The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, today announced a six-month trial of an aircraft Very High Frequency (VHF) radio information service at Dubbo and Wagga Wagga airports to be managed by Airservices Australia.Known as Unicom (Universal Communications Frequency), trained operators at the non-air traffic control towered airports will provide general weather reports, basic air traffic information and details about the services and facilities available at both airports to enhance the safety of regular passenger services into these destinations.Pilots approaching within an approximate 20 nautical mile radius of the cities will radio for information using Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) channels.

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Air Traffic Controller, Airservices Australia has revealed a significant opportunity for the aviation industry to reduce emissions and costs and improve efficiency by tackling aircraft delays along the eastern seaboard. Recent analysis by Airservices, independently validated, shows delays are costing in excess of $70 million per annum. Airservices Australia CEO, Greg Russell says if industry combines to identify solutions to these delays, millions of tonnes of emissions could be saved along with reduced costs and greater schedule efficiency.

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EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (Aug. 31, 2007) - The sport pilot/light-sport aircraft community took perhaps its biggest strides forward over the past 12 months, as it marks the third anniversary of the introduction of the new aircraft and pilot categories. After more than a decade of direct involvement and leadership in making the rule a reality, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has spent the past three years helping create the necessary infrastructure and marketplace essential for the success of what’s commonly known as the “sport pilot rule.” This burgeoning recreational aircraft community is showing increased growth and a major access point for those who wish to participate in recreational aviation.

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The FAA on August 30 awarded ITT Corporation and a team of corporate partners the $1.8 billion contract to build and operate the ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) ground infrastructure. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a proponent of air traffic control modernization but is cautious in its expectations since FAA’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which will provide details on what equipment aircraft owners will be required to purchase, has not yet been released. While the FAA calls ADS-B the “backbone” of the NextGen air traffic control modernization program, “this is really just Phase One of a project that extends out more than a decade,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “This won’t be like the hurried Mode C transponder mandate when Congress gave aircraft owners 18 months to equip. If ADS-B is ultimately mandated for general aviation, it won’t be until 2020.”

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August 31, 2007 - Just in time for the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto, Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Dan Dempsey, has launched a book chronicling the distinguished history and proud legacy of Canada’s aerial demonstration teams. The book includes many rich first-hand accounts and outstanding collections of photos and artwork.

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For passengers in the Lisburn and Antrim areas using public transport to get to and from the International Airport is set to become a truly viable alternative to driving or getting a lift. From Monday 3 September 2007 a new Ulsterbus (109A) service will operate hourly from 6am - 6pm, Monday to Saturday between Lisburn Rail Station, Belfast International Airport and Antrim Bus Station. The move follows the introduction of a series of initiatives and new Airport services by Translink in a bid to offer passengers a range of reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly public transport options. Its programme of Airport service enhancements have included the introduction of ‘early bird’ services from Belfast to Dublin Airport, enhanced links between Derry and Dublin Airport and the introduction of 24-hour services from Belfast to the International Airport.

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The German capital Berlin is the latest destination offered by Lufthansa’s growing flight network from London City Airport. Commencing on 14 January 2008, Lufthansa will offer a non-stop flight to Berlin-Tegel twice daily, which will be the fastest connection available for passengers travelling between the centres of both cities. For the summer timetable the frequency will be increased to three times a day. “Following the positive economic climate in the UK and Europe, we are discovering a strong demand for new city routes serving the mobility needs of UK and German business travellers”, said Marianne Sammann, Lufthansa’s General Manager UK & Ireland. “Berlin, as Europe’s new conference and exhibition metropolis, is now just around the corner from London’s financial district and the perfect destination for this speedy new service.“

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Demand for Finnair’s flights between Europe and Asia has increased significantly. Flexible, non-stop connections with Finnair’s Asian flights have attracted even more corporate and private customers from the Nordic region countries as well as the rest of Europe. New flights to Delhi and Mumbai have gained noticeable interest. In Finland’s western neighbour, Sweden, demand for Finnair’s Asian traffic has grown by as much as 55 per cent compared with the previous year.

