FLUG REVUE update: Week ending 27 May 2007

UPDATE - Week ending 27 May 2007

+++ Europe's Space Policy approved +++ 787 assembly begins +++ Dassault shows Falcon 2000LX +++ First EC635 for Swiss Air Force flies +++ Austrian Business Jet launched +++ Northwest cleared to exit Chapter 11 +++ News in brief +++

Europe's Space Policy approved
Europäische Raumfahrtpolitik gebilligt

On 22 May, Ministers in charge of space activities in the Member States of the European Space Agency, and those tasked with internal market, industry and research within the European Union's Competitiveness Council, met in Brussels to adopt a Resolution on the European Space Policy. Jointly drafted by the European Commission and the Director General of the European Space Agency, the European Space Policy outlines the strategic guidelines for Europe's future activities in space. Through this document, the European Union, ESA and their Member States commit themselves to increasing coordination of their activities and programmes and to organising their respective roles relating to space.
The European Space Policy comes with the preliminary elements of a European Space Programme, which is a planning and strategic tool comprising all Europe's major space activities. The Programme supports the optimisation of public resources and skills when deciding and implementing the Space Policy. The European Space Policy aims at fostering better coordination of space activities between the EU, ESA and their respective Member States, to maximise value for money and avoid unsustainable duplication, thus meeting shared European needs. Increased synergy between civil and defence space programmes and technologies is also addressed by the ESP.
The new policy calls for ensuring sustainable funding for space applications, in particular the flagship initiative Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES). It also recognises that space is a high value-adding sector, a driver for growth, innovation and employment and a valuable opportunity provider for European industry. Moreover, the European Space Policy supports e EU's external relations, insofar as the EU, ESA and their Member States will put in place a coordination mechanism to develop a joint strategy for international relations regarding space activities.

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787 assembly begins
Boeing Dreamliner in der Endmontage

Final assembly of the all-new Boeing [NYSE: BA] 787 Dreamliner began on May 21 with a ceremony in Everett, Wash. "Today we begin assembling the first airplane of a new generation," said Scott Strode, 787 vice president of Airplane Definition and Production. "The 787 not only will revolutionize air travel, it represents a new way of building airplanes."
"The 787 production system is the culmination of the lessons we've learned building previous airplanes," said Steve Westby, 787 vice president of Manufacturing and Quality. "Using composites on the 787 airframe has a number of manufacturing advantages. We are able to build huge structure in just one piece, which means we essentially have six major end items coming together in final assembly -- the forward, center and aft fuselage sections, the wings, the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical fin. "
Since the 787 is assembled from these large assemblies rather than many smaller pieces, traditional monument assembly tools are not necessary. Portable tools, designed with ergonomics in mind, move the assemblies into place. No overhead cranes are used to move airplane structure. "A composite airframe also means less waste in production and fewer hazardous materials used during the assembly process," Westby said. "This is good news for the environment and for our team of manufacturing technicians building the airplane."
Although the first airplane will take about seven weeks to assemble, the 787 team looks to continuously improve flow time as production ramps up. Ultimately, a 787 will roll out of the factory every three days. The first 787 will roll out of the factory on July 8, 2007.

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Dassault shows Falcon 2000LX
Falcon 2000 bekommt Winglets

At the 7th Annual EBACE Convention, Dassault announced a new addition to the Falcon family of business jets, the Falcon 2000LX. Based on the popular Falcon 2000EX, the 2000LX will feature a range of 4,000 nautical miles at Mach .80 and a best-in-class climb speed to 41,000 feet in just 18 minutes. “The range increase certainly gives our customers more capability and more efficiency on longer trips and they will surely enjoy seeing their fuel consumption numbers drop,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon.
The Falcon 2000LX's new wing aerodynamics reduce drag as much as 5% offering corresponding range and efficiency improvements over the Falcon 2000EX. The 2000LX is expected to be certified by the end of 2007 and will replace the Falcon 2000EX starting with 2010 deliveries. For 2000EX deliveries scheduled in 2008 and 2009, customers can choose the winglets as an option. “We've never designed a winglet before that performs so well, so high into the drag rise,” said Joe Clark, Chairman and CEO of Aviation Partners. Some structural and systems modifications will be necessary to accommodate the winglets. Reinforcing straps will be added to the upper and lower wing panels and the servo actuator door will be reinforced. The baseline wingspan of the 2000LX will be 6 feet 9 inches longer than the 2000EX.

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First EC635 for Swiss Air Force flies
Erstflug der ersten EC635 für die Schweiz

The first EC635 destined for the Swiss Air Force successfully performed its maiden flight at Eurocopter's Donauwörth facility on May 23. The program, which foresees the delivery of a total of 18 EC635 for transport and training missions and two EC135 for Federal Air Transport Services and for which the contract was signed in April 2006, is fully on schedule. The EC635s/EC135s will successively replace the Swiss Air Force's Alouette III helicopters.
Deliveries of the helicopters will take place between March/April 2008 and the end of 2009. The first four machines will be delivered from Eurocopter's facility in Donauwörth, while the remaining 16 aircraft will be assembled and delivered by RUAG Aerospace in Alpnach, Switzerland. RUAG will also be responsible for the industry level maintenance of the Swiss Air Force's EC635s/EC135s throughout their service life. Certified in 2001, the EC635 is the military version of the highly successful light twin-engine EC135 helicopter.

