FLUG REVUE update: Week ending May 2, 2004

UPDATE
Week ending 2 May 2004

+++ Boeing launches Dreamliner +++ German Eurofighters at Laage +++ F/A-22 begins IOT&E +++ GE sees growth in regional jets +++ 777-300ER deliveries begin +++ News in brief +++

Boeing launches Dreamliner
7E7 mit ANA-Auftrag gestartet

On April 26, ANA (All Nippon Airways) became the launch customer for the Boeing 7E7, when its Board of Directors approved the purchase of 50 of the new aircraft type, with deliveries to begin in 2008. The total value of the order is approximately Yen660 billion, or US$6 billion. ANA will announce its engine choice for the 7E7 at a later date. It will select from the General Electric GENX, and the Trent 1000 engine from Rolls Royce. Both will be capable of providing 55,000-70,000 lb. of thrust. ANA also will determine the most suitable method of finance by the time of delivery of the aircraft.
ANA President and CEO Yoji Ohashi said, "ANA's selection of the Boeing 7E7 is consistent with our stated goal to operate the safest, most modern, efficient and comfortable fleet of aircraft in the world. With today's order we have taken a major step toward achieving another goal, of reducing the number of aircraft types we operate to just three. "The 7E7 meets ANA's requirements in safety, reliability, comfort and economics, and supports the plans to grow and strengthen our route network, with the expansion of domestic flights from Tokyo Haneda Airport and the growth of regional service within Asia, particularly to China," Mr. Ohashi said, adding that ANA will benefit to the amount of ¥10 billion (over US$90 million) per year thanks to the greater operating efficiencies and capacity of the lighter, more fuel efficient 7E7.
The 7E7-8 model will seat approximately 230 passengers in two classes, and will have sufficient range to operate non-stop from Japan to the West Coast of the U.S. with a full load of passengers and cargo. The 7E7-3 will seat approximately 300 passengers and be used on ANA's route network within Japan, where it serves 46 cities, and on regional routes in Asia.
After selection, the 7E7 was highly appraised for its innovative design using composite materials to lower the weight of the aircraft and reduce maintenance costs, while at the same time increasing fuel efficiency by 20% on long-haul routes. Levels of passenger comfort not possible on current aircraft of a similar type are achieved by a wider airframe than its 767 predecessor, which also permits 60% more cargo to be loaded. New technologies have led to the development of environmental systems affording a quieter cabin with fine control over humidity and air pressure levels, and engines which will be better for the environment, with lower CO2 and other emissions.

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German Eurofighters at Laage
Luftwaffe verlegt neue Jäger zum JG 73

After training ten instructors at the test base of Manching in Bavaria, the German Luftwaffe has now deployed the first five of its Eurofighter two-seaters to the JG 73 “Steinhoff” at Laage near Rostock on the Baltic. In a ceremony on 30 April, Chief of Staff General Klaus-Peter Stieglitz and Defence Ministry undersecretary Dr. Peter Eickenboom hailed the start of operations as the beginning of a new era for the Luftwaffe. For now, flying at Laage will concentrate on operational trials and to prepare the syllabus for future training. More pilots will not be inducted until the autumn at least, when training operations should start.
Meanwhile, Dr. Eickenboom stated that he expects the German defence ministry will prepare the paperwork for the second production tranche for Finance Minisry approval and parliamentary committee review in the next few weeks. "We hope we can go with the draft to the (German parliament) budget committee by June so we can get authorisation to give the go-ahead with our partners during the summer break," he said. Contracts concerning the air-to-ground modifications will follow later.

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F/A-22 begins IOT&E
Truppenerprobung des Raptor beginnt

The Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor, the Air Force's premier, state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, began its formal Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) today at Edwards Air Force Base, California. IOT&E will evaluate the aircraft's lethality, survivability, deployability, and maintainability in a variety of operational missions. "Today marks an important milestone for the Raptor", said Dr Marvin Sambur, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. "The combination of the Raptor's advanced stealth, supercruise speeds, remarkable maneuverability, and highly integrated avionics ensure absolute Air Dominance in the coming decades," he said. There are 24 Raptors flying today, with 36 more under construction. The Air Force expects to complete IOT&E in September of this year. Initial operational capability is scheduled for December 2005 at Langley AFB, VA.