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Southampton, PA: August 30, 2007 - National Aerospace Training and Research (NASTARSM) Center has signed a contract with Virgin Galactic to provide training for Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space travelers. The NASTARSM Center is the world leader in aviation and spaceflight training and research, and Virgin Galactic is on track to become the world’s first commercial spaceline and provider of private suborbital spaceflights. Virgin Galactic has named NASTAR Center as its official spaceflight training provider. According to the contract, NASTARSM Center and Virgin Galactic initially will be cooperating in the training and preparation of Virgin Galactic’s Founders. The Founders are the first 100 private space travelers scheduled to take suborbital flights with Virgin Galactic. The contract provides for ongoing training of Virgin Galactic’s space travelers after the Founders, and for those seeking a Virgin Galactic-branded space flight experience. This contract puts Pennsylvania on the map as the current center of commercial space training.

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MONTREAL, Aug. 29 /CNW Telbec/ - CAE announced today that it has closed the previously-announced acquisition of Flightscape Inc. The acquisition of Flightscape is expected to complement CAE’s innovative training solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency and safety of its customers.

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STG Aerospace is celebrating a significant new order for its market-leading photoluminescent emergency floorpath marking system from a leading low-fare long-haul operator. The order is the first deal for SafTGlo signed in Hong Kong. Oasis Hong Kong Airlines has ordered five shipsets of the latest ColorMatch variant of STG’s floorpath marking system for its B747-400 fleet. This deal, signed in August, is the latest in a growing number for STG in the rapidly expanding Chinese aerospace market. At just 18mm wide, SafTGlo ColorMatch is half the width of older systems and, being available in over 300 colours, offers a discreet option that can be integrated with the cabin interior décor. Because of patented design advantages it is also lighter with a significantly brighter performance and greater endurance than any competing product.

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The only event in the region jointly hosted by the China Air Transport Association (CATA), representing 44 airlines and China Civil Airports Association (CCAA), the voice for 106 airports – The China Aviation Congress will take place on 23rd and 24th of October 2007 at the New Otani Chang Fu Gong Hotel in Beijing. Supported by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), this high level event will feature critical issues and key developments in the aviation industry in China and globally and bring together high level speakers from Governments around world including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Air Safety Agency (EASA), UK Home office, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), SESAR Executive Committee, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Hong Kong Airport Authority.

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A flyby of Saab’s aircraft started the customer day that is part of Saab’s 70th anniversary. Around 700 customers, partners, suppliers, analysts and media came to join the celebrations. The VIP day took place at the Saab compound in Linköping, Sweden, on Friday August 31. Åke Svensson, President and CEO of Saab wished everyone a warm welcome. It is fantastic to have you here today. I am so proud of this company” he said by way of introduction. short film about the history of Saab was shown and Åke Svensson spoke about Saab’s development from 1937 to the present day.

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Rolls-Royce has won business worth up to $400 million as its share of an order for V2500 engines and aftermarket services from Singapore’s Tiger Airways. The contract covers a fleet of up to 50 Airbus A320 family aircraft. The airline already operates a fleet of nine V2500-powered A320s on routes to the rest of South East Asia and Australia. The V2500 is produced by the International Aero Engines consortium (IAE) in which Rolls-Royce is a senior shareholder. In addition to Rolls-Royce, IAE’s partners are Pratt & Whitney of the United States, the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines of Germany.

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SEATTLE, Aug. 30, 2007 — Six airlines adopted Boeing’s [NYSE:BA] in-flight airplane-monitoring system in the first half of the year, bringing to 15 the number of airlines and freight carriers to sign for the program. Airplane Health Management (AHM) now provides real-time monitoring and decision support for 42 percent of the world’s 777s and 28 percent of its 747-400s. Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines were the first to adopt the innovative condition-monitoring package when it was introduced in late 2005. This year, Air Austral, Austrian Airlines, Emirates, TNT Airways and Virgin Atlantic have signed for AHM. One of the six new customers is unidentified. In addition to the program’s first two customers, carriers who signed to use Airplane Health Management prior to 2007 include: Air France, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, Egyptair and Thai Airways.

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SEATTLE, Aug. 30, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and low-fare carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA today announced an order for 42 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. The order is valued at $3.1 billion at list prices. The airline has secured purchase rights for an additional 42 737-800s. Today’s order is the largest ever from any Scandinavian carrier and is the largest European order this year for the 737. This direct purchase comes on top of Norwegian’s recent decision to add 11 Boeing 737-800s to its fleet through lease agreements. All of the 737-800s, including those on lease, will be fitted with advanced-technology Blended Winglets, which reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore reduce fuel consumption and related carbon emissions by 3 to 5 percent.

