domingo, 14 de noviembre de 2010

Autorizada una pequeña inversión de Boeing en España

El Consejo de Ministros celebrado hoy ha aprobado cinco acuerdos por los que se autorizan otras tantas inversiones extranjeras para poder realizar actividades relacionadas con la Defensa. Una de las inversiones autorizadas corresponde a Boeing, a la que se permite una inversión de 287.070 euros

http://www.aerotendencias.com/investigacion-espacial/2252-autorizada-una-pequena-inversion-de-boeing-en-espana

Airbus A350 XWB retrasado

http://fly-news.es/industria/airbus-a350-xwb-retrasado/


Unos seis meses es lo que EADS ha anunciado se retrasará la entrada en servicio del Airbus A350 XWB: del segundo trimestre de 2013 a la segunda mitad de 2013.

El motivo es la necesidad de un mayor tiempo de transición entre las fases de diseño y la producción.

Airbus y CESA reciben subvenciones por más de 12 millones de euros, respectivamente

El Consejo de Ministros dio el visto bueno a la concesión de estas subvenciones como parte de los proyectos aprobados recientemente en la sexta convocatoria del subprograma de apoyo a Consorcios Estratégicos Nacionales de Investigación Técnica (CENIT).

Estos dos proyectos superan la cuantía de doce millones de euros por lo que, según establece la Ley General de Subvenciones, es necesaria la autorización por parte del Gobierno español.

http://www.infodefensa.com/esp/noticias/noticias.asp?cod=2808&n=Airbus-y-CESA-reciben-subvenciones-por-m%E1s-de-12-millones-de-euros,-respectivamente

viernes, 12 de noviembre de 2010

Ad-hoc-Release: EADS Reports Nine-Month Results for 2010

12 noviembre 2010

• Significant order intake of € 57.7 billion driven by Airbus
• Long Range production rate increases to 9 aircraft per month in
Q1 2012
• Revenues of € 31.6 billion
• EBIT* before one-off at € 0.8 billion
• Net income: € 198 million
• Net Cash at € 10.3 billion: better than expected, a key asset
• Increase of Free Cash Flow guidance

EADS’ (stock exchange symbol: EAD) macro-economic and commercial environment continues to improve thanks to increasing aircraft demand. Institutional markets including helicopters, defence and public budgets have to be monitored. At the end of September, the order intake(4) of € 57.7 billion mirrors the improved momentum in commercial aviation. EADS’ order book of more than € 426 billion provides a solid platform for future deliveries. EADS’ revenues amount to € 31.6 billion. The EBIT* before one-off of € 0.8 billion benefited from the underlying performance in Airbus legacy programmes and other core business activities. EBIT* amounted to € 784 million. The Net Cash position of € 10.3 billion is better than expected thanks to better cash performance and favourable phasing. It is a key asset to foster future growth.

“The commercial aviation sector continues its ascent which starts to be reflected in the nine-month results. Within this improving environment, the A380 production is visibly progressing and manufacturing of the A350 has begun. I want to express our gratitude to the A400M Customer Nations who have supported us in reaching an agreement”, said Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS. “At the same time, budget reviews in our home countries are not yet fully completed; we therefore remain attentive to challenges which could arise for our business with government customers. Looking forward, beyond 2011 the upturn in the commercial aircraft business should drive the profitability improvement of the Group. In the mid-term, at the current exchange rates, Airbus should significantly improve its underlying profitability thanks to better volume, pricing and further economic improvement of the A380 performance.”

