A-29 Super Tucano victorious
February 28, 2013
Embraer, in partnership with Sierra Nevada Corp, have been announced the winner of the contest to supply 20 aircraft to serve the Afghan military under the Defense Light Air Support programme run by the US Department of Defense. The A-29 Super Tucano has been selected over Beechcraft’s AT-6B Texan II Light Attack Aircraft. This success was confirmation of the company’s earlier selection (this first decision was challenged unsuccessfully by Beechcraft).
Deliveries of the first batch are expected to be completed by April 2015.
The Super Tucano is highly capable in the light Close Air support mission and serves with several air forces, mainly in South America.
Israel Certifies Bell 429
February 28, 2013
16th Country to Approve Increased Gross Weight
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 28, 2012) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that the Bell 429 has earned Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) type acceptance to operate in Israel, as well as approval to fly at an increased maximum gross weight of 7,500 lbs. Israel marks the sixteenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight. The CAAI’s approval is based on Transport Canada’s certification earlier this year and allows the aircraft to carry an additional 500 lbs. of fuel and/or payload.
“We could not be more pleased to have Israel’s endorsement of the Bell 429 so we can now better serve the multi-mission needs of our customers in Israel,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter’s executive vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “The approval of the increased gross weight also allows customers to use the full mission capabilities of the Bell 429’s design.”
Transport Canada approved operation of the Bell 429 at 7,500 lbs (3400 kg) in January 2012 after conducting an extensive technical evaluation. The increased gross weight of the Bell 429 will allow customers to take full advantage of the aircraft’s capabilities, and operate longer and heavier missions. To date, The Bell 429 increased gross weight has been approved by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam.
The Bell 429 is one of the most advanced light twin helicopters ever developed. It delivers exceptional speed, range and hover performance, and offers operators a state-of-the-art single pilot IFR helicopter with top user-rated in-service support. The powerful and reliable Bell 429 serves the full spectrum of segments including air medical, law enforcement, oil & gas, utility, and corporate.
The Bell 429 is certified for Single or Dual Pilot IFR, Cat. A / JAROPS Performance Class 1 at maximum gross weight; has a state of the art fully-integrated glass cockpit; an advanced drive system that delivers power and superb performance; best in class WAAS navigation & IFR capability; and is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process resulting in reduced maintenance costs for operators. The increased gross weight configuration includes Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System (HTAWS), a radar altimeter, cockpit voice/flight data recorder and forward flashing lights.
IBERIA RECIBE HOY SU SEGUNDO AVIÓN DE LA FLOTA AIRBUS A330
February 28, 2013
La aeronave será bautizada con el nombre de Costa Rica, como homenaje de la compañía a uno de los países más bellos de América Latina.
Madrid, 28 de febrero de 2013
Iberia acaba de recibir esta mañana el segundo de los ocho Airbus A330-300 que tiene previsto recibir a lo largo de 2013 y primer trimestre de 2014.
Se trata de un avión bimotor, habilitado para realizar rutas transatlánticas, que Iberia destinará a sus rutas con Estados Unidos. La principal ventaja de este modelo de operación con aviones bimotores es la eficiencia, puesto que consumen en torno a un 15 por ciento menos de combustible que otros modelos de aviones cuatrimotores de similar capacidad, lo que se traduce en un considerable ahorro de costes. Este es el segundo de los aviones de esta flota que recibe la compañía; el primero de ellos, bautizado como Tikal en homenaje a los espectaculares restos arqueológicos mayas de Guatemala, se incorporó a la flota de Iberia el pasado 15 de febrero.
La incorporación de este avión, con matrícula EC-LUK, y al que la compañía ha bautizado con el nombre de Costa Rica, forma parte del plan de renovación de la flota de Iberia que tiene como objetivo disponer de aviones más modernos, con mejores prestaciones y más eficientes.
Wifi y conectividad GSM
Este nuevo avión está equipado con los nuevos interiores en las clases Business y Turista. Los clientes de Business podrán disfrutar, entre otras prestaciones, de butacas que se convierten en camas completamente planas de casi 2 metros, y con un diseño que les confiere mayor espacio, al estar insertadas en módulos aislados. Además, todos los clientes tienen acceso directo al pasillo, lo que evita molestias innecesarias.
Asimismo se ha renovado la cabina de Turista, incorporando nuevas butacas que integran un diseño moderno con una ergonomía mejorada, que otorga mayor comodidad y amplitud para los clientes.
El sistema de entretenimiento de ambas clases también se ha renovado completamente para que sea más intuitivo y fácil de utilizar. La pantalla –de 15,4 pulgadas, casi un 50 por ciento más que la actual en la clase Business y de 9 pulgadas en la clase Turista, la más grande del mercado-, es táctil y tiene una navegación similar a la de las tabletas. Cada mes, se incluirán más de 50 películas en varios idiomas, cerca de 80 opciones entre series de TV, documentales y programas, cerca de 200 opciones musicales y 15 juegos interactivos, entre otros.
