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GAO: JPDO Succeeding on NGATS Organization but Lacks Authority
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) told a Senate committee that the FAA's Joint Policy Development Office (JPDO) is facilitating interagency collaboration, and seems to be leveraging the resources of its partner agencies, but lacks the necessary authority to maintain a long-term commitment by all stakeholders to NGATS (the next generation air traffic system).

Northrop Grumman to Upgrade 135 FAA Radars
The FAA has selected Northrop Grumman to modify the transmitters on 135 ASR-9 air traffic control radars in order to enhance performance and operational availability, while reducing operating costs.

MAXjet to Use ARINC Communications Services
Washington Dulles-based MAXjet Airways, a luxury all-business class airline offering low fares to transatlantic travelers with two B-767s, has signed with ARINC for some of its communications needs.

Rockwell Collins Introducing Two New Transceivers for SwiftBroadband
Rockwell Collins is introducing its next generation of high speed transceivers to support Inmarsat SwiftBroadband service for business jet and VIP operators.

CMC Electronics Has New Compact Satcom Antenna for Business Aircraft
CMC Electronics is offering a new compact high-gain satcom antenna system for business aircraft that will support Inmarsat Aero-H, H+, Swift64 and SwiftBroadband communications.

Boeing Expands Interval between Some 777 Maintenance Tasks
Boeing has developed a new program for its 777 that increases the time between some required maintenance tasks, which can translate into annual savings of more than 400 labor-hours per airplane, and an additional day of service for each airplane per year.

Lockheed Martin Acquiring Savi Technology, a RFID Supplier
Lockheed Martin is acquiring Savi Technology, Inc. (Savi), a provider of active RFID (radio frequency identification) systems.

American Airlines Using Flightscape's Suite of Analytical Tools
American Airlines is using Flightscape's suite of flight data analytical tools to analyze both routine and non-routine data from airplane and simulator flights.

CMC's EFB Now Standard Option on Dassault Bizjets; Gets STC on Global Express
Dassault is making CMC Electronics' EFB (electronic flight bag) a standard option on its 2000DX, 2000EX, 900DX and 900EX business jet models.  The first Dassault deliveries with the installed EFB began in March.

Pilatus Adding CMC Electronics' EVS and EFB Retrofit Kits for PC-12s
Pilatus Business Aircraft will offer the CMC Electronics' EVS (enhanced vision system) and EFB (electronic flight bag) retrofit kits for its PC-12 model.

Rockwell Collins Offering Display and AHRS Upgrade for Piaggio 180
Rockwell Collins is offering Piaggio 180 operators an upgrade to LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and its latest AHRS (attitude heading reference system).

European Meeting on Runway Safety Considered Use of Technology
A recent European runway safety seminar agreed on a three-pronged approach to improve runway safety that includes the continuation of present activities, but adds the need to consider human factors in aerodrome design and training, and the need to develop an integrated safety net, using existing – and possibly new – technologies.

MedAire and AirCell Announce New Medical Assistance Program
AirCell and MedAire are offering a new program that gives AirCell business aircraft satcom customers access to in-flight medical assistance.

Gulfstream Extends Partnership with MedAire
Gulfstream says it will continue to make crew access to MedAire's emergency services and onboard equipment an integral part of every aircraft it builds.

Shanghai's Pudong to Use Smiths Detection's Bag Screening Equipment

Costa Rica FBO Using FlightView Dispatch for Flight Tracking
Costa Rica's ADS Ground Handling (ADSGH) that operates at San Jose, Liberia and Pava is using RLM Software's flight following to provide flight position and ETA information for its customers.

Air Charter Scotland Chooses ARINC's Flight Planning Services
Air Charter Scotland will use the ARINC Directs' Web-based flight planning and other fight support services to improve its operational functions.

Continental Launching New SITA Passenger Processing Application at Orlando
Continental Airlines has completed its testing, and will now implement SITA's new integrated passenger processing system at Orlando.

Prescott Arizona Prototyping LED Taxiway Lighting
The FAA has installed a new LED (light emitting diode) taxiway light system at Prescott, Arizona's municipal airport in an effort to reduce runway incursions and gain other advantages.

