Skycontrol news archive for november 2007

30/11/07: Bell Helicopter and U.S. Army Sign Cooperative Agreement to Develop CBM Technologies

Fort Worth, TX (November 30, 2007) - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) and the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) have signed an agreement to develop and mature state-of-the-art Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) Technologies. Bell’s winning proposal for this three year program includes risk sharing partners Honeywell International and Goodrich Corporation, in addition to a variety of internationally recognized universities, small businesses, and consultants.

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30/11/07: SLUG: The Model Gift for the Military Minded Man - No ties, no socks - just gifts that stirs the patriot’s heart

Milpitas CA - It’s the holiday season and for sure, many of us are now preoccupied with choosing what to give people closest to our heart. With all the offers, ads and invitation to buy stuff on the web, the search somehow becomes complicated. If you absolutely have no idea what to give your partner, husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, especially if he’s in the service or at one time wore the uniform of the USA, here are some great and affordable gift suggestions from Mastercraft Collection LLC (www.kukuding.com)!

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30/11/07: AgustaWestland Awarded €660 Million (£470 Million) - SKIOS Phase II Contract

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Phase II of the Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) contract has now been launched following the signing of the contract by AgustaWestland and the UK Ministry of Defence on 29th November 2007. SKIOS Phase II introduces payment by the flying hour arrangements, emulating the successful IMOS contract for the UK MoD’s fleet of Merlin helicopters signed in early 2006. SKIOS Phase II also includes an aircraft availability output responsibility for UK military SAR aircraft that provide around the clock SAR cover for the UK and Falkland Islands. The value of the contract for the first five years is € 660 million (£470 million), with the potential of rising to €1.12 Billion (£800 Million) over 10 years. The contract is expected to run for the remaining service life of the Sea King fleet.

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30/11/07: Boeing Submits Proposal to U.S. Air Force for Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 30, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today submitted a proposal to the U.S. Air Force for the development of a next-generation Common Range Integrated Instrumentation System (CRIIS) that will help improve the accuracy and realism of joint service test and training activities. CRIIS sets a new standard for time-space-position information, or TSPI, replacing the Advanced Range Data System developed in the 1980s. Through CRIIS, the services will be able to test and train on numerous aircraft and weapon systems via a secure datalink while reducing the total number of training configurations. Because of its small size, the system can be transported by a single person or installed easily on aircraft like the F-22 Raptor.

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30/11/07: Boeing Recognized for F/A-18 Logistics Support

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 30, 2007 — John Lukes (left), a Boeing [NYSE: BA] field service representative, and U.S. Navy Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher McGee refer to an integrated electronic technical manual while maintaining F/A-18 Super Hornets at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., as part of the F/A-18E/F Integrated Readiness Support Teaming (FIRST) program. The program this week won the Contractor-Military Collaboration of the Year Award at the Defense Logistics Awards in Washington D.C. Boeing partners with Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Inventory Control Point on the FIRST program.

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29/11/07: Newly-Reconstructed Detroit Metro Airport Runway Reopens in Time for Holiday Rush

DETROIT – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) reopened one of its major runways following final inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on November 20, just in time for the holiday travel rush. Airport and community officials will gather at DTW on Thursday to officially celebrate the re-opening of Runway 3R/2IL and its connecting taxiways, which have been completely rehabilitated and repaved. The project was designed by engineering firm Kimley-Horn of Michigan. During construction, aircraft operations usually assigned to the closed runway was reassigned to one of DTW’s other three parallel runways. At peak times, Runway 9R/27L, one of the airport’s crosswind runways, was also used for arrivals and departures, resulting in a temporary increase in air traffic noise north and east of the airport.

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29/11/07: SWISS takes top cuisine from St. Moritz aloft

SWISS will be delighting its inflight guests with delicacies from Switzerland’s Canton Grisons from today onwards. Frédéric Breuil, the renowned executive chef at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz and his colleague Reto Mathis of Mathis Food Affairs in Corviglia St. Moritz have created a series of tasty meals for First and Business Class customers in the latest chapter of the airline’s “SWISS Taste of Switzerland” inflight foodservice concept. The new Grisons delights will remain on SWISS flights until March 18.

