Kaman Helicopters Awarded Army Contract for Unmanned Helicopter Enhancements
May 27, 2010
BLOOMFIELD, CT, May 27, 2010 – Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) announced today that the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), has awarded a $2.9M contract to Kaman’s Helicopter Division. The contract will develop enhanced mission capabilities for the Unmanned K MAX helicopter.
“Under the contract, Kaman Helicopters will be adding mission equipment to a test aircraft that helps elevate the reliability of unmanned aircraft to the standards the K-MAX attains in commercial operations,” stated Terry Fogarty, general manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Product Group for Kaman Helicopters. “While this is not a deployment contract, it continues our efforts as we prepare for a potential opportunity for a military deployment later this year.” Kaman’s commercial operators boast 98-99 percent availability rates in the harsh helicopter logging environment, where K-MAX rotorcraft deliver 6,000 pound loads 20 to 30 times per hour. A single K-MAX often moves more than one-million pounds of timber in a single day, and has exceeded two-million pounds in a single day on numerous occasions.
The 2010 Unmanned K-MAX AMRDEC program takes the next step toward fielding a deployable system in a military environment, with primary focus on those operations in theater. Because of the geographically dispersed nature of the U.S. and coalition forces, manned aviation assets are often over extended. Unmanned K-MAX potentially provides technological solutions to supplement these constrained assets by using a VTOL UAV to relieve manned aviation assets from flying some missions, such as resupply, thereby releasing invaluable manned aviation assets for more demanding operations. These concepts address current high priority U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command capability gaps.
Under its own funding, Kaman is developing autonomous pick-up technologies that will allow the Unmanned K-MAX to attach loads without human intervention. The development will also provide for pin-point delivery as determined by the soldier on the ground. “This type of technology could have many uses, including autonomous collection of retrograde after dropping off supplies, reducing soldier exposure to enemy fire,” stated Sal Bordonaro, president of Kaman Helicopters.
Kaman designed the K-MAX helicopter to deliver sling loads up to 6,000 pounds at sea level, and more than 4,300 pounds at 15,000 feet. Lockheed Martin’s mission management and control systems give the K-MAX helicopter unparalleled flight autonomy in remote environments and over large distances.
In January, Kaman and Lockheed Martin conducted a U.S. Marine Corps demonstration where multiple loads were placed at precise locations using sling-load delivery methods with the Unmanned K-MAX. Kaman and Lockheed demonstrated their four-hook carousel system during that demonstration, autonomously placing four separate loads at four separate locations.
Kaman recently conducted 11 cargo airdrop tests from 300 feet to 400 feet above ground level, in partnership with the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), where Kaman again used its four-hook carousel system, and during one flight, demonstrated four airdrops in a single mission.
Kaman Helicopters is a division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (NASDAQ-GS: KAMN). Founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; safing and arming solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company’s SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The company is also a leading distributor of industrial parts, and operates nearly 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America.
The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) has awarded a $2.9M contract to Kaman’s Helicopter Division to develop enhanced mission capabilities for the Unmanned K‑MAX helicopter.
Piaggio America Announces New Addition to Sales Team
May 25, 2010
West Palm Beach, Fla. (May 21, 2009) –Piaggio America, Inc. announced today that it has hired James E Cochran III, as Sales Director for the North Eastern United States and Eastern Canadian region.
With a proven track record in regional sales, extensive experience in business development along with a strong knowledge of the commercial and business aircraft marketplace, Cochran will play a major role in Piaggio America’s sales force and further expansion of the company’s P. 180 Avanti II within this key territory.
Cochran’s wealth of experience stems from his background where he served as a Regional Sales Director for Augusta Westland Aerospace, Gulfstream Aerospace and Raytheon Aircraft Company (now known as Hawker Beechcraft Corporation).
“We are very pleased to welcome Jim to our sales team,” said Piaggio America President and CEO, John M. Bingham. “He is joining us at an essential time as we grow the company and his vast knowledge, experience and broad network of contacts in the industry will boost sales and Piaggio Aero’s presence in the important market he will be managing for us.”
Cochran will be based out of Philadelphia, PA.