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GAO: JPDO Succeeding on NGATS Organization but Lacks Authority

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) told a Senate committee that the FAA's Joint Policy Development Office (JPDO) is facilitating interagency collaboration, and seems to be leveraging the resources of its partner agencies, but lacks the necessary authority to maintain a long-term commitment by all stakeholders to NGATS (the next generation air traffic system).

In recent testimony concerning airspace modernization, the GAO's Gerald L. Dillingham, also said that much of the planning and implementation of NGATS depends on the development of its enterprise architecture, which will be completed later this year.  The GAO believes this "blueprint," which is critical to many planning activities, will require further refinement and commitment from the partner agencies.

Transforming the U.S. airspace system to accommodate what experts expect will have three times the current amount of traffic by 2025, and doing these things seamlessly while the current system continues to operate, will be an enormously complex undertaking, the GAO warned.

Because of this, the GAO says the FAA's efforts to control costs and leverage resources will become even more critical in the coming years.  And its ultimate success or failure will also depend on the ability of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and JPDO to form a collaborative environment for planning and implementation.

Since NGATS is structured to include stakeholders outside of JPDO's federal core institutions, the GAO worries that it might find it difficult to sustain the support of nonfederal agency stakeholders over the longer term, and notes that it already has had difficulty obtaining the participation of air traffic controllers. (Obviously, the current highly contentious contract negotiations between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association are a large reason for this.)

Meanwhile, the ATO has taken a number of steps to control costs and leverage resources that, in combination with other actions, can provide funds for ATC modernization, but the ATO lacks a consistent process to validate savings estimated for operations cost control initiatives, the GAO asserts.  The GAO argues that cost control will become increasingly important during the transition from the current ATC system to NGATS, when the ATO is expected to assume major responsibility for the costs of demonstrating and developing new NGATS technologies, while retaining its responsibility for the costs of operating and maintaining the current ATC system.

The ATO and JPDO have collaborated on developing rough near-term estimates of the funding requirements for defining concepts and developing systems for surveillance, communications, and other key NGATS components.  However, these funding requirements are not currently in the ATO's capital spending plan.

Still the GAO believes that ATO's NGATS funding burden could be reduced to the extent that JPDO is successful in leveraging resources from its partner agencies, and its NGATS funding could be enhanced further if ATO utilized its existing funding flexibility.

Variety of Missions and Priorities

These challenges arise, in part, because the JPDO partner agencies have a variety of missions and priorities other than supporting NGATS, and there isn't any formal, long-term agreement on the partner agencies' roles and responsibilities in creating NGATS.

Defining the roles and responsibilities between JPDO and ATO, is particularly important the GAO says, because the ATO has primary responsibility for the ATC system's current and near-term modernization, while JPDO has responsibility for planning and coordinating a transformation to NGATS over the next 20 years.  In this regard, the ATO now plans to expand its Operational Evolution Plan so that it better represents FAA's piece of JPDO's overall NGATS plan.

As the organization primarily responsible for implementing NGATS, the GAO notes that the ATO will face substantial funding requirements beyond those needed to maintain the current system.  Funding constraints have required the ATO to defer or eliminate funding for systems that could support NGATS, such as LAAS (local area augmentation system) for satellite-based precision approaches, CPDLC (controller-pilot datalink communications) and NEXCOM (next generation communication system).  These deferrals have caused a number of stakeholders to be skeptical about the government's continuing commitment to NGATS ultimate success.

Although the cost of NGATS is still unknown, the JPDO and ATO are collaborating to develop rough near-term funding requirements for its concept definition and the development of its major air traffic control functions such as automation, communications, navigation, surveillance, and weather.

The JPDO has identified some key factors that will drive NGATS costs, including its necessary technologies.  Another driver is the sequence in which NGATS technologies will replace the technologies now in use, and the third is their transition time, since a longer implementation period would likely impose higher costs.

Management Issues

Good management will also play a role.  ATO has saved about $84 million to date through initiatives to control its costs, the GAO says.  For example, it has begun to decommission ground-based navigational aids, and to close related ATC facilities as it transitions to a satellite-based navigation system.  In fiscal year 2005, the ATO decommissioned 177 navigational aids for a savings of $2.9 million; however, there are still thousands of navigational aids in use, many of which could be decommissioned during the transition to NGATS.

