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+++ A380 successfully completes evacuation test +++ Lufthansa Technik succeeds in 2005 +++ Expedition 13 crew arrives at ISS +++ Goodrich ships first electric aircraft brake +++ RN retires Sea Harrier +++ News in brief +++
A380 successfully completes evacuation test
Evakuierungstest in Hamburg erfolgreich
Airbus successfully completed the passenger evacuation trial on development A380 MSN007, paving the way for the Authorities to certify the aircraft in time for delivery by the end of 2006. During the trial, all of the 873 participants were able to leave the aircraft and reach ground within the 90 seconds prescribed, with half of the 16 doors in operations. The trial was performed under the supervision of the European Aviation and Safety Agency EASA and a representation of the American FAA. "There was one passenger suffering a broken leg and few minor injuries. We will support them in every way we can," said Airbus COO and Head of A380 programme Charles Champion. "Although the final number as confirmed by the Authority will only be known in a few days, we are very happy with this result. It clears the way for the transportation of passengers as defined by our initial customers who all have selected very comfortable three class layouts. And even in a higher density two class layout, the A380 cabin will continue to set new standards of comfort." The evacuation trial was the most stringent ever performed and the first ever on a passenger aircraft with two decks. The aircraft was fitted with a very high density cabin layout, featuring 853 seats which were all occupied. In addition there were two cockpit crew members and 18 cabin crews from Lufthansa on board to manage the evacuation in a representative way. The trial was performed in darkness, yet filmed by infrared cameras. The doors and slides that were operative were not known before the trial.
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Lufthansa Technik succeeds in 2005
Gutes Ergebnis für LH Technik
As a worldwide leading provider of technical services to the air transport industry, in 2005 the Lufthansa Technik Group profited from the sharp increase in worldwide demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, and achieved a further clear improvement in profits. Turnover for services provided to the parent Lufthansa Corporation declined, but sales to external customers increased by a healthy seven percent. The Lufthansa Technik AG 2005 annual report cites turnover up by two percent to 3.1 billion Euros. The Group has 18 consolidated subsidiaries, which together with the parent achieved earned profits from its regular operations of 263 million Euros. Speaking in Hamburg on 28 March the chairman of the Lufthansa Technik AG Executive Board August Wilhelm Henningsen said: “Given the increase in passenger numbers, but also suffering from downward pressure on airline costs, Lufthansa Technik was very successful in the year of its tenth birthday of independent operations. We had a good year and have further improved our position in the MRO business.“ The reasons he gave included a range of modern products, the company's global network and presentation, plus successful cost management. During 2005 Lufthansa Technik Group increased its customer base by four percent to 537 around the world. During the reporting period the Group signed 350 new contracts valued at 1.6 billion Euros and 418 million Euros only in 2005, a clear increase in revenue and the number of new customers as compared with the previous year. During 2005 the Lufthansa Technik Group achieved 58 per cent of its turnover with customers outside the Lufthansa Group. Henningsen added: "We have innovative products that are highly acceptable in world markets and we have highly qualified and motivated employees. Also, we are able to respond rapidly and flexibly to changes in demand." Much of Lufthansa Technik success can be ascribed to a wide range of products well matched to customer requirements, including start-up and low-cost airlines.
In line with the rapid growth of the civil airline maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market, Lufthansa Technik Group turnover increased in 2005 to 3,1 billion euros, with earnings from ordinary business operations of 224.5 million euros. The Group – consisting of the parent Lufthansa Technik AG and its 18 consolidated subsidiaries – had an operational result of 259.3 million euros, an increase of 26 percent on the previous year. While revenue was up by 3.6 percent in 2005, thanks to further cost-saving and efficiency measures operating expenses increased by only 2.4 percent. In spite of a decline in the size of the work force, personnel costs increased to 0.9 billion euros, with a 2.5 per cent increase in pension provisions. The costs of materials declined by 4.5 per cent to 1.5 billion, and depreciation by six percent to 92.2 million euros. Other operating expenses increased by 29.5 percent to 536.7 million euros, mainly as a result of more intensive building maintenance.
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Expedition 13 crew arrives at ISS
Neue Besatzung für Raumstation gestartet
A new crew pulled into port at the International Space Station late Friday to start a six-month mission. With Expedition 13 and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov at the controls, the Soyuz TMA-8 spacecraft automatically linked up to the Earth-facing port on the station's Zarya module at 11:19 p.m. EST Friday. The spacecraft were above China near the Russian, Kazakh and Mongolian borders at the time. Aboard the Soyuz with Vinogradov were NASA Flight Engineer and Science Officer Jeff Williams and Brazilian Space Agency astronaut Marcos Pontes. Pontes will spend eight days on the complex under a commercial agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency. After systems checks, hatches between the Soyuz and the station were opened at 12:59 a.m. EST Saturday. Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev, nearing the end of their six-month mission on the station, greeted their colleagues with handshakes and hugs and offered the traditional bread and salt. Russian, American and Brazilian dignitaries viewed the docking from the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, outside Moscow, and congratulated the crews after hatch opening.
