February 2010 - Airnews Round Up
INDIAN COMPANY EXTENDS PORTFOLIO
Mumbai – Mahindra, an Indian multi-national company said to be worth US$6,3-billion and employing over one million people, recently announced two landmark aerospace deals with the simultaneous acquisition of a majority stake in two Australian companies, Aerostaff Australia and Gippsland Aeronautics.
This move signals Mahindra’s strategic entry into the global aerospace components and the general aviation markets, and continues the commitment it made to this industry in 2006, with the acquisition of engineering design company, Plexion Technologies. The acquisitions of Aerostaff Australia and Gippsland Aeronautics have been made jointly with Kotak Private Equity with a total commitment of about Rs 175 Crores Aerostaff Australia (AA) is a component manufacturer of high-precision close-tolerance aircraft components and assemblies for large aerospace OEMs.
Gippsland Aeronautics (GA) is an established brand in general aviation and has delivered more than 200 FAR 23-certified aircraft in 32 countries. GA’s acquisition signals Mahindra’s entry into the two-to-20 seat, turboprop market, which is among the fastest growing segments in general aviation.
Mahindra will retain the existing managements of GA and AA, securing the services of the founders who developed this technology.
SPACESHIPTWO ROLLS OUT
Mojave – The press, politicians and a few aviation luminaries, had a first look at Space- ShipTwo in Mojave, recently, at a rollout event hosted by Sir Richard Branson, of Virgin Galactic, and designer Burt Rutan. “The unveiling of SS2 takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this ambitious project is not only moving rapidly, but also making tremendous progress towards the goal of safe commercial operation, “ said Sir Richard.
The spaceship, which holds six passengers and two pilots, will start flight tests early this year. SS2 was rolled out mated to its WhiteKnightTwo carrier vehicle, which has already been flying for about a year and has mostly finished its flight-test phase. The SS2 design will be refined and completed during the test programme. It will be powered by a unique hybrid rocket motor similar to the one used for SS1, which is currently under development.
The test phase will last 18 to 24 months, “or longer, if safety dictates,” the company said. “We are not in a race, we will launch only when we are content that it is safe to do so.”
G250 TAKES FLIGHT
Savannah, Geogia – Gulfstream Aerospace has announced that its newest business jet, the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250, has successfully completed its first flight. Gulfstream designed and built the super mid-size business jet in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv, Israel. The aircraft was flown to 32 000 feet and achieved a maximum speed of 253 knots. The G250 remains on schedule for type certification by 2011, followed by entry-into-service the same year.
The cockpit features the new PlaneView 250TM system based on Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics. Powered by twin Honeywell HTF7250G engines, the business jet is capable of travelling 3 400 nautical miles at Mach 0,80 and has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.85. The G250 will be completed at the Gulfstream Centre for Mid-Cabin Excellence in Dallas.
FLEET DELIVERY TO FAA
Wichita – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) has delivered a fleet of four Beechcraft King Air C90GTi turboprops to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft will support the FAA’s flight standards flight programme in its mission to ensure the safety of National Air Space. ZIMBABWEAN AIRSPACE BOYCOTT Harare – Foreign airlines are reported to have stopped using Zimbabwe’s airspace because the country’s meteorological service is incapable of supplying weather information they need, according to officials.
“The state-run Department of Meteorological Services automatic equipment at Zimbabwe’s airports is antiquated and cannot issue the mandatory and crucial minute-byminute information to aircraft flying over our
airspace,” met office acting-director, Morris Sahanga, was quoted as saying in the government- controlled Sunday Mail recently.
“Aircraft depend on these weather updates, and so they are bypassing our airspace because we can’t provide that information,” he said. Zimbabwe lies directly on the major route of airlines travelling between Europe and South Africa, but aircraft now fly over countries to the west of Zimbabwe or over the Mozambique channel to the east, he added. “The met office needs US$2-million to upgrade its equipment, but received only $300 000 from President Robert Mugabe’s effectively bankrupt government, said Sahanga, adding: “The expertise is there, but we lack the equipment,” About 20 international airlines from around the world used to fly into Harare, but now Air Zimbabwe, the state-owned national airline, is the only carrier that flies direct from the country to major international destinations. Only about four African airlines fly into Harare on regional routes.
RUNWAY MAINTENANCE
Arusha – Our Tanzania correspondent, Laura Hartstone, reports that the Seronera Airstrip (HTSN) (Serengeti, Tanzania), is currently undergoing major maintenance work. The runway is being resurfaced with a smooth layer (to get rid of all the rocks) and the gravel surface will be extended for the full length of Runway 14/32. The runway will stay open during the whole maintenance period.
‘COPTERS FOR SAUDI ARABIA
Horseheads, NY – Sikorsky Global Helicopters has announced that its Light Helicopters Division has delivered the first two S-434 helicopters to the Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two aircraft inaugurate the Saudi MOI light helicopter fleet, which will eventually total nine aircraft. The MOI deliveries are the first for the S-434 helicopter. In addition to the S-434 helicopters, Sikorsky Global Helicopters is providing a complete logistical support package including spare parts, special tools, and training for pilots and mechanics. In-country support personnel will include a technical representative and instructor pilot.
The S-434 helicopter model is a new version of the S-333 helicopter and incorporates many of the latest design and performance technologies developed with respect to light helicopters
G650 PASSES INITIAL TESTS
Savannah, Georgia— Gulfstream Aerospace has announced that the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-longrange Gulfstream G650 has successfully completed its first series of flight tests. During a one-hour, 45-minute flight, G650 project pilot Jake Howard and senior experimental test pilot Tom Horne, along with flight engineer Bill Osborne, tested the aircraft’s handling qualities, engine operability and flap operation. Additionally, the crew evaluated the aircraft’s pitot-static systems, avionics, hydraulic systems, electrical power generation and distribution, flight controls, and cabin environmental and pressurisation controls.
The evaluations were performed at intended airspeeds of up to 240 knots and desired altitudes of up to 9 500 feet. The aircraft’s maiden flight had earlier been marred by some flutter in one of the undercarriage doors, and it was decided to return to base to fix the problem. The G650 flight-test and certification plan involves five aircraft and more than 1 800 hours of testing. Gulfstream is working toward concurrent certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency in 2011.
CASCADE TO PURCHASE M601 ENGINES
Reno, Nevada – Cascade Aircraft Conversions has signed a contract to purchase GE’s M601 turboprop engines for its conversion supplemental type certificates (STCs) on Thrush and Air Tractor 300, 400 and 500 series agricultural aircraft. Cascade currently holds STCs for the M601E- 11 and M601D-11 engines on the Thrush aircraft and the Air Tractor 300, 400 and 500 series aircraft. The agreement signed at the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) meeting formalises the engine purchases with GE, which acquired Walter Aircraft Engines and its M601 engine family last year.
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