EMBRAER SIGNS FINNAIR TO THREE MORE EMBRAER 190 JETS

Finnish E-Jets operator expands its firm order to 23 aircraft

São José dos Campos, February 29, 2008 –

Embraer has signed Finnair to a new firm order for three more EMBRAER 190s. The total value of the agreement, at list price, is US$ 112.5 million. The aircraft will be configured with 100 seats in a comfortable dual-class layout, and first
delivery is scheduled for 2010.

“It is always very satisfying to receive additional orders from established customers who operate our aircraft on a day-in, day-out basis,” said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. “We are privileged to continue
contributing to the renewal of Finnair’s fleet and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship between the airline and Embraer.”

Embraer and Finnair initially signed for 12 EMBRAER 170 jets in 2004, with options for another eight aircraft of the E-Jets family. In 2005, the airline expanded its order to include the EMBRAER 190, by converting two firm orders and confirming four options. The remaining four options of the original contract were confirmed in November 2006 and, with
today’s announcement, Finnair raises the total number of E-Jets firm orders to 23, further ratifying its option for this family of aircraft.

“Finnair has enjoyed a year of solid growth and a strong profitability. The E-Jets continue to form a key part of our forward growth strategy, enabling us to have the right size aircraft to meet route demand and ensuring that we offer optimum flexibility and comfort in our key feeder and point-to-point traffic,” said Henrik Arle, The Head of Finnair Scheduled Traffic.

“We are very satisfied with the highly favorable economics of our E-Jets, especially the EMBRAER 190, which greatly complements our narrow-body jet fleet.” The Finnish airline currently operates ten EMBRAER 170s and six EMBRAER 190s, and has one of the largest E-Jets fleets in Europe. The seventh EMBRAER 190 was delivered this week in São José dos Campos, Brazil, and will soon arrive in Finland.

Source: Embraer

Major success for Eurocopter at Heli-Expo 2008: 111 signatures for its brand new EC175, 120 orders for its current range

Eurocopter encountered a tremendous success at the world’s most important Helicopter Exhibition, Heli-Expo 2008 in Houston, for its brand-new EC175, after it lifted the veil off its new 7 ton class helicopter on the first day of the Show. Eurocopter signed intentions to buy with 13 different customers during the 3 days of Heli-Expo for a total of 111 units, confirming the huge demand for such a helicopter. Eurocopter also reached outstanding bookings for the rest of its range with 120 orders, marking its continued success in extremely active North American and international markets.

Right after having unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its EC175, Eurocopter announced the first two launch customers of its new 7 ton class, 16 passenger helicopter, marking its official introduction on the market. Bristow Group, the largest U.S oil & gas operator and VIH, a well-known Canadian player in this segment, were the first two customers to sign for the EC175, rapidly followed by many others from all continents. All these customers were overwhelmed by the numerous advantages of the EC175, especially its unique cabin capacity in addition to its range, payload, advanced technology, comfort and operation costs.

The official launch customers plus other major operators who decided spontaneously during the show for this new helicopter, brought the total number of commitments towards this brand new aircraft to 111 units. These come from across the globe, including Europe: UTair (Russia), Bond (UK), Dancopter (Denmark), Heli-Union (France), NHV (Belgium); USA (ERA and Halvorson Group); Mexico (Pegaso); Asia-Pacific: Global Vectra (India), HNZ (New-Zealand). All these customers intend to use the EC175 mainly for offshore oil and gas missions as well as SAR operations.

The majority of the 120 orders concerning the rest of the product range came from customers based in North America (90 from US customers and 28 from Canadian customers, including eight options), where excellent market growth has been experienced.

These orders included:

• 43 helicopters to be used primarily for emergency evacuation and law enforcement missions;

• 21 helicopters for corporate and VIP use;

• 49 helicopters for various operators active in the tourist and utility sectors;

• 7 helicopters to serve the oil and gas industry.

Lutz Bertling, President and CEO of Eurocopter stated at the end of the Show: “I am extremely proud of the success of the EC175 which honestly speaking largely exceeded our expectations in terms of number of customers and units. This success illustrates that the EC175 perfectly complements the current Eurocopter product range and obviously meets market needs. After having reached record orders in 2007, the results that we have achieved at Heli-Expo prove that the market should remain strong in 2008 and that Eurocopter is well placed to significantly benefit from it. With these achievements, we’re confident that Eurocopter will maintain its global leadership position.”