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Austrian Business Jet launched
Neuer Geschäftsreisejet-Service von AUA

Austrian Airlines is offering a new service together with air charter company JETALLIANCE. Passengers booking their long-haul flight in Austrian Business Class can now also opt to take a flexible feeder flight from anywhere in Europe with Citation Jets: a time-saving and exclusive service from a single provider, at an attractive fixed price. Austrian Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Josef E. Burger said the following about the new premium product: 'With Austrian Business Jet we pursue a consequent expansion of our services within our Austrian quality offensive. We are broadening our feeder system, primarily for destinations which have yet not been opened by us or are not operated with high frequencies. We therefore achieve a better market exploitation, more customer value and strengthen our market position.'
The Austrian Business Jet is organised in harmony with Austrian long-haul flights throughout Europe. Precise route and time scheduling enables the short stays at airports, while separate passport and security checks ensure an exclusive transfer in Vienna. The Vienna Airport VIP Lounge and Jetalliance VIP Lounge are both available to customers on request. Business Class comfort and personal care are thereby guaranteed from the first minute. Specially trained members of our service team are available as points of contact for the whole travel organisation process.

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Northwest cleared to exit Chapter 11
US-Airline verläßt Insolvenzverfahren

Northwest Airlines announced that it has received final court approval of its Plan of Reorganization, positioning the airline to exit bankruptcy on May 31. Judge Allan L. Gropper of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York signed the order confirming Northwest's Plan of Reorganization. On May 9, Northwest announced that 98.4 percent of the dollar amount of claims that voted and 96.9 percent of the airline's creditors who voted, approved the Northwest plan. Northwest expects that it will emerge from Chapter 11 once all closing conditions of the Plan have been met and the company's $750 million new equity rights offering has been funded.
“We are pleased to have completed our restructuring successfully. We are now focused on emerging from Chapter 11 as a strong, publicly traded company, which will provide excellent service to our global customer base,” Doug Steenland, Northwest Airlines president and chief executive officer, said. Northwest Airlines' new common stock has been authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “NWA.” Trading on the NYSE is expected to commence May 21, on a “when issued” basis (Ticker Symbol: NWA WI). The company anticipates “regular way” trading to commence on May 31, 2007.

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Eclipse lands largest European VLJ Order
Großauftrag von ETRIC Aviation für Eclipse

