Cerramos por Vacaciones, pero solo la web, @NoticiasAero en Twitter no cierra

jueves, 23 de diciembre de 2010

Noticias Aero permanecerá cerrada hasta después de reyes, por vacaciones.

No obstante solo descansaremos en la web, nuestro twitter @NoticiasAero seguirá pendiente de la actualidad aeronáutica todos los días. Podéis seguirlo en http://twitter.com/NoticiasAero, o bien en la propia web de NoticiasAero, justo debajo del menú. También podéis continuar bien informados sobre la actualidad aeronáutica en http://s.noticias-aero.info/PaperLi

¡Nos leemos después de vacaciones!

Read more...

Alenia Aermacchi: roll-out of first two Italian Air Force T-346A trainers

miércoles, 22 de diciembre de 2010

The roll-out took place at the Alenia Aermacchi factory at Venegono Superiore and was attended by company executives and representatives of the Armed Forces and local government.
Within a few months the first two T-346A – as the M-346 is designated by the Italian Air Force – will be delivered to the Experimental Flying Unit at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base, near Rome, where they will undergo operational evaluation testing.

full text: http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/12/21/alenia-aermacchi-roll-out-of-first-two-italian-air-force-t-346a-trainers/

Read more...

Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed emergency escape and rejected takeoff tests

December 21, 2010, Zhukovsky

Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed two tests of vital importance for final AR IAC certification – emergency evacuation testing and rejected takeoff with maximum braking kinetic energy.

According to the certification requirements to the emergency evacuation testing the SSJ100 SN 95007 had 90 seconds to get all 98 volunteers of different age groups and 5 crew members off the plane. The tests were carried out under the supervision of AR IAC and EASA authorities. The first production aircraft was placed in a darkened hangar of the Flight Test Center in Zhukovsky. The results were evaluated through the synchronized video recording from the passenger cabin and outside each of the two emergency slides.

The tests demonstrated the aircraft compliance to the certification requirements, having confirmed that 73 seconds is sufficient for the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew.

Under the supervision of AR IAC Sukhoi Superjet 100 SN 95003 has successfully completed the most difficult certification test case – rejected takeoff with maximum braking kinetic energy.

The rejected takeoff is performed for the overall check of wheels, tires and brakes at maximum possible braking speed. The braking speed parameters are set for the conditions of hot and high airport with maximum tailwind. It is worth mentioning that brakes at the start are worn down to minimum thickness. In full compliance with the certification requirements the tests are performed without thrust reverser.

The key indicator successful brakes performance at rejected takeoff is the capability of the airplane to confirm the estimated distance before full stop and its ability to stay without catching fire until full passengers' evacuation.

Prior to testing Goodrich and Michelin (suppliers of brakes, wheels and tires) had conducted extensive test bench simulations.

During the rejected takeoff tests, SCAC's chief test pilot Alexander Yablontsev slammed on brakes of the aircraft loaded to its maximum takeoff weight (45880 kg) at the speed over 300km/h. With its jammed brakes the aircraft travelled another 700 as expected.

The results of the tests demonstrated full compliance of Sukhoi Superjet 100 with EASA and AR IAC certification requirements. After full stop of the aircraft no wheel inflammation has occurred.

These tests provided another evidence of Sukhoi Superjet 100 compliance with certification requirements and its utmost reliability and safety.

Superjet International

Read more...

OCDE Reforma de las ayudas a Airbus y Boeing para vender

ras las quejas de una veintena de las aerolíneas más importantes de Europa y Estados Unidos, los créditos de los que se beneficiaban aerolíneas de otras partes del mundo para comprar aviones a Airbus y Boeing se van a encarecer de forma progresiva, con el fin de acercarlos a las condiciones del mercado.

http://www.cincodias.com/articulo/empresas/Reforma-ayudas-Airbus-Boeing-vender/20101222cdscdiemp_22/

Read more...

Boeing 747-8 undergoes extreme testing [video]






It's been dragged, dropped, soaked, and forced to hover, shudder and flutter. Boeing test pilots have been subjecting the new 747-8 Freighter to a series of punishing tests as part of the extensive program to certify the airplane.

Boeing

Read more...

Airbus Military A330 MRTT ends 2010 on a high note

The Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is poised to be delivered to three different customers in 2011, following a flurry of activities which ended 2010, and with its position cemented as the only tanker offered in the US Air Force´s KC-X tanker competition that is real, certified, flying and refuelling today.
In a major exercise with the Portuguese Air Force on three days in November, 25 F-16A/B pilots underwent air-to-air refuelling training, conducting more than 70 dry and wet contacts in different weapons configurations, and expressing their satisfaction with the refuelling systems including the proven Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).

The operation came soon after the A330 MRTT´s first real-life refuelling mission involving two PoAF F-16s which were airborne when their home base of Monte Real was suddenly closed because of an emergency. The fighters, call-signs Tiger 71 and Tiger 72, had been conducting trials with the A330 MRTT and were accepted back to receive more fuel, enabling them to stay airborne until the end of the emergency and avoid having to divert to another airfield.

On 13th December the A330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK´s Royal Air Force successfully completed a series of dry contacts for the first time, performing simulated refuelling with a F-18 fighter using the FSTA´s Fuselage Refuelling Unit. The Fuselage Refuelling Unit is the same that is offered on the EADS North America KC-45, the configuration of the A330
MRTT that is being offered to the U.S. Air Force.

This latest activity follows the commencement of FSTA certification and qualification flight-testing on 24th November at the start of a process that will lead to eventual certification of the aircraft by Spanish military certification authority INTA. First delivery is due in late 2011.

The aerodynamic modifications made to the basic A330-200 design in service with airlines around the world have also been demonstrated to comply with the most recent noise requirements

The delivery process of the first aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force is on-going. Final hand-over will take place once the lengthy review of all related documentation and activities are complete.

The second aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force recently entered the conversion process in Madrid and the first is progressing smoothly towards delivery in 2011.

The first aircraft for the United Arab Emirates has completed its structural conversion and is now undergoing systems installation in preparation for delivery in 2012.

Head of Airbus Military Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said: “2010 has been an outstanding year for the A330 MRTT which has clearly demonstrated the robustness and maturity of the conversion process as well as the performance of the aircraft exactly as
promised. We look forward with great excitement to delivering aircraft to our customers and see them beginning operations next year.

Airbus Military

Read more...

First HondaJet assembled and tested under the Federal Aviation Administration's certification process takes flight

December 21, 2010 – Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., announced that it has successfully completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming HondaJet advanced light business jet. The event is a significant step in Honda's aerospace program leading to delivery of aircraft in 2012.

The first conforming HondaJet lifted off yesterday, December 20, 2010, at 15:31 EST from Honda Aircraft Company's world headquarters facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The HondaJet remained aloft for 51 minutes, during which time the aircraft's flight characteristics and performance were analyzed and systems checks were conducted. Various test data gathered during the flight were transmitted real-time to Honda's flight test telemetry operations base within the company's world headquarters facility.

"This is a very important milestone for the HondaJet program," said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO. "This aircraft was assembled and tested under strict FAA certification processes, and we are very pleased to have achieved this successful first flight. Our team has worked extremely hard to reach this critical step in the HondaJet program, and these results reflect Honda's focus and determination to develop a class-leading aircraft."

"We are very encouraged by our initial review of the flight data, which indicates the conforming HondaJet performed as expected. As we move forward, we will continue to focus all of our efforts and energy to deliver to our customers the most advanced light business jet yet created," said Fujino.

To support the company's certification program, Honda has completed its second FAA-conforming aircraft, which already has undergone numerous structural tests required for commencement of certification flight testing. Honda also has completed mating of main assemblies for its third FAA-conforming aircraft, which is now in the systems installation phase of completion. This third conforming aircraft, to be used mainly for mechanical systems flight testing, is scheduled to be completed in early 2011. A total of five FAA-conforming aircraft, including one additional flight test aircraft and one additional structural test aircraft, are planned to support the HondaJet certification program.

While Honda enters the flight test program with its conforming HondaJet, the company also nears completion of its aircraft production facility on its Greensboro campus. The 266,000 ft2 HondaJet production facility is scheduled for completion in early 2011, with the final phase of interior build-out now underway. Upon completion of the production facility, Honda will begin the process of moving equipment and personnel into the facility and undertaking pre-production preparations and training necessary to support HondaJet production ramp-up beginning in 2012.

About HondaJet
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Ltd., has amassed orders for well over 100 HondaJet advanced light business jets. Scheduled for first delivery in the third quarter of 2012, the $4.5 million HondaJet is Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for dynamic performance together with superior efficiency. The HondaJet proof-of-concept aircraft has accumulated more than 500 flight test hours and attained both a top speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and a maximum altitude of 43,000 ft. in flight testing.