Source: EADS

An Exceptional Year for Bombardier Aerospace in Terms of Deliveries and Orders: 361 Aircraft Delivered and 698 Orders Placed in Fiscal Year 2007/08

Montréal, February 29, 2008

• Business Aircraft: Fourth consecutive year of increased orders and deliveries leads to a record level of orders and deliveries
• Regional Aircraft: Significant increase in regional aircraft orders and fourth consecutive year of increased Q-Series deliveries

Bombardier announced today that it delivered 361 aircraft for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008. This represents an increase of more than 10 per cent over the 326 aircraft deliveries in the previous fiscal year. Additionally, the Company received 698 aircraft orders compared to 363 for the same period during the previous year.

“This has been an excellent year for orders and deliveries at Bombardier Aerospace. Our business aircraft unit in particular reached historic highs in orders and deliveries, mirroring an upsurge in the global industry. Add to this significant demand for our regional aircraft – particularly larger regional jets and turboprops – and Bombardier continues to be well positioned today and in the future,” said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace.

Business Aircraft
For the fourth consecutive year Bombardier Business Aircraft saw an increase in deliveries and orders, resulting in a record year.

In fiscal year 2007/08, Bombardier delivered 232 business jets, compared to 212 for the same period last fiscal year – an increase of approximately 9 per cent. For the fourth year in a row, Bombardier has maintained its leadership with 26 per cent of the market share on a revenue basis. *

An intake of 452 orders, compared to 274 for the previous year, represents a book-to-bill ratio of 1.95. In the fourth quarter alone, Bombardier received orders for 154 business aircraft compared to 117 orders last year.

This fiscal year, a significant growth in demand for Bombardier business jets from major emerging markets, such as Russia and Asia, tipped the balance over the previously dominant U.S. market and progressively shifted demand for business jets to international markets. In fiscal year 2007/08, approximately 30 per cent of business jet orders came from the U.S.

Regional Aircraft
In fiscal year 2007/08, Bombardier delivered 128 regional aircraft, compared to 112 from the same period last year – an increase of approximately 14 per cent. Reflecting the continued shift in demand towards larger regional jets and turboprops, 47 Q400 aircraft were delivered in fiscal year 2007/08, compared to 31 for the same period last year. Fifty-six CRJ900/ CRJ900 NextGen aircraft were delivered in 2007/08, compared to 50 for the previous fiscal year.

Orders rose significantly year-over-year with an intake of 238, compared to 87 for the previous year, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.86. In the fourth quarter alone, Bombardier received orders for 51 regional aircraft, compared to 21 orders last year.

The following table provides delivery totals by aircraft type
The following table provides delivery totals by aircraft type

The following table provides order totals of Business, Regional and Amphibious aircraft
The following table provides order totals of Business, Regional and Amphibious aircraft

Source: Bombardier

Boeing Delivers 1,400th 747 to GECAS for Lease to AirBridgeCargo Airlines

The fleet of 747 airplanes has:

• Flown more than 17 million flights
• Logged more than 89 million flight hours
• Flown 42 billion nautical miles (78 billion kilometers)

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 28, 2008 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today delivered its 1,400th 747, a 747-400 Freighter delivered to GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) for lease to AirBridgeCargo Airlines, a subsidiary of the Volga-Dnepr Group.

“We are honored to receive the 1,400th Boeing 747,” said Gennady Pivovarov, senior vice president of Production, AirBridgeCargo Airlines. “The 747 is a high-quality, reliable airplane that plays a critical role in our success.”

The 1,400th 747 is the seventh 747 freighter in the AirBridgeCargo Airlines fleet, joining five 747-200/-300 Freighters and a 747-400 Freighter. The Volga-Dnepr Group also has ordered five of Boeing’s new 747-8 Freighters, the highly efficient and more capable next model in the 747 freighter family.

“This milestone speaks to the strong foundation laid at the very beginning of the 747 program,” said Ross R. Bogue, vice president and general manager, 747 program and Everett site. “Boeing has delivered seven times more airplanes than the initial market estimate of 200 units, which was projected when the 747 entered service. This is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that our Boeing employees, suppliers and the community have put into this program.”

