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NGATS Reports on Its Progress and Future Plans
The JPDO (Joint Planning and Development Office), the U.S. government interagency organization charged with coordinating an effort to define and promote a Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) in America, says that it made "significant progress" in 2005.

4DT Approaches Now Being Conducted Routinely into Stockholm Arlanda
According to Sweden's AVTECH, daily revenue flights using 4DT (four dimensional trajectory) should now be routinely flown by appropriately equipped aircraft into Stockholm's Arlanda, during low traffic situations.  The new procedure is executed as an A-CDA (advanced continuous descent approach), also known as a "green approach," because of its reduced fuel burn and emission byproducts.

Honeywell Teams with Boeing and Sierra Nevada on JPALS
Honeywell has teamed with Boeing and the Sierra Nevada Corporation to develop and demonstrate JPALS (joint precision approach and landing system) for the U.S. military.

Naverus Will Supply China with RNP Availability Forecasts
Naverus has agreed to make China's Center of Aviation Safety Technology (CAST), the exclusive agent for licensing its RNP (required navigation performance) availability forecast service to Chinese airlines.

FAA's EBUS Now Deployed Across Continental U.S.
The FAA's EBUS (en route backup surveillance system) has been deployed to all 20 ARTCCs (air route traffic control centers) in the continental U.S.

Avidyne's TAS Available on Diamond and Symphony Aircraft - Others Too
Diamond Aircraft and Symphony Aircraft Industries have selected Avidyne's active-surveillance traffic advisory systems (TAS) as factory options.  The system is now available for retrofit on several other aircraft models as well.

Sun Country Extends ARINC Datalink Contract; Replaces Ground Network
Sun Country Airlines has extended its datalink communications contract with ARINC, and replaced its dedicated ground network with a lower-cost IP (Internet protocol) network solution.

B-787 Will Have Intelleflex RFID Labels on Maintenance-Significant Parts
Intelleflex Corp. will provide silicon chips to Boeing to enable RFID (radio frequency identification) "smart labels" for the maintenance-significant parts of its 787 Dreamliner.

AMT and Singapore Airlines Study Value of "Connected" EFBs
AMT (Aircraft Management Technologies) and Singapore Airlines have completed a series of studies to examine how the airlines' existing processes could be improved with the introduction of new technologies such as EFBs (electronic flight bags).

Raytheon Retrofits First Rockwell Collins IFIS on Hawker 800XP
Raytheon Aircraft Services has completed the first retrofit of Rockwell Collins Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) into a Hawker 800XP aircraft at its Little Rock, Arkansas facility.

Goodrich will Supply B-787 Flight Deck Entry Video Surveillance
Boeing will offer its B-787 customers an optional flight deck entry video surveillance system supplied by Goodrich.

FAA Becomes Full Member of CANSO
The FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) has become a full member of CANSO, the global association of ANSPs (air navigation service providers).

Panasonic Launching New Aircraft Broadband Communication Service
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is launching a new global broadband data communications service for aircraft, along with a new antenna system that can be paired with a direct broadcast television antenna in the same radome.

Air France Will Trial OnAir Passenger Mobile Phone Use
Air France will take delivery of an A318 fitted with OnAir equipment in early 2007 that will enable the use of passenger mobile phones inflight.  The airline will then use the aircraft to conduct a six month commercial trial using the new service on short-haul flights within Europe and to and from North Africa.

TAAG Selects Rockwell Collins enCompass IFE Services
Angola's TAAG Airlines will use Rockwell Collins' enCompass IFE (inflight entertainment) total-media offering for its B-777-200s and B-737-700s.

Columbia's Aerocivil Purchases Ubitech's Pilot Briefing System
Aerocivil de Colombia has purchased a Web-based pilot briefing system from Ubitech and its in-country partner, Radiocom S.A.

Lufthansa Flight Training Selects Thales U.K. A380 Simulator
Lufthansa Flight Training has selected Thales U.K. to supply an A380 full flight simulator (FFS).

