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Monday, June 30, 2008 Eclipse 500 Receives Flight Into Known Icing Certification By FlyingNews @ 1:24 PM :: 297 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world's first very light jet (VLJ), today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification for the Eclipse 500. With this certification, the Eclipse 500 can now operate in conditions in which ice is known to be present. "This certification process is one of the most difficult things to put a new model of aircraft through," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "We've worked through this process for some time, flying the Eclipse 500 in the precise natural icing conditions that the FAA requires. We tested the aircraft in some of the most severe weather conditions we could find, wherever we could find it. By receiving the FAA certification, we proved that the aircraft can withstand known icing conditions in a real-world operating environment with no structural changes required of the airframe," said Raburn. Read More..

Monday, June 30, 2008 Poland’s Ministry of Health orders 23 Eurocopter EC135s for Nationwide Emergency Medical Services By FlyingNews @ 1:16 PM :: 249 Views :: 0 Comments :: Helicopters The Polish Ministry of Health has signed a contract for 23 Eurocopter EC135 helicopters to serve its nationwide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) network. The aircraft will be delivered between 2009 and 2010. The state-of-the-art EC135s, which will replace an ageing fleet of Mi-2s, will enable Poland’s air rescue system to become fully compliant with European JAR OPS-3 standards and to offer to its population the world’s most widely used EMS helicopter of the new generation. An EC135 flight simulator is also part of the contract. The selection of the EC135 follows an international tender, according to public procurement law, issued by the Polish Ministry of Health. After a highly professional evaluation process, Eurocopter’s offer was identified as the most advantageous and in line with the specifications for the nation’s EMS operations. The fleet of 23 helicopters will serve bases all over Poland and will be operated by the Ministry’s Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (LPR) organization. Read More..

Monday, June 30, 2008 A royal celebration for A400M military airlifter's rollout By FlyingNews @ 1:09 PM :: 280 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers The first Airbus A400M military transporter rolled out from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain today, marking a key milestone in the development for this new multi-role airlifter. In a ceremony presided by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, the aircraft was presented to an international audience of 1,500 invited guests, which included hundreds of Airbus employees wearing commemorative white T-shirts, military officials from participating countries and journalists. The unveiling was highlighted by a colourful fanfare of traditional Spanish music, dance and aerial gymnastics. Read More..

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Eclipse Aviation Readies Change to Software For Eclipse 500 Engine Fault Condition By FlyingNews @ 7:42 AM :: 255 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers, Business Aircraft Manufacturers Today Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world's first very light jet (VLJ), announced that it will incorporate design improvements to the Eclipse 500� software to prevent a rare engine fault that may occur if the aircraft's throttle levers are advanced with enough force to exceed the Eclipse 500's FAA-certified design limits. Eclipse intends to increase the range limit of the Throttle Quadrant Assembly (TQA) to prevent the fault condition, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These changes will be administered via a software update to all Eclipse 500 owners and operators. "One of the advantages to having such a technologically-advanced aircraft is that we can quickly isolate the cause of an incident and then rapidly deliver a solution to our customers via a universal software update," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "In contrast to traditional aviation industry approaches, the time and customer inconvenience factor saved is immeasurable." Read More..

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 63 years later, 404 Squadron returns to ‘Black Friday’ site By FlyingNews @ 7:37 AM :: 480 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation Representatives from 404 Maritime Patrol and Training (MP&T) Squadron from 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S. will leave Canada for Forde, Norway on June 23 to pay final respects to aviators lost during the tragic ‘Black Friday’ mission of February 9, 1945. On that cold day, 404 Squadron, also known as the ‘Buffalo’ Squadron, sent 11 Bristol Beaufighter TFX twin-engine coastal fighter aircraft to attack one of the last surviving German destroyers near Forde on the western coast of Norway. You can read the entire article here.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Airline Orders Four Bombardier CRJ700 Nextgen Aircraft By FlyingNews @ 7:33 AM :: 208 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Bombardier Aerospace announced today that it has received a signed firm order for four CRJ700 NextGen regional jets. The airline, which placed the order, has also taken options on an additional four CRJ700 NextGen aircraft and has requested to remain unidentified at this time. Based on the list price for the CRJ700 NextGen aircraft, the firm order contract is valued at approximately $146 million US. If all four options are exercised, the value could rise to approximately $ 302 million US. Read More..