The 13th crew of the International Space Station had roared away on 29 March from Kazakhstan into orbit atop a Russian Soyuz rocket. The 162-foot tall Soyuz rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 9:30 p.m. EST. About 10 minutes later, the Soyuz was in orbit with its solar arrays and antennae extended. The two crews will spend about a week handing over operations of the station, and Pontes will conduct a series of research investigations. McArthur, Tokarev and Pontes return to Earth April 8. At landing, McArthur and Tokarev will have spent almost 190 days in space. Earlier this week, McArthur found a supply of lithium hydroxide canisters used to scrub carbon dioxide from the air in Russian space suits during a spacewalk. The find ensures Russian suits can be used if a spacewalk is needed.
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Goodrich ships first electric aircraft brake
Elektrische Bremse geliefert
Goodrich has shipped the aerospace industry's first, electrically-actuated, production brakes for installation on Northrop Grumman's new RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aircraft. The brakes were shipped from Goodrich's Troy, Ohio, Wheels and Brakes site to Northrop Grumman in San Diego, Calif. Goodrich has been a leader over the past decade in the development and acceptance of electro-mechanical aircraft braking. The benefits recognized through the development of this technology have led aircraft manufacturers to select Goodrich electric braking systems for civil and military aircraft. The new system utilizes competencies not only from Goodrich's Wheels and Brakes team but also from Goodrich's Actuation Systems and Fuel and Utility Systems teams.
According to Larry Isenbarger, Program Manager for Goodrich's Aircraft Wheels and Brakes, "This is a significant milestone for braking technology. In conjunction with Northrop Grumman, we are able to bring the benefits of electric braking to the U.S. Military. In addition, this application continues to demonstrate Goodrich's drive for excellence and its position as an innovator."
The Global Hawk aircraft equipped with the Goodrich electric braking system will begin flight tests later this year. Goodrich has worked closely with Northrop Grumman's engineers over the past two years to assure the integration of the braking system with the aircraft.
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RN retires Sea Harrier
Sea Harrier außer Dienst gestellt
A ceremony held at RNAS Yeovilton on Tuesday 28 March 2006 has marked the withdrawal from service of the Royal Navy's famous Sea Harrier FA2 Jump-Jets. The ceremony, which included a military parade and a flypast by the Sea Harriers of 801 Naval Air Squadron, the third and final Sea Harrier squadron to be de-commissioned at RNAS Yeovilton, was a hugely significant event for the Royal Navy, and particularly for RNAS Yeovilton. The Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns CBE ADC RN, was guest of honour at the the de-commissioning ceremony, part of the migration process towards the Joint Force Harrier. The ceremony also marks the end of an historic association with the Sea Harrier which has lasted 26 years. During this period the Royal Navy's Jump-Jets made a considerable contribution to world events, notably during the Falklands campaign and more recently during the first Gulf War, the Balkans and Sierra Leone.
Following the de-commissioning of 801 NAS at Yeovilton, 800 Naval Air Squadron will re-commission at RAF Cottesmore, equipped with the GR7 version of the Harrier. In October 2006, 801 NAS will reform, also using the GR7. Throughout 2006, Royal Navy fixed wing pilots will migrate further, onto the GR9 Harrier and ultimately onto the Joint Combat Aircraft, which will begin the next generation of aircraft carriers ? HM Ships Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
NASA has authorized contract extensions for development of the agency's new Crew Exploration Vehicle. The companies, Lockheed Martin Corp., and a team of Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., and The Boeing Co., were selected as CEV Phase 1 contractors in June 2005. They have been working with NASA to define requirements and develop conceptual designs for the agency's next-generation vehicle for human space flight. The estimated maximum total value for each Phase 1 contract, including the extension to Aug. 31 and the optional extension periods, is approximately $60 million for each contractor. The approximate value of the basic extension period from March 31 to Aug. 31 is $17.5 million for each contractor; the approximate value of each two-month option is $7 million. One of the Phase 1 contractors will be selected as the Phase 2 prime contractor to design, develop, test, evaluate and produce the CEV. Although the new contract authorizations include options that could extend the Phase 1 work until December, NASA expects to select the Phase 2 prime contractor by August. The new contract extends Phase 1 work from March 31 until Aug. 31 and adds options for a pair of two-month extensions for each contractor. The first two-month option would extend Phase 1 work to Oct. 31, 2006. The second two-month option would extend Phase 1 work to Dec. 31. 2006.
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The US Air Force recently completed a vision document to provide high-level guidance to service development and integration of unmanned aircraft for the next 25 years. While the Air Force has been experimenting with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles since 1962, the technology has only recently evolved to a point to provide truly transformational capabilities to the joint commander, said Brig. Gen. Stanley Clarke, deputy director of the Air Force strategic planning directorate. "Sensors and payloads are now smaller, lighter and more capable," General Clarke said. "And the required command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies have only recently come on line." Air Force UAVs bring persistence to the fight and also have the ability to work in hazardous environments, said Col. Gail Wojtowicz, chief of the Air Force's future concepts and transformation division. "Unmanned aircraft are a critical piece of ongoing Air Force transformation," Colonel Wojtowicz said. "Their persistence couples an unblinking eye with the ability to rapidly strike targets of opportunity, such as fleeting terrorists or insurgents. They also operate in dangerous chemical or biological environments, require a much smaller forward logistical footprint, and are as effective in conducting mundane tasks in the 30th hour as they are in the first." The Air Force produced the UAV strategic vision document, entitled "The U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Strategic Vision," primarily in response to recommendations by the 2004 Air Force Futures Game, which was a guided strategic discussion about the Air Force's future capabilities. While not directive in nature, the document lays out a broad vision and provides recommendations. These include developing common terminology, adequately funding relevant science and technology, coordinating efforts with other services, managing cost and performance expectations, reviewing and updating laws and policies, and integrating unmanned aircraft with manned and space platforms.