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GE sees growth in regional jets
Starker Zuwachs an Regionalverkehrsflugzeugen

General Electric Co. (GE) forecasts the number of small commercial jets in service will more than triple in the next 20 years, increasing from 2,000 aircraft in 2004 to 6,800 aircraft in 2023. GE expects its CF34 engine order book to reach 400 this year. Engine deliveries will top 400 this year, marking the third consecutive year of more than 400 engines delivered to customers. The small commercial jet segment remains dynamic, though healthy overall,. said Charles Blankenship, general manager of GE.s Small Commercial Engine Operation. .We anticipate growing the installed base of CF34 engines to double the current size by 2008, with newer deliveries favoring the larger 70-90 passenger aircraft. The continued growth enables us to invest in new technology to improve durability and lower the cost of ownership for our customers.

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777-300ER deliveries begin
Auslieferung der Boing 777-300ER läuft an

Boeing, Air France and International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) celebrated the delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplane, the newest member of the market-leading 777 commercial airplane family. The new airplane is the first of 16 777-300ERs that Air France will receive (through direct purchases and leases) through 2006 and the first of 18 that ILFC has ordered. ILFC is currently Boeing.s largest 777-300ER customer. The new 777 airplanes will join Air France.s current fleet of 25 777-200ERs. The 777-300ER will be a key element in the development of our existing 777 fleet,. said Pierre Vellay, vice president, New Aircraft and Corporate Fleet Planning - Air France. The 777-300ER is the first of two new Longer-Range 777 models. The 777- 300ER and the 777-200LR (Longer Range) were launched in February 2000 at the request of airline customers seeking airplanes with additional flexibility to serve the non-stop routes that passengers demand. The twin-engine 777-300ER carries 365 passengers up to 7,705 nautical miles (14,270 kilometers), and is capable of serving such routes as Paris-Los Angeles and Paris-Tokyo. Boeing has received orders for 71 777-300ERs from seven customers.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

