Airbus drives cabin efficiency at Aircraft Interiors Expo

Cabin efficiency throughout the Family: ‘Passenger at heart, airline in mind’

Airbus underlines its position as leader in cabin innovation and efficiency driver at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. Focusing on the importance of cabin efficiency, one lever of its overall cabin philosophy: “Passenger at heart, airline in mind,” the corresponding advantages and benefits of the A320 Family, A330/A340 Family, A350 and A380 are displayed. In addition, initiatives to drive greater efficiency from current and future cabins are presented.

The A320 Family Enhanced Cabin, offering better luggage stowage and a quieter cabin packaged with a more modern look and feel, has already been delivered in more than 650 aircraft, since its launch at the beginning of 2007. Moreover, the Enhanced Cabin is now also available as a weight-reducing retrofit for in-service aircraft.

The A350 XWB, Airbus’ newest product, with entry into service in 2013, will set new standards in cabin efficiency and passenger comfort. To this end, this year’s display will focus on the modular design of the cabin platform, offering a full range of cabin designs while enhancing aircraft value.

For the A380, Airbus will illustrate the popularity of the aircraft with special focus of the cabin. Experienced already by more than a million passengers worldwide after starting service end of 2007, the A380 is proving to be tremendously popular, attracting higher load factors and higher yields. Passengers and crews have been delighted by the innovative cabin, its quietness, comfort and service as well as operational efficiency.

The Airbus Upgrade Services team will be present on the stand to advise airlines how to further enhance in-service aircraft cabins by integrating latest technologies and providing innovative engineering solutions for all Airbus product families.

An update on SPICE (SPace Innovative Catering Equipment) will complete the Airbus presence. SPICE is an Airbus-driven initiative for a new galley concept, which benefits all stakeholders by reducing weight, increasing revenue space whilst improving ergonomics and designing for future food hygiene and recycling requirements.

The Airbus stand is located in Hall B7, 7D20

Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Takes Delivery of the First AW139 for All Nippon Helicopter

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, official distributor for the AW139 medium twin helicopter in Japan, has recently taken delivery of the first of two AW139s for All Nippon Helicopter (ANH). This aircraft is expected to be delivered by Mitsui Bussan to ANH in mid-2009. ANH will conduct electronic news gathering missions exclusively for Nippon Housou Kyoukai (NHK), Japan’s national broadcasting corporation and one of the most important in this field worldwide. The selection of the AW139 by ANH marked the entrance of the AW139 into the Japanese civil helicopter market and the first AW139 for electronic news gathering operations in the world. Thanks to state-of-the-art avionics, the best performance and the roomiest unobstructed cabin in the medium twin category, the AW139 will greatly increase customer’s mission effectiveness in terms of speed, range, endurance and comfort.

AgustaWestland has experienced strong growth in the Japanese commercial helicopter market in recent years. Its widerange of high pefromance helicopters have been able met the often demanding operational requirements of the leading operators. Japanese customers are also served with excellent product support solutions to maximize their business. The delivery of this aircraft will marks the entrance of the best selling AW139 medium twin in the Japanese civil helicopter market, however, the AW139 has already found success in Japan for law enforcement and coast guard roles. The company sees significant future business opportunities in Japan for the AW139 in both the civil and government markets. With over 100 customers from more than 40 countries having purchased over 430 helicopters so far, the AW139 has rapidly become the helicopter of choice in the medium twin class for a number of applications including offshore transport, EMS/SAR, VIP/corporate transport, law enforcement and homeland security, utility and government purposes.
All Nippon Helicopter (ANH) is the All Nippon Airways Group company that operates electronic news gathering helicopters exclusively for NHK. Founded in 1986, ANH has11 bases throughout Japan, from Sapporo to Okinawa, providing crew and maintenance technicians 24 hours per day on stand-by for urgent news gathering missions. Nippon Housou Kyoukai (NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation), as Japan’s sole public service broadcaster, introduced a radio service in 1925 and a television service in 1953. It operates five television channels and three radio services, providing news in 18 languages on the radio and over the internet. NHK has 54 stations across Japan and correspondents in 28 locations around the world. Digital satellite TV broadcasting introduced in December 2000 was followed by the first digital terrestrial broadcasts in December 2003.