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 ANA to Order Three New Bombardier Q400s By FlyingNews @ 7:24 AM :: 225 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers At a meeting of the ANA Board of Directors today, it was decided that ANA will order three new Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft and sell one Q400 in its existing fleet. Read More..

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Airbus transports first aircraft segments to assembly line in China By FlyingNews @ 7:13 AM :: 203 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Airbus has started transporting the first aircraft segments to the new single-aisle assembly line in Tianjin, China. The assembly process of the first aircraft, which is for Sichuan Airlines, will start in August 2008. Delivery of the aircraft is scheduled for the first half of 2009. Six jigs loaded with parts for an A320, coming from the Airbus production sites in Europe, departed from Hamburg on a barge. It carries the forward and rear fuselage section, a pair of wings, the horizontal and vertical tailplane and engine pylons. The barge will transport these segments to the nearby container terminal at Hamburg harbour, where they will then be transferred onto a commercial container ship bound for Tianjin. The overall transportation to China will last less than one month. Read More..

Friday, June 20, 2008 MEA receives its first A330-200 aircraft directly purchased from Airbus By FlyingNews @ 11:52 AM :: 209 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA) has taken delivery of its first A330-200 aircraft directly purchased from Airbus. The aircraft was handed over to Mohamad El-Hout, Chairman and Director General, MEA, by Habib Fekih, President, Airbus Middle East, in a delivery ceremony in Toulouse. The aircraft is part of an order for four Airbus A330-200s placed in 2006 to replace an existing fleet of three leased A330s. MEA has chosen a spacious cabin layout consisting of 44 seats in Cedar Class and 200 in Economy. The A330 is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 772 engines. Read More..

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Full Head of Steam for Engine Production at THIELERT By FlyingNews @ 3:13 PM :: 300 Views :: 0 Comments :: Aircraft Engines The insolvent Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (THIELERT) has resumed full production of aircraft engines. With immediate effect, the company can once again supply the THIELERT Centurion 2.0 engine in large quantities. Production at THIELERT initially came to a halt in April 2008 for a short period after the company was forced to petition for insolvency proceedings at the end of the same month. The company’s provisional insolvency administrator – Bruno M. Kübler – then focused his efforts on getting the company’s production back on track. After spare parts production and supply was secured already three weeks ago, the company is now able to fully participate on the market again with its engine production. Read More..

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Chartright orders ten Diamond D-JET aircraft for its charter and managed fleet By FlyingNews @ 3:09 PM :: 253 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Chartright Air Group and Diamond Aircraft today announced a major order for the Diamond D-JET personal jet to complement Chartright's existing fleet of large business jets. Chartright has ordered 10 D-JET aircraft with its first delivery to begin in the third quarter of 2010. These aircraft will be available for Chartright's charter and managed aircraft customers. "The D-JET is intended to provide the most desirable and attainable jet to a broad range of pilot and non-pilot air travelers, combining the executive cabin class seating comfort of much more expensive business jets with the lowest possible acquisition and operating cost," said Peter Maurer, President of Diamond Aircraft. "We are excited that a company with Chartright's experience and capability has selected the D-JET for its growing fleet, as this will enable more people to experience the time-savings and other benefits of personal jet travel." Read More..