EADS Defence and Communications Systems (DCS) has been selected by DGA (the French Armament Procurement Agency) for the fast speed UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle) CARAPAS demonstrator, the results of which will be used for the Requirements Specification for the Multi Sensors Multi Missions Program. .The DGA decision to choose EADS Defence and Communications Systems has been taken after an intense competition in which the decisive criteria were the cost/efficiency ratios,. stated Peter Gutsmield, Head of Information, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Line of Business. The EADS offer provides a complete demonstrator system, which includes the CARAPAS UAV, the mission sensors, data links and associated ground segment, ensuring mission planning, flight monitoring, mission exploitation and data fusion. CARAPAS (CApacité drone RAPide AntileurreS) is developed in cooperation with Galileo Avionica, the Italian company, from its experimental and operational Mirach 100-5 Aerial Target. This UAV offers great flexibility, being capable of flight speeds from M 0.25 to 0.65 (80 to 220 m/s), with a range of 600 km and a payload capacity up to 60 kg for reconnaissance missions.
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On 21 April, another significant milestone for the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) programme was successfully achieved in Linköping, Sweden. MBDA and its Meteor partner, SAAB, undertook the first trial fit of a geometrically representative Meteor missile with the JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft. The trial fit was a complete success with all objectives fully met. The trial, which proved the compatibility of the mechanical interfaces between the Meteor missile, the Gripen's Multi Missile Launcher (MML) and the aircraft, is highly significant as the Gripen will be the launch platform for the first air-launched live missile firing scheduled to take place at the Vidsel range in Sweden in the autumn of 2005. Since the UK's Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) awarded the Meteor contract in December 2002 on behalf of the UK and the other five Meteor partner nations, MBDA has moved the programme ahead at pace. Sub-scale aerodynamic wind tunnel trials have recently been completed at BAE Systems' testing facility in Warton, UK as well as in Modane, France. These trials successfully tested the functioning of the missile's innovative air intakes for its ramjet motor and also validated the computer modelling results of its dynamic loading and aerodynamic characteristics. Consequently, Meteor's configuration is confirmed for the first flight trials.
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Both of NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers have completed their originally planned mission and are tackling extra-credit assignments. "Spirit and Opportunity have completed all the primary objectives of the mission. The terrific success achieved is a tribute to a superb team whose commitment to excellence, and keeping the public engaged, is hard to match," said Orlando Figueroa, director of the Mars Exploration Program, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Opportunity finished its 90th martian day of surface operations on Monday. That was the last of several criteria set in advance for full mission success. Spirit passed its 90-day mark on April 5. Both rovers have met all goals for numbers of locations examined in detail, distances traveled, and scientific measurements with all instruments. Both rovers are healthy. In early April, NASA approved funding for extending operation of Spirit and Opportunity through September. "This brings Opportunity's primary mission at Meridiani Planum to a resounding and successful close. It's stunning to think through the short history of this vehicle," said Matt Wallace, Opportunity mission manger at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., where rover assembly began barely two years ago. In its three-month primary mission, Opportunity drove 811 meters (more than half a mile) and sent home 15.2 gigabits of data about Mars, including 12,429 images.
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As part of the program for introducing the Gripen in Hungary a group of officials from Hungary have been visiting Sweden. The group of 16 persons comes from the Hungarian Ministry of Defence, the Joint Staff, the Air Force Command, Logistics and Support Command and Kecskémet Air Base. The purpose of this course is for the group to learn and acquire a good- knowledge of the Gripen system and its operation. The course is also part of ensuring the smooth integration of the Gripen system into the Hungarian Defence Forces structure. This course is an important step for the introduction of Gripen in Hungary.s Air Force. It is a very informative course, giving us the opportunity to develop our knowledge of the Gripen system and we appreciate the visits at the Swedish Armed Forces, FMV, Swedish Air Force and to Saab,.says Brigadier General Imre Buczkó, deputy commander of the Hungarian Air Force Command.
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The new Swedish Air Force Rapid Reaction Unit JAS 39 (SWAFRAP) with Gripen multi-role aircraft has since 1 January this year been registered operational and available for international missions. The Air Force wing F17, where the Rapid Reaction Force is based, has already commenced participating in a Norwegian defence exercise in Norway with its Gripen aircraft. The wing with pilots and ground personnel left Sweden on March 11 2004 to join the exercise at Bodö in Norway. The exercise called Joint Winter is the first exercise for the Swedish SWAFRAP JAS39 since it became operational and registered as rapid reaction force unit. Swedish Air Force wing F17 participated with eight 39A Gripen multi-role aircraft. Over 8500 people were part of the exercise, which engaged Norwegian, UK, US, Finnish and Swedish Troops for a 3-week period.
