This edition of the Weekly News Summary is being sent to 3,257 e-mail subscribers

| Search FTO with Google | Non-Copyright Policy | Contact Us |

| Share News with Flt Tech Online | Advertise in FTO | Subscribe to FTO |

What is RSS?

Nav Canada Takes First Step Toward ADS-B Deployment
Nav Canada is taking its first step toward implementing ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) by deploying the technology in the Northern Canadian airspace over and around Hudson Bay in the 2007-2008 timeframe.

Honeywell Team to Study European ATM Automation Improvements
The European Union will fund a Honeywell European research and development team, based in the Czech Republic, to study the potential of "optimized automation" for improving airspace efficiency and safety.

U.S. and Europe Seek Better Coordination on Airspace Modernization
FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey and European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot have agreed to enhance cooperation between Europe and the United States on airspace modernization.  Specifically, they want to ensure a seamless coordination between the U.S. NGATS (Next Generation Air Transport System (NGATS) and the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) efforts.

American Airlines Renews Flight Communications Contracts with ARINC
American Airlines renewed its contract with ARINC for its flight communications' service.  The agreement covers American's affiliates American Eagle and Executive Airlines as well.

QinetiQ and COMSOFT to Develop ADS-B and Multilateration Technology
QinetiQ and COMSOFT have agreed to jointly develop and market a technology with ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) and multilateration capability.

Rockwell Collins Introducing New Integrated Surveillance System
Rockwell Collins is introducing a new integrated surveillance system that combines three hazard detection warning functions and Mode S into a single structure.

Gulfstream on Schedule for Next Version of Enhanced Vision
Gulfstream Aerospace says its on schedule for the FAA to certify  its second version of EVS (enhanced vision system) in the second quarter of 2007.  Gulfstream plans to replace its current EVS with EVSII in new production G550s and G450s.

Gulfstream to Offer Synthetic Vision on Primary Flight Display
Gulfstream Aerospace will be the first business-jet manufacturer to offer synthetic vision on a primary flight display on its new production and in-service aircraft.

Air France Opts for Honeywell RAAS for Runway Safety
Air France will install Honeywell's Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) to improve the situational awareness of its pilots during airport operations and reduce runway incursions.  Installations should begin later this year.

Honeywell's New MCDU for Airbus 320 and A340 Families Certified
Honeywell's New MCDU (multi-purpose control display unit) for Airbus A320 and A340 families has been certified.

OnAir Selects Partners for Inflight Mobile Phone Service
OnAir, the joint venture between Airbus and SITA, has selected Inmarsat partners' Thales and EMS Satcom to help it provide mobile phone service on board commercial flights.

Etihad Airways to Use Jeppesen's Opscontrol
Etihad Airways will use Jeppesen's OPSControl flight operations management system for its flight planning, weather and NOTAM (notice to airmen) modules, and crew briefing tools.

Egyptair to Use Jeppesen EFB Applications and Internet Chart Access
Jeppesen will provide EgyptAir with online chart access, as well as terminal chart and airport moving map applications and data, for its EFBs (electronic flight bags) via its data distribution and management system.

JetBlue to Use Several PASSUR Products to Enhance Airport Ops
JetBlue Airways will use several PASSUR applications to enhance its hub airport operations and reduce costs.

Gulfstream Exploring Fly-By-Wire
Gulfstream Aerospace is exploring the potential of "fly-by-wire" technology with a proof-of-concept research program it calls Advanced Flight Controls (AFC).

Airbus and QinetiQ Will Cooperate on Technology Development
Airbus and QinetiQ have agreed to do further research and technology development in areas such as fluid mechanics, chemical fuel modeling, aircraft health monitoring, and advanced landing gear systems.

Check Out Additional Fleet Changes

Check Out Current Industry Trends

Please let us hear from you.  Send your comments to editor@flttechonline.com.

Check Out Up-Coming Industry Events

Note:  If you would like FTO to highlight your meeting or conference, please send an e-mail to editor@flttechonline.com.

Nav Canada Takes First Step Toward ADS-B Deployment

Nav Canada is taking its first step toward implementing ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) by deploying the technology in the Northern Canadian airspace over and around Hudson Bay in the 2007-2008 timeframe.