The HondaJet incorporates many innovative technological advances in aviation design, including a unique over-the-wing engine-mount configuration that dramatically improves aircraft performance and fuel efficiency by significantly reducing aerodynamic drag in flight. This innovative approach to airframe design also lowers ground-detected noise when overhead and allows for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines.

The production HondaJet flight deck features a Honda-customized Garmin® G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system incorporating a class-leading layout with three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers for overall avionics control and flight plan entries. The HondaJet Avionics Suite is the most advanced glass flight deck available in any light business jet and provides state-of-the-art integrated avionics functionality featuring split screen MFD capability, satellite weather, graphical synoptics, digital audio, and optional


Honda
http://hondajet.honda.com

Read more...

APES se va de vacaciones hasta después de Reyes

Sabemos que habéis echado de menos hoy miércoles nuestra habitual tira APES, pero... ¡¡hasta el dibujante se merece unas vacaciones!! Así que no habrá APES hasta después de Reyes.

Read more...

Euro Hawk(R) Unmanned Aircraft Shows Stamina With 30-Hour Flight

martes, 21 de diciembre de 2010

Euro Hawk®, the premier unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the German Air Force, successfully proved its long endurance capability with a 30.3-hour flight over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and EADS Deutschland GmbH, operating through Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS, the high-flying UAS took off Dec. 1 at 4:47 p.m. PST and landed Dec. 2 at approximately 10:59 p.m. PST.

"Soaring up to 60,000 feet, the Euro Hawk® performed beautifully and has logged nearly 100 total flight hours since its maiden flight approximately five months ago," said Duke Dufresne, sector vice president and general manager of the Strike and Surveillance Systems Division for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "This flight not only demonstrated the aircraft's endurance capability, but it also enabled the team to collect crucial communications data points."

The Euro Hawk® is the first international configuration of the RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance UAS. It also demonstrates the remarkable team spirit uniting Northrop Grumman and EADS Deutschland GmbH/Cassidian.

"This milestone is a significant step towards completion of the ferry flight to Germany next year," said Nicolas Chamussy, senior vice president of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Cassidian. "The aircraft will undergo additional flight testing in Germany before being delivered to the German Air Force by the end of 2011 to replace the fleet of manned Breguet Atlantic aircraft which went out of service this year."

Based on the Block 20 configuration, the Euro Hawk® will be equipped with a signals intelligence mission system developed by Cassidian, providing standoff capability to detect electronic and communications emitters.

"We are very excited to soon have Euro Hawk® flying over German skies and providing airborne wide-area surveillance and reconnaissance," said Neset Tuekenmez, chief executive officer of the EuroHawk GmbH. "This trans-Atlantic cooperation has been a long time coming since the effort began in August 2000 and the contract awarded in 2007."

Delivery of four subsequent systems is anticipated between 2015 and 2016 following successful testing and introduction in German operational service.

Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing lead system integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and UAS), land & naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cybersecurity, secure communications, test systems, missiles, services and support solutions. In 2009, Cassidian, with around 28,000 employees, achieved revenues of €5.4 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, EADS generated revenues of €42.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 119,000.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Read more...

Air China and CFM Finalize Engine MRO Joint Venture

CHENGDU, China - 17 December 2010 - In early 2007, Air China and CFM International agreed to establish an innovative maintenance repair, and overhaul (MRO) joint venture. In 2010, after three years negotiations, the two companies cleared the final hurdle and have received Chinese government approval for the formation of Sichuan Services Aero Engines Maintenance Company (SSAMC), a 60/40 joint venture between Air China and CFM, located in Chengdu, China.

SSAMC will combine Air China's extensive expertise with that of CFM to create a truly world-class maintenance facility. The facility, which previously operated as a Snecma Services overhaul shop, completes 60 to 80 engine overhauls annually. The new joint venture will expand Air China’s engineering services, which already provides aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

“Air China’s objective is to have the most competitive MRO solutions for its fleet, without any compromise in flight safety,” said Senior VP He of Air China. “The partnership with CFM can help both stakeholders to continuously increase their competitiveness globally with their advantages, and to provide the best service for Chinese and worldwide customers."

“This new venture is a perfect example of the type of win-win solutions that airlines and OEMs can implement together,” said Eric Bachelet, President and CEO of CFM International.

“The combination of Air China’s extensive expertise with that of CFM will enable SSAMC to develop and grow to the best level of performance, in terms of quality, turnaround time, EGT margin, and cost.”

Air China is the Chinese national flag carrier and has been a long-time CFM customer. In the last several years, the airline has grown and expanded its reach to become one of the leading airlines in the country. In addition to the 20 A320 orders formalized at the Zhuhai Air Show, the airline’s current fleet includes 55 Airbus A320 and 118 Boeing 737 family aircraft powered by CFM56-5B and CFM56-3/-7B engines, respectively, as well as six long-range, four-engine Airbus A340-300 aircraft powered by the CFM56-5C.

CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and General Electric, is today one of the most successful aircraft engine suppliers in history and has delivered more than 21,500 CFM56 engines.


CFM

Read more...

Fire-X Vertical Unmanned Aircraft Successfully Completes First Flight

Fire-X, a vertical unmanned air system (VUAS) developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Bell Helicopter, a Textron company (NYSE:TXT), completed its first fully autonomous flight Dec. 10 at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., less than one year after development began.



"The speed which Fire-X was developed shows that a low-risk, fast-track solution can be safely flown using the proven MQ-8B Fire Scout's unmanned systems autonomous flight architecture," said Paul Meyer, sector vice president and general manager of the Advanced Programs and Technology Division at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "We developed a VUAS that meets growing needs for cargo and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. We can now expand Fire-X's operational capabilities to meet emerging U.S. military requirements in all the Services and Special Operations Command."

First flight involved a short-duration hover to validate safe and reliable autonomous flight. Additional flight tests and reliability data gathering will be conducted in the coming weeks. Integration of ISR sensor payloads and cargo carrying capability test flights is set to occur early next year.

"The expertise of Northrop Grumman in unmanned systems combined with Bell's rotorcraft knowledge is what makes Fire-X so successful," said George Spongberg, Northrop Grumman Fire-X program manager. "We've been able to share key insights throughout development – allowing a seamless transition of autonomous flight systems software to a new airframe."

First flight was accomplished in 11 months after development began. It was achieved by integrating Fire Scout's proven autonomous systems developed for the U.S. Navy with the highly successful Bell 407 helicopter, a FAA-certified helicopter that's been in commercial service worldwide since 1996.

The 407 system can carry ISR sensors and a useful load of more than 3,200 pounds – for fuel, payloads and/or enhanced cargo hauling capabilities – internally or externally. Fire-X will also be able to conduct ISR missions up to 16 hours in endurance and various cargo missions in support of U.S. Army and Marine Corps requirements.

The Fire-X demonstration aircraft will retain the ability to be optionally piloted – a capability which may appeal to military users because of its added operational flexibility.

Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. More information is available at www.bellhelicopter.com.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please go to www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Northrop Grumman Press Release

Read more...

Revisados los límites de responsabilidad para unificar reglas del Transporte Aéreo Internacional

Revisión de los límites de responsabilidad en virtud del artículo 24 del Convenio para la unificación de ciertas reglas para el Transporte Aéreo Internacional, hecho en Montreal el 28 de mayo de 1999.

http://boe.es/boe/dias/2010/12/17/pdfs/BOE-A-2010-19387.pdf

Read more...

China entrega primera unidad de versión mejorada de avión de pasajeros de corta distancia



El modelo fue desarrollado por la Corporación Internacional de Aviación de Xi'an y su primer vuelo de prueba se realizó en 2008. El gerente general de dicha firma, Jiang Jianjun, señaló que el Xinzhou-600 es una versión mejorada del modelo anterior ya que cuenta con una cabina más cómoda y un fuselaje mejor diseñado.

Texto completo y vídeo

Read more...

Boeing Delivers Air Austral’s First Next-Generation 737-800

SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2010 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered a Next-Generation 737-800 to Air Austral, as part of the airline's modernization plan for its medium-haul fleet. The airplane is the first of two the airline ordered to replace one 737-300 and one 737-500 in its fleet. The new airplane continues the Boeing-Air Austral relationship that began 20 years ago with the 737 Classic. The delivery ceremony was attended by Gerard Etheve, president of the directory and chief executive officer of Air Austral. The airline is headquartered in St. Denis, Reunion, a French Department island located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

Boeing

Read more...

