AVIDYNE ADDS JEPPESEN’S EUROPEAN VFR CHARTS AS AN OPTION ON ALL AVIDYNE MFDS

July 31, 2009

Avidyne and Jeppesen continue partnership to further enhance safety
for European customers with electronic versions of Jeppesen VFR Manual.

EAA AirVenture– OSHKOSH – July 28, 2009 – Avidyne Corporation, a leading provider of integrated flight deck and safety systems for general aviation aircraft, and Jeppesen, the industry-leading provider of flight deck information and optimization solutions, announced today that Jeppesen’s European VFR Charts package is being certified as an optional subscription package for Avidyne’s EX500 and EX5000 Multi-function display (MFD) customers.

“Avidyne and Jeppesen recognize the situational awareness benefits of electronic charts in the cockpit,” said Thomas Wede, Jeppesen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Aviation.  “We are pleased to continue that relationship by offering our mutual customers in Europe access to electronic versions of these safety-enhancing piloting tools.”

“Jeppesen is recognized as a world-leading supplier of flight information,” said Patrick Herguth, Avidyne’s Chief Operating Officer. “The ability to add their European VFR Charts package to our MFDs is another example of our commitment to enhancing safety and making flying simpler for our customers.”

“Avidyne’s continues its efforts to enhance safety for new and existing customers,” said Avidyne President and CEO, Dan Schwinn. “As a result of our longstanding partnership with Jeppesen, we are pleased to now be able to offer our European customers this valuable region-specific chart package that makes flying in Europe easier and safer.”

Airbus delivers 1000th A330/A340 Family Aircraft

July 31, 2009

A330-300 for Thai Airways International

Airbus today delivered the 1000th aircraft from the A330/A340 Family. The aircraft, an A330-300, was handed over to Thai Airways International (THAI) at a special ceremony in Toulouse. In attendance was a delegation from Thailand led by Air Chief Marshal Narongsak Sangapong, Acting President of THAI, plus representatives from the engine manufacturers and major equipment suppliers, as well as some 100 Airbus staff currently working on the programme.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tom Williams, Airbus Executive Vice President Programmes, said: “When the A330/A340 Family first entered service in 1993 it set a new standard in the mid-size widebody market. Today, the product line remains the benchmark for in-service aircraft in this category, offering airlines a proven range of models optimised for medium, long and very long haul operations.”

“We are extremely proud that the 1000th aircraft from this product is being delivered in the colours of THAI, which is one of Airbus’ longest standing customers and currently operates a fleet including both the A330 and the A340.”

Air Chief Marshal Narongsak Sangapong, said: “We are pleased to be taking delivery of the 1000th aircraft from this modern and efficient Airbus product line, which forms a major element of our fleet today. With these aircraft we are able to offer our passengers the highest levels of comfort, while also benefiting from the operational flexibility to operate the aircraft both on long range and regional services.”

With today’s delivery, THAI increases its in-service A330/A340 fleet to a total of 25 aircraft, comprising 15 A330-300s, four A340-500s and six A340-600s. The airline also operates a fleet of 17 A300-600Rs on its regional network.

Since the first aircraft from the A330/A340 Family was delivered in 1993, the product line has become the most successful mid-size widebody programme ever, with 1,406 firm orders from 103 customers worldwide. Today, aircraft from the family are flying with 100 operators worldwide and the world fleet has accumulated more than 27 million flight hours in over 5 million revenue flights.

The A330/A340 Family comprises the twin engine A330 for medium and long range operations and the four engine A340 for very long haul routes. A new freighter version of the A330 is currently under development and will enter service in 2010.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Conducts Final Planned Test on Historic Space Shuttle Main Engine

July 29, 2009

CANOGA PARK, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire/ — Capping a legacy that spans 34 years, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne completed the final planned test on a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) today at the John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Mississippi. The successful hot-fire test was the 2,730th for the SSME, the world’s only reusable liquid hydrogen engine designed for human space flight. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

“Because of the extensive testing done at SSC, the SSME is the most reliable and best understood rocket engine ever built,” said Jim Paulsen, SSME program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. “The testing conducted at SSC has been critical to the SSME’s safety record and the evolution of improvements to the engine. We’re all proud to be part of this critical effort in support of human space flight.”