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29/11/07: NAV CANADA announces year end financial results

(Ottawa, November 27, 2007) – NAV CANADA today released its financial results for the year ended August 31, 2007. Growth in air traffic and favourable cost variances from plan continued to strengthen the Company’s financial position during the year. “Operationally it was a good year, with improvement in the financial position of the pension plan, healthy air traffic and revenue growth, and the continued successful efforts by employees to control costs,” said John Crichton, NAV CANADA President & CEO. Just prior to the fiscal year end, NAV CANADA implemented a service charge reduction of 4 per cent for the period August 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008. The reduction will save customers approximately $ 50 million in fiscal 2008. The Company expects to achieve breakeven financial results in 2008, consistent with our mandate.

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29/11/07: NASA Evaluates Compact Synthetic Aperture Radar

EDWARDS, Calif. - NASA is evaluating a compact L-Band synthetic aperture radar for potential use on unmanned aircraft. The sensor detects and measures small changes in the Earth’s surface of geophysical interest, such as volcanoes, earthquake faults, landslides and glaciers. NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif., are partnering in the development of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR). A modified NASA Gulfstream III aircraft carries the JPL-developed radar in a custom-built pod under the aircraft’s fuselage during its development phase. “The system is an imaging radar. It is like a camera that uses microwaves to make an image,” said Scott Hensley, chief scientist for the UAVSAR project. “It collects data to measure the deformation of the Earth’s surface, for example from an earthquake or volcano. This will help us better understand how earthquakes and volcanoes work. The way we do that is through the signatures of how they deform the Earth’s surface.”

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29/11/07: Cessna Chooses China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation as Manufacturing Partner for Model 162 SkyCatcher

Beijing, Nov. 28, 2007 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, will partner with Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) to manufacture the new Model 162 SkyCatcher light sport aircraft (LSA). SAC is a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I), which is a government-owned consortium of aircraft manufacturers. The company made the announcement today during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. “The LSA market demands the latest avionics, safety and reliability, light-weight equipment and a competitive price tag,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton. “Our solution is to partner with SAC, a company with excellent facilities, state-of-the-art technologies and a workforce highly experienced in aircraft manufacturing. SkyCatcher customers will get an advanced design, high-quality workmanship and world-class product support, all at an affordable price from Cessna, a brand known and trusted worldwide.”

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29/11/07: Malaysia Airlines acquires 20 ATR 72-500s for Firefly and MASwings

On the occasion of the LIMA Airshow, ATR and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) today inked a deal, consisting in a contract and a MoU, for the purchase of 20 ATR 72-500s. Based on the agreement, Firefly and MASwings, the two fully owned subsidiaries of MAS, will operate 10 ATRs each. The contract, for the 10 ATRs of Firefly, includes options for 10 additional aircraft, while the MoU, for the 10 aircraft of MASwings, includes options for 5 additional ATRs. This major deal, valued at some US $ 650 million including options for both subsidiaries of MAS, was inked by YM Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, Executive Director and Chief Finance Officer of Malaysia Airlines and Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO. The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Dato’ Sri Chan Kong Choy, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, as well as board members of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and MASwings witnessed the signing ceremony.

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29/11/07: Bombardier Global 5000 Sets New Transatlantic Speed Record: Fastest time ever recorded for a civil flight between Berlin and Washington, DC

Montreal, November 29, 2007 - The high-speed Global 5000 jet set a new speed record on October 21, flying 3,652 nautical miles (6,765 km) non-stop from Berlin to Washington in just eight hours, 17 minutes. The Global 5000 business jet departed Berlin’s Schönefeld Airport (EDDB) with a three-person crew and a payload equivalent to 12 passengers – a fuel surplus of 1,200 pounds (544 kg) above reserves and seven passengers. National Aeronautic Association (NAA) representative Kristan R. Maynard was on board the fully sanctioned flight, as well a representative from Rolls-Royce Deutschland and Bombardier employees.

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29/11/07: Flight Design Uses 100%-Scale Wind Tunnel To Evaluate New Models Planned for Release

Echterdingen, GERMANY / 29 November 2007 — As part of a new aircraft model plans and to better incorporate changes aimed at fulfilling customer requests, Flight Design put their CT development model though a full-size wind tunnel evaluation. Such testing is routine in aerospace companies but is rarely done with a 100%-scale aircraft. Flight Design is not aware of any other Light-Sport Aircraft studied in such a detailed and reliable manner. “Our CT aircraft for the European market had as original design goals speed, comfort, range, and responsive handling,” recalled Matthias Betsch, CEO of Flight Design GmbH. CT worked well for experienced European pilots and the company sold hundreds of aircraft. “But as the U.S. created the Special Light-Sport Aircraft category, our market got much broader and an updated design is smart to maintain market leadership.” The wind tunnel allowed detail study of aerodynamic efficiency to preserve more performance while enhancing longitudinal stability yet adding little additional weight to the airframe.