Source: Agusta Westland

Boeing Delivers Training Enhancements to F-15E Mission Training Centers

ST. LOUIS, March 27, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] in February delivered its F-15E Suite 5 upgrade to the U.S. Air Force’s F-15E Mission Training Centers (MTC) at Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho; Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; and Royal AFB Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. This system upgrade ensures that the F-15E MTCs have aircrew training devices concurrent with the latest aircraft configuration — including recent changes to the F-15E cockpit and its ability to carry the Small Diameter Bomb.

“Our team was dedicated to providing this quantum leap in F-15E training capability to the Air Force,” said Kay Grabanski, Boeing F-15 MTC program manager. “It is very gratifying to know we are helping the warfighter by delivering a product with immediate value.”

Boeing also delivered a four-ship training system to the Mountain Home MTC in early March. This system enables pilots to train for missions in one of the four highly immersive, networked simulators rather than in the aircraft, where range availability is limited. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the four-ship system to the Seymour Johnson MTC in April.

“The MTC allows the customer to focus training on specific missions, such as surface attack or air-to-air,” said Grabanski. “It offers aircrews the realism required for mission training.”

The Boeing-developed and -operated F-15E MTC provides aircrews with high-fidelity, simulator-based training without the material and personnel costs and environmental impact associated with training in operational aircraft. The F-15E MTCs will join the Distributed Mission Operations Network in August, allowing an aircrew in one location to train for missions with other aircrews located around the world.

Source: Boeing

Royal Air Maroc Orders 6 ATRs 600 series

Morocco’s flag carrier Royal Air Maroc and ATR today announced an order for 2 ATR 42-600s and 4 ATR 72-600s, plus options for 2 additional ATR 72-600. The aircraft will be operated by Royal Air Maroc Express, the new regional subsidiary of the airline, which will be launched in summer 2009 and which has been created in cooperation with the Moroccan Public Authorities. The deal has been unveiled on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the opening of the route Toulouse-Casablanca by Aéropostale, the French Air Post Service.

These ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s, configured with 48 and 70-seats respectively, will be equipped with a new avionics suite featuring the most advanced technologies in navigation aid and communication tools. The aircraft will also be equipped with an enhanced cabin in order to offer higher comfort to the passengers. Deliveries of the new aircraft will start in spring 2011. Meanwhile, ATR will lease 4 ATR 72-200s to Royal Air Maroc in order to support the launch of the new subsidiary carrier.

Source: ATR

Finnair receives first A330

Eco-efficient A330 adds to Finnair’s Airbus family

Finnair has taken delivery of its first A330-300. The new aircraft is the first of eight A330-300s ordered by Finnair for the development of its medium and long haul operation. Powered by General Electric CF6-80E1 engines, the carrier’s new A330 can seat 271 passengers in a two-class cabin (229 seats in Economy and 42 in Business Class).

“With its compelling cost efficiency and the high passenger comfort we see the A330 as the right aircraft for our ambitious fleet renewal plans,” said Jukka Hienonen, CEO of Finnair. “It will help us to achieve our goal of having one of Europe’s youngest and environmentally friendly fleets. The low fuel burn of the aircraft reduces cost and at the same time the environmental impact of our operations.”

The ability to better match market requirements in terms of range and efficiency makes the twin engine A330 one of the most popular wide-body aircraft in service today. With over 11 million hours in operation the A330 has demonstrated its very low operating costs per seat and is proven to be the most efficient aircraft in its class. Compared with its predecessor aircraft at Finnair the A330 will consume 20 percent less fuel.

“We are delighted and feel honoured to be the prime choice for the further development of the Finnair fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “With the A330, Finnair will now operate almost all Airbus family products and benefit from our cockpit and operational commonality.”

