Boeing to Provide Landing Gear Exchange Service to Qantas Airways

SEATTLE, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) will perform landing gear exchange, repair and overhaul services on Qantas Airways’ 747-400ER (extended range) jetliners. Qantas, the program launch customer for the 747-400ER and operator of six of the airplanes, becomes the launch customer for the 747-400ER Landing Gear Overhaul and Exchange Program.

Qantas will use the Boeing Service Center Repair Network for quick, reliable access to landing gear exchanges, repair and replacement around the world, greatly reducing maintenance time. The agreement takes effect in 2011.

The launch of the Landing Gear Overhaul and Exchange Program by Qantas for the 747-400ER family provides a similar opportunity for operators of the 40 747-400ER Freighters currently in service.

“We appreciate that a customer such as Qantas is demonstrating their confidence in Boeing to provide them with this important service,” said Dale Wilkinson, vice president, Material Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “By choosing Boeing’s landing gear exchange program, Qantas will have immediate access to a replacement gear without having to invest in a landing gear asset themselves.”

Qantas Airways is the latest of more than 70 customers to take advantage of the Boeing’s Landing Gear Overhaul and Exchange Program. Boeing coordinates with airlines and global component repair and overhaul suppliers to promptly return airplanes to service.

More than 500 airplanes have benefitted from the Boeing Landing Gear Overhaul and Exchange Programs for 717, Next-Generation 737, Boeing Business Jet, 757-300, 767-300, 777-200ER/-300/300ER, MD-11 and, now 747-400ER/ERF models. The program adheres to Boeing-approved quality processes and procedures and provides full technical and emergency support.

Source: Boeing

Gripen C/D now in service at Såtenäs

The Swedish Air Force Wing F 7, based at Såtenäs, was the first unit to become operational on Gripen back in 1997. Having flown the first versions ever since, they are now beginning to convert to the latest Gripen versions. The conversion is primarily aimed at supporting the training of pilots from the Royal Thai Air Force.

Air India Signs Agreement To Become GEnx Service Provider

March 04, 2010 — HYDERABAD, INDIA — GE Aviation and India’s national carrier Air India have signed a GE Branded Services Agreement (GBSA) under which GE Aviation will provide technical support as Air India offers maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the GEnx-1B engine and further advances its plans to become a global MRO service provider.

Under the GBSA, Air India will be licensed to perform maintenance and overhaul work on the GEnx-1B engine. GE will provide Air India with assistance on overhaul workscoping and component repair licenses, comprehensive material support and training.

The GEnx-1B engine will power Boeing’s 787 aircraft. Air India has 27 GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787 aircraft ordered.

Air India has been overhauling jet engines for more than four decades. During this time, Air India has handled various jet engine models and has acquired expertise in overhauling jet engines at low cost while maintaining high standards of quality. The facility not only caters to the entire widebody aircraft of Air India consistently, but also carries out third party work for customers situated all across the globe.

“Air India envisages a state-of-the-art facility catering to GE90 and GEnx engines, including a new engine test facility. Our strong collaboration with GE will enhance the visibility of the facility in the world and will result in India becoming one of the major engine MRO players. Further, advanced repair technology will also come to the country by way of this agreement,” said Arvind Jadhav, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India.”

“GE Aviation is excited to work with Air India as it expands its MRO capabilities to the GEnx-1B engine,” said Tom Gentile, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation Services. “Air India will offer OEM material and overhaul support to GEnx-1B engine customers in the region to help them keep their engines in top condition.”

Source: General Electric

Bombardier Opens Third Service Centre for Commercial Aircraft in the United States

Signs 10-year maintenance agreement with Atlantic Southeast Airlines

Bombardier Aerospace today announced that it has added a third commercial aircraft service centre to its growing customer support network worldwide. The facility, located in Macon, Georgia and operated by Bombardier Customer Services complements the two Bombardier-owned commercial aircraft service centres in Bridgeport, West Virginia and Tucson, Arizona. 

The facility, which began operations on January 18, 2010, will perform heavy maintenance, including C Check events, on Bombardier CRJ100/200/700/900 aircraft.  This new operation is expected to create an additional 180 jobs within Bombardier over the next year, and represents a $2 million investment in Georgia.

With the opening of the new facility, Bombardier has signed a 10-year exclusive agreement with Georgia-based Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), becoming the exclusive provider of heavy maintenance services for ASA’s fleet of 150 CRJ aircraft (including 108 CRJ200, 38 CRJ700 and 10 CRJ900 models).  Macon is a strategic location for businesses in the aerospace and aviation sector, and the state of Georgia is home to more than 500 firms that perform all facets of the aircraft maintenance industry.