General Atomics Completes First Aircraft Launch Using new electromagnetic aircraft launch system,

San Diego, Calif., December 20, 2010. General Atomics today celebrated a milestone with the launch of an F/A-18E aircraft using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.  "This event marks the first time in over 50 years that the Navy has been able to launch a carrier-based aircraft using a system other than steam," said GA Electromagnetic Systems Division Vice President R. Scott Forney, III. "This milestone is an extraordinary accomplishment for General Atomics' EMALS program."

EMALS is the catapult launch system that is being designed for CVN-78 class aircraft carriers, replacing the steam catapults used on the current generation of aircraft carriers.  As the EMALS prime contractor, GA was awarded a contract to produce the new catapult for CVN 78 in June 2009.  The first components of the EMALS equipment are scheduled for delivery in 2011.

General Atomics


In Popular Science: The Navy's Next-Gen Electromagnetic Catapult System Hurls its First Planes Skyward

Read more...

Fourth Airbus Military A400M makes first flight




Grizzly fleet ends 2010 with 1,000 hours in the air
The fourth Airbus Military A400M military airlifter has made its first flight – the culmination of a highly successful 2010 which also saw the fleet of Grizzly development aircraft complete just over 1,000 hours flight-time and 300 flights.

Known as Grizzly 4, the aircraft took off from Seville, Spain with a weight of 130 tonnes at 10h18 local time (GMT+1) and landed five hours and ten minutes later.

Experimental Test Pilot Klaus-Dietrich Flade captained the flight, supported by Experimental Test Pilot Christophe Cail. The crew also included Test Flight Engineers José Aragón-Gómez and, Bruno Bigand, and Flight Test Engineers José Casado-Corpas, and Catherine Schneider. Catherine is the first female Flight Test Engineer and test crew member to participate in an A400M first flight.

Grizzly 4 is the fourth of an eventual five aircraft which will conduct the 3,700 hour flight-test programme leading to first delivery in around two years time. It will be primarily dedicated to cargo and air-to-air refuelling operations and carries a medium flight-test instrumentation load.

Airbus Head of Flight Operations Fernando Alonso said: "The on-time first flight of Grizzly 4 highlights what has been an excellent first year of the flight-test programme. We end 2010 fully on schedule and with every expectation of rapidly building flight-hours and hitting our key test objectives in the year ahead. I am particularly proud of the seamless work done by the Airbus and Airbus Military teams in the Seville and Toulouse Flight Test Centres which has been instrumental in this achievement."

The maiden flight of Grizzly 4 followed the completion of a series of milestones in recent months – notably the first paratrooper jumps from the aircraft, which were highly successful and demonstrated the excellent potential of the aircraft for this military operation. Flights with the ramp and doors open have proceeded smoothly.

An extensive programme of flying the aircraft with simulated icing shapes attached to the wings and tail has been completed. These flights were performed by Airbus and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) flight crews and represent the first set of certification tests completed on the A400M.

Preliminary tests of protective kits for rough-field operations have been completed in preparation for next year´s trials.

Flight and ground load testing is complete, as is measurement of cruise performance. All major aircraft systems have been tested and flutter tests throughout the flight envelope are extremely close to completion.

The Europrop International (EPI) TP400 engines have been performing well, with the in-flight relight capability having been successfully demonstrated and ground starts following an overnight cold-soak recently performed. Behaviour of the auxiliary power unit has been excellent, and it has been started as high as 40,000ft.

Following the A400M's maiden flight on 11the December 2009, earlier this year Grizzly 2 and Grizzly 3 made their first flights in respectively April and July and their introduction into the fleet made possible the outstanding demonstrations of the A400M´s handling qualities at the Berlin and Farnborough airshows.

Airbus Military

Read more...

Alpha Unmanned Systems abandera el nacimiento de un nuevo mercado de operadores de Vehículos Aéreos no Tripulados

lunes, 20 de diciembre de 2010

Madrid, 20 de diciembre de 2010

Desde el control de infraestructuras críticas al de estaciones de esquí, obras, polígonos industriales o urbanizaciones privadas, la utilización de flotas compuestas por sistemas aéreos no tripulados para prestar servicios de vigilancia, gestionados por compañías privadas, propietarias de los aparatos y responsables de su operación, es un mercado emergente y con gran proyección por el que está apostando fuerte Alpha Unmanned Systems, la empresa española a la vanguardia mundial en la fabricación de Uvas (Vehículos Aéreos no Tripulados )de pequeño tamaño propulsados por rotor.

El concepto seguridad es un valor en alza desde hace años en todos los países del mundo, acaparando grandes inversiones y esfuerzos tecnológicos. El empleo de sistemas aéreos no tripulados, más allá de su uso por las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad del Estado, está llamado a convertirse en una muy interesante opción para el sector privado. La gestión de los aparatos estaría en manos de empresas privadas que ofrecerían servicios de vigilancia aérea a clientes en un amplio abanico de actividades en las que, hasta ahora, o bien no se ha recurrido nunca al empleo de medios aéreos por su elevado costo o se están empleando helicópteros tripulados, con los inconvenientes económicos que, en términos de adquisición, mantenimiento y, ocasionalmente, sobre-exposición de riesgo para el piloto, acarrea.

Se trata así de ofrecer UAVs de pequeño tamaño, con un muy bajo coste de adquisición, operación y mantenimiento, frente al de un medio tripulado o de un UAV de gran tamaño, y que pueden ser operados remotamente desde tierra con una mínima formación, desde un despacho a golpe de ratón, para asumir tareas de vigilancia en las que el control aéreo de las zonas aportaría un enorme valor añadido y exitosos resultados, desde el control de fincas, a zonas de ejecución de obras, pistas de esquí, tendidos eléctricos, cualquier tipo de infraestructura crítica, etc.

Alpha Unmanned Systems ha recibido peticiones desde dentro y fuera de España, para incorporar sus UAVs a este segmento de actividad, que incluso en algunas áreas, tradicionalmente en manos del Estado, empieza a privatizarse, como se está viendo en países como Francia.

El radio geográfico perfecto para el empleo de estos aparatos en labores de vigilancia se sitúa en áreas de 10 a 100 km. cuadrados, reportando en tiempo real la cámara de los UAV cualquier movimiento que en la zona se produzca e incluso, en el caso de la cámara dual que porta el Sniper XL de Alpha Unmanned Systems, pudiendo obtenerse no sólo imágenes de identificación térmica, sino una imagen real de cualquier sujeto. Este helicóptero no tripulado, el último desarrollo de la empresa española, tiene unas dimensiones de 2 metros de largo por 2,5 de ancho (longitud de las palas del rotor), un peso máximo al despegue de 25 kg. y carga de pago de 5 kg., el Sniper XL, abarcando un ratio máximo de 35 kilómetros.

De menor tamaño es el Comando, un helicóptero eléctrico autónomo que está siendo utilizado por las fuerzas de operaciones especiales. Muy silencioso, está destinado a observar a muy corto alcance áreas de unos 10 km., sin ser visto y con la ventaja de despegue y aterrizaje desde cualquier punto que permite el rotor.

Para estas misiones Alpha Unmanned Systems ofrece así mismo el Atlantic, un UAV de ala fija y mayor envergadura, fabricado enteramente con materiales compuestos, con un radio de alcance en torno a los 100 km. y entre 6 y 8 horas de autonomía.  

Alpha Unmanned System nace en 2006, gracias a la tecnología de la compañía española UAV Navigation, líder en el diseño y fabricación de pilotos automáticos para vehículos aéreos no tripulados, nace. En estos cuatro años ha revolucionado el ámbito de los aviones no tripulados, tanto en términos de coste como de eficiencia. En el muy restrictivo ámbito de los helicópteros aéreos no tripulados, la empresa española ha marcado un hito con sus desarrollos.

El coste efectividad de los aparatos de Alpha Unmanned Systems y su absoluto fácil manejo, son completamente automáticos, no tiene actualmente competencia en el sector, y aún menos en el ámbito de los impulsados por rotor que se están ofertando en todo el mundo. Además, en términos económicos, cuestan una fracción que otros UAV a la venta actualmente n el mercado exterior. Es un gran producto hecho por una entidad española de pequeño tamaño y enorme capacidad tecnológica que se ha ganado a pulso su lugar entre los principales fabricantes del mundo.

Alpha US

Read more...

Eurocopter inicia las pruebas del segundo prototipo del helicóptero EC175

Marignane, Francia, 17 de diciembre de 2010

El segundo prototipo del EC175, cuyo primer vuelo ha tenido lugar hoy en la planta de Eurocopter de Marignane, Francia, sienta un nuevo hito en el desarrollo de este helicóptero de nueva generación.