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Cirrus Airlines will add Kiel to its route network from May 2. It will offer a twice-daily flight to Munich, thus enabling good worldwide connections. A Dash 8 will be used for the flights.
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After three scrubbed attempts, a Falcon 1 rocket was launced on 24 March on Kajalein Atoll in the Pacific, but moments after ignition the rocket appeared to show a rolling motion before the feed was lost. Details surrounding possible causes for the rocket's failure were not immediately available. “We had a successful liftoff and Falcon made it well clear of the launch pad, but unfortunately the vehicle was lost later in the first stage burn,” SpaceX chief Elon Musk said in an update posted to his El Segundo, California-based firm's website. “More information will be posted once we have had time to analyze the problem.”
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A helicopter commuter line -- the nation's first in more than two decades -- made its debut on Monday, offering passengers bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport the advantages of soaring over street gridlock and bypassing long lines at check-in and security counters. Using the slogan "You're too important to wait," officials of U.S. Helicopter Corp. made clear their airport shuttle is aimed at corporate executives and other business travelers who hate to waste up to two hours in limousines and taxis. The flight between Wall Street and the American Airlines terminal at JFK takes eight minutes. But the one-way cost -- $139 now and $20 more after May 1 -- does not guarantee VIP treatment by Transportation Security Administration screeners at the lower Manhattan heliport.
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Quartz Mountain Aerospace based in Altus, OK, announced that it is showcasing the Federal Aviation Administration Type Certified model of a $200,000, four-seat, high-winged Model 11E single-engine airplane today at the Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City. The company, formerly known as Luscombe Aircraft Corp., explained that the Model 11E, which will be used primarily as a trainer, is an adaptation of the Luscombe Model 11A, introduced in 1946. The new model is distinguished by superior in-flight and landing stability. The company said that it already has commitments for its first few years of planned production of Model 11E. It is planning to produce about 68 aircraft during the 12 months beginning in September, ramping up to 250 aircraft, or about $50 million in sales for the 12 months starting in September 2007, and 300 aircraft and sales of $60 million during the following 12 months. John S. Daniel, Quartz Mountain's president and chief operating officer, said, "Our ability to start manufacturing and to amass the financial resources we need to ramp up production over the next few years has and will continue to require substantial financial resources."
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The F-15K multi-role fighter, built by Boeing for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), has become the first F-15 to release a Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) weapon. The historic weapons release occurred at Point Mugu, Calif., during the F-15K's certification testing. "The F-15K and the SLAM-ER performed well," said John Heilmann, F-15K program manager for Boeing. "The aircraft and the weapon complement each other, and together will help the ROKAF deter threats in the region." For the test, the F-15K released the Boeing-built SLAM-ER at 25,000 feet at Mach 0.8 approximately 100 nautical miles from its target. The SLAM-ER maneuvered to its target and scored a direct hit.
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NASA senior management announced a decision Monday to reinstate the Dawn mission, a robotic exploration of two major asteroids. Dawn had been canceled because of technical problems and cost overruns. The mission, named because it was designed to study objects dating from the dawn of the solar system, would travel to Vesta and Ceres, two of the largest asteroids orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn will use an electric ion propulsion system and orbit multiple objects. The mission originally was approved in December 2001 and was set for launch in June 2006. Technical problems and other difficulties delayed the projected launch date to July 2007 and pushed the cost from its original estimate of $373 million to $446 million. The decision to cancel Dawn was made March 2, 2006, after about $257 million already had been spent. An additional expenditure of about $14 million would have been required to terminate the project. The reinstatement resulted from a review process that is part of new management procedures established by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin. The process is intended to help ensure open debate and thorough evaluation of major decisions regarding space exploration and agency operations.
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The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter completed "leak-free" fuel-system checkout testing achieving another major success milestone on the fighter program. Engineers and technicians have concluded, on schedule, an extensive fuel-system checkout on the first Joint Strike Fighter and are making final preparations for a series of structural tests on the aircraft planned to begin soon. The fuel-system tests included methodically filling, measuring, weighing and emptying each internal tank with jet fuel, leading up to filling all tanks at operational pressure. The air-refueling system also was checked for proper function. Throughout the testing process, the fuel-system proved to be free of leaks. "Fuel leaks are a typical problem for modern high-performance fighter aircraft, so this success is an early indication the F-35 is a solid design and a well-built fighter aircraft," said Doug Pearson, vice president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. "The F-35 is a stealthy aircraft built with very tight tolerances, and it is remarkable that during the entire comprehensive fuel-system testing there were no external leaks from any of the fuel tanks." The fuel-system checkout concluded on March 12 and took less than a third of the time to complete than in other recent developmental aircraft programs. The F-35 was then moved to a Lockheed Martin run station to begin equipment and component installations for structural-coupling testing and ground- vibration testing, set to begin March 24. Structural coupling is the interaction between the flight-control system and the structural dynamics of the airframe. It is tested to ensure that F-35 flight controls do not interact with structural vibrations within the aircraft. Ground-vibration tests certify the airframe is resistant to flutter, which can cause sudden, destructive vibration levels in an aircraft.