With the brand new A330-300, the Finnair fleet now includes 35 Airbus aircraft: 11 A319s, 12 A320s, six A321s, five A340s and the first A330. Finnair was also the first airline to order the A350 XWB, signing for 11 aircraft with first delivery in 2014.

AESA radar for Gripen NG

Saab and SELEX Galileo will enter co-operative development of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar for the Gripen Next Generation (NG) programme.

The two companies have signed a Heads of Agreement which outlines the way forward in terms of their future working arrangements.

The agreement, which is initially aimed at Brazil’s Fighter programme, signifies the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the two Saab business units; Saab Aerosystems and Saab Microwave Systems, and SELEX Galileo.

Gripen NG is a considerably enhanced version of the already proven and in-service Gripen C/D multi-role fighter. Design for combat in the 21st Century Net Centric Warfare environment Gripen’s flexible and modular design makes continuous development and enhancement both low risk and cost effective.

The Gripen NG programme covers development of all major sensors and avionics including data communication, self-protection systems, weapons integration, as well as airframe and propulsion enhancements.

The jointly developed AESA radar will be based on SELEX Galileo Vixen AESA radar using functionality from the Vixen programme, PS-05/A and other programmes from both companies

Cessna Expresses Commitment to SkyCatcher Program for Light Sport Aircraft Market

WICHITA, Kan., March 25, 2009 – Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, said today it is fully committed to the Model 162 SkyCatcher program despite two incidents experienced during the flight test program.

“The need for a modern, cost-effective two-seat trainer aircraft has never been greater, and we believe we are well positioned to meet that need,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. “The SkyCatcher program is an important part of our strategy,” he added.

Cessna has produced more than 192,000 aircraft over the past 82 years, including the classic 150/152 and 172 models which have been the backbone of flight training for decades.

In the most recent incident on March 19, Pelton said the aircraft was undergoing a very aggressive spin test regime – power on and cross-controlled – when it entered a spin that was not immediately recoverable. This spin test was one of more than 500 flown to date using various combinations of center-of-gravity positions, power settings, flap settings and control inputs. The pilot deployed the airframe parachute in accordance with the flight test procedure and emerged from the aircraft unhurt after it touched down.

Last September, an earlier test aircraft was destroyed when the pilot parachuted to safety after being unable to recover during aggressive spin testing.

“We test all our aircraft well beyond the limits of what is expected in normal operation. By the time a Cessna aircraft enters service we have the highest degree of confidence in the design, flight characteristics, manufacture and quality of the aircraft,” Pelton said, adding that company engineers have obtained valuable data on the crashworthiness of the aircraft and the operation of the Ballistic Recovery System (BRS) airframe parachute as a result of the two incidents. The BRS is offered as an option on the SkyCatcher.

“We are making every effort to minimize the impact on deliveries to our customers,” he said.

The SkyCatcher is a two-seat Light Sport Aircraft powered by a 100 horsepower Continental O-200 engine. The program was launched in 2007.

Source: Cessna

Airbus extends Research and Technology cooperation with Dutch industrial and academic partners

Airbus signs R&T project on thermoplastic composites with Dutch R&T partners

Airbus and the Dutch Aerospace industry signed an extension to their Memorandum of Understanding for strategic cooperation in Research and Technology in place since 2005, and initiated in this framework a specific collaboration agreement on advanced thermoplastic composites.

The agreement was signed by Fabrice Brégier, COO of Airbus, Hans Büthker, President of Stork Fokker AESP, Frank Meurs, Managing Director of TenCate Advanced Composites and Dirk Starink, Chairman of the Netherlands Aerospace Group.

The collaboration between Airbus and the Dutch Aerospace industry on the Thermoplastic Affordable Primary Aircraft Structure (TAPAS) Project will ease further exploration of the potential of new materials, bringing together the strengths of the Dutch industry in this area with the R&T developments within Airbus.

Thermoplastic composites use a resin system that can be heat-formed, welded and recycled and that gives improved in-service damage tolerance. These characteristics potentially offer major advantages in terms of manufacturing and maintenance cost reductions and increased environmental friendliness.