El primer vuelo, durante el que el aparato estuvo en el aire 45 minutos, sirvió para validar cualidades básicas de manejo y el funcionamiento de los sistemas del bimotor EC175, que es un programa conjunto de Eurocopter y Aviation Industry Corporation of China. (AVIC). El vuelo sigue al inaugural del primer prototipo del EC175, llevado a cabo en Marignane en el mes de diciembre de 2009.

El reciente prototipo del EC175, configurado para operaciones de transporte en la industria del petróleo y el gas, dispone en especial de flotadores de emergencia, lanchas salvavidas externas, un equipo completo de radionavegación, sistemas de alerta HTAWS y de control de estado y gestión del helicóptero HUMS, de eslinga de carga y de grúa, aparte de un sistema de aire acondicionado de alto rendimiento. Por añadidura, el helicóptero se acerca ya a su versión
final, estando programada la certificación por parte de las autoridades para la segunda mitad de 2011. Así, las primeras entregas podrían tener lugar en 2012.

Al tiempo que se acelera el paso en las pruebas de vuelo y en el desarrollo del EC175 continúan las actividades del programa industrial conforme al calendario previsto. La línea de producción de estructuras del EC175 funciona en Harbin, China, y la cadena de montaje final de Marignane está lista para recibir los dos primeros fuselajes fabricados en aquel país en la configuración destinada a operaciones de transporte en el sector del petróleo y el gas. La entrega de la primera estructura proveniente de China a Eurocopter en Francia se espera para antes de finales de año, mientras que la segunda estructura llegará en los primeros meses de 2011.

De igual modo han arrancado las actividades de apoyo logístico del EC175, habiendo recaído en INDRA la elección para el desarrollo del primer simulador integral de vuelo (full-flight simulator).

"El trazado continuo que registra los puntuales logros obtenidos en el programa del EC175 es una prueba más del fuerte fundamento técnico, así como de las excelentes relaciones de trabajo existentes entre Eurocopter y AVIC, que se basan en tres décadas de cooperación", dijo Francis Combes, director del programa EC175 de Eurocopter.

El desarrollo conjunto del EC175, puesto en marcha en diciembre de 2006, está respaldado por nuevas e innovadoras herramientas informáticas que aportan un ahorro considerable de tiempo. El trabajo de desarrollo e industrialización se ha repartido equitativamente entre Eurocopter y AVIC en conformidad con las especialidades de cada empresa. De esta plataforma común nacen dos helicópteros diferentes: el EC175 – fabricado, vendido y apoyado por Eurocopter en
Marignane; y el Z15 – producido, comercializado y apoyado por el grupo AVIC.

Hasta la fecha, 14 clientes han firmado 114 compromisos de adquisición del EC175.

El EC175 es un helicóptero polivalente de la clase de siete toneladas, que encaja en la gama de productos de Eurocopter entre las familias del AS365 Dauphin (cuatro a cinco toneladas) y delAS332/EC225 Super Puma (nueve a once toneladas). El aparato, que se beneficia de la combinación de probadas y avanzadas tecnologías, ofrece excelentes prestaciones y fiabilidad.

Aparte de la versión dirigida al mercado del petróleo y el gas, el desarrollo del EC175 apunta también a misiones de búsqueda y salvamento, además del transporte sanitario. Por otro lado, el aparato puede satisfacer las necesidades de transporte VIP y corporativo de la industria de la aviación comercial. Según la configuración, el EC175 tiene capacidad hasta para 16 pasajeros.
 
De la propulsión del EC175 se encargan dos motores Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67E de doble canal, con regulación de combustible por FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) de nueva generación. Equipado con un sistema de aviónica completamente inédito, el EC175 dispone de elementos de interfaz entre hombre y máquina efectivos y de sencillo manejo, que reducen considerablemente la carga de trabajo del piloto.

Eurocopter

Read more...

Empresas andaluzas del sector aeronáutico, defensa y seguridad conocen las oportunidades de negocio en Rusia

Una delegación de 15 empresas de sector aeronáutico, defensa y seguridad han conocido las oportunidades de negocio que ofrece Rusia

Las jornadas contaron con la participación de importantes personalidades del ámbito aeroespacial tales como Bychkov Mikhail y Myasnikov Alexander, director y subdirector, respectivamente, del departamento de Cosmos y Sistemas Especiales de la oficina federal «Rosoboronexport», Petrov Dmitry, director de la empresa «Vertolioti Rossii», que aglutina todas las compañías constructoras de helicópteros en Rusia; Vorobiev Alexander, director del complejo científico industrial ¨Avionica¨ que gestiona sistemas de mando de aviones y Maksimova Ekaterina, vicedirectora del departamento de la ¨Corporación Irkut¨, que se dedica a la fabricación aviones SU y de negocios.

Texto completo aquí: http://www.aerotendencias.com/industria-aeronautica/2463-empresas-andaluzas-del-sector-aeronautico-defensa-y-seguridad-conocen-las-oportunidades-de-negocio-en-rusia

Read more...

New 4-bladed composite-material propeller for Mustangs and Twin Mustangs

A completely new 4-bladed composite propeller including control system was developed by MT-Propeller for the P-82 / P-51 Twin Mustang and Mustang. The initial flight tests, which were performed successfully at beginning of December 2010, had shown better climb, performance and better top speed.

The original propeller shape and composite spinner design remains unchanged.

With this new development MT-propeller is able to supply new generation propellers for the Mustang series.

MT Propellers

Read more...

El Tigre HAD francés también efectúa su primer vuelo

sábado, 18 de diciembre de 2010

Vuela por primera vez el Tigre HAD de Eurocopter en la versión de Apoyo y Destrucción destinada a Francia

Marignane, Francia, 17 de diciembre de 2010

El primer vuelo del helicóptero Tigre HAD de Apoyo y Destrucción desarrollado para Francia tuvo lugar en la planta de Eurocopter de Marignane. Eso significa un paso importante hacia el "Bloque 1" de la calificación inicial del Tigre HAD, una de las cuatro versiones de la familia Tigre de helicópteros de combate polivalentes de Eurocopter.

En los próximos meses, Eurocopter llevará a cabo vuelos de prueba y de desarrollo del Tigre
HAD, conjuntamente con el primer Tigre HAD español, que reanudó las series de pruebas en
vuelo hace tres meses, a raíz de su traslado a España y de su puesta a punto.

El Tigre HAD tiene un peso máximo al despegue de 6,6 toneladas, un motor MTR390 de
potencia incrementada, un sistema óptico de visión perfeccionado, un interrogador de identificación amigo-enemigo (IFF, por sus siglas en inglés), así como una protección balística mejorada y un nuevo sistema de combate electrónico.

Por añadidura, el Tigre HAD francés podrá lanzar misiles Hellfire aire-tierra, por lo que tendrá
capacidad para llevar a cabo misiones polivalentes cubriendo así todo un abanico de necesidades operacionales, incluidas las de reconocimiento armado, apoyo en combate y ataque.

Hasta la fecha se ha cursado el pedido de 64 Tigre HAD: 40 por parte de Francia y 24 por
España (seis de ellos son aparatos transformados ("retrofit") de helicópteros en versión HAP
entregados anteriormente).

La familia de modernos helicópteros de combate Tigre está disponible en cuatro versiones
principales, de las que se han pedido un total de 206 unidades. En la actualidad vuelan 64 Tigre en cuatro países: Francia, Alemania, España y Australia. Tres de los aparatos franceses han prestado servicio con éxito en el teatro de operaciones de Afganistán durante más de 16 meses.

Read more...

EUROCOPTER- Primer vuelo del NH90 TTH español


El primer helicóptero de transporte táctico NH90 TTH español realiza su primer vuelo en las instalaciones de Eurocopter de Marignane

Marignane (Francia), 17 de diciembre de 2010

Eurocopter ha efectuado hoy el primer vuelo del helicóptero de transporte táctico NH90 TTH español, que marca un nuevo paso en este programa multinacional de aeronave de ala eotatoria. La misión, de una hora, se llevó a cabo a partir de las instalaciones de Eurocopter en Marignane (Francia).

Un equipo multidisciplinario de Eurocopter España ha contribuido a este destacado hito dentro del programa NH90 español, que es el primero de este modelo dotado con motores GE CT7-8F5. El helicóptero se transferirá a Albacete en la primavera de 2011 para proceder al desarrollo de los ensayos en vuelo de cara a su plena cualificación por parte del Ministerio de Defensa español, previa a la entrega final a las Fuerzas Armadas, programada para 2012.

Los dos primeros NH90 españoles están construidos por Eurocopter en Marignane, mientras que los otros 43 encargados se fabricarán en Albacete, gracias al establecimiento de la Línea de Ensamblaje Final (FAL, con sus iniciales en inglés) en el pasado mes de septiembre.

