CFM Signs Agreement for CFM56 Training Center in India
February 11, 2009
BANGALORE, India — 11 February 2009 — CFM International (CFM) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL). Under the terms of this agreement, GHIAL and CFM will work towards the development of a new CFM56 Maintenance Training Center at the Rajiv Gandhi Airport in Hyderabad.
The new training center is envisioned to mirror CFM facilities currently operating in France, the United States, and China, and would initially provide advanced courses in line maintenance and inspection of CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines, which power the majority of Airbus A320 family aircraft and all Boeing 737s, respectively. The new center’s planned location is in a special economic zone at the airport dedicated to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).
“In 2007, we made a commitment to our Indian airline customers to build a new maintenance training school in country to help support the growing aviation industry,” said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM. “We are pleased to take this very important step in fulfilling that commitment and are looking forward to developing a long and fruitful relationship with GMR.”
“Hyderabad is ideally located for attracting airline mechanics and engineers from India and South Asia,” said Paul-Andre Chevrin, CFM International (CFM) vice-president for India. “Once the facility is fully operational, it will be capable of training up to 500 engineers each year.”
Mr. G.M. Rao, Group Chairman, GMR Group, commenting on the occasion said, “This very important agreement with CFM, which is the world’s leading aircraft engine manufacturer, will benefit India’s entire aviation industry. This will help India’s airline companies to considerably reduce costs, conserve time, valuable foreign exchange and create huge employment opportunities for Indian youth.”
“This is also a significant leap in our vision to develop the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as a hub for Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) facility in South Asia,” Mr. Rao added.
CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company and the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft engines.
Goodrich to Support Japan’s Next Generation Advanced Observation Satellite
February 11, 2009
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 11, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has been selected to provide optical subassemblies for a new space-based telescope as part of Japan’s Advanced Satellite with New system ARchitecture for Observation (ASNARO) project. Work will be performed by Goodrich’s ISR Systems team in Danbury, Conn.
Under contract to NEC and NEC Toshiba Space Systems, Ltd. (NTSpace), Goodrich will design, fabricate, align and test the mirror assemblies for the new system, as well as integrate the optical subassembly into the telescope structure.
The ASNARO project aims to develop Japan’s next generation small satellite bus system, with the first mission designed for a high performance telescope for Earth observation. The system is expected to be launched in 2011.
“This program expands our international presence while building on our successful relationship with Japan’s space industry,” said Tom Bergeron, president, ISR Systems at Goodrich. “In applying our advanced optics technology to this extraordinary new platform, we are leveraging our experience in bringing space capabilities to market quickly and affordably.”
Goodrich’s experience in working with Japan’s space industry includes delivering optical subassemblies to NEC and NTSpace for telescopes currently operating on the Panchromatic Remote-sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM) system for the Japanese Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS).
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities.
Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as “Goodrich Corporation” in this press release.
Pratt & Whitney Awarded $285 Million Contract Option for F119 Engine Support
February 11, 2009
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $285 million contract option from the U.S. Air Force to maintain F119 engines for the F-22 Raptor. This Support Program for the Raptor Engine (SPaRE) involves sustainment for fielded engines in 2009. Sustainment activities include spare parts, labor support, fleet management and technical support for the Pratt & Whitney F119 engine. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
“We are very proud of our continued relationship with the United States Air Force,” said Tyler Evans, director, F119 program, Pratt & Whitney
WestJet anuncia los resultados del último trimestre y fin del ejercicio
February 11, 2009
11/02/2009 /PR Newswire Latinoamerica/ — La aerolínea anuncia un crecimiento de ingresos de 19,9% y una fuerte rentabilidad para el 2008
CALGARY, 11 de febrero /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — WestJet (TSX:WJA) anunció hoy los resultados financieros del último trimestre y fin del ejercicio. La aerolínea anunció ganancias netas de US$40,8 millones durante el cuarto trimestre o 32 centavos por acción diluida y ganancias netas del ejercicio completo, que alcanzaron a US$178,1 millones o US$1,37 por acción diluida.
