New Astronaut Crew Launches to International Space Station
March 26, 2009
HOUSTON, March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The 19th crew to live and work aboard the International Space Station launched into orbit Thursday morning from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, and spaceflight participant and U.S. software engineer Charles Simonyi lifted off at 6:49 a.m. CDT.
They are scheduled to dock with the station at 8:14 a.m. Saturday, March 28. Padalka will serve as commander of Expeditions 19 and 20 aboard the station. Barratt will serve as a flight engineer for those two missions. Padalka and Barratt’s other crewmate is Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. He arrived to the station March 17 on space shuttle Discovery.
Simonyi, flying to the station under a commercial agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency, previously visited the complex in April 2007. He is the first spaceflight participant to make a second flight to the station and will spend 10 days aboard. Simonyi will return to Earth April 7 with Expedition 18 Commander Michael Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov, who have been on the station since October 2008.
The Expedition 19 crew will continue science investigations and prepare for the arrival of the rest of the station’s first six-person contingent. Roman Romanenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency, Frank De Winne of the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Bob Thirsk will launch from Baikonur on May 27, arriving at the station on May 29. After all the astronauts are aboard, Expedition 20 will begin, ushering in an era of six-person station crews. This mission also will be the first time the crew members represent all five International Space Station partners.
Next Generation of Aviation Safety Bird Strike Radar Systems Launched by DeTect
March 26, 2009
2009 MERLIN(TM) Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radars provide all weather bird detection, upgraded bird strike risk alerts and ultra-high resolution displays.
PANAMA CITY, Fla., March 26 /PRNewswire/ — DeTect, Inc., today announced the latest in aviation safety technology, its next generation of MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radars.
“All 2009 MERLIN bird radars include full capability to detect and track birds in fog and weather using new solid state radars,” said Gary Andrews, DeTect’s CEO. “Birds do fly in weather, particularly when they are migrating. Magnetron-based, X-band systems are completely blinded by heavy fog and light rain which is the most high risk period for aircraft bird strikes as the pilots can’t see the birds and the birds can’t see the aircraft,” he continued.
Other enhancements to the MERLIN bird strike technology include decreased long-term operating costs through state-of-the-art solid state radar sensors, continuous, automated bird strike risk monitoring and alerting in both PPI and PAR displays, and ultra-high resolution user displays that provide an expanded level of detail for bird activity on and around airports.
About DeTect
Panama City, Florida based DeTect is the world leader in development of advanced bird radar systems for detection, tracking and alerting of bird-aircraft strike risk at military airfields and commercial airports. The company originally developed the MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar system for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as a low cost system for continuous automated detection, tracking and alerting of bird strike risk. MERLIN is the only production model avian radar technology in operation, with over 45 systems delivered worldwide for both aviation safety and environmental applications. The USAF currently has six MERLIN systems at USAF installations that provide automated alerting of current bird strike risk in runway approach and departure corridors where 85% of airfield bird strikes occur. The U.S. space agency, NASA, also owns two systems that are used to prevent bird strikes during space shuttle launches. MERLIN systems are also installed at several U.S. and foreign airports, including the La Mercy International Airport in Durban, South Africa, which is the world’s first use of bird radar technology to provide real-time risk warnings and data in the air traffic control tower.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. Announces Annual General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting
March 26, 2009
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (the “Company” or “GAP”) today announced the following:
Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, Article 181 of the Mexican Corporation Law and Article 35 of the Company’s by-laws, GAP invites the Company’s shareholders to a General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting on April 28, 2009, with the first session taking place at 1:30 pm and a second session taking place at 2:00 pm the same day, at the following location: the auditorium located on the first floor of the Club de Industriales, Number 29, Calle de Andres Bello, Colonia Polanco, Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, to discuss the following:
MEETING AGENDA
FIRST - The following will be submitted for approval:
a) The Chief Executive Officer’s report regarding the results of operation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, in accordance with Article 44, Section XI of Mexican Securities Market Law, together with the external auditor’s report on the Company’s financial statements;
b) The Board of Directors’ comments on the Chief Executive Officer’s report, referred to in Article 172 of the Mexican Corporations Law, concerning the results of operation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 of the Company and its subsidiaries. These subsidiaries include those companies in which the Company holds the majority of the shares, when the value of the shares exceeds 20% (TWENTY PERCENT) of the total shareholders’ equity in such company, calculated based on the most recent statement of financial position of the subsidiary and those matters referred to in Article 22, Section 3 of the Company’s by-laws, which contains the main accounting policies and principles used in the preparation of the Company’s financial information;
c) The report presented by the President of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008;
d) The report on the satisfaction of the Company’s tax obligations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007;
e) The report on operations and activities in which the Board of Directors has intervened during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law.
Adoption of resolutions that are considered desirable regarding the above- mentioned reports.
