jueves, 16 de septiembre de 2010

Joint Industry CDA Implementation win-win-win: saving fuel, cutting emissions, reducing noise



Written by Lesley Shepherd
Thursday, 16 September 2010 08:49
Geneva, Switzerland – Aviation organisations across Europe today announced further progress in reducing emissions and noise from aircraft, as part of the industry's commitment to a sustainable future.

The European Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) Action Plan, announced at the Aviation and Environment Summit a year ago, has gained further momentum with the launch of an interactive internet map showing the status of CDA implementation across Europe. The application, developed by EUROCONTROL as part of its work to support CDA implementation and in close collaboration with ACI EUROPE, CANSO, ERA and IATA, was presented for the first time at the ATAG Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva today.

EUROCONTROL is coordinating this effort through its CDA Implementation Team which has met with operational stakeholders covering a total of 104 different airports across Europe. Experts from EUROCONTROL, CANSO and IATA are also contributing to the development of a new ICAO manual on Continuous Descent Operations, which may lead to an update of EUROCONTROL's existing European CDA Guidance in 2011.

The support that the CDA Implementation Team has received from aircraft operators, airport operators and air navigation service providers has been crucial to commitments given thus far to implement CDA at 83 airports across 25 European States. Of these airports, 33 already offer CDA at some point in the day and a further 13 are currently carrying out flight trials. At least 15 new implementation support visits are already in the pipeline. This confirms that the project is clearly on track to reach the Joint Action Plan's target of CDA implementation at 100 European airports by 2013.

Operational flight trials and work in aircraft simulators confirm that a CDA from an altitude of about 10,000 feet should save approximately 100kg of fuel, and over 300kg of CO2 compared to the classical stepped approach. As there are over 9 million flights in European airspace every year, the widespread application of CDA in which aircraft fly higher for longer, has the potential to provide major cost savings for aircraft operators through reduced fuel use, reduced noise exposure for those who live near airports and considerable reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases.

"Following the last Aviation and Environment Summit, ACI EUROPE, CANSO, EUROCONTROL, ERA and IATA have been working closely together to implement the Joint European CDA Action Plan. We are already seeing tangible benefits of which the CDA internet map is but one. Over the coming months we will be focussing on promoting the widespread usage of CDA and establishing a CDA culture which will pave the way to more advanced performance in the future," said Andrew Watt, Environment Manager at EUROCONTROL.

ATAG Executive Director Paul Steele commented "The close cooperation between ACI EUROPE, CANSO, EUROCONTROL, ERA and IATA is just one of many great examples of joined-up thinking that the aviation industry is applying to the challenge of lowering its emissions. Through innovative tools like the interactive map, the CDA Action Plan is ahead of schedule in its aim to reduce emissions by 500,000 tons of CO2 a year, and shows the industry delivering on its commitments to cap net carbon emissions from 2020 and half net emissions by 2050."

European Region Airline Association Press Release



Green Landings: CDA (Continuous Descent Approach) Brochure 

Emerging Technologies May Fuel Revolutionary Launcher: Horizontal Launch

An early proposal has emerged that calls for a wedge-shaped aircraft with scramjets to be launched horizontally on an electrified track or gas-powered sled. The aircraft would fly up to Mach 10, using the scramjets and wings to lift it to the upper reaches of the atmosphere where a small payload canister or capsule similar to a rocket's second stage would fire off the back of the aircraft and into orbit. The aircraft would come back and land on a runway by the launch site.


http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/horizontallaunch.html


RAF FSTA (Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft), Airbus Military Tanker for UK, completes first flight




The first A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK Royal Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid following its conversion.

The first A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK Royal Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid following its conversion.

The aircraft, converted from a basic A330-200 by Airbus Military, took off at 11.41 local time (09.41 UTC) and landed at 13.37 local time (11.37 UTC) after a flight lasting close to two hours (airborne).

Chief Pilot FSTA Tim Butler captained the flight supported by Chief Test Pilot Eduardo Cuadrado. The engineering team on board included: Test Flight Engineer Santiago Manso, and Flight Test Engineers Jorge Fuentes and Alfonso Sopeña.