“Estamos muy contentos con nuestros resultados trimestrales, que coronan un año exitoso desde el punto de vista financiero”, comentó Sean Durfy, Presidente y CEO de WestJet. “Estos fueron momentos difíciles para todos los negocios. La presión de la incertidumbre económica, las fluctuaciones en el precio del petróleo y la inestabilidad financiera siguen generando un impacto en todas las industrias. Mientras que la naturaleza impredecible del 2008 significó un desafío para nuestra aerolínea, nuestra continuado sostenimiento de la estrategia de negocio, el enfoque conservador para mantener un balance saneado y el equipo de empleados de WestJet, siempre comprometidos y dedicados, nos permitieron una vez más brindar un servicio del mejor nivel a escala mundial”.
Alaska Airlines y la Asociación de Asistentes de Vuelo Logran Acuerdo Tentativo sobre Extensión de Contratos
February 11, 2009
11/02/2009 /PR Newswire Latinoamerica/ — Alaska Airlines y el sindicato AFA-CWA (Asociación de Asistentes de Vuelo y Trabajadores de Medios de Comunicación), anunciaron hoy en forma conjunta un acuerdo tentativo sobre la prórroga propuesta de dos años que involucra a 2.830 asistentes de vuelo de la aerolínea.
La propuesta de extensión del contrato hasta abril de 2012 fue presentada ayer a última hora a los miembros del sindicato para su revisión y ratificación mediante voto. Se prevé que el proceso de ratificación finalizará a mediados de marzo.
Actualmente, el contrato puede ser modificado el 1 de mayo de 2010.
Desde hace ya más de 60 años, la AFA se dedica a representar los intereses de los asistentes de vuelo en sus lugares de trabajo, la industria aeronáutica, ante los medios de comunicación y ante el Congreso. El sindicato AFA-CWA está integrado por más de 55.000 asistentes de vuelo de 20 aerolíneas diferentes y es el sindicato de asistentes de vuelo más importante del mundo. La AFA es miembro de la Federación Americana del Trabajo-Congreso de Organizaciones Industriales, AFL-CIO, que cuenta con 700.000 miembros.
Cessna Launches Campaign to Counter Business Aircraft Misinformation
February 11, 2009
WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 11, 2009 Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced a new initiative to address misinformation on the business use of general aviation aircraft and to provide a more accurate picture of the value of business aircraft as a resource that makes companies more competitive.
“We think it’s time the other side of the story be told, and that support be given to those businesses with the good judgment and courage to use business aviation to not only help their businesses survive the current financial crisis, but more quickly forge a path toward an economic upturn,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton.
“Today, we are demanding business leaders and managers work at their absolute peak to turn their companies, and our economy, around,” Pelton said. “Business aviation provides the means to do just that. A business aircraft is a tool of industry, and one that should see its highest and best use during times of fiscal crisis. Anyone who has ever seen managers board a business aircraft at dawn and return well after dark, having visited multiple cities and attended countless meetings in one day can attest to the fact that business aviation allows companies to get the most out of every minute of every day exactly what is needed to work our way toward economic recovery.”
Pelton said the reality of business aviation is that some 85 percent of aircraft used by businesses are used by small or medium-sized companies, and that the large majority of the passengers are middle managers and technicians. The aircraft, for the most part, are single- and twin-engine propeller and turboprop aircraft or small or medium sized jets.
“The reality of business aviation is a far cry from the misconception of CEOs flying in large luxurious airplanes,” Pelton said. “Most of these aircraft are fairly Spartan, designed for business, with a cabin about the size of a minivan or SUV interior.”
Cessna’s campaign will begin with advertisements with pro-business themes encouraging operators to keep flying business aircraft to demonstrate leadership in the face of economic challenge. The campaign, supported by a communications initiative, will celebrate the business person’s vision and pursuit of opportunity served by the increased productivity and efficiency of business aviation.
“Importantly, general aviation’s contribution to the American economy includes 1.2 million jobs in all 50 states,” Pelton said. “These people produce, design, support, maintain, and/or service business aircraft either directly or through support operations at some 5,000 general aviation airports.”
General aviation contributes more than $150 billion annually to the U.S. economy and is one of the few remaining industries that maintain a positive balance of trade with nearly 40 percent of the country’s total 2007 production of $12 billion worth of aircraft exported.
The ad campaign will target national business newspapers and magazines as well as aviation trade publications.
HAL to hand over first export Dhruvs
February 10, 2009
Ajai Shukla / Hal/ Bangalore February 09, 2009, 0:21 IST
Visitors to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) high-security helicopter hangars in Bangalore nowadays confront a startling sight. Dominating the tarmac are five shiny new Dhruvs, the HAL-manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), emblazoned with the insignia and the roundels of the Ecuadorian Air Force.