In the first nine months, EADS’ revenues increased to € 31.6 billion (9m 2009: € 29.7 billion) thanks to growth from both volume and mix effects across core businesses. Physical deliveries remained at a high level with 380 aircraft at Airbus Commercial, 367 helicopters at Eurocopter and the 38th consecutive successful Ariane 5 launch. The percentage-of-completion methodology was resumed on the A400M programme. Until the end of September, based on the allocation of internal milestones, around € 500 million in revenues were booked on the programme. The Customer Nations and EADS have concluded negotiations on the overall A400M discussions. The FY 2009 A400M provision calculation remains valid. Government payments are more back-loaded than expected after the signature of the principle agreement in March 2010. Negotiations on the export levy facility (ELF) scheme are expected to be finalised before the end of the year. Once parliamentary approvals are obtained, the agreement will be binding. In the meantime, the A400M flight test programme is progressing better than expected with the fourth aircraft due to join the flight test campaign before year-end.

EBIT* before one-off (adjusted EBIT*) – an indicator capturing the underlying business margin by excluding non-recurring charges or profits caused by movements in provisions or foreign exchange impacts – stood at € 0.8 billion (9m 2009: € 1.7 billion) for EADS and around € 0.3 billion for Airbus. It benefited from good underlying performance of Airbus legacy programmes and core business activities in the other Divisions. As expected, A380 continues to weigh significantly on the underlying performance. Compared to the first nine months of 2009, EBIT* before one-off was mainly weighed down by the deterioration of hedge rates and higher investment in Research & Development.

EADS’ reported EBIT* stood at € 784 million (9m 2009: € 1,089 million).

Net Income amounted to € 198 million (9m 2009: € 291 million), or earnings per share of € 0.24 (earnings per share 9m 2009: € 0.36). The finance result amounts to € -452 million (9m 2009: € -615 million). The interest result of € -176 million (9m 2009: € -89 million) reflects the decline in interest rates on the financial markets. The other financial result amounts to € -276 million (9m 2009: € -526 million). The improvement year-on-year is due to a positive revaluation of the Group’s U.S. dollar and GBP cash assets and the revaluation of financial instruments.

Self-financed Research & Development (R&D) expenses reached € 2,038 million (9m 2009: € 1,834 million), driven by increases at Airbus due to a ramp-up in A350 XWB activity as well as increasing product investment at Cassidian for the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Systems businesses and at Eurocopter across the product range. Going forward R&D expenses should increase at Airbus, Eurocopter and Cassidian.

Free Cash Flow before customer financing of € 882 million (9m 2009: € -892 million) has benefited from good commercial order intake, a high volume of commercial deliveries including 14 A380 as well as favourable phasing. Receipts from governments for development programmes roughly compensate payment delays. At Airbus, inventories remained stable in the first nine months of 2010. The nine-month results of 2009 included a ramp-up on the A380 but a low level of A380 deliveries as well as a mismatch between production and delivery rates for both single aisle and long range aircraft. The inflow of advances linked to Airbus commercial activity was higher than one year ago, reflecting the increase in deliveries and commercial aircraft orders. This positive effect was more than offset by the lower inflows from Astrium and Cassidian. In the first nine months, the net customer financing outflow was lower than expected at around € -90 million due to a combination of appetite from lessors and banking market recovery. The third quarter included the sell down of three A320 operating leases. Free Cash Flow after customer financing amounted to € 791 million (9m 2009: € -1,182 million).

EADS’ Net Cash position amounted to € 10.3 billion (year-end 2009: € 9.8 billion) after a € 300 million contribution to pension fund assets. It continues to provide a solid foundation for the Group’s operational needs as well as future growth.

The order intake of EADS significantly increased to € 57.7 billion compared to one year ago (9m 2009: € 24.6 billion) mainly due to higher commercial aircraft orders. By the end of September 2010, EADS’ order book stood at a robust € 426.4 billion (year-end 2009: € 389.1 billion), mainly reflecting increases at Airbus and Astrium. The Airbus Commercial order book benefited from a positive revaluation impact of around € 18 billion due to the closing spot rate of the U.S. dollar that has significantly strengthened since year-end. The defence order book stood at € 56.4 billion (year-end 2009: € 57.3 billion).

At the end of September 2010, EADS’ workforce consisted of 120,580 employees (year-end 2009: 119,506).

