-policing mission. In the words of Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, Gediminas Kirkilas, there have been plans to set up such a centre since the accession of the Baltic States to NATO and the recent crash of the Russian SU-27 fighter in Lithuania has demonstrated the relevance of such a centre. The Baltic Command and Reporting Centre will be set up on the basis of the existing infrastructure and currently operating Karmelava-based Regional Airspace Surveillance Co-ordination Centre. At the meeting, the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Gediminas Kirkilas, Latvian Minister of Defence Einars Rep_e and Estonian Minister of Defence Jürgen Ligi were briefed on the currently on-going trilateral military projects BALTRON, BALTNET, BALTCCIS, BALTDEFCOL.
+++
An undisclosed Chinese customer has placed a firm order this year for three Airbus corporate jetliners (ACJs), marking the first sale of a large modern business-jet in this important and fast-growing market. Deliveries of all three Airbus ACJs will start in 2006, and each will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5B7/P engines. Two of the Airbus ACJs will then be equipped with “Prestige” cabin-layouts. Hand over of these two aircraft, which will be equipped by Associated Air Centre of Dallas, Texas, will follow later in 2006. Outfitting of the third aircraft has yet to be decided.
+++
Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. (GBA) announced that the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected a GBA-led team to design a proof of concept high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for use in Combat Search and Rescue roles. Phase one of this potentially multi-year, $40 million four phase program begins with a fifteen month, $6.4 million award to develop the preliminary design and perform key technology demonstrations. This modern rotorcraft, named by DARPA as the "Heliplane," is designed to exploit GBA's gyrodyne technology, offering the VTOL capability of a helicopter, the fast forward flight of an airplane, and the safety, simplicity and reliability of a GBA gyroplane. This aircraft type could be the next generation rotor wing aircraft, meeting economy and performance goals not considered achievable by any other type of VTOL aircraft.
+++
Delta reported a net loss for the September 2005 quarter of $1.1 billion, compared to a net loss of $646 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the reorganization and special items described below, the September 2005 quarter net loss was $438 million, compared to a net loss of $592 million in the prior year quarter. The reorganization items result from Delta's Chapter 11 filing on September 14, 2005.Delta's operating loss for the September 2005 quarter was $240 million, including a $442 million year-over-year increase due to higher fuel prices. Average fuel price per gallon for the September 2005 quarter was $1.82, a 51.7 percent increase over the prior year period. “Our results for the third quarter show the challenges we continue to face,” said Gerald Grinstein, Delta's chief executive officer. “We are committed to moving quickly and decisively to achieve our business plan that we announced in late September. We believe this plan will position Delta to become the lean, aggressive, profitable airline it must be to compete effectively over the long-term in the fast-changing airline industry environment.”
+++
Space station Commander and NASA Science Officer Bill McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev installed a new camera assembly and jettisoned the Floating Potential Probe during a 5-hour, 22 minute spacewalk Monday. McArthur, designated EV1 (for Extravehicular Activity) and wearing the spacesuit with red stripes, and Tokarev, EV2, in the all-white suit, also completed two get-ahead tasks. The camera assembly installation on the Port 1 Truss was the first of the two primary tasks. The new device is similar to the camera assembly on the Starboard 1 Truss, and was installed on a P1 lower outboard stanchion. It will have a big role in future station assembly. The camera assembly will be used after arrival of the P3 and P4 truss segment during STS-115, station assembly flight 12A, next year. It will offer visual perspective to arm operator Steve MacLean, a Canadian astronaut, as he maneuvers the truss segment for installation. The truss segment brings with it another radiator and another set of solar wings. Stretching 240 feet from tip to tip, the solar assembly will almost double the total electricity generating capacity of the station. McArthur and Tokarev spent about 2 hours, 10 minutes on the camera assembly installation. In order to have daylight for the Floating Potential Probe jettison, they moved on to one of the get-ahead tasks, the retrieval of a failed remote joint motor controller. Engineers are anxious to get this one back to see what went wrong before others are sent to the space station. After taking the RJMC and tools from the first task back to the airlock, they then moved, with McArthur in the lead, up the P6 truss to the Floating Potential Probe.
+++
October 2005 could be described as a month of records for Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany's largest airport. Both passenger traffic and aircraft movements, as well as mean takeoff weights (MTOWs) - important for calculating airport charges - hit levels never before reached in any previous October. In the airfreight category, FRA even achieved a new historic monthly peak figure. FRA welcomed 4,834,516 passengers in October 2005, a 0.4 percent increase compared to the corresponding month last year. With the amount of airfreight loaded and unloaded at FRA growing by 10.6 percent to 180,857 metric tons, airfreight boomed in the report month. Above all, Asian traffic proved to be the driving force for growth in airfreight tonnage. In the passenger category, FRA enjoyed higher passenger figures, especially on routes to and from South Africa, the Middle East, as well as Northern and Eastern Europe.