INTERNATIONAL AIR AND SPACE FAIR FIDAE 2012
May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 19 2010
FIDAE has new CEO
The International Air & Space Fair (FIDAE 2012) appointed Lt. Colonel Jean Pierre Desgroux as new Executive Director of the seventeenth edition of this multi-sector event, which from March 27th to April 1st, 2012 will take place.
From this post, he will be responsible for the development of strategies that will be intended to follow with the steady growth that this aerospace, defence and security exhibition has. Among the new challenges, Desgroux will foster the Chilean trade show in the international track of overseas exhibitions, alongside within the country.
Likewise, the new FIDAE CEO will encourage the trade and technological cooperation among entrepreneurs and aeronautics institutions, through the business promotion and technological transfer.
Jean Pierre Desgroux is pilot and Lt. Colonel of the Chilean Air Force. He will replace in his position to Colonel Roberto Avendaño, who headed the organization of FIDAE 2010.
Dassault Falcon Delivers First of Four Falcon 7X to Saudia Private Aviation for Charter Service in the Middle East
May 4, 2010
(Geneva, Switzerland, May 4, 2010) – Dassault Falcon today delivered the first of four Falcon 7X tri-jets to Saudia Private Aviation (SPA), the business aviation unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines marking the first Falcon 7X delivery in Saudi Arabia. Two more aircraft are scheduled for delivery to SPA later this year and the final aircraft will come in 2011. The order was originally announced at the Dubai Air Show in 2007.
Excellency Khalid Almolhim, Director General Saudi Arabian Airlines, with John Rosanvallon, President and CEO Dassault Falcon
The GrandNew Achieves Worldwide Market Success After Launch
May 4, 2010
The AgustaWestland GrandNew light twin helicopter has achieved enormous market success in since its launch, less than three months ago. Officially unveiled in February this year it has already logged orders for over 50 units. The GrandNew will be the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision.
Deliveries to operators will start in this summer with Vinair of Portugal being the first European customer, while a customer in Brazil will receive the first aircraft in South America this autumn. A dozen aircraft are planned to be delivered worldwide by the end of 2010 with four going to customers in Europe. In addition, Swiss SAR services provider REGA will have a total of eleven Da Vinci helicopters in service by the end of this year. The Da Vinci is a highly customised variant of the GrandNew developed specifically to meet the requirements of REGA.
An evolution of the highly successful Grand helicopter, the GrandNew features the very latest developments in avionics while retaining the outstanding characteristics of the Grand, including its high performance, cabin space, payload, low operating costs, high safety standards and environmental friendliness. The GrandNew features a state-of-the-art avionics package and a new glass cockpit. The new full digital avionic system for single or dual pilot IFR operation incorporates Chelton’s Flight-Logic Synthetic Vision EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) with a FMS (Flight Management System), HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System), HITS (Highway In The Sky) and flight recording embedded functions to deliver ultimate situational awareness and groundbreaking automated flight management capabilities. This package reduces pilot workload and brings significant safety benefits.
The GrandNew is fitted with a four-axis dual duplex digital autopilot coupled with a Flight Director and with a new Radio Management System (RMS) permitting the centralized management of the communication and navigation systems of the helicopter, while the Integrated Display System (IDS) provides aircraft/engine data monitoring, crew alert and maintenance data pages. The GrandNew gives operators new opportunities to exploit rotorcraft capabilities and sets a new standard in the helicopter market. The GrandNew has already received EASA certification while FAA certification is expected to be achieved soon. Equipped with an Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and a Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) for night operations, the GrandNew also meets the latest NTSB/FAA recommendations for EMS operations.
Its distinctive characteristics make the GrandNew the ideal platform in its category for corporate/VIP transport, offshore transport, passenger transport, EMS, SAR, harbour pilot shuttle (HPS), coastal patrol and public service applications. Orders for around 290 Grand and GrandNew helicopters have been placed by more than 150 customers in over 30 countries worldwide in order to perform several tasks.
Intermountain Healthcare Orders Three GrandNew Helicopters
May 4, 2010
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Intermountain Healthcare has signed for three GrandNew helicopters with options for two additional aircraft. These aircraft will be equipped to provide industry leading in-flight patient care and will also benefit from the world’s most technologically advanced avionics system ever to fly in a helicopter of this class. Operated by Intermountain Life Flight, Intermountain Healthcare’s aviation division, these aircraft will join two A109K2’s already in service performing critical medevac missions in Utah and Northern Nevada.
“We are proud to continue our partnership with Intermountain Healthcare,” said Louis Bartolotta, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, North America, “The GrandNew helicopter offers increased performance, allowing the helicopter to be operated as an airborne intensive care unit with unprecedented situational awareness and safety. Intermountain Healthcare is widely seen as a leader in modern healthcare, we are proud to do our part in supporting their work. With this order, we will continue to support the community served by Intermountain Life Flight and Intermountain Healthcare for years to come. We do so with a program at the leading edge of the aero-medical community using a fleet of GrandNews, an aircraft at the leading edge of aviation technology. We are proud of our ongoing affiliation with Intermountain Healthcare. ”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Intermountain Life Flight to reach its goal of fleet standardization while benefiting from AgustaWestland’s technological advances and enhanced operations with the GrandNew,” said Jerry Morrison, Executive Director, Intermountain Life Flight.
Each GrandNew will be equipped with modern, comprehensive EMS interior featuring single or dual stretchers in addition to a rescue hoist, wire strike protection, snow skis and NVG compatibility. These aircraft will be completed and delivered at AgustaWestland’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility. The AgustaWestland GrandNew marks a world first and the start of a new technological era for commercial helicopters with the integration of advanced vision systems to deliver a new level of situation and terrain awareness to pilots, greatly enhancing safety. The GrandNew is the first helicopter in its class to incorporate a Synthetic Vision System (SVS), Highway in The Sky (HITS) and Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) to provide full terrain and obstacle awareness in low visibility flying conditions. The system provides the pilot with three dimensional guidance and detailed terrain maps, resulting in an advanced operating capability which sets a new benchmark in safety. The GrandNew also already meets the latest NTSB/FAA recommendations for EMS operations to consider the use of an FAA-approved night vision goggle or enhanced vision system into flight programmes, when conditions and missions dictate. Orders for over 50 Grand News helicopters have been made so far by customers worldwide.
Intermountain Healthcare has received extensive praise from many in the healthcare community, including the President of the United States, as an example of an innovative and successful healthcare organization. Intermountain Healthcare’s Life Flight division has adopted the highest safety standards and is a leader in providing safety training to their community partners.
Embraer Names TAP Maintenance & Engineering as an Authorized Service Center in Brazil
May 3, 2010
São José dos Campos, May 3, 2010 – In a ceremony held, today, at the facilities of TAP Maintenance & Engineering Brazil (TAP M&E
Brazil), in Porto Alegre, Embraer announced the company as an Embraer Authorized Service Center (EASC) in Brazil. The event
was also attended by representatives of the Azul, Passaredo, and TRIP airlines, and of the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira –
FAB). All of these customers will directly benefit from the agreement dealing with the commercial aircraft manufactured by Embraer.
“We are very proud to announce this partnership with TAP M&E Brazil to benefit our customers, thus expanding the maintenance services for our aircraft in Brazil,” said Luiz Hamilton Lima, Embraer Vice President, Latin America – Airline Market. “This is an
important improvement for our growing base of Brazilian customers, by offering quick, efficient and top-quality services.”
The airplanes manufactured by Embraer and operating in Brazil, which include the E-Jets of
the Azul and TRIP airlines and the regional ERJ 145 jets of Passaredo, as well as the FAB,
will have TAP M&E’s modern base in Porto Alegre available for maintenance services. With
five approved hangars that occupy an area of 12,500 square meters, the center is capable of
handling six medium-size commercial jets at the same time.
“We see this announcement as a big triumph for our company,” commented Nestor Mauro
Koch, President of TAP M&E Brazil. “We have provided services for Embraer aircraft for 34
years, and this is the crowning achievement of the relationship. TAP M&E Brazil is the only
aircraft MRO company in Latin America that is certified to perform services for all of the
world’s main commercial jet families, and this allows us to offer broad flexibility to our
customers. We will make every effort for this to be a winning partnership.”
STARS Equips Fleet with AKV Cycle Counters from DART Helicopter Services
May 3, 2010
Oceanside, CA, May 4, 2010 — The Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) recently equipped its fleet of five Eurocopter BK117s with AKV engine cycle counters from DART Helicopter Services (DHS).
Engine manufacturers require engine cycle counting for maintenance purposes, and turbine engine cycle counters are an efficient, effective alternative to relying on pilots or maintainers to collect the necessary data.
“Using cycle counters is a great way for any operator to immediately improve the bottom line,” said Jeff Shapiro, president of DHS. “This is especially important for a non-profit group doing important work like STARS.”
Operating from three bases in Alberta, Canada, STARS provides emergency care and transport to severely ill and injured patients. As a non-profit, charitable organization, STARS actively seeks opportunities to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. “AKV engine cycle counters will help STARS realize maximum operating cycle life from its engines”, Shapiro said.
In addition to reduced operating costs and increased engine cycle life, AKV engine cycle counters deliver a high degree of accuracy and an optional data stream for automatic data transfer. In addition, the AKV cycle counter has the ability to track both Ng and Np cycles.
Operating continuously for the past 25 years, STARS has flown approximately 19,000 missions. The STARS vision of saving lives is supported by four pillars: patient care and transport, emergency medical communications, education and research, and fundraising and community support.
Matthieu Louvot nombrado vicepresidente responsable de Estrategia Corporativa y Desarrollo de la Empresa del Grupo Eurocopter
April 18, 2010
Marignane, 13 de abril de 2010
Matthieu Louvot fue nombrado vicepresidente responsable de Estrategia Corporativa y de Desarrollo de la Empresa del Grupo Eurocopter, reportando directamente al CEO de Eurocopter, Lutz Bertling.
Comenzando su carrera como inspector en la Inspección General de Finanzas del Ministerio francés de Finanzas, Matthieu Louvot, de 35 años, ha sido asesor de presupuestos del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y asesor de desarrollo regional del Ministerio del Interior. Más recientemente, fue asesor del presidente francés en los sectores de industria, energía y transportes.
Matthieu Louvot se graduó en la Escuela de Ingeniería de la Escuela Politécnica y en la Escuela Nacional de Administración, tras estudiar en la Escuela Nacional de Economía, Estadística y Finanzas y en el Instituto de Ciencias Políticas de París.
Mr. Louvot remplaza a Andreas Loewenstein, que deja la empresa.
SOLOY RECEIVES EASA AND TRANSPORT CANADA APPROVAL FOR CESSNA 206 LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESSORIES
April 18, 2010
Olympia, WA. USA, February 5, 2010 – Soloy Aviation Solutions recently received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada (TC) for three accessory kits which comprise Soloy’s Cessna 206 Law Enforcement Package. Specifically, the kits include a headliner modification and four point restraint harnesses for pilot and co-pilot, a large-area observation window installation, and a middle row articulated observation seat installation. Soloy’s Law Enforcement Package is designed to bring significant surveillance improvements to the Cessna 206.
Soloy’s Headliner Kit (p/n 912-1000-1) was developed to provide more head-room for second row passengers in Cessna 206H/T206H aircraft. The kit provides nearly 5 inches of extra head clearance and new, 4-point harnesses for the pilot and copilot.
Soloy’s Observation Window Kit (p/n 901-1011-1), available for all Cessna 206 models, installs a large-area window adjacent to the middle, left-hand seat. Made of 0.187-inch thick, clear Acrylic Poly Cast II material, the window is approximately 20 inches wide by 30 inches tall.
Soloy’s Observation Seat Kit (p/n 910-1000-1) replaces the middle and rear seats in a Cessna 206H/T260H with an articulated seat and adjustable armrests. The seat allows for 270° of rotation with stops at 45° increments. Although the kits, which comprise Soloy’s law enforcement package, can be purchased and installed separately in both piston and turbine powered aircraft, the Observation Seat Kit was designed to be used in conjunction with the Observation Window Kit and Headliner modifications.
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