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SEATTLE, Aug. 30, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Xiamen Airlines today identified the Xiamen, China-based carrier as the customer for 25 Next-Generation 737-800s listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries Web site in early August. The order is worth $1.9 billion at 2007 average list prices. “This order of 25 737-800s plus 10 purchase rights allows us to simplify our fleet with the most cost-efficient and superior-performance airplane in its class,” said Yang Guanghua, president, Xiamen Airlines. “The Boeing 737 will help us meet our goal of reducing operating costs and increasing return on investment for our shareholders. Additionally, with their passenger-pleasing interior, the new 737s will carry our customers in utmost comfort on all our domestic routes.”

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Hong Kong — At this year’s Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong, Jet Aviation will announce the appointment of Thomas Kwok as regional sales executive for aircraft charter services and management Asia-Pacific at the company’s Hong Kong facility. He brings to Jet Aviation a diverse aviation background and 20 years of industry experience. Kwok joined Jet Aviation last year to strengthen the ground operations team at the Hong Kong aircraft management and charter services facility. He begins his new assignment on September 1, 2007 and will be responsible for charter sales and aircraft management as well as customer relations.

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SAVANNAH, Ga., August 30, 2007 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), today officially opened Phase I, the first of two phases, of its new Savannah Service Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. At the ceremony, Joe Lombardo, Gulfstream president, and Mark Burns, Gulfstream vice president of Customer Support, were accompanied by local dignitaries including Georgia State Senator Eric Johnson, Chatham County Commissioner David Gellatly and Patrick Graham, executive director of the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport.

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MELBOURNE, Fla., Aug. 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) KC-30 Tanker team will create and sustain more than 4,300 jobs throughout Illinois if the KC-30 Tanker aircraft is selected by the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, Northrop Grumman and the KC-30 Tanker supply base will generate economic activity in Illinois approaching $2 billion annually. Northrop Grumman and principal KC-30 teammate EADS currently employ 5,000 Illinoisans and contribute more than $550 million to Illinois’ economy, which indirectly support a total of 19,000 jobs across the state.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — ITT Corporation, White Plains, NY, has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the prime contractor for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), the keystone technology to the Next Generation Air Transportation System. The new system promises to significantly reduce delays and enhance safety by using precise signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System instead of those from traditional radar to pinpoint aircraft locations.

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FORT WORTH , Texas — American Airlines, American Eagle, and Texas Aero Engine Services Limited (TAESL), an affiliated engine repair facility, received today the coveted Federal Aviation Administration’s Diamond Award for excellence in training their Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT). Jim, Ballough, Director of Flight Standards from FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C.; Tom Stuckey, Manager of the Flight Standards Division for the Southwest Region; and Greg Lander, Manager of the FAA’s Certificate Management Office for American, presented the awards. Accepting on behalf of their respective organizations were Bob Reding, Senior Vice President – Technical Services for American and David Campbell, Senior Vice President – Technical Services for American Eagle. Carmine Romano, Vice President – Base Maintenance for American, accepted for TAESL, located on Fort Worth’s Alliance Maintenance Base.

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Reston, VA – August 30, 2007 – Era has been awarded a patent covering fundamental attributes of network-centric management of surveillance system-wide information, including distributed timing and surveillance data bandwidth management. The patent includes methods of ADS-B tracking and multilateration, where aircraft transponder signals are received over local, regional and wide-area networks using a number of receivers designed to filter redundant transponder signals, time-stamp filtered signals and forward surveillance information to air traffic control and other users.

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SAN DIEGO – 30 August 2007 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical reconnaissance radars, today announced that its flagship Predator® A UAS series has surpassed the 300,000 flight hour milestone, with over 80 percent of that time spent in combat. The milestone was achieved by P-137 on August 12 while it performed an armed reconnaissance mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). This particular aircraft has flown over 145 combat missions in the year and a half it has been deployed.

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London, UNITED KINGDOM – August 30, 2007 – SITA today announced that it has been awarded a ten year network contract by Libyan Airways, effectively bringing the airline into the 21st century and making it more competitive and efficient. As a result of the agreement, the airline will benefit from a homogenised modern Internet Protocol (IP)-based network infrastructure at all locations, opening the door to cost saving technologies such as Voice over IP (VoIP), and the ability to integrate new applications such as web-based reservation systems, making the airline more competitive and better able to respond to increasing regional competition.

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