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Mooney Responds To Soft Market By FlyingNews @ 3:28 PM :: 368 Views :: 0 Comments :: General Aviation, Small Aircraft Manufacturers Mooney Airplane Company is experiencing the impact of the changing economy and its effect on the general aviation market. Industry statistics were recently released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). While overall revenues for business and personal aircraft are up, sales of piston engine airplanes are down by 28% compared to the same period last year. In response to the current market, Mooney has implemented numerous measures to improve efficiencies and reduce cost, including the adoption of LEAN manufacturing initiatives. Read More..

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 ANA Takes Delivery of the World's First 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter By FlyingNews @ 2:18 PM :: 268 Views :: 0 Comments :: Air Cargo ANA yesterday took delivery of its first 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) - the prototype conversion of a 767-300 passenger aircraft into a freighter - at a ceremony in the hangar of SASCO in Singapore, the company chosen by Boeing to carry out the conversion. The newly converted freighter will join ANA's existing fleet of four 767-300 freighters (six including two leased on ACMI contract from ABX of the USA) when it flies from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Shanghai via Osaka Kansai on its late-night maiden run on July 1. It will be operated by the joint-venture company created by ANA and Japan Post, ANA & JP Express, on late-night domestic cargo flights and on routes between Japan and other Asian countries, primarily China. Read More..

Monday, June 16, 2008 Middle East client orders two Airbus A318 Elites By FlyingNews @ 12:13 PM :: 240 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers, Business Aircraft Manufacturers A Middle East customer has placed a firm order for two A318 Elites, highlighting the growing success of the newest and most affordable member of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family. Both aircraft will feature the classic VIP cabin created by Lufthansa Technik in partnership with Airbus - the largest and most comfortable of any aircraft in its class - which combines widespread appeal, practicality and affordability. They willl be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines. Read More..

Monday, June 16, 2008 Japan National Police Agency Orders Five More AW109 Powers By FlyingNews @ 12:10 PM :: 234 Views :: 0 Comments :: Helicopters AgustaWestland and Kanematsu Corporation are pleased to announce they have been awarded a contract by the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) to supply a further five AW109 Power Law Enforcement Helicopters as part of an on-going program to modernise the Police helicopter fleet. The 2008 order represents selection of the AW109 Power for the fourth consecutive year and demonstrates the Police’s satisfaction with the aircraft, the cost effectiveness of the aircraft and their confidence in Kanematsu’s product support infrastructure in Japan. This order will bring the total number of AW109 helicopters in service with the JNPA to twenty-one and continues AgustaWestland’s growing share of the Japanese light twin engine market. AgustaWestland expects this growth to continue over the coming years. Read More..

Thursday, June 12, 2008 NTSB ISSUES URGENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO FAA TO INSPECT ALL ECLIPSE 500 THROTTLE QUADRANTS By FlyingNews @ 5:14 PM :: 322 Views :: 0 Comments :: NTSB The National Transportation Safety Board today issued two urgent recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration to address a safety issue concerning a failure that resulted in uncontrollable engine thrust in an Eclipse 500 airplane and the lack of emergency procedures developed for that failure. The Safety Board recommended that the FAA should require immediate inspection of all Eclipse 500 airplane throttle quadrants to ensure that pushing the throttle levers against the maximum power stops will not result in an engine control failure, and that the FAA should further require that all units that fail inspection be replaced and replacement parts be similarly inspected. Read More..

Thursday, June 12, 2008 Sikorsky Aircraft Fully Equips First U.S. Army Unit With UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopters By FlyingNews @ 3:28 PM :: 308 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Helicopters Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today delivered the 30th UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter to the U.S. Army for the 4-101 Assault Battalion, making it the First Unit Equipped (FUE) with the aircraft. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The new aircraft provide the Army with many enhancements critical to supporting its missions. These enhancements include a new fully digitized cockpit with four multi-function displays, a four-axis fully coupled flight director, digital map, dual embedded global positioning/inertial navigation system, and an integrated vehicle health management system (IVHMS). The model also features wide chord composite blades and an increased shaft horsepower performance engine. Read More..

