FLUG REVUE update: Week ending December 14, 2003

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UPDATE
Week ending 14 December 2003

+++ A310 MRTT rolls out +++ F-16E/F Block 60 flies +++ AIA sees return to growth +++ Eurockot wins GOCE launch +++ 1000th CRJ delivered +++ Last Harrier II delivered +++ Fly-by-wire only tests with NH90 started +++ News in brief +++

A310 MRTT rolls out
Erster Tanker für die Luftwaffe vorgestellt

At the roll-out of the first A310 MRTT for the German Air Force, EADS CEO Rainer Hertrich underlined the commitment of the largest European aerospace and defence company to extend its worldwide market position in military transport and tanker aircraft. “The A310 is the world's first strategic next generation tanker aircraft. It strengthens EADS' competitive position in the growing market of military transport and tanker aircraft”, Hertrich said in Dresden on Tuesday. Hertrich emphasized the importance of transport and tanker aircraft for military operations and strategic mobility. “I am proud and grateful for the contribution we are providing to the modernization and transformation of the armed forces in Germany, together with our partner Lufthansa-Technik.”
The A310 MRTT conversion is the result of a successful cooperation between Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik. “We also have the support of the leading British air-to-air refuelling company Cobham and of our Spanish EADS colleagues. This cooperation was the basis for the outstanding work that has been done at EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden”, Humbert said. Six Airbus A310 are being converted by EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden and Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg. The German Air Force will receive four aircraft, two aircraft will be delivered to the Canadian Air Force. The program ensures more than 100 jobs at EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden.
EADS can offer different aircraft using different refuelling technologies to meet the special requirements of Air Forces worldwide. “That's why we are converting the A310 for Germany and Canada and are offering the A330-200 with “Hose and Drogue”-technology for the United Kingdom and Australia. We are also developing a flying boom for the US Air Force to equip the A330-200.”

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F-16E/F Block 60 flies
Erstflug der modernsten F-16-Version

On December 5, the newest, most advanced Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-16 completed a successful first flight. The aircraft is the first of the Block 60 line, which has been designated the F-16E/F version. It is the first of 80 F-16E/F Block 60 aircraft being produced for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under an order placed in early 2000. "The first flight of the new F-16E/F is a major milestone in the long F-16 legacy," said Dain M. Hancock, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. "With the Block 60, we have introduced a whole new generation of capability that sets the current world standard for multirole fighters." The aircraft's designation, F-16E/F, recognizes the major structural, avionics and propulsion enhancements in this practically all-new version of the Fighting Falcon. The last designation change, the F-16C/D, was introduced with the Block 25 version in 1984.
Following takeoff, Lockheed Martin F-16E/F chief test pilot Steve Barter put the F-16 through an initial flight-test profile that included evaluation of the on-board avionics systems and aircraft handling characteristics. Flight duration was about 50 minutes.
"This was not just an 'around the airfield' exercise," Barter said. "We flew some important test points and made this a meaningful flight-test sortie. Not only was this important historically, it was the first and crucial element of our flight-test program." "First flight affirms our commitment to produce the world's most cutting-edge fighter, which cannot be rivaled in its combination of speed, technology and capability," said John L. Bean, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-16 programs.
The F-16E/F resembles earlier F-16 aircraft in appearance only. Internally, the Block 60 has an all-new cockpit that features all-digital instruments and three 5x7-inch color displays. It is powered by a General Electric F110-GE-132 engine that produces 32,500 pounds of thrust. Additionally, the F-16E/F features a new avionics suite with highlights including a revolutionary Electronic Warfare (EW) system, the new APG-80 Agile Beam Radar (ABR) and a new Integrated FLIR Targeting System (IFTS), all provided by Northrop Grumman. First production deliveries of the UAE aircraft are slated for April 2004.

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AIA sees return to growth
US-Industrievereinigung sieht Aufschwung 2005/2006

The US Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) reported in its annual state-of-the-industry address that commercial aircraft sales and employment had fared better than expected in 2003 and it predicted a return to growth in 2005-2006. AIA also presented the industry's election year issues for 2004. AIA President and CEO John W. Douglass called on the presidential candidates to support the development of a national aerospace policy to promote aerospace careers, accelerate basic research in future technologies, and lower barriers to trade for aerospace manufacturers. He said AIA is preparing an investment plan that will be released early next year calling for an increase in federal R&D spending between 2004 and 2008.
Speaking to 350 representatives of the media, industry and government attending AIA's 39th annual Year-End Review and Forecast luncheon, Douglass said, "The surprising news is that the slump is not nearly as sharp as predicted a year ago, and not as deep as we experienced a decade ago." He predicted a recovery for civil aviation between 2005 and 2006 and a concurrent upswing for aerospace employment. He said, however, "The next administration must step up to the plate and play a stronger role in determining the future health of the U.S. aerospace industrial base and our aviation and space infrastructure." AIA will present to candidates a set of initiatives-some of which require no money-that would secure the economic and national security advantages that the U.S. has enjoyed in the past though its leadership in aerospace.
AIA's election campaign issues reflect the recommendations of a report issued last year by the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. Candidates for the presidency will be asked to support plans to modernize air traffic control, increase NASA's R&D budget, reverse the decline of the aerospace workforce, fund a replacement vehicle for the space shuttle, and reform the export licensing process. Douglass also said that the government needs to integrate aerospace policy horizontally by creating aerospace policy offices in the White House, Congress, the Office of Management and Budget and all federal agencies.
The U.S. aerospace industry generated $147 billion in sales in 2003, he said, down $6 billion from $153 billion in 2002. Sales of commercial jetliners fell $7.1 billion, following a drop of $6.6 billion in 2002. Aerospace profits fell to an estimated $5 billion-the lowest level in eight years. Employment for the sector also fell for the fifth straight year-down 41,400 to an estimated total of 575,400. In 2002, employment fell by 43,900 jobs. The U.S. aerospace industry continued to show a trade surplus, but a negative trend in that statistic. In 2003, U.S. aerospace exports exceeded imports by $28 billion, compared to $30 billion in 2002 and well below the 1998 peak, when the surplus hit a record $41 billion. On the plus side, Douglass said, military sales to the Defense Department increased $2.1 billion to $59 billion. Missile sales also increased 1.8 percent in 2003 to $12.9 billion.