With Aero India 2009 around the corner — India’s biggest-ever air expo, scheduled from February 11 to 15 — HAL is readying to hand over, ahead of schedule, its first-ever export order won in a competitive contract, run last year by Ecuador for seven helicopters. Not only did the Dhruv outperform rival machines from global majors like Eurocopter (the world’s biggest helicopter manufacturer), but HAL’s price of just $7 million per helicopter conclusively won it the contract.
HAL is out to make a splash. The Ecuador Air Force chief will receive five Dhruvs at a high-profile media event at Aero India 2009. The remaining two will be handed over within six months. And instead of the conventional (and cheap) way of transporting helicopters across continents — by painstakingly dismantling them and sending them by ship — HAL has decided to fly the Dhruvs to Ecuador in a giant Antonov-124 transport aircraft.
“Transportation in an AN-124 will merely involve removing the rotor blades and quickly reassembling them after they land in Ecuador,” explains N Seshadri, executive director of HAL’s Rotary Wing R&D Centre. “This is something with which we in HAL are quite familiar; the Indian Air Force Sarang team, which regularly displays helicopter aerobatics in major air shows abroad, often transports its helicopters in AN-124s.”
HAL will have to pay about Rs 3.5 crores for ferrying the Dhruvs by AN-124, but the company believes that the goodwill generated will be worth the expense. Several South American countries besides Ecuador — Columbia and Chile among them — are evaluating the Dhruv. HAL knows they are carefully watching the Ecuador contract.
HAL, therefore, has pulled out the stops to ensure that Ecuador has no problems with maintaining its Dhruv fleet. A specially selected team of ten HAL engineers is being posted in Ecuador for the two-year period when the Dhruvs will be under warranty. They will carry with them the entire requirement of tools and spares required to keep the helicopters serviceable. During these two years, the HAL engineers will train the Ecuadorian Air Force to maintain its Dhruvs.
Serviceability was a problem that drew HAL flak when the first Dhruvs were supplied to the Indian military. At that time, HAL was focussing so strongly on producing more Dhruvs that the army and the air force had to complain that HAL was not providing adequate maintenance back-up.
“We are now very comfortable with supporting the Dhruv, wherever it is flying,” asserts Ashok Nayak, managing director of HAL’s Bangalore Complex and the man who has been selected to head HAL when the current chief, Ashok Baweja, retires on March 31. “We are already carrying out major maintenance — including the servicing that is done after flying 250 hours and 500 hours — in places like Nashik, Yelahanka and Manasbal in J&K. We will reliably do that in Ecuador as well.”
The Dhruv assembly line in HAL Bangalore is already busy, fulfilling the Indian military’s order for 159 helicopters. That notwithstanding, the Ecuador contract is seen as a major milestone, validating the Dhruv as an internationally competitive machine. The ALH has been supplied earlier to Nepal and to Israel, but without competitive bidding and trials. Now one Dhruv is also ready for sale to Mauritius.
Lockheed Martin UK Announces New Chief Executive
February 10, 2009
BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) UK has announced that Stephen R. Ball will replace Chief Executive Ian Stopps who is retiring, as planned, from the company.
Effective immediately, Ball will hold the position of Deputy Chief Executive until he takes over as Chief Executive, with full responsibility for the running of LMUK, on March 1, 2009. To aid the transition process, Stopps will work with Ball until his retirement.
Stopps, who has been with the organization for 35 years, was appointed Chief Executive in 1999 when the company combined all of its UK interests under one single entity. Under his leadership, Lockheed Martin UK has expanded its organization in the UK and is now responsible for a number of national security and state-critical programs. The company is part of the consortium that manages the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston; it is responsible for delivering the Trident Strategic Missile and the 5th generation Joint Strike Fighter and plays an important role in programs of strategic national interest to the UK.
Lockheed Martin UK’s other projects include the Merlin Multi-Mission Helicopter, the Military Flying Training System and the C-130J airlifter. Additionally, the company provides postal recognition technologies to Royal Mail as well as software and support to National Air Traffic Services.
Until recently, Ball has held the position of Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, based in Ampthill, where he was responsible for the day-to-day general management and executive leadership of the enterprise. Under Ball’s direction, the organization has gone through a period of transformation and, in 2008, the company was awarded the coveted Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP) contract.
Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Ball spent 21 years with the HM Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) and played a major role in the establishment of the organization as a government agency, eventually leading it as its CEO before leaving to take a post in industry.
Stopps said, “I am very confident handing over the reins of the organization to Stephen Ball. I have worked closely with Stephen over the last few years and have been very impressed by the job he has done leading our LMUK INSYS business. Stephen brings to the position a unique set of skills and domain experience that will be very important as the enterprise continues to grow and expand its portfolio in the UK.”
Commenting on his appointment Ball said, “I am excited about this opportunity. Ian has created an organization that has a solid business base, a great brand and an exciting cache of programs and future opportunities. We have incredibly talented employees and a great leadership team. I am now looking forward to building on that solid foundation and taking the organization into the next stage of its evolution.”
Lockheed Martin UK, a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, is a leader in systems integration working on major programs spanning the aerospace, defense and civil sectors. The organization works with more than 100 business partners and employs over 1700 people at sites across the UK.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
Boeing Announces Leadership Changes in Finance Groups
February 10, 2009
CHICAGO, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) today announced a series of personnel moves within its corporate and business unit Finance organizations that will leverage the capabilities and expand the experience of leaders in several key roles.
Commercial Airplanes Chief Financial Officer Rob Pasterick, 53, has been named vice president of Finance and corporate controller, reporting to Boeing Corporate President and Chief Financial Officer James Bell. Pasterick has held a variety of key Finance roles across the company in his 29 years of service. He succeeds Harry McGee, 59, who becomes vice president of strategy integration for internal services, a new position created to drive long-term efficiencies and greater productivity across the company’s internal business support services. McGee, who has 27 years with the company, will continue to report to Bell, who oversees the company’s Shared Services Group and other back-office support functions.
Ray Ferrari, 54, a 30-year Boeing veteran with broad experience across the company’s defense and commercial businesses, succeeds Pasterick as Commercial Airplanes chief financial officer. Ferrari most recently served as vice president of Finance for Network & Space Systems at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. Craig Saddler, 49, now president of Boeing Australia and the South Pacific, will replace Ferrari. Saddler, who has 27 years with the company, served in a variety of senior Finance roles before taking his Australian assignment.
Boeing also named Jon Emery, 51, vice president and controller of the Commercial Airplanes unit. Emery most recently led the company’s program risk assessment group and internal services productivity initiatives. He has 28 years with Boeing.
“These rotations and reassignments will broaden the skills and experiences of our senior team, strengthen our core finance capabilities, and improve the support we provide to our business units,” said Bell. “Each of these leaders’ demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, our businesses will ensure our continued focus on execution, functional excellence and seamless integration across the Boeing enterprise.”
The changes are effective immediately.
American Airlines Offers Sale From the Continental U.S. to the Sunny Caribbean and Mexico
February 10, 2009
Don’t Just Complain About Winter Weather; Grab a Great Low Fare on American
FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — American Airlines says “enough” to cold, gloomy winter weather. But rather than just complain, we’re doing something about it. American is having a sale for winter/spring travel to some of the sunniest, warmest spots in the Caribbean and Mexico.
American, a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance, is offering great low fares for travel now through mid-May from the continental U.S. to select destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
If you want to escape the cold, American is your airline, and now is the time. No airline offers more service to the Caribbean than American, along with our regional affiliate, American Eagle. And, we’ve been flying to sunny Mexico for more than 60 years.
Low fares and frequent flights are enough to brighten any gloomy winter day, so add some sunshine to your life with a great fare to the Caribbean or Mexico on American Airlines.
Tickets for American’s winter/spring sale fares to the Caribbean and Mexico must be purchased by Feb. 25, 2009, so log on to American’s Web site, AA.com, to begin planning your trip soon. (We have great fares from Canada to the Caribbean and Mexico on AA.com as well.)
American Airlines Winter/Spring Sale to the Caribbean and Mexico
- Available from the continental U.S. to select destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
- Travel through May 14, 2009.
- Purchase tickets no later than Feb. 25, 2009.
- Other restrictions apply. For rules and restrictions, see the terms and conditions below, or visit American’s Web site, AA.com.
Here are samples of American’s great low fares. Fare amounts shown are each way based on off-peak, round-trip Economy Class travel purchased on AA.com.