With what will be a $10 million investment, "We now begin our evolution from conventional radar to the next generation of air traffic surveillance," said John Crichton, Nav Canada's president and CEO.

Six new ADS-B ground stations will be installed on the Hudson Bay shoreline in Akulivik, Inukjuak, Fort Severn, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet and Churchill.  The stations will be supported by three high-powered VHF transmitter/receivers for improved voice communications between controllers and pilots.

Subsequent phases will see ADS-B deployed in the rest of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Northern B.C. where there is no radar coverage today.  Eventually the technology will be deployed throughout the rest of Canada as a replacement for or to complement radar.

Because there is no radar coverage over Hudson Bay, aircraft are forced to fly using "procedural" separation rules that keep them 10 minutes apart, which translates as roughly 80 nautical miles.  ADS-B should allow the separation distances to be reduced, for equipped aircraft, to a five-mile minimum which is the standard today for the en route phase of flight in airspace with radar coverage, according to the Canadian air navigation service provider.

"This initial deployment alone promises to save customers well over $200 million in reduced fuel costs over 15 years, through more flexible and fuel-efficient flight routes," Crichton said.

Some 35,000 flights per year cross the airspace over Hudson Bay and the Baffin Island area as they follow the routes connecting North America to destinations in Europe and Asia, and vice versa.

Customer Equipage

Nav Canada notes that in order to achieve the benefits of ADS-B, aircraft must be equipped with ADS-B avionics, including GPS.  So when ADS-B is deployed, some altitudes over Hudson Bay will be restricted to aircraft with ADS-B avionics, and eventually the lower bound of ADS-B airspace will become 29,000 feet.

Most airlines currently operating across Hudson Bay are already equipped with the necessary capability or will be soon, according to Nav Canada.  (All aircraft with a Mode-S transponder are capable of transmitting an ADS-B position report known as ADS-B "out.")

New VHF Voice Capability

In a related project, Nav Canada will also invest $7.5 million to install 15 new VHF transmitter/receivers to provide direct controller-pilot voice communications elsewhere in the North.  These links will be implemented in Peawanuck, Fort Severn, Puvirnituq, Kuujjuarapik, Iqaluit, Inukjuak, Cape Dorset, Pond Inlet, Cape Dyer, Dewar Lake, Taloyoak, Whitehorse, Resolute Bay, Holman and Coppermine.  07-21-2006.  (Top)

Honeywell Team to Study European ATM Automation Improvements

The European Union will fund a Honeywell European research and development team, based in the Czech Republic, to study the potential of "optimized automation" for improving airspace efficiency and safety.

The Honeywell team is a partner in a consortium led by the Eurocontrol Experimental Centre, under contract with the European Commission, to study an advanced automation tool, dubbed ERASMUS (en route air traffic management ultimate system).

The Honeywell group will focus on improving air to ground cooperation, reducing operational uncertainty with increased data accuracy, and better human/machine interfaces.  07-23-2006.  (Top)

U.S. and Europe Seek Better Coordination on Airspace Modernization

FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey and European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot have agreed to enhance cooperation between Europe and the United States on airspace modernization.  Specifically, they want to ensure a seamless coordination between the U.S. NGATS (Next Generation Air Transport System (NGATS) and the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) efforts.

To accomplish this, the FAA and European Commission intend to work together on regulation, standards and procedures; coordination with international organizations; research and development; as well as civil and military air traffic management issues.  07-21-2006.  (Top)

American Airlines Renews Flight Communications Contracts with ARINC

American Airlines renewed its contract with ARINC for its flight communications' service.  The agreement covers American's affiliates American Eagle and Executive Airlines as well.

ARINC will continue to provide its worldwide GLOBALink VHF datalink service, its domestic voice service in North America, and its HF (high-frequency) datalink service in remote oceanic and polar regions not covered by geostationary satcom constellations.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

QinetiQ and COMSOFT to Develop ADS-B and Multilateration Technology

QinetiQ and COMSOFT have agreed to jointly develop and market a technology with ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) and multilateration capability.

The companies believe their new system, dubbed Quadrant, can complement existing radars, or ultimately to replace them for about one tenth of their cost.