+++
Cessna announced a $200 million 20-aircraft deal with Jetalliance at the National Business Aviation Association conference. Jetalliance, an aircraft management and charter company, based in Vienna, Austria, placed an order for two Citation X, seven Sovereign, four XLS, five CJ2+ and two CJ3 aircraft. The aircraft will be used in Jetalliance's operations to expand its reach into Eastern Europe. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2006. "We believe these aircraft will give us a competitive advantage in Europe, particularly as we expand into Eastern Europe," said Alexander Vagacs, Chief Operating Officer of Jetalliance. "We have had outstanding reliability, performance and range with our current fleet of Citations, and look forward to leveraging our capability with these additional aircraft," he said. According to Cessna's Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Roger Whyte, "With this order, Jetalliance, with home base in Vienna, the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe, will be able to serve the exponential growth of business aviation in that region. Cessnas have been the most popular business jets in Western Europe for many years. This order insures that Citations will lead the growth of business aviation in Eastern Europe." These aircraft will be added to Jetalliance's current fleet of 37 aircraft, including 20 Citations. The company is one of the three largest charter operators in Europe.
+++
The excitement swelled as members of the Presidential Helicopter team poured out of their workspaces and onto the tarmac to see the first fruits of their labor finally realized. The first VH-71 test vehicle landed at Pax on Nov. 2, and immediately began undergoing familiarization training for pilots and maintainers. "What we will be doing with the airplane is largely training. Getting Marines, Navy guys, contractors, pilots and maintainers a jump start in learning this thing," said Doug Isleib, Presidential Helicopters program manager. "There was a lot of excitement last week as we got the aircraft in. It pretty much emptied out our whole building. The whole team has been working on it since well before source selection in January. To see it here at Pax was a great morale boost for us."
+++
MAXjet Airways, the new all business class airline from the United States, and Lufthansa Technik AG, the leading provider for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services (MRO), announced today an agreement for a Total Component Support TCS contract. Over the next five years the Washington D.C.-based carrier and the German MRO specialist will cooperate on the component management of MAXjet's growing fleet of Boeing 767 airplanes. Initially MAXjet will operate three Boeing 767 by the end of the year. Under the far-reaching Total Component Support TCS contract Lufthansa Technik will operate a central component and material pool at MAXjet's home base at New York´s John F. Kennedy airport. At this location, dedicated material management personnel will provide MAXjet's line maintenance crews with all necessary Line Replaceable Units (LRU) and expendables & consumables – all together more than 1,600 part numbers.
+++
During this year's 58th NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, Florida, Lufthansa Technik AG presents a new modular cabin solution for the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). Named “Leadership Select” the program is especially adapted to the needs of government customers, corporate- and VIP-operators searching for an unmatched affordability and low life cycle costs without compromises over comfort, utility or style.
+++
Piaggio America and Caldwell, N.J.-based fractional provider Avantair have signed a $230 million contract for 36 Avanti IIs. Under the agreement, deliveries will start in 2008 and continue through 2010. According to Piaggio America president and CEO Tom Appleton, “the agreement is the single largest sale in the history of Piaggio Aero. “The demand for the Avanti II continues to increase, and this agreement will assure Avantair of a steady stream of aircraft for its fractional fleet through 2010,” he said. Avantair, which is under new ownership, currently operates 21 of the twin turboprops and plans to double its fleet by the end of next year (see story on page 31). “Avantair has experienced remarkable growth during the past two years,” said company CEO Steve Santo. He cited this growth as a result of both his company's focus on customer service and what he characterized as the “desirable characteristics” of the Avanti.
+++
Eclipse Aviation revealed that the order book for the revolutionary Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ) now tops 2,350 aircraft. Eclipse´s order book includes 1,592 firm orders with 765 options. All 2,357 aircraft are secured with non-refundable deposits. This figure includes two recent Eclipse 500 fleet orders, specifically 30 aircraft by Massachusetts air-taxi operator Linear Air and 50 aircraft by UK Company, JetSet Air Ltd. “The Eclipse 500 order book is the largest in the VLJ segment, and we attribute this to our ability to deliver the industry´s highest-performance jet at a breakthrough price,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “This is a great aircraft for everyone from owner operators to high-utilization air-taxi and shared ownership businesses. Linear Air and JetSet Air join the growing community of fleet customers who have selected the Eclipse 500 as the aircraft of choice for fleet operations, including DayJet, Aviace and OurPlane.” Linear Air offers private air travel to executives and families with personalized service, flexibility and convenience. The company currently operates in the Boston and New York City areas, and plans to significantly expand its fleet into a host of North American markets over the coming years. Linear Air has purchased 30 Eclipse 500s, with 15 firm orders and 15 options and will start operations in the first 24 months of production.