Eclipse Aviation announced at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exposition (EBACE) that Eastern European distributor ETIRC Aviation Europe (ETIRC Aviation) has placed an order for 180 Eclipse 500 aircraft, including 120 firm and 60 options. Founded by high-tech executive, Roel Pieper, ETIRC provides Eclipse 500 sales in Eastern Europe. This expands the Eclipse 500 order book to just under 2,700 units, including orders and options.
“Eastern Europe has many emerging business growth markets that are ideal for the Eclipse 500,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “As worldwide economies grow and mature, they have an increased need for accessible and dependable air travel. This Eclipse 500 order will be the catalyst for the introduction of air service to many Eastern European communities, and will ultimately help accelerate economic development in this dynamic region.” At EBACE last year Eclipse Aviation announced a partnership with ETIRC. The order compliments the recent ETIRC order for 40 Eclipse 500s. In a related press release ETIRC Aviation announced a partnership with Atasay in Turkey. ETIRC Aviation is exclusively responsible for sales, service and support of the Eclipse 500 jet in a territory spanning most of Eastern Europe and Russia (including all of the Commonwealth of Independent States), Ukraine, Belarus, as well as Turkey and Cyprus. With sales faciliti es now in place, ETIRC Aviation will also lead and coordinate all required aircraft certification efforts in these countries.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Royal Jordanian announced an order for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, confirming two unidentified customer purchases previously listed on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site. The announcement was made at the World Economic Forum, an event sanctioned by the Jordanian royal family and held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center on Jordan's Dead Sea. Royal Jordanian is the first Middle East airline to announce an order for Boeing's 787. The airline also intends to take an additional eight Boeing 787s on lease.
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During the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Special Army Systems Acquisition Review Council May 18, the Army evaluated and considered options in the procurement of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter to replace the rapidly aging and depleted fleet of OH-58D Kiowa Warriors. The Army will continue with Bell Helicopter/Textron Inc. as the prime contractor for the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. The recommendation by the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Special Army Systems Acquisition Review Council, approved by the Acting Secretary of the Army, maximizes contract performance while minimizing negative cost and schedule impacts to the government. Army modernization is a national imperative and the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter is a major part of Army modernization intended to provide a joint robust reconnaissance and security capability.
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The first Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet retrofitted with an aft cockpit Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) has arrived at Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213), the first U.S. Navy fleet squadron to fly the aircraft with the dual-cockpit system. The "Blacklions" of VFA-213, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., will use the cueing system to significantly enhance in-flight crew coordination. The JHMCS gives flight crew members the ability to rapidly acquire and designate a target simply by looking at it. The two-seat version of the system places a JHMCS helmet on both crew members, giving each the capability to aim weapons and sensors as well as a visual indication of where each crew member is looking.
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MBDA sold its interests in French aerospace equipment company ALKAN to the ARGOS-SODITIC capital investment group. The European missile systems leader sold all of ALKAN's activities in carriage systems and ground handling mechanical equipment, representing 80% of the company's annual turnover, but will retain ALKAN's countermeasures business. The countermeasures activities, employees, sales contracts and associated assets will all be transferred and re-integrated within MBDA's operations in France. Through this divestment, MBDA is continuing its strategy to give priority to and optimise its investment in its core business: missile systems.
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On April 30, 2007, JetFly, the European fractional aircraft ownership program based in Luxembourg, and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd signed an agreement for JetFly to purchase six PC-12s, to be delivered through 2009. Jacques Lemaigre du Breuil, President of JetFly, made the official announcement at a special ceremony held in the facilities of Transairco SA at Geneva Airport on May 21. Located in Luxembourg, JetFly offers tailored fractional aircraft ownership which entitles clients access to aircraft 24 hours a day. In this program, JetFly aircraft owners may acquire a share of the aircraft, including one of the six Pilatus PC-12s currently utilized by the company. The six additional aircraft will bring the JetFly PC-12 fleet to twelve.
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Monday, NASA dedicated a unique astronomy aircraft to pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh on the 80th anniversary of his historic transatlantic flight. Erik Lindbergh, the pilot's grandson, joined NASA for the event May 21, in Waco, Texas. NASA's new Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a highly modified 747 airliner that carries a 45,000-pound infrared telescope system. Pan American Airways originally christened the plane the "Clipper Lindbergh" in 1977. At the rededication ceremony, NASA officials discussed the similarities between Lindbergh's accomplishments and SOFIA's potential to capture scientifically important infrared images unavailable to earthbound telescopes. The SOFIA aircraft was modified at L-3 Systems in Waco and is wrapping up a series of functional checkout flights before heading to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for further tests and systems integration.
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At the 7th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), Snecma announced the delivery of the first components of the Silvercrest core engine technology demonstrator, its new generation engine family for super mid-size to large business jets. As announced at NBAA 2006, this technology demonstrator paves the way for the launch of the new Silvercrest family that will bring spectacular advances in performance, reliability and environmental friendliness over current generation engines in this thrust class. Parts have already been delivered to the development assembly line, including: blisks, high-pressure turbine blades, sectors of the turbine nozzles, as well as the advanced next generation impeller. A dedicated test cell will be used for core engine testing -- simulating the low-pressure modules -- to obtain all the critical data needed to validate the core architecture and performance parameters. This process-driven approach is essential to optimize the full-scale engine design and development. This series of tests will be run on the Silvercrest demonstration core engine at Snecma's Villaroche facility in France.