The collaboration project will demonstrate the design techniques, manufacturing and assembly processes of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics to show the applicability of the material to large primary aircraft structures. The project will be an integral part of the Airbus R&T strategy and will involve Dutch private sector participants as well as research institutes and universities.

“The Dutch Aeronautical industry has been involved with Airbus since 1970, and has contributed from the A300 up to the A380 with top-level technology. Innovation and eco-efficiency are values shared by both Airbus and the Netherlands. Our extended R&T cooperation as well as our collaboration on thermoplastic composites research will further strengthen our links,” said Fabrice Brégier.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Over 9,200 Airbus aircraft have been sold to more than 300 customers worldwide.

Sensitive to its position as an industry leader, Airbus strives to be a truly eco-efficient enterprise. To that end Airbus is the first aeronautics company in the world to have earned the ISO 14001 environmental certification for all production sites and products for the entire life cycle. Airbus seeks to ensure that air transport continues to be an eco-efficient means of transport, delivering economic value while minimising its environmental impact.

Source: Airbus

Lockheed Martin Statement – F-22 Accident

Fort Worth, TX, March 25th, 2009 — Lockheed Martin test pilot David Cooley, 49, was killed today at about 10 a.m. Pacific time in the crash of an F-22 aircraft flying on a test mission from Edwards AFB, California. We are deeply saddened by the loss of David and our concerns, thoughts and prayers at this time are with his family. David joined Lockheed Martin in 2003 and was a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked at the F-22 Combined Test Force, where a team of Lockheed Martin and Air Force pilots conduct F-22 aircraft testing.

Source: Lockheed Martin

Fifth European Conference on Space Debris to address key issues

ESA PR 07-2009. The European Space Agency will host the 5th European Conference on Space Debris at ESA’s Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, from 30 March – 2 April.
 
The conference, which is the largest dedicated event on space debris issues, is co-sponsored by the British, French, German and Italian space agencies (BNSC, CNES, DLR, ASI), the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and is expected to gather more than 200 leading experts from all over the world.

Space debris has recently been attracting increasing attention not only due to the growing recognition of the long-term need to protect the commercially valuable low-Earth and geosynchronous orbital zones (LEO and GEO), but also due to the direct threat that existing debris poses to current and future missions. While commercial and scientific uses of space have expanded across a wide range of activities, including telecommunications, weather, navigation, Earth observation and science, space debris has continued to accumulate, significantly threatening current and future missions.

Speakers at the conference will present results from research on space debris, assist in defining future directions for research, consolidate debris environment models, identify methods of debris mitigation and remediation, assess debris-related risks and their control, devise protective measures, and discuss policy issues, regulations and legal aspects.

The conference will also promote the ongoing discussions taking place in a number of organisations, including the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS).

Source: ESA

EMBRAER DELIVERS PHENOM 100 JET TO PAKISTAN’S AIR FORCE

Pakistan Government has ordered four airplanes for transporting officials

São José dos Campos, March 25, 2009 –

Embraer delivered the first Phenom 100 jet, yesterday, at its Headquarters, in São José dos Campos, Brazil, to Pakistan’s Air Force. The Pakistan government has acquired four of this aircraft model, which will be used to transport government officials of that country. This transaction is already included in Embraer’s fourth
quarter firm order backlog.

“Embraer is honored to enjoy the confidence of Pakistan’s Government for operating our products,” said Orlando José Ferreira Neto, Embraer Executive Vice President, Defense and Government Market. “The Phenom 100 is an excellent aircraft that meets a broad range of transportation demands and, with the way opened by the Pakistan Air Force on the international market, we are seeing a growing interest in this model in several other regions.”

This is the first Embraer aircraft delivered to a customer in Pakistan, and it is also the first Phenom 100 to be operated by a government. The country’s Air Force chose this model after carrying out a detailed analysis of such aspects as performance, comfort, technology, acquisition price, and operating costs, among others.