Además, próximamente Iberia ofrecerá WIFI en estos aviones para que todos sus clientes puedan conectarse a Internet desde sus propios dispositivos. Además, la aerolínea ofrecerá la posibilidad de enviar y recibir mensajes SMS y datos desde el móvil, a través de conectividad GSM.
Saab receives order for upgrade of mission system Erieye for Brazil
February 28, 2013
Defence and security company Saab has received order from Brazilian Embraer Defense and Security on upgrade of the Erieye AEW&C Mission System. The total order amounts to 380 MSEK.
The contract is for the delivery of an upgrade of the existing Erieye AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) systems, as part of the modernization programme for the Embraer 145 AEW&C, named E-99 in the Brazilian Air Force. The E-99 is important within the Brazilian Air Force in the control of airspace and border surveillance and the upgrade will bring a substantial increased operational capability.
“Saab’s Erieye AEW&C Mission system provides excellent surveillance capabilities and control over air and sea targets. We are very proud to supply these systems toBrazilwhere it plays an important role in national security,” says Micael Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Electronic Defence Systems.
The upgrade of the Erieye AEW&C Mission System will be delivered from 2014 until 2017.
Saab’s Erieye AEW&C Mission System has been well received on the market. The first system forBrazilon the Embraer 145 became operational 2002. Erieye is also in operations on Embraer 145 inMexicoandGreece. The very first Erieye system was delivered in 1997 for aircraft model 340 for the Swedish Air Force. Customers of the Saab 340 system also includeThailandand the United Arab Emirate. Saab is also delivering Erieye toPakistan, installed on the Saab 2000 aircraft.
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
Donaldson Barrier Filters Assist Australian Aerial Firefighters
February 28, 2013
ST. LOUIS, Mo., February 27, 2013 – Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) continues to provide critical engine protection for helicopter operators battling Australian wildfires this year. The company’s Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) systems are the choice of firefighting operators worldwide and heavily utilized in corporate, air medical, utility and maritime/offshore missions as well.
Donaldson IBFs support maximum aircraft availability for aerial firefighters including the brave pilots and crews at Australia’s Commercial Helicopters.
“The past couple of months’ very dry weather combined with high, dense grass cover has led to an increased number of bushfires, which is keeping us very busy,” stated Commercial’s President Marc Rogers. “Several of our helicopters have been flying over 10 hours per day on firefighting duties.”
“Our company specializes in operating in very remote, harsh conditions such as those seen in firefighting, and we wouldn’t consider operating our helicopters without Donaldson inlet barrier filters,” added Rogers. Crews are flying missions from bases in Cooma, Bombala, Tumut, Narramine, Hobart, Tasmania as well as the company’s headquarters in Mudgee.
The IBF helps prevent engine damage in adverse environments and ramp take-off and landing conditions alike, as well as reducing the effects of salt-air ingestion. IBF-equipped operators can experience lower aircraft operating costs without performance penalties. Turbine engine manufacturers regularly recommend protecting their power plants with IBFs.
Rogers and team are ready for other assignments when not fighting bushfires. The company’s Bell JetRanger and LongRanger ships perform aerial spraying, power line surveys, feral animal control and mining/exploration support in the desert area of South Australia.
“Much of this activity is very remote work and can be extremely hot this time of year, over 50 degrees Celsius or 122 Fahrenheit, meaning we need maximum turbine airflows combined with maximum protection,” adds Rogers. “It is also an incredibly dusty environment. We couldn’t operate without IBFs installed otherwise we’d suffer severe damage to our engines and unacceptable operating costs.”
Providing the most comprehensive line of IBF solutions, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. Through its St. Louis, Missouri location, Donaldson provides certified IBF solutions for the AgustaWestland AW109E/S/SP, AW119 Koala, AW119Ke and AW139; Bell 205A1, 206B, 407, 206L-3/4, 206L-1(C30), 206LR, 230, 429 and 430; Eurocopter EC130, AS350 B/BA/B1/B2/B3/B3e, AS350s with Soloy or Heli-Lynx Honeywell engine conversions; and MD Helicopters MD 369H Series, MD 500D/E/F and MD 900/902.
Un video tributo
February 27, 2013
Nuestro corresponsal, Germinal Saraqueta, me envió un enlace a un video tributo al 75 aniversario del Pan American China Clipper.
Le sugiero a mis lectores que le dediquen unos minutos a disfrutar de un poco de historia de aviación y los retos que se enfrentaron al cruzar el Pacífico.
Tal vez les suceda, como me ocurrió a mí, que derramen unas lágrimas, por la gloria de la aventura y los hombres que la llevaron a cabo.