The crew reported that the aircraft, its systems, and two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines performed entirely satisfactorily. As planned, no refuelling activity was undertaken during this flight.

Tim Butler said: “After this major conversion of the aircraft to a MRTT, it was very satisfying to find everything working so well. This first flight of a second version of the A330 MRTT confirms the handling qualities and maturity of the aircraft.”

The flight marks the beginning of a test campaign that will lead to first delivery to the RAF towards the end of 2011.



El español Domingo Ureña será nombrado en octubre presidente de la Asociación europea de Industrias Aeroespaciales y de Defensa

http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=519174


Así lo ha confirmado hoy en declaraciones a Efe el actual secretario general de ASD, François Gayet, durante una reunión en la que participa en Ginebra sobre "Aviación y Medioambiente", que se clausura este viernes.

Ureña será nombrado oficialmente como presidente de ASD por el periodo de un año el próximo 7 de octubre

Boeing aims for five-year flights after Vulture win

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/16/347380/boeing-aims-for-five-year-flights-after-vulture-win.html

Boeing will redefine "long endurance" for unmanned air vehicles, having won a contract to build a solar-powered flying wing intended to stay aloft for five years at a time under the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Vulture programme, the Pentagon agency announced on 15 September.

Comienzan los ensayos en vuelo del Tigre HAD de Eurocopter en España




La primera versión HAD (Helicóptero de Apoyo y Destrucción) del helicóptero Tigre español ha comenzado su programa de ensayos en vuelo en las instalaciones de Eurocopter en Albacete. Durante los próximos 15 meses, tendrá lugar un completo programa de ensayos y vuelos de perfeccionamiento con el objetivo de obtener la cualificación de la Fase 1, prevista para
diciembre de 2011. Estas evaluaciones incluirán las campañas de tiro de misiles Mistral y Spike, previstas para finales de este año.

Liberto Negral, responsable de los programas gubernamentales de Eurocopter en España ha destacado: "Es la primera vez que España asume los ensayos en vuelo del prototipo de un helicóptero. Estamos muy satisfechos de poder llevar a cabo el programa de ensayos en vuelo del Tigre HAD, que se está desarrollando extraordinariamente bien y en los plazos previstos. Esto representa un gran éxito técnico para Eurocopter en España"

La primera aeronave de producción Tigre HAD está previsto que se entregue a principios de 2012. Dos son los países que ya han pedido esta versión de la familia de helicópteros de combate Tigre de Eurocopter: España ha encargado 24 unidades y Francia 40. La versión HAD también se ofrece para exportación.

En los últimos cuatro meses, se realizó en la factoría de Albacete una importante reconfiguración del helicóptero para esta versión HAD, que es una variante derivada de la versión HAP (Helicóptero de Apoyo y Protección). Estos trabajos incluyen la integración de los nuevos motores MTR390, especialmente desarrollados para la versión HAD, así como nuevas versiones del "software" básico y de misión.

El Tigre es el helicóptero de ataque más nuevo y con mejores prestaciones en el mercado mundial. En sus diferentes versiones disponibles, Francia ha encargado 80 ejemplares, Alemania 80, Australia 22 y España 24. Un total de 57 Tigre están ya en servicio. La versión HAD ofrece numerosas ventajas sobre la HAP, actualmente desplegada en Afganistán por el Ejército francés.
Entre las nuevas características se incluyen el motor más potente, incremento de la carga de pago, sistema de visión optrónico mejorado, sistema de lanzamiento de misiles aire-tierra Hellfire y Spike, interrogador amigo-enemigo (IFF), protección balística optimizada y un nuevo sistema de guerra electrónica y contramedidas


(nota de prensa Eurocopter)

Proposal for new USAF bomber




http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3adb12160a-0761-48d4-934d-1e63742fa25b


The study's lead author, Mark Gunzinger, said Tuesday that there were two main surprises that popped out of the work done by CSBA. The first was the importance of the strategic "framework" to long-range strike studies. Most earlier studies have been based on a post Cold War framework in which regional bases are available, carriers are secure and there is no challenge to space. But, he says, "our competitors have gone to school on the American way of warfare" and as a result, in future conflicts, carriers will be held 1000 nm off the coast and land bases will be pushed back.