SECOND – Discussion and the approval of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the financial condition, the income statement, the statements of changes in financial position, statement of cash flows and statement in changes of capital, in each case for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, and approval of the external auditor’s report regarding the above-mentioned financial statements.
THIRD – Approval of the application of the Company’s net income for the period ended December 31, 2008, which was Ps. 1,540,842,000.00 (ONE BILLION, FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY MILLION, EIGHT-HUNDRED FORTY TWO THOUSAND PESOS), such that 5% (FIVE PERCENT) of this amount, or Ps. 77,042,000.00 (SEVENTY SEVEN MILLION, FORTY TWO THOUSAND PESOS) be allocated towards increasing the Company’s legal reserves, with the remaining balance, comprised of Ps. 1,463,800,000.00 (ONE BILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY THREE MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS), being allocated to the account of net income pending application.
FOURTH – Approval of the application of net income of Ps. 2,009,617,000.00 (TWO BILLION, NINE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND PESOS) to pay a dividend Ps. 1,200,000,000 (ONE BILLION, TWO HUNDRED MILLION PESOS), or Ps. 2.139037433 (TWO POINT ONE THREE NINE ZERO THREE SEVEN FOUR THREE THREE PESOS) per each of the 561 million outstanding shares, with the remaining Ps. 809,617,000.00 (EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN MILLION) pending application. The dividend of Ps. 1,200,000,000 (ONE BILLION, TWO HUNDRED MILLION PESOS will be paid in the following manner:
a) Ps. 870,000,000 (EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY MILLION PESOS), or Ps. 1.55080214 for each of the 561 million outstanding shares, after May 25, 2009.
b) Ps. 330,000,000 (THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY MILLION PESOS), or Ps. 0.58823529 for each of the 561 million outstanding shares, after October 31, 2009.
FIFTH – Approval of (i) the write-off of the maximum amount applied toward the share repurchase program, which was proposed and approved at the Shareholders’ Meeting on April 28, 2008 for a maximum amount of Ps. 55,000,000.00 (FIFTY FIVE MILLION PESOS); (ii) approval of the maximum amount to be applied to the repurchase of shares of the Company or credit instruments that represent these shares in 2009, for a total of Ps. 864,617,000 (EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR MILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN THOUSAND PESOS); and (iii) a resolution empowering the Board of Directors and/or delegates designated by the Board of Directors to repurchase shares of the Company, and to determine, in their sole discretion, which of the options for the method of share repurchase and accounting changes described in Article 56, Section III of the Mexican Securities Markets Law may be used by the Company; and in particular, to determine if the repurchase will be made with a charge to the shareholders equity if the shares will belong to the Company, or if the acquired shares are converted into treasury stock, whether the repurchase will be made with a charge to, corporate capital or other corresponding options, in each case without requiring the approval by a Shareholder Meeting, in accordance with Article 56, Section IV of the Mexican Securities Market Law.
SIXTH – Designation and/or ratification of the four members of the Board of Directors, and their respective alternates that are named by holders of series “BB” shares.
SEVENTH – Acknowledgement of any holder or group of holders of Series “B” shares that own over 10% of the equity of the Company, and the persons who, according to the Article 15 of the Company’s by-laws, have the right to designate members of the Board of Directors.
EIGHTH – Designation and/or ratification of the individuals proposed by the Nomination and Compensation Committee that should be on the Company’s Board of Directors as designated by the Series “B” holders.
NINTH – Discussion and approval of the designation of Laura Diez Barroso Azcarraga as the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, in accordance with Article 16 of the Company’s by-laws.
TENTH – Ratification, and if relevant, modification of the remuneration for the Board of Directors of the Company during the 2008 period, to be paid during the 12 months following April 28, 2009.
ELEVENTH – Ratification, and if relevant, the modification of the number of members that shall be on the Nominations and Compensation Committee of the Board, according to Article 28 of the Company’s by-laws.
TWELFTH – The designation or ratification of the members representing the Series “B” shares on the Board of Directors who will serve on the Nominations and Compensation Committee of the Company, according to Article 29 of the Company’s by-laws.
THIRTEENTH – The designation or ratification of the members who will be on the Acquisitions Committee of the Company, according to Article 29 of the Company’s by-laws.
FOURTEENTH – The ratification of, or, if necessary, removal and designation of a new president of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee.
FIFTEENTH – The report concerning individual or accumulated operations that are equal to or higher than US$ 3,000,000.00 (THREE MILLION U.S. DOLLARS), or its equivalent in national Mexican currency or other legal tender in circulation in Mexico or, if applicable, transactions with relevant shareholders, in accordance with Article 29 of the Company’s by-laws.
SIXTEENTH – Adoption of resolutions deemed necessary or desirable in order to comply with any decisions made during this meeting.