El NH90 TTH, de 11 ton., está hecho a la medida para las misiones tácticas, entre las que se incluyen búsqueda y salvamento, recuperación de personal y evacuación de heridos, con capacidad de operación diurna y nocturna en todo tipo de entornos. Como el más moderno helicóptero de su clase, el bimotor de mediano tamaño NH90 se caracteriza por un alto nivel de integración de sistemas, habilitados alrededor de un núcleo de sistema de aviónica con un bus dual, una cabina de pilotaje de cristal líquido con pantallas multifuncionales, mandos eléctricos (fly-by-wire) y control de vuelo automático de cuatro ejes.

El NH90 está gestionado por NHIndustries, un consorcio propiedad de AgustaWestland (32 por ciento), Eurocopter (62,5 por ciento) y Fokker Aerostructures (5,5 por ciento). Los pedidos en firme de todas las versiones del NH90 alcanzan los 529 helicópteros para 19 fuerzas armadas de 14 naciones: Francia, Alemania, Italia, Holanda, Portugal, Finlandia, Noruega, Suecia, Grecia, Omán, Australia, Nueva Zelanda, España y Bélgica.



--
Jose M.
www.sandglasspatrol.com
www.noticias-aero.info
www.rbf.com.es

Read more...

EUROCOPTER- Primer vuelo del NH90 TTH español

El primer helicóptero de transporte táctico NH90 TTH español realiza su primer vuelo en las instalaciones de Eurocopter de Marignane

Marignane (Francia), 17 de diciembre de 2010

Eurocopter ha efectuado hoy el primer vuelo del helicóptero de transporte táctico NH90 TTH español, que marca un nuevo paso en este programa multinacional de aeronave de ala eotatoria. La misión, de una hora, se llevó a cabo a partir de las instalaciones de Eurocopter en Marignane (Francia).

Un equipo multidisciplinario de Eurocopter España ha contribuido a este destacado hito dentro del programa NH90 español, que es el primero de este modelo dotado con motores GE CT7-8F5. El helicóptero se transferirá a Albacete en la primavera de 2011 para proceder al desarrollo de los ensayos en vuelo de cara a su plena cualificación por parte del Ministerio de Defensa español, previa a la entrega final a las Fuerzas Armadas, programada para 2012.

Los dos primeros NH90 españoles están construidos por Eurocopter en Marignane, mientras que los otros 43 encargados se fabricarán en Albacete, gracias al establecimiento de la Línea de Ensamblaje Final (FAL, con sus iniciales en inglés) en el pasado mes de septiembre.

El NH90 TTH, de 11 ton., está hecho a la medida para las misiones tácticas, entre las que se incluyen búsqueda y salvamento, recuperación de personal y evacuación de heridos, con capacidad de operación diurna y nocturna en todo tipo de entornos. Como el más moderno helicóptero de su clase, el bimotor de mediano tamaño NH90 se caracteriza por un alto nivel de integración de sistemas, habilitados alrededor de un núcleo de sistema de aviónica con un bus dual, una cabina de pilotaje de cristal líquido con pantallas multifuncionales, mandos eléctricos (fly-by-wire) y control de vuelo automático de cuatro ejes.

El NH90 está gestionado por NHIndustries, un consorcio propiedad de AgustaWestland (32 por ciento), Eurocopter (62,5 por ciento) y Fokker Aerostructures (5,5 por ciento). Los pedidos en firme de todas las versiones del NH90 alcanzan los 529 helicópteros para 19 fuerzas armadas de 14 naciones: Francia, Alemania, Italia, Holanda, Portugal, Finlandia, Noruega, Suecia, Grecia, Omán, Australia, Nueva Zelanda, España y Bélgica.

Read more...

Con la demanda de OCU comienzan los problemas contra AENA

viernes, 17 de diciembre de 2010

La demanda había sido inicialmente pensada contra la Unión Sindical de Controladores Aéreos (USCA) por la comisión de un delito contra el tráfico aéreo en su variante de sedición porque, a su juicio, fue este colectivo el que instigó el paro que provocó el cierre del espacio aéreo, lo cual estima que ha perjudicado a más de 600.000 consumidores. Sin embargo finalmente no ha sucedido así ya que según precisó Antonio Joya, responsable de comunicación de OCU, "una sanción penal a este colectivo no tendría efectos prácticos sobre los consumidores".

Texto completo: http://www.tecnoaereo.com/con-la-demanda-de-ocu-comienzan-los-problemas-contra-aena

Read more...

'Pocket airports' would link neighborhoods by air

A little over a year ago, we told you about NASA's Green Flight Challenge that is offering US$1.6 million in production funds to the winning design for a for low-cost, quiet, short take-off personal aircraft, that require little if any fossil fuel. The competition, to be decided next July, is being run by NASA's light-aircraft partner CAFE (Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency), which envisions the resulting Suburban Air Vehicles (SAVs) taking off and landing at small neighborhood "pocket airports." At last week's Future of Electric Vehicles conference, CAFE president Dr. Brien Seeley outlined just how those airports would work.

Full text and images: http://www.gizmag.com/pocket-airports-would-link-neighborhoods-by-air/17296/

Read more...

Chineese AVIC International buys Teledyne Continental Motors

December 14, 2010 – Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY) ("Teledyne") and AVIC International Holding Corporation ("AVIC International") announced today an agreement to sell Teledyne's general aviation piston engine business to Technify Motor (USA) LTD., a subsidiary of AVIC International, for $186 million in cash. Under the transaction, AVIC International will acquire Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc. ("Continental Motors") and Teledyne Mattituck Services, Inc.

Headquartered in Mobile, Ala., Continental Motors is a leading manufacturer of FAA-certified piston engines, as well as spare parts and components, used in small propeller-driven general aviation aircraft around the world. Continental Motors employs approximately 400 workers in Mobile, and has been a highly reliable manufacturer of commercial aircraft piston engines for more than 80 years. Continental Motors also maintains service centers in Fairhope, Ala. and Mattituck, N.Y.

With major customers such as Boeing, Airbus, Honeywell and Snecma, AVIC International is a trusted supplier and partner of leading aviation companies in the U.S. and around the world. The transaction will enhance the ability of Continental Motors to compete globally, especially in growing overseas markets, such as China. Today, Continental Motors' primary markets are the U.S. and Europe. On the other hand, China opens one of the world's largest potential markets for general aviation aircraft, due to its growing population, large geographical area and expanding infrastructure. Compared to 230,000 general aviation aircraft in the U.S, China has approximately 900 small aircraft operating in the country. That number is expected to grow over the next decade, raising demand for FAA-certified piston engines.

AVIC International was attracted to Continental Motors' long history in the general aviation market and the company's reputation for product quality, safety and service. With the acquisition of Continental Motors, AVIC International is making a principal commitment to the Mobile region. AVIC International expects to retain the senior management of Continental Motors and maintain Continental Motors' global headquarters in Mobile, Ala. Furthermore, the transaction sets the stage for new hires of skilled workers in Mobile, as international demand for piston-powered aircraft would result in increased engine manufacturing at Continental Motors. AVIC International also plans continued investment and upgrades in Continental Motors' operations, as well as increased research and new product development.

"I am excited about the opportunity to work with the AVIC International team," said Rhett Ross, President of Continental Motors. "AVIC International will greatly strengthen Continental Motors' market access. In addition, increased investment will accelerate new products, such as Continental Motors' TD-300 diesel engine, which is well-suited to growing regions given international fuel availability. The transaction will allow Continental Motors to continue to be a global leader in the general aviation piston engine industry."

"The sale of Continental Motors to AVIC International is the right long-term solution for Continental Motors, its workforce and the Gulf Coast Community," said Robert Mehrabian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne. "This sale allows Teledyne to focus on its core businesses, while ensuring a bright future for Continental Motors to build on its long, successful history as a manufacturer of proven piston engines for general aviation aircraft. This will significantly enhance Continental Motors' opportunity to enter the global market for the sale and service of general aviation piston engines."

"AVIC International is eager to begin its collaboration with Continental Motors, continuing its reputation as a highly respected maker of FAA-certified piston engines," said Wu Guangquan, President & CEO, AVIC International. "We are impressed with Continental Motors' products, employees and facilities. Furthermore, we were attracted to Mobile's international environment focus and the continually growing concentration of aviation-related international companies in the Mobile area. We look forward to working with current leadership at Continental Motors to expand the Continental Motors' facility to supply expected growth in the general aviation market worldwide, in particular, to ensure safe and reliable aircraft operations for all customers."