Thursday, June 12, 2008 Revolutionary Hawker 4000 Receives FAA Approval to Begin Customer Deliveries By FlyingNews @ 3:25 PM :: 247 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification for the new flagship Hawker 4000 super-midsize business jet, allowing the company to begin delivering this revolutionary aircraft to customers this month. The Hawker 4000 is first in its class, first in the world and the world’s most advanced business jet based on its innovative composite construction. HBC concurrently received the FAA production certificate for the Hawker 4000. Read More..

Thursday, June 12, 2008 Northern Jet Takes Delivery of 100th Manufactured Bombardier Learjet 40 XR Aircraft By FlyingNews @ 3:22 PM :: 244 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Bombardier today announced the delivery into service of the 100th manufactured Learjet 40 XR light business jet to Northern Jet Management, an aircraft management and shared ownership company headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. A special delivery ceremony was held on May 30 at Bombardier’s Learjet assembly facility in Wichita to highlight the program milestone. The new Learjet 40 XR joins The Company Jet fleet, Northern Jet’s shared ownership program, which currently features three Learjet 40 XR and one Learjet 45 XR aircraft. The Company Jet’s fleet is based at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Read More..

Thursday, June 12, 2008 Boeing Delivers 6th C-17 to Royal Air Force By FlyingNews @ 3:19 PM :: 233 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] delivered the United Kingdom's sixth C-17 Globemaster III to the Royal Air Force (RAF) today during a ceremony at the company's Long Beach, Calif., C-17 manufacturing facility. The delivery completes the RAF's initial order for the world's most advanced airlifter. "We congratulate you not only on the acquisition of your sixth C-17 Globemaster III, but also for the amazing accomplishments you've had over the past seven years with the five already in your fleet," said Jean Chamberlin, Boeing vice president and C-17 program manager. "The RAF has repeatedly demonstrated the C-17's advanced capabilities in support of U.K. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and by providing critical humanitarian aid in numerous locations around the world." Read More..

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Vector commemorates World’s 1st Sikorsky S61 equipped with “glass cockpit” By FlyingNews @ 1:23 PM :: 319 Views :: 0 Comments :: Helicopters, Aircraft Avionics Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector) and Sagem Avionics, Inc. (SAGEM) will present Mr. Frank Carson, president and founder of Carson Helicopters Incorporated with a plaque commemorating a technological first in the aerospace industry; the world’s only Sikorsky S61 helicopter equipped with an Integrated Cockpit Display System (ICDS) or “glass cockpit” from SAGEM Avionics. Frank Carson is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the helicopter industry, and he has been at the forefront of developing helicopter advances that enhance safety and reliability, such as the development of S61 composite main rotor blades, and his latest and perhaps most challenging venture, partnering with Vector and SAGEM to develop the world’s first S61 to be fully-integrated with a SAGEM glass cockpit installation. Read More..

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Northrop Grumman Applauds First Flight of First F-35 STOVL Aircraft By FlyingNews @ 1:19 PM :: 255 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today congratulated F-35 Lightning II prime contractor Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) for successfully completing the inaugural flight of the first F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jet. The flight of the F-35 aircraft designated BF-1 commenced today at 10:17 a.m. CDT from Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Texas, and lasted approximately 45 minutes. It was piloted by BAE Systems test pilot Graham Tomlinson. "This historic flight marks the second stage in fulfilling the vision of an international, three-variant family of next-generation fighters derived from a common design that can be serviced and maintained by a common infrastructure worldwide," said Mark A. Tucker, vice president of tactical systems and F-35 program manager for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "We applaud the international collaboration that has enabled a British pilot to be the first to fly a new jet developed by a multi-national team to serve the needs of the U.S. Marine Corps, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Italian Air Force and Navy." Read More..

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Delivers First Hawker 750 to Jet Asia Limited By FlyingNews @ 12:46 PM :: 223 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) celebrated the start of customer deliveries of the segment leading Hawker 750. The Hawker 750, with the best range/payload performance and 50 percent more total cabin volume than its nearest competitor, was delivered to Jet Asia Limited for use in the Asia Pacific region on Wednesday, May 28. The newest aircraft in the Hawker family, the Hawker 750 was announced at the National Business Aviation Association convention in October 2006. The Hawker 750 is another evolution of the world’s best-selling, mid-size business jet, the Hawker 800-series, and it has essentially redefined the entire light-mid segment by offering a cabin that is wider, taller and longer than any competitive aircraft in this segment. The Hawker 750 also retains the traditional Hawker full fuel, full seats and full bags capability. Under typical passenger/baggage loading scenario the Hawker 750 offers more range and nearly tripled the max payload capability previously offered to customers in that segment. The Hawker 750 has opened a new customer segment for Hawker Beechcraft Corporation and demand has been so high that the next available units are in 2010. Read More..

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Agreement to Acquire Vought Share of Global Aeronautica Closes By FlyingNews @ 12:38 PM :: 211 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today it has finalized the agreement to acquire Vought Aircraft Industries' interest in Global Aeronautica, LLC, a South Carolina fuselage sub-assembly facility for Boeing's newest airplane, the 787 Dreamliner. With the completion of this transaction, Global Aeronautica is now a 50-50 joint venture between The Boeing Company and Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Italy's Alenia Aeronautica -- a Finmeccanica company. Vought continues to produce the aft fuselage for the 787 at its facility adjacent to Global Aeronautica in North Charleston. Read More..

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Air Astana signs a firm order for six A320s By FlyingNews @ 12:34 PM :: 237 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, has signed a firm contract for the purchase of six A320s, as part of its expansion programme on domestic and medium-haul routes. The contract, which is the airline’s first with Airbus, confirms the Memorandum of Understanding which was announced in December 2007. Air Astana's A320s will feature the brand-new cabin recently introduced on all members of the A320 Family, which provides more comfort and space for passengers in a modern and quiet environment. The aircraft on order will accommodate up to 148 passengers in a two-class cabin layout. The choice of engines has not yet been made. The aircraft will join Air Astana's existing fleet which already includes some A320 Family aircraft, which are currently being operated on its domestic and international network. Read More..

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 EADS North America Begins UH-72A Light Utility Helicopter Deliveries to the U.S. Army National Guard By FlyingNews @ 10:44 AM :: 253 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Helicopters EADS North America’s first two UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters for the U.S. Army National Guard were formally presented to the 1-114 Security & Support Battalion, which performs homeland security, counter-drug and other operations from its base at Mississippi’s Tupelo Regional Airport. Army National Guard units will be the primary operators of UH-72As, ultimately receiving 200 of the total 345 Lakotas planned for acquisition through 2017. “Today’s UH-72A presentation to the Mississippi Army National Guard marks an important milestone for EADS North America as we meet – and exceed – our company’s commitments to those in uniform who protect America and ensure its national security,” said David R. Oliver, Jr., EADS North America’s Executive Vice President, at this morning’s Tupelo, Mississippi handover ceremony. Read More..

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 LOCKHEED MARTIN F-22 RAPTOR AIR DOMINANCE FIGHTERS BEGIN OPERATIONS IN NEW MEXICO By FlyingNews @ 10:33 AM :: 203 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation Ceremonies held at Holloman AFB, N.M., today marked the formal beginning of operations for the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-22 Raptor with the United States Air Force’s 49th Fighter Wing. "The F-22 is the most advanced and capable fighter in the world," said Larry Lawson, executive vice president and F-22 program general manager for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "Now it stands ready at a key location in the United States, prepared to defend America and our allies. The pilots of the 7th, 8th and 301st Fighter Squadrons will fly a weapon system that has the capabilities essential to dominate the air for the next three decades." Read More..

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 PZL-Swidnik Deliver 200th AW139 Airframe By FlyingNews @ 10:22 AM :: 251 Views :: 0 Comments :: Helicopters In a ceremony held at PZL-Swidnik's facility in Poland last week the 200th AW139 airframe to be manufactured by PZL-Swidnik was accepted by AgustaWestland. Bruno Spagnolini, Managing Director – Operations said in a statement "We are delighted with PZL-Swidnik’s major contribution to the AW139 programme and that PZL-Swidnik and its employees are benefiting from the sales success the AW139 is having worldwide. Our long running successful and expanding cooperation will continue to grow as the sales of our helicopters continue to increase around the world.” Since PZL-Swidnik and AgustaWestland started cooperation in 1996 PZL-Swidnik has manufactured nearly 800 airframes for AgustaWestland. PZL-Swidnik currently manufactures and assembles AW119 Ke, AW109 Power, AW109 LUH, Grand and AW139 airframes, sustaining nearly 1000 skilled staff at its Swidnik plant near Lublin. At current production rates of 15 airframes per month it is expected that PZL-Swidnik will deliver the 1000th airframe to AgustaWestland in the second half of 2009. The AW139 airframes constructed by PZL-Swidnik supply the two AW139 final assembly lines located at AgustaWestland's facilities in Vergiate, Italy and Philadelphia, USA. Read More..

Friday, June 06, 2008 First F414-powered E/A18G Growler delivered to Navy fleet By FlyingNews @ 12:31 PM :: 274 Views :: 0 Comments :: Aircraft Engines The first fleet Boeing EA-18G Growler airborne electronic aircraft powered by F414 engines was delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) today at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. Approximately 180 propulsion systems to power 90 E/A-18G aircraft are expected to be delivered through 2013. "We are extremely proud to support the Hornet Industry Team and the United States Navy in their ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand the capabilities of the F/A-18 family of aircraft," said Tony Mathis, vice president -- Lynn Turbofan/Turbojet Projects Department. Read More..

Friday, June 06, 2008 Boeing, Blue Air Reach Agreement on Order for Three Boeing 737-900ERs By FlyingNews @ 12:24 PM :: 231 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Romanian low-cost carrier Blue Air announce today an agreement on an order for three Next-Generation 737-900ER jetliners. Earlier this year, the Bucharest-based airline ordered two 737-800s. Today's order is worth $238.5 million at current list prices. The airplanes will be equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent. "Blue Air is offering affordable air travel to a fast-developing region. The 737 Classic has allowed us to grow our airline steadily and we are confident in the capabilities of the Next-Generation 737 for our airline's future success," said Gheorghe Racaru, general manager of Blue Air. Read More..

Friday, June 06, 2008 B-2 accident report released By FlyingNews @ 11:59 AM :: 343 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Flying Accidents Distorted data introduced by a B-2 Spirit's air data system skewed information entering the bomber's flight control computers ultimately causing the crash of the aircraft on takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 23, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation report released June 5. Moisture in the aircraft's Port Transducer Units during air data calibration distorted the information in the bomber's air data system, causing the flight control computers to calculate an inaccurate airspeed and a negative angle of attack upon takeoff. According to the report, this caused an, "uncommanded 30 degree nose-high pitch-up on takeoff, causing the aircraft to stall and its subsequent crash." Read More..

Friday, June 06, 2008 Finnish Border Guard Orders Three AW119 Ke Helicopters By FlyingNews @ 11:53 AM :: 247 Views :: 0 Comments :: Helicopters AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Finnish Border Guard has chosen the AW119 Ke as its new helicopter to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement programme. A total of three AW119 Ke single turbine powered helicopters have been ordered with an option for one additional aircraft. These helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and firefighting. These new helicopters will be delivered in 2010 and will operate from Helsinki and Rovaniemi (Polar Circle) bases, flying in the harshest environmental and weather conditions and covering the entire Russian border. Vice Adm. Jaakko Smolander, Chief of Border Guard and Italian Ambassador Elisabetta Kelescian attended the signing ceremony held in Helsinki today. Read More..

Wednesday, June 04, 2008 Lycoming Engines Announces IO/O-360 Automotive Gas Approval Program By FlyingNews @ 11:29 AM :: 292 Views :: 0 Comments :: Aircraft Engines Recognizing global concerns about the immediate and long-term availability of aviation grade 100LL fuel, Lycoming Engines, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced an unleaded automotive gasoline approval program for its standard compression ratio O-360 and IO-360 product lines. Unleaded 93 AKI automotive gasoline conforming to either Euro Norm EN228 or ASTM D4814 will be the basis of this Lycoming specified fuel. Supplemental requirements within the scope of the existing standards will be stated as necessary for safe operation in aviation applications. Read More..

Wednesday, June 04, 2008 Cessna Citation XLS+ Earns FAA Certification By FlyingNews @ 11:25 AM :: 231 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, reported today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted type certification (TC) to Cessna’s Citation XLS+. With nearly 600 hours of flight testing, the XLS+ met Cessna’s certification timeline goal. The XLS+ features the fully integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and electronically controlled (FADEC) engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Exterior and interior restyling is also integrated into the new model, most prominently the extended contour of the nose and expanded seat widths, both introduced to more closely resemble Cessna’s Citation X and Citation Sovereign models. Read More..

Wednesday, June 04, 2008 Air One orders A350s and A330s By FlyingNews @ 11:19 AM :: 228 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers Air One, the fast-growing Italian airline, has signed a firm order with Airbus for 12 A350-800s, plus 12 options, and 12 A330-200s, plus eight options. The Rome based airline, the second largest in Italy, will use these aircraft to develop a comprehensive long-haul route network, which will complement Air One's extensive domestic and European operations. With this contract, Air One now has a total of 24 widebody aircraft on order with Airbus (plus 20 options), as well a global agreement for 90 A320 aircraft of which 65 A320s are firm orders and the remaining 25 are to be gradually firmed up. Air One's newly ordered A330s will offer a comfortable two-class cabin layout for 253 passengers. The A350-800, the most eco-efficient next generation aircraft, will equally have a two-class cabin for up to 287 passengers. Read More..

Tuesday, June 03, 2008 EXERCISE PITCH BLACK 2008 GEARS UP NORTHERN TERRITORY FOR AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT By FlyingNews @ 5:33 PM :: 277 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Flying Events Final preparations have begun for the most complex air combat training scenarios above the skies of the Northern Territory. From 6-27 June, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will host an array of international Air Force participants in Exercise Pitch Black 08. Pitch Black is a regular RAAF exercise held every two years in the Northern Territory. Up to 3000 service men and women from Australia and countries including the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and France will support the exercise, with ground crews and aircrews operating some of the most sophisticated military systems employed in the world. An additional 60 aircraft from the RAAF and participating Forces will deploy to RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine. Fighter, strike, early warning, air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft will combine with selected surface forces and systems to simulate and evaluate operational planning and tactics in war-like conditions. You can read the entire article here.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008 Fighter engine fuel test ends, prepares for first flight By FlyingNews @ 5:31 PM :: 277 Views :: 0 Comments :: Military Aviation, Aircraft Engines The first fighter jet engine completed alternative synthetic fuel testing at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., in May. The fuel was tested on a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, the powerplant for the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in a simulated altitude jet engine test cell. The F100 engine went through the same-type testing the F101 underwent at AEDC last fall. The F101 is the powerplant for the B-1 Lancer bomber. Tests included operability, augmentor and performance testing. You can read the entire article here.