Over the last two years, the ATO conducted business case reviews of 81 programs, including 67 capital programs and 14 operations programs, according to the GAO.  It expects business case reviews of its capital programs will reduce its ATC modernization costs by about $62 million in fiscal year 2007 and by nearly $400 million by fiscal year 2008.

Consolidating ATC facilities, including TRACON (terminal radar approach control) facilities and air traffic control centers, can also save costs.  According to one estimate, these actions could save ATO approximately $600 million per year.

Resources available to support NGATS could be enhanced to the extent that the JPDO leverages other partner agency resources.  JPDO has already moved in this direction by conducting a review of its partner agencies' research and development programs to identify ongoing work that could support NGATS and the potential for more effective interagency collaboration.

The GAO's complete testimony is available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06738t.pdf.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

Northrop Grumman to Upgrade 135 FAA Radars

The FAA has selected Northrop Grumman to modify the transmitters on 135 ASR-9 air traffic control radars in order to enhance performance and operational availability, while reducing operating costs.

The transmitter modification will simplify the process by which the ASR-9 generates a tracking pulse.

The ASR-9s at every major airport in America were built by Northrop Grumman, according to Tom Chrzanowski, who directs FAA air traffic management systems for Northrop Grumman's electronic systems sector.  "The modification will reduce potential outages and costs, while providing a modular framework for potential future enhancements," Mr. Chrzanowski said.

This $40 million award is the latest in the FAA's multi-phase, ASR-9 sustainment program, intended to extend the service life of the radars through 2025.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

MAXjet to Use ARINC Communications Services

Washington Dulles-based MAXjet Airways, a luxury all-business class airline offering low fares to transatlantic travelers with two B-767s, has signed with ARINC for some of its communications needs.

The airline will use ARINC's GLOBALink/VHF datalink for air-ground operational communications, AviNet for business networking with its global partners and airports, and OpCenter, ARINC's hosted airline operational messaging system.

MAXjet currently operates four flights daily between New York's JFK and London's Stansted.  05-07-2006.  (Top)

Rockwell Collins Introducing Two New Transceivers for SwiftBroadband

Rockwell Collins is introducing its next generation of high speed transceivers to support Inmarsat SwiftBroadband service for business jet and VIP operators.

Both of the new units, the HST-2110 and HST-2120, which are companion products to Rockwell's SAT-6100 and SAT-906 satcom systems, are only two MCU (modular concept unit) in size and weigh only 8.5 pounds.

The HST-2110 supports one 64 kbps Swift64 channel today and will support one 432 kbps Swift Broadband channel when Inmarsat makes that service available.  The slightly more capable HST-2120 will support two 64 kbps Swift 64 channels today, and will support one 432 kbps SwiftBroadband channel when the service commences.  A software upgrade and the addition of a small high-speed data configuration module will complete the steps necessary for SwiftBroadband service for both transceivers.

Swift64 capability is maintained when leaving a SwiftBroadband coverage area with both systems.

When combined with the SAT-6100 or SAT-906 system, both HSTs enable simultaneous operation of voice and high speed data channels. 

The new HSTs are equipped with Ethernet, ISDN (integrated services digital network), ISDN over Ethernet, and RS-232 (standard connection) interfaces, and can be installed inside or outside the pressure vessel for maximum installation flexibility.  05-07-2006.  (Top)

CMC Electronics Has New Compact Satcom Antenna for Business Aircraft

CMC Electronics is offering a new compact high-gain satcom antenna system for business aircraft that will support Inmarsat Aero-H, H+, Swift64 and SwiftBroadband communications.

The SatLite antenna, which should be available sometime this summer, has a top-mounted, low-profile design with an integrated BSU (beam steering unit) that uses the same technology as CMC's popular CMA-2102 high gain system used by many airlines.

Source: CMC Electronics

Boeing Expands Interval between Some 777 Maintenance Tasks

Boeing has developed a new program for its 777 that increases the time between some required maintenance tasks, which can translate into annual savings of more than 400 labor-hours per airplane, and an additional day of service for each airplane per year.

Using industry averages, the reduced maintenance costs and increased revenue opportunity could add more than $100,000 in annual value to each 777 in operation, Boeing says.