As per Article 36 of the Company’s by-laws, only those shareholders registered in the Share Registry as holders of one of more of the Company’s shares will be admitted into the Shareholders’ Meeting, and they will be admitted only if they have obtained an admission card. The Share Registry will close three (3) days prior to the date of this meeting.
To attend the meeting, shareholders must show their admission card, which will only be issued upon request and which must be presented at least twenty- four (24) hours prior to the meeting, along with a receipt from the Corporate Secretary for the deposit of the stock certificates or shares, or a receipt of deposit of shares issued by a financial institution, credit institution, domestic or foreign, or broker, as per the Mexican Securities Law. Shares that are deposited in order to gain admittance into this meeting will not be returned until after the meeting takes place, via a voucher that will have been given to the shareholder or his/her representative.
Shareholders may be represented by proxy at the meeting by a person or persons designated via an official letter (signed by two witnesses or as otherwise authorized by law). However, with respect to the Company’s capital stock trading on a stock exchange, the proxy may only verify his/her identity via Company forms and those will be available to all shareholders, including any intermediaries of the stock market, during the time period specified in Article 173 of the Mexican Corporations Law.
Following the publication of this announcement, all shareholders and their legal representatives will have free and immediate access to all information and documents related to each of the topics included in the meeting agenda, as well as all proxy forms that must be presented by persons representing shareholders.
We inform shareholders that the Secretary of the Company’s Board of Directors is Mr. Mario Roberto Martinez Guerrero, whose office is located on the 20th floor of building # 400-A, on Paseo de los Tamarindos, Colonia Bosques de las Lomas, Delegacion Cuajimalpa, zip code 05120, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Company Description:
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexico’s Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Bajio, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAP’s shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PAC” and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GAP”.
Pratt & Whitney’s F135 STOVL Engine Begins Hover Pit Testing
March 26, 2009
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II has begun two weeks of hover pit testing powered by Pratt & Whitney’s F135 propulsion system. Hover pit testing of the F135 Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant demonstrates integration of Pratt & Whitney’s flight-proven F135 engine with Rolls Royce-designed STOVL lift components. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
“Hover pit testing of the F-35 Lightning II Air System is a major step toward achieving F-35 powered lift flight operations, and is a significant milestone for the Pratt & Whitney F135 team, Rolls-Royce and Lockheed Martin,” said Bill Gostic, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine Programs. “The testing is designed to demonstrate the F-35 and F135 integrated flight and propulsion control system and the STOVL thrust produced by the F135 propulsion system as installed in the Lightning II.”
The Pratt & Whitney F135 was awarded a Statement of Qualification for F-35 Short Take Off and Vertical Landing powered lift operations last month, becoming the first production propulsion system in history to provide vertical lift and supersonic capabilities with stealth technology.
“Pratt & Whitney is proud to support the Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin’s F-35 STOVL through hover pit testing and STOVL powered lift operations leading to initial STOVL production deliveries,” Gostic said.
For eight years and more than 11,000 test hours, Pratt & Whitney has been designing, developing and testing the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as eight international partner countries.
The F135 is derived from mature technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the F119, enhanced with technologies proven in Air Force and Navy technology programs. The F135 is the only engine powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program.
The F135 propulsion system is the power of choice for the F-35 and has proven it can meet diverse aircraft requirements. The ground and flight test experience demonstrates the maturity and the associated reliability of the F135 engine for armed forces around the world.
Award-Winning Value Airline JetBlue Airways Begins Daily Nonstop Service from Orlando, Florida to San Jose, Costa Rica
March 26, 2009
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Pratt & Whitney Begins Production of the Next Generation of F100 Series Engines
March 26, 2009
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pratt & Whitney, maker of the F100 engine family that powers the F-16 and F-15 military fighter jets operated by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the Air Forces of 22 allied nations, have begun production of the first F100-PW-229 Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) engines. The F100-PW-229 EEP represents the latest evolution in the F100 series of engines, recognized worldwide for its safety, reliability and cost effective operation.
“The F100-PW-229 EEP is another example of Pratt & Whitney’s pioneering work in fighter engine technology,” said Warren Boley, Vice President of Pratt & Whitney Military Programs and Customer Support. “Not only does it offer superior performance capabilities for our armed forces, it reduces maintenance and life cycle costs at a time when value and efficiency are top priorities on the nation’s agenda.”
The F100-PW-229 EEP incorporates groundbreaking technology developed for the F135 and F119 propulsion systems, the world’s only fifth-generation fighter jet engines. The F100-229 EEP will provide advanced, dependable power for F-16 and F-15 aircraft around the world. In response to strong customer demand, the first engines will begin delivery of the new configuration in October of this year.