+++
The Gulfstream G150 business jet was certified yesterday by the Israeli Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at least 10 weeks ahead of the previously announced first quarter 2006 certification date. Additionally, extensive flight testing not only confirmed many of the G150's key performance characteristics were better than expected, but also verified its 0.85 Mach maximum operating speed (Mmo), making it the fastest business jet in its class. “The G150's flawless flight test program allowed us to both satisfy certification requirements ahead of schedule and accurately measure and evaluate its performance capabilities,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “The success of this flight test program can be attributed to the outstanding collaboration between Gulfstream and Israel Aircraft Industries; the availability of two test aircraft to conduct the various performance and systems tests; and the actual G150, which performed significantly better than we had imagined during original development.”
+++
Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been furthering its research efforts to suppress sonic booms caused by supersonic aircraft flying overhead. For the past seven months, Gulfstream has been demonstrating its new simulated sound of supersonic flight to scientists, legislators and environmentalists across the country. Gulfstream's Supersonic Acoustic Signature Simulator II ™ (SASSII) is a mobile audio booth designed and equipped to demonstrate the “Gulfstream Whisper,” the aerospace company's latest effort to provide a solution to the traditional sonic boom. The booth has traveled extensively across the country - from Savannah to California to Washington, D.C. In contrast to a boom, the Gulfstream Whisper is the sound a person on the ground would hear if a supersonic aircraft, fitted with Gulfstream's patented spike for controlling and reducing sonic boom flew overhead at Mach 1.8 - approximately twice the speed of today's subsonic civil jets. Gulfstream engineers and scientists have developed aerodynamic technology that has significantly transformed the traditional supersonic cruise acoustic signature referred to as a sonic boom.
+++
Airbus' Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family has reached the milestone of 50 sales, highlighting its success in a diverse range of markets that include private companies, individuals, executive airlines and governments. The milestone was reached with the sale of four aircraft to an undisclosed customer earlier this year. Launched in June 1997, when a business jet version of the A319 airliner became the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), the first delivery took place at the end of 1999. In the past three years, the Airbus ACJ Family has achieved its goal of winning at least a half of top-of-the-line business jet sales - estimated at about 15 aircraft a year. With nine deliveries scheduled this year, and eleven orders since the beginning of 2005, the Airbus ACJ is becoming more and more successful. “All of our approved cabin-outfitters have one or more aircraft in completion at the moment, confirming our capability to secure completion slots for our customers,” says Airbus Vice President Executive and Private Aviation Richard Gaona.
+++
MTU Aero Engines Holding AG continues to be on a growth track. In the first nine months of 2005 the company increased its sales as compared with the prior year period by 12 %, from 1,384.3 million Euro to 1,545.6 million Euro. The operating profit (EBITDA - earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) saw an above-average increase by 35 %, from 123.5 million Euro to 166.6 million Euro. Cash flow from operating activities increased 215 %, from 95.2 million Euro as of September 2004 to 300.0 million Euro as of September 2005. “Also in the third quarter of 2005, MTU Aero Engines has continued its positive upward trend with strong growth in earnings. The targets which we had set ourselves for the first nine months of this year were achieved and even bettered,” states Udo Stark, President and CEO of MTU Aero Engines Holding AG.
+++
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to begin production of the next five RQ-4B Global Hawk aerial reconnaissance systems. The new $60 million contract will allow the company to start purchasing long-lead parts for the unmanned air vehicles, the enhanced integrated sensor suites for four of the air vehicles, one mission-control element, and one launch-and-recovery element. Production of the hardware for these five new RQ-4B air vehicles is expected to begin late this year, with assembly starting next year. "This contract demonstrates the commitment and continued confidence that the Air Force has in Global Hawk's capabilities and operational performance, and the need for this unique intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system," said George Guerra, Northrop Grumman's Air Force Global Hawk program manager. "These vehicles will be the first operational Global Hawks with full multi-intelligence capabilities, including signals intelligence." Northrop Grumman is currently producing five RQ-4B Global Hawks at its manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif., as part of several previous limited-production contracts.
+++
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Previous UPDATES are still available:
6 November 2005
30 October 2005
23 October 2005
16 October 2005
9 October 2005
25 September 2005
18 September 2005
11 September 2005
4 September 2005
28 August 2005
21 August 2005
14 August 2005
7 August 2005
31 July 2005
24 July 2005
10 July 2005
3 July 2005
January - June 2005
January - December 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
|
|