The new program extends the maintenance inspection interval, set by a Maintenance Review Board (MRB), from 25 to 37 months for zonal tasks, involving such areas as doors, fuselage compartments, struts, and flight controls.  Since these tasks typically require about five days to accomplish, adding 12 months to this maintenance interval can provide significant benefits.

The new program also includes many general maintenance inspections, which have increased from 100 to 125 days.

The improvements are the result of an eight-month effort by an industry steering committee involving 777 airline operators, Boeing and regulatory authorities.

Data on 350 tasks were analyzed for their potential to be included in the program.  The new MRB report was approved by the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency in April, and the resulting Maintenance Program Document (MPD) guidelines will be published this month.  05-08-2006.  (Top)

Lockheed Martin Acquiring Savi Technology, a RFID Supplier

Lockheed Martin is acquiring Savi Technology, Inc. (Savi), a provider of active RFID (radio frequency identification) systems.

Savi, based in Sunnyvale, California, has developed products that include active RFID asset tags, data-rich high performance tags, sensor tags that monitor security and environmental conditions, and other related fixed and mobile readers, to track cargo shipments worldwide.  05-07-2006.  (Top)

American Airlines Using Flightscape's Suite of Analytical Tools

American Airlines is using Flightscape's suite of flight data analytical tools to analyze both routine and non-routine data from airplane and simulator flights.

Flightscape's Insight processes and visualizes raw binary flight data from aircraft flight recorders and simulators for analysis and FOQA (flight operations quality assurance) purposes.  The system was designed to provide detailed information for manual investigation of complex cases – including animation of flight maneuvering – but it allows safety analysts and training managers to quickly review routine flights as well.

The software is installed in American's flight safety and flight training offices.

OJ Treadway, who manages flight training development for American, said the airline uses the system to support both our airport familiarization and FOQA programs. "Flightscape allows us to animate flights into demanding special airports and then disseminate the results via our intranet to all pilots in the company."

Flightscape says that while Insight was initially developed to analyze flight data for accident investigation, airlines increasingly want to use the same tool, and particularly its animation capability, to evaluate simulator sessions and special flight scenarios.  05-07-2006.  (Top)

CMC's EFB Now Standard Option on Dassault Bizjets; Gets STC on Global Express

Dassault is making CMC Electronics' EFB (electronic flight bag) a standard option on its 2000DX, 2000EX, 900DX and 900EX business jet models.  The first Dassault deliveries with the installed EFB began in March.

CMC's class 2 PilotView EFB has a display/processor unit that uses a wireless connection, which CMC says is easy to install in a variety of cockpits where space is at a premium.  It has an 8.4" AMLCD (active matrix liquid crystal display) that features a "film-on-glass" touch-sensitive screen that a pilot can use in lieu of line-select keys, and an integrated keyboard that can be used, if desired, when accessing or navigating through the system's software applications.  Other special attributes of PilotView include the ability to immediately view what is on the other pilot's display through the touch of a single key, and a one-touch video key that enables the pilot to toggle between an EFB application and video images from video surveillance systems, if installed.

(The FAA defines Class 2 EFBs as portable electronic devices, which may be used to display flight critical information such as approach plates.)

Source: CMC Electronics

Pilatus Adding CMC Electronics' EVS and EFB Retrofit Kits for PC-12s

Pilatus Business Aircraft will offer the CMC Electronics' EVS (enhanced vision system) and EFB (electronic flight bag) retrofit kits for its PC-12 model.

Pilatus announced last year that it would offer CMC Electronics' PilotView EFB and M-Series EVS as factory options on new PC-12 aircraft, but now CMC will also offer the systems as retrofit kits to Pilatus dealers.  Both systems should be certified this summer, according to CMC.

While not certified for navigation, CMC touts its M-Series EVS sensor as a way to give pilots better situational awareness at night and other low-visibility situations in all phases of flight.  The sensor weighs 2.2 lb and measures 2.4 inches by 2.5 inches by 6 inches in length, and is installed in the nose of PC-12 for easy cleaning and maintenance access.

On the PC-12 the PilotView EFB will function as a standalone system and as a display for the EVS.

