Airnews Round Up September 2011
X2 TAKES A BOW
New York – Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s awardwinning X2 Technology demonstrator helicopter flew for the last time recently before officially being retired and transitioning to its first application, the S-97 Raider. It was the 23rd test flight of the X2, which flew a total of approximately 22 hours and achieved a maximum cruise speed of 253 knots in level flight at its peak point in the programme. The S-97 Raider helicopter programme, unveiled at the annual Heli-Expo earlier this year, will design, build and fly two prototype light tactical helicopters to enable the US military to evaluate the viability of a fast and manoeuvrable next-generation rotorcraft for a variety of combat missions.
SAFETY FOR CARAVAN OWNERS
Wichita – Cessna has announced the introduction of the 2011 Safety Awareness Seminar for Caravan operators, the courses of which are available in an Elearning format. Although the information presented is primarily focused towards pilots, it is also beneficial for personnel involved in any aircraft operation including management, dispatchers, and line personnel. Further information can be obtained by emailing cessnaelearning@cessna.textron.com.
MILESTONE DELIVERY
Paris – Eurocopter recently delivered the 1000th EC135 to its new owner, 15 years after the first of these helicopters rolled off the production line at the Eurocopter plant, in Donauwörth. The group’s president and CEO, Lutz Bertling, handed the keys of the new aircraft on this landmark occasion to Peter Meyer, the president of ADAC, Germany’s largest automobile clubs. This latest purchase brings the organisation’s air rescue fleet up to a total of 51 aircraft, including the BK117 and EC145 in addition to the EC135.
A “FIRST” FOR EXECUJET
Sydney – ExecuJet Australasia has officially been accredited as the first Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) fixed-wing operator in the world with zero findings and has become the second operator worldwide to be registered without restriction against the new risk-based standard. The BARS programme has been developed by the Australian office of the Flight Safety Foundation, the global independent body for aviation safety in conjunction with some of the world’s leading resource companies to make flying safer for personnel employed in the resource sector, lifting the global aviation safety standards. Until now individual resource companies had used a variety of aviation standards, impacting on aircraft operators with duplicated efforts and mixed messages.
EBAA APPOINTMENT
Brussels – The European Business Aircraft Association (EBAA) has announced the appointment of Fabio Gamba as CEO of the association, effective September 1. He will take over from Brian Humphries who will remain in the role of EBAA president. In his full-time position as CEO, Gamba will run the EBAA business from the association’s Brussels headquarters. Gamba was most recently the deputy secretary general of the Association of European Airlines (AEA). In his continuing capacity as EBAA President, Humphries will play an active strategic part in support of the Board of Governors.
GROUND-BREAKING CONTRACT
London – Leading component support specialist, A. J. Walter Aviation, has substantially extended and improved its mechanical and avionics component repair and supply agreement with Honeywell International. Already a major customer of Honeywell, AJW believes this strategic alliance will continue to provide its customers with the fastest, most cost effective and quality solutions available on these products in the market place.
MAJOR AIRCRAFT DEAL
London – AviaAM Leasing, a fully integrated aviation company engaged in aircraft leasing and management, has acquired eight Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft from various special purpose companies managed by German Operating Aircraft Leasing GmbH & Co. KG (GOAL), Germany. The aircraft are powered by CF34-3B1 engines. The first of the eight aircraft is to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2011 for the lease to clients from Russia and the CIS.
SIA INCREASES SA SERVICES
Johannesburg – Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced the addition of a weekly flight between Cape Town and Singapore, making it a total of four flights a week with effect from October 30. All four weekly flights will depart Cape Town at 11h40 and arrive in Singapore, via Johannesburg, at 07h05 the following day. The return flight will depart Singapore at 02h35 and arrive in Cape Town, via Johannesburg, at 10h25.
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