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Delta Air Lines became the only U.S. airline to operate service nonstop to the heart of Austria with new flights between the world's largest airline hub in Atlanta and Austria's capital of Vienna. The flight is the second of 14 new international routes to be launched by Delta this summer as part of the airline's ongoing international expansion. With the new service, Delta strengthens its position as the leading U.S. carrier to Central and Eastern Europe, building on existing routes to Budapest, Kiev, Moscow, and Prague, and new service to Bucharest (effective June 5). Delta will operate the new service using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft seating up to 214 passengers and featuring Delta's refurbished business and economy class service.
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Boeing Business Jets announced it has won seven new orders this year, bringing total program sales to 135 jets. The new orders are worth $478.5 million at list prices. The new orders are for six BBJs, high-performance derivatives of the commercially popular Next-Generation 737-700, and one 787-9 VIP jet. The 787 VIP jet is based on the most successfully launched commercial airplane, the 787 Dreamliner.
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Rockwell Collins recently achieved the first certification of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Head Up Guidance System for business aircraft. The new system, the HGS-5860, will debut on the Dassault Falcon 7X. "This certification reflects our strong track record of providing smart HGS solutions for Dassault aircraft," said John Desmond, vice president, Rockwell Collins HGS. "Our advanced LCD design brings significant enhancements to business aviation, including reduced power consumption and improved video capabilities for future growth features including Enhanced Vision and Synthetic Vision."
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Beginning in 2009, Rockwell Collins' new HGS-6000 Head-Up Guidance System series will be featured on new aircraft delivered by Gulfstream Aerospace. The HGS-6000 will be standard equipment on Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft, and optional equipment on the G150, G200, G350 and G500 aircraft. "We're teaming with Gulfstream to provide a modular HGS solution that utilizes our industry-leading head-up display technology," said John Desmond, vice president, Head-Up Guidance Systems for Rockwell Collins. "We look forward to delivering the benefits of enhanced low-visibility operations, improved energy management and dependability to Gulfstream operators." The Rockwell Collins HGS-6000, featuring advanced active-matrix liquid crystal display technology, presents critical flight information in the pilot's forward field of view. Aircraft flight path and attitude symbols appear overlaying the outside scene enhancing situational awareness, improving ener gy management and increasing touchdown precision. The Rockwell Collins HGS for Gulfstream provides both the brightest image over the widest HUD field-of-view in the industry while improving installed head clearance by more than 50 percent.
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Ten years after Lufthansa Technik and Bombardier Aerospace have founded Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services (LBAS) the company gears up to support the fast growing business aviation markets in Europe, CIS, Middle East and Africa. “With a current order backlog average of approximately 24 months corporate aircraft manufacturers predict annual average deliveries of approximately 70% more aircraft over the next 10 years when compared to the past ten years period,” said Andreas Kaden, Managing Director, LBAS. “Altogether nearly 10,000 new business jets will be delivered worldwide in the next decade and many of them will be operated in LBAS markets, creating additional opportunities to grow our business.”
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TAM and Lufthansa signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in a starting point for a possible close cooperation. In the coming months, the two companies will examine various forms of cooperation. The first step will be the implementation of codesharing on domestic and international routes. Other possibilities include the optimization of the two companies' flight schedules and linking TAM's frequent flyer program, Fidelidade, with Lufthansa's Miles & More, as well as reciprocal sharing of VIP lounges in a number of airports.
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Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and NetJets Europe have reached an agreement for the purchase of 32 Hawker 4000 aircraft for NetJets' global fractional fleet in Europe. The Hawker 4000 will be NetJets Europe's entry-level stand-up cabin aircraft with a flight attendant for Europe. Total value of the contract, including a maintenance agreement, exceeds $700 million, with deliveries commencing in 2008 and continuing through 2016. NetJets Inc. also signed a contract in December 2005 for the purchase of 50 Hawker 4000 aircraft for their U.S. fractional fleet. Customer deliveries of Hawker 4000s will begin later this year. Flight testing of natural icing encounters is now complete. Serial number seven is in paint and will be transitioning to Little Rock, Ark. for interior completion and delivery preparation by late May. Serial number 18 is in fuselage mate and serial number 23 is just starting on the production line.
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Pratt & Whitney Canada's in-service fleet of 42,000 engines has accumulated over 500 million flying hours, the equivalent of covering the distance to the sun and back more than 1,000 times. "This is a remarkable and industry-leading milestone," said Alain M. Bellemare, President, P&WC and Executive Vice President, Pratt & Whitney Group Strategy & Development. "Based on the number of flight hours accumulated per year, it means that a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world every two seconds. It confirms once again that the Pratt & Whitney Eagle is everywhere!" P&WC engines are currently in service in 194 countries around the world, providing power to over 9,000 customers in a wide range of business, general, utility and regional aircraft and helicopter applications.