SAMPLE MARKETS Fare Each Way Based on From - To Round-Trip Purchase* Miami - Grand Cayman, Cayman Is. $80 Philadelphia - San Juan, Puerto Rico $88 New York City - Aruba $97 Los Angeles - Los Cabos, Mexico $103 Baltimore - San Juan, Puerto Rico $106 Miami - Punta Cana, Dom. Rep. $107 Miami - La Romana/Casa de Campo, Dom. Rep.+ $112 Dallas/Fort Worth - Cozumel, Mexico $135 Dallas/Fort Worth - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico $135 Dallas/Fort Worth - Los Cabos, Mexico $185 New York City - St. Lucia, B.W.I. $190 Chicago O'Hare - Los Cabos, Mexico $212
*Fares shown are each way based on off-peak, round-trip Economy Class travel purchased on AA.com, and are in U.S. dollars. Fares are valid for travel through May 14, 2009. Fares do not include all government-imposed taxes and fees.
+Service operated partly by American Eagle.
Travelers can check schedules and fares and book flights by visiting www.aa.com. On AA.com you’ll find the absolute lowest fares available for American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection(R) flights – guaranteed. For full details on our Lowest Fare Guarantee, visit www.aa.com/guarantee. And, for the benefits of booking at AA.com, visit www.aa.com/benefits.
For an additional $20 per ticket, travel arrangements can also be made by calling American’s reservations number at 1-800-433-7300 (en Espanol 1-800-633-3711) within the United States. Outside the United States, call the local reservations number. For an additional $30 per ticket, travel arrangements can be made at an American Airlines Travel Center or Airport Ticket Office. Tickets may also be purchased through a travel agent. Travel agents may impose a service charge for ticketing.
A “Fly Now, Pay Later” deferred payment option on American allows holders of the American Airlines Credit Card(SM) account to enjoy six months of no payments and no interest for tickets purchased on AA.com. For terms and conditions and more details, visit www.aa.com/paylater.
American Airlines Vacations(SM) has a number of exciting and affordable travel packages available to many popular destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. For more information, visit www.aavacations.com.
*Fare Terms and Conditions
Fares shown are each way based on off-peak, round-trip Economy-Class travel purchased on AA.com, and are in U.S. dollars. Fares shown are valid for travel Monday-Thursday; other travel days are available at additional cost. Service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Cozumel does not operate on Tuesdays. Fares are subject to change without notice.
Fares do not include (a) a federal excise tax of $3.60 per U.S. domestic flight segment, defined as one takeoff and landing, of a passenger’s itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local airport charges; and (c) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. For international/Puerto Rico destinations, government taxes and fees of up to $180, varying by destination, are not included and may vary slightly depending on currency exchange rates at the time of purchase.
Tickets must be purchased within one day of making reservations, but not later than 11:59 p.m., Feb. 25, 2009 (Central Time).
Fares are valid for travel through May 14, 2009. A two-night minimum stay is required, and a 30-day maximum stay is allowed.
Advertised fares are valid only on American Airlines, American Eagle, and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines and do not apply to other codeshare flights. Seats are limited. Fares may not be available on all flights. Schedules are subject to change without notice.
Fares are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Changes to your ticket may be made if you meet the restrictions of the new fare and pay up to a US$150 fee plus any fare difference. Changes must be made before your ticketed flight’s scheduled departure time. If you cancel your flight prior to the scheduled departure time, the ticket will be valid for one year from the date of issue for an unused ticket or one year from travel origination for a partially used ticket. If you do not cancel your flight prior to the scheduled departure time, the ticket has no value.
A portion of travel booked on American Airlines may be operated by American Eagle or an AmericanConnection airline. American Eagle is operated by American Eagle Airlines, Inc., or Executive Airlines, Inc., which are wholly owned by AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines. AmericanConnection service is operated by one of the following independent contractors: Trans States Airlines, Inc., or Chautauqua Airlines, Inc.
To purchase tickets on AA.com you must use a credit card with a billing address in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, the United Kingdom, or select Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Customers may be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag. See www.aa.com/baggageallowance for more information.
AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AAdvantage, AmericanAirlines Vacations, and AA.com are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld Alliance, LLC. American Airlines reserves the right to change the AAdvantage program rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers at any time without notice and to end the AAdvantage program with six months’ notice. For complete AAdvantage program details, visit www.aa.com. For full details on our Lowest Fare Guarantee, visit www.aa.com/guarantee. For the benefits of booking at AA.com, visit www.aa.com/benefits.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, AA.com(R), provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)
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