Cessna Citation Latitude makes FIDAE International Air and Space Fair debut



SANTIAGO, Chile (March 29, 2016) – Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced that the Cessna Citation Latitude is making its FIDAE International Air and Space Fair debut at the Santiago International Airport March 29-April 3. The Latitude, Textron Aviation’s most recently certified business jet, has been on a wordwide tour demonstrating its performance capabilities and class-leading cabin experience.

“The Latitude is already garnering strong interest from the Latin American market, offering customers our most spacious cabin environment and best-in-class operating costs,” said Bob Gibbs, regional vice president of Sales for Latin America and Caribbean. “We are the clear leaders in the Latin American jet market, with over 800 Citations and growing. The addition of the Latititude will only strengthen the Textron Aviation fleet and support the business aviation needs in this region.”

About the Citation Latitude

With a maximum range of 2,850 nautical miles, the Citation Latitude affords the most open, spacious, bright and refined cabin environment in the midsize category. With a flat floor and six feet of cabin height, innovation abounds with unique features designed throughout the aircraft. Cessna’s wireless cabin-technology system provides productive connectivity and entertainment to each passenger through their personal electronic devices. Improving cabin comfort for passengers and crew alike, the Latitude features a new cabin cooling system and a new pressurization system, which provides a 5,950-foot cabin altitude at the aircraft’s maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet. With standard seating configurations, the Latitude can comfortably accommodate up to nine passengers.

Textron Aviation service network supports Citation Latitude anywhere in the world

Supported by the industry’s most capable service network, Citation Latitude customers have access to Team Latitude, the service team staffed with experts dedicated to exclusively supporting this newest aircraft model, which provides around the clock support. Textron Aviation’s support organization includes 21 company-owned service centers located around the world with expert service engineers offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, avionics upgrades, equipment installations, refurbishments and other specialized services. In addition to its company-owned footprint, Textron Aviation’s jet and turboprop customers have access to a global network of nearly 200 authorized service facilities. Textron Aviation also offers a mobile support program featuring more than 60 mobile service units, three dedicated support aircraft, and on-site service technicians and support.

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About Textron Aviation Inc.
Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The Textron Aviation companies include Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting airplanes. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft, and a complete global customer service organization. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation and Hawker business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry’s most capable global service network. For more information, visit txtav.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of commercial products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; risks related to our international business, including relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

Textron Businesses to Highlight Several of their Advanced Commercial & Defense Products at FIDAE 2016

http://txtav.com/en/newsroom/2016/03/textron-businesses-to-highlight-several

Fort Worth, Texas (March 29, 2016) – Bell Helicopter, Textron AirLand, Textron Aviation Inc. and Textron Systems, all businesses of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), have announced their plans for the 19th edition of the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE 2016) in Santiago, Chile, held March 29 through April 3, 2016. Textron will be displaying in Chalet C2 – C6. 

For more than 35 years, FIDAE has brought together experts from diverse industry sectors, including civil and commercial aviation, defense, aircraft maintenance, airport support services and equipment, space technology and homeland security. This Latin American trade show works to provide the perfect environment for meetings and collaborations among professionals from the varied fields in aerospace and defense.

Bell Helicopter 
Bell Helicopter invites attendees to the Textron chalet. Within the booth, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from subject matter experts while seeing several of Bell Helicopter’s advanced commercial products, including: 
• Bell 505 Jet Ranger X
• Bell 407GXP 
• Bell 429 in a VVIP configuration

Additionally, Bell Helicopter will provide customer demonstration flights in its Bell 429 VVIP and the Bell 407GXP.

“With Bell Helicopter’s longstanding history in Latin America, FIDAE serves as an integral opportunity for us to build upon that legacy,” said Jay Ortiz, Bell Helicopter’s managing director for Latin America. “We look forward to showcasing how our products are ideally suited for the diverse climate and geography across Latin America and offer the advanced technology, performance and safety for any mission.” 

Textron AirLand
Making its first FIDAE appearance, the Scorpion jet will be on display in the Textron chalet. Designed and built with commercial practices, the Scorpion is truly unique in the ISR and Strike market.  Scorpion is a highly affordable military jet with a target production cost of approximately $20M and an hourly operating cost that has proven lower than US$3,000. It is also very versatile in terms of mission flexibility:  a 73 cubic foot / 2 cubic meter centerline payload bay and open electronic architecture allows for multiple “plug and play” sensor types to be employed, and quickly reconfigured without impacting operational tempo. Using commercially designed twin engines, the Scorpion combines high dash speeds, extended endurance, and loiter time at cruise speeds.  Production of the first conforming aircraft began last year and first flight of this production aircraft is expected this summer. 
Textron Aviation & Beechcraft Defense Company
Textron Aviation and its Beechcraft Defense Company will highlight their commercial, special mission and defense products at the show, including:
• Cessna Citation Latitude 
• Cessna Citation M2
• Beechcraft King Air 350ER
• Cessna Grand Caravan EX
• Beechcraft T-6 Texan.  