Lufthansa Flight Training Orders B-737NG Simulator from Mechtronix
Lufthansa Flight Training (LFT) has ordered a B-737NG NZFT (non-zero flight time) full-flight simulator (FFS) from Canada's Mechtronix.

Piper Seminoles to Be Equipped with Avidyne's Integrated Flight Deck
New Piper Aircraft will equip its PA-44 Seminole multi-engine trainer with Avidyne's Entegra integrated flight deck, thus making the system available on its entire line of 11 aircraft models, ranging from entry-level piston trainers to pressurized, turbine-powered aircraft.

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NGATS Reports on Its Progress and Future Plans

The JPDO (Joint Planning and Development Office), the U.S. government interagency organization charged with coordinating an effort to define and promote a Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) in America, says that it made "significant progress" in 2005.

The JPDO's "solid foundation" includes a roadmap of high-level capabilities, timelines, and key transitions, leading to the 2025 system.  Based on the roadmap, the JPDO said it developed an initial portfolio of needed policy, research and transformational efforts, and established the NGATS Institute, which will allow for full private sector participation in the transformation process.

In 2006, the JPDO plans to (1) provide planning and programming guidance to each participating agency, (2) expand industry participation, (3) establish enterprise engineering integration discipline, (4) implement portfolio management, and (5) ensure a more international focus.

NGATS Key Technology Capabilities

The JPDO has identified eight "key capabilities" that will play a major role in increasing the efficiency, capacity, accessibility, convenience and capabilities of the Next Generation System.  Each is described in general terms below, but more details are provided in the NGATS 2005 Progress Report.

Network-Enabled Information Access

The Next Generation System will be network-centric, meaning the right information will be given to the right person at the right time.  Aircraft will become mobile "nodes" integral to this information network, not only using and providing information, but also capable of routing messages or information sent from another aircraft or a ground source.  Information will be "pushed" to known users and "pulled" by others.

Performance-Based Services

All categories of aircraft will be able to operate based on their inherent capabilities and performance, meaning that highly capable aircraft will get greater operating flexibility then less capable aircraft.  Service "tiers" will be created where aircraft are rewarded for their high-tech capabilities with a wider range of tailored services.

Weather Assimilated Into Decision Making

In the network-centric Next Generation System there will be a common weather picture to support decision making, based on more accurate forecasts and tens of thousands of real-time global weather observations will be integrated into a distributed virtual national weather information source and automatically updated.  Better ways to plan around the disruptive weather will be developed, including decision algorithms and processes that bypass the need for human interpretation.  And computer-based decision-making will take advantage of improved probabilistic weather information, making more airspace available to system users.

Layered, Adaptive Security

Security will be embedded and interwoven in layers that adapt to changing situations.  Risk assessments of passengers and cargo will begin well before each flight.  Screening will become unobtrusive and increasingly transparent to the individual.

Broad-Area Precision Navigation

Precision satellite navigation and Internet-like access to critical information will allow pilots to make precision landings at airports that do not have control towers, radar, or ILS.  This capability will likely include a next generation of GPS satellites with non-terrestrial navigation augmentation for Category I-type approaches, as well as hybrid GNSS (global navigation satellite system)/inertial avionics for operations to Category III minimums.

Aircraft Trajectory-Based Operations

Air traffic management will be based on 4-dimensional (4D) aircraft trajectories, and rely on automation for separation assurance.  Information about planned trajectories will be exchanged among system participants.

Equivalent-Visual Operations

Through sensors, satellites, and technology such as ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast), the system will allow for more precise navigation and critical information to be sent directly into the cockpit, thereby providing pilots with the information needed to navigate without visual references and maintain safe distances from other aircraft during non-visual conditions.