Outlook

In 2010, Airbus gross orders should be up to 500 thanks to the commercial aircraft upturn and Airbus deliveries should be slightly more than 500.

EADS’ guidance is based on an assumption of €1 = $1.35 for the Q4 2010 average rate and year-end closing spot rate.

EADS revenues should be more than € 44 billion.

At slightly more than 500 deliveries, EADS confirms its EBIT* before one-off guidance at around € 1.2 billion.

Going forward the EBIT* performance of EADS will be dependent on the Group’s ability to execute on the A400M, A380 and A350XWB programmes, in line with the commitments made to its customers.

Using the above exchange rate assumptions, EADS increases its EBIT* guidance to at least € 1.1 billion.

EADS is also increasing its Free Cash Flow guidance. Provided a sustainable year-end cash inflow of institutional and government business, the Free Cash Flow before customer financing should be around € 1 billion and Free Cash Flow after customer financing should be above € 800 million compared to the previously expected free cash outflow of around € -600 million.

* EADS uses EBIT pre goodwill impairment and exceptionals as a key indicator of its economic performance. The term “exceptionals” refers to such items as depreciation expenses of fair value adjustments relating to the EADS merger, the Airbus Combination and the formation of MBDA, as well as impairment charges thereon.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119,000.


eads

El programa A400M acumula unas pérdidas de 60 millones de euros que lastran a Airbus Military

El programa del futuro avión de transporte A400M acumuló en los primeros nueve meses de 2010 unas pérdidas de unos 60 millones de euros, lo que lastra los resultado de la división Airbus Military que registró en ese periodo un EBIT negativo de unos 35 millones de euros, informó la compañía.

http://www.infodefensa.com/esp/noticias/noticias.asp?cod=2803&n=El-programa-A400M-acumula-unas-p%E9rdidas-de-60-millones-de-euros-que-lastran-a-Airbus-Military

NASA plans to develop hypersonic plane for manned mission to Mars

NASA has announced funding to develop a hypersonic fixed wing air/space vehicle capable of flight speeds between Mach 8 and Mach 20. Over five years US$5 million will be spent on the research and development of a vehicle that could one day take the first humans to Mars.

NASA intends to fill technological gaps in the areas of materials and structures, air-breathing propulsion, aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, plasmadynamics, atmospheric decelerator technologies, and entry descent and landing technologies. Identified as the two primary areas of interest for the funding period are developing an air-breathing propulsion system capable of gaining access to outer space, and designing an entry, descent, and landing (EDL) system for the delivery of high-mass vehicles into planetary atmospheres.

Full text http://www.gizmag.com/nasa-to-develop-hypersonic-plane/16884/

More info (NASA-PDF)

La liberalización de las torres de control llevará entre 19 y 31 meses

Madrid.- El Ministerio de Fomento y Aena contemplan un plazo de entre 19 y 31 meses -según el grado de complejidad de los distintos aeropuertos de la red nacional- para la privatización del servicio de las torres de control, según la Asociación Profesional de Controladores Aéreos de España (APCAE).


Conforme a dicha asociación profesional, las autoridades aeronáuticas españolas han establecido 3 etapas para acometer el proceso liberalizador del servicio ATC en las torres de control de la red de Aena, cuya licitación hará pública en breve esta entidad, según anunció recientemente su presidente, Juan Ignacio Lema.

http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=noticias&id=4cdce1c9e8cce&viewTemplate=1

Boeing fue "demasiado ambiciosa" en el desarrollo del Dreamliner, dice su presidente

Jim McNerney, titular del directorio y presidente ejecutivo del conglomerado aeroespacial, dijo que Boeing había delegado demasiado trabajo a los socios como parte de una amplia iniciativa de contratación de terceros diseñada para compartir los costos y riesgos de sus programas de desarrollo e indicó que el 787 es un "buen ejemplo" de algo que resultó ser una debilidad en vez de una fortaleza.

Dijo que el modelo de negocios de Boeing fue demasiado "horizontal".

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB128951145285356237.html

Rolls Outlines Trent 900 Modification Plan

Rolls-Royce says that last week’s uncontained failure of a Trent 900 on a Qantas Airbus A380 was caused by the malfunction of “a specific component” in the turbine area, which will be addressed by a modification programme across the fleet.

Meanwhile Airbus boss Tom Enders has warned that the problem may impact A380 deliveries this year and next.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=comm&id=news/awx/2010/11/12/awx_11_12_2010_p0-269146.xml

MASA invertirá 17 millones en la fabricación de piezas para aviones

Logroño.- Mecanizaciones Aeronáuticas, S. A. (MASA), la empresa riojana con sede en el polígono de El Sequero de Agoncillo, invertirá a lo largo del 2010 y 2011 alrededor de 17 millones de euros en el desarrollo de cuatro proyectos de I+D+i para mecanizar la fabricación de piezas para aviones, según puso de relieve su presidente, Pedro Revuelta, en la inauguración de una de las máquinas de sus instalaciones.

El presidente de la Comunidad riojana, Pedro Sanz, visitó el pasado lunes las instalaciones de la empresa donde conoció los nuevos proyectos de I+D+i que desarrolla, entre los que destaca el Proyecto Impulso II, que se desarrollará en dos máquinas que dotan a la empresa de características especiales de productividad y posibilidades tecnológicas.

http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=noticias&id=4cdb920924924&viewTemplate=1

jueves, 11 de noviembre de 2010

Gamesa abre cinco centros de I+D y cierra el de Dinamarca

El tecnólogo eólico vasco reafirma su línea de investigación y desarrollo como "una de sus apuestas estratégicas para los próximos años", según asegura el departamento de comunicación de la compañía. Asimismo, Gamesa pretende abrir cinco centros nuevos en otros tantos países a lo largo de los próximos seis meses. Dos de ellos se dedicarán a la I+D eólica marina.


http://www.energias-renovables.com/paginas/Contenidosecciones.asp?ID=14&Cod=21859&Tipo=&Nombre=Noticias

Domingo Urueña: EADS quiere tener un 20% de sus empleados y un 40% de sus compras fuera de Europa

Según Ureña, para que continúe el desarrollo y se consolide aún más el sector aeroespacial en España son necesarios "los matrimonios de conveniencia y los matrimonios de convergencia" con Latinoamérica ya que aunque existan diferencias, "estamos condenados" a ellos. Así, EADS, con sus diez mil empleados en España y su participación en los principales programas europeos del sector, ha venido siendo la puerta de entrada de la industria española en los mismos.


http://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-economia-empresas-eads-quiere-tener-20-empleados-40-compras-fuera-europa-20101111194434.html

Safran Group presents tomorrow's noiseless nacelles





Developed by Safran company Aircelle, the NAIAD program – Nacelle Innovative and Acoustic Demonstrator – will give aircraft engines lighter, quieter nacelles. We asked Anne-Sophie Goubet, NAIAD technical manager, to explain the program's objectives.

What exactly does NAIAD entail?
NAIAD is a demonstrator program that will enable us to develop the technologies needed for tomorrow's nacelles. Aircelle launched the program back in 2007 in conjunction with fellow Safran company Snecma, as part of joint studies to define an optimized propulsion system. The main aim of the program, 50% of which is funded by the French civil aviation directorate DGAC, is to reduce the propulsion system's weight and drag – two key factors in lowering fuel consumption and therefore CO2 and NOx emissions. It is also designed to improve the nacelle's acoustic performance, while reducing maintenance costs.

What are the most significant innovations in this program?
First, noise reduction, primarily due to the nacelle design: we optimized the joints, and also expanded the areas using acoustic linings. At the same time, this "single-piece" design, without any openings, reduced the nacelle's drag. And by using composite parts we achieved weight savings as well. Finally, instead of trap doors, engine access is provided by sliding the cowling forward, which also facilitates maintenance.

The NAIAD demonstrator was delivered to Snecma in September. What are the next steps in this program?
We just started assembling the two major parts of our nacelle, the laminar forward cowl (LFC) and one piece barrel (OPB), with Snecma's Mascot fan, which is also a demonstrator for tomorrow's technologies. We have been in constant touch with Snecma over the last few years, to ensure that the technologies and interfaces used in these two projects are compatible. In 2011, the Mascot demonstrator and the OPB will be transferred to GE's test facilities in Peebles, Ohio, where they will undergo acoustic tests. Soon after that they will be joined by another major NAIAD subassembly, the acoustically treated substitute thrust reverser, or SITA.


Press Release

Inicio de las audiencias de apelación a dictamen de OMC sobre ayudas a Airbus

En las audiencias participan las dos compañías implicadas, los Estados
Unidos como parte litigante y la Unión Europea como parte acusada, y
seis terceros países: Australia, Brasil, Canadá, China, Corea y Japón.

Una vez hayan concluido las audiencias, los miembros del Organo de
Apelación de la OMC se reunirán para analizar los argumentos de ambas
partes y tomarán una decisión irrevocable que se espera sea conocida
en el primer semestre del año que viene.

http://www.invertia.com/noticias/articulo-final.asp?idNoticia=2429102

España lidera la venta de 100 cazas 'Eurofighter' por más de 9.000 millones

http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas-ss/noticias/2587184/11/10/Espana-lidera-la-venta-de-100-cazas-Eurofighter-por-mas-de-9000-millones.html


Están involucrados tres países y Getafe podría llevarse más del 50% del trabajo

Cassidian España está involucrada en tres nuevas campañas de
exportación que se suman a la que ya se anunció el pasado año en Corea
del Sur -y que fue adelantada por elEconomista-. Aunque la compañía
con sede en Getafe mantiene en secreto los nombres de los tres países
en los que ha fijado su objetivo, pertenecen a las tres áreas de
influencia que la filial española viene trabajando desde hace años
gracias a los contratos que la histórica Construcciones Aeronáuticas
(Casa) ha ido logrando con sus aviones de transporte militar.

Qantas A380 - Prime Suspect Identified

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has revealed the first clues as to what may have caused the catastrophic failure of the Trent 900 engine powering a Qantas A380 on Nov 4. In an airworthiness directive (AD) issued today, the agency points to an oil fire in the high pressure/intermediate pressure (HP/IP) structure cavity as the suspected cause of an IP turbine disc failure.

Full text: http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/commercial_aviation/ThingsWithWings/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbbPost%3a648f4a34-a001-4564-96ff-9d91171d0b7f&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter



EASA Airworthines Directive Download:
2010-0236-E : Engine – High Pressure / Intermediate Pressure (HP/IP) Structure – Inspections

Number 2010-0236-E
Issued by Europe  Europe
Issue date 2010-11-10
Effective date 2010-11-10
EASA approval number
Contributor EASA Propulsion Section
ATA Chapter 72
Approval Holder
/ Type Designation
  • ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    • RB211 TRENT 900
Revision Not applicable
Correction Not applicable
Supersedure None
Related information Rolls-Royce RB211-Trent 900 Alert Non Modification Service Bulletin 72-AG590 dated 10 November 2010. The use of later approved updates of this document is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.
Remarks 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 2. The safety assessment has requested not to implement the full consultation process and an immediate publication and notification. 3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification Directorate, EASA. E-mail ADs[at]easa.europa.eu.

EASA Airworthines Directive Download:

Embraer construye su primera planta de aviones en EU

La fábrica de montaje de aeronaves estará en Melbourne, Florida, y
producirá cada mes hasta ocho jets ejecutivos conocidos como Phenom
100 para sus clientes de Estados Unidos.

Texto completo: http://www.milenio.com/node/575271

Boeing: official press release about 787 Z002 incident

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- During approach to Laredo, Texas, yesterday, airplane ZA002 lost primary electrical power as a result of an onboard electrical fire. Backup systems, including the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), functioned as expected and allowed the crew to complete a safe landing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Boeing.