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CAE and Embraer announced the European training location for the Phenom 100 Very Light Jet and Phenom 300 Light Jet aircraft. The training programs will be offered at CAE's training centre in the U.K. located in Burgess Hill, near London's Gatwick airport, and will begin in early 2009 when the first Phenom 100 is delivered in Europe. The state-of-the-art CAE Burgess Hill training centre is CAE's European home for business aviation training. The centre offers the highest standard of training and the latest training tools, including classrooms and briefing rooms equipped with CAE Simfinity(R), a suite of training devices which use the same high-fidelity simulation software found in CAE's full-flight simulators. The use of this innovative PC-based technology enables operational training in a virtual cockpit from the first day of training in the classroom. In October 2006, Embraer and CAE announced an agreement to form a global training joint venture to provide entitlement training and post-entitlement training for pilots and ground crew personnel of the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 aircraft. The initial training program will be offered at CAE SimuFlite in Dallas, Texas, at the same time as the Phenom 100 goes into service in 2008.
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Rolls-Royce has exceeded 25 million hours of service on corporate and regional aircraft with its AE family of engines. The AE 3007 powers the Embraer ERJ 145 family of regional aircraft, the Embraer Legacy 600 business jet and the Cessna Citation X. The AE 2100 powers the high-speed Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft. The AE 3007 engine, which entered service in 1996, has achieved 21 million engine hours on the Embraer ERJ aircraft and 2 million hours in corporate operation with the Cessna Citation X and Embraer Legacy 600 business jets. The AE 2100 has accumulated more than 2 million engine hours in regional turboprop service. There are more than 1200 AE 3007 powered regional and corporate aircraft and more than 50 AE 2100 aircraft in service today.
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Northrop Grumman has successfully performed an engine run of the first U.S. Army MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Class IV Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS), at the company's Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, Miss. "The engine run is a significant milestone for the FCS program. It marks completion of final assembly of the initial manufacturing phase of the first Army Fire Scout," said Joe Emerson, Northrop Grumman's FCS Fire Scout program manager. "We've been diligent in tracking our costs and meeting milestones such as this, which validates our commitment to quality, technical excellence, cost and delivery. We're definitely looking forward to fielding this aircraft."
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Quickstep has taken a major step towards the large-scale production of component parts for the global aerospace sector announcing that it has signed a Cooperation and Development Agreement (“CDA”) with Eurocopter. The landmark agreement represents the most significant step to date in Quickstep's entry to the global aerospace sector at a number of levels. It establishes the framework for a long-term collaboration with Eurocopter to investigate, optimise and qualify the manufacture of composites parts for the helicopter giant. In time, the findings from this can be transferred to other members of its parent group EADS. It also follows Quickstep's announcement in March this year of plans to establish a new testing and manufacturing facility in Germany through a new subsidiary, Quickstep GmbH. At the same time, the Company announced the establishment of a high-profile Technology Advisory Board to promote Quickstep's advanced 'out-of-autoclave' composites manufact uring process to the international aerospace industry. The CDA with Eurocopter represents the first significant outcome of Quickstep's decision to set up a new global manufacturing and testing facility in Germany.
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Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation celebrated the Grand Opening of the Aurora Flight Sciences of Mississippi (AMS) manufacturing plant located at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus, MS. The AMS operation fabricates composite aerostructures. AMS currently provides airframe design, assembly and integration of the high performance Orion HALL (High Altitude, Long Loiter) hydrogen powered Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and other Aurora unmanned aircraft, including the GoldenEye 50 and GoldenEye 80. Manned aircraft work at the Mississippi operation will include the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA) and some parts for the Sikorsky Aircraft CH-53K heavy lift helicopter.
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On 22nd May 2007, MBDA conducted another successful firing of the six-nation Meteor air dominance missile at the QinetiQ-managed UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Hebrides missile firing range. The High Altitude Control and Dispersion (C&D) firing was conducted from a Saab Gripen fighter aircraft, and is the first Meteor firing to have been undertaken in the UK. This firing is yet another significant milestone in the successful European multinational Meteor project and follows on from the lower altitude Air Launched Demonstrator firings conducted in 2006 and a series of seeker data gathering trials completed in early 2007. Following the successful firing, MBDA's Meteor Multinational Project Director, Dave Armstrong, said: “This is yet another major achievement for the Meteor programme, once again pushing the performance envelope and demonstrating the continued significant progress in the development of this world beating air dominance missile”.
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TACA and Lufthansa intend to cooperate closely in future under a memorandum of understanding signed by representatives of the two airlines. Their objective, among others, is to begin codesharing on national and international routes. With an eye on future cooperation, TACA and Lufthansa are also testing other benefits for their customers such as pooling frequent flyer programmes, closely coordinating their flight schedules and mutual lounge access. “Future partnership with TACA will allow us to offer customers shortly an array of new destinations in Latin America and expand our global network,“ said Jens Bischof, Vice President The Americas Lufthansa. “Our passengers should be able to profit possibly this year from cooperation with the quality carrier, TACA,” added Götz Ahmelmann, Lufthansa Vice President Alliances, Strategy & Subsidiaries.