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A new forecast issued by EUROCONTROL highlights the need for policy-makers to plan for substantial increases in the numbers of flights across Europe as well as changes to the pattern of these flights over the coming 7 years. The medium-term forecast looks at growth across Europe over the next 7 years. It concludes that there will be over 11.4 million flights per year in Europe by 2012, 26% more than 2005. On average, this represents a growth of 3.3% each year. However the study finds that growth will not be uniform across the region, with some countries such as Romania, Ukraine and Armenia predicted to see growth of over 50% in the 7 year period, while others, such as Switzerland or Norway have growth predictions around 20%. The study also finds that growth in traffic will have a varying impact on airports across the continent. Madrid Barajas airport is set to become the third busiest airport in Europe by the end of 2012, overtaking London's Heathrow and Amsterdam's Schiphol airports in terms of IFR flights. Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt Main remain first and second. Istanbul Ataturk airport is also scheduled to grow rapidly over the coming years. The combination of this growth and the continuing strength of growth trends in Turkey, in particular the growth of tourism, mean that around 2010, Istanbul will join the limited number of airports where capacity is restricting growth. After the opening of the new runway in Frankfurt in 2009-2010, the most constrained airports will be London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Istanbul. The development of high-speed trains is also predicted to have an impact on air traffic, reducing growth by about 80,000 flights or 1% in total over the 7 year period of the forecast. Spain and Italy will see the largest reductions in numbers of flights due to high speed trains – 4% and 2% respectively with France likely to have a reduction of 1%. In Spain, the impact and reduction in flights will mainly be felt on the domestic Madrid-Barcelona route. Today this route is the busiest city pair in terms of air traffic with an average of 127 flights between the two cities each day.
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The tremendous growth in air traffic, characterised by the proliferation and emergence of new low-cost carriers (LCC) in Asia Pacific, has garnered the interest of foreign investors. Also, an increase in domestic and international fleet movements as well as fleet utilisation has hiked aviation stocks. These factors are supporting growth in the commercial aircraft and engine maintenance, repair and overhauling (MRO) markets in Asia Pacific. Frost & Sullivan finds that the Asian Pacific Commercial Aircraft & Engine MRO Markets totalled $8.71 billion in 2005 and can reach $12.90 billion in 2011. "Governments in Asia Pacific are striving hard to liberalise this sector by introducing open skies policies and permitting domestic airlines to fly abroad," explains Frost & Sullivan Industry Manager Subhranshu Sekhar Das. "This has created a rush of low-cost airlines entering the domestic market with competitive pricing in line with rising consumer disposal incomes, fuelling increased air travel demand." Air traffic has made a rapid recovery following the September 11 terrorist attacks and has registered tremendous increase in revenues per miles (RPM) due to customer patronage of large commercial and cargo carriers. To meet this growing demand, airlines are commissioning new aircraft to expand their fleet. This is likely to have a significant impact on the engine MRO markets as an increase in air travel/aircraft utilisation hours directly correlates to a rise in aircraft maintenance to include major overhauls. Although air traffic is increasing, these markets are likely to register a moderate compound annual growth rate of 7.2 per cent. The possibility of additional terrorist attacks, the cost of increasingly sophisticated air travel security measures and the impact of future oil prices will contribute to this modest growth rate. In addition, airline affiliates are being pressured to offer high-quality, cost-effective MRO services to attract foreign airlines by offering lower labour rates. "The emergence of LCCs caused a shift in the balance of power and as a result, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) should now provide round-the-clock services in line with operators' MRO requirements," notes Mr. Das. "In addition, OEMs need to form joint ventures and partnerships with local participants and properly utilise lower costs of labour as well as cater to different customer groups with higher value-added proposition."
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When SWISS joins Star Alliance at the beginning of April, this will benefit Scandinavian Airlines' customers. As of April 6, the two airlines' timetables between Scandinavia and Switzerland will be coordinated and all flights will have both of the companies' route numbers, on a code-share basis. On March 26, cooperation with SWISS got off to an early start on the Bangkok-Singapore-Bangkok route. The timetable was optimized with good connections to Scandinavian Airlines' departures to and from Bangkok.
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The flexible use of airspace (FUA) concept has now been applied throughout continental Europe for ten years, EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, announced. First introduced on 28 March 1996 in most European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) States, this flexible approach to airspace use was designed to increase the capacity of the overall air traffic system by giving both civil and military users access to airspace when they need it. Consequently, any airspace segregation needed to separate military activities potentially hazardous to civil aircraft operations would be temporary, based on actual usage and restricted to a specific time period. The application of the FUA concept has led to a host of advantages: improved civil-military coordination, better airspace management, more efficient separation of Operational and General Air Traffic, and overall a net gain in airspace capacity. Currently implemented in 30 ECAC States, FUA enables shorter routing, as well as allowing substantial economies in terms of fuel saved (15,000 tons a year) and a reduction in carbon emissions (45,000 tons a year). This in turn has contributed to an overall saving for the air traffic management community of around € 11,000,000 every year since 1996.
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The US Air Force Chief of Staff announced the Cope Thunder exercise, held in Alaska, will be renamed and enhanced so it provides complimentary training on the same level as the current Red Flag exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag – Alaska, coupled with Red Flag – Nellis, will provide the Air Force a common set of exercises in multiple locations that have standardized and equal training capabilities. The first Red Flag – Alaska will occur next month.