The Phenom 100 jet can accommodate up to eight occupants. Its range of 1,178 nautical miles (2,182 km), including NBAA IFR fuel reserves, means the aircraft is capable of flying nonstop from Islamabad (Pakistan) to Karachi (Pakistan) or Katmandu (Nepal), from New York to Miami, in the U.S., or from London to Rome, in Europe. The jet was certified in December 2008, and proved to be the fastest and to have the largest baggage capacity in its
category.

The Phenom 100 has the latest in cockpit design and a private aft lavatory as one of its most competitive features.

Source: Embraer

Bombardier Announces Three Key European Suppliers for CSeries Aircraft Program

Bombardier Aerospace has added three key European suppliers to the CSeries aircraft program. Alenia Aeronautica of Italy, Fokker Elmo of the Netherlands and Goodrich Actuation Systems of the United Kingdom, will provide key components and systems, and will be instrumental in contributing to the development and success of the all new, game-changing CSeries aircraft.

Alenia Aeronautica will provide the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, fully equipped with hydraulic, electrical and flight control systems, lights and antennas.

Fokker Elmo will be responsible for the design and production of the entire wiring and interconnection system. Additionally Fokker Elmo will design and produce all flight test and instrumentation wiring required during the certification of the CSeries aircraft.

Goodrich Actuation Systems will be responsible for the design and production of the flap and slat actuation systems for the CSeries aircraft. A critical system for take-off and landing, the flap system is installed on the wing and increases both lift and drag, while the slat system adds lift and helps maintain smoother airflow.

“Adding three major suppliers to the CSeries aircraft team moves Bombardier’s development of the program forward in a significant way,” said Benjamin Boehm, Vice-President, Programs, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “CSeries aircraft customers will benefit from the extensive experience of our suppliers in providing top-notch aeronautical systems and components.”

“We are currently reviewing quotations and proposals from a wide range of potential suppliers, including other European suppliers. Bombardier’s Belfast operation in the UK is developing and producing the advanced composite wings for the CSeries aircraft, and we are confident that European suppliers will play an important role on the program, as is the case on other Bombardier programs,” he added.  

On March 11, 2009, Bombardier and European airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG announced the signing of a firm purchase agreement for 30 CSeries model CS100 aircraft with options on an additional 30 CSeries aircraft. The 110-seat and 130-seat CSeries family of aircraft – including the CS100 and CS300 aircraft models – brings unmatched passenger comfort, performance, and operating economics, benefiting from the latest technological advancements, including: fourth-generation aerodynamics; increased use of composites and advanced aluminium alloys in structures; the very latest in system technologies, such as fly-by-wire, electric brakes, and a next-generation engine – the Pratt & Whitney PurePower^TM PW1000G  engine.

At time of entry into service in 2013, the CSeries family of aircraft will be the greenest single-aisle aircraft in its class. These game-changing aircraft will emit 20* per cent less CO₂ and 50* per cent less NOx, fly four* times quieter, and deliver dramatic energy savings – 20* per cent fuel-burn advantage as well as 15* per cent improved cash operating costs versus current in-production aircraft of similar size. The CSeries aircraft will set a new benchmark in the industry, consuming as little as two litres of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometres in its more dense seating layouts*.

Previously announced key suppliers

Bombardier previously selected the following suppliers for the CSeries aircraft program:

C&D Zodiac for the design and production of the aircraft’s interior package, which includes the seats, interiors (including the linings, monuments, bins, galleys and lavatories), oxygen system, lighting system, insulation system, waste system and the water system;

Rockwell Collins as the supplier for the aircraft’s avionics system. Tailored specifically for the CSeries aircraft, its fully integrated flight deck capability will provide flexibility, high reliability and low life cycle costs without compromise on the aircraft’s performance;

Parker Hannifin Corporation, through its Aerospace Group, for the design and production of the CSeries airliner’s fully integrated fuel and hydraulics systems;

Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS for the design and production of the aircraft’s Air Management System, which includes the environmental control and cabin pressure control system;

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned aviation industrial entity China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), will supply the centre fuselage on the CSeries aircraft.

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