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Adam Aircraft announced several important milestones for the A700 AdamJet certification program. The first fully conforming A700, Serial Number 003, joined the flight program with its first flight on April 9, 2007. Since first flight, testing has focused on the evaluation of the production configuration of flight controls, landing gear system, avionics, and data acquisition system used for flight testing. "Since Serial Number 003 entered the flight program, the aircraft has handled very well and all systems are performing as expected," stated Adam Aircraft Flight Test Pilot Jeff Peer. "We are working on air speed calibration and stability and control effectiveness with different configurations throughout the flight envelope. The three-screen Avidyne display has been particularly impressive in providing a clear overview of the aircraft's performance, perspectives, and the aircraft is very reliable out of the box". In addition to Serial Number 003, tw o nonconforming prototypes have completed more than 989 hours of risk-reduction testing. "We learned a lot from the two prototypes and we are very pleased with Jet 003."
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Pratt & Whitney Canada Customer Service Centre Europe GmbH (P&WC CSC Europe), a member of the P&WC service centre network, has signed a five-year Fleet Management Program engine maintenance contract with Air Medical Ltd. Under the agreement, P&WC CSC Europe will maintain PT6A engines on Air Medical Ltd.'s (AirMed) rapidly growing fleet of nine ambulance, passenger and cargo aircraft, serving Europe, Scandinavia and North Africa. AirMed is currently the largest air ambulance company in the UK.
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Embraer and Premier Aviation signed a contract for four Phenom 100 jets at EBACE 2007, in Geneva, Switzerland. Deliveries will begin in 2009. The value of the contract is US$ 11.4 million, based on January 2005 economic conditions. This order was already included in Embraer's backlog.
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Embraer has signed a purchase agreement for seven Phenom 100 jets and options to acquire seven additional aircraft of the same model, with the U.S. fractional aircraft ownership company, Executive AirShare, of Kansas City, Mo.. The total value of the agreement, at list price, is US$ 19.95 million, based on January 2005 economic conditions, and can double if all options are exercised. This order was already included in Embraer's backlog.
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Embraer has launched the new Advanced Range (AR) versions of the EMBRAER 170 and the EMBRAER 175 aircraft of its four-model E-Jets family. These new versions are designed to meet current and potential customer requirements for increased range and operating flexibility. Northwest Airlines is the launch customer for the EMBRAER 175 AR. Their first ten aircraft will be the Long Range (LR) version and, later, will be retrofitted to the AR version. The remaining 26 jets of the airline's firm order will incorporate the AR structural provisions from the assembly line. The AR versions incorporate structural reinforcements that allow the aircraft to be operated at takeoff, landing and zero fuel weights above the current maximum values. This means an average additional range of 300 nautical miles (556 km) and a payload increase of more than 1,543 lb (700 kg), depending on the aircraft model, airline's specific operating conditions and configuration. The new versions are expected to be certified by December 2008. Embraer will offer retrofit kits to interested existing operators.
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Raytheon has received a $93.7 million Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) contract to develop the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) AGM-154C1 (formerly JSOW Block III). The new JSOW variant -- scheduled to be produced in 2009 -- will provide U.S. Navy warfighters with a capability against moving maritime targets. "This contract award represents a major step forward in providing the Navy fleet pilots with much-needed capability against moving ship targets," said John O'Brien, Raytheon's JSOW program director. "The results of detailed trade studies performed by the NAVAIR-Raytheon team enabled Raytheon to develop an initial architecture and initial mission effectiveness assessments for this new JSOW variant. The studies were critical to the new seeker design, seeker software algorithm development and data link selection."
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AirTran Airways announced that the airline has ordered 15 new Boeing 737-700 series aircraft, delivery of which is scheduled to take place in 2011 and 2012. The airline currently operates 132 aircraft, 45 of which are Boeing 737-700 series aircraft and 87 of which are Boeing 717-200 aircraft, comprising America's youngest all-Boeing fleet. Including this announcement, AirTran has ordered a total of 115 Boeing 737-700s.
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British Airways has ordered eight new Airbus A320 family aircraft for delivery in 2008-2010. This is the first step towards a single short-haul fleet across British Airways' network. The airline will also upgrade the Gatwick short-haul fleet by replacing the oldest 14 Boeing 737s with Airbus A319 aircraft. Willie Walsh, British Airways' chief executive said: "We've made considerable progress at Gatwick, particularly on costs. Gatwick is an important part of our short-haul strategy and replacing the older Boeing 737 fleet with Airbus aircraft will give us flexibility across both airports. This is the first step towards a single short-haul fleet."
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Grob Aerospace returns to EBACE, Europe's premier business aviation show this year, buoyed by a swelling order book for its spn light business jet. For despite the adversity the program suffered at the end of the year 2006, with the loss of the second prototype, enthusiasm for Europe's newest and unique all-composite aircraft continues to grow. Not one customer has reneged on its commitment to Germany's only business aircraft manufacturer. Grob has now more than two years' equivalent production in order terms under its belt. This represents a total of over 60 orders with significant non refundable deposits. “Over the past 12 months we have secured a large number of orders from customers in Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Africa,” said Grob Aerospace CEO Niall Olver, speaking as the manufacturer prepares to make a strong showing at EBACE, during 22-24 May in Geneva, Switzerland. “Customers for the spnto date are mainly private individuals, pilot owners and corporates, Olver acknowledged. Furthermore, the spn light jet is gaining a lot of interest from customers who currently fly business turboprops. This is because it combines the best of both worlds - offering the versatility of a turboprop and the ability to perform short take offs and landings on unpaved runways, with the comfort, speed, and range of a business jet. Test aircraft No 1 has been modified with both a series-production conforming wing-fuselage fairing and pitot static system, and is used for performance testing and system development. The spnis now close to concluding its defined flight characteristics and stall developments. The current test aircraft will be joined by test aircraft No 3 in July 2007, which will focus on systems testing, Niall Olver confirmed.