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011. The acquisition of Continental Motors by AVIC International is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and by the U.S. Government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), as well as obtaining all relevant Chinese Government Approvals.

Continental Motors and its predecessors produced their first commercial aircraft engine in 1929 and have been in continuous production ever since. The company's current engines range from 100 to 350 horsepower and are used in small general aviation aircraft for personal and business use. Continental Motors does not produce or use military or defense-related technology.

A brief presentation summarizing the proposed transaction and growth opportunities will be posted to Continental Motors' website at www.genuinecontinental.aero

About Teledyne Technologies
Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated electronic subsystems, instrumentation and communication products, engineered systems, aerospace engines, and energy and power generation systems. Teledyne Technologies' operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico. For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies' website at www.teledyne.com.

About AVIC International
AVIC International Holding Corporation, headquartered in Beijing, China, is a multinational commercial business with 60 international offices and 7 listed companies whose businesses operate in world aviation subcontracts and commercial aircraft sale and after-sale service, trade and logistics, luxury consumer and retail, real estate, industry manufacturing and resource development. In 2009, AVIC International has consolidated annual sales of approximately US$ 6 billion. With over 30 years of aerospace manufacturing and sales experience, AVIC International's aviation customers include Boeing, Airbus, Snecma and Honeywell. For more information, visit AVIC International's website at www.avic-intl.cn

Teledyne Continental Motors

Read more...

Phantom Ray arrives in Dryden ahead of flight tests

jueves, 16 de diciembre de 2010

December 13 was frigid in St. Louis with the temperature about 16 degrees, but it was a good day to fly, especially for one of NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) and Boeing’s Phantom Ray. The two aircraft made aviation history on the same flight, thanks to some way-out-of-the-box thinking and a special adapter, both courtesy of Boeing engineers.

“I have to admit that when the idea of using the SCA to transport the Phantom Ray was first proposed, there was some level of apprehension on my part,” said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager. “However, once the idea started to take shape and we began meeting with NASA, my apprehension quickly turned to excitement. Pulling it off in such a short amount of time is a real credit to the Phantom Ray team and NASA, and is a real feat of engineering.”

http://www.boeing.com/Features/2010/12/bds_phantom_ray_12_10_10.html

Read more...

Northrop Grumman's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Nearly Set For First Flight

The first unmanned aircraft designed as a carrier-based strike jet is almost ready to take to the air for the first time, U.S. Navy officials have confirmed.

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) drone has been performing taxi tests for several weeks at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as engineers run the aircraft through a long series of pre-flight tests and checks.

Full text here

Read more...

Russia to start Mi-38 production in 2013 after PW127 engine supply resolved

"The company plans to equip the helicopters with both Russian and Canadian engines. We see it as an additional advantage for our buyers. Partners in Russia and the CIS states traditionally opt for Russian-made engines, while partners worldwide may prefer Canadian," the firm says.

full text

Read more...

Lockheed Martin F-35 Program Achieves Overall 2010 Flight Test Target

"We exceeded our 394-flight goal and expect to meet our overall test-point goal this year by reaching ahead and working 2011 test points," said J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 Test and Verification. "While we are still behind on our overall STOVL variant testing, we are working through a plan to get us back on track."

Full Text

Read more...

Superjet 100 Delivery Delayed Again

After several rounds of delay, Sukhoi was pressing hard to meet the 2010 in-service goal, but now is having to satisfy itself with obtaining a partial Russian certification, which is still planned by year-end. Approval of some technical issues also is being deferred, with Basic Area Navigation performance and Category III landing capabilities not due to be finalized until next year, Sukhoi officials acknowledge.

Full text

Read more...

RAF's FSTA (A330 tanker) makes first dry contacts






The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK´s Royal Air Force has successfully completed its first contacts with a receiver aircraft.
In a 2 hour 40 min sortie from Getafe near Madrid on 13th December, the FSTA conducted a series of dry contacts with a F-18 fighter of the Spanish Air Force as planned.

The contacts were made using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU), consisting of a hose and drogue similar to those fitted under the wings, and which is also developed and supplied by Cobham of the UK.

In the course of that flight and a subsequent sortie, contacts were successfully performed thoughout the refuelling flight-envelope at altitudes from 8,000ft to 35,000ft and speeds from 180kt to 325kt.

This is the first time that the FRU has been used to make contact and means that all of the A330 MRTT´s refuelling systems have now completed contacts – they are the FRU, underwing hose-and-drogue, and the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), plus the Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) used to receive fuel from another tanker.

Head of Airbus Military Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said: "It is very satisfying to see the FRU in operation and demonstrating the final element in the A330 MRTT´s refuelling system. We look forward to executing wet contacts in the coming days to reinforce the status of the A330 MRTT as the world´s most advanced and proven transport/tanker."

Airbus Military

Read more...

Airbus to miss A380 delivery target due to Qantas incident

miércoles, 15 de diciembre de 2010

Airbus will miss its delivery target of 20 A380s this year because of disruptions resulting from the uncontained failure of a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, which forced a Qantas A380 to make an emergency landing in early November.

The manufacturer now says it will deliver 19 A380s this year, whereas Airbus executive vice-president of programmes Tom Williams said in May that it was looking to deliver "20 or over 20" of the type.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/12/15/350962/airbus-to-miss-a380-delivery-target-due-to-qantas-incident.html

Read more...

Boeing ha decidido retirar del mercado EL 787-3 Dreamliner ante la falta de interés del mercado.

El -3 era la versión de corto recorrido (6.500 kilómetros frente a más de 15.000 kilóemtros de alcance de los Boeing 787-8 y Boeing 787-9) y con una capacidad de 296 pasajeros en dos clases frente a 223 en tres clases del Boeing 787-8 y 259 pasajeros en tres clases del Boeing 787-9.
.
http://fly-news.es/industria/boeing-787-3-dreamliner-cancelado-por-boeing/

Read more...

APES 0029

martes, 14 de diciembre de 2010

Read more...

Spirit AeroSystems Ships First Spar Component for Airbus A350 XWB

KINSTON, N.C., Dec. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spirit AeroSystems Inc., (NYSE: SPR) the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, today shipped the first production leading edge spar component – an outer spar – for the Airbus A350 XWB program out of its Kinston, N.C., facility.

A leading edge spar is a wing component, part of the fixed leading edge, and comprises six major sections: inner, mid and outer for each wing. The outer spar shipped today is the first of the group to be produced by Spirit, and makes up about 8 percent of the total spar weight. It is approximately 11.5 meters in length. Spar components are made of 100 percent carbon fiber material, and all six combined weigh about one ton (1,000 kg).

The subsequent five spar sections will be shipped in the coming months.

"This is the first production component of any kind we've shipped out of our Kinston facility," said Tom Greenwood, Spirit's A350 XWB spar program director. "This first unit was built at our new, state-of-the-art facility using automated composite fabrication technology and the technical expertise of Spirit employees."

Each set of spars will be shipped from Spirit's Kinston facility to Spirit's European plant in Prestwick, Scotland, where it will be integrated into the fixed leading edge. From there, it will be delivered to the Airbus plant in Broughton, Wales, for integration into the wing box.

Spirit won a contract with Airbus in July 2008 to design and produce the A350 XWB's spar and fixed leading edge. Spirit is also designing and building the composite center fuselage section, Section 15, for the A350 XWB.

Spirit

Read more...

TecnoGetafe recibe 13,4 millones de ayuda pública para sus empresas

Madrid.- Seis proyectos del Parque Científico-Tecnológico de TecnoGetafe, integrado en Madrid Network, han sido aprobados con una ayuda de 13,4 millones de euros en el marco de la convocatoria INNPLANTA 2010, un subprograma de actuaciones científico-tecnológicas en los parques científicos convocadas por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación en su estrategia para transformar el modelo productivo.

http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=noticias&id=4d072bf20cdbd&viewTemplate=1

Read more...

Boeing Phantom Ray Takes a Ride on NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft




T. LOUIS, Dec. 13, 2010 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system sits atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747, as it takes off at 1:40 p.m. Central time for today's test flight at Lambert International Airport. The 50-minute flight was conducted in preparation for Phantom Ray's upcoming transport on the SCA to the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

"This is exciting not just because it's the first time that an aircraft other than the space shuttle has flown on the SCA, but also because it puts Phantom Ray that much closer to making its first flight," said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager for Boeing.

The SCA flights with Phantom Ray are being conducted under a Boeing-funded, commercial Space Act Agreement with NASA. Once Phantom Ray arrives at Dryden, it will undergo ground and high-speed taxi tests to prepare for its first flight in early 2011.