The second surprise was that Gunzinger and other CSBA contributors expected the bomber analysis to revolve around classic choices: manned/unmanned, standoff/penetrator, or the degree of stealth. "In some cases these were false choices and in other cases there was no choice necessary," Gunzinger says.

 

 

Report [PDF]

Boeing 787 Suffers Engine Surge During Flight Tests

Boeing and Rolls-Royce are investigating the causes of a Trent 1000 engine surge that has grounded flight tests of the first Boeing 787 at Roswell, N.M.

Boeing also is assessing whether the latest engine incident may cause further slips in the hard-pressed 787 delivery schedule. The failure occurred on Sept. 10 during ground tests of the first 787, ZA001, which was at Roswell for Block 1 rejected takeoff work, plus brake demonstration certification and stability and control tests.

ZA001 “experienced an engine surge during testing on Friday afternoon. The event occurred prior to takeoff and the crew completed the appropriate maneuvers. Back-up systems performed as designed, and the crew and the aircraft were safe throughout the event.”

Full Text: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=comm&id=news/avd/2010/09/16/02.xml

Eurocopter & ATE inician las pruebas de un sistema de arma

http://www.defensa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2321:eurocopter-a-ate-inician-las-pruebas-de-un-sistema-de-arma&catid=56:industria&Itemid=164

Eurocopter y Advanced Technologies & Engineering (ATE), empresa sudafricana integradora de sistemas, han iniciado las pruebas de lanzamiento en vuelo de un nuevo sistema de armas autónomo (Stand Alone Weapons System, SAWS), destinado a helicópteros ligeros y medianos

EADS high-tech licensing initiative on the road to success

  • Licence agreements worth €10.5 million signed
  • EADS one of the world’s most innovative companies with over 7,200 patents

Munich, 16 September 2010 – The technology transfer and licensing policy pursued by EADS’ Intellectual Property (IP) section is developing most successfully. Licence agreements worth €10.5 million were signed at a trade gathering in Le Bourget near Paris, only a year after the launch of the initiative. A total of eleven companies have participated so far.

“EADS occupies a leading role in the manufacture of high-tech products for the aerospace industry. Many of our technologies can benefit our suppliers as well as companies in other sectors of industry,” said EADS Chief
Technical Officer Dr. Jean Botti. Interested companies have the opportunity to find out about the Group’s technology portfolio at IP conferences and trade fairs. Licensing is an integral element of the Group’s long-term IP strategy.

“High-technology companies need to pay particular attention to intellectual property rights in a global business environment,” added Wulf Höflich, the Group's Chief Intellectual Property Officer. With a portfolio of more than 7,200 inventions, EADS is among the world’s most innovative companies.

The aim of the new corporate policy is to make particularly attractive technologies available to suppliers and companies both inside and outside the aerospace industry by granting patent licences. EADS Technology
Licensing provides the opportunity for interested companies to enhance their own products by using complementary technologies, or to make use of such technologies to develop innovative new products and capture new markets.

By way of illustration, EADS presented state-of-the-art composite, manufacturing, communication infrastructure, security and environment- friendly technologies that are used at Airbus, Eurocopter and throughout EADS and have now been made available for commercial applications. Today, for example, many wind turbines are manufactured using an efficient fibre-composite construction method that was originally developed at the EADS research facilities for aircraft construction



(press release)

Sikorsky X2 Technology™ Demonstrator Achieves 250-Knot Speed Milestone

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s X2 TechnologyTM demonstrator today successfully achieved a speed of 250 knots true air speed in level flight at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center, accomplishing the program’s ultimate speed milestone. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The speed, reached during a 1.1-hour flight, is an unofficial speed record for a helicopter. The demonstrator also reached 260 knots in a very shallow dive during the flight.

“The aerospace industry today has a new horizon,” said Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino. “The X2 Technology demonstrator continues to prove its potential as a game-changer, and Sikorsky Aircraft is proud to be advancing this innovative technology and to continue our company’s pioneering legacy.”