The first SSME hot-fire test was conducted on May 19, 1975, leading to the first space shuttle launch on April 12, 1981. The last shuttle mission is slated for late 2010. The SSME is unique because it provides thrust during the boost and upper-stage ascent of a space shuttle, safely sending astronauts into space to assemble the International Space Station, conduct microgravity scientific experiments, deploy large spacecrafts such as the Hubble Space Telescope, and retrieve and return large payloads to Earth. The SSME is one of the most complex machines ever built. Three engines generate 1.5 million pounds of thrust – an energy output equivalent to 13 Hoover Dams.

Stennis Space Center has a long history in testing engines for human space flight. The site, originally named Mississippi Test Operations, tested the original Saturn V F-1 and J-2 rocket engines that launched Americans to the moon 40 years ago. The historic SSC test stands accumulated 2,344 SSME tests with an additional 386 tests conducted at sites in California and Alabama. Overall, the SSME program has accrued 2,730 engine hot-fires on ground test stands and 417 engine hot-fires on space shuttles for a combined 3,147 total starts and a total operational duration in excess of one million seconds.

Jeppesen, SOLIDFX and iRex Team Up to Offer a New View of Jeppesen Electronic Terminal Charts

July 29, 2009

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 29 /PRNewswire/ — AIRVENTURE — Jeppesen has joined forces with SOLIDFX and iRex to provide pilots with an easy, effective way to view and manage Jeppesen electronic terminal charts with a portable e-reader device.

Jeppesen’s industry-leading vector graphic electronic charts, displayed on the FX10 system by SOLIDFX, give pilots quick and easy access to approaches, standard instrument departures, standard terminal arrival routes and airport diagrams. Textual information is available using Jeppesen’s Text Viewer software and Jeppesen enroute charts are provided in their proven paper form for effective viewing of large areas.

“An e-reader device makes it easier and more economical than ever for pilots to bring electronic charts to the flight deck,” said Thomas Wede, Jeppesen senior vice president and general manager, Aviation. “The replacement of paper documents with electronic images and data is gaining momentum all across the aviation landscape. In SOLIDFX and iRex, we saw partners with the experience and expertise to bring Jeppesen electronic charts to another class of portable devices, making them more accessible to a greater number of pilots.”

The FX10, based on iRex Digital Reader 1000S, can be used for reading e-books, newspapers and .pdf files, in addition to Jeppesen electronic charts. Such versatility is an attractive feature for value-minded pilots who want to transition to using electronic charts on the flight deck.

The full complement of Jeppesen electronic chart coverages, including a complete worldwide coverage, is available. All Jeppesen electronic chart subscriptions are updated every two weeks and updates can be downloaded from the Internet using the Jeppesen Software Update Manager (JSUM).

For more information on Jeppesen services, please contact Jeppesen at 1(800) 621-5377 or visit www.jeppesen.com.

Raytheon Awarded $16 Million for Aegis Radar Contracts

July 29, 2009

TEWKSBURY, Mass., July 29, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) two contracts that extend the company’s legacy of performance and support for the Aegis weapons system.

Under the contracts, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will provide an AN/SPY-1 radar transmitter ordnance alteration kit to enhance the radar’s processing performance and multi-mission capability. The company will also continue its performance-based logistics support, including spares and repairs for Aegis weapons systems used by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Raytheon will also manage system repairs in support of foreign military sales.

“Raytheon has a long history with the Aegis radar program – providing highly capable naval radar components and world-class support for Aegis-equipped ships worldwide,” said Raytheon IDS’ Robert Martin, vice president and deputy of Seapower Capability Systems.