Phantom Ray is one of several programs in Boeing's Phantom Works division that are part of the company's rapid prototyping initiative to design, develop and build advanced aircraft and then demonstrate their capabilities.

Boeing

Read more...

Los peritos descartan un fallo en los motores del MD 82

lunes, 13 de diciembre de 2010

Los motores del avión de Spanair siniestrado en Barajas en agosto de 2008 funcionaron correctamente, según el trabajo de los peritos que enviarán su informe al juez en los próximos días.

http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=noticias&id=4d05c378c5896&viewTemplate=1

Read more...

Three Sukhoi SuperJet 100 airliners to be built by year-end

"The plant will build three Superjet 100 airliners this year and 14 in 2011. The first serial plane has already been fully assembled and completed 30 flights," a spokesman said.

The other two planes are about to be ready, the source added.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20101210/161710726.html

Read more...

Qantas 747 power loss incident prompts calls for safety action

Australian safety regulators have called for US regulations to address the potential risk caused by liquid contamination of aircraft electrical systems, following an investigation into a 2008 Qantas Airways Boeing 747 power loss incident.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which released its final report into the incident today, also urged Boeing to update its handbook for 747 flight crews to help them make the right decisions when working with an electrical power loss

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/12/13/350847/qantas-747-power-loss-incident-prompts-calls-for-safety.html

Read more...

España | Exportaciones aeronáuticas andaluzas alcanzan 655 millones

Según los datos de la Agencia Andaluza de Promoción Exterior (Extenda) facilitados a Europa Press, este aumento de las exportaciones en Andalucía fue muy superior al registrado a nivel nacional, donde se experimentó un aumento del 7,2 por ciento con respecto al ejercicio anterior, desde los 1.817,1 en los primeros nueve meses de 2009 hasta los 1.947,8 millones de euros en el acumulado de 2010.

leer texto completo

Read more...

Actos por la Patrona de la Aviación en Sabadell




El horario de los actos, a los que están invitados todos aquellos que deseen ir es...

Domingo 19/12/2010.


- 10.00 h: Inicio actividad .
- 11.00 h: Demo Simulador A-10C
- 11.45 h: Demo Simulador FMC ( plan de vuelo en A320 ) a cargo de Albert Curiases "Curi"
- 12.30 h: Inicio grabación podcast aeronáutico RBF
- 13.30 h: Final grabación RBF.
- Durante todo el tiempo hasta, el podcast, Ricard Sánchez "Raptor" también tendrá una cabina con el simulador IL2 para que lo prueben los niños (y no tan niños)


Read more...

Airbus foresees demand for nearly 26,000 aircraft in the next 20 years

Almost 26,000 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at US$3.2 trillion will be needed between 2010 and 2029, to satisfy demand according to Airbus’ Global Market Forecast (GMF). This demand is primarily driven by replacement of aircraft for newer more eco-efficient models in mature markets, dynamic growth in new emerging markets, low-cost carriers particularly in Asia, further market liberalisation and capacity growth on existing routes.

The 2010 GMF forecasts 900 additional new passenger aircraft deliveries over the 2009 GMF reflecting a slightly higher growth rate of 4.8% compared to 4.7% in 2009. These aircraft will mainly be in the single aisle sector in which the A320 Family competes.

Out of the almost 26,000 additional passenger and freighter aircraft needed, around 25,000 will be passenger aircraft valued at over US$2.9 trillion. Of these additional passenger aircraft, 10,000 will replace older less eco-efficient aircraft and some 15,000 will be for growth. Taking into account today’s passenger fleet of over 14,000 aircraft, the world passenger fleet will rise to some 29,000 aircraft by 2029.

“The recovery is stronger than predicted and reinforces both the resilience of the sector to downturns and that people want and need to fly,” says John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The single aisle sector is particularly strong, and our A320neo meets this future demand by providing our customers with the latest innovations and technologies whilst maintaining maximum commonality. Our entire product range is very well positioned to meet the economic and environmental needs for sustainable growth for the decades ahead.”

In passenger traffic volume, domestic US leads the world in total RPK’s (11.3%) followed by domestic China (8.4%), Intra European (7.2%), then US to Western European routes (5.9%).

In passenger traffic growth terms, emerging economies are leading the recovery. Domestic Indian traffic growth (9.2%) is the fastest of any major market and the third fastest growth overall, after traffic between the Middle East and South America, and between North Africa and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Seven out of the top 20 fastest growth flows connect China (PRC) to the rest of the world.

“Airlines in Asia Pacific including China and India will carry one third (33%) of the passenger traffic by 2029, making it the largest region, overtaking the US (23%) and Europe (23%),” said Chris Emerson, Head of Product Strategy and Market Forecast.

Aircraft are getting bigger as airlines capitalise on the benefits of larger aircraft to absorb traffic growth, minimize airport congestion, reduce costs and to increase eco-efficiency.

Freight traffic is recovering at an even faster rate (5.9%) than passenger traffic growth. In 2010, freight traffic is expected to rebound closer to 18% before leveling off at more typical growth levels by the end of 2011. Combined with fleet renewal, this translates to a demand for around 2,980 freighters. While some 870 will be new aircraft valued at US$211 billion, 2,110 will be converted from passenger aircraft.

Demand for Very Large Aircraft (VLA) passenger and freighter aircraft like the A380, is more than 1,700 valued at over US$570 billion (this represents 18% by value and 7% by units). Of these, some 1,320 will connect the world’s increasing number of ‘mega’ cities.

In the twin-aisle aircraft segment (seating from 250 to 400 passengers), some 6,240 new passenger and freighter aircraft will be delivered in the next 20 years, valued at some US$1,340 billion (representing 42% by value and 24% by units). Of these, 4,330 aircraft will be small twin-aisle (250 to 300 seater) and about 1,910 intermediate twin aisles (350 to 400 seats). These segments are covered by the A330/A340 family. From 2013, the A350XWB family will cover the entire spectrum of twin aisle market requirements.

In the single-aisle segment, almost 17,900 aircraft worth some US$1,274 billion (40% by value, or 69% units), will be delivered in the next 20 years. This is an increase over previous forecasts due to the accelerating demand for single aisle aircraft particularly in Asia Pacific, the emergence of low-cost carriers and increased route liberalisation.



The Airbus Global Market Forecast gives a detailed analysis of world air transport developments, covering 300 distinct passenger and freight traffic flows, as well as a year-by-year fleet evolution of the world’s aircraft operators, through fleet analysis of nearly 938 passenger airlines and 217 freighter operators over the next 20 years. In doing so, the forecast covers aircraft demand from the regional market to the very largest aircraft available, the A380 today.

Click here for more information on the Airbus GMF 2010-2029, including the presentation.


Airbus

Read more...

Phantom Ray rolls toward Flight Test







Boeing’s Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system last month completed a series of low-speed taxi tests leading up to its scheduled transport to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., next week where it will undergo further tests and a first flight in 2011.

Slated to depart for Edwards from St. Louis on Dec. 13, Phantom Ray will be secured atop the modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), marking the first time any platform other than the Space Shuttle Orbiter has been transported via the SCA.

In preparation for transport, the Phantom Ray team will conduct a test flight on Dec. 11 from the flight ramp at Boeing’s St. Louis site, where the Phantom Ray and SCA will remain airborne locally for 60 to 90 minutes. After the test flight, program officials will assess the flight details and give clearance for the aircraft to travel to California.

During last month’s low-speed taxi tests at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Phantom Ray communicated with the ground control station, received orders and made its way down the runway multiple times, allowing program officials to assess its performance and monitor the advanced systems on board.

Click on the video above to see footage from the taxi tests on Nov. 18.Due to weather conditions in St. Louis the Phantom Ray flight on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft has been postponed. Check back here for updates.

Boeing

Read more...

Imputado ejecutivo del fabricante de aviones Airbus por abuso de información privilegiada

sábado, 11 de diciembre de 2010

El director comercial John Leahy será investigado por vender acciones en la empresa matriz, EADS, antes de que sus precios se desplomaran en 2006, embolsándose US$4,12 millones.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2010/12/101210_ultnot_airbus_ejecutivo_investigacion_informacion_privilegiada_fp.shtml

Read more...

Boeing no ve motivo para actualización del 737

Boeing no ve una "razón de peso" para imitar a su rival europeo Airbus, que actualizará su avión de pasajeros de cabina estrecha, su modelo de mejor venta, dijo el jefe de aviación comercial del fabricante estadounidense a Financial Times.

Airbus, el mayor fabricante de aviones a nivel mundial, dijo a comienzos de mes que invertiría casi 1.300 millones de dólares en mejorar la eficiencia de su A320, acondicionándolo con motores que ofrecen un ahorro de combustible de un 15 por ciento.

http://lta.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idLTASIE6B90O220101210

Read more...