Super Density Operations

Airport throughput will be changed to meet future demand by: safely reducing aircraft separation; using closely-spaced and converging approaches; having new tools to detect and avoid hazardous wake vortices;  better runway and taxiway configuration; and with "landside" systems that improve passenger and cargo flows.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

4DT Approaches Now Being Conducted Routinely into Stockholm Arlanda

According to Sweden's AVTECH, daily revenue flights using 4DT (four dimensional trajectory) should now be routinely flown by appropriately equipped aircraft into Stockholm's Arlanda, during low traffic situations.  The new procedure is executed as an A-CDA (advanced continuous descent approach), also known as a "green approach," because of its reduced fuel burn and emission byproducts.

SAS Sweden captain Peter Larsson, who is leading the project for the airline, says that based on a number of test flights since January that collected data and feedback on the procedure, its "initial results are very promising."  And Lars GV Lindberg, the CEO of AVTECH Sweden, which has played a prominent role in adapting the necessary technologies and procedures, says the test flights "provided valuable information" for further enhancements to the aircraft FMS (flight management system) functionality and approach procedure coding.

In order to facilitate this new way of operation, the aircraft's FMS is connected with the ground system via a datalink, which allows the pilot and the tactical supervisor at Stockholm Arlanda to interact strategically to set up an optimum flow into the airport.

According to AVTECH, the next application, that will be up and running in a "few weeks' time," will be a CDM (collaborative decision making) processes that is aimed at making operations on Arlanda's airport surface more predictable.

A large-scale demonstration showing all NUP2+ (second phase of the NEAN or North European ADS-B Network) applications and initial results is being planned to take place at Arlanda sometime later this year.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Honeywell Teams with Boeing and Sierra Nevada on JPALS

Honeywell has teamed with Boeing and the Sierra Nevada Corporation to develop and demonstrate JPALS (joint precision approach and landing system) for the U.S. military.

Honeywell will serve as team leader for the Department of Defense (DOD) program, and will provide its DGPS (differential global positioning system) SLS (satellite landing system) technology.

JPALS is a family of systems being developed to meet the mission requirements of all DOD service branches.  The DOD wants it to be used anywhere a U.S. military aircraft has to land, whether at fixed bases, tactical bases, or on ships.

John Oelschlaeger, Honeywell's director for satellite landing systems, said Honeywell's DGPS can provide operational availability and integrity on land and at sea, and is interoperable for either military or civil users.

Honeywell and Sierra Nevada will combine their expertise in commercial and military DGPS ground station development and manufacturing with Honeywell's and Boeing's expertise in avionics development, aircraft integration and operational test and evaluation.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Naverus Will Supply China with RNP Availability Forecasts

Naverus has agreed to make China's Center of Aviation Safety Technology (CAST), the exclusive agent for licensing its RNP (required navigation performance) availability forecast service to Chinese airlines.

In China, as in other countries, regulations for RNP operations require operators to take into account the predicted level of navigation precision that will be achievable by the aircraft's avionics for each flight.  Naverus' RNP availability forecast translates information about GPS signal conditions, aircraft characteristics and local terrain, to produce regular predictions of an aircraft's navigation system performance that will be available on any given day.

Naverus distributes the forecast several times daily - as frequently as every two hours - to dispatch departments at airlines worldwide.

CAST will coordinate the enrollment and licensing of the forecast for Chinese airlines that wish to begin operations using RNP RNAV (area navigation) procedures.

Shi Dinghao, CAST's director general, said "China is moving ahead with RNP, and this service is important to all of our airlines as they begin to implement this technology."

CAST is the major R & D institute of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).  04-07-2006.  (Top)

FAA's EBUS Now Deployed Across Continental U.S.

The FAA's EBUS (en route backup surveillance system) has been deployed to all 20 ARTCCs (air route traffic control centers) in the continental U.S.

EBUS replaces the aging DARC (direct access radar channel) system, but also provides new functions such as the ability to send safety alerts to controllers regarding aircraft-to-aircraft proximity conflicts, and violations of minimum safe altitudes.  It also gives controllers weather data from NEXRAD (next generation weather radar) sensors.  And unlike DARC, EBUS has a user interface very similar to the FAA's ATC host system, which should reduce the training necessary for its use.