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29/11/07: Campaigns Should Support Space Exploration

Arlington, Va. – Presidential campaigns should publicly express their support of NASA’s Constellation Program to ensure America’s leadership in space exploration as well as boost education, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said. The exploration program, which will return astronauts to the moon and explore Mars and beyond, should not be delayed under any circumstances since there is already a manned spaceflight gap looming. “Space exploration brings enormous national security, economic and scientific benefits to our nation and should be a win-win issue for all the candidates to endorse” Blakey said. “Presidential hopefuls should make their support of Constellation clear and make it an integral part of their campaigns.”

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29/11/07: Global Travel Hampered By Slow US Reaction To Hassles

WASHINGTON – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for the White House and Congressional politicians in the United States to take more aggressive short-term action to mitigate air traffic congestion and the lingering security hassles. “President Bush’s recent announcement about making limited airspace changes in an attempt to alleviate congestion during the holidays is a political placebo for a serious long-term illness,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. He warned that there would likely be more air delays next summer if the Government continues to move too slowly in making capacity and efficiency improvements. “Instead of addressing the problem, DOT wants to change the way people travel by making it more expensive at peak times,” Bisignani said.

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29/11/07: Aviation Industry Needs To Tackle Looming Pilot Shortage

WASHINGTON – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned the world’s airlines of a severe pilot shortage unless industry and government work together to change training and qualification practices. IATA issued a new estimate that the industry may need 17,000 new pilots annually due to expected industry growth and retirements. “Increasing the retirement age to 65 will help but it can’t be the only solution. It’s time to ring the warning bell. We must re-think pilot training and qualification to further improve safety and increase training capacity,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO. He told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Safety Forum that industry is concerned that “there are no global standards for training concepts or regulation. Pilot training has not changed in 60 years — we are still ticking boxes with an emphasis on flight hours.”

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29/11/07: Guardian Mobility has been granted STC (A37CE) installation approval of the Skytrax 3X GPS tracking system for Cessna 208 and 208B aircraft

Guardian Mobility has been granted STC (A37CE) installation approval of the Skytrax 3X GPS tracking system for Cessna 208 and 208B aircraft, ensuring Transport Canada compliance under FAR 23, 1982 (AMT 23-28). The addition of the Cessna Caravan adds type certification of Guardian’s new Skytrax 3X to a growing fleet of “workhorse” cargo and passenger aircraft, including the Fairchild Metroliner, that operate in more remote regions of the world. The Skytrax 3X is a radical new design for aircraft flight following solutions that incorporates integrated radio and antenna components in a single compact unit designed for quick installation on the exterior surface of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The units can be custom configured to operate under the specific requirements of any aircraft fleet with no expensive software purchase. The unit is easy to install and offers optimal airtime packages including Maptracs, the very best web-based mapping on the market today. Guardian Skytrax and message processing service is AFF compatible and approved.

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29/11/07: Hawaiian Airlines chooses Airbus A350XWB and A330 aircraft for long-haul fleet

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., Hawaii’s largest airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for six Airbus A350XWB-800s and six A330-200s, selecting Airbus aircraft for the first time in their history. Hawaiian Airlines will begin receiving the new A330-200s starting in 2012 while A350 deliveries will begin in 2017. Both will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines. The aircraft will be deployed within the airline’s Pacific network, which currently extends from Hawaii to nine cities in the Western United States and three cities in the South Pacific. The extended range and capacity of the aircraft allows for growth in the future.

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29/11/07: Boeing, Qatar Airways Celebrate 777-300ER Delivery

DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2007 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Qatar Airways today celebrated the arrival of the first Boeing airplane to join the airline’s fleet. Qatar Airways’ new flagship 777-300ER arrived after a nearly 15-hour direct flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Qatar has ordered a total of 27 777s with options for five additional airplanes. Qatar also has ordered 30 787 Dreamliners and holds 30 options. Lee Monson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Sales for the Middle East and Africa, led the Boeing contingent at today’s ceremonies in Doha. “Today truly marks a milestone in our relationship with Qatar Airways,” Monson said. “We look forward to a strong future of cooperation as we see Qatar’s Boeing fleet expand to become the core of its operations.”