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With the start of the 2006 summer timetable, Munich Airport is on track to continue expanding its range of short-haul and long-haul services. For the new timetable period from March 26, 2006 to October 28, 2006, the airlines have booked slots for a total of 257,000 take-offs and landings. This marks an increase of more than 3 percent in the number of aircraft movements over the previous year. A total of 94 airlines will be serving 229 destinations in 68 countries during Summer 2006. Lufthansa is adding six new weekly connections to its services to China. With two new flights on the Hong Kong route and four new flights to Peking, both of these cities will now be served daily. At the same time, Lufthansa is stopping its service to Bangkok, but its Star Alliance partner, Thai Airways International, will continue offering five flights a week to the Thai capital. Lufthansa has also expanded its European route map and will begin a daily service to a new destination from Munich, St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 22nd. On its Amsterdam and Brussels routes, the airline is increasing its service frequency to seven and eight daily flights, respectively. The airline will offer five daily departures to Florence, Marseille and Prague in the summer, and Italy fans will have four daily flights to Genoa and Trieste to choose from. Two cooperation partners of Lufthansa, Aegean Airlines and Air Malta, are also expanding their operations. Aegean is doubling its flights via Thessaloniki to Athens from seven to 14 per week, and Air Malta is adding four weekly departures to Malta to bring the total to eight.
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American Airlines, which currently operates 5 Aviation Partners Blended Winglet equipped Boeing 757-200s (of 20 on order) and a single 737-800, has decided to retrofit its entire fleet of 737-800s with patented Blended Winglets between May 2006 and September 2007. All Blended Winglet installations will be accomplished by American Airlines employees at their maintenance facility in Tulsa, OK. As part of American's initial order last September of 20 shipsets of 757-200 Blended Winglets, a single 737-800 was also retrofitted. Over the last 6 months, the performance of this winglet equipped 737-800 has been subject to evaluation by American Airlines.
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Boeing and GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) today announced an order for 30 firm and 30 option Boeing Next-Generation 737s worth approximately $4 billion at list prices. Included in this agreement is the first 737-900ER order by an aircraft leasing company. GECAS will take delivery of the 30 firm airplanes from 2008 through 2010. Today's announcement brings to 68 the number of 737s GECAS has ordered during the past two years. In 2005, GECAS ordered 26 737s and was identified as the customer for 12 737s ordered in 2004. Today's announcement also brings GECAS total orders of Boeing jetliners -- all within the last decade -- to 333. "We currently have more than 200 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft in our fleet, leased to more than 30 different airline customers around the world," said Henry Hubschman, president and CEO of GECAS. "It is a very popular aircraft model and we quickly leased all of the planes we ordered last year, so we needed more to satisfy our customers' demand."
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Pratt & Whitney, together with Aviation Fleet Solutions (AFS), received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on the QuietEagle, the noise reduction system for JT8D-200-powered MD-80 aircraft. The system meets all the requirements of FAR Part 36 Stage 4 and International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Annex 16 Chapter 4 noise standards, which became effective Jan. 1, 2006. Pratt & Whitney designed the QuietEagle noise reduction system and AFS obtained the FAA certification. Hardware will be available in the second quarter of 2006. "The QuietEagle system reduces cumulative noise by up to six dB," said Kimberley Sullivan, JT8D program manager with Pratt & Whitney. "As more and more European Union countries and airports implement more stringent noise restrictions that result in landing charges for the MD-80, we have a solution." The system includes an improved front fan containment case, a 16-lobe mixer, a muffler, and a tabbed nozzle. Installation typically can be completed on-wing in 160 man-hours. "The QuietEagle package will extend the useful life of the JT8D-200 fleet while maintaining thrust and performance levels," Sullivan said. "It is another example of Pratt & Whitney's initiatives to extend the life of existing products through technology insertion."
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Global air travelers prefer airlines that offer in-flight Internet connectivity and even adjust their travel plans and choice of airline to be on Internet-connected flights, according to a survey released today by Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company. The Connexion by Boeing service, which launched commercially in May 2004, is currently offered on more than 180 routes daily worldwide and is the only in-flight, high-speed Internet, data and entertainment service available today. In an effort to track service trends, Connexion by Boeing teamed with Burke Research to conduct a global biannual study on customer satisfaction and loyalty. "We value input from our customers and use this feedback to ensure we continually improve and evolve the Connexion by Boeing service," said Laurette Koellner, president of Connexion by Boeing. "The recent research findings confirm that we're on target to provide passengers with the best in-flight connectivity experience possible, and to provide airlines with new ways to differentiate their brand and retain and attract new customers."
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At a ceremony today, 30 March 2006, at the Kecskémet air base in Hungary the Swedish Defence Minister Leni Bjorklund formally handed-over the first five (5) Hungarian Gripen new generation fighter aircraft to her Hungarian counterpart, Ferenc Juhász, Hungary's Minister of Defence. With the lease and purchase agreement, consisting of twelve (12) single seat and two (2) twin seat Gripen aircraft of the latest C and D versions, Hungary has secured a thirty-year solution for its air defence requirements. The agreement benefits Hungary substantially, combining an outstanding aircraft with the best combination of price, financing and long term industrial cooperation. The remaining nine (9) Gripen aircraft will be delivered progressively until December 2007.