CMC sees PilotView as bridging the gap between low-end off-the-shelf PC tablets and high-end class 3 EFBs, as an avionics-grade hardware package that is certified to DO-160D standards.  Its hardware consists of a self-contained electronic display and processing unit, and a companion power and expansion module unit.  In addition to software definable "FMS-style" line-select keys that surround the display, it also has a "film-on-glass" touch-sensitive screen to provide pilots with a choice when accessing or navigating through its applications.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

Rockwell Collins Offering Display and AHRS Upgrade for Piaggio 180

Rockwell Collins is offering Piaggio 180 operators an upgrade to LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and its latest AHRS (attitude heading reference system).

The upgrade is available with Rockwell's Pro Line 21 IDS (integrated display system) and AHS-3000 AHRS that will be available through an agreement with Jet Works in Denton, Texas.  Both systems should be certified by this September.

The AHS-3000 features digital quartz MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) sensors that provide heading and attitude information to the flight deck and other on board systems.  It has no moving parts, which substantially contributes to its promised up to a 10,000-hour MTBF (mean time between failure) rating.

Rockwell sees its IDS as a way to upgrade existing cockpits without the expense normally associated with major retrofits by integrating next-generation LCDs and graphics technology with existing sensors, radios, flight management systems and autopilots.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

European Meeting on Runway Safety Considered Use of Technology

A recent European runway safety seminar agreed on a three-pronged approach to improve runway safety that includes the continuation of present activities, but adds the need to consider human factors in aerodrome design and training, and the need to develop an integrated safety net, using existing – and possibly new –technologies.

The seminar, which was attended by more than 170 participants including regulators, pilots, air traffic controllers and airport managers, agreed that the European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions is the on-going basis for improving runway safety.  However the meeting agreed that these two additional elements are needed:

1. Use today's better understanding of runway incursion causes to improve both existing and new aerodrome designs, and develop new training programs for controllers, pilots and vehicle drivers on how to prevent them.

2. Create a runway-incursion "safety net" based upon existing and perhaps new technologies.

George Paulson, who directs ATM (air traffic management) programs at Eurocontrol, said that "tremendous progress" has been in implementing the recommendations in the European Action Plan, but noted that while local runway safety teams have worked hard to mitigate some of the risks of runway incursions, "more work still needs to be done to improve safety in the maneuvering area."

Local runway safety teams have been established at 91% of the international airports in European Civil Aviation Conference countries, and pilots attending the meeting attested to their achievements in operational improvements.

One significant area of concern raised several times by participants, however, was the need for timely and accurate aeronautical information data.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

MedAire and AirCell Announce New Medical Assistance Program

AirCell and MedAire are offering a new program that gives AirCell business aircraft satcom customers access to in-flight medical assistance.

The program, called MedLink Powered by AirCell, can put a user into virtually  instant contact with emergency room physicians at MedAire's 24/7 MedLink Global Response Center from their AirCell satcom system, anywhere in the world.

MedAire's physicians are specially trained to provide remote airborne diagnosis, advice, and even treatment, when necessary.

The service will be available in the third quarter of this year.  05-08-2006.  (Top)

Gulfstream Extends Partnership with MedAire

Gulfstream says it will continue to make crew access to MedAire's emergency services and onboard equipment an integral part of every aircraft it builds.

Every new Gulfstream aircraft will have direct access to MedAire's 24/7 MedLink Global Response Center anytime during a trip, and crew members will receive MedAire's inflight illness and injury training course as well as having their new aircraft equipped with MedAire's international first aid kit and a life-saving Philips automated external defibrillator.

Gulfstream and MedAire began their relationship in 1989.  This latest agreement runs through March 2009.  The exact set of MedAire services and products varies by model of Gulfstream aircraft.  05-08-2006.  (Top)

Shanghai's Pudong to Use Smiths Detection's Bag Screening Equipment

Smiths Detection will supply supply 70 of its HI-SCAN 6040i systems to screen carry-on luggage at Shanghai's Pudong international airport as part of an expansion program there. Deliveries of the systems should be completed by May 2007.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

Costa Rica FBO Using FlightView Dispatch for Flight Tracking

Costa Rica's ADS Ground Handling (ADSGH) that operates at San Jose, Liberia and Pava is using RLM Software's flight following to provide flight position and ETA information for its customers.