The Quadrant concept is possible because of the move towards the universal use of Mode S equipment in both civil and military aircraft, according to the companies.

Their arrangement provides for COMSOFT to manufacturer and market Quadrant exclusively in cooperation with QinetiQ.  The two companies also plan to collaborate on a range of other QinetiQ ATM products and services.  07-21-2006.  (Top)

Rockwell Collins Introducing New Integrated Surveillance System

Rockwell Collins is introducing a new integrated surveillance system that combines three hazard detection warning functions and Mode S into a single structure.

The CISS-2100 configurable integrated surveillance system, which is a key element in Rockwell Collins' new Premier Series, integrates weather detection, TCAS (traffic alert and collision avoidance), TAWS (terrain awareness and warning system) with Mode-S surveillance.  It also provides the platform for Rockwell Collins' next generation cooperative surveillance operations and applications, such as ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) and TIS-B (traffic information service-broadcast), the company says.

For thunderstorm avoidance, the system integrates Rockwell's MultiScan Hazard Detection System, which can automatically detect cells out to 320 nautical miles, and includes ground clutter suppression, geographical weather correlation, overflight protection, and enhanced turbulence detection capabilities.

And since the CISS-2100 uses 40 percent fewer parts than traditional federated surveillance systems, it reduces weight, volume and power consumption.

The system will debut on the B-787, after its expected type certification in 2008.  07-21-2006.  (Top)

Gulfstream on Schedule for Next Version of Enhanced Vision

Gulfstream Aerospace says its on schedule for the FAA to certify  its second version of EVS (enhanced vision system) in the second quarter of 2007.  Gulfstream plans to replace its current EVS with EVSII in new production G550s and G450s.

Pres Henne, Gulfstream's senior vice president of programs, engineering and test, said the EVSII will have smaller and lighter components, and faster and more powerful processors, that will reduce the unit's size and weight while improving its reliability.  The system's hardware components are produced by Kollsman.

Currently, EVSII is undergoing flight-testing at Gulfstream's Savannah, Georgia, research center on a dedicated G450 test aircraft.

Like the original EVS, Gulfstream's EVSII incorporates a specially designed FLIR (forward-looking infrared) that projects a real-world image on the pilot's HUD (head-up display).  However, the EVSII features an improved cryogenically cooled detector that is more sensitive in identifying runway lights during approach.

Both EVS and EVSII enable pilots to see terrain, obstacles and runways - including their lighting systems - that are otherwise undetectable by unaided sight in poor visibility.

According to Gulfstream, more than 230 of its business jets were flying with EVS, as of March 31 of this year, including 16 C-37A U.S. government transport aircraft.

Gulfstream's EVS was certified by the FAA on Sept. 14, 2001.  In 2004, the FAA changed Federal Air Regulations Part 91 to allow pilots to use "enhanced flight visibility systems" to determine flight visibility, which essentially acknowledged that enhanced vision systems, with the necessary attributes (such as Gulfstream's), are adequate for the pilot to "see" down to an altitude of 100 feet above the elevation of the runway's touchdown zone.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

Gulfstream to Offer Synthetic Vision on Primary Flight Display

Gulfstream Aerospace will be the first business-jet manufacturer to offer synthetic vision on a primary flight display on its new production and in-service aircraft.

Gulfstream will offer its Synthetic Vision - Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD) as an optional upgrade to current G550s, G500s, G450s and G350s equipped with its PlaneView cockpit.  And following FAA certification, expected in 2007, Gulfstream also will begin offering the optional upgrade to both current and future customers awaiting completion of aircraft, equipped with PlaneView.

Gulfstream's SV-PFD, which was developed with Honeywell, features a three-dimensional color image of terrain overlaid with PFD (primary flight display) instrument readings that are arranged to create a large-area view of approaching terrain.  By combining previously certified data from Honeywell's EGPWS (enhanced ground proximity warning system) with obstacle data and new graphics processing, Gulfstream says the system accurately depicts local terrain, obstacles, and runways, at locations throughout the world.