The opening of the Macon facility coincides with the announcement of Bombardier’s first wholly owned European service centre for business aircraft, which will begin operations at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in the first quarter of 2010. With the addition of these two centres, Bombardier Aerospace now operates a total of eight service centres around the world.

“Bombardier Customer Services has proven to be a reliable heavy maintenance provider for ASA’s Bombardier fleet and we are pleased to be extending our well-established partnership with Bombardier Customer Services in Macon,” said Ken Ashworth, Vice President, Maintenance, Atlantic Southeast Airlines.

“The investment in the Macon service centre, as well as the new one at Schiphol, is evidence of Bombardier’s ongoing commitment to improve the maintenance support we offer our customers,” said James Hoblyn, President, Customer Services and Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, “and the 10-year contract with ASA is a testament to the quality we provide throughout our service centres.”

The 91,808-square-foot (8,529 sq m) Macon facility, previously operated by ASA, will be managed by Bombardier Customer Services and will also provide existing and new Bombardier CRJ operators with additional repair, overhaul and maintenance capacity. The well-equipped, well-stocked facility has a line capability for up to six aircraft at a time.

“We have worked hard to maintain and expand industry in the Macon-Bibb County Community and are therefore very pleased to have Bombardier conduct its operations here in conjunction with ASA,” said Cliffard Whitby, Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority.  “This success reflects the quality of our skilled laborers and the cooperation and collaboration among community leaders.  We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

As one of Georgia’s strategic industries, the aviation and aerospace sector employs more than 80,000 people statewide.  In addition, Georgia’s total aviation exports topped $3.2 billion in 2008, ranking the state as the ninth-highest U.S. state in this sector.

“As Georgia continues to pursue excellence in the aerospace sector, the relocation of companies like Bombardier to the state is a great step in that direction,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  “I join with the Macon community and this vibrant Middle Georgia region in welcoming yet another aerospace industry leader to the state.”

Through its service centre network, Bombardier has been offering the highest quality of support to its customers for over 28 years.The legendary CRJ100/200 aircraft, first of the CRJ Series family of regional airliners, was launched in March 1989. As of January 31, 2010, Bombardier had delivered 1,587 CRJ Series aircraft. CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 operators in 38 countries.

Source: Bombardier

Final Boeing 747 Dreamlifter Enters Service

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The fourth Boeing (NYSE: BA) Dreamlifter – the final airplane in the fleet of specially modified 747-400s – entered service today. Dreamlifters transport the large composite structures of the 787 Dreamliner from partners around the world to Everett, Wash. for final assembly. The unique airplane, which was modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. in Taipei, Taiwan, took off from Paine Field in Everett early this morning. Bound for Wichita, Kan., the Dreamlifter is returning the equipment used to transport the forward fuselage section known as section 41. The airplane’s registry is N718BA.

Source: Boeing

EMBRAER DESIGNATES 1ST PHENOM SERVICE CENTER IN CALIFORNIA

 

Embraer has named Clay Lacy Aviation (CLA) as the Company’s authorized service center for the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 jets in Southern California. Located at Van Nuys Airport, in the Los Angeles Basin, CLA is one of the most prominent, well-established corporate aviation service providers in the world.

“With the appointment of this new support base, Embraer has met the need for Phenom authorized service in the Southern California market,” President, Customer Support, USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean – Executive Jets.

 

said Scott Kalister, Embraer Vice “Clay Lacy’s reputation as a premier executive aviation provider and its location at Van Nuys Airport make it an ideal choice for the support of our Phenom jet customers.” 

 

Operating from their 8-acre (32,400-square meter) facility, CLA has one of the largest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Diamond Award and Class III and IV certified maintenance repair stations in the western U.S. Five large hangars are available to Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 customers who will be offered inspections, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, paint touchups, and interior shop services.

“We are excited to work with Embraer, whose creativity and experience brought the Phenom to the market in a timely manner, at a very competitive price and with a performance greater than originally specified,” opportunity to strengthen our relationship with one of the premier aviation manufacturers in the world, since we already operate its aircraft.”

 

said Clay Lacy, founder and CEO of CLA. “We see this as an A total of 64 Phenom jets are currently registered with the FAA. The entry level Phenom 100 has been operating in North America since December 2008. The Phenom 300, which was certified in December 2009, is also flying in the region. The certification results for both cleansheet, state-of-the-art aircraft boast significant improvements in runway length, range, speed, and fuel consumption.

Source: Embraer

First U.K. Service Pilot Flies The Lockheed Martin F-35

PATUXENT RIVER, Md., January 27th, 2010 — A Royal Air Force officer on Tuesday became the first active-duty service pilot from the United Kingdom to take to the skies in a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

RAF Squadron Leader Steve Long piloted BF-2, the second short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B, over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., logging the aircraft’s 18th mission. Long departed at 9:55 a.m. EST and flew the aircraft to 20,000 feet, before landing 1.3 hours later. Both the RAF and the Royal Navy plan to operate the F-35B.

“Flying the F-35 was exactly like the simulators that I’ve been flying for over 18 months now, which gives you a lot of confidence in all the modeling and simulation work that has been done in all the other areas of the flight envelope,” Long said, adding that it was a “privilege” to fly the F-35. “What this aircraft really gives the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy is a quantum leap in airborne capability because of the sensor suite it carries. An F-35 pilot will have an unprecedented level of situational awareness about what’s going on in the airspace around him or her, and also on the battlefield or ocean below. Not only that, but the F-35 will plug into coalition battlefield networks and be able to pass that picture on to all other players in the network.”

With the capability to operate from a variety of ships or austere runways, the F-35B can deploy closer to shore or near front lines, shrinking distance and time to the target, increasing sortie rates and greatly reducing the need for support assets. The Lightning II’s sensor suite is the most powerful and comprehensive of any fighter in history, and will combine with an unprecedented networking capability to give unparalleled situational awareness.

U.K. Joint Combat Aircraft Project Team Leader, Air Commodore Graham Farnell, has stated that the U.K. has been closely involved in JSF since its inception. “It is therefore an honour to witness an RAF pilot flying BF-2 during this important phase of the F-35B flight test, and further demonstrates the closeness and mutual trust between our respective nations and their armed forces,” Farnell said. “Squadron Leader Long has been preparing for this opportunity since his arrival in the U.S. well over a year ago, and this occasion is a testament not only to the work undertaken in the Integrated Test Force, to which the U.K. provides considerable expertise, but also to the wider JSF community in both government and industry.

“We look forward to the JSF flight test program meeting its targets in 2010, with today being one of many such occasions in the next year of JSF. The U.K. is now preparing pilots and maintainers for initial training at Eglin so that we can begin operating our aircraft in 2011 alongside our colleagues from the United States Marine Corps,” he said.

Squadron Leader Long is the third active-duty service member to fly the F-35. (The jet also has been flown by U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps pilots.) Long has more than 2,200 hours of flight time and currently flies the F-18A-D with the U.S. Marines. He joined the RAF in 1995, and his operational experience has included more than 100 sorties over Kosovo and Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Iraq, including three months of embarked time aboard H.M.S. Illustrious, and seven months on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard.

The U.K. has invested $2 billion in the F-35′s development – the largest contribution among the program’s eight partner nations. The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) program announced in December that the United Kingdom received financial approval to purchase its third F-35B operational test aircraft, reinforcing the U.K.’s continued commitment to the JSF program’s upcoming Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) phase.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Source: Lockheed Martin

First upgraded Army Air Corps Lynx helicopters are back in service

The first four upgraded Lynx Mk9 helicopters, which are to be sent to Afghanistan, have re-entered service, with three of the aircraft now being used for training, prior to deployment, at 9 Regiment Army Air Corps in Dishforth, North Yorkshire.

The upgrades on initially twelve Mk9s were ordered by the MOD a year ago, with upgrades on the remaining ten aircraft likely to follow.

The Mk9a benefits from a considerably more powerful engine that enables operation in the challenging hot and high conditions of Afghanistan and the same engine is also being fitted to the new Lynx Wildcat which is expected to be delivered to the military from 2014.

Lift capacity in the Mk9a is increased by 1 tonne over the earlier version.

Other improvements include an updated instrument panel and digital displays and a modified gearbox and rear structure to accommodate the new powerplant. The remainder of the twelve helicopters will be delivered over this next year from AgustaWestland’s factory at Yeovil, Somerset.

Source: MOD UK
Picture: AgustaWestland

Eurofighter: 200 Aircraft in service, Nothing Comes Close

The 200th Eurofighter Typhoon produced by the four partner companies of the European consortium, was delivered by EADS Deutschland to the German Luftwaffe today during a ceremony held in Manching, close to Munich, Germany. This milestone makes the Eurofighter Typhoon the only new generation multi-role aircraft to reach the impressive figure of 200 examples in service.

The Typhoons – produced by EADS Deutschland, EADS CASA, BAE Systems and Alenia Aeronautica – are now in service with 12 units in six air forces replacing 11 aircraft types, thus confirming that the Eurofighter is not only the best performing multi-role aircraft available on the market but also the most effective and best value solution to meet the air defence requirements of air forces and nations worldwide. To date the fleet has flown over 70,000 flying hours in total with above average operational availability and unmatched operational performances.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is the choice of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Austrian Air Forces which have in total ordered 707 aircraft.

Recently, four Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft flew a record breaking flight of 18 hours to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Sea, to take over Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties from the Tornado F3s. In similar operational roles, the Luftwaffe has been on NATO air policing duties in the Baltic states; the Italian Air Force is carrying out air policing duties over Albania and the Austrian Air Force – that has received all 15 ordered aircraft – provided security for the air space over a NATO Defence Ministers event in Slovakia.

Enzo Casolini, Eurofighter GmbH CEO, said: “This milestone is the best example of the success of this joint European programme. The Eurofighter Typhoon is not only the world’s leading frontline combat aircraft but is also the biggest industrial collaboration in Europe. Confirming the plan agreed in the past by the four nations for the production of this aircraft means the Eurofighter can keep securing 100,000 jobs across 400 different companies and the huge benefits provided to the four nations’ economies for long terms”.

Source: Alenia

Bombardier Extends Service at its Dubai Parts Depot to Commercial Aircraft Operators

Bombardier Aerospace today announced that it will offer its commercial aircraft customers in the Middle East ready access to parts through its existing parts depot at Dubai International Airport.

The 2,800 square-foot  (260 sq-m) facility, which currently services Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft customers, will be equipped in the coming months to meet the parts requirements of CRJ Series, Q-Series and eventually CSeries aircraft customers within the region.

Bombardier’s Dubai parts depot facility, operated in conjunction with the ExecuJet Aviation Group, has been delivering an exemplary level of service to the growing number of business aircraft operators in the region since it opened in November 2005.

“As the demand for airline travel grows within the Middle East, we are committed to growing our fleet of commercial aircraft in the region and to providing these commercial customers with the same level of world-class service that we have in place for our business customers,” said James Hoblyn, President, Customer Services, Bombardier Aerospace. “We recognize how critical it is for customers to have support and parts available in their own region. This is another in a number of recent changes we have implemented to elevate our service around the globe.” 

In addition to the facility at Dubai International Airport, which also serves as an Authorized Service Facility (ASF) for business aircraft operators, Bombardier maintains a business aircraft sales office in Dubai. As well, Bombardier’s commercial aircraft customers have access to round-the-clock support through two state-of-the-art Customer Response Centres located in Toronto and Montréal, which operate 24/7, 365 days a year.

FlyDubai to start Baku service this month

DUBAI - Budget airline FlyDubai will begin a service to Azerbaijan’s capital Baku from Nov. 20, the carrier’s ninth destination since it started operating in June.

“Baku is our first route into Asia and a prime opportunity because of its rapid expansion as a business and tourism centre,” FlyDubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith al-Ghaith said in a statement.

“There is currently only one other airline operating direct flights between Dubai and Baku so we anticipate strong demand for our service.”

The airline, which has ordered 50 Boeing single-aisle planes, suffered a setback on the lucrative India sector in July when it could not launch services to three Indian cities, citing unspecified operational issues.

It aims to cover most key cities within a flight distance of four and a half hours from Dubai.

FlyDubai will start flying to the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Nov. 8. Its network includes Beirut, Amman, Damascus and Doha.

“While the more well-known routes are a mainstay of FlyDubai’s business, it is also our aim to open up the skies and fly to less established locations,” Ghaith said.

Source: maktoob.com

Pilatus announces new PC-12 Sales and Service Center for south-eastern Europe

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is pleased to announce the selection of OK Business Aircraft, s.r.o as its new dealership for south-eastern Europe. OK Business Aircraft will be responsible for sales, marketing and service of the PC 12 NG in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania.

Speaking from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Stans, Switzerland, Ignaz Gretener, VP General Aviation commented: “We are very excited to form this new alliance with OK Business Aircraft. Their considerable aircraft sales expertise and local knowledge will certainly benefit PC-12 NG customers in the area and provide them with a valuable local source for the transportation solutions they need.”

Located at Pribram Airport (LKPM), Czech Republic, near Prague, OK Business Aircraft provides an ideal location to promote PC-12 NG sales and to build further brand awareness in the region. Lubomir Cornak, Managing Director of OK Business Aircraft added: “The PC-12 NG is renowned worldwide for its superb performance and craftsmanship, and it has great potential to connect and grow businesses throughout south-eastern Europe. I see this as the beginning of a great and long lasting partnership.”

The single-turbine powered PC-12 NG has become increasingly popular as a cost effective and defensible aircraft that is well suited for a wide variety of transport missions. Low acquisition and operating costs combined with a large cabin, standard cargo door, and ability to fly into short and unimproved airfields, uniquely distinguish the PC-12 NG from all other jet and twin turboprop aircraft.

Source: Pilatus

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