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Cessna Aircraft is exhibiting a full-scale fuselage mock-up of its large cabin business jet concept (LCC) this week at the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE). “This is the first time we've had the LCC mock-up at a show outside the U.S., so this gives us a great opportunity to gather customer input from a European perspective,” said Roger Whyte, Cessna senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. The mock-up features seating for nine passengers, a large galley and toilet, and a representative flight deck. Specific features such as avionics and engine suppliers and final interior arrangements will not be defined unless Cessna launches the program. “We are working step by step through Cessna's proven new product evaluation and development process. The results of initial wind tunnel testing have fully met our expectations and much preliminary design work has been completed,” Whyte said. “We have received extremely positi ve reaction to the performance parameters as well the cabin design of the proposed aircraft from our customer base. There are still a number of process gates to go through before we will be in a position to take a final decision on whether to launch the aircraft.” Cessna is considering the LCC as an addition to its extensive business jet product range, giving customers needing long range and large cabin volume an option above the Citation Sovereign or Citation X.
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Cessna announced at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) that the Citation Mustang has achieved European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, making it the first new-generation entry level business jet to be certified in Europe. “The Citation Mustang has met or exceeded every performance objective established when we announced the program in 2002,” said Cessna's Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. “The Mustang is proving its capability in the United States where several owner-operators are currently flying their new airplanes. We're looking forward to starting deliveries of the Mustang in Europe later this summer.”
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Cessna announced at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) that JetAlliance has placed an order for 25 Citation business jets valued at $280 million. The order is comprised of one CJ1+, six CJ2+, five CJ3, three XLS+, one Sovereign, two Citation X, and seven Citation Mustang aircraft. Deliveries will take place in 2009 and 2010. JetAlliance, based in Vienna, Austria, is the third largest charter operator in Europe and is an authorized Cessna sales representative. According to JetAlliance's Chief Executive Officer Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer, “These aircraft will be used to further extend our reach into eastern and central Europe.”
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National Air Services (NAS), the largest and fastest-growing independent provider of private aviation and fractional share services in the Middle East , today announced it has signed a multi-aircraft contract with Gulfstream Aerospace. The multi-million dollar contract calls for firm orders on three Gulfstream G450 large-cabin, long-range business-jet aircraft, with options for 17 more G450s which if exercised will make the total potential value of the contract in excess of US$650 million. Deliveries will commence in the third quarter of 2009 and will then take place over the next five years.
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Philippine-based low-fare carrier Cebu Pacific and ATR announced in Manila the signature of a contract for the purchase of 6 ATR 72-500s plus options for 8 additional aircraft. This major contract is valued at more than US $ 250 million. These aircraft will be configured with 72 seats and will feature the newest technological innovations in the field of communications and navigation aid tools and passenger comfort. Lance Gokongwei, President and CEO of Cebu Pacific explained that "the move to further expand its fleet with ATRs is a continued manifestation of Cebu Pacific's commitment to bring air travel closer to more Filipinos and to bring them to more destinations which we can not cannot operate to at the moment due to runway strength and length limitations." "We are buying up to 14 brand new ATR 72-500 aircraft for our continued expansion. The first 2 ATR 72-500s aircraft are expected to arrive in early 2008 and the complete delivery is expected by 20 13", Gokongwei added.
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A Chinese investor has paid one billion yuan (US$130 million) to buy Parchim Airport in Germany, and the unprecedented deal has opened a new investment chapter in Chinese aviation history. This is the first time a Chinese company wholly owns a European airport. Pang Yuliang, chairman of the board for LinkGlobal Logistics announced the news after beating out 10 other global competitors.
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In April 2006, Australia initiated a full examination of the Seasprite project following grounding of the aircraft due to concerns over the reliability of the Seasprite's Automated Flight Control System. The review paid particular attention to the reliability of the Flight Control System and its associated safety implications; the ramifications to Naval aviation of the project being 6 years late; and the performance of the integrated sensor system. The review examined how to resolve these issues so that the best possible capability can be provided to the Royal Australian Navy. After detailed consideration of the issues involved, the Government has decided to continue the Seasprite project, subject to satisfactory contract arrangements. The return to flying will involve a series of controlled steps to assess the contractor's performance, and to ensure the safety, performance and reliability of the Seasprite.
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Returning to their launch location, Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill can now add another world record to their list of aviation accomplishments. The pair successfully completed their flight around the world, pole to pole in a Bell helicopter. The team began their historic trip, called Polar First, at the Bell Helicopter facility at Alliance Airport in far north Fort Worth, Texas in December of last year and today landed to a large crowd of well wishers. Textron, Bell Helicopter and other sponsors provided financial and logistical support for the journey that took Murray and Bodill and their Bell 407 helicopter through 34 countries and covered more than 36,000 miles in 189 days. The Bell Helicopter network of Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) and Independent Customer Service Facilities (CSFs) and dealers around the world were utilized to provide their world renowned maintenance services to support the trip