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In a ceremony today at RUAG in Emmen, Switzerland, Dr Myriam Meyer Stutz, CEO of RUAG Aerospace, and Mr Ronnie Candemark, Procurement Director at Saab Aerosystems, signed a deal whereby Saab Aerosystems appoint RUAG as Single Source supplier for drop tanks to the successful Gripen fighter. At the same time, an initial order for more than 60 export droptanks was announced, at a value of approx. 4 Million Euro, with first deliveries scheduled for August 2007. Mr Johan Lehander, Managing Director of Gripen International, commented on the contract:
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Northrop Grumman first RQ-4A Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) unmanned air vehicle has arrived at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., and is being prepared for participation in the U.S. Navy's Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) 2006. JEFX is a worldwide training exercise to test current joint operations. The GHMD system will demonstrate unmanned long-endurance maritime surveillance for the Navy, the Department of Defense and Homeland Security agencies. JEFX will also test the system's ability to integrate and disseminate the maritime intelligence information across current naval information architectures. “GHMD will be utilized to provide the fleet with a high-altitude, multi-sensor, long-endurance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection capability for maritime concept of operations development," said Dave Seagle, the Navy's GHMD program manager. "The system performed very well for us during Trident Warrior '05, and we are eager to have the system participate in the JEFX during the latter part of April." "Northrop Grumman worked tirelessly with the Navy to stand up the base at Patuxent River, which meant equipping the hangar with the necessary operational elements as well as training the Navy's Global Hawk crew," said Jerry Madigan, Northrop Grumman vice president for High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Systems. "The combat-proven Global Hawk system can now prove its value as a maritime surveillance asset to help keep our sailors safe on the open water and close to shore."
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An MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle engaged three insurgents in the process of planting a homemade bomb along a road near Balad Air Base, Iraq, yesterday evening and launched an AGM-114 Hellfire missile against the group. The Predator monitored the three terrorists for about a half hour while they used a pick ax to dig a hole in the road, placed an explosive round in the hole, and strung wires from the hole to a ditch on the side of the road. When it was clear the individuals were placing a bomb, the Predator launched the 100-pound Hellfire missile, killing all three insurgents.
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A stand-up ceremony to recognize the 417th Flight Test Squadron was held at the Birk Flight Test Facility on Edwards South Base. The 417th FLTS, under the command of Lt. Col. Barry St. Germain, is responsible for the Airborne Laser Program, formerly a part of the 452nd Flight Test Squadron's ABL Test Force. “Standup of the squadron formalizes the priority of the program for the 412th Test Wing,” Colonel St. Germain said. The squadron will encompass about 750 people, including the contractor workforce and the government workforce together.
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Northrop Grumman has completed an upgrade of the U.S. Air Force's B-2 stealth bomber that allows the aircraft to deliver five times its previous capacity of independently targeted, “smart'' (GPS-guided) weapons. The company delivered the 54th and final smart bomb rack assembly (SBRA) earlier this month to the Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., home of the B-2 fleet. A SBRA-equipped stealth bomber can deliver 80 500-pound smart weapons, each targeted against a different aimpoint. The SBRA upgrade program enhances the B-2's ability to respond to current and emerging worldwide threats as a key element of the military's network-centric warfare concept.
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Lockheed Martin has been awarded a preliminary design and concept study start-up contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) aeroshell system. Lockheed Martin and NASA will soon enter negotiations to finalize the value of the contract. Scheduled for launch in the fall of 2009, the Mars Science Laboratory rover will support the Mars Exploration Program's strategy of "follow the water" and will have the science goals of determining whether the planet was ever habitable, characterizing the climate and geology of Mars, and preparing for human exploration. Lockheed Martin will design and build the aeroshell system, which includes the composite load carrying structure and the thermal protection system (TPS). The aeroshell is a blunt-nosed cone that will encapsulate and protect the MSL rover from the intense heat and friction that will be generated as the system descends through the Martian atmosphere.
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Bombardier announced that the first Bombardier Challenger 850 corporate shuttle has entered service with Suncor Energy Inc., a pioneer in the development of Western Canada's vast oil sands resources. One of the top private employers in the province of Alberta, with more than 3,500 employees, Suncor Energy will operate a high efficiency shuttle service for its personnel and contractors six days a week. The new 50-passenger Challenger 850 aircraft will shuttle passengers between Suncor's Calgary headquarters and Fort McMurray in northern Alberta. “The Challenger 850 corporate shuttle represents an ideal solution for Suncor,” commented Eric Axford, vice president, Business Services, Suncor Energy. “Now, more people working on our technology-based projects will be able to commute between the two cities with ease and comfort. We view this aircraft as an investment in people and productivity.”
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CHC Helicopter Corporation announced today that the Swedish Defence Material Administration has awarded the Company an $18 million (CDN) contract for the refirbishment of three AS332M1 Super Puma helicopters. The helicopters will be upgraded by Heli-One, CHC's leasing and helicopter support division, for MEDEVAC operations as a part of the Nordic Battle Group.As a part of the upgrade program, the helicopters will be equipped with new Electronic Flight Instrument System, Multi Function Display and mission-specific equipment. The first helicopter will undergo modifications at Heli-One's facility in Stavanger, Norway, during the autumn and winter 2006/2007, with the remaining aircraft to be completed during 2007.
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Spanair and Swiss International Air Lines announce their new marketing relationship offering code-share flights as and from April connecting Spain and Switzerland. This agreement is a bilateral co-operation on both carriers' networks offering passengers the possibility to fly direct from both Madrid and Barcelona to Zurich and v.v. By May 1st the agreement will be fully operational with 5 daily frequencies from Monday to Friday between Spain's capital city Madrid and Zurich and 4 daily frequencies on the same days between Barcelona and Zurich. At the weekends, passengers can also avail of quick city breaks.
