Flight International articles from May 2005

Flight International archives from May 2005

Diamond aims to shine in China with new factory.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Diamond Aircraft is to open its first factory in China in August as it gears up for a boom in demand for light aircraft to train airline pilots and for recreational flying. The joint venture -- at an as-yet undisclosed location -- will...

Thielert uprates Centurion.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) is uprating its Centurion 4.0 from 310hp (230KW) to 350hp as it works to find a launch customer for the diesel-cycle engine and build its retrofit business for the smaller Centurion 1.7 unit, which powers the...

Boeing chooses GE over R-R to power its 747 Advanced.
May 3, 2005... General Electric plans to hold this week the first design review for the GEnx engine variant selected for the Boeing 747 Advanced, and hopes to reach the "Tollgate 6" or final design freeze milestone in December. The engine was chosen by Boeing...

Airbus cuts time to?build A320.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Airbus has passed the halfway mark in its effort to slash its A320 family final-assembly process from 43 working days to around 25 by year-end. The European manufacturer initiated the programme in Hamburg and Toulouse in 2003. "It has involved...

Air Canada turns back on Airbus.
May 3, 2005... Air Canada says its deal last week for up to 96 Boeing 777s and 787s will ultimately see its Airbus widebodies eliminated from its fleet. The airline has the right to trade its Airbus A330/A340s to Boeing as part of the deal. The fleet-renewal...

A350 'too big' for carrier's twinjet needs.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Air Canada chose the 787 over the Airbus A350 because the European twinjet "was larger than we wanted", says Robert Milton, chief executive of the airline's parent ACE Aviation Holdings. The carrier also favoured an entirely twin-engined...

Airbus criticises Indian evaluation.(contract procedure)
May 3, 2005... Airbus has complained about the evaluation process Air India undertook when it chose Boeing for its planned long-haul aircraft order and alleges the process was skewed in favour of its US rival. Air India's board decided last week to seek...

Airports accuse airlines of hyping.
May 3, 2005... Airports are hitting back at airline assertions that charges are a major cause of their financial woes. Airports Council International (ACI) Europe chief Roy Griffins believes that "misinformation" is harming the airports' case for expansion...

737 monthly rate to go up as 757 bows out.
May 3, 2005... Boeing is studying raising the production rate of the 737 family to an unprecedented 31 a month, as an era at its Renton, Washington plant comes to an end with the delivery of the last 757. The output evaluation comes in the wake of a recent...

Reality bites for Dreamliner fin.(Boeing 787 released the final design )
May 3, 2005... Air transport Air transport Boeing / Flight International Shark tail' shed as carriers wake up to new 787 shape Boeing has released finalised design renditions of the 787 that show some resemblance to original "Deamliner" concept features, with...

Newly profitable Gulf Air considers privatisation.
May 3, 2005... Gulf Air is to turn its attention to privatisation after succeeding in returning itself to profit during 2004. The Middle East airline is meanwhile considering adding freighters to its fleet. Gulf Air achieved a small net profit of 1.5 million...

Harmony in China.(Harmony Airways to acquire Airbus A350s or Boeing 787s )(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Vancouver-based Harmony Airways is in talks to acquire a long-haul fleet of six to eight Airbus A350s or Boeing 787s as it prepares to start flights to China, writes Andrzej Jeziorski. Airline president and chief executive Gary Collins says...

Saudi Arabian Airlines places order for 15 Embraer 170s.(Embraer Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Embraer has concluded the first sale of large regional jets to a Middle East carrier with an order from Saudi Arabian Airlines for 15 Embraer 170s. The deal is valued at $400 million. The airline expects to take delivery of its first two...

Emirates grows, but voices market concerns.(Emirates Airline profit reports)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Emirates has warned that growth plans by airlines in the region are "unsustainable" as it reports a 50% jump in net profits for the last 12 months. The airline's capacity grew by 30% last year -- it now has 76 widebodies in service -- and the...

Eclipse steps up European campaign.(Eclipse Aviation Corp. for Eclipse 500 very light jet N504EA )(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Eclipse Aviation is turning its sights on to the European market as its third Eclipse 500 very light jet -- N504EA -- moves into flight testing at its Albuquerque, New Mexico site. As of last week, the three aircraft had clocked up more than 50...

ATG ready to start Javelin ground tests.(Aviation Technology Group)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Aviation Technology Group (ATG) will next week begin taxi and systems tests on the Javelin very light jet, ahead of first flight in the second half of the month. The development comes as Englewood, Colorado-based ATG launches a new drive to...