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A new study by Forecast International entitled "The World Market for Large Commercial Jet Transports," has projected that a total of 5,835 large commercial jet transports will be produced between 2004 and 2013. The total value of this production, in constant 2004 U.S. dollars, is estimated at $545 billion. Boeing and Airbus are expected to account for the bulk of this production. Boeing production for the 10-year period is projected at 2,911 aircraft, while Airbus is forecast to build 2,778. Following three years of mostly negative results, the airline industry is still struggling but appears poised for recovery. This anticipated recovery may turn out to be slow and gradual, but nevertheless a sense of optimism seems to have taken hold in the airline industry. Low-fare carriers continue to be a bright spot in the industry. This should continue to be the case during the anticipated recovery, although the major carriers should also see improved results. Starkly underlining the different near-term prospects of the two airline types, however, is the fact that many low-fare carriers anticipate strong profits in 2004 while the best that many majors can expect for the year is to break even. The majors are suffering from yield erosion due partly to competition from the low-fare airlines and, to some extent, from private corporate jets. Other difficulties include heavy competition among the majors and overcapacity on long-haul international routes. The outlooks of Airbus and Boeing on the future of the large commercial transport market diverge significantly, with each company developing a major new product that reflects its respective viewpoint. The A380 represents Airbus' view that airlines require a 550+-passenger aircraft for use mainly on dense trunk routes between major hubs. However, Boeing's new mid-size 7E7 Dreamliner series reflects that company's view that route fragmentation will be the dominant trend in the market, with airlines requiring smaller aircraft to fly point-to-point. Neither company has announced any immediate plans to directly challenge the other's new program by marketing a similar aircraft.
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International Launch Services (ILS) of the United States and Telesat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, are teaming up once again to launch a satellite on a Russian rocket. Telesat announced today that it has chosen an ILS Proton/Breeze M launch vehicle for the Anik F3 mission in 2006. Financial terms were not disclosed. This will be the fourth satellite for Telesat to be launched on a Proton rocket by ILS, a Lockheed Martin joint venture. The spacecraft is a Eurostar 3000 model built by EADS Astrium, similar to the Anik F1R satellite that Telesat will launch with ILS on a Proton vehicle in late 2005. "We're very happy to once again launch a Telesat satellite," said ILS President Mark Albrecht. "Proton vehicles successfully placed both of the Nimiq satellites into orbit for Telesat's direct-to-home services. We know the Anik F satellites are important to Telesat's expanding business, and we thank Telesat for its continued confidence."
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The non-profit air rescue organization DRF (Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht e.V.) will soon be flying cross-border air rescue missions to the south of Denmark. Since there has been no air rescue system in Denmark so far, Danish authorities are particularly interested in a cross-border air rescue concept. A DRF rescue helicopter, soon to be stationed in the German village of Niebll/Schleswig-Holstein, will be able to reach emergency sites in southern Denmark within a short time period immediately after alert. With the cross-border cooperation, the Danish partners expect that emergency medial care of the population in the south and west of Denmark will be optimized. There are currently three rescue helicopters stationed in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Two years ago, health insurance companies began an analysis of the air rescue situation in Schleswig-Holstein in an attempt to prove that only two helicopters were necessary instead of three. In the meantime, the future of air rescue in this region has been decided: Representatives of the Ministry for Social Affairs, regional districts, helicopter operators, and representatives of the health insurance companies recently came to the decision that all three helicopters will continue to fly rescue missions. DRF operates two of these three helicopters. The helicopter with the call sign Christoph 42 is stationed in Rendsburg, Christoph 52 is stationed in Itzehoe, but will soon be moved to Niebll. The third helicopter with the call sign Christoph 12 is operated by BGS (German Federal Border Guard) and is stationed in Eutin.
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Boeing reported healthy growth and profitability for the first quarter of 2004 with net income of $623 million, or $0.77 per share, on revenues of $13.0 billion. Results included a $0.12 per share gain related to interest on a federal tax refund. This compares with a net loss of $478 million, or $0.60 per share, on revenues of $12.3 billion in the first quarter of 2003. The first quarter of 2003 included a revaluation of goodwill totaling $818 million after tax. "Boeing's first-quarter 2004 results reflect our drive to improve profitability through intense focus on execution across all of our businesses," Boeing President and CEO Harry Stonecipher said. "Integrated Defense Systems delivered another strong quarter of revenue growth and margin performance as it executed on its large backlog of key defense programs. Boeing Commercial Airplanes is generating solid profitability at the bottom of the commercial airplane cycle, while investing for future growth in the new 7E7 airplane which received a launch order for 50 airplanes from All Nippon Airways this week. I am pleased with the progress the Boeing team made during the quarter to deliver value to customers and shareholders." The Company is raising its 2004 outlook for earnings to reflect strong performance at Integrated Defense Systems and Commercial Airplanes, lower pension expense as a result of the first-quarter pension contribution and the impact of the federal tax refund. The Company is also increasing its 2005 outlook for revenues and earnings to reflect expected higher deliveries of commercial airplanes as well as lower than previously anticipated pension expense.
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LTU (Lufttransport-Unternehmen GmbH) and Snecma Services have entered a 10-year exclusive agreement related to the maintenance services of LTU CFM56-5B engines powering its A320 and A321 fleet (15 aircraft). This agreement covers engines scheduled and unscheduled shop visits, engineering support and on wing support and paves the way for extended partnership between the companies respective MRO activities. LTU's confidence in Snecma Services strengthens the company position in Germany.