Dan Watts, the FAA's ERAM program manager says that the deployment of EBUS marks the completion of the first phase of the agency's ERAM (en route automation modernization) program, and is notable also because it was deployed under cost and ahead of schedule.

The next two phases of the ERAM program involve the ERIDS (en route information display system) and Release 1 software.

ERIDS will provide real-time electronic distribution of air traffic control information including NOTAMs (notices to airmen), other aeronautical information, and air traffic control procedure documents.  Boston, Salt Lake City and Jacksonville ARTCCs are already using ERIDS as a prototype system and it will be deployed nationally from July 2006 through November 2007.

ERAM's Release 1 software, which is described as the most complex phase of the program, replaces the host computer system, will be fully redundant, and will enable enhanced capabilities.  The software is scheduled to be operational at its first site, the Salt Lake City ARTCC, by late 2009.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Avidyne's TAS Available on Diamond and Symphony Aircraft - Others Too

Diamond Aircraft and Symphony Aircraft Industries have selected Avidyne's active-surveillance traffic advisory systems (TAS) as factory options.  The system is now available for retrofit on several other aircraft models as well.

Avidyne's TAS600 will be available for Diamond's DA20, DA40 and DA42 models, and the Symphony 160.  It uses Ryan Active Surveillance technology, typically associated with TCAS (traffic alert and collision avoidance system), that detects in-range target transponders with top-and-bottom antennas, no matter where the aircraft is operating.  Targets are displayed with standard TCAS symbology and its automated voice alert uses typical ATC controller terminology to call out traffic in terms of o'clock position, high or low, and distance in miles.

The system can be used with all Diamond factory-installed multi-function displays including the Honeywell KLN 94 moving-map GPS, the Garmin GNS430 and GNS530, and the Garmin G1000.  On the Symphony 160, traffic information can be displayed on Avidyne's EX5000 multi-function display and on its GPS NavComm displays.

Retrofits Available for G1000-Equipped Aircraft

Avidyne says its TAS600 is now approved and available for retrofit installation in other aircraft, including Cessna, Beechcraft and Columbia models that are equipped with Garmin's G1000 integrated flight deck.

Retrofit TAS600 systems are available in the following three ranges:

• Seven nautical miles – recommended for single-engine piston aircraft and priced at $9,990.

• Twelve nautical miles – recommended for high-performance piston aircraft and priced at $14,990.

• Twenty-one nautical miles – recommended for twin-engine and turbine aircraft and priced at $20,990.

04-08-2006.  (Top)

Sun Country Extends ARINC Datalink Contract; Replaces Ground Network

Sun Country Airlines has extended its datalink communications contract with ARINC, and replaced its dedicated ground network with a lower-cost IP (Internet protocol) network solution.

ARINC will continue to provide the Minnesota-based carrier with its GLOBALink VHF service, including VDL (VHF datalink) Mode 2 connections for Sun Country's aircraft that are VDL-equipped.

By replacing the carrier's dedicated wide-area network connection that carries data for reservations, flight plans, and air-ground messages with its new AviNet MQ-over-Internet technology, ARINC says Sun Country should be able to reduce its monthly connection charges about 50%.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

B-787 Will Have Intelleflex RFID Labels on Maintenance-Significant Parts

Intelleflex Corp. will provide silicon chips to Boeing to enable RFID (radio frequency identification) "smart labels" for the maintenance-significant parts of its 787 Dreamliner.

Intelleflex will provide a 64-kilobit UHF (ultra high frequency) silicon chip for the 787's RFID labels, which will contain part identification as well as maintenance and inspection data in accordance with Air Transport Association standards.

Smart labels use RFID technology for enhanced data storage and collection, and offer significant advantages over bar coding, such as a no-line-of-sight requirement and a dynamic read/write capability.  Boeing believes they will reduce maintenance and inventory costs for its airplane customers.

Richard Bravman, Intelleflex's chairman and CEO, said the extended memory feature of his company's chip will house critical information about the history of marked parts such as current part number, date of manufacture, serial number and the country of origin.