Honeywell APU up and running.(auxiliary power unit )(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Honeywell is demonstrating a compact auxiliary power unit (APU) to manufacturers of small business jet aircraft and helicopters. The 50hp (37kW) RE50 will weigh around 45kg (100lb) installed and generate 4kW of variable-frequency electric...

Macedonia's jet arrives.(Bombardier Learjet 60 Special Edition )(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The Macedonian government's Bombardier Learjet 60 Special Edition (SE) business jet arrived in the republic on 16 April , 75 days after formal handover of the mid-size business jet to Macedonian officials at Bombardier's Wichita, Kansas...

Citation Mustang makes first flight.
May 3, 2005... Cessna flew its Citation Mustang entry-level business jet for the first time on 23 April. The prototype Mustang completed a 2h 21min maiden flight, taking off from McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas and landing at nearby MidContinent airport,...

Boeing's interest in Brazil grows.(markets)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Boeing is considering expanding its marketing presence in Brazil as it begins to re-engage Latin America's most populous country in its now-dormant fighter competition. The US manufacturer is raising its activity on the commercial front, with...

Avcorp targets 787, A350 and Bombardier.(Avcorp Industries Inc. contracts with Boeing Co., Airbus S.A.S. and Bombardier Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Avcorp Industries is in talks with Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier to win parts manufacture contracts on their respective 787, A350 and CSeries programmes, as the aerostructures maker pushes to expand its business. The company's talks with...

Quebec waits on CSeries decision.
May 3, 2005... Quebec's aerospace industry is anxiously awaiting Bombardier's launch decision on its proposed CSeries family of aircraft. The province, which is home to nearly 60% of Canada's aerospace activity, is widely expected to be the location of...

Cerberus set to take over lessor Debis AirFinance.(Cerberus Capital Management from DaimlerChrysler AG)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... US-based private investment firm Cerberus Capital Management is to acquire Amsterdam-headquartered aircraft lessor Debis AirFinance from DaimlerChrysler and other shareholders. DaimlerChrysler says Cerberus will take over the company's entire...

MB site purchase saves jobs.(MB Engineering Solutions)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Aero-engine components manufacturer MB Engineering Solutions -- formerly Motherwell Bridge -- has bought its Motherwell site in Scotland fromreceivers in a move it says will save 200 jobs. The UK company is due to report full year results for...

Zodiac on target as aircraft deliveries increase.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... French aerospace manufacturer Zodiac expects to meet its sales targets for the second half of the year as aircraft deliveries increase. "Robust" organic growth and contributions from acquisitions during the last two years boosted Zodiac's...

EASA flexes its political muscles.(European Aviation Safety Agency)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) plans to play a more overtly proactive role in pushing regulations through European Union processes, starting with a debate over changes to corporate aviation operating rules. EASA published the...

Canada unveils new military plan.
May 3, 2005... Canada's Department of National Defence plans to modernise its fixed- and rotary-wing transport capabilities, acquire satellite-guided air-to-ground weapons and procure more unmanned air vehicles in its first complete overhaul of defence policy...

Contracts.
May 3, 2005... -.Rheinmetall Defence Electronics has selected a seven-channel Evans & Sutherland EPX-500 visual system for a MiG-29 simulator being produced for the Indian navy. -.Boeing is to begin low-rate initial production of the 115kg (250lb) Small...

Gripen steps up eastern Europe sales campaign.(Gripen International)
May 3, 2005... Gripen International is preparing to launch three new fighter campaigns in eastern Europe that it believes could result in orders for more than 50 aircraft over the next four years. The Czech Republic, meanwhile, is poised to become the first...

French prepare for datalink update.
May 3, 2005... France is to significantly expand the numbers of Link 16-enabled aircraft operated by its armed forces over the next four years as part of a plan to significantly improve its network-centric warfare capabilities. French air force Dassault...

Italy's solo Eurofighter.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The Italian air force has received its first single-seat Eurofighter, assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing at Grosseto, having in March achieved its first 500 flight hours with the type, amassed using five twin-seat trainers.

Little Bird simulator readied to ship.(A/MH-6 Little Bird )(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... CAE USA is preparing to ship the first simulator for the Boeing A/MH-6 Little Bird to the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment -- Airborne at Ft Campbell, Kentucky. Delivery was delayed to equip the simulator with CAE's...

Malaysia delays on C-130 cockpit.
May 3, 2005... Malaysia has delayed a glass- cockpit upgrade for its Lockheed Martin C-130 transports as it ponders purchasing up to eight new Airbus Military A400Ms. Malaysian maintenance company Airod last year installed new safety equipment on three Royal...