The F100-PW-229 EEP was created to dramatically decrease the cost of ownership without impacting performance. This was accomplished by increasing the engine depot inspection interval from 4,300 to 6,000 cycles and increasing durability of key components while maintaining the 29,100 pound thrust rating. The inspection interval increase extends the amount of time between scheduled depot maintenance from the average of 7-9 years to over 10-14 years depending on utilization rates. This increase consequently should reduce life cycle costs by 30 percent over the life of the engine. The F100-PW-229 EEP continues to be the only fighter engine funded and qualified by the U.S. Air Force to the 6,000 cycle capability.
Pratt & Whitney will offer customers the option to purchase the F100-PW-229 EEP as a complete engine or as an upgrade kit that will be made available to all -229 operators near the end of 2010.
“The U.S. Air Force and several other operators of the P&W F100-PW-229 engine have expressed interest in having upgrade kits to modify their existing engines, so we’re working diligently to provide this capability for our customers,” Boley said.
Initially, 74 F100-PW-229 EEP engines have been ordered, with the first delivery set for Republic of Korea. Additional deliveries will be headed to Morocco and Pakistan in early 2010.
Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Engine Achieves Major Benchmark of 100 Hours of Flight Testing
March 26, 2009
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine, the only engine powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program, has surpassed 100 hours of flight testing, a significant milestone in the development and testing of the world’s most powerful fighter engine. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
This achievement is a key step in the propulsion system’s transition from development to production. The engine’s success in flight testing demonstrates the maturity and reliability of the F135 program for armed forces across the globe.
“This is a major achievement in a long and growing list of milestones for the F135 team,” said Bill Gostic, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine Program. “It reinforces the reliability and dependability our engine is providing to the Joint Strike Fighter flight test program.”
The F135, designed specifically for the F-35, is a derivative of the Pratt & Whitney F119 engine, the only operational fifth generation engine, which currently powers the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor. The F119, having recently surpassed the 100,000 flight hour benchmark, offers proven superior dependability and safety for the F-22. Many of the same core components and concepts have been applied to the design and development of the F135, which features advanced prognostics and health management systems that will significantly lower short and long-term maintenance costs. Additionally, the F135 is leveraging operational fighter and stealth technology experience as well as advanced sustainment support experience.
Together, the two engines have steadily achieved a series of key flying-hour benchmarks. By the time the F135 enters operation in 2013, the operating fleet of F119 engines from which it is derived will have logged more than 500,000 flying hours, while the F135 will have logged more than 16,000.
“The F135 has met or exceeded all required flight test goals, and we have absolute confidence in the engine and its future performance in support of the F-35 flight test program,” Gostic said.
For eight years and more than 11,000 test hours, Pratt & Whitney has been designing, developing and testing the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as eight international partner countries.
The F135 is the only engine powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program. The F135 propulsion system is the power of choice for the F-35 and has proven it can meet diverse aircraft requirements. The ground and flight test experience demonstrates the maturity and the associated reliability of the F135 engine for armed forces around the world.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.
Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000 Advantage70(TM) Takes Flight
March 26, 2009
TOULOUSE, France, March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000 Advantage70 engine successfully completed its first flight aboard an Air Comet A330-200 in Toulouse, France, this week. The first Advantage70 flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will continue through early April. The first PW4000-100″ engines with the Advantage70 technology upgrade, each of which deliver 70,000 pounds of thrust for the A330 aircraft family, are scheduled to enter into service in mid-2009. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
“This is an exciting program milestone that brings us one step closer to entry into service,” said Andrew Tanner, vice president, Product Line Management. “Now more than ever products like Advantage 70 deliver value to our customers by improving performance while lowering operating costs.”
Advantage70 technology upgrades deliver enhanced engine performance, including a 2 percent thrust increase, a 1 percent reduction in fuel consumption, increased durability, and reduced maintenance costs. The A330-200 and A330-300 passenger aircraft will be the first to fly PW4000-100″ engines with Advantage70 in mid-2009 on Air Comet and Air Caraibes respectively.
Pratt & Whitney has over 16,000 aircraft engines installed with hundreds of airlines around the world. Pratt & Whitney is also a partner in two joint venture companies that manufacture commercial aircraft engines: International Aero Engines, which makes the V2500 for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance, whose GP7200 engine is in service on the Airbus A380.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.
Mexico proposes to eliminate visas for Chinese tourists
March 26, 2009
The Secretary of Tourism of the Federal District in Mexico, Alejandro Rojas, has expressed confidence that the government will eliminate visas for tourists from China. Of the 35 million Chinese tourists, 18,000 come to Mexico City.
Peru to sign FTA with China in April
March 26, 2009
Peru’s minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mercedes Araoz, announced on March 21 that Peru and China will sign a Free Trade Agreement in Peking on April 16 and it will be implemented during the balance of the year. Peru is also negotiating a FTA with South Korea.
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