SV-PFD includes both traditional and HUD (head-up display) symbology, so attitude, altitude, airspeed and bank references all remain the same, as do depictions of steering cues, flight path marker, TAWS (terrain awareness and warning system) and TCAS (traffic alert collision avoidance system) alerts.  New HUD-like symbols include a flight path marker, a path-based flight director runway outline and a runway lead-in line.

Many of these enhancements came from its participation in NASA's GVSITE (Gulfstream V SVS integrated technology evaluation) research program, Gulfstream said, while maintaining its PlaneView traditions.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

Air France Opts for Honeywell RAAS for Runway Safety

Air France will install Honeywell's Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) to improve the situational awareness of its pilots during airport operations and reduce runway incursions.  Installations should begin later this year.

Working in conjunction with Honeywell's EGPWS (enhanced ground proximity warning system), RAAS compares the aircraft's GPS-derived location against an airport database to pinpoint its location on the surface, and provide aural advisories to the pilots - if needed - of the following situations:

• Entering a runway and when their aircraft is on a runway.

• Runway distance remaining call-outs during rejected take-off or long landings.

• An inadvertent take-off attempt from a taxiway.

• A take-off from a short runway or approach to land on a short runway.

• Remaining on a runway for an extended period of time.

An optional advisory identifies the runway when on final approach.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

Honeywell's New MCDU for Airbus 320 and A340 Families Certified

Honeywell's New MCDU (multi-purpose control display unit) for Airbus A320 and A340 families has been certified.

The MCDU, with a liquid crystal display, will have superior reliability, according to Honeywell, as well as faster response and improved pilot readability, because of its better resolution and backlighting, revised brightness control, and unique video feed capability.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

OnAir Selects Partners for Inflight Mobile Phone Service

OnAir, the joint venture between Airbus and SITA, has selected Inmarsat partners' Thales and EMS Satcom to help it provide mobile phone service on board commercial flights.

OnAir will use Thales TopFlight satcom terminals along with EMS Satcom transceivers and antennas, to connect with Inmarsat's high-speed SwiftBroadband service, starting early next year.

Through an onboard mobile base station, the OnAir system effectively creates its own GSM (global system for mobile communications) network that routes calls and data from networks on the ground via Inmarsat's new generation I-4 satellites to support a range of applications including voice calls and text messages, as well as broadband connectivity.

OnAir says it plans to begin fitting the terminals in Airbus and Boeing aircraft in 2007, after which Air France, TAP and BMI, will launch the service on their flights.  07-21-2006.  (Top)

Etihad Airways to Use Jeppesen's Opscontrol

Etihad Airways will use Jeppesen's OPSControl flight operations management system for its flight planning, weather and NOTAM (notice to airmen) modules, and crew briefing tools.

OPSControl is a suite of operations control products that is powered by Jeppesen's JetPlan flight planning engine.  Its modules include Flite Manager, to help manage duties within a dispatch office, weather services, runway analysis, crew briefing, and interfaces with maintenance, reservations, and communications functions.

Jeppesen's integrated airline operations' portfolio also includes tools for schedule planning and crew management, real-time decision support tools to help manage flights, and post-flight analytical applications, including one for profitability.  The purpose is to integrate and automate these functions to increase the efficiency and productivity of operational control centers.

This system is scalable, meaning that airlines of all sizes can use it, and modular, so that addition application can be added easily as needed.

Carmen Systems Addition

Jeppesen believes its recent acquisition of Carmen Systems (through its Boeing Company parent), with its scheduling, resource optimization and logistics solutions, will enhance the capabilities of OPSControl even more.  07-23-2006.  (Top)

Egyptair to Use Jeppesen EFB Applications and Internet Chart Access

Jeppesen will provide EgyptAir with online chart access, as well as terminal chart and airport moving map applications and data, for its EFBs (electronic flight bags) via its data distribution and management system.

Besides EFB support across all three classes of EFB hardware platforms, Jeppesen's Total Mission Solution includes flight planning, scheduling and resource optimization, as well as complete navigation services, and document logistics management.

And because of working agreements with both Airbus and Boeing, Jeppesen says it's the only company that can give operators both software and data continuity across diverse fleets of new and existing aircraft.