NATO plans missile defence, rapid targeting initiative.(North Atlantic Treaty Organization)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... NACMA, NATO's air command and control system (ACCS) management agency, is exploring potential changes to its prime contract with ThalesRaytheonSystems to incorporate new time-sensitive targeting capabilities and provide a basic level of theatre...

India may make up for Patriot gaps.(India to purchase Patriot Advanced Capability-3 surface-to-air missiles)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... South Korea and Taiwan have stalled their purchase of Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile systems, but India has emerged as a potential customer. Sources say India has asked the USA to provide...

Aermacchi aims M346 jet trainer at Poland.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Aermacchi has invited Polish industry to participate in its M346 lead-in fighter trainer project and hopes to secure Warsaw's backing for its international co-operation programme, says chief executive Carmelo Consentino. The partnering...

Raytheon starts sales drive for mobile surface-to-air system.(Raytheon Aircraft Co.)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Raytheon has begun a campaign to market its Surface-Launched Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (SL-AMRAAM) mobile air-defence system internationally, following completion of development testing for the US Marine Corps. A 22 April...

Turkey signs for reduced F-16 upgrade package.(Lockheed Martin Corp., United States. Air Force, contract)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Turkey has reduced the scope of its planned Lockheed Martin F-16 upgrade, signing a deal with the US government substantially smaller than the $3.9 billion programme originally outlined. Under the $1.1 billion deal agreed last week, Turkey will...

IHI wins deal to manufacture more P-X engines.(Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) has been awarded a contract to manufacture an additional seven XF7-10 test engines, four of which will be used for first flight of the Kawasaki P-X maritime patrol aircraft in 2007. The Japan...

Australian bureau airs goggle safety doubts.(Australian Transport Safety Bureau )(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is warning of the shortcomings of night vision goggles (NVG) in civil helicopter operations and argues that a complete night vision imaging system (NVIS), including modified cockpit lighting, is...

ShinMaywa aims to rekindle civil presence with US-1A Kai.(Shinmaywa Industry Co)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... ShinMaywa Industries is lobbying the Japanese government for help in developing a firefighting variant of the US-1A Kai search-and-rescue amphibious aircraft. The Japanese manufacturer has been studying expanding into the firefighting market...

A380 makes flawless first flight.
May 3, 2005... Airbus flew the A380 for the first time on 27 April, its six-man crew staying airborne for just short of 4h and completing an extensive exploration of the aircraft's behaviour. The event captured the public imagination in a way rarely seen in...

Special Freighter work begins.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Modification work has begun in China on the first Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft that will be converted into a freighter under Boeing's Special Freighter (SF) programme. The first aircraft will be for Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways....

EADS fails to resolve chief executive row.(Noel Forgeard)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Airbus was brought back to earth with a bump late last week as a stand-off between French and German shareholders of parent company EADS over who should succeed the division's chief executive Noel Forgeard threatened to overshadow the success...

South Africa signs for A400M transports.(South Africa. Ministry of National Defence, Airbus Military S.L., contract)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Airbus Military has secured its first export customer for the A400M transport, with South African defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota having last week signed a partnering agreement that will lead tothe delivery of at least eightaircraft to the...

AvCraft slashes workforce.(AvCraft Aerospace)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... AvCraft Aerospace is cutting 155 of the 345 jobs at its Oberpfaffenhofen plant in Germany with immediate effect as part of plans to restructure and streamline operations, says the company's administrator Martin Prager. Talks are continuing...

BAE rebuts campaign critics.(BAE SYSTEMS)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... BAE Systems has rebutted claims that the company-led campaign to sell the Eurofighter Typhoon to Singapore failed due to insufficient support from the programme's four partner governments (Flight International, 26 April--2 May). "The...

Embraer chooses P&WC for VLJ.(Embraer Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A)(Pratt and Whitney Aircraft of Canada Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Embraer is poised to announce its selection of Pratt & Whitney Canada to power its proposed very light jet (VLJ), and possibly a follow-on super mid-size business jet. Embraer, which is expected to reveal details of the new business jet duo...

USAF acknowledges Gobal Hawk overrun.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Northrop Grumman has received an additional $143 million from the US Air Force to cover an overrun on Global Hawk unmanned air-vehicle development caused principally by higher than expected costs to engineer the airframe of the enhanced RQ-4B...

Aviation braced for green lobby battle.(GreenSkies Alliance runs campaign )
May 3, 2005... An environmental group with influence in the European Commission and the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) is planning to launch a campaign in the third quarter of this year to persuade major companies to scale back air travel by their...