Raytheon’s AN/SPY-1 radar transmitters and MK99 Fire Control System, both key components of the Aegis system, have been in continual production for 30 years as part of the U.S. Navy’s Aegis shipbuilding program. The AN/SPY-1 and the MK99 are currently aboard the U.S. Navy’s fleet of cruisers and destroyers, as well as Japanese Kongo-class destroyers and Spanish F-100-class frigates.

Raytheon IDS’ whole-life services and support are central to maintaining and upgrading Aegis equipment onboard ships of the U.S. Navy’s fleet, which include Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Work will be performed at Raytheon IDS’ Surveillance and Sensors Center, Sudbury, Mass., and Raytheon Technical Services Company, Norfolk, Va.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon’s leader in Global Capabilities Integration, providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Jeppesen Launches JeppDirect Site to Expand Customer Information and Purchasing Options

July 29, 2009

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 29 /PRNewswire/ — AIRVENTURE — With the recent launch of JeppDirect, Jeppesen’s new e-commerce site, aviation customers are now able to more easily understand and purchase products online. Through the site, Jeppesen is able to deliver direct access to its top products for business and general aviation customers, while providing enhanced product education, improved customer service tools and purchasing opportunities.

“JeppDirect provides customers with the same great Jeppesen customer service, while leveraging the power of the Internet,” said Thomas Wede, senior vice president and general manager, Aviation. “JeppDirect allows Jeppesen to engage directly with customers, while providing new product offerings, more pilot supplies, plus aviation parts and accessories as a result of our partnership with a leading distributor of aircraft parts and supplies.”

Customers are also now able to contact customer service directly via the new online Click-to-Chat function and have access to detailed IFR and VFR charting product information online. In addition, Jeppesen offers competitive prices and provides an extended returns policy of 60 days on most products.

To experience JeppDirect, visit www.JeppDirect.com or link directly from www.Jeppesen.com.

About Jeppesen

For 75 years Jeppesen has made it possible for pilots and their passengers to safely and efficiently reach their destinations. Today this pioneering spirit continues as Jeppesen delivers essential information and optimization solutions to improve the efficiency of air, sea and rail operations around the globe. Jeppesen is a subsidiary of Boeing Commercial Aviation Services, a unit of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

GOL Anuncia Criação da Vice-Presidência de Gestão & Pessoas

July 29, 2009

São Paulo, 27 de julho de 2009 – A GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes 
S.A. ("Companhia", Bovespa: GOLL4 e NYSE: GOL), a maior companhia 
aérea de baixo custo e baixa tarifa da América Latina, anuncia a 
criação da Vice-Presidência de Gestão & Pessoas, gerida pelo 
executivo sênior Ricardo Khauaja (39). 

    "Será um grande desafio profissional atuar em uma empresa de serviços 
que opera em um ramo tão competitivo como a aviação", afirma Ricardo 
Khauaja. "A nova Vice-Presidência terá foco permanente nos processos 
e na operação da GOL, alinhada às políticas de qualidade e organização 
da Companhia".

    "A criação dessa Vice-Presidência é um passo muito importante, já que 
agora podemos contar com uma estrutura mais sólida voltada 
exclusivamente para o desenvolvimento organizacional e a gestão dos 
nossos profissionais", completa Constantino de Oliveira Júnior, CEO 
da GOL.

    Com MBA em Finanças pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Mercado de Capitais 
(IBMEC/RJ), Ricardo Khauaja é formado em Engenharia de Produção pela 
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), tendo completado o 
curso "The Transition from Functional to General Management" pela 
Columbia University (Estados Unidos).

    Antes de ingressar na GOL, trabalhou por seis anos na Whirlpool, do 
ramo de eletrodomésticos, sendo três deles como diretor de Recursos 
Humanos para América Latina e três como vice-presidente da companhia. 
Antes disso, atuou por dez anos na Ambev, do segmento de bebidas, 
exercendo diversas funções, entre elas a de gerente corporativo de 
Recursos de Humanos, de 2001 até 2003.

