PHOENIX, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced that it will provide a suite of its safety and navigational avionics to operate aircraft more efficiently and safely, as well as its fuel-efficient Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), to AWAS, one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing companies.

The advanced avionics include IntuVue, Honeywell’s 3-D weather radar that allows pilots to better see and avoid weather, wind shears and turbulence, ensuring a safer and more comfortable ride for passengers, as well as cost savings for the airlines.

“Airlines using Honeywell’s IntuVue 3-D weather radar have demonstrated a 45 percent reduction in turbulence-related incidents,” said Mike Madsen, Honeywell Aerospace Vice President, Airlines. “Turbulence-related events cost airlines an average of $150,000 per incident. Additionally, our IntuVue system weighs a third less than other radars on the market, and the 14 to 39 pounds of weight savings further reduces the cost of operations.”

Honeywell’s 131-9A APU for the Airbus A320 aircraft, a small gas-powered turbine that provides bleed air for main engine starting and electrical power for cockpit and galley systems, reduces fuel consumption by five percent, further reducing emissions and total cost of ownership over the APU lifetime. The APU model has been in service since 1998.

• The avionics suite of products for AWAS includes:
• Honeywell’s IntuVue(TM) 3-D volumetric weather radar
• Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS),
• Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS II) with ADS-B and Mode S
• Quantum(TM) Line of Communication and Navigation equipment (CNS)
• Air Traffic Services Unit (ATSU)
• Air Data Inertial Reference System (ADIRS)
• Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS)
• Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)
• Satellite Communications (SATCOM)
• Flight Data Acquisition and Management System (FDAMS)
• Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR) and Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR), and the
• Flight Management System (FMS).

Honeywell has been selected as the baseline provider for the avionics suite and APUs for 75 Airbus A320 family aircraft to be delivered to AWAS beginning in 2011, and will provide avionic equipment and APUs for 12 Airbus A330 aircraft to be delivered beginning in 2009. Additionally, Honeywell has been selected as the baseline provider of avionics for 31 Boeing B737 aircraft with first delivery to AWAS in 2011.

Honeywell’s 3-D hazard detection and avoidance system, IntuVue, is the first fully automatic weather radar system certified to the FAA’s Enhanced Turbulence Detection Minimum Operation Performance Standard (MOPS), improving pilots’ ability to see and avoid weather, wind shears and turbulence sooner. IntuVue is the only commercial radar that displays storms in three-dimensions at up to 320 nautical miles ahead of the aircraft and provides key analysis tools that allow the flight crew to dissect and analyze weather and hazards both vertically and horizontally.

Honeywell’s IntuVue weather radar is standard equipment on the Airbus A380 and A350. Deliveries are expected to start with the single aisle A320 family (A318, A319. A320, and A321) in the first quarter of 2010 with the long range A330s and A340s, including freighters, in the first quarter of 2011.

IntuVue has been certified and flying on the Boeing 777 since 2006, and the Next-Generation 737 since mid-2008. IntuVue has more than 300,000 hours on the C-17 military transport. IntuVue has also been selected as standard equipment on the Gulfstream 650 when it enters service.

EGPWS, invented by Honeywell, provides a terrain display and alerts the flight crew if the aircraft approaches too close to terrain. Honeywell’s patented ACAS (aka TCAS – Traffic Collision Avoidance System) incorporates ADS-B functionality and provides a display of surrounding aircraft and alerts the flight crew if another aircraft comes too close for safety.

AWAS owns a portfolio of more than 214 modern aircraft with a further 129 aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing including a number of next generation aircraft. The aircraft portfolio is on lease to over 95 airline customers in 49 countries. The AWAS fleet features a full range of aircraft types and the company became one of the first lessors to order both the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350XWB.

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 27 /PRNewswire/ — Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced the launch of the new Beechcraft King Air C90GTx — the latest advancement for the most successful turbine aircraft in general aviation today. The new C90GTx features impressive enhancements to both payload and performance while remaining one of the greenest and most efficient aircraft available. The C90GTx marks the eighth major King Air upgrade the company has introduced since 2003.

“The C90GTx is the latest example of our commitment to keeping the Beechcraft King Air family the most successful turboprop lineup in aviation history,” said Bill Boisture, HBC Chairman and CEO. “We took an outstanding product, the C90GTi, and made it even better in the new C90GTx. No other aircraft in its class can compare.”

Key enhancements to the new King Air C90GTx include an increase in gross weight and the addition of composite winglets, which improve climb performance and further increase fuel efficiency. The maximum ramp weight and maximum takeoff weight of the C90GTx have been increased by 385 pounds to 10,545 and 10,485 pounds respectively. This increase in maximum weight provides the new C90GTx with a full-fuel payload capability of more than 750 pounds — almost double that of the C90GTi and ahead of any entry-level jet. The ability to carry more fuel with higher payloads increases the four passenger range by more than 200 nm. The C90GTx will be available beginning in early 2010.

The King Air 90 entered into service more than 45 years ago and is known for its reliability, durability and affordability. The aircraft series has long been the entry point into larger aircraft, serving as the first step into cabin-class comfort and twin-turbine capability, safety and performance.

Before its latest enhancements, the C90GTi series aircraft already included an advanced, fully-integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21(TM) avionics suite, which features advanced capabilities not found in other, entry-level turbine avionics systems. This same system can be found in larger aircraft, including the King Air B200GT, King Air 350, Premier IA, Hawker 750 and Hawker 900XP, as well as in jets costing millions more. The C90GTx will include upgraded, turbulence-detecting Doppler weather radar and WAAS GPS as standard equipment.