The chips and appropriate design information will become available this month for parts suppliers, according to Intelleflex.  The finished label package (embedded silicon chip plus antenna) will be applied to the part during the suppliers own manufacturing process.

Intelleflex's tags and readers are designed to operate globally within the guidelines of internationally recognized standards.

Boeing has successfully completed two in-service evaluations of passive RFID smart labels on a FedEx MD-10 Freighter.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

AMT and Singapore Airlines Study Value of "Connected" EFBs

AMT (Aircraft Management Technologies) and Singapore Airlines have completed a series of studies to examine how the airlines' existing processes could be improved with the introduction of new technologies such as EFBs (electronic flight bags).

AMT conducted process analysis workshops across different Singapore operational functions including flight operations, line maintenance, data distribution, fuel, and cabin crew, which resulted in the airline deciding to connect all of its aircraft to its existing ground-based enterprise systems.

"The purpose of these studies was to examine existing processes and how these could be improved with the introduction of new technologies such as EFB," said Steve Hardgrave, COO of AMT.  The chosen operational processes were modeled using a software simulation tool which allows the cost and performance of the processes to be compared, which allows an airline to build a viable business case for the introduction of technologies such as EFBs.

Capt. Alan Chan, Singapore Airlines' B-747 chief pilot, credited the study for showing how the airline should define its EFB requirements and to identify the technology's potential operational savings and benefits.  04-07-2006.  (Top)

Raytheon Retrofits First Rockwell Collins IFIS on Hawker 800XP

Raytheon Aircraft Services has completed the first retrofit of Rockwell Collins Integrated Flight Information System (IFIS) into a Hawker 800XP aircraft at its Little Rock, Arkansas facility.

Rockwell Collins' IFIS integrates its FSU (file server unit) with its Pro Line 21 AMLCD (active matrix liquid crystal display) multifunction displays using an Ethernet network.  The FSU supports more than two gigabytes of data with growth to 16 gigabytes and features an Ethernet port for software/database uploads.

The IFIS provides a number of cockpit functionalities including access to all pertinent navigation charts, the aircraft's geographical position, and a variety of weather services that include graphical depictions.  An optional functionality allows pilots to view flight plans in three dimensions.

Rockwell Collins IFIS is also standard equipment from the factory on the latest model in the Hawker 800 series, the all new Hawker 850XP mid-size jets.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Goodrich will Supply B-787 Flight Deck Entry Video Surveillance

Boeing will offer its B-787 customers an optional flight deck entry video surveillance system supplied by Goodrich.

The system's video cameras, which can function in total darkness, will provide pilots with a complete view of the 787's flight deck entry area in order to enhance cockpit security.  A video server will interface with the aircraft's EFB (electronic flight bag) system, including its client server applications software.

Jan Mathiesen, the vice president of Goodrich Sensor Systems said Boeing's award follows others for similar video surveillance solutions on the B-737NG, B-747-400 and B-777.

Goodrich says over 2,700 of its stand-alone cockpit door surveillance systems are installed and operating worldwide today on more than 60 different airlines. The company holds STCs (supplemental type certificates) for aftermarket video solutions for all Boeing 7x7 series aircraft.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

FAA Becomes Full Member of CANSO

The FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) has become a full member of CANSO, the global association of ANSPs (air navigation service providers).

The FAA has been a corresponding member of CANSO since 2000, but because of the increasing need for ANSPs to cooperate at a global level, the ATO decided to become a full member to better coordinate and harmonize its technology, and other, initiatives globally.

Russ Chew, the ATO's chief operating officer, said CANSO membership is becoming increasingly significant for assisting the ATO in global cooperation and its own performance benchmarking.  04-07-2006.  (Top)

Panasonic Launching New Aircraft Broadband Communication Service

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is launching a new global broadband data communications service for aircraft, along with a new antenna system that can be paired with a direct broadcast television antenna in the same radome.