Jeppesen says more carriers are now using its e-Link service that allows them to access charts and other information over the Internet, and eliminates paper for a number of their dispatch, training, and other flight operations' functions. All of Jeppesen's EFB solutions are designed to provide an airline with all of the applications, data and infrastructure needed to make the transition to a paperless flight deck.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

JetBlue to Use Several PASSUR Products to Enhance Airport Ops

JetBlue Airways will use several PASSUR applications to enhance its hub airport operations and reduce costs.

JetBlue will use PASSER's Portal, a "Web dashboard" that serves as the main access point for all other PASSUR services; Pulse, which gives airlines distributed access to operations and performance reports from PASSUR's database of flight information; and FlightPerform, an airspace visualization facility that can help airline managers guide their airport operations in real time, using air traffic management-style displays and tools.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

Gulfstream Exploring Fly-By-Wire

Gulfstream Aerospace is exploring the potential of "fly-by-wire" technology with a proof-of-concept research program it calls Advanced Flight Controls (AFC).

All of Gulfstream's current aircraft, the G150, G200, G350, G450, G500 and G550, use mechanical linkages to control hydro-mechanical-powered actuators that move the airplanes' ailerons, elevators, rudders, spoilers and flaps.  Fly-by-wire technology controls new electro-mechanical actuators electronically, which reduces both weight and physical complexity.

Gulfstream initiated the AFC research program in 2004, focusing on spoiler and elevator systems.  By September 2005, the company completed a critical design review, and by the end of that year, it integrated new AFC hardware and software components with existing aircraft systems in a test facility to conduct verification work.  In May of this year, Gulfstream finished installing the hardware and software components on a static aircraft and succeeded in controlling the plane's outboard, mid-board and inboard spoilers electronically.  Currently, Gulfstream is replacing the traditional control spoiler components with electro-mechanical actuators on a modified GV that will begin flight tests in August.  Elevator testing will be carried out later in the year.

Three partners are working with Gulfstream in the program: Thales is supplying the flight control computer, which interfaces with the cockpit, aircraft sensors and the fly-by-wire actuators; Smiths is supplying the electromechanical actuators (EMAs) and other electronic components for the mid- and inboard spoilers; and Parker is supplying a rotary EMA for the outboard spoiler, and an electrical backup hydraulic actuator (EBHA) for the elevator, along with accompanying electronic components.  07-23-2006.  (Top)

Airbus and QinetiQ Will Cooperate on Technology Development

Airbus and QinetiQ have agreed to do further research and technology development in areas such as fluid mechanics, chemical fuel modeling, aircraft health monitoring, and advanced landing gear systems.

The two companies note they have worked together for many years to make technical progress in areas such as advanced computational fluid dynamics, composite material based structural design, and the development of a "creep-age forming process" that helped to make the A380's huge wings a reality.  07-21-2006.  (Top)

Hainan Airlines Group has selected the Trent 700 to power its five new A330s that will begin arriving in November 2007.  07-22-2006.

TAP Portugal has selected CF6 engines to power the five A330-200s it has on order.  07-22-2006.

India's Jet Airways will take delivery of 10 Aviation Partners Boeing blended winglet shipsets as buyer furnished equipment (BFE) on the last B-737-800s deliveries it has on order.  07-22-2006.

WestJet will lease three B-737-700s and one B-737-800 from Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, with deliveries starting in late 2007.  The airline also took options for three more 700s and an additional dash 800.  07-22-2006.

Polish low-cost carrier, WizzAir, ordered 20 V2500-powered A320s for delivery starting in 2009.  07-22-2006.

New York-based CIT Group ordered five A330s, and four A320 Family aircraft.  07-22-2006.

California-based Trans-Exec Air Service took delivery of a new Gulfstream G550.  07-22-2006.

California-based charter company STA Jets has added a new Pilatus PC-12 to its air-taxi fleet.  07-22-2006.

An undisclosed European customer ordered an ACJ (Airbus corporate jetliner).  07-22-2006.

Utah State University (USU) has taken delivery of ten DA40-FP Diamond Stars, with a pair of DA42 Twin Stars to follow in August.  The aircraft will be used exclusively in its professional pilot training program.  07-22-2006.