The 1,400 747 airplanes assembled at the Everett site have established a strong track record. The 747 has completed more than 17 million flights through 2007. It has logged approximately 89 million flight hours or more than 10,000 years of flight time. The airplanes have flown approximately 42 billion nautical miles (78 billion kilometers), which is equivalent to making nearly 203,000 trips to the moon.

The airplane’s accomplishments will continue to grow as the program builds out the remaining industry-leading 747-400 Freighters and begins production of the new 747-8 family. Boeing will deliver the first 747-8 Freighter in late 2009 and the first 747-8 Intercontinental in late 2010.

“We can all take great pride in the achievements the 747 has made and will continue to make with the new 747-8,” Bogue said. “The Boeing 747 has an unparalleled record of reliability, which is illustrated by the number of airplanes in service today.”

Source: Boeing

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Successfully Completes Fuselage Barrel Test

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 28, 2008 — The composite technology, design and construction of the 787 was proven during a series of testing scenarios conducted beginning in late 2007 and concluding this week. The tests were performed on a composite fuselage test section and are part of Boeing’s certification efforts for the 787.

“The tests were very successful – they couldn’t have gone any better,” said Kevin Davis, 787 fuselage authorized representative and leader of the testing.

Boeing engineers proved the composite barrel design through a series of incremental tests that first took the barrel to limit load, a test condition that simulates the most extreme conditions expected to be experienced in the life of the airplane.

Next, the test article was taken to 150 percent of limit load — a condition called “ultimate load,” the level required for certification.

Finally, the team pushed the composite section past ultimate load well beyond ultimate load to a destruct-condition maneuver beyond two and a half times the force of gravity.

Testers observed audible indications of damage as the test progressed but the piece did not reach the level of destruction that had been anticipated. Boeing engineers now are performing an extensive inspection of the barrel and analysis of test results.

This robust test program is key to clearing the Dreamliner for first flight. Some testing on the composite barrel section will continue, but it is at Boeing’s option for additional learning. Additional static testing is required, and will be conducted, on a full airplane structure prior to first flight.

Source: Boeing

Precision Air Services Takes Delivery of its First ATR 72-500

Tanzania’s Precision Air Services today accepted delivery of its first ATR 72-500. This first delivery follows a deal inked in 2006, for the purchase of 6 new ‘-500s’ ATRs. In 2007, the airline booked an additional ATR 42-500.

With these 7 new ‘-500 series’ aircraft (5 ATR 72-500s and 2 ATR 42-500s), Precision Air Services will renew its ATR fleet, which today consists of 4 ATR 42-320s and 3 ATR 72-210s. The remaining 6 ATRs are to be delivered from 2008 through 2010.

The delivery ceremony took place at ATR’s final assembly line in Toulouse with Michael Shirima, the Board of Directors Chairman of Precision Air Services, Hon Basil Mramba, Guest of Honour and Honorable Member of the Parliament of Tanzania and Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO.

Michael Shirima said “he was pleased to take delivery of the first ‘ATR-500 series’, thus launching the modernization of our turboprop fleet with the most efficient and advanced aircraft of the regional market”. He added: “The ATRs are very well adapted to the extreme weather conditions of Africa, and have proven themselves to be extremely reliable throughout our network”. He concluded: “The performance of the ‘-500s’ in hot and high environments will allow us to optimize our operating costs and will successfully contribute to the expansion of our network“.

Stéphane Mayer underlined “the vast presence of the ATRs in Africa, operating in some 20 countries. In the last two years, we have also sold almost 30 new aircraft to African carriers, a success that confirms the growth of the regional networks across the continent. Because of their ability to operate in all kinds of operating environments, with their ease of maintenance, reduced operating costs and environment friendliness, the ATR aircraft are very well adapted to the regional routes in Africa“. And he concluded: “With their brand new ATRs, Precision Air Services will now be able to offer the many advantages of the ‘-500 series’ to its passengers“.  

Adding to the deal signed in 2006, ATR and Precision Air Services inked an educational programme aimed at training a number of selected Tanzanian students in aeronautical maintenance engineering.

ATR reached in 2007 a record year with orders for 113 new aircraft. Since the beginning of the programme, ATR has sold 953 aircraft (417 ATR 42s and 536 ATR 72s) and has delivered 758 (397 ATR 42s and 361 ATR 72s), thus posting a current backlog of 195 aircraft.