According to Panasonic, its broadband service is planned to support ARINC's AeroMobile aircraft mobile phone service, using Pico cell technology, to provide both data and digital voice communications over Inmarsat satellites and Panasonic's own broadband network.  Panasonic will also introduce a new WAP (wireless access point) to provide broadband data connectivity to passengers over a high-speed secure wireless distribution network.

Panasonic's DBS (direct broadcast satellite) TV service allows reception of regional television programs from satellites all over the world with a complete range of live programming, such as news, sports and financial reporting, as well as national and regional choices in several languages, some of which were previously unavailable.

The new broadband services will be integrated with Panasonic's entertainment systems to allow real-time communications and content capability to each equipped passenger seat.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Air France Will Trial OnAir Passenger Mobile Phone Use

Air France will take delivery of an A318 fitted with OnAir equipment in early 2007 that will enable the use of passenger mobile phones inflight.  The airline will then use the aircraft to conduct a six month commercial trial using the new service on short-haul flights within Europe and to and from North Africa.

The OnAir service will allow Air France passengers to use their own GSM (global system for mobile communications) phones and GPRS (general packet radio service)-enabled devices such as the Blackberry or Treo, to make and receive voice calls or to send and receive SMS (short message service) communications, or emails during the flight, without inferring with critical aircraft systems.  04-08-2006.  (Top)

TAAG Selects Rockwell Collins enCompass IFE Services

Angola's TAAG Airlines will use Rockwell Collins' enCompass IFE (inflight entertainment) total-media offering for its B-777-200s and B-737-700s.

The two-year, fixed-monthly-fee agreement will provide TAAG its IFE media along with competitive analysis, marketing strategy, design services, audio and video selection and licensing, IFE usage analysis, technical encoding, and integration services.

Rockwell Collins' enCompass group provides media services to airlines worldwide. Its team of experts has backgrounds in multi-media strategy, branding, design, film, radio, television and IFE system development, according to Collins.  04-07-2006.  (Top)

Columbia's Aerocivil Purchases Ubitech's Pilot Briefing System

Aerocivil de Colombia has purchased a Web-based pilot briefing system from Ubitech and its in-country partner, Radiocom S.A.

Ubitech's InformAIR will provide Aerocivil with an interface through which users can easily generate PIBs (preflight information bulletins) from a specific set of user-driven parameters.  The system is fully integrated with Aerocivil's AIS (aeronautical information system) database and generates consolidated bulletins of NOTAM (notice to airmen) and meteorological data based on pertinent airports, FIRs (flight information regions) and routes.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Lufthansa Flight Training Selects Thales U.K. A380 Simulator

Lufthansa Flight Training has selected Thales U.K. to supply an A380 full flight simulator (FFS).

This is Thales' third order for an A380 FFS, after one from Singapore Airlines and another from Malaysia Airlines.  It also represents the company's fourth FFS order from Lufthansa in as many years.

Lufthansa's A380 simulator will be manufactured using Thales' C2000X technology, which is common with its Thales B747-400 and A320 simulators, which entered service in 2004.

In addition, the new A380 Simulator will feature the Thales motion system that Thales claims uses approximately a third less power than the most efficient current motion systems.  Its motion system also has environmental benefits, in that it uses low quantities of biodegradable vegetable-based oil rather than traditional mineral oil.

The A380 simulator will be installed into the Lufthansa Flight Training Centre located near Frankfurt Main, and should be available for training aircrew in early 2008.  04-07-2006.  (Top)

Lufthansa Flight Training Orders B-737NG Simulator from Mechtronix

Lufthansa Flight Training (LFT) has ordered a B-737NG NZFT (non-zero flight time) full-flight simulator (FFS) from Canada's Mechtronix.

According to Mechtronix, its NZFT configuration offers a way for airlines to meet 100% of their recurrent training requirements in a lower-cost training device that has a comparable level of fidelity as a "classic" ZFT (zero flight time) Level D device, which LFT had been using exclusively up to this time.