“We are excited to showcase our versatile product line at FIDAE this year, highlighting our jet and turboprop aircraft that continue to lead the Latin American market,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president of Sales, Latin America and Caribbean. “With over 2,600 Textron Aviation products in the region we are continuing to find innovative solutions for our customers and expand our service offerings.”

Making its show debut at this year’s FIDAE airshow is Textron Aviation’s most recently certified business jet – the Cessna Citation Latitude. With a range of 2,850 nautical miles, the Citation Latitude affords the most open, spacious, bright and refined cabin environment in the midsize category. Since entering the market two years ago, the Cessna Citation M2 has quickly become the best-selling business jet in its class, with more than 100 aircraft delivered around the world. 

With the industry’s broadest lineup of special mission platforms, Textron Aviation offers a full suite of products that fit a variety of mission profiles such as maritime patrol, air ambulance, float operations, training, utility transport and more. The King Air 350ER and Grand Caravan EX on display feature a unique set of interior configurations, highlighting the versatility of the Textron Aviation turboprop aircraft. 

Beechcraft Defense offers a versatile lineup of military platforms including the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, the world-leading military flight trainer, and the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine light attack aircraft, both backed by the industry’s most capable global service network.

Textron Systems
Textron Systems will exhibit its proven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), advanced information solutions (AIS) and smart weapons systems designed to serve the needs of militaries, security forces and other customers around the globe.
In the area of UAS, Textron Systems will feature the expeditionary Aerosonde™ Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS), which offers proven multi-mission performance in both military and commercial land-and-sea based applications. The Aerosonde is also equipped for real-time, full-motion video and communications relay within a single flight, and offers dedicated space and power to integrate additional capabilities based on customer requirements.  

In the area of AIS, Textron Systems will display the iCommand® Suite, which provides a real-time, cross-domain operational picture, along with touch-screen speed for contingency planning, decision making and asset management. Medina, a Windows based software product that provides sophisticated wireless telecommunications-based understanding by mining and analyzing user-collected commercial wireless communications network traffic and events, will also be on display. Additionally, Textron Systems’ IMPACT™ will be featured. Challenged by ever changing criminal and terrorist activities and an increasing quantity of data to manage, investigators rely on Advanced Information Solutions' IMPACT solution to more easily collect, analyze and manage the data that supports their investigative analysis. 

In the area of smart weapons, Textron Systems will exhibit its advanced G-CLAW™ and Fury® Precision Guided Munitions (PGM). The lightweight G-CLAW munition offers precision guidance through GPS-corrected navigation and Semi-Active Laser terminal guidance as well as flexible delivery options from a variety of aircraft systems and multi-mission employment options for land and sea targets. The Fury PGM delivers a precision strike capability against both soft targets and static or moving vehicles. The small, lightweight glide weapon is designed for carriage on multiple platforms. Fury utilizes Semi-Active Laser (SAL) seeker and GPS guidance, and is proven in testing to be accurate within one meter of a designated target.

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Press Contacts: 
Bell Helicopter
LINDSEY VIOTTO 
+1 817-280-3100 
mediarelations@bh.com
Online Media Kit
 Facebook
 Twitter
 YouTube
Textron Aviation and Textron Airland
NIKKI RIEMEN
+1 316-517-6771
nriemen@txtav.com 

Textron Systems
Matthew Colpitts
+1 978-657-2020
PublicRelations@textronsystems.com

About Bell Helicopter
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.

About Textron AirLand
Textron AirLand has developed a highly affordable and exportable twin-engine ISR/Strike/Trainer jet for the tactical military aviation market. A versatile jet platform based on commercial best practices and proven high technologies, Scorpion is designed as a multi-mission aircraft for diverse battlefield, security and training missions. More information about our initial aircraft is available at www.ScorpionJet.com.

About Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation Inc. is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. The Textron Aviation companies include Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft Corporation, bringing together decades of unmatched experience in designing, building and supporting airplanes. It provides the most versatile and comprehensive general aviation product portfolio in the world through five principal lines of business: business jets, general aviation and special mission turboprop aircraft, high performance piston aircraft, military trainer and defence aircraft, and a complete global customer service organization. Its broad range of products include such best-selling aircraft as Citation and Hawker business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops and T-6 military trainer aircraft, all of which are backed by the industry’s most capable global service network. For more information, visit: textronaviation.com.

About Textron Inc. 
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs; the timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors; difficult conditions in the financial markets which may adversely impact our customers’ ability to fund or finance purchases of our products; and continued demand softness or volatility in the  markets in which we do business.

“Lining up” for innovation: A new non-destructive testing tool takes off with the Airbus A350 XWB



An easy-to-use testing tool for inspecting the composite airframe of Airbus’ popular A350 XWB jetliner has become a commercial success itself, with key airline customers ordering the device to support their daily operations.

Named the Line Tool, this ultrasound system is used to inspect an A350 in the event of impact shocks. These can occur at airports if, for example, catering trucks, baggage loaders or other vehicles make hard contact with an aircraft.

Easily portable in a small-sized suitcase, the Line Tool offers a simple and cost-effective solution for on-site inspections, and can be utilised by airline personnel who are not experts in composite materials. In addition, Line Tool employs the non-destructive testing (NDT) principle that allows damage assessments to be made without affecting the fuselage or wing area that is examined.

“The Line Tool delivers an automatic diagnosis, which means that airlines can carry out their own tests straight away,” explained Patrick Métayer, the head of non-destructive testing at Airbus.

A350 XWB customers ordering the inspection units to date are Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, TAM and Vietnam Airlines – which are acquiring a combined total of 70 systems from Airbus Customer Services.

The Line Tool has been developed and commercialized using competencies from across the Airbus Group. Launched by Airbus in advance of the A350 XWB’s service entry, the system benefitted from structural health engineering capabilities of Airbus Group Innovations, the corporate-level research and technology network. TESTIA – the Airbus Group’s non-destructive testing and training subsidiary – has been involved in the product’s industrialization for Airbus Customer Services.

In producing the A350 XWB jetliner family, Airbus uses carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in more than 50 percent of the aircraft’s fuselage, wings and tail, providing the composite material’s benefits of lighter weight, as well as resistance to corrosion and fatigue.

To further pursue non-destructive inspection concepts for airlines, Airbus is developing a similar solution for more “classic” metallic airframes. Called the Clad Tool, this follow-on device already is applied internally in Airbus final assembly line applications, and will be offered to customers beginning this summer.

Army wants mini-drones for its squads by 2018 - ArmyTimes.com [feedly]


ArmyTimes.com

Army wants mini-drones for its squads by 2018
ArmyTimes.com
Unmanned aerial systems such as the Gray Eagle and Shadow, which are part of larger units, have improved situational awareness for the Army. But a squad trying to clear a city block or go over a hill can remain blind to more detailed and rapidly ...

APNewsBreak: Move to OK commercial drone flights over people - Worcester Telegram [feedly]

APNewsBreak: Move to OK commercial drone flights over people
Worcester Telegram
Cellular network providers also want to loosen restrictions so drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, can inspect cell towers, which often are in urban areas. Amazon's vision for package deliveries entails drones winging their way over city ...
Drones entering Oklahoma airspace, workplace (copy)Tulsa World
Performance-based standards are what's needed to keep micro drones safe, Skyward CEO saysFierceMobileIT
FAA to consider report on regulating dronesdomain-B

Pontifications: Boeing’s 8,000 employee reduction isn’t nearly enough [feedly]

Pontifications: Boeing's 8,000 employee reduction isn't nearly enough
https://leehamnews.com/2016/04/04/boeings-8000-employee-reduction-isnt-enough/

BCA has 22% more employees per airplane than Airbus. BCA is a bloated organization. Some of this undoubtedly is inherent to being a 100 year old company, compared with Airbus being less than 50. Airbus is more automated than Boeing as well.

In response to The Seattle Times story last week about the Boeing head count reduction, Steve Trimble of Flight International Tweeted that Airbus Commercial employs 55,000 people, compared with 82,000 at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a 49% difference. The math means Boeing has 107 employees per airplane delivered last year; Airbus has 87. Boeing delivered 762 airplanes vs 629 for Airbus.

Indra-Tecnam P2006T MRI aircraft to patrol Mediterranean for Frontex



http://www.janes.com/article/58997/indra-p2006t-mri-aircraft-to-patrol-mediterranean-for-frontex



The European Border Control Agency (Frontex) has awarded Indra a contract to incorporate the company's Tecnam P2006T Maritime Reconnaissance Intelligence (MRI) aircraft into the European Patrol Network (EPN) Operation 'Triton' maritime surveillance mission in the central zone of the Mediterranean Sea.

The contract, announced by Indra on 23 March, saw the P2006T MRI begin surveillance operations to track the movement of illegal vessels engaged in trafficking immigrants and to provide support for lifesaving efforts off southern Italy on 10 March.