Monday, June 02, 2008 EMBRAER PROVIDES EMBRAER 190 JETS TO BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT By FlyingNews @ 1:26 PM :: 253 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers, Government Embraer signed a contract, today, for the sale of two EMBRAER 190 jets to the Brazilian government for transporting official personnel. The aircraft will be configured specifically for this purpose and will be operated by the Special Transportation Group (Grupo de Transporte Especial – GTE) of the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira – FAB), which serves the President of the Republic, Ministries, Presidential Departments, and officials from the Legislative and Judiciary Branches. “It will be an honor and a source of pride for all of Embraer’s employees to see our EMBRAER 190 flying in the colors of the Federal Republic of Brazil,” states Embraer’s President and CEO, Frederico Fleury Curado. “We are certain that the attributes that have provided the underpinnings of the success of this aircraft model, worldwide – comfort, safety, performance, advanced technology, and economical operations – will contribute to the excellence of the GTE’s operations, as it fulfills its mission within the scope of the Brazilian Air Force and the Brazilian government.” Read More..

Monday, June 02, 2008 Eclipse Aviation Introduces Eclipse 400 Single-Engine Jet By FlyingNews @ 1:15 PM :: 231 Views :: 0 Comments :: Business Aircraft Manufacturers Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world's first very light jet (VLJ), today announced at its E-rrival customer event that it will start taking orders for the Eclipse 400 single-engine jet, a production version of the Eclipse Concept Jet first displayed at EAA AirVenture 2007. Eclipse Aviation is rewarding its many loyal Eclipse 500 customers by allowing them to be the first to place deposits on an Eclipse 400. Additionally, Eclipse 500 customers will receive an exclusive $125,000 discount off the final delivery price provided their deposits are placed prior to July 25, 2008. Deposits from all others will be accepted starting at EAA AirVenture in July 2008. "Ten months of quantitative and qualitative Eclipse Concept Jet (ECJ) research has convinced us that this is absolutely the right airplane for the emerging single-engine jet market," said Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation president and CEO. "The ECJ has elicited a tremendous emotional response from current and potential customers alike – people just love this airplane. We are excited to formally add this new aircraft to the Eclipse Aviation product family as the Eclipse 400." Read More..

Monday, June 02, 2008 Boeing Delivers 75th 777 to ILFC By FlyingNews @ 1:11 PM :: 224 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines, Commercial Aircraft Manufacturers The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) reached a historic milestone this week with the delivery of ILFC's 75th Boeing 777. The Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) is leased to ILFC's customer, Cathay Pacific Airways. ILFC has ordered 79 777s from Boeing since 1992, more than any other customer. Read More..

Monday, June 02, 2008 Champion Air to Cease Flight Operations May 31st By FlyingNews @ 1:08 PM :: 217 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines Champion Air announced today that it will cease flight operations May 31, 2008. “This is a sad day for the entire Champion family,” said Champion President and CEO Lee Steele. “The men and women of this airline have poured themselves into providing safe, reliable and pleasing service to millions of customers over our 11 years in business. Unfortunately, however, our business model is no longer viable in a world of $110 oil, a struggling economy and rapidly changing demand for our services. Those factors also have impeded our efforts to attract new capital and new investors. Accordingly, the management team and our board of directors have decided that the best course of action is to cease flying and to wind up our operations in a responsible, deliberate manner.” Read More..

Monday, June 02, 2008 AirTran Airways Defers 18 Boeing Aircraft Deliveries By FlyingNews @ 1:03 PM :: 220 Views :: 0 Comments :: Commercial Airlines AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), announced today that it will defer 18 Boeing 737-700 aircraft originally scheduled for delivery between 2009 through 2011 to 2013 through 2014. "As we stated during our first quarter earnings call, as a result of continuing record high fuel costs, we are reducing planned growth for September, 2008, through at least 2009 from 10 percent to no more than flat. This transaction will accomplish a substantial portion of that plan," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' President and CEO. "We appreciate the support of Boeing in this action as a part of their commitment to our long-term success." Read More..