The new Mechtronix FFS X model will be based at LFT's Flight Training center at Schönefeld Airport in Berlin, and will be ready for training Hapagfly pilots in the summer of 2007.  Hapagfly will take up the majority of the new simulator's capacity.  04-07-2006.  (Top)

Piper Seminoles to Be Equipped with Avidyne's Integrated Flight Deck

New Piper Aircraft will equip its PA-44 Seminole multi-engine trainer with Avidyne's Entegra integrated flight deck, thus making the system available on its entire line of 11 aircraft models, ranging from entry-level piston trainers to pressurized, turbine-powered aircraft.

The Seminole Entegra installation consists of two 10.4-inch diagonal displays, including an EXP5000 PFD (primary flight display) with an integrated solid-state ADAHRS (air data and attitude/heading reference system) and primary engine instruments.  The Seminole's EX5000 MFD (multi-function display) provides a moving map and a multi-engine version of Avidyne's EMax electronic engine instrumentation.

Additional options include an autopilot with integrated flight director, autopilot mode annunciations, and an integrated altitude pre-selector on the EXP5000.  Also available are weather, flight information, flight tracking and two-way text messaging capabilities from Avidyne's MultiLink, and Avidyne's CMax JeppView electronic chart display.  04-08-2006.  (Top)

Bombardier's new Learjet 60 XR flew its first flight that was dedicated to testing the general functionality of its Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, including an evaluation of its integrated displays.  Certification of the flight deck by the FAA should take place in the third quarter of 2006, with certification by Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency following shortly thereafter.  The first Learjet 60 XR is scheduled to enter service in the first quarter of 2007.  04-09-2006.  (Top)

Members of the Association of European Airlines flew 5.7% more RPKs in February 2006 than in February 2005, and 5.0% more than January.  04-08-2006.

Boeing booked orders for 112 new aircraft in March, comprised of 55 737s, 54 787s and three 767s, compared to only 11 737s in March 2005.  During the first quarter of 2006, Boeing delivered 98 aircraft, compared to 70 aircraft in the first quarter of 2005.  Seventy-two of the first quarter deliveries were 737s, and 17 were 777s – more than twice that of 2005's first quarter.  There were four 747 deliveries, and three 767s in the first quarter 2006.  The air framer realized 150 firm orders during the first quarter, of which about two thirds were for 737s and one third for 787s.  04-08-2006.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) said the 19 carriers that report on-time performance recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 75.3% in February, lower than both February 2005’s 77.6% and January 2006’s 78.8%.

In February, the carriers canceled 2.1% of their scheduled domestic flights, compared to a cancellation rate of 1.7% recorded in both February 2005 and January 2006.

The reporting carriers had 8.32% of their February flights delayed because of aviation system problems, compared to 7.00% in January 2006; 6.92% by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 5.61% in January; 6.08% by factors within the airline’s control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 5.81%in January; 0.92% by extreme weather, compared to 0.87% in January; and 0.09% for security reasons, compared to 0.04% in January.

(Weather is a factor in both the extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category.)

Overall flights delayed by weather, including those reported in either category, were 4.79% in February, compared to 5.28% in February 2005, and January 2006’s 4.70%.

Detailed information on flight delays and their causes is available at http://www.bts.gov.  04-08-2006.

IATA said international passenger traffic grew by 6.8% and international freight traffic by 5.4% in February.  International freight traffic increased 5.3% for the first two months of 2006.  The Middle East continues to be the fastest growing region with a 15.3% passenger traffic gain.  Asia's traffic increased by 7.3% and Europe's by 6.4%.  Freight demand in the Middle East went up by 9.9%, while Latin America's freight traffic grew by 10.7%.  European freight volumes grew 2.1%.  IATA's complete traffic statistics are available on its Website.  04-08-2006.

Embraer delivered 118 aircraft in 2005 including the first 190 that went to JetBlue and the first 175 that was delivered to Air Canada.  The company had 94 orders for 170s/190s last year, and has a present order backlog of 322 170s and 190s aircraft.  04-08-2006.  (Top)

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