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Eurockot wins GOCE launch
GOCE-Satellit wird mit Eurockot gestartet

The European Space Agency, Paris, awarded a second contract to Eurockot Launch Services GmbH of Bremen. The GOCE spacecraft which is the first Earth Explorer Core Mission within ESA`s Earth Observation Envelope Programme, will be launched on a Rockot launch vehicle in mid August 2006 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia. GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer mission) will produce global and regional models of the Earth`s gravity field and the reference equipotential surface (Geoid) with unprecedented high spatial resolution and accuracy. These measurements will be used in a wide range of research and application areas such as global ocean circulation, geophysics and unification of height systems. GOCE will have a mass of approx. 1200 kg and will be launched into a sun-synchronous orbit of 270 to 300 km. The GOCE launch service agreement is the second contract between the European Space Agency and Eurockot Launch Services. It follows on from a similar agreement for the launch of the Cryosat spacecraft, ESA`s first Earth Explorer Opportunity Mission which is presently scheduled for the last quarter of 2004. Eurockot Launch Services is the joint venture of EADS SPACE Transportation (51%) and Khrunichev Space Center (49%) and provides launches to low earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft operators, using the SS-19 based Rockot small launch vehicle from dedicated facilities at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia. Eurockot performed two successful launches in 2003, the Japanese Servis - 1 satellite end of October and the Multiple Orbit Mission in June.

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1000th CRJ delivered
Bombarider liefert 1000 Regionaljet aus

Bombardier Aerospace delivered the 1,000th CRJ regional jet. The aircraft, a 70-seat CRJ700, was handed over to Delta Connection carrier Comair in a ceremony at Bombardier's facility in Dorval. Delta Connection is the operator of the world's largest CRJ fleet with 259 CRJ200 and CRJ700 aircraft, and Comair was the first customer to launch regional jet service in North America in 1993. The CRJ is the most successful regional aircraft program in history and is the only regional airline aircraft program to reach 1,000 deliveries. Only larger jet transports such as the Boeing jet family and the Airbus A320 family have been delivered in such numbers. “The CRJ now stands beside the Douglas DC-3 and the Boeing 707 as an airplane that revolutionized the way the world flies,” said Pierre Beaudoin, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace. “We are proud that the trend-setting CRJ was designed and is produced in Canada by Canadians. The success of the CRJ program is the result of a strong partnership between our customers, the government of Canada, our suppliers, and Bombardier's employees.”
“The data demonstrates that the CRJ revolution is continuing and that the pioneering Bombardier CRJ remains an indispensable tool in the arsenal for many airlines,” said Steven A. Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Aerospace, Regional Aircraft. “The Bombardier CRJ truly changed the way the world flies and also changed the way airlines structured their operations for lower cost, more efficient and profitable jet services.” Bombardier launched the CRJ program on March 31, 1989 on the strength of 56 firm orders and six options. The CRJ made its first flight on May 10, 1991 and received Transport Canada aircraft type approval on July 31, 1992, followed by U.S. and European approvals early in 1993. The CRJ entered revenue service with launch customer Lufthansa CityLine on November 1, 1992. Comair launched CRJ service in the U.S. on June 1, 1993.

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Last Harrier II delivered
Harrier-Fertigung bei Boeing beendet

During the final delivery ceremony, celebrating the success of the Boeing Harrier II production program, the United States, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom pledged to pursue a joint initiative to mutually advance the interests of their Harrier fleets. The four nations are also involved in drafting a Memorandum of Understanding, to develop a Harrier II joint program office. Over the next 10 years, the office will manage the Harrier II post-production support program, including spares procurement and upgrades. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the delivery of the fifth and final remanufactured Harrier II Plus to the Spanish Navy. The Harrier II Plus was developed through an innovative international collaboration between the United States, Italy and Spain, to provide significant capability improvements to the Harrier II at a fraction of the cost of new aircraft. It is the only short takeoff-vertical landing jet built in the United States. In total, Boeing has delivered 336 Harrier IIs to the U.S. Marine Corps, 20 to the Italian navy, and 16 to the Spanish navy. Additionally, Boeing was a subcontractor to BAE Systems for 90 Harrier II aircraft for the United Kingdom Royal Air Force. During the remanufacture program, Boeing built the forward and forward center fuselage for the aircraft, and BAE Systems built a new aft fuselage. The Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point, N.C. modified the existing aircraft wing, vertical fin and horizontal stabilator and cleaned the existing canopy. The aircraft also received a new Rolls Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408 engine and Raytheon APG-65 radar from F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The remanufacturing process provided a new service life for the aircraft, at significantly less cost than a new aircraft.

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Fly-by-wire only tests with NH90 started
NH90 fliegt mit Fly-by-Wire

NH Industries has announced that the NH90 PT3 successfully flew in Marignane with full Fly-by-Wire (without mechanical back-up). The trial started on December 12 at 10.30 a.m. during 50 minutes, the NH90 was flown by: Philippe Boutry, experimental test pilot, Denis Trivier, flight test engineer, and Jean-Claude Rabany, flight engineer. The PT3 has been converted to the full FBW configuration representative of the serial production. We remind that four NH90 prototypes (PT2, 3, 4 and 5) were equipped with an initial mixed system, FBW on the pilot station and mechanical back-up on the co-pilot station, fitted in the development phase for safety reasons. In accordance with the NH90 Programme schedule the PT3 will be dedicated to the system qualification flights planned into the FBW maturity programme, together with the participation of the PT4, next to be transformed in full FBW. The NH90 first flight of a medium size transport helicopter equipped with FBW ever happened in the world represents a major landmark for the NH90 Programme and for the whole community of NAHEMA, end users, industrial partners, and NHIndustries originating this success.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The Eurofighter fleet is continuing flight tests and clearances for delivery of aircraft to the four partner nations. Eurofighter DA1 EADS CASA, Getafe, Spain - Eurofighter Typhoon DA1 has completed a first series of air-to-surface weapons flight test. The aircraft was armed with two 2000lb GBU-10 weapons, fitted under the wing in the central station. The flight lasted 55 minutes and during this time, EADS CASA Test Pilot Alfonso de Castro, performed different flight conditions at altitudes from 10,000 to 40,000 feet and at speeds of M 0.4 - M 0.9. Eurofighter Typhoon will conduct nine more GBU-10 flight tests before the end of the year. The programme will then continue testing different air-to-surface weapons and stores. Testing will involve Development Aircraft and Series Production Aircraft including the first single-seat production aircraft IPA 4. IPA4 is expected to make its maiden flight by the end of the year. IPA 4 is currently in the final stages of testing at the EADS CASA Military Aircraft final assembly line in Spain. Eurofighter Typhoon DA7 Air Weapons Range, Decimomannu, Sardinia – DA7 has completed a number of key milestones in firing trials conducted over the last ten days at the Air Weapons Range in Decimomannu. Tests included AIM-9L Sidewinder firing trials from the outboard wing station - conducted by Marco Venanzetti, Alenia Aeronautica, Eurofighter Typhoon Project Test Pilot. A second series of trials featured firing tests from the outboard wing station of the new generation short range air-to-air missile – ASRAAM. This trial was undertaken by Matteo Maurizio, Alenia Aeronautica, Eurofighter Typhoon Project Test Pilot.
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Inmarsat Ventures plc, EADS Space and the Thales Group announced that they have submitted a joint tender to become the Galileo Concessionaire. The three consortium members are the respective European market leaders in the fields of mobile satellite communications, navigation-based products and services and aerospace. Together they bring an unmatched array of experience and competencies to the Galileo Programme. By joining forces in the consortium they are expressing their combined desire to push forward and develop the opportunity represented by Galileo.
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OHB TECHNOLOGY AG, Bremen, is pleased to announce that it has submitted a proposal, together with its partners, to the joint undertaking to become the GALILEO Concessionaire. Known as the NAVIGATOR CONSORTIUM, the syndicate consists of a large number of European companies, specifically active in the navigation business and market development domain. GALILEO is a European initiative aimed at providing a new state-of-the-art global satellite navigation system complementing and enhancing existing satellite navigation systems. Structured as an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, GALILEO is a leading example of co-operation between the public authorities and the private sector in the area of major infrastructure projects. OHB TECHNOLOGY AG sees GALILEO as one of the most important satellite projects of this coming decade with numerous strategic and economic benefits for Europe and its citizens.
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Eutelsat announced that it has submitted a bid to the Galileo Joint Undertaking, together with LogicaCMG, Hispasat and AENA (Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegacion Aerea), to run the Galileo Concession. The Galileo Joint Undertaking is managing the European Union project to develop a new advanced satellite navigation system on behalf of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The bid responds to the first call for pre-selection for the Galileo Concession. As leading companies in satellite communications, system integration, and air navigation, these four European companies bring to the Eutelsat Consortium unique levels of expertise for meeting the full set of requirements from the Galileo Concession: relationships with industry for equipment procurement, in-orbit operation of the satellite fleet, coordination of private and public financing arrangements and development of commercial applications. Eutelsat, as the leader in the bid, is joined by: LogicaCMG, a global supplier of mobile telecom applications, road/rail/air/marine transport telematics, defence IT, security IT and ground infrastructure for satellite navigation and control. Hispasat, Spain's national satellite operator with particular market focus in the Iberian Peninsula and the Americas. The Spanish Air Navigation Service Provider, Entidad Publica Empresarial Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegacion Aerea (AENA).
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EADS' Eagle UAV has successfully completed two weeks of experimental trials in Canada. In this campaign, undertaken for the British armed forces in the framework of the Joint UAV Experimentation Programme, the Eagle Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV participated in a large military exercise involving both ground and air forces. The Eagle system supplied by EADS consisted of an unmanned aerial vehicle, two ground stations of which one was situated at the Batus (British ARMY TRAINING UNIT SUFFIELD) headquarters in Alberta state whilst a mobile reception unit (remote video terminal) was provided to the units in the field. Eagle, with UK markings, carried three payloads in addition to its secure data link, transponder and anti-icing system : a high-definition SAR radar, an electro-optical and infra-red bi-sensor for day/night use along with a radio relay.
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A fleet of more than 240 NOTAR system-equipped helicopters has amassed some 500,000 flight hours around the world in missions ranging from law enforcement and air medical service to corporate and offshore oil transport. The helicopters are built by MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) and the NOTAR system fleet includes MD Explorers, MD 600Ns and MD 520Ns. The high-time aircraft — with more than 12,000 hours — is an MD 520N operated by the Phoenix Police Department in Phoenix, Ariz. The first MD 520N was delivered to the Phoenix Police on Oct. 31, 1991, and the first flight of a NOTAR system-equipped helicopter occurred in December 1981. “We are extremely proud of this important milestone,” said Henk Schaeken, chairman and chief executive officer of MDHI. “NOTAR system technology has been very important to our company and to our industry,” he said. “It has also provided significant benefits to our customers.”
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Austrian Airlines has ordered two additional Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners to expand its 70-seat fleet in the highly competitive European marketplace. The transaction, valued at an estimated $42.2 million U.S. ($55.4 million Cdn.), represents the conversion of two options into a firm order. Deliveries are scheduled for the first and second quarter of 2005. The carrier retains options on two Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The aircraft will fly under the new Austrian arrows banner operated by Tyrolean Airways, a wholly owned unit of Austrian Airlines Group. The Austrian arrows fleet currently includes eight Bombardier Q400 airliners, 12 Bombardier 50-seat Q300 turboprops, 13 Bombardier 50-seat CRJ 200 regional jets and 6 Fokker 70 jets.
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In a new study entitled “The World Military Rotorcraft Market – 2003 -2012,” Forecast International predicts that 5,179 military rotorcraft will be produced between 2003 and 2012, inclusive. The value of this production in constant 2003 U.S. dollars is $79.6 billion. The total of 5,179 includes both new-build military rotorcraft and major modifications such as the Boeing CH-47F and the Sikorsky UH-60M. Forecast International projects that annual military rotorcraft production will increase throughout nearly the entire 10-year time period covered by the new study. Production of 403 rotorcraft is projected for 2003, with annual output generally climbing through the following nine years. Production of 616 military rotorcraft is forecast for 2012, the last year of the forecast time frame. The value of annual production is also predicted to climb through the 2003-2012 time period. In 2003, the value of military rotorcraft production is expected to total $4.8 billion. Annual production values are then projected to rise to $11.3 billion by 2012. Overall, Forecast International projects that Sikorsky will lead the military rotorcraft market during the next 10 years, whether that market is measured in unit production or value of production. About 35 percent of the Sikorsky output is expected to be modified helicopters, primarily UH-60M Black Hawks for the U.S. Army. However, according to Forecast International senior aerospace analyst Raymond Jaworowski, “If modifications are excluded from the forecast, Sikorsky still emerges as the market leader, though with a reduced lead over the competition.”
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Qatar Airways purchased two Bombardier Global Express ultra long-range business jets aircraft and signed an option for two additional Global Express for regional and intercontinental VIP on-demand travel. The aircraft will join Qatar Airways' large and growing VIP fleet, which currently includes high-end Airbus A340-200, A310-300, A320 and A319CJ aircraft. Three additional VIP aircraft, two A330-200 and an A340-500 will also shortly join the fleet. The first Qatar Airways Global Express is scheduled for delivery in mid-2004, the second in late 2004. The aircraft will feature a 13-passenger, three-compartment configuration with a crew rest area. The Flight division of Qatar Airways will operate the aircraft from its base at Doha International Airport.
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Boeing signed an agreement with Alsalam Aircraft Company, making the company the first authorized service center for Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) in the Middle East region. The agreement was announced during the eighth annual Dubai International Air show. Based in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, Alsalam will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services as well as BBJ warranty work on behalf of Boeing. More than 27 percent of BBJ customers are from the Middle East region.
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The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Lockheed Martin a prime contract to manage the overall missile defense targets and countermeasures portfolio. The ten-year potential contract value is approximately $4.6 billion. The initial four-year contract value is about $200 million. These target systems will enable the U.S. to realistically, reliably and affordably test the full range of ballistic missile defense systems under development. Working in partnership with the MDA customer under this prime contract, Lockheed Martin will support the continued development and fielding of an effective ballistic missile defense system. The Lockheed Martin team will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, procurement and testing of target systems that represent the evolving ballistic missile threats our nation faces.
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Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline, announced passenger traffic for November 2003 up 60% to 2,001,077, and for the first time overtaking BA's November UK/Europe traffic to become Britain's FAVOURITE airline to UK & Europe.
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Ryanair Holdings plc announced that they have entered into a Sale and Leaseback agreement for up to ten Boeing 737-800 next generation aircraft with RBS Aviation Capital a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Scotland. The 10 aircraft have a total value of $518m and will be delivered between December 2003 and March 2004. Under the terms of the agreement the aircraft will be leased back for 7-years.
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As the centerpiece of Marine aviation support for many years, the CH-46E assault helicopter remains the primary aircraft for Marine combat troop transport. Yet, the T58-GE-16 engine used to power it has suffered from reliability and power degradation, becoming what some have described as “tired iron.” The engine has been made a top fleet safety concern. Now, a $300 million Engine Reliability Improvement Program (ERIP) managed by NAVAIR's PMA-226 will deliver 446 much-improved T58-GE-16A engines to the fleet. The first four engines were delivered in April 2003 to HMM-266, located at Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC. On 25 November 2003, ERIP achieved Initial Operational Capability (meaning one operational squadron with full logistics support in place), under budget and weeks ahead of the program objective of 31 December. The squadron is flying with a complement of fully supported ERIP engines. And a 20-year reduction in reliability, power and safety has now been reversed.
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Bell Helicopter CEO Michael Redenbaugh announced the Fort Worth-based helicopter manufacturer is adding 113,300 square feet to its existing Assembly Building located at the Amarillo International Airport. "We need this new manufacturing space because we are bringing the H-1 assembly line up to Amarillo," Mr. Redenbaugh said. Since 1999, Bell's Amarillo facility has been the Assembly and Delivery Center for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor program. The Bell center is located on 184 acres along the southeast corner of Amarillo International Airport. The H-1 Program is a major upgrade to remanufacture the US Marine Corps fleet of AH-1W SuperCobra and UH-1N utility helicopters to an advanced configuration featuring common engines and flight dynamics. The program involves 100 UH-1N and 180 AH-1W SuperCobra helicopters. Upon completion, the AH-1W will become the AH-1Z and the UH-1N will become the UH-1Y
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The Greek Government has signed the US Government FMS (Foreign Military Sales) Letter of Offer and Acceptance to purchase BAE Systems HIDAS for its Longbow Apache attack helicopters. The aircraft, to be provided by the Boeing Company will be equipped with HIDAS (Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System) to meet the requirement for an advanced, programmable electronic self-protection system. The HIDAS configuration selected for Greece's Apaches, is the same as that specified by the UK MoD for their Apache Longbows which are soon to enter service with the British Army.
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Eurocopter has announced that the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) has just awarded “Level D” Certification to the HELISIM Dauphin AS 365 N2 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) - a certification that meets the European JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) standards. Thanks to this new certification, HELISIM is now the only pilot training academy in the world to possess three “Level D” certifications for helicopters. In March 2003, HELISIM received Level D certification for its Super Puma AS 332 L1 FFS, and in July of the same year for its Super Puma AS 332 L2 FFS.
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US Air Force officials announced a contract award to Lockheed Martin International Launch Services for the purchase of one Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) to launch a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL, in 2006. This was a sole source contract award to Lockheed Martin. The Boeing Company was ineligible to compete. Three Boeing integrated defense business units are currently under suspension from competing for government launch contracts. "This sole source award EELV will launch a critical national security space capability that will provide information this nation's leaders and warfighters so critically need, " said Peter B. Teets, Under Secretary of the Air Force and Director, National Reconnaissance Office.
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The Bulgarian Air Force has signed a contract for six PC-9 M Turbo Trainer Aircraft, one PC-12 M Transport- and Utility Aircraft as well as Ground Based Training Systems and a complete Integrated Logistic Support package, having a sales value of more than CHF 50 Million. Deliveries are expected to take place in 2004. To be prepared to join NATO, the Bulgarian Air Force is modernising its pilot training with latest technology. The PC-9 M has been continuously improved and upgraded to address increasing market demand for high technology (glass cockpit equipped) aircraft. More than 250 Pilatus PC-9 M Trainers are currently in service with 14 forces worldwide. A total of 30 Air Forces are using Pilatus products for their pilot training.
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On 11 December Eurofighter Typhoon participated in a memorial event organized by the Italian Ministry of Defence to celebrate 100years of manned flight and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the famous Italian racing driver, Nuvolari. The event took place at the Italian Aeronautica Militare air base at Grosseto, home of the 4th Stormo (Wing) comprising 9 th and 20 th Squadrons – the first Italian units to receive Typhoon in Italian service. The event featured a unique presentation of Eurofighter Typhoon IPA 2, flown by Alenia Aeronautica Chief Defence Aircraft Test Pilot, Maurizio Cheli, and the Ferrari F1 F2003-GA car driven by F1 2003 World Champion, Michael Schumacher. The presentation included a series of race challenges over 600m, 900m and 1200m. The challenge is a modern day reenactment of the historic challenge between an Alfa Romeo 8C2300, driven at that time by Nuvolari, and a Tiger Moth that first took place in 1931. To mark this unique occasion the Alfa Romeo and Tiger Moth also re-ran their historic challenge.
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Speaking at the AFRAA (Association of African Airlines) Annual General Assembly in Tripoli, Libya, Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO stressed the role of air transport as “a powerful factor of development and economic integration for Africa.” Libyan President Moammar Kaddhafi had previously delivered the opening address. Advocating the creation of an African single aviation market, Bisignani emphasized the urgent need to keep on improving Africa's aviation safety record. He presented the recent launch of the Africa Safety Enhancement Team (ASET), an IATA initiative backed by the world's top aviation organizations, as a proof of the commitment of the world aviation community to achieve ambitious safety goals on the continent. The ASET initiative is targeting a drop of the African accident rate of 50% by 2010, thus bringing it to the level of the world's best standards. In Tripoli, IATA and the International Airline Training Fund (IATF) also announced an immediate program to develop the African airlines' human capital. Following a wide-ranging survey of African airlines training needs, IATA and IATF are mobilizing resources in order to provide African aviation with the skills that it needs to contribute to the continent's social and economic development.
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Boeing has successfully tested a key component of its RS-84 prototype rocket engine, reaching pressures never before attained in an American-built engine of this type. The RS-84 is a reusable, liquid booster engine being developed by the Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power Division of Boeing in Canoga Park, Calif., for NASA's Next Generation Launch Technology Program. It is one of two competing efforts now under way to develop an alternative to conventional, hydrogen-fueled engine technologies and is a reusable, staged combustion type, fueled by kerosene – a relatively low-maintenance fuel with high performance and high density, meaning it takes less fuel-tank volume to permit greater propulsive force than other technologies. In the recent successful test, a subscale preburner, which produces high-pressure, oxidizer-rich combustion gases to spin the engine's oxidizer and fuel turbopumps, achieved a chamber pressure in excess of 6800 pounds per square inch, well beyond the levels seen in current domestic oxygen/kerosene rocket engines.
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The Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) passenger airplane's excellent performance during flight testing has led the company to decide to offer the airplane with higher range and payload capabilities than originally planned. Such enhanced capability for the newest 777 family member would be available for newly-delivered airplanes and as a retrofit option starting in the fourth quarter of 2004. The enhanced airplane's maximum takeoff weight would be 775,000 pounds, or 351,534 kilograms, up from 759,600 pounds, or 344,549 kilograms. Its design range would be 7,705 nautical miles compared to 7,525 nautical miles. “The airplane's performance during flight testing has been nothing short of outstanding,” said Lars Andersen, program manager for Boeing 777 Longer Range airplane programs. “This new capability will add value to the 777-300ER and for our customers.” During flight testing the airplane's raked wing tips, a new feature on the 777-300ER, has produced 1.5 percent better fuel consumption than expected. Takeoff field length improved by 1,000 feet (305 meters), because of two other new features – semi-levered landing gear and the tail strike protection (TSP) system, as well as brake performance.
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Boeing and its Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) industry team recently completed a successful coast-to-coast tour of U.S. Navy bases with two functional mission system consoles equipped on a 737 Boeing Business Jet 2. The team demonstrated to P-3 operators how a 737 MMA provides warfighters with a quantum leap forward in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and why it is the best solution to the Navy's need for a new maritime patrol aircraft.
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Boeing officials announced the successful rollout and vehicle erection of the first Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex (SLC) 37 pad at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. Its launch is scheduled for summer 2004. The Delta IV Heavy is the longest rocket ever to have moved horizontally to a launch pad. Rollout of the vehicle from the Horizontal Integration Facility to the SLC 37 yesterday took 94 minutes, traveling at a top speed of 5 mph. Erection of the 191,400 lb. vehicle took only 20 minutes this morning and was completed by 11:02 a.m. EST.
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Turbomeca and the European Aviation Safety Agency are pleased to announce that the Arriel 2B1A engine, used on the Chinese MB11 helicopter, has been awarded the first certificate, no. EASA.E.001, awarded by the EASA. This single-engine helicopter of the 2 ton category is manufactured by Changhe Aircraft Industry in collaboration with Jingdezhen research institute. The Arriel 2B1A is a turbo-shaft engine with a very simple design, fitted with a dual-channel digital control system and only five modules with a limited number of parts, in order to facilitate maintenance. It capitalizes on the experience and know-how of the engines of the Arriel 1 and Arriel 2 families, of which it is the latest certified version.
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BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, Inc, based at Herndon, Virginia, has won a major contract from AvCraft Aerospace GmbH for spares storage, distribution and logistics support on the multi-role Dornier 328 and 328JET aircraft in service across North, Central and South America. This agreement will be instituted in three phases and will run for an initial six-year period. In the first phase, AvCraft will locate some $150 million of aircraft spares at Regional Aircraft's Herndon facility via two major shipments starting in mid-December. The first spares shipment will be sourced from the stock acquired by AvCraft from Texas-based M7 Aerospace in the USA. The second shipment of spares will be transferred from AvCraft's own stock from its Oberpfaffenhofen facility in Germany. The second phase of the agreement runs for six months and has two main components. First, it provides for Regional Aircraft to operate a 'pick-pack' shipment service carried out in accordance with orders placed by operators in the Americas via AvCraft's Global Support Centre in its Oberpfaffenhofen facility. Second, it allows Regional Aircraft and AvCraft to gain a thorough understanding of each other's respective strengths to make the third phase of the agreement more efficient and effective. The third phase of the agreement provides for Regional Aircraft to act as the direct customer interface across the Americas on behalf of AvCraft, receiving spares orders and shipping them in response to requirements. Equally importantly, the third phase will also facilitate AvCraft's utilization of Regional Aircraft's knowledge base on parts management and customer-initiated, internet parts ordering programs.
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According to a recent survey from The Harris Poll, three-out-of-four Americans feel the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is doing a good job. These results rank the agency as one of the top three in government. The 76 percent positive public rating for the FAA in 2003 is a dramatic jump from 2001 and 2002, which were 58 and 54 percent approval ratings respectively. "The vast numbers of Americans who take to the skies everyday is a true indicator of the nation's confidence in air travel," said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. "In the next 100 years of flight, with millions of more Americans choosing air travel, the FAA intends to meet public expectations and make the finest aviation system in the world even safer and more efficient." The FAA attributes this year's rise in public confidence due to the agency's extensive efforts to modernize air traffic, improve capacity, upgrade international leadership, and strengthen the agency's organizational excellence.
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A Raytheon Company Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) landed a knock-out punch to a ballistic missile in space during an Aegis BMD Program flight test off the Hawaiian coast. The SM-3 is part of the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system. The Dec. 11 mission, designated Flight Mission-6 (FM-6), was the fourth successful hit-to-kill intercept for the Missile Defense Agency's Aegis BMD program. As in the previous flight tests, the SM-3 was launched from the Aegis BMD cruiser USS LAKE ERIE (CG70) and shortly thereafter hit the ARIES target that had been launched from the Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. The kinetic warhead (KW) properly selected, guided to and impacted the reactive payload section of the target. This test used the new monolithic solid divert and attitude control system (SDACS) in sustain mode, the baseline configuration for the initial deployment round missiles.
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The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) recently began flight testing the multimode control radar of the Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) version of the T-50 Golden Eagle, a supersonic jet trainer being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin as the principal subcontractor. "The air-to-ground radar modes are performing well," said Lt.Col. Kwon, Hee Man, one of the ROKAF T-50 test pilots. "If the follow-on tests are as successful, this radar will more than meet the needs for the LIFT role and has very good potential for future use in a multirole combat derivative of this aircraft, should one be developed." The APG-67(V)4 multimode fire control radar is produced by Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors, located in Moorestown, N.J. It is a highly upgraded derivative of the radar employed on other military aircraft.
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The Defence White Paper was published by UK Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon. Entitled “Delivering Security in a Changing World” it builds on the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, and the SDR New Chapter. The White Paper sets out the policy context within which the future structure and capabilities of our Armed Forces will be determine. In an Oral Statement to the House, Secretary of State said: “The shadow of the Cold War - which has shaped our Armed Forces for two generations - may have receded, and the threat of a large-scale conventional military attack on Europe may seem remote as a result. But new threats are emerging. We must respond to today's strategic environment and prepare for tomorrow's. The proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the threat posed by international terrorism, coupled with the consequences of failed or failing states, present us with very real and immediate challenges. Resources must be directed at those capabilities that are best able to deliver the range of military effects required, whilst dispensing with those elements that are less flexible. It has historically been the fashion to measure military capability in terms of the weight of numbers of units or platforms - of ships, tanks and aircraft. That might have been appropriate for the attritional warfare of the past but, in today's environment, success will be achieved through an ability to act quickly, accurately and decisively so as to deliver military effect at the right time.”
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Snecma Moteurs has delivered the first high-pressure compressor for the GP7200 engine to GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE). The compressor will be integrated in the engine to be ground tested during the first quarter of 2004. “The delivery of this first high-pressure compressor for the GP7200 is a major milestone in this program, enhancing the collaboration between GEAE and Snecma Moteurs in the development of high-thrust engines, and also consolidating our strategy in this market,” said Philippe Couteaux, general manager of Snecma Moteurs' large commercial engine programmes. Designed and developed by Snecma Moteurs, the high-pressure compressor for the GP7200 is derived from that used on the GE90 turbofan. It features proven technology and low weight. Snecma Moteurs built this key module in record time – just 17 months after start of design in July 2002. Certification of the GP7200 is slated for 2005, with initial engine deliveries the following year.
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EDO Corporation has been awarded a $33.5 million contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for continued production of its weapons-delivery system on the F/A-22 Raptor. This latest order covers production lots three and four, consisting of 43 aircraft. Known as AVEL, EDO's LAU-142/A AMRAAM Vertical Ejection Launcher carries and ejects missiles from internal bays. During in-flight launch, the AVEL system ejects missiles through the jet fighter's air-flow-boundary layer very rapidly, assuring safe aircraft separation at Mach speeds. The AVEL employs a highly reliable pneumatic-ejection system controlled by the aircraft's stores management system. This technology offers a number of advantages over pyrotechnic-cartridge ejection systems, including reduced maintenance expenses.
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Globalstar, L.P. and Thermo Capital Partners LLC announced today they have finalized their previously-announced acquisition plan. As a result, a new Globalstar company, controlled by Thermo, has been established, and Thermo will be providing funding for the new company's operations. Under the acquisition agreement, Globalstar's business assets will be transferred to the new company, which will operate under the Globalstar brand name. The transfer of certain assets has already occurred, and the entire process will be completed upon receipt of U.S. regulatory approval, which is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2004. In the meantime, Globalstar's regulated assets will remain with Globalstar, L.P. and will be operated by the new company pursuant to a management agreement. As a result of the transaction with Thermo, Globalstar service and customer support around the world will continue uninterrupted, and the new company is planning to introduce an accelerated business expansion plan later in 2004.
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EADS Military Aircraft has successfully completed the initial training of the instructors and management staff of the Eurofighter ground crews within the German Luftwaffe. Over the past eleven months, 20 trainers from EADS and four from MTU have jointly instructed 220 soldiers in the equipment and maintenance of the fighter aircraft. For this purpose, the Eurofighter GT001 and several highly developed training devices such as the rescue system trainer and the weapon loading trainer were available at the Air Force School of Engineering No. 1 in Kaufbeuren. Spread over 16 courses, 71 soldiers learnt predominantly about the maintenance of the avionics system, whilst 149 dealt with the aircraft's mechanics in detail. The Luftwaffe has recognised the training certificates awarded at the end, thus acknowledging the achievements of both the EADS instructors and the technicians who have been qualified by the company.
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Volvo Aero Corporation has been selected as a major contributor to the General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) F414M/MT engine for the EADS Mako trainer. A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, has been signed between GEAE and Volvo Aero Corporation. The MoU involves cooperation on development activities, hardware production, final assembly and testing, up to a total engine value of 30%. The long-term partnership with GEAE since 1982 on the RM12 engine program for the Swedish Gripen fighter gave Volvo Aero Corporation a prominent role in the Mako program. The Mako HEAT is a candidate for the ongoing Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) program.
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The projection for the 2003 financial year of Austrian Airlines Group, as presented to the Supervisory Board on 10 December 2003, has forecast a positive result of around EUR 15 million. This renewed success is based upon the consistent cost reduction and improvement of overall efficiency, increasingly strong load factors since September based on a series of innovation offensives as well as positive currency management. Introduced in the autumn of 2003, the new product features a new, simplified and highly competitive pricing system, an expanded flight programme in the direction of Eastern and Central Europe and a modernised line of services. It was well accepted by the market and combined with the above-mentioned effects produced the change in trend. “For the aviation industry, 2003 was characterised by numerous crises and was extremely difficult overall. We didn't allow ourselves to be paralysed by the Iraq war or SARS outbreak. We reacted at speed in order to conceive and implement a range of innovations by the beginning of the second half-year. Through early counter-management on the costs and capacity side, and based on the implementation of our new marketing mix, we succeeded in turning round the result from autumn onwards with a strong finish to the year,” was the analysis of Chief Executive Officer Vagn Soerensen, who went on to say: “Although with 8.5 million passengers we are slightly down on our figures for the previous year (8.8 million passengers), we will presumably be able to increase our average load factor for the year on scheduled services from 70.5 % to more than 71 %. To summarise: already in the fourth quarter of 2003 the Group was regaining significant strength and is in a markedly stronger position than a number of our industry competitors.”
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EADS Space Transportation has participated successfully in the first JONAS trial launch, an instrumented model of the future M51 missile fired from the submerged CETACE hull. This trial took place in Toulon harbour on 27 November 2003, on the Canier site belonging to the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA). The (full size) instrumented and recoverable JONAS prototype, of more than 10 metres in height for about 50 tons, was fired from a submerged hull known as CETACE Méditerranée, representative of a submarine's stowage and launching tube. It reached a height of almost 20 metres before falling back into the sea, from which it was recovered as expected. The success of this initial trial has been possible as a result of close collaboration between representatives of the government departments and contractors participating in the programme. The JONAS system, designed and manufactured by EADS Space Transportation, forms, together with the CETACE Méditerranée, a key element in the development and set-up logic for the future M51 missile, and the means for stowing it on and launching it from the submarine.
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A contract for upgrade of Jaguar aircraft to improve navigation and weapon aiming capabilities has been finalized with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). HAL and Defence Avionics Research Establishment have jointly taken up indigenous development. The development has progressed satisfactorily. The Government has released sufficient funds for these projects and an advance payment has been made available to HAL.
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Qatar Airways has signed a firm contract with Airbus for two A380s and two options, as well as for two A340-600s and options on a further eight. The deal re-affirms previous commitments to the aircraft. Deliveries of the Airbus A340-600s will begin in June 2006, and those of the A380s in early 2009. Both aircraft will feature three-class layouts – the A340-600 seating 325 passengers, and the A380s 460. Qatar Airways will introduce the 376 ton maximum take-off weight version of the A340-600, which will be powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines. The choice of engines to power the A380s will be made later.
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General Atomics (GA) announced that it has signed a contract with the U.S. Army CECOM for a 24-month System Development and Demonstration of a variant of the AN/APY-8 Lynx radar, dubbed the Lynx II. The contract effort includes design, fabrication, integration and test, flight test, associated logistics and delivery of six (6) Lynx II SAR/GMTI systems. Based on technology developed for GA by Sandia National Laboratories, the existing Lynx provides day/night, all-weather reconnaissance, surveillance and target tracking for military, civil, and commercial customers. The Lynx II SAR/GMTI derivative to be built will feature lighter weight and improved reliability, maintainability, and diagnostics.
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The US Air Force reactivated the 48th Airlift Squadron Dec. 5, to establish the first active-duty C-130J Hercules training squadron in the Air Force. The reactivation of the 48th AS, the third flying unit attached to the 314th Airlift Wing here, will train crews in the newest generation of C-130s. “The mission of the reactivated 48th Airlift Squadron will be to bring to the active-duty Air Force the C-130J and to join its sister units in producing the world's best C-130 aviators,” said Col. Joseph Reheiser, 314th AW commander. The C-130J provides 40-percent more range and flies 24-percent faster than the C-130E and H models. The new model is also capable of taking off on shorter runways and has avionics that allow for better data capability and control. The J models are also larger, with enough room to transport 128 people compared to the 92-troop capacity of earlier models.
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Didier Guy, CEO of Ecole de Pilotage Amaury de la Grange (EPAG), and Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries, signed an agreement for the purchase of initially 6 DA40 TDI aircraft, in Wiener Neustadt. Delivery is scheduled for next February. EPAG intends replacing its well-worn Cap10, TB9, TB20, and possibly even its Beech58 machines; current considerations are to also include the twin-engine DA42 Twin Star, which is presently in the certification phase.
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BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has made excellent progress with the flight test program of the unique Atmospheric Research Aircraft (ARA) that has been converted from BAE 146-300 (E3001). Since the successful first flight on October 1, a further 35 flights have been carried out to date covering just over 104 hours. At present, a total of 50 flights are planned before the aircraft is handed over to the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM). During the course of the flight test program, the ARA has been flown at its maximum operational altitude at 35,000 ft and also flight tested at flight levels as low as 50ft over water. +++
The Venezuelan Air Force has taken delivery of their first modernized C-130 military transport, featuring the TopDeck avionics suite. Thales Avionics, working under prime contractor EADS Sogerma Services, needed only 12 months to deliver a system for flight testing on Venezuela's C-130s. The TopDeck avionics suite, based on a civil model and enriched with military functions, is already in service on the C-130s deployed by South Africa, and the C-295 transports built by EADS-CASA. A modular suite based on a new-generation avionics core developed by Thales Avionics, TopDeck can be adapted to the operational needs of all air forces. TopDeck features a fully modernized instrument panel with large format LCD displays, a navigation system in compliance with the CNS/ATM (Communications-Navigation-Surveillance/Air Traffic Management) environment, a digital autopilot, centralized management of radio communications and navigation, and centralized maintenance of all avionics equipment. Deploying ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 architecture, the TopDeck suite can interface directly with a wide variety of civil and military equipment from many different vendors, including weather radars, TAWS, TCAS, mode-S transponder, IFF, radio, etc.
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Embraer announced the sale of five firm ERJ 145 LR and up to 25 options for Mexican carrier Aerolitoral. A subsidiary of AeroMexico and one of the main Mexican regional airlines, Aerolitoral operates more than 200 daily flights to 36 destinations in Mexico and abroad, with a fleet of 25 turboprops. The 50-seat ERJ 145s will be the first Embraer jets operated by the company, and also the first regional jets to fly for a Mexican airline.
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An endurance test for duration of more than 16 minutes on the indigenous Cryogenic Engine for Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV, was successfully conducted on December 5 at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. The test involved the firing of the Cryogenic main Engine with 7.1 ton thrust for 1000 seconds, simultaneously with two 200 kg thrust Cryogenic Steering Engines, all mounted on a single block as used in the actual GSLV flight stage developing 7.5 ton total thrust. The steering engines are used to control the flight path of GSLV during the third stage thrusting. The turbo-pump fed, regeneratively cooled engine for the cryogenic stage is required to burn for a duration of 720 seconds in actual flight. The long duration test conducted today marks the conclusion of the qualification of the cryogenic engine, which has been tested for a cumulative duration of 6,000 seconds so far in three hardware. A number of specially established facilities like Assembly and Integration Facility, Test stand, state of the art Control Centre have been employed for the successful assembly and testing of engines.
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In November 2003, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) served about 3.8 million passengers or five percent more than in the corresponding month last year. Thus, FRA's noticeable recovery in demand is continuing unabated and is moving towards the record level of 2000. With 4.6 million passengers and a 2.4 percent growth rate in October 2003, Fraport AG (the Frankfurt Airport company) registered the best October in the airport's history. High growth rates were recorded particularly on intercontinental routes to North America, the Far East and Africa. Holiday traffic also showed strong growth in November 2003: for example, to the Caribbean, Egypt, Greece, Portugal and Turkey.
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With the introduction of a net price model, Deutsche Lufthansa is to reorganize its sales model in Germany as of 1 September 2004. "The customers have changed their booking and travel behaviour, the business is in the midst of radical changes. The fact that we are modernizing our sales system is only consistent in order to assert ourselves against the competition", says Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales of Lufthansa German Airlines. The new model makes a clear distinction between the flight and product, on the one hand, and the advice and processing service, on the other, thus offering the customer a high degree of transparency. The final price for the purchase of a Lufthansa ticket will then consists of two components: the net price including taxes and charges for the Lufthansa flight plus, if necessary, charges for advice, booking and issuing of the ticket. In future, the travel agencies will be perceived even more clearly as representing the interests of the customers and will be able to position themselves more effectively through outstanding service. The net price model opens up new economic perspectives for them in a difficult environment. "We generate 92% of our revenues via travel agencies. On around 95% of all routes worldwide, Lufthansa flies in competition with other airlines. This relationship indicates how closely we are linked with each other and how important the travel agencies are for us", explains Thierry Antinori. It is left to the travel agencies to decide to what extent they offer their customers advice and other services and charge a fee for it.
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As of its summer timetable 2004, Lufthansa will substantially increase its offer of flights for customers from its Munich hub. It has already been decided that, as of 26th March, the airline will provide a daily service from Munich to Charlotte. As early as 1st February, Guangzhou will be on Munich's flight plan with a flight continuing from Shanghai five times a week. As of 28th March, this connection will then be extended to a daily service. Charlotte, the metropolis in the American South, will simultaneously be a special event for Lufthansa.
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Following the signing of a cooperation agreement on support services for VIP and business jet operators at this year's National Business Aviation Association's (NBAA) Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, Florida, Air Routing International and Lufthansa Technik agreed to strengthen their partnership with the launch of a world-wide ACJ Support Alliance Network for Airbus A319CJ and A319LR. Within the new ACJ-Support Alliance Network the Houston based Air Routing International, LP will provide operational support such as flight planning, airplane & passenger handling and security and will also arrange contacts to local FBO's. Tim Maystrik, Vice President Marketing & Sales Air Routing, commented on the signing: “With our partner Lufthansa Technik we can extend our far-reaching agreement from this year's NBAA on the BBJs and can combine the competence of leaders and experts out of every field in business aviation for the ACJ now.”
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