The durable King Air C90GTx is extremely adaptable. It is capable of operating from remote, unimproved fields as easily as it flows into congested terminal airspace, providing operators with the versatility to utilize airports inaccessible to most jets. The fuel efficiency of the C90GTx contributes to its low operating costs while providing increased performance and greater system redundancy than single-engine turbine competitors.

The C90GTx features a cabin 50 percent larger than most very light jets. In addition to the pilot, it seats up to seven passengers in its famed squared-oval design, allowing greater passenger comfort. It includes an in-flight accessible, heated and pressurized baggage storage area along with a private aft lavatory that is standard on every King Air C90GTx.

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special-mission and trainer aircraft — designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers.

DALLAS, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) confirmed today that the carrier is preparing a bid to acquire Denver-based Frontier Airlines, which will be sold at auction in bankruptcy court next month. The carrier has submitted a nonbinding proposal in accordance with the bidding procedures established in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The bid is worth a minimum of $113.6 million, which is in excess of the bid currently filed by Republic Airways.

Submission of a nonbinding proposal gives Southwest an opportunity to engage with Frontier in the due diligence required to determine the scope of a binding proposal to be submitted by the court’s Aug. 10, 2009, deadline.

“We are excited about the opportunity to submit a bid,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO. “We see a strong fit between our Company cultures, a mutual commitment to high quality Customer Service, and similar entrepreneurial roots.”

A successful acquisition of Frontier Airlines will allow Southwest to expand its network with its legendary low fares, add jobs into Southwest, and boost competition in Denver and other cities. Southwest is a qualified investor and is still preparing its proposal; therefore, it is premature to comment on the specifics at this point.

Frontier filed for bankruptcy court protection in April 2008. On June 22, 2009, Republic Airways submitted a bid to purchase Frontier for $108.8 million.

After 38 years of service, Southwest Airlines offers a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines currently serves 66 cities in 33 states, and announced service to Boston Logan, which begins Aug. 16, 2009, and to Milwaukee, which begins Nov. 1, 2009. Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, July 30 /PRNewswire/ — Aviation buffs are flying their small private planes to the Dominican Republic (DR) more and more due to new pilot-friendly, no-fee policies at domestic and international airports. Hundreds of private airplanes are soaring to the DR airports in the eastern Caribbean to experience the beauty of the country, sophisticated accommodations, amazing adventures, and the famous warm Dominican welcome.

“The DR government has made a concerted effort to ensure that aviation enthusiasts can enjoy our country’s magnificent beauty and fascinating culture using their favorite mode of transportation, flying in their own plane. This pilot-friendly approach has DR airports poised and eager to welcome more private pilots each year,” said Magaly Toribio, the DR’s Vice Minister of International Promotion.

The DR’s Institute of Dominican Civil Aviation (IDAC) is partnering with the U.S. National Aviation Safety Foundation to ensure that their 199,000 member U.S. pilots have the latest information on the 13 airports that enthusiastically welcome them in the DR. The joint effort will help to inform U.S. pilots about all of the unique cultural, adventure, and historic tourism activities available to them when they visit.

“Our initiative to promote private aviation makes sense as there is an increased desire to explore the DR by private pilots from the U.S., as well as from around the world. The DR’s enviable position in the Caribbean with sophisticated domestic and international airports, amazing accommodations, unique culture and history, and breathtaking scenery are the main draw,” said Toribio.

Since May 29, 2008, private airplanes under 30,000 pounds with no more than 12 passengers are exempt from any government fees in the DR. When the weather becomes cold and harsh in the north, pilots are secure in the warm tropical haven and welcome provided by the DR. For a list of eight international airports in the DR, visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com. For a list of private DR airports, visit www.flydominicanrepublic.com.

The Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, the DR has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 25 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. The DR features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official Web site at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or call 1-877-386-4637 for more information.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 30 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Navy supported the May 26 launch of a U.K. Royal Navy Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). The unarmed missile was launched from the submerged Royal Navy submarine HMS Victorious (UK SSBN 06) in the Atlantic Ocean. The Trident II D5 missile now has achieved 127 consecutive successful test flights since 1989 – a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle.

“This performance has been achieved in tests conducted by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy over the past two decades,” said Melanie A. Sloane, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Trident missile prime contractor. “The cooperation of both governments, supported by industry, provides a credible strategic deterrent.”

The test was part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation following an overhaul of the submarine. For the test, a missile was converted into a test configuration using a test missile kit produced by Lockheed Martin that contains range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.

First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard U.S. Navy OHIO-class and Royal Navy VANGUARD-class submarines. The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor and program manager for the Trident missile. Lockheed Martin provides program management and engineering services for the United Kingdom’s Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile program through an annual contract funded by the U.K. Royal Navy, with work performed at facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. For the period from April 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010, Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract of $21.3 million contract for United Kingdom technical services in support of the Trident Missile System.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems has been the U.S. Navy’s prime strategic missile contractor since the inception of the program more than 50 years ago. Since 1968, Lockheed Martin has provided program support to the Royal Navy under the terms of the 1963 U.S.-U.K. Polaris Sales Agreement, which was modified in 1982 to provide for the Trident II D5 ballistic missile system.