March 2010 - Airnews Round Up
EUROCOPTER 2009 RESULTS
Paris – Eurocopter met its business and delivery objectives for 2009 and stabilised its turnover at the level of its record year, 2008, according to a statement released by the company last month. The world economic crisis caused a sharp order decline in the civil market for light helicopters. However, governmental orders over-compensated in value the drop in commercial unit sales, leading to the second-best result of order intakes in Eurocopter’s history.
Deliveries remained stable with 558 new civil and military helicopters delivered in 2009 and almost matching the peak level of 2008. This figure reinforces Eurocopter’s position as a major branded business division within EADS, accounting for a consolidated turnover of 4,6-billion Euros. Order bookings suffered a decline in terms of units sold, but not in value. A net total of 344 new aircraft, including 81 Super Puma/Cougar/EC225/EC725 family helicopters, were sold, amounting to 5,8 billion-Euros. The company’s total order backlog at the end of 2009 amounted to a robust 1 300 helicopters or the equivalent of 15,1-billion Euros, an increase of more than one billion Euros compared to the end of 2008.
NEW HIGH FOR PILATUS
Zurich – Pilatus has announced that 2009 was a record-breaking year for deliveries of its single-tubroprop PC-12 with 100 NG (new generation) models being handed over to customers worldwide, surpassing delivery totals for any production year since the PC-12 programme began. The PC-12 has consistently been one of the top selling models of turbine-powered aircraft, and Pilatus has conservatively increased production over the years, delivering 90, 92, and 97 of the type in 2006, 2007, and 2008 respectively.
The company’s steady approach has allowed it to carefully grow yet stay appropriately lean.
NEW ‘COPTERS FOR SAPS
Johannesburg – The South African Police Service is to take delivery of two new Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel helicopters next month. These will be the 14th and 15 helicopters in the SAPS fleet.
SKYCATCHER DELIVERIES DELAYED
Wichita – Cessna is telling 162 Skycatcher position holders that their orders will be delayed six to 10 months because of design changes that resulted from the flight test programme. “We did find a few things during our flight tests,” Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver said. “Most of the changes were needed to fix spin-recovery issues.” Cessna lost two aircraft to unrecoverable spins, although the pilot in each instance was uninjured. Oliver said the rudder needed more surface area and the elevator and aileron travel needed to be decreased on each aircraft.
Work is currently being done after the aircraft are finished by the factory in China. Eventually, the design changes will be integrated into primary production, but, in the meantime, it is causing delays as Yingling Aviation, which is reassembling the crated aircraft in Wichita, makes the modifications.
AVIDYNE EX600 APPROVAL
Lincoln, MA. – Avidyne Corporation has announced it has received FAA Approved Model List - Supplemental Type Certification (AML-STC) approval for its recentlyintroduced EX600 multi-function display (MFD).
This AML-STC, which comes on the heels of the Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval that was granted at the end of December, authorises installation of the EX600 MFD in over 650 Part 23 Class I, II, and III aircraft makes and models.
MOVEMENTS DROP
Valletta – The Malta International Airport has formalised its 2009 traffic results ending a rather crucial year with a drop of 6,1% on its passenger movements when compared with 2008. This translates into a total of 2,92-million passenger movements.
In January last year MIA had forecast its end of year traffic results for 2009 would reflect a 5,5% decrease compared with the previous year, but given the global economic crises this was revised in July to -6,8%. Nevertheless, when compared to 2007, given that 2008 was a record year, the drop in 2009 was only 1,7%. Aircraft movements at MIA decreased by 765 which is -2,8% when compared to 2008 while seat capacity decreased by - 2,4 percent.
GE ACQUIRES BMB FUEL
Evendale, O.H. – GE Aviation has completed the acquisition of BMB Fuel Consulting Services, Inc. (BMB Fuel), a privately owned, Ottawa-based supplier of fuel consulting services used primarily to identify and track operational improvements for airlines that reduce fuel consumption. BMB Fuel’s expertise and fuel management software broaden GE’s existing fuel and carbon offerings to aviation customers.
Fuel typically accounts for more than 30% of an airline’s expenses, and with volatility in fuel prices over the last two years, airlines are looking for ways to manage this major portion of their cost base more effectively. BMB Fuel brings GE Aviation capabilities that will enable a comprehensive fuel and carbon consulting service.
GULFSTREAM EXECUTIVE HONOURED
Savannah, Ga. — Gulfstream Aerospace Corporations’ senior vice-president, programmes, engineering and test, Pres Henne, received the Aviation Industry Leader of the Year Award at the 2010 Living Legends of Aviation Awards presentation recently.
Henne was presented the award by 2008 honouree, Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). This award recognises dedication to the aviation industry and is presented each year by the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a Colorado-based non-profit organisation committed to fostering interest in aviation. The “Living Legends of Aviation” roster includes entrepreneurs, innovators, record breakers, astronauts and celebrities who have become pilots. Henne joined Gulfstream in 1994 and is credited with the design, development, test and certification of the Gulfstream GV aircraft, which was awarded the 1997 Collier Trophy for aeronautical achievement.
STRENGTHENED CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Wichita, Kansas – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) has strengthened its commitment to growth and focus on the customer with the announcement that Hawker Beechcraft Services, RAPID and Hawker Beechcraft Customer Support are uniting as one organisation under Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support. In addition, in an effort to better define its role within the organisation, the company’s parts and distribution division, formerly known as RAPID, is now Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution. Supporting 36 000 aircraft worldwide, Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support is now comprised of Technical/Field Support, Technical Publications, Support Plus, Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution, and the Authorised Service Centre Network, which includes company-owned Hawker Beechcraft Services.
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