Elenita
(Nota: Video realizado para el aniversario del vuelo, por el capitán retirado de Pan Am Tommy Carroll, con la colaboración de Jamie Dodson, novelista e ingeniero. Presentado on Vimeo)
http://vimeo.com/user3520578
BLACKHAWK MODIFICATIONS ESTABLISHES DEDICATED, FULL-SERVICE AIRCRAFT SALES DEPARTMENT
February 26, 2013
WACO, Texas – February 25, 2013 – Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., has established an all-new Aircraft Sales Department to buy, sell, trade, and broker Caravan, Cheyenne, Conquest, and King Air aircraft. Blackhawk specializes in providing engine upgrade systems for multiple models of these airframes.
Leading the new department is Aircraft Sales Manager Craig Smith, a 28-year veteran of aircraft marketing and a private pilot with multiple ratings and more than 3,600 flying hours.
The department is structured to maximize the flexibility of every transaction. The company will purchase and maintain inventory for any model of Blackhawk-supported aircraft, with or without an upgrade. Any aircraft without the performance enhancement will be equipped with more powerful engines and resold. Aircraft also may be accepted as trade-ins, and Blackhawk will further serve its existing customer base by brokering airplanes that have already been upgraded.
“Blackhawk has deep, specialized knowledge of these aircraft,” said President and CEO Jim Allmon. “Who better to assist in the buying or selling process than the company that wrote the book on aircraft upgrades?”
As an aircraft broker, Blackhawk will create a custom marketing package to maximize market exposure for each listing. Additionally, the sales team will qualify prospects and evaluate and present offers for customer consideration. Other services include negotiations, contracting, pre-purchase inspections and financing, as well as coordination of closing, documentation and delivery.
“Whether selling or buying, operators will benefit from the Blackhawk name, solid reputation and knowledge base,” Allmon said. “They are assured of a smooth, worry-free experience with exceptional service and maximum value from a company they trust.”
Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., founded in 1999 in Waco, Texas, is a recognized aviation leader in providing engine performance solutions to the turboprop fleet. The company has the largest installed fleet of STC twin-engine turboprop engine upgrades and is the largest buyer of new Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop engines in the world. A worldwide network of approved dealers and service support centers complements Blackhawk’s U.S. facilities.
AVIANCA AND TACA CARRIED MORE THAN 2,100,000 PASSENGERS
February 25, 2013
In the first month of 2013, Avianca, Taca and subsidiaries transported 2,115,834 passengers, a 12.3% increase in passenger numbers compared to January 2012. The load factor was 83.5%.
During the month of January 2013, Avianca, Taca and subsidiaries carried 2,115,834 passengers; a 12.3% increase compared to January 2012 when 1,883,331 travelers were carried. The capacity, measured in ASKs (available seat kilometers) increased by 6.9% and the overall load factor (average aircraft occupancy on both domestic and international routes) was 83.5%.
Domestic markets of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador
In the first month of the year the airlines affiliated with the Holding transported within Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, a total of 1,189,356 passengers, a 14.9% increase compared to January 2012 where 1,035,070 passengers were carried. Capacity in these markets through January rose by 16.5%. The load factor on domestic routes was 80.2%.
International Markets
In January Avianca, TACA and subsidiaries carried 926,478 passengers on international routes, a 9.2% increase compared to January 2012 when the figure reached 848,261 passengers. The capacity measured in ASK for the international routes was up 4.7% while the load factor was 84.3%.
Municipios aeroportuarios se unen para enfrentar el futuro
February 21, 2013
Con el consenso de que es necesario actuar en forma conjunta con miras a enfrentar los desafíos que depara el futuro, el 24 de enero pasado finalizó en Santiago el Cuarto Seminario Internacional de Municipios Aeroportuarios. Cita organizada por la Ilustre Municipalidad de Pudahuel, comuna donde se encuentra asentado el aeropuerto Arturo Merino Benítez y a la que concurrieron representantes de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Ecuador, Estados Unidos, México, Paraguay y Uruguay.-
El encuentro fue inaugurado por el Secretario General de la Organización de Estados Americanos, José Miguel Insulza, quien dio el vamos a tres días de conversaciones e intercambio de opiniones sobre como hacer gestión sustentable en lugares con alta demanda de crecimiento de infraestructura.-
Por su parte, el alcalde de Pudahuel Johnny Carrasco, al clausurar el seminario, señaló que ha nacido una nueva motivación para trabajar en el desarrollo y planificación territorial en las ciudades aeroportuarias de Chile.
Bolivia suspende licencia a Lan Airlines y Tam Mercosur
February 21, 2013
En un comunicado de prensa emitido por la Autoridad de Transportes y Telecomunicaciones (ATT) de Bolivia, se dio a conocer la suspensión a contar del 15 de febrero de los permisos otorgados a Lan Airlines y Tam Mercosur para operar dentro de su territorio. Lo anterior debido al vencimiento del plazo para renovar dichos permisos.-
Ambas empresas, integrantes del holding LATAM, señalaron que por medio de las instancias formales solicitarán la renovación de sus respectivas licencias, que les permitan continuar con sus operaciones hacia La Paz y Santa Cruz.
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