Aegean Airlines ordered three V2500-powered A320s for delivery between January 2007 and April 2009.  The Greek airline already has committed to three A320s leased from ILFC and has nine more options for A320 Family aircraft.  07-22-2006.

American Airlines ordered an additional 104 blended winglet shipsets from Aviation Partners Boeing for its B-757-200s.  The airline ordered 20 of the systems in September 2005.  07-22-2006.

Lion Air firmed its optional orders for 30 additional CFM56-7B-powered B-737-900ERs.  The Indonesian carrier, which placed an initial order for 30 aircraft in July 2005, will begin taking delivery of the new 737s in the first half of 2007.  07-22-2006.

Shannon Engine Support (SES) ordered 40 CFM56-7B spare engines for delivery between late 2006 and 2010.  07-22-2006.

Aviation Capital Group (ACG) ordered 14 B-737-800s.  ACG also acquired three B-737-700s and three B-737-800s from Aeromexico that it will lease back to that carrier.  ACG will begin taking delivery of these aircraft, originally ordered by Aeromexico, later this year. 07-22-2006.

Emirates SkyCargo signed a purchase agreement for ten B-747-8 freighters.  07-22-2006.

XOJET took delivery of two new Citation Xs.  07-22-2006.

United Aviation, a new executive charter company based in Tripoli, ordered a Bombardier Global 5000.  07-22-2006.

Pakistan's provincial government of Sindh ordered a Learjet 45 XR for delivery late this year.  07-22-2006.

Southwest Airlines ordered 59 Aviation Partners Boeing blended winglets for its B-737-300s and took options for 31 more.  Installations are expected to start in early 2007.  07-22-2006.

Hyderabad-based Flyington Freighters ordered four B-777-200Fs.  07-22-2006.

Pegasus and Blue Panorama chose Trent 1000 engines for the B-787s they have ordered.  07-22-2006.

Enimex Airlines of Estonia leased two ATP regional turboprops from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.  07-22-2006.

ILFC has selected the GEnx and GE90 engines to power its new B-787s and B-777s, respectively.  07-22-2006.

Sofia, Bulgaria-based Nove Holding ordered two Learjet 60 XRs.  07-22-2006.

VistaJet ordered three Challenger 605s and took options for two more.  07-22-2006.

Global Wings of Osaka took delivery of its third Learjet 45 XR.  07-22-2006.

Cathay Pacific has chosen PW4062A engines to power the six B-747-400ERFs (extended range freighters) it has on order.  07-22-2006.

Kingfisher Airlines has selected PW4168A engines to power the A330s it has on order.  Kingfisher will also be the first customer for the Avantage70 upgrade, which was developed for the 4168A, and is scheduled for certification in 2008.  At that time, new engines delivered to Kingfisher Airlines will incorporate the upgrade, and PW4000 engines already in operation will be upgraded during their first maintenance shop visit.  07-22-2006.

UPS has selected GP7200 engines to power the ten A380 freighters it has on order, which should start arriving in 2009.  UPS also has options on 10 more A380s.  07-22-2006.

Pegasus Aviation Finance Company ordered six B-787-800s.  As part of the agreement, Blue Panorama transferred its orders for four 787s to Pegasus which it will lease from Pegasus in return.  07-22-2006.

Grupo Marsans, a Spanish tour carrier, signed a memorandum of understanding for 12 A330-200s and options on ten more.  The aircraft will be delivered in 2008 and 2009.  07-22-2006.

AirAsia has changed its 40 A320 options to firm orders and took options for 30 more.  A320 deliveries to the Malaysian low-fare carrier should begin in April 2009 and continue through 2011.  Air Asia has now ordered 100 A320s and has 30 options. Seven A320s are currently in service with the carrier.  07-22-2006.

ILFC has ordered six more A320s.  It has a total of 430 orders of the A320 family. 07-22-2006.

ILFC converted six B-737-800s, two B-777-300ERs and two B-787s from options to orders.  07-22-2006.

Delta Air Lines signed a letter of intent with ILFC to lease 10 PW2037-powered B-757-200ERs that will be delivered from July 15 through Nov. 15, 2007.  ILFC will provide a cash contribution toward the purchase of winglets that will remain installed after each airplane is returned.  The transaction needs to be approved by the bankruptcy court.  07-22-2006.