Europe barred from Link 16 development.(National Security Agency opposes Europes participation in communications terminal development)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The US National Security Agency is vetoing European industrial participation in the development of the next generation of the MIDS Link 16 communications terminal on the grounds that its planned integration with the US Joint Tactical Radio...

US firms start year well.(aerospace industry)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... US industry is off to a good start for 2005, with most major players reporting higher sales, profits, cashflows and backlogs for the first quarter. Only Boeing saw net income reduce, as strong operating results were eroded by charges related to...

EADS holds off late Embraer bid.
May 3, 2005... The Brazilian air force is poised to hand two aircraft contracts to EADS despite objections from Embraer, again overruling the native aerospace industry powerhouse on a major acquisition decision. Brazil's parliament has cleared the air force...

Rafael's Derby demo boosts offer to arm Brazilian air force F-5BRs.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... Israel's Rafael has completed the first integration of its Derby beyond visual range air-to-air missile on a Northrop F-5, staging in April a demonstration for the Brazilian air force. The self-funded Rafael project may lift the Derby's...

Surplus jets do battle.(Netherlands. Air Force proposes to sell its fighter planes to Brazilian air force)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The Brazilian air force has received a barrage of unsolicited proposals this month offering options for an interim fighter replacement, but still has not defined how it plans to replace the aborted F-X BR competition. Brazil's known options...

employmentDo women ask for too much?
May 3, 2005... The case of the British Airways pilot Jessica Starmer (Flight International, 26 April--2 May) is another example of women pushing for so much that they damage the image and respect of true professionals. Firstly, competing in a global economy...

ConeXpress space tug passes design review.(Orbital Recovery Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The ConeXpress orbital life extension vehicle has passed its European Space Agency baseline design review. The space tug's developer, UK-based Orbital Recovery, will now begin final negotiations with four prospective customers. The company has...

Europe takes wider view of cosmic exploration.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The European Space Agency has formulated a Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 science programme including new planetary missions, space telescopes and searches for conditions able to support life on other worlds. The plan will be voted on this month by...

GPS suspected in DART failure.(Global Positioning System)(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The primary malfunction of NASA's DART autonomous rendezvous technology demonstrator appears to have occurred in its GPS navigation system. The partial failure of the 15 April mission is still being investigated, but the US space agency...

Ironless motor may power airship.
May 3, 2005... AeroVironment, the California-based unmanned air vehicle specialist, is proposing development of a flight-weight ironless core electric motor for Lockheed Martin's High Altitude Airship (HAA) surveillance platform, after successfully developing...

Voice recognition beats speech impediment to find cockpit space.
May 3, 2005... Washington-based speech-technology specialist Conversay is exploring more aerospace applications for its voice recognition system after successfully developing a "continuous speech engine" for cockpit environments. The CASSI system is being...

Making manned/unmanned co-operation a reality.(US Army experiments unmanned air vehicles with surveillance and reconnaissance sensors )
May 3, 2005... Despite a naturally mutual interest, unmanned air vehicles laden with surveillance and reconnaissance sensors have not mixed well so far in close quarters with manned strike aircraft. Either the US military attempts to give each a wide berth of...

Research centre plugs gaps.(Center for Rotorcraft Innovation negotiates for funding from United States. Army)
May 3, 2005... The Center for Rotorcraft Innovation (CRI), the USA's new focal point for collaborative development on vertical-lift technology, is set to launch operations within two months. CRI is negotiating with the US Army to release a $2.5 million...

Developing the power for the next generation.
May 3, 2005... Modernisation of the US Army's helicopter fleet is built around powerplants designed 30 to 40 or more years ago. While growth versions of these engines will meet the army's power requirements for the foreseeable future, they fall short of the...

Early engine snags overcome.
May 3, 2005... Despite some early issues, Rolls-Royce appears extremely pleased with the first couple of years of service experience with the Trent 500 on the Airbus A340-500/600. "There has been a big ramp-up in terms of engines in service, but as far as...

looking for lift.(rotorcraft research and development trands)
May 3, 2005... The rotorcraft basic research community in the USA has had a hard 15 months. One major research sponsor has announced plans to walk away from all vertical-lift aviation projects. Another critical funding source has cancelled two breakthrough --...

German jobs steady.(Brief Article)
May 3, 2005... The German aerospace industry's workforce decreased by 1.3% last year, mainly due to job losses in the space sector. In total, the industry employed 69,300 people in 2004, 60% working in civil aviation. Employment in civil aviation rose last...

How to attract the very best to the Fleet Air Arm.
May 3, 2005... The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm is launching a campaign to recruit more high-calibre candidates. The Fleet Air Arm has around 6,200 staff and 250 aircraft. But recruitment officer Lt Cdr Simon Sparkes says research shows 80% of people surveyed...

Airbus to set up shop in China.
May 3, 2005... Airbus is to establish an engineering centre in China and will need to recruit around 200 engineers by 2008 to staff it. To be located in the Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone of Beijing, adjacent to the offices of Airbus China, the facility will...

US Army to accelerate Black Hawk acquisition schedule.(Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks)
May 17, 2005... New details of a US Army strategy approved last month to buy new-build Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks reveal that the programme is also being accelerated rapidly. The new strategy, which replaces a plan to remanufacture 1,213 older airframes to...

Rivals prepare for light utility helicopter fly-off.(light utility helicopter)(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... order The US Army plans to conduct a fly-off from mid-year among aircraft types competing for its fast-moving, $1.3 billion light utility helicopter (LUH) order. The demonstration is expected to attract a handful of contenders, including...

Rotorcraft industry to use reprieved windtunnels.(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... testing Two low-speed windtunnels that were closed two years ago by NASA amid strong protests from the US rotorcraft industry could be reopened by mid-2006 under new management. The US Department of Defense has agreed to take responsibility for...

Dedicate to expand its services.(Air France)(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... Routes Air France is looking at expanding its Dedicate service to oil-producing countries and growing its fleet of Airbus A319 Extended Range twinjets from four to six. The service currently operates on thin routes to five points in the Gulf,...

Training was factor in 767 crash.
May 17, 2005... Investigators cite catalogue of errors during Air China twinjet's fatal circling approach to Gimhae airport A catalogue of errors by the crew resulting from poor training and preparation by the airline caused the fatal crash of an Air China...

Trials prove value of DMS.(departure management system, Eurocontrol )
May 17, 2005... Eurocontrol says trials of an airport departure management system (DMS) prove that, if it were adopted by airport operators, it could increase the movements rate, improve safety, and reduce noise and fuel consumption. Simulations of mixed-mode...

Funding sought for weight-and-balance system.(Avibridge)
May 17, 2005... Avibridge is seeking funding for an aircraft weight-and-balance system it is developing as a more accurate and safer alternative to the current paper-based load sheet system. The Bangkok-based company, established by former Royal New Zealand...

Austrian voices CEATS concerns.(Central European Air Traffic Services, Austrian Airlines)
May 17, 2005... Austrian Airlines has raised concerns over the proposed Eurocontrol attempt to create a central European air traffic control zone, warning that it could increase rather than reduce user charges. Transport ministers from the eight countries...

Cebu Pacific eyes more A320s.(Cebu Pacific Air)(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific will take delivery of the first of 14 Airbus A320 family aircraft next week and is already looking to acquire more of the type to support expansion of international services. Cebu says its first Airbus aircraft,...

Embraer targets City with E-170.(Embraer Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.)(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... Embraer hopes to operate its E-170 regional jet on London City airport's steep approaches without special drag-inducing modifications, says senior vice-president corporate aviation Luis Carlos Affonso. The aircraft could operate at least 925km...

Jet adds to Airbus widebody fleet.(JetAir)(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... Jet Airways has leased four new Airbus A330-200s for delivery in 2006 and 2007 to complement its new fleet of three A340-300 Enhanced. Chief executive Wolfgang Prock-Schauer says the decision to again opt for Airbus does not rule out future...

Launch adds to India's pilot shortage.
May 17, 2005... India's airline pilot shortage was exacerbated last week when low-cost start-up Kingfisher Airlines launched services relying partly on pilots poached from other carriers. As Kingfisher began operating its first Airbus A320 between Mumbai and...

LOT makes E-175 switch.(LOT Polish Airlines)(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... LOT Polish Airlines has become the first European customer for the Embraer 175, following its deal last week to take up four of its E-170 orders as the slightly larger model for delivery in the second quarter of 2006. LOT has just received the...

Lion Air set for narrowbody choice.(Brief Article)
May 17, 2005... Indonesia's largest privately owned carrier Lion Air is negotiating with Airbus and Boeing for the purchase of around 60 narrowbodies in a deal that could partially be funded by new foreign investors. Lion Air says Airbus and Boeing have...

MK moves 747s from Ghana to UK.
May 17, 2005... Cargo carrier MK Airlines is to re-register its Boeing 747-200 freighter fleet in the UK, transferring it from the Ghanaian registry in a strategic bid to expand its business, writes David Kaminski-Morrow. MK Airlines' freighter fleet has been...