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Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation has received an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate (EAC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing the GoldenEye 50 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to fly in the National Airspace System (NAS). To date, the U.S. aviation agency has issued only eleven EACs for UAS operations in civil airspace, with Aurora receiving the latest. Aurora won the right to fly in the NAS after successfully completing a GoldenEye 50 demonstration flight for FAA officials at the Aurora Flight Sciences of Mississippi (AMS) manufacturing facility located at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus, MS.
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ICO Global Communications announced that it has signed a Launch Services and Dual Launch Study Agreement with ILS International Launch Services (ILS). With this contract, ICO has established a Proton launch services agreement for up to five launches in the 2009 through 2011 timeframe. In addition, ILS will design and propose a dual launch capability for ICO's Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites. Bob Day, ICO's Senior Vice President, Space Systems, commented, "ILS is well-known for their reliability, and with the lift capacity of the Proton Breeze M launch vehicle, ICO looks forward to the cost effective launch of ICO's Boeing satellites or those of another satellite vendor. Our goal, of course, is to add satellites to our existing ICO MEO constellation in a timely and economic manner."
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Skylliance, the charter partner program of Jet Aviation, has added Homac Aviation and GainJet to the alliance. The announcement of the two new strategic partners came at this year's EBACE in Geneva, Switzerland. The two operators bring to the alliance a German-based Cessna Citation Bravo and two Greece-based Gulfstream G200, expanding the Skylliance program to six members and more than 20 aircraft available for charter services throughout Europe. Homac Aviation, a German charter operator, was founded in 1995 and owns a Cessna Citation Bravo based in Friedrichshafen. Athens-based charter operator GainJet brings to the growing Skylliance fleet its newly acquired two Gulfstream G200 aircraft. The number of Skylliance aircraft has now increased to more than 20 aircraft of various types including the Cessna Citation CJ1 and CJ2, Citation Bravo, Learjet 45, Citation Excel, Gulfstream 100, Gulfstream G200, Hawker 800XP, Falcon 900B and 900EX, Gulfstream G550 and one DC-8-72. Skylliance members are Executive Airlines in Spain, GainJet in Greece, Homac Aviation and Silver Cloud Air in Germany, VIP Avia in Latvia and Jet Aviation.
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The first two serially produced Su-30MKM fighter aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) were rolled out and demonstrated at the Irkutsk Aviation plant. The ceremony was attended by a high-ranking delegation of the Malaysian Defence Ministry and the RMAF, top management of Rosoboronexport, the Russian aircraft design and production agencies, and a large number of media representatives from Malaysia and Russia. In 2003 the Su-30ÌÊÌ was selected by the RMAF with the main competing aircraft being the American F-18 Super Hornet. In August 2003, during the course of President Vladimir Putin's official visit to Malaysia, the contract for the supply of a number of Su30MKM aircraft was signed. Up until then the RMAF mainly operated aircraft of Western origin, except for the Russian MiG-29s held in high esteem by the RMAF. The Su-30ÌÊÌ (multi-role, commercial, Malaysian) is the latest version of the renowned multifunctional figh ter the Su-30ÌÊI. This was delivered to the Indian Air Force by the “Irkut” Corporation in 2002-2004 and is now being produced under license by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (India).
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Icelandic Avion Aircraft Trading has firmed up its deal with Airbus and has signed a contract for eight A330-200 Freighter aircraft, increasing its initial commitment (MOU) by two. This follows the finalisation of a first leasing arrangement with Icelandair Cargo for four A330-200Fs. Deliveries to Avion Aircraft Trading will start in 2010. The engine choice has not yet been finalised. "The A330-200F is the ideal complement to our portfolio of bigger cargo airplanes," said Hafthor Hafsteinson, Executive Chairman of Avion Aircraft Trading. Its payload characteristics open up new possibilities for our airline customers combined with very attractive operating costs. We have decided to increase our initial order due to the very positive market response and we are looking forward to doing more business with Airbus."
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Delta Air Lines has signed an additional firm order for 14 Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets. This order is the second from the Atlanta, Georgia-based airline in less than four months. The approximate value of the firm order announced today, based on the list price for the CRJ900 aircraft, is $511 million US. Delta will outfit its CRJ900 aircraft in a two-class configuration with 12 business class and 64 economy seats. "Nine airlines have placed CRJ900 orders since the beginning of 2006, and three of these have placed more than one order," said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "Clearly, the CRJ900 aircraft's passenger comfort and excellent operating economics are seen as a winning combination."
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Irkut revenue reached its historical maximum and amounted at USD 832.1 million, an increase of 17% in comparison to 2005. Revenue growth was mostly due to the increase in the volume of works under two main contracts (the contract on replacement of 18 India-based Su-30K fighters with newly produced Su-30MKI versions and the licensing agreement). During 2005-2006 Irkut produced 12 Su-30MKI fighters under the replacement contract, but, following the receiving party request, the deliveries were moved to 2007. Thus, revenue was recognized in full. Also, Irkut was actively realizing its licensing agreement. In 2006 we delivered 15 semi-knocked-down kits, in comparison to the previous year, when we delivered 8 kits in all. Besides this, revenue growth could be explained with the growth of works carried out by the Group's subsidiaries. In particular, Beriev Aircraft Company carried out the works for USD44.4 million, Russian Avionics Design Bureau executed works amounted at USD 49.3 million. Revenues of other subsidiaries were USD52.3 million, compared to USD61.2 million in 2005. Revenues of subsidiaries presented here are shown net of internal sales.
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20 May 2007 13 May 2007 6 May 2007