Texas-based Raytheon Aircraft Charter & Management (RACM) added a Premier 1A to its fleet.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

Airbus says it has achieved a record of 14 firm orders for its corporate jetliners so far this year, comprised of nine ACJs, four A318 Elites and a VIP A330-200. The European airframer says this means it has now booked almost as many sales of corporate jets this year as it did in the whole of 2005, when it had 15 sales.  Airbus delivered five corporate jets in the first half of 2006.  07-22-2006.

Eurocontrol says Europe saw its air traffic grow by 4% in the first half of 2006, compared to 2005.  This growth is in line with Eurocontrol's forecasts, which have predicted an average annual increase of 4% over the coming 15 years. This level of growth will result in a doubling of European traffic by 2025, with the annual number of flights increasing to 18 million and the daily average to 60,000.  Europe's traffic growth in the first six months of the year resulted in an additional 880 extra flights per day. The low cost carriers showed particularly strong growth – up 23.3% on the same period in 2005 – an additional 730 flights each day.

Business aviation traffic increased 10.4% or an extra 170 flights per day.  Delays due to air traffic management for the first six months of 2006 have remained very low, however: air traffic flow management delays averaged 1.75 minutes per flight and en-route delays averaged 0.97 minutes.  07-22-2006.

Rolls-Royce projects that 114,000 jet engines will be needed to meet a global demand for 51,000 commercial aircraft ranging from business jets to long-haul airliners over the next 20 years.  07-22-2006.

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft business recorded 17 Jetstream 32 sales and leases in the first half of 2006, and expects 30 sales of the aircraft for the year.  07-22-2006.

Embraer has received firm orders for more than 235 Phenom 100 very light jets and Phenom 300 light jets since they were launched about a year ago. Deliveries of the Phenom 100 will start in mid-2008, while shipments of the light jet will begin in the second quarter of 2009.  The projected combined annual production rate for the Phenoms is expected to reach 120 to 150 aircraft.  Embraer delivered nine Legacy 600s in the first half of this year compared with six in the same period last year and three in the first half of 2004.  The Brazilian airframer shipped 20 Legacy 600s in 2005, compared to 13 in 2004.  It said it expects to deliver between 25 and 30 Legacy 600s this year and again in 2007.  Embraer believes it will deliver as many as two Lineage 1000s in 2008, its first production year, and three or four in 2009.  07-22-2006.

Members of the Association of European Airlines reported that delays of more than 15 minutes affected 22.6% of departures on intra-European flights in the first quarter of 2006, which was 1.5 percentage points higher than in the corresponding period last year, and was the highest 1st-quarter delay figure since 2002.  The full report is downloadable from the AEA Website at www.aea.be.  07-22-2006.

Bombardier's newest 20-year commercial aircraft market forecast predicts a demand for 11,000 aircraft deliveries in the 20- to 149-seat catagory, during the 20-year period from 2006 to 2025.  The forecast's breakdown sees:

• The 20- to 59-passenger aircraft segment having a demand for 1,100 aircraft;

• The 60- to 99-seat aircraft segment having a demand for 4,100 aircraft;

• The 100- to 149-passenger airliner segment having a demand for 5,800 aircraft.

The complete Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Market Forecast can be accessed at www.bombardier.com.  07-22-2006.

Bombardier's first-ever public Business Aircraft Market Forecast shows that deliveries of all business jets are expected to grow significantly during the 2006-2010 period: Corporate aircraft manufacturers could deliver an average of 600 to 700 business jets annually, excluding the very light segment, a significant increase from the 540 units delivered during the 2001-2005 period.  07-22-2006.

Merrill Lynch analyst, Michael Linenberg, believes the eight largest U.S. carriers – Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways – will collectively double their net profit for the second quarter to about $1.2 billion, which would be their first profitable quarter since September 2000.  07-22-2006.  (Top)

Non-Copyright 2006 Flt Tech Online.  No rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Flt Tech Online is absolutely allowed, sanctioned, approved and even encouraged. – News should be free. Spread the word!