    Em sua sólida carreira, o executivo já foi responsável pela 
implementação e gerenciamento de programas de treinamento e 
desenvolvimento, além de padronização de políticas de benefícios, 
recrutamento e seleção, avaliações por competências e relações 
sindicais, entre outros projetos.

La NASA cambia la fecha de sesiones de información sobre la próxima misión del trasbordador espacial

July 29, 2009

    HOUSTON, 29 de julio /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Una serie de
sesiones de información a los medios sobre la misión del trasbordador espacial
STS-128 de la NASA se ha cambiado para el jueves 13 de agosto. Esta es la
primera misión del trasbordador espacial en la que participan dos astronautas
latinos, José Hernández y Danny Olivas, ambos de ascendencia mexicana.

    NASA Television y el sitio web de la agencia ofrecerán cobertura en vivo
de las sesiones de información sobre la misión desde el Centro Espacial
Johnson de la NASA en Houston a partir de las 8 a.m., hora de verano del
Centro. Se recibirán preguntas de los reporteros en centros participantes de
la NASA y de periodistas en Europa. Una señal de video y animación de la
misión y la tripulación precederá a las sesiones de información a las 7 a.m.
    Los reporteros norteamericanos que planean asistir a las sesiones de
información en Houston deben ponerse en contacto con la sala de prensa del
Johnson llamando al 281-483-5111 a más tardar a las 5 p.m. del 6 de agosto
para pedir sus credenciales. Los periodistas que representan a organizaciones
noticiosas extranjeras, independientemente de su ciudadanía, deben ponerse en
contacto con la sala de prensa del Johnson a más tardar a las 5 p.m. del 30 de
julio.
    Los siete astronautas del Discovery estarán disponibles para entrevistas
en mesa redonda en el Johnson el 13 de agosto. Los reporteros deben llamar a
Gayle Frere al 281-483-8645 a más tardar el 6 de agosto para reservar su
oportunidad de entrevistarlos.

Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines Announce Order for Five 777-200LRs

July 28, 2009

Ethiopian is first African carrier to order long-range 777-200LR

SEATTLE, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ethiopian Airlines today announced an order for five Boeing 777-200LRs. In doing so, Ethiopian Airlines becomes the first African carrier to order and operate the ultra-long-range 777-200LR model. Ethiopian was the first African carrier to order the 787 Dreamliner, ordering 10 in 2005.

The order is valued at $1.3 billion based on list price. General Electric GE90-115 engines power the 777-200LR.

Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the carrier is investing in the additional airplanes to expand its fleet and broaden its network. Ethiopian Airlines will use the 777-200LR to fly to new long-haul nonstop markets such as Washington, D.C. and Beijing.

“The 777-200LR is the only airplane in the world that offers the range and efficiency Ethiopian needs to serve long-haul markets and further position Addis Ababa as a strategic hub for East Africa,” said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales for Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean.

Ethiopian Airlines is currently an all-Boeing operator. With the exception of the 747, it has operated every heritage Boeing commercial airplane since the 707.

“As one of the premier airlines in Africa and around the world, Ethiopian has long used Boeing airplanes as a tool for achieving its business goals,” Mounir said. “The strategic long-range feature of the 777-200LR will again help Ethiopian expand its network and will be a perfect complement to its 787s.”

“The Boeing 777 will be integral as we bring our business to the next level,” said Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Ato Girma Wake. “Boeing has been an important and valued partner to Ethiopian for many, many years. This order reinforces the deep ties between our two companies.

Ethiopian currently operates a fleet of six 737s, nine 757s, 10 767s and one MD-11BCF, with a second MD-11BCF due to arrive in August. It has 10 787s on order.

Honeywell Signs $77 Million Contract With One of the Leading Aircraft Leasing Companies in the World

July 28, 2009

AWAS Selects Honeywell IntuVue(TM) 3-D Advanced Weather Radar And Fuel-Saving APU, Up To 110 New Aircraft Deliveries

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.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080425/LAF040LOGO)

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).

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