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From 5 May, the Austrian Airlines Group is starting a cooperation with Taiwanese airline Eva Air Cargo to extend the range of services available to cargo customers on its routes to Taipei and Mumbai (formerly Bombay), two of the most attractive markets in Asia. Once the new agreement enters into operation, Austrian Cargo will have access to approximately ten tons of extra cargo capacity on the key Vienna-Mumbai-Taipei route. The new service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on one of Eva Air's MD11 full cargo aircraft. Franz Zoechbauer, Vice President Austrian Cargo, issued the following statement on the new cooperation between the companies: "Coming in the wake of our massive increase in long-haul services and the ongoing development of our full cargo services to Kiev, this new cooperation with a company as respected in the business as Eva Air Cargo is an essential step in the expansion of our interests in the Asian market. It will also strengthen the position of Vienna as the most important hub location for traffic flowing into and out of Central and Eastern Europe."
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Raytheon Company and its Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) team members described the anticipated benefits that derive from its MUOS technical solution. The Team's MUOS proposal, which was recently sent to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), offers significant advantages to mobile warfighters and substantial savings to the U.S. Government. MUOS is the Department of Defense's next-generation, advanced narrow band communications satellite constellation that will serve U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps troops. SPAWAR is scheduled to award a multi-billion dollar MUOS Risk Reduction and Design Development (RR&DD) and an Acquisition and Operations Support (AOS) contract in June 2004. RR&DD runs through 2010 and covers system design, development, integration and testing. AOS spans the 2006 to 2013 timeframe and supports the MUOS satellite constellation, a comprehensive communication network and four ground stations that connect mobile warfighters to the entire system and to each other. The benefits unique to Raytheon's technical approach include a 10-fold increase in communication capability for more than 45,000 military radio users who now transmit and receive messages via the Ultra High Frequency Follow On (UFO) satellite constellation. As soon as the first MUOS satellite is launched and operating, even the most disadvantaged troops will experience a dramatic increase in satellite access and they will be able to communicate anytime, anywhere.
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The Aermacchi M-346, the new advanced military jet trainer, completed its first taxi test at Venegono airfield. The highly satisfactory results of the engine tests conducted on previous days and the correct operation of hydraulic, electrical and environmental control systems allowed the M-346 program management to rapidly schedule the first taxi tests on the runway. These tests were performed at progressively increasing speed. The purpose was to verify and record the aircraft ground handling characteristics, the performance of the steering and braking systems and also of the active engine electronic control unit. The M-346 is provided with a digital steer-by-wire technology that together with the rudder allows the pilot to control the aircraft direction on the runway at any speed and crosswind conditions. The brake-by-wire and anti-skid systems ensure an optimized aircraft slow-down and stop independently of the runway conditions. The above systems allow differential pressure to be applied to brakes to obtain effective stability control of the aircraft during braking.
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The Netherlands' Dutch Space has agreed to a major investment in Orbital Recovery Ltd., providing strategic contributions that will enable the ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle to enter service in 2007. Dutch Space has joined the team that is financing the CX OLEV's design and development as the lead strategic investor, and its commitment brings Orbital Recovery Ltd. near to completing its second round of funding for the innovative space tug program. "We particularly welcome Dutch Space as a shareholder and board member," said Phil Braden, Chief Executive Officer of Orbital Recovery Ltd. "They bring major industry expertise and resources to our team, and further exemplify our focus on using European technology and industry. " Orbital Recovery recently initiated the B1 Phase of its program, which is funded by the company and the European Space Agency under its ARTES 4 Public-Private Partnership initiative. The CX OLEV will serve as an orbital "tugboat" -- providing the propulsion, navigation and guidance required to maintain telecommunications satellites in their proper orbits for years beyond the normal fuel depletion. Primary mission of the CX OLEV will be to prolong the in-service lifetimes of expensive geostationary orbit telecommunications satellites, which currently are junked when their on-board fuel supply runs out. The space tug also can be used to rescue spacecraft that have become stranded during orbital positioning maneuvers.