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Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary Keystone Helicopter will seek a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) production certificate to manufacture S-76 and S-92 civil helicopters at its Coatesville, Pa., facility. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Sikorsky currently produces and delivers S-76 and S-92 civil helicopters from its Commercial Aircraft Center in Stratford. Keystone expects to obtain the FAA production certificate later this year and Sikorsky then plans to locate S-76 and S-92 assembly there as warranted by delivery commitments and business objectives. Sikorsky closed on its acquisition of Keystone in December 2005. Sikorsky delivered 49 commercial helicopters in 2005 and continues to experience sales growth in its commercial product line.
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Thales' new multimode receiver (MMR) has been selected to equip the Airbus A400M next-generation military transport aircraft. The contract encompasses the 180 aircraft in the A400M programme ordered by the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation OCCAR. The first flight is planned for late 2007, with series deliveries over a ten-year period between late 2009 and 2020. The Thales multimode receiver (MMR) will provide crews with an all-weather landing guidance capability compatible with all ground guidance systems. The MMR incorporates several navigational and landing functions (ILS, MLS, GBAS, FLS and GPS, as well as WAAS and EGNOS capabilities – see notes at bottom). This radio-navigation system, suitable for all mission types and all runways, is an indispensable tool for military pilots. The system will take part in operational qualification of the A400M, and is based on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution in series production for over ten years. Compliant with the latest civil standards, the MMR is perfectly suited to the A400M's functional and operational environment.
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GKN Aerospace has won an initial US$6 million contract from U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney to develop new electro-thermal heater mats for the advanced Engine Ice Protection System (EIPS) on the F135 engine. The F135 is the lead engine for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. GKN Aerospace anticipates that this contract will lead to full scale production in support of the F-35 program, which will enter service in 2012.| The new electro-thermal EIPS will remove the need to bleed hot air from the engine, which has been the traditional approach to de-icing.
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On Friday, 31 March an official ceremony of replacement of contingents involved in the NATO leadership-sanctioned air-policing mission in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is due to take place at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Siauliai, during which the Turkish Air Force will officially take over the mission from the Polish Air Force. The ceremony will be attended by Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Gediminas Kirkilas, Undersecretary of the Polish Ministry of National Defence Stanislaw Koziej, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Major General Valdas Tutkus, representative from the Turkish Air Force, Brigadier General Nejdat Bilgin, commanders of the Air Forces of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Turkish military personnel will carry out the air-policing mission by four F-16 fighters, serviced by some 80 Turkish troops.
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The U.S. unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market has had considerable momentum due to recent operational successes and increasing mission roles. In addition, UAS market penetration in all four military services and the commercial sectors in surveillance and weaponized capabilities are driving growth. "On the operational side, UA systems have received praise and support across several services and ranks," remarks Senior Industry Analyst Kathy Ellwood. "Testimonies have been documented from many levels regarding the benefits of UA systems in theaters. In fact, those accolades are usually followed by the desire for the delivery of more systems." Frost & Sullivan's Aerospace & Defense Group finds that the U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems Market earned revenues of $2.14 billion in 2005 and estimates to reach $17 billion in 2011. In the military sectors, UA systems have been able to enter regions of the battlespace that would otherwise have endangered a warfighter. These systems gather intelligence data at rates much faster and more detailed than previous means. Additionally, UA systems have been able to loiter over positions for longer periods of time than that of manned assets. They have provided a variety of operational support from ISR functions to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) detection. Enhanced sensor payloads and weapons systems have demonstrated that and additional capabilities can be run through these vehicles.
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Following the agreement reached between SWISS and the committee of the Swiss Pilots Association (the union of the pilots of Swiss European Air Lines), the union's members have now also approved the proposed new Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) for Swiss European cockpit personnel. As a result, the new CLA will enter into effect on April 1, 2006. The new CLA for Swiss European cockpit personnel will be valid for three years. The accord pays due and full regard to SWISS's ongoing corporate restructuring and the intensified competition in the air transport market, while ensuring that the pilots covered by it continue to be employed under socially-acceptable terms and conditions. We are delighted that, with the agreement of our Swiss European pilots to the proposed new CLA, we have been able to bring these long and intensive negotiations to a successful conclusion,” comments Antonio Schulthess, Executive Vice President Human Resources at SWISS.
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Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline announced five new routes from its Shannon base to Biarritz and Carcassonne in the South of France, Faro in Portugal, Krakow in Poland and Venice in Italy, as well as increased frequency on routes from Shannon to Barcelona, Malaga and Milan. The new routes will start on 12th October and bring the total number of destinations served by Ryanair in Shannon to 24. In Shannon today, Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary said: “Ryanair's expansion makes Shannon one of the best served regions of its size anywhere in Europe and is a major boost to tourism and business in the mid-west, bringing 240 new jobs, 240,000 additional passengers and Europ 55M more tourism spend.
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Thales Services in the UK has been selected by Lufthansa Flight Training to supply an Airbus A380 full flight simulator. This is the company's fourth full flight simulator order from Lufthansa in as many years, an airline that is recognised in the industry for demanding the highest standards. It is Thales' third order for an A380 Full Flight Simulator.