El cuarto A400M realiza sus primeras pruebas y prevé el primer vuelo antes de fin de año

El cuarto A400M, denominado 'Grizzly 4', ya ha realizado de manera satisfactoria sus primeras pruebas de arranque y de rodaje y prevé realizar su primer vuelo antes de que finalice el año, cumpliendo así con las previsiones, según han informado fuentes de Airbus Military a Europa Press.

http://www.que.es/sevilla/201012101547-cuarto-a400m-realiza-primeras-pruebas-epi.html?anker_2

Read more...

Embraer crea una nueva empresa para fortalecer su división de defensa

El fabricante aeronáutico brasileño Embraer anunció hoy la creación de una nueva empresa de defensa y seguridad, segmento que aportará a la firma unos ingresos superiores a los 1.500 millones de reales (unos 880 millones dólares) en 2011.


La nueva compañía, que llevará el nombre de Embraer Defensa y Seguridad, tiene por objetivo "fortalecer la industria brasileña" en el sector de la fabricación de sistemas, equipamientos y aparatos para defensa, según un comunicado de la compañía.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5jHK6PIHsdBrHHRnGeLPc7UVoolZw?docId=1423496



ENTREVISTA-Embraer prevé más ingresos por Defensa
http://lta.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idLTASIE6B91AA20101210

Read more...

NASA Selects Boeing For Advanced Aircraft Vehicle Concepts

A team led by The Boeing Company of Huntington Beach, CA, was selected for a contract worth $5.29 million. The contract has a performance period of one year beginning this month. As part of the same research effort, NASA previously awarded contracts worth $2.99 million and $2.65 million to teams led by Lockheed Martin in Palmdale, CA, and Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, CA.

http://www.aero-news.net/news/commair.cfm?ContentBlockID=ddca8634-101e-4176-af68-d966443fd077&Dynamic=1


Related:
Boeing Future Airplanes Sugar Phase i Final Review v5

Read more...

Boeing's JCALS: A Common Answer to Joint Airlift

The future of the U.S. Air Force/Army Joint Future Theater Lift (JFTL) concept is pretty murky, but some interesting insight into the design work done so far has surfaced. JFTL is the merger of the Army's Joint Heavy Lift (JHL) and Air Force's Advanced Joint Air Combat System (AJACS) concepts, and is a potential replacement for the C-130 - if funding can ever be found.


The Army favors VTOL and JHL concept development work focused on large tiltrotors. The Air Force wants a high-subsonic. ultra-STOL aircraft, as evidenced by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Speed Agile concept demonstration work. The JHL work is complete and AFRL finishes up next year, What happens then is an open question.

Read full text




Read more...

Secondary oil leak affecting Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines

These engines have oil sediment in the high pressure (HP)/intermediate pressure (IP) turbine, a Qantas spokesman says, unable to specify the exact area affected. The engines do not have a stub pipe fault, he says.
"The only stub pipe [fault] we have found is on [an] aircraft awaiting delivery," the spokesman says. On 8 November, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said three Trent 900s, including one on an A380 to be delivered to Qantas, were found with the stub pipe defect.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/12/10/350824/secondary-oil-leak-affecting-rolls-royce-trent-900-engines.html

Read more...

Pratt & Whitney Delivers First Production F135 Short Take Off Vertical Landing Engine

jueves, 9 de diciembre de 2010

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 9, 2010 – Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first production F135 Short Take Off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) engine for the F-35 Lightning II, a major milestone and clear demonstration that the F135 STOVL propulsion system has transitioned from development to production. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

“The F135 engine program accomplishments this year have been historical, and this first production STOVL delivery milestone demonstrates our commitment to fielding the most advanced military jet engine technology to the benefit of the war fighter,” said Bennett Croswell, vice president of F119/F135 Engine Programs for Pratt & Whitney. “We are particularly proud to be producing the most advanced propulsion systems ever built and that they will be used by the United States Marine Corp and our allies.”

The Pratt & Whitney F135 continues its steady progress through development testing and validation, into full production and sustainment. The F135 propulsion system has powered 509 flights and more than 740 flight test hours to date. The F135 has also completed more than 20,000 hours of testing - 3,600 test hours during the concept demonstration phase, 15,800 test hours during development and more than 700 hours powering the F-35 Lightning II flight test program. The Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) / Carrier Variant (CV) engine received Initial Service Release (ISR) in February 2010 indicating that the engine has met the ISR requirements for safety, reliability, durability and performance, and that it is now cleared for use in the field. Pratt & Whitney has delivered all F135 flight test engines required for the program as well as 11 production engines, which includes the first STOVL F135 delivery. The STOVL F135 engine has completed all required testing and is on track to receive ISR certification before the end of the year.

“With both the CTOL and STOVL variant F135 engines in production and performing well in flight test, it is clear that the F135 has demonstrated and earned its position as the Department of Defense’s propulsion system of choice for the F-35 Lightning II,” Croswell said.

Pratt & Whitney, the only engine manufacturer producing fifth-generation propulsion systems, has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver this advanced fighter engine capability to the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy and our allies. The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth-generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that exclusively powers the F-22 with more than 375,000 engine hours. It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology demonstration programs.

The F135 propulsion system has proven through extensive ground and flight test experience that it can meet diverse aircraft requirements for armed forces around the world. The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine continues to be the only engine powering the successful Lockheed Martin F-35 flight test program.


P&W

Read more...

Airbus supports TAM Airlines, Curcas and Brasil Ecodiesel to establish renewable jet fuel processing plant and biofuel ‘value-chain’ in Brazil

Airbus together with TAM Airlines and a group of specialist companies are working to establish a bio-kerosene jet-fuel processing plant in Brazil, aiming to gradually substitute fossil fuel in aviation with biofuel. On November 22nd a major milestone was accomplished when TAM Airlines and Airbus performed the first Jatropha-based biofuel flight in Latin America, using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

The group of companies is led by Curcas which specialises in Brazilian renewable energy project development, and the Brazilian biofuel producer, Brasil Ecodiesel. In parallel, Airbus and AirBP – the jet fuel distribution unit of BP – are providing their support to the project.

“Airbus is bringing together farmers, oil-refiners and airlines to spearhead the commercialisation of sustainable biofuel production in Brazil and worldwide,” says Paul Nash, Airbus head of New Energies. “As well as analysing the suitability of potential biofuels for aviation, Airbus is also supporting life-cycle and sustainability projects to ensure that any CO2 emissions-reducing solutions have a positive ‘social’ impact and do not compete with local resources including land, food or water,” he added.

The initiative which began in 2009, involved TAM acquiring sufficient jatropha-based oil to conduct the A320 demonstration flight. The jatropha grains produced by farmers throughout agricultural areas in Brazil, were refined through an oil extraction process and exported to the US, where it was processed into bio-kerosene by UOP LLC (a Honeywell Company) to make a 50:50 blend with regular aviation kerosene.

Curcas’ CEO Rafael Abud said: “We are working on an integrated collaborative approach by putting together strong partners from the aviation and the biofuels segments with the purpose of developing a fully integrated ‘value-chain’ in Brazil, from plant sciences and feedstock development to the distribution of the fuel at the airports”. He adds: “In this initial phase we will conduct all studies necessary to verify sustainability and economic viability of producing bio-kerosene. This project strengthens the Brazilian leadership in biofuels and will produce relevant environmental and social benefits”.

Brasil Ecodiesel’s CEO José Carlos Aguilera said: “The bio-kerosene market is a reality and promises significant growth potential, especially since the European Union has included aviation as an important element for global carbon emission reductions. Our participation in this pioneering project is aligned with our plans for diversifying our biofuel portfolio”.



  • The project will use diverse biomass sources as feedstock, with a special interest in the jatropha plant, grown by family farmers and large plantations in Brazil. TAM is implementing a ‘jatropha placement trial’ at its Technology Center in São Carlos, Brazil with the purpose of assessing sustainability of different production models in order to identify the best techniques and genetic material.
  • The sustainability studies relating to this placement trial are sponsored by Airbus and will be conducted at Yale University in the US.
  • The processing plant should start operations in 2013 with initial processing capacity of 80,000 tonnes per annum of the fuel.
  • Airbus supports all industry wide efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Bio-kerosene is in the final stage of approval by ASTM in the US to be blended up to 50 percent with regular jet fuel when used in commercial flights.



Read more...

Newsletter

* indicates required

Otra iniciativa de...

Otra iniciativa de...
http://sandglasspatrol.com

Contacto

[E-Mail]

  © Blogger template On The Road by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP