April 2010 - Airnews Round Up
MAJOR 787 ORDER
Seattle – Boeing and United Airlines have finalised an order for 25 Dreamliner 787- 8 jetliners, an agreement which also includes the opportunity to purchase another 50 Dreamliners. The order is valued at $4,2-billion at average list prices. Boeing and United Airlines share an 80- year partnership. The airline launched the Boeing 777 and will now begin a new chapter with the 787 Dreamliner. When United begins taking delivery of
the 787s simultaneously it will begin to retire its Boeing 747s and 767s operating on international routes.
ENGINEERING CONTRACT
Prestwick – BAE Systems has signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, of Japan, to provide design integration and certification services in connection with the propulsion systems for the next-generation Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft. A team from BAE Systems’ Regional Aircraft business at Prestwick, in Scotland, will provide engineering expertise on a number of work packages for the aircraft which include powerplant, pylon, nacelle, auxiliary power units and fuel systems. The MRJ aircraft, a 70-90-seat family of twin-engined regional jets, will be powered by Pratt and Whitney “PurePower” PW1000G engines. First flight is scheduled for 2012, with entry into service planned for 2014. Current customers for the MRJ are All Nippon Airways and Trans States Holdings, of the USA.
In addition to the specialist team located at Prestwick, BAE Systems also has liaison support personnel located at the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation headquarters at Nagoya, Japan, and at Pratt and Whitney’s facility in Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
COMMUNICATIONS FOR FALCON 7X
Newport – International Communications Group (ICG) has successfully integrated its NxtLink family of datalink-capable Iridium Communications Systems, the ICS-200, 220A and 400, with Dassault Falcon Jet’s EASy integrated avionics system for its Falcon 7X executive jet.
ICG’s family of data and voice capable line replaceable units (LRUs) are extremely lightweight and compact. The company produces several models designed specifically for aeronautical applications that are compliant with the air transport industry’s requirements to support safety services.
ICG’s and Dassault Falcon jets joint test programme was conducted to ensure the interoperability of the NxtLink and EASy components. The integrated systems will allow the flight crew to have access to conventional and emerging datalink services including aircraft communications addressing and reporting systems (ACARS), airborne flight information service (AFIS), controller pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and future air navigation system (FANS) messaging In addition, ICG Iridium avionics provide flight deck and cabin voice services as well as Wi-Fi capable devices with global e-mail, instant messenger, MS exchange server activesync, and a variety of webmail choices via an optional ICG NxtMail server.
Dassault Falcon 7X operators can choose one of three different NxtLink Iridium Communications Systems for use with their EASy avionics suites. The ICS -200 incorporates dual Iridium transceivers and an internal CTU, offering stand alone comprehensive communications over a single coax and antenna.
The NxtLink ICS-220A is a three transceiver device which combines dual channels of global voice and 2400 BPS data service with a third “Short Burst Data” (SBD) channel in a single two-master control unit LRU. The NxtLink ICS-400 incorporates four Iridium transceivers with an internal CTU, providing a stand alone comprehensive communications system with connectivity to other aircraft systems.
NEW ENGINES
Moscow – The French-built Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engine has been chosen by Russian Helicopters, JSC for the upgraded Ka-62, in the frame of the “Protocol of Intentions” signed recently. Offering a high growth potential, this state-of-the-art engine is the response for the strongly expanded five up to eight tons helicopters market. The Ardiden 3 is the modern engine Ka helicopters need for their specific requirements, with a double advantage: a low operating cost thanks to high reliability and an exceptionally low fuel consumption.
Russian Helicopters is currently expanding its segment of light and medium twin helicopters capable of multiple missions such as transport, EMS, aerial work and surveillance.
B787 TEST PROGRAMME
Everett – A third aircraft has joined the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight-test and certification programme. ZA004, the fourth flight-test aircraft to be built, took off from Paine Field, in Everett, Washington, for the flight. The programme plan called for ZA004 to fly before ZA003 because the data ZA004 is collecting is needed more quickly both for certification and development of the 787-9. Captains Heather Ross and Craig Bomben completed a three-hour-andtwo- minute flight landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. Flight-test personnel were also on board to monitor airliner performance. During the flight, the aircraft reached an altitude of 30 000 feet and an airspeed of 255 knots. As the testing of the 787 fleet progresses, this aircraft will fly at its expected in-service maximum altitude of 40 000 feet and at a speed of Mach 0,85.
NEW SAA CEO
Johannesburg – South African Airways (SAA) has announced the appointment of Ms Siza Mzimela as its new CEO. She has already taken up her new position and is the airline’s first female CEO. Prior to taking over this position, she was the CEO of SAA’s domestic partner airline, SA Express (SAX). As the new CEO of SAA she brings extensive airline experience to the company and previously filled senior positions in key areas at South African Airways. Mzimela joined SAX in 2003. Under her leadership, the regional airline grew rapidly, introducing a number of new routes and recently starting a new airline, Congo Express in the DRC. In 2009, SAX declared a net profit of approximately R235,4-million under very difficult economic circumstances.
NEW ELECTRIC TUG
Miami – Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Company which provides battery-powered carts, cart movers, and aircraft tugs as well as other equipment, has announced the development of a new electric helicopter tug which is capable of moving a 4 536 kg load. The new battery powered, walk-behind, quiet electric tug is designed for one person to safely and easily manoeuvre helicopters in or out of tight spaces in hangars or in staging on a pad.
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