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29/11/07: Boeing Delivers Okay Airways’ First 737-800 on Lease from AWAS

SEATTLE, Nov. 29, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] yesterday delivered a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 to Tianjin-based Okay Airways Company Ltd., the Peoples’ Republic of China’s first private airline. The new airplane, which is the seventh 737 in Okay Airways’ fleet, is under lease from AWAS. This 737-800 is the first new-airplane delivery for Okay Airways and the first new-airplane delivery in four years for AWAS, an aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland.

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29/11/07: Boeing Completes First Flight of Second KC-767 Tanker for Japan

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 29, 2007 — A Boeing [NYSE: BA] aircrew completed the first flight of the second KC-767 for Japan Nov. 18 following an extensive modification that transformed it from a commercial airplane to a military tanker. The new tanker lifted off from McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kan., adjacent to the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Wichita facility, and logged a two-hour and 41 minute flight before returning safely. It will be one of two KC-767s delivered to Japan in the first quarter of 2008. “Completing our modification and first flight for Japan #2 is significant because we now have three international KC-767 tankers in flight at the same time,” said Cliff Hall, director, Boeing International Tanker Programs. “This additional asset helps us reduce risk in our schedule and provides a clear path to meet our delivery commitments for 2008.”

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28/11/07: Skycontrol offers a Personal Information Manager and Organizer… Companies and organisations can now have their own branded business gift!

Skycontrol is pleased to offer you EasyNoter as a FREE GIFT. It’s a top rated Personal Information Manager and Organizer that you will enjoy day after day. Below, you will find about 20 EasyNoters which have all the same functionalities. Only the cover page will show a different image. Please feel free to download for free the EasyNoter(s) that will fit best to your activities or passion. EasyNoter offers probably most of the functionality you’ll ever need packed in stylish and most of all, user friendly interface. Not only does it look good, it’s very practical and easy to use as a paper day timer. It will help you organize your notes and addresses, keep diary, use reminder function and organize photographs within built in Photo Album. Full text search capabilities make notes retrieval a breeze while web and email connectivity makes them even more useful.

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28/11/07: Phillip Lockwood will present Rotax 912 introduction to airframe & powerplant mechanics and Rotax owners

Sebring, FLORIDA / November 28, 2007 — Rotax aircraft engine expert Phillip Lockwood will present an introduction for Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanics who would like to begin working on the rapidly growing U.S. fleet of Rotax-powered Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA). This free seminar will also be helpful to SLSA owners and dealers with aircraft powered by Rotax engines. The presentation will be held on January 5th, 2008 as part of the FAA Production Studios January Sport Aviation Seminar. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will take place at the Sun ‘n Fun FAA Safety center at Lakeland Linder Airport (LAL). Lockwood’s Rotax presentation is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. For more information on attending the free seminar, contact Terry Kurtz at 863-602-1032 or go to (www.faaproductionstudios.com).

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28/11/07: Boeing and ST Aerospace Complete Door Cutting For First 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter

Singapore, Nov. 28, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) today announced that ST Aerospace’s subsidiary, ST Aviation Services Company (SASCO), has completed the door cutting for the first 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The aircraft was inducted on Oct. 18 this year from All Nippon Airways (ANA), Boeing’s launch customer for this program. The prototype is expected for redelivery in June 2008, after completion of flight tests and certification by Boeing.

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28/11/07: Boeing Demonstrates Maturity of TSAT Encryption System

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 28, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully demonstrated the communications and transmission security architecture of its proposed Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT). During recent tests, Boeing used TEAM TSAT partner General Dynamics C4 Systems’ Advanced INFOSEC Machine (AIM) to demonstrate how TSAT will send and receive encrypted messages once operational. “This is exactly the kind of teamwork that provides our U.S. Air Force customer with the best value,” said Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. “TEAM TSAT already has achieved extensive risk reduction success over the past three years. The mature, established embedded encryption programming in the AIM technology will further reduce certification risk and increase TSAT’s adaptability to real-life scenarios.”

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