RLM's FlightView Dispatch is a standalone PC-based application that allows users such as ADSGH to track flights in real-time, and to set up filters to track each of their daily arrivals and departures.  The latest version of the software, 4.4.2, includes enhanced weather information and an alerts feature, which allows users to set up alerts to be automatically sent to them as emails or popups when changes such as diversions or delays occur.

ADSGH, which handles almost all U.S. commercial carriers and many private jets that fly into Costa Rica, uses RLM's FlightView Dispatch to coordinate tasks and to deploy its ground operation resources in a just-in-time fashion.  By having better knowledge of when to expect flight arrivals, ADS personnel are able to keep authorities, such as immigration and customs, apprised of arrival information, and to prepare documents ahead of time.  The purpose is to facilitate faster and smoother passenger processing.

Dellmark Muir, ADSGH's operations manager, said his company also chose FlightView Dispatch because it "allows us to track flights all the way down to Costa Rica, unlike others who only allow tracking down to Mexico."  05-06-2006.  (Top)

Air Charter Scotland Chooses ARINC's Flight Planning Services

Air Charter Scotland will use the ARINC Directs' Web-based flight planning and other fight support services to improve its operational functions.

Derek Thomson, Air Charter Scotland's operations director, noted that ARINC Direct's tools, which include runway analysis and flight following with an aircraft situational display, are "intuitive and easy to use," and should "optimize our flight route planning within the European Eurocontrol environment."

ARINC Direct is expanding its marketing efforts in Europe and has enhanced its portfolio to meet the needs of European operators.

Air Charter Scotland offers air taxi and executive air charter services with bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow.  It operates a fleet of executive aircraft each capable to carrying four to nine passengers, and flies to destinations throughout the U.K. and Northern Europe, including Scandinavia.  05-05-2006.  (Top)

Continental Launching New SITA Passenger Processing Application at Orlando

Continental Airlines has completed its testing, and will now implement SITA's new integrated passenger processing system at Orlando.

So far, Orlando International is the only airport to pilot SITA's new system, called AirportConnect Open, which will allow airlines to fully use their CUTE (common-use terminal equipment) and non-CUTE proprietary applications in a shared environment for the first time.

According to Robert Sloan, Continental's senior manager of technology, besides the advantage of running CUTE and non-CUTE applications on the same system, AirportConnect Open doesn't require new training; nor is there a need for traditional certification.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

Prescott Arizona Prototyping LED Taxiway Lighting

The FAA has installed a new LED (light emitting diode) taxiway light system at Prescott, Arizona's municipal airport in an effort to reduce runway incursions and gain other advantages.

This prototype system uses LED technology to emit a clear blue light that marks the taxiway edge, while other runway-guard lights visually notify pilots that they are approaching a runway hold line.  Both aids are meant to improve a pilot's ability to maintain ground situational awareness.

The FAA believes the system could be installed at all sizes of airports to help pilots be more aware of their airport location.  But it also reduces the electrical energy required and therefore the danger of shock to workers doing maintenance work.  Overall maintenance requirements and costs should be less as well.

Although the initial installation of LEDs is more expensive than the conventional lighting currently being used, FAA engineers estimate that the system could reduce energy use by as much as 50 to 80 percent each year, and reduce maintenance costs by as much as 80 percent.  Lighting system maintenance costs at Prescott are about $5,700 per year these days.

The FAA paid the $1 million cost of designing, producing and installing the system at Prescott.  Future LED systems will be eligible for financial assistance through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program once they are approved, the agency says.  05-05-2006.  (Top)

Dassault has confirmed an increase in range to 5,950 nm for is new Falcon 7X.  To accomplish this, Dassault included winglets and additional fuel tanks in the forward section.  The thrust for the Pratt and Whitney Canada 307A engines was also increased to 6,400 lbs. The 7X's MTOW (maximum take-off weight) has been increased to 69,000 lbs, and its payload capacity with full fuel has been increased by more than 1,000 lbs.  Its BOW (basic operating weight) is 34, 272 lbs.  These increases still make the Falcon 7X the lightest airplane in its class by at least 22,000 lbs, according to Dassault.  05-09-2006.