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By 2010, both the Army and the Air Force may be flying the same aircraft to provide airlift inside places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Tthe Secretary of Defense hase given approval for the Army and the Air Force to work together to purchase those aircraft. The Army has been calling it a "Future Cargo Aircraft," while the Air Force calls it a "Light Cargo Aircraft." But ultimately, those names will be gone in favor of "Joint Cargo Aircraft." And it won't just be the name that is the same. The Joint Cargo Aircraft will be a small aircraft developed for both the Army and the Air Force. It will be smaller than the Air Force's C-130 Hercules, but larger than the Army's C-23 Sherpa. Most likely, the aircraft will be a variant of an aircraft already available in the civilian sector, and the manufacturer will modify it for military use. "What we are not going to do is go out and build, from the bottom up, a new airplane and take six or seven years to get it in the field," said Army Brig. Gen. Stephen Mundt, director of Army aviation. "We are looking for something to fill this capability gap now. We have issues with the airframe we have." Purchasing an aircraft already being manufactured by a contractor would ensure a lower cost acquisition and a speedier delivery of the capability. Both the services agree the selection will be based on speed, range, capacity, and the ability to land on unimproved runways or in more austere locations. "We have always focused on the same goal – to provide the combatant commanders with the tools they need to do the mission, and in the process of developing new capabilities, be good stewards of our taxpayer's money," said Brig. Gen. Andrew S. Dichter, Air Force deputy director for joint integration. "By adopting a common platform, we believe we are doing just this." Both services say they expect delivery of the aircraft to the Army to begin in 2008, with "source selection," that is the choice of the manufacturer, to be made by December 2006. The Air Force should take delivery of its first aircraft in 2010.
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An Air Force Academy satellite was lost March 24 shortly after launch. The cadet-built FalconSAT-2 small satellite was the primary payload on the maiden flight of the SpaceX Falcon I rocket, launched from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site on Kwajalien Atoll in the Marshall Islands. “We had a successful liftoff and Falcon made it well clear of the launch pad, but unfortunately the vehicle was lost later in the first stage burn,” said Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Space Exploration Technologies Corporation. Cadets watching a webcast of the launch were initially elated with the launch and then disappointed once learning of the loss of the rocket and satellite. The satellite is the product of the Academy's Space Systems Research Center. The center runs a multi-disciplinary, two-semester astronautical engineering course where cadets put theory into practice by designing and constructing a small satellite for Department of Defense research programs.
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Boeing delivered three new Next-Generation 737-800s to European carrier Hapagfly in one day. Hapagfly, based in Hannover Langenhagen, Germany, is a subsidiary of the TUI Group. The deliveries are part of a milestone order for 10 Boeing 737s placed by the TUI Group for Hapagfly in late 2004. The new airplanes are part of the carrier's fleet standardization plans, which include the replacement of its aging A310s with the advanced-technology 737-800. Hapagfly took delivery of an earlier 737-800 from the same order on March 25, totaling four deliveries in one week.
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Finnair has firmed up its decision to acquire the A350 by signing a firm contract for the purchase of nine Airbus A350-900s. The Finnish carrier also has options for four additional aircraft. Finnair had initially announced its intention to modernise and increase its long range capacity with the new Airbus aircraft in December 2005. The first A350-900s will be delivered in 2012, offering unrivalled performance and economics across Finnair?s long-haul network to Asia, and a brand new concept in a 2-class cabin comfort for 314 passengers. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1700 engines.
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BAE Systems engineers and technologists in the UK and Australia have developed new, unmanned, fully autonomous air vehicles that are set to push the boundaries of autonomous flight and mission management. BAE Systems has developed three prototype UAV concept demonstrators Corax, Raven and HERTI, the latest generation of autonomous systems. The company implemented novel rapid engineering processes to achieve paper to flight in only months, not years. This was greatly assisted by the high level of co-operation between the UK and Australian arms of the business BAE Systems Australia was an integral part of the rapid prototyping project team during the entire project and led the development of the ground control station and airborne Vehicle Management System. Brad Yelland, capability manager for Integrated Autonomous Systems in Melbourne, Victoria said: “The ground control station used to fly all three UAV variants is based on BAE Systems Australia´s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Management System, or IMS, which we are developing for Air 7000 and other future Australian Autonomous Systems programs.
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Final powered-up systems testing and area closeouts continue in preparation for Discovery's move to the Vehicle Assembly Building no earlier than May 12. Final closeouts on the shuttle's main engines continue with thermal protection system foaming operations around them. Engine configuration for rollover was performed Thursday, which was followed by platform removal and final inspections. Work continues on the thermal protection system and thermal barriers for the nose landing gear. The landing gear functional test is set for next week. The lower section of the remote manipulator system, or shuttle arm, returned to Kennedy today following repairs by the vendor in Canada. Shuttle technicians inadvertently damaged the arm slightly March 4. The arm will be retested prior to reinstallation.
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The United States Air Force contractually accepted the first new F-16 aircraft for the Poland Peace Sky program on March 30. The F-16 is developed and produced by Lockheed Martin. The Poland Peace Sky program is comprised of 48 new F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, including 36 F-16C and 12 F-16D aircraft. The acceptance marks a major milestone for the program as it reflects the completion of the research and development phase for the F-16C, or single-seat model, aircraft. All tooling is complete and full-rate production can now begin. Contractual aircraft acceptances occur with the signing of the DD-250 (Department of Defense Form 250) by officials of the U.S. Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), on behalf of the customer nation
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