“Our primary key performance parameter has been met,” said Jim Kagdis, Program Manager for Sikorsky Advanced Programs. “The 250-knot milestone was established as the goal of the demonstrator from its inception. It’s exciting to imagine how our customers will use this capability.”

Kevin Bredenbeck, Sikorsky’s Director of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot for the company and for its X2 Technology program, manned the milestone flight. Bredenbeck said the demonstrator has been performing well, meeting expectations of performance predictions and progressing with every test flight.

“I’m proud of what the X2 Technology team has accomplished,” Bredenbeck said. “This was truly a collaborative effort that demanded a tremendous sacrifice from the full team. This dedication enabled the demonstrator to hit this historically high mark.”

The X2 Technology demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate that a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots while retaining such desirable attributes as excellent low-speed handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.

The X2 Technology program began in 2005 when Sikorsky first committed resources and full funding for the program’s development.

Mark Miller, Sikorsky Vice President of Research & Engineering, said: “The X2 Technology program is an initiative of our Sikorsky Innovations team, and today it offers a clear and exciting validation of our ability to take on the toughest challenges in vertical flight.”

Press Release

Airbus completes allocation of A350 XWB airframe work packages to China

CAC Commercial Aircraft Company (CCAC), one of the major aviation industry companies in China, today signed a contract with Airbus for the work package of A350 XWB spoilers and droop panels. With this new contract, Airbus has now completed the allocation of the five percent A350 XWB airframe to be manufactured in China.

The contract was signed today in Beijing by Klaus Richter, Airbus Executive Vice President Procurement, and Wang Guangya, President and Chairman of CAC, the holding company of CCAC, and Chairman of CCAC.

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is extensively used on A350 XWB spoiler and droop panels. Innovative processes include the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process on the Centre Hinge Fitting that attaches the spoiler to the wing structure.

Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Centre (ABEC), a joint venture of Airbus in China, will be involved in the design activities relating to this work package.

While CCAC will become the sole supplier of the A350 XWB spoilers and droop panels, FACC AG, an Austria based leading company specialising in the development, design and manufacture of composite components and systems for civil aircraft will be responsible, under a separate contract, for the definition of the industrial process. Airbus worldwide industrial standards will be applied for the assessment of the products and the training of employees.

“We are proud to be involved in the latest Airbus aircraft programme. With this contract, we have reached our objective to be part of a global aeronautical manufacturing chain. We have long been a supplier to Airbus and have been a partner in several cooperation projects with Airbus. We cherish this opportunity very much to cooperate with Airbus and with FACC,” said Wang Guangya, President and Chairman of CAC and Chairman of CCAC.

“With this work package, we have accomplished our commitment to manufacture five percent of the A350 XWB airframe in China,” said Klaus Richter, Airbus Executive Vice President, Procurement. “Besides, this is also an important step forward for Airbus to develop a truly global industrial and engineering footprint, which helps Airbus to create a competitive cost base and access talented global resources,” he added.



About FACC

FACC is one of Airbus’ European Support Partners.

FACC AG is one of the world's leading companies in the development and production of advanced fiber-reinforced composite components and systems for the aviation industry. Their range of products reaches from structural components for the fuselage and wings to engine components to complete passenger cabins for passenger planes and helicopters. FACC is a supplier to all large aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer and ACAC, as well as for engine manufacturers and sub-suppliers of manufacturers. In the business year of 2009/10, FACC achieved a turnover of 251.43 million euros and employed an average of 1,529 employees. Further information can be found at http://www.facc.at.

About China and the A350 XWB airframe production

On 26th November 2007, Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Development and Reform Commission of China to formalise the commitment of manufacturing five per cent of the A350 XWB’s airframe in China.

Press Release

Pentagon official: No exact KC-X selection date

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/09/defense-kcx-tanker-done-when-its-done-091510/
The Pentagon and Air Force have yet to set a date for awarding a multibillion-dollar aerial refueling tanker contract, but a decision is expected “this fall,” says the Pentagon’s top arms buyer.

The latest try at buying new Air Force aerial tankers “will be done when it’s done,” Defense Department purchasing chief Ashton Carter said a conference here Wednesday.

Boeing projects need for one million pilots and maintenance personnel in next 20 years

The commercial aviation industry will require 466,650 pilots and 596,500 maintenance personnel over the next 20 years to accommodate the strong demand for new and replacement aircraft, according to a crew assessment forecast from Boeing (NYSE: BA). Airlines will need an average of 23,300 new pilots and 30,000 new maintenance personnel per year from 2010 to 2029.

The crew assessment forecast is based on Boeing's Current Market Outlook, widely regarded as the most comprehensive and respected analysis of the commercial aviation market. "When you add up all the numbers, you quickly understand the issues facing this industry," said Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer, Boeing Training & Flight Services. "Our challenge is adapting our training to engage the future generation of people who will fly and maintain the more than 30,000 airplanes that will be delivered by 2029."

The largest growth in both pilots and maintenance workers will be in the Asia-Pacific region with a requirement for 180,600 and 220,000 respectively. Within Asia, China will experience the greatest need for pilots and maintenance personnel -- 70,600 and 96,400 respectively.

North America will need 97,350 pilots and 137,000 maintenance workers; Europe will need 94,800 pilots and 122,000 maintenance personnel; Africa will need 13,200 pilots and 15,000 maintenance personnel; the Middle East will need 32,700 pilots and 44,500 maintenance personnel; Latin America will need 37,000 pilots and 44,000 maintenance personnel; and the CIS will need 11,000 pilots and 14,000 maintenance personnel.

"To accommodate this growing demand, it will be vital to match training with the learning styles of students to come," Ganzarski said. During the recent Asia Pacific Aviation Training Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, Ganzarski called for changes to current training methodologies. "As an industry, we need to adapt to the learning styles of tomorrow's technologically savvy pilots and mechanics, and ensuring that training is globally accessible, adaptable to individual needs and competency-based."

Boeing Training & Flight Services provides innovative training products and services to more than 400 customers around the world. Its training and services programs are accepted by more than 100 regulatory agencies worldwide.

Press Release



In flight Global:


http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/09/16/347401/boeing-projects-need-for-one-million-pilots-and-maintenance-personnel-in-next-20.html

This is the first time that Boeing is releasing such a forecast, which is based upon its current market outlook for aircraft.

"When you add up all the numbers, you quickly understand the issues facing this industry," he adds. "Our challenge is adapting our training to engage the future generation of people who will fly and maintain the more than 30,000 airplanes that will be delivered by 2029," says Ganzarski.

La I+D aeronáutica en España, ejemplo a seguir

http://www.cincodias.com/articulo/empresas/I-D-aeronautica-Espana-ejemplo-seguir/20100916cdscdiemp_26/cdsemp/

La industria aérea destina el 13,5% de su facturación a investigación para atender los retos crecientes de seguridad, respeto al medio ambiente y eficiencia

Tanto europeos como Boeing cantan victoria en diferendo ante OMC

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jXmss36A5HXU4cT6FBY0cJQI-l5Q


"El análisis efectuado (por la Organización Mundial del Comercio) parece muy completo y las conclusiones apoyan los enfoques de la UE en el diferendo" entre las dos compañías, declaró en un comunicado el comisario europeo de Comercio, Karel De Gucht, que representa a la Unión Europea en este caso


Por su parte, Boeing declaró que "si las informaciones difundidas hoy (miércoles) son correctas y que la OMC no halló efectivamente más que 3.000 millones de dólares de ayudas ilegales, entonces el veredicto equivale a un rechazo en bloque de las acusaciones formuladas por a Unión Europea

La OMC fuerza a Boeing y a EADS a rediseñar el sector.
http://www.expansion.com/2010/09/16/empresas/transporte/1284588849.html


La OMC detecta que Boeing también recibió subvenciones
http://www.cincodias.com/articulo/empresas/OMC-detecta-Boeing-recibio-subvenciones/20100916cdscdiemp_7/cdsemp/