Source: ATR

InterGlobe General Aviation (P) Limited opens Hawker Beechcraft Authorized Service Center

DELHI, India (Feb. 28, 2008) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC), the world’s leading business, special-mission and trainer aircraft manufacturer, and its partner InterGlobe General Aviation (P) Limited (IGGA), a subsidiary of InterGlobe Enterprises, are pleased to announce the opening of IGGA’s new Hawker Beechcraft Authorized Service Center for Hawker aircraft at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India. This is the first authorized service center for Hawker jets in India and demonstrates both companies’ commitment to growing general aviation in the region.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with InterGlobe General Aviation and are excited about their investment in the Hawker brand in India,” said Jim Schuster, Hawker Beechcraft Corporation chairman and CEO. “HBC enjoys a 56 percent market share of all turbine aircraft in India and recently announced an order for 20 Hawker jets from a new operator in the region, BJETS, further solidifying our dominant presence in the region. India is a major market for our aircraft thanks to the unmatched efforts by our international sales and support team, our superior relationship with InterGlobe and products that meet the needs of customers throughout the region. The InterGlobe team has demonstrated their ability to sell the Hawker line of aircraft and is committed to delivering superior customer support. We could not have a better partner.”

In 2007, economic growth and increased interest in general aviation helped propel India to become the third largest market worldwide for Hawker Beechcraft products. New Delhi is rapidly emerging as a leading business and financial capital of the world with a growing number of high net worth individuals who have a need for private jet travel. During the fourth quarter of 2007, BJETS ordered 20 Hawker 850XP and Hawker 900XP aircraft to start their new fractional and block charter services in India next month. The BJETS aircraft will be maintained by InterGlobe General Aviation.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Indian government leaders Shri Kamal Nath, Honorable Minister for Commerce and Shri Praful Patel, Honorable Minister for Civil Aviation, with a large number of VIP’s also in attendance. They joined InterGlobe Enterprise Limited’s Managing Director, Rahul Bhatia, along with Jim Schuster, Chairman and CEO of Hawker Beechcraft and several other executives.

“This InterGlobe General Aviation facility will deliver superior customer support for Hawker owners in India and the surrounding countries,” said Nigel Harwood, CEO of InterGlobe General Aviation. “We have made a significant investment in hiring personnel, buying new equipment to create a state-of-the-art, world-class service center that is unmatched in India. This will allow us to deliver the very high level of service our customers desire and is important to sales growth in SAARC. We are proud to partner with Hawker Beechcraft and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

The 1,700 square meter facility offers world class amenities including a VIP lounge, pilot offices, crew lounges, maintenance support offices and a large hangar that can perform maintenance on up to 6 aircraft at a time. Hawker owners in the region will now get superior maintenance and support from a facility that consists of 1,200 square meters of hangar and 500 square meters of administrative offices, maintenance support and storage space as well as a first-rate VIP lounge.

Source: Hawker Beechcraft.

Bombardier Inaugurates World-Class Facility In Querétaro, Mexico

Montréal, February 28, 2008

Today, Bombardier Aerospace announced the official opening of its world-class manufacturing facility located at the Querétaro Aerospace Park in Mexico. This new facility complements Bombardier’s existing manufacturing sites located in Canada, Northern Ireland and the United States. Manufacturing operations in this facility began in the second half of 2007.

Currently, Bombardier Aerospace has approximately 900 full-time employees working at its facilities in Mexico where they manufacture electrical harnesses and structural aircraft components. These components include the Challenger 850 mid-fuselage, the Q400 aircraft flight control work package (rudder, elevator and horizontal stabilizer), and the Global family of aircraft aft fuselage. By the end of 2008, Bombardier Aerospace expects to employ 1,200 full-time staff.

“Bombardier Aerospace and Mexico have a solid relationship based on a long-term commitment to develop the aerospace industry within Mexico and we are particularly proud to be the first manufacturer at Querétaro’s new aerospace park,” said Pierre Beaudoin, President and Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Aerospace. “In parallel to the establishment of this world-class facility, we also plan to develop a local supplier base to further support our Mexican operations and other facilities, and we look forward to other companies joining us in Quetéraro. In this highly competitive industry, which is becoming increasingly global in its scope, we view Mexico as the springboard to the further development of the aerospace industry in Central and South America, and to our increased competitiveness in the international marketplace.”

“We are extremely pleased with the work being accomplished by our Mexican employees. Their sense of professionalism and dedication, as well as their willingness to take on, and overcome, tough challenges, has contributed to the success of this venture. Their efforts are setting the standard that will ultimately allow Mexico to become a vital participant in the international aerospace industry. All participants have the right to be proud of their achievements,” Mr. Beaudoin continued.

“We applaud the strong commitment shown by both the Federal and State of Querétaro governments to participate and support the three pillars upon which our industry stands: infrastructure, certification and training. I have every confidence that, together, we will build a strong and vital future for the Mexican aerospace industry and for Bombardier.”

Bombardier also acknowledges the VESTA-GE alliance that combines the two companies’ experience in the construction and the administration of industrial-type properties, as well as the financing of real estate. VESTA-GE will jointly undertake the investment, the development and the management of the Querétaro Aerospace Park.

Querétaro, located north of Mexico City, offers quality industrial and educational infrastructures, a skilled population and dynamic economic development policies. Its modern airport will provide Bombardier Aerospace, its suppliers and other future members of the new Mexican aerospace cluster, the best potential for growth and synergies.

In addition to Bombardier Aerospace having aircraft component facilities located in Mexico, Bombardier Transportation is also present through its facility in Ciudad Sahagún.

Source: Bombardier

Boeing Celebrates Small Diameter Bomb Delivery Milestones

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 28, 2008 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today celebrated a trio of Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) delivery milestones — the 1,000th SDB I, the 200th BRU-61/A Bomb Rack Unit Carriage System and the first 50 Focused Lethality Munitions (FLM) — demonstrating a commitment to providing effective solutions to the U.S. military.

The milestones were observed with a ceremony at Boeing’s St. Charles, Mo., Weapons Programs facility.

“I am very proud of the U.S. Air Force and Boeing SDB team for working together to make these achievements possible,” said Debra Rub-Zenko, vice president, Boeing Weapons Programs. “SDB is a great program that provides extremely effective weapons capability to current and future warfighters.”

Boeing and the Air Force SDB Program Office last year received the Precision Strike Association’s 2007 William J. Perry Award for leadership and performance excellence. Col. Richard Justice, commander of the 918th Armament Systems Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., credits the weapon’s success to this partnership.

“SDB enjoys a great reputation within the Department of Defense as a model weapon-acquisition program,” he explained. “A significant reason for that is our strong partnership with Boeing. I’d like to offer my thanks to Boeing and the entire SDB I team for delivering the first 1,000 weapons and first 50 FLM weapons ahead of schedule — a tremendous accomplishment.”

Because of its small size and robust performance, the SDB I weapon system, which includes the four-bomb capacity BRU-61/A carriage system, greatly increases the mission capability of current and future platforms. Boeing delivered the first production SDB in May 2006 and entered full-rate production in December 2006. Currently, more than 24,000 weapons and 2,000 carriages are in Air Force procurement and budget plans. The Air Force is investing $1.2 billion for production of the system, with deliveries planned beyond 2015.

The all-weather SDB I weapon system is compatible with every U.S. fighter and bomber aircraft. It has a standoff range of 60 nautical miles. At 71 inches long, the 250-pound class weapon quadruples the number of weapons each aircraft can carry.

The FLM variant, with its non-fragmenting case, combines ultra-low collateral damage and pinpoint accuracy for precision strikes on selected targets with limited damage outside the blast zone. The weapon incorporates a carbon-fiber composite warhead and an advanced multi-phase blast explosive to eliminate fragmentation. The small blast area makes it possible to defeat targets in sensitive areas while minimizing risk to nearby personnel or structures. The new carbon-fiber warhead replicates the SDB steel-case warhead in size, shape and mass, allowing FLM to use proven SDB components.

Delivery of the first 50 FLMs is part of a $27 million Air Force Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) contract.

“The JCTD process has been a very effective approach to rapidly develop the Focused Lethality Munition and provide a new capability for the warfighter,” said Dan Jaspering, director, Boeing Direct Attack Weapons Programs. “It further reduces collateral damage of the baseline Small Diameter Bomb, allowing engagement of even more targets”

Source: Boeing

Skyline Helicopters Appointed as First AgustaWestland Service Centre in Canada

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Skyline Helicopters of Kelowna, British Colombia, Canada has been commissioned as the first AgustaWestland Service Centre in Canada. Grant Louden, the President and CEO of Skyline Helicopters stated that the qualification as an AgustaWestland service centre has been a planned growth goal for some time, and that he is pleased to become part of the family of worldwide AgustaWestland service centres. This additional qualification will expand Skyline’s maintenance business by being able to provide high quality factory authorised service to other Canadian AgustaWestland operators.

Lou Bartolotta, AgustaWestland’s Executive VP of Sales, North & South America, stated “The expansion of AgustaWestland service into Canada demonstrates both the Canadian acceptance of the AgustaWestland products and the commitment by AgustaWestland to the Canadian market. Canada is an extremely important and growing market for AgustaWestland. We are very pleased to recognize Skyline Helicopters as the first AgustaWestland service centre in Canada, which continues the AgustaWestland growth and expansion of worldwide service organisations.”
Skyline Helicopters fleet includes two AW119 Koalas which primarily support seismic operations for oil and gas exploration. Skyline Helicopters provide contracted services for several major oil companies including Shell Oil. Mr. Louden further stated “We have been very pleased with the performance of these aircraft and AgustaWestland’s dedication to supporting their aircraft in Canada. We have introduced the aircraft into not only the oil and gas sector but forestry, fire fighting, heli-skiing and mountain rescue markets where it has been widely accepted and admired for its strong performance and amazing speed. We look forward to offering the same great level of service to other AgustaWestland operators throughout Canada.”

Source: Agusta Westland

CareFlite Dallas/Fort Worth Orders An AgustaWestland AW109 Power Helicopter

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that CareFlite Dallas/Fort Worth has ordered another AW109 Power light twin turbine helicopter. This purchase adds to the five AW109 Powers ordered in 2001 and further expands CareFlite’s fleet dedicated to emergency medical service purposes. Speaking on behalf of CareFlite, President and CEO James Swartz stated “This latest contract further confirms the reliance CareFlite, as a leading US air medical operator servicing a major metropolitan area, places upon the exceptional performance, operational economies, support and EMS capabilities of the AW109 Power. AgustaWestland’s AW109 meets and exceeds our load and range requirements while adding superior single engine performance. Its unequalled maximum and cruise speed facilitates an expeditious response to CareFlite’s medical emergencies when seconds are critical.”

Louis Bartolotta, AgustaWestland’s Executive VP of Sales, stated “This AW109 Power is testimony to both the strong relationship we have had with CareFlite Dallas over the past 7 years and will continue to enjoy into the future, and the high level of critical care services that they will be able to provide the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area. We remain honoured to assist in the provision of that care.” CareFlite’s AW109 Power is certified for single pilot IFR operations and powered by twin Pratt & Whitney 206C engines. AgustaWestland provided CareFlite’s aeromedical configuration to accommodate two litter patients and three attendants. For maximum flexibility the primary litter is a Life Port pivoting system. Both single litter and dual litter configurations allow full body access to patients.
A Dallas-Ft. Worth based rapid response air and group ambulance/911 EMS operator, CareFlite is one of the premier helicopter air medical operations in the United States. CareFlite is a 501(c)3 non-profit company sponsored by the Baylor Health Care System, JPS Health Network, Methodist Health System, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and Texas Health Resources (Arlington Memorial, Harris Methodist and Presbyterian Hospitals). The oldest joint use helicopter medical transport program in the United States, over 75,000 patients have been airlifted by CareFlite since the company’s founding in 1979. Plus CareFlite is the only service in North Texas that operates under instrument flight rules during times of bad weather. The company has 17 GPS approaches to North Texas hospitals. This permits the rapid transport of patients to critical care facilities despite the weather. CareFlite’s EMS helicopters serve more than 100 counties within a 150-mile radius of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The company also provides fixed wing air ambulance service for transports beyond the range of its helicopter fleet and an extensive ground ambulance/911 system. CareFlite is accredited by CAMTS, the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.

Source: Agusta Westland

Boeing Continues KC-10 Fleet Support Under Contract Extension

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 27, 2008 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is continuing to support the U.S. Air Force’s KC-10 Extender aerial refueling tanker fleet under the KC-10 Contractor Logistics Support program. The company received a $307 million contract extension in January that allows KC-10 support to continue uninterrupted until a new competitive contract is awarded this summer. Boeing provides depot-level maintenance and modifications, supply-chain management and other critical support tasks to the Air Force from its Support Systems facility in San Antonio, pictured here. Support Systems employees returned 45 KC-10s to the Air Force last year. The service currently operates nearly 60 KC-10 aircraft.

Source: Boeing

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