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Teal Group Corporation announced the results of its market analysis for the turbofan industry during this week's MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) Conference and Exhibition. According to the consulting firm's Turbofan Market Overview, a total of 40,989 turbofan engines will be built in the ten years spanning 2004 and 2013. The estimated total value for the turbines produced is $160 billion. This figure is 1% higher than the market forecast for the 2003-2012 period, partially reflecting the stabilizing outlook of the global economy, but also the slow industry recovery prospects facing the turbine sector coming out of the US recession. The forecast covers all western manufactured turbofans installed on commercial and military aircraft. Civil turbofans comprise the lion's share of the market value with an 86% slice. This is slightly less than Teal analyst projections last year which showed the civil sector accounting for 88% of the market and is a reflection of the continued strength of military spending post-9/11. Teal 2004 to 2013 forecasts show 5,922 military turbofans to be delivered, compared to 5,461 for the preceding ten-year period -- an increase of 8%. The complete Turbofan Market Overview is published in Teal Group's new World Power System Briefing: Aero Gas Turbines. Among various turbofan manufacturers, the Teal Group numbers show General Electric will remain the industry leader over the next decade with a 36% market share. Rolls-Royce will be in second place with a 24% share, edging out Pratt & Whitney at 20%. Snecma will hold 12% on the strength of the CFM56 program which accounts for 21% of the turbofan market by itself. MTU, an equity holder in the IAE V2500 and the EJ200, and Honeywell, a strong competitor in other turbine types, stand at a distant 5th place with a 2% share. All the market share figures are very comparable to the results of last year's Teal Group projections with the exception of a 2% gain for P&W at the expense of GE, presumably due to Pratt's stronger military business.
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Airbus has received approval for 180-minute extended range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) with its A319, A320 and A321 single-aisle aircraft, including its corporate jet versions. The approval was granted by the new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Airbus is also in the process of obtaining approval for the latest family member, the A318. This means that, other than some of its very early aircraft, all twin-engine Airbus aircraft will be approved for ETOPS operations up to 180 minutes. For around 20 years, ETOPS regulations have governed the design and operation of twin-engine aircraft that are flying routes with a trajectory point that is further than 60 minutes away from an adequate airport when flying on a single-engine. Over the years - due to demonstrated systems and engine reliability - the maximum diversion time that can now be granted to an aircraft type has been increased up to 180 minutes. Airbus, as a manufacturer of the most cost efficient twin-engine aircraft, has been a driving force in promoting ETOPS approvals and operations for twin-engine aircraft. Its first approval for ETOPS was obtained in 1986, soon after original ETOPS regulations came into force. Airbus, which was the first aircraft manufacturer to have a fly-by-wire aircraft ETOPS certified, as well as being the first to introduce ETOPS requirements into its entire product line, has also established methods for accelerated-ETOPS approval. These are used to achieve ETOPS approval from day-one of entry into service.
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Representatives from 47 countries and more than two dozen international organisations met in Tokyo last week, coming a significant step closer to achieving the goal of an integrated Earth monitoring network. The Japanese capital was the location of the fourth Group on Earth Observations (GEO) summit. GEO is an intergovernmental working group charged with developing a plan for a co-ordinated global Earth Observation network providing data on environmental factors for both scientific and humanitarian purposes. GEO was created during last July's Earth Observation Summit in Washington DC and was made responsible for producing a ten-year programme to co-ordinate space and ground based global monitoring systems, to be known as the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). ESA and the European Union's Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) joint initiative serves as Europe's contribution to the worldwide GEOSS effort. The 22-23 April Tokyo summit - the fourth such meeting and known as GEO-4 - is the successor to previous gatherings last year in Baverno, Italy and Cape Town, South Africa. The work done at GEO-4 saw the finalisation of a draft implementation plan, which was then approved by ministers gathering at the one-day Earth Observation Summit II immediately following GEO-4 on Sunday 25 April.
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The Citation Mustang PW615F engine successfully completed its maiden flight on 27 April. The 1.9 hour flight was flown on a CitationJet test bed from Cessna's Wichita, Kansas, facility. Cessna received the Citation Mustang PW615F engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) on April 1, 2004, and the first ground run test occurred on April 9. Since being delivered to Cessna, the PW615F engine has undergone approximately three hours of engine ground run evaluations. Prior to arriving at Cessna, it completed over 70 hours of testing at P&WC's engine test facilities. The PW615F engine marks the first time a P&WC engine has flown on an aircraft manufacturer's engine test bed prior to being flown on P&WC's Boeing 720 engine test bed. "This is the first major milestone for the Mustang program," said Citation Mustang Program Manager, Russ Meyer III. "The first flight went very well, and we're eager to continue the PW615F engine test bed program to evaluate engine and FADEC operating characteristics."
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CargoCity Frankfurt (the name of Frankfurt Airport's cargo metropolis) has been selected "Cargo Airport of the Year", "Best Cargo Airport in the World" and, for the third time, "Number One Air Cargo Hub in Europe" by the London-based publication Air Cargo News. With approximately 100,000 readers worldwide, Air Cargo News (ACN) is a renowned trade publication for the global airfreight industry. In its application for this year's ACN competition, Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, for the first time, presented the opinions of its customers at CargoCity Frankfurt - airlines, forwarders, logistics providers and handling companies - regarding the performance of Europe's largest air cargo hub. This descriptive customer feedback provided the jury of experienced editors with a complete picture of CargoCity Frankfurt. Convincing factors for the jury's decision included CargoCity Frankfurt's comprehensive service offerings, diversity of flight connections and its full range of ground transportation links.
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