Embraer said it will launch a $40-million business jet, called the Lineage 1000, derived from its ERJ 190 regional airliner.  With a maximum takeoff weight of about 121,000 pounds, and with optional additional fuel tanks, the aircraft’s maximum range will be 4,200 nm, and will accommodate 13 to 19 passengers in a typical corporate configuration.  The Lineage 1000 is expected to enter service in 2008.  Embraer also disclosed it might develop a corporate version of the ERJ 170.

Embraer Lineage 1000

Source:  Embraer

05-09-2006.  (Top)

Boeing received orders for 149 aircraft in April, made up of 144 737s and five 787-9s.  It also booked orders for two BBJs in the month.  The airframer's total sales for the first four months of 2006 were 325 units consisting of 260 737s, two 747-400Fs, four 767-300ERs and 59 787s.  It delivered 28 airplanes in April, raising its year-to-date total to 126.  These consisted of three 717s, 88 737NGs, five BBJs, four 747-400Fs, one 747-400ERF, one 767-200ER, one 767-300ER, one 767-300F, nine 777-200ERs, two 777-200LRs and 11 777-300ERs.  05-09-2006.

Airbus took orders for seven A320s and two A319s in April.  Its first four months of 2006 sales totaled 99, comprised of 79 A320 family aircraft, three A330-200s, one A330-300, three A340-300s, two A350-800s and 11 A350-900s.  The Toulouse-based manufacturer delivered 40 aircraft in April, bringing deliveries in the first four months of the year to 142, made up of 112 A320 family aircraft, three A300-600Fs, 14 A330-200s, eight A330-300s and five A340-600s.  05-09-2006.

The 19 carriers reporting on-time performance to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) recorded an overall on-time arrival rate of 76.1% percent in March, down from March 2005's 76.9% but an improvement over February 2006's 75.3%.

The carriers canceled 1.2% of their scheduled domestic flights in March, down from both the 1.6% cancellation rate of March 2005 and the 2.1% rate recorded in February 2006.  The carriers reported that 7.86% of their March flights were delayed by aviation system delays, compared to 8.32% in February 2006; 7.42% by late-arriving aircraft, compared to 6.92% in February; 6.27% by factors within the airline's control, such as maintenance or crew problems, compared to 6.08% in February; 0.81% by extreme weather, compared to 0.92% in February; and 0.08% for security reasons, compared to 0.09% in February.  (Weather is a factor in both the extreme-weather category and the aviation-system category. This includes delays due to the re-routing of flights by the FAA in consultation with the carriers involved.  Weather is also a factor in delays attributed to late-arriving aircraft, although airlines do not report specific causes in that category.)

The percentage of overall flights delayed by weather, including those reported in either the category of extreme weather or included in National Aviation System delays was 5.16% in March, up 3.20% from March 2005, when 5.00% of flights were delayed by weather, and up 7.72% from February when 4.79% of flights were delayed by weather.

Detailed information is available at http://www.bts.gov. 05-09-2006.

A new report issued by Eurocontrol finds that over the next ten years Europe's fleet of business aircraft will grow by around 4% per year, from around 2000 today to approximately 3000 by 2015.  This translates into about 1,100 extra flights each day in Europe by 2015, which will add between 0.4% per year to predicted growth in flights, or up to 0.7% in a scenario with strong growth in very light jet traffic. The report says 6.9% of the 9.2 million flights in Europe during 2005, were made by business aviation.  Flights by business jets are growing strongly, up 8.9% in 2004 while the growth in flights by turboprops grew by 2.4% and piston aircraft flew 2% fewer flights over the same period.  05-09-2006.

Eurocopter says its order book for the EC 135 currently stands at around 550 units. It is the company's top seller and the best-selling light twin-engine helicopter worldwide.  Although predominantly known for its use in emergency medical services and law enforcement, the corporate market now accounts for 16% of Eurocopter's total deliveries.  05-09-2006.

Dassault Aviation said 2005 was the best year in the history of its Falcon program with 123 firm orders, a 25% increase over its previous annual record.  At the end of 2005, Dassault had a total backlog of more than 200 aircraft.  More than 60 aircraft will be delivered in 2006 compared to 51 in 2005.  A similar delivery rate increase is planned for 2007.  05-09-2006.  (Top)

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