The pilots executed a safe landing and at all times had positive control of the airplane and all of the information necessary to perform that safe landing.

Initial inspection appears to indicate that a power control panel in the aft electronics bay will need to be replaced on ZA002. We are inspecting the power panel and surrounding area near that panel to determine if other repairs will be necessary.

We have retrieved flight data from the airplane and are analyzing it in Seattle. This process will take several days. We are committed to finding the cause quickly but will not rush the technical team in its efforts.

The team was conducting monitoring of the Nitrogen Generation System at the time of the incident but there is no reason to suspect that the monitoring or earlier testing of that system had anything to do with the incident.

Consistent with our internal processes, until we better understand the cause of the incident on ZA002, we have decided to postpone flight test activities on other airplanes. Ground test activities will be conducted until flight test resumes.

Likewise, we cannot determine the impact of this event on the overall program schedule until we have worked our way through the data. Teams have been working through the night and will continue to work until analysis is complete and a path forward is determined.

Press Release

Discovery/STS-133: Grietas en el depósito de combustible



según se acaba de hacer público, mientras los técnicos de la NASA trabajaban en la reparación de esta grieta(la de la espuma selante), y tras haber retirado la espuma afectada, han descubierto que hay dos fisuras de unos 22 centímetros de largo cada una en el exterior metálico del tanque.

http://www.microsiervos.com/archivo/ciencia/sts-133-grietas-deposito-combustible.html

White House Commission: Kill The F-35B

A draft document issued by the two chairmen of the White House commission on reducing the federal deficit recommends scrapping the F-35B short-take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) fighter outright, along with the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, and curtailing production of the MV-22 Osprey as part of a 15 per cent DoD procurement cut.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:8e2f6473-f31c-4d55-abf1-beb011a073c8

miércoles, 10 de noviembre de 2010

La Comisión Europea impone una multa de 799 millones a 11 compañías por participar en un cartel para fijar los precios

Entre las once aerolíneas multadas se encuentran varias compañías conocidas: Air Canada, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cathay-Pacific, Cargolux, Japan Airlines, LAN Chile, Martinair, SAS, Singapore Airlines y Qantas.

http://www.aerotendencias.com/sociedad-aeronautica/2234-la-comision-europea-impone-una-multa-de-799-millones-a-11-companias-por-participar-en-un-cartel-para-fijar-los-precios


Defensa de la competencia: la Comisión multa a 11 compañías aéreas de carga con 799 millones EUR por participar en un cartel para fijar los precios
La Comisión Europea ha impuesto una multa de un total de 799.445.000 EUR a once compañías aéreas de carga por establecer un cartel a nivel mundial que afectó a los servicios de transporte en el Espacio Económico Europeo (EEE). Entre las once aerolíneas multadas se encuentran varias compañías conocidas: Air Canada, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cathay-Pacific, Cargolux, Japan Airlines, LAN Chile, Martinair, SAS, Singapore Airlines y Qantas. Las compañías coordinaron su política en relación con los recargos por combustible y seguridad sin descuentos durante un período de seis años. Lufthansa (y su filial suiza) fueron eximidas totalmente de la multa conforme al programa de clemencia de la Comisión, ya que Lufthansa fue la primera empresa en proporcionar información sobre el cartel. 

«Es deplorable que tantas aerolíneas importantes coordinaran sus precios en detrimento de la actividad empresarial europea y los consumidores europeos» ha declarado el Vicepresidente responsable de Competencia, Joaquín Almunia, que ha añadido: «con la decisión de hoy, la Comisión está enviando un mensaje claro de que no tolerará la creación de carteles». 

La Comisión ha multado hoy a once compañías aéreas de carga con un total de 799.445.000 EUR. Los miembros de cartel coordinaron diversos elementos que intervienen en la fijación de los precios durante un período de más de seis años, de diciembre de 1999 hasta el 14 de febrero de 2006. Los acuerdos consistieron en numerosos contactos entre las aerolíneas, tanto a nivel bilateral como multilateral, y afectaron a vuelos desde, hacia y dentro del EEE. Las aerolíneas que proporcionan servicios de transporte aéreo de mercancías ofrecen fundamentalmente el transporte de mercancías a los transitarios, que organizan el transporte de estas mercancías incluidos servicios y formalidades anejas en nombre de los cargadores.

Sobre la infracción
Los contactos para la fijación de los precios entre las aerolíneas involucradas se iniciaron con objeto de tratar los recargos por combustible. Las compañías se pusieron en contacto entre sí con el fin de asegurarse que las compañías aéreas de carga mundiales imponían un recargo a tanto alzado por kilo a todos los envíos. Los miembros del cartel ampliaron su cooperación introduciendo un recargo de seguridad y negándose a pagar una comisión sobre los recargos a sus clientes (transitarios).

El objetivo de estos contactos fue asegurarse que todas las compañías implicadas aplicaban estos recargos y que los aumentos (o disminuciones) de los niveles de recargo se aplicaran íntegramente y sin excepción. Mediante el rechazo a pagar una comisión, las aerolíneas se aseguraron que los recargos no quedaban sujetos a la competencia mediante la concesión de descuentos a los clientes. Tales prácticas incumplen las normas en materia de competencia de la UE.

Por otra parte, las alegaciones de la Comisión sobre colusiones en el caso de otros dos recargos y de las tarifas de flete incluidas en el pliego de cargos se han retirado del expediente por insuficiencia de pruebas. Por la misma razón, la Comisión retiró asimismo los cargos contra otras once compañías y una empresa de asesoría que habían recibido previamente el pliego de cargos. 

Las multas
Para fijar el nivel de las multas, la Comisión tuvo en cuenta las ventas de las empresas implicadas en el mercado afectado, la naturaleza muy grave de la infracción, el hecho de que el cartel se aplicara al conjunto del EEE, así como su duración.

Se concedió a todos las compañías aéreas una reducción del 50% en las ventas entre el EEE y terceros países para tener en cuenta el hecho de que en esas rutas parte del perjuicio del cartel se causaba fuera del EEE. La Comisión aumentó la multa en el caso de la empresa SAS en un 50% dado su anterior implicación en un cartel en el sector del transporte aéreo (cartel SAS/Maersk, véase IP/01/1009). Todas las compañías obtuvieron una reducción del 15% debido a que las normas reguladoras generales del sector pueden interpretarse como una incitación a la coordinación de los precios. También se concedió a cuatro compañías aéreas una reducción del 10% por su limitada participación en la infracción. Las multas en dos empresas habrían superado el máximo legal del 10% de su volumen de negocios de 2009 y, por lo tanto, el importe de las mismas (antes de cualquier posible consideración en materia de clemencia) se redujeron a dicho nivel. 

Lufthansa (y su filial suiza) fueron eximidas totalmente de la multa conforme al programa de clemencia de la Comisión, pues llamó la atención de la Comisión sobre el cartel y proporcionó información valiosa. Las multas de las siguientes compañías también se redujeron por su cooperación con la Comisión conforme a su programa de clemencia: Martinair (50%), Japan Airlines (25%), Air France-KLM (20%), Cathay-Pacific (20%), LAN Chile (20%), Qantas (20%), Air Canada (15%), Cargolux (15%), SAS (15%) y British Airways (10%). 

Cinco compañías solicitaron una reducción alegando su incapacidad para pagar la multa. Sin embargo, ninguna de las solicitudes cumplía las condiciones para dicha reducción.

Las multas individuales son las siguientes:



Multa (EUR)* Incluye la reducción (%) conforme a la Comunicación sobre medidas de clemencia
1 Air Canada 21 037 500 15,00%
2 Air France 182 920 000 20,00%
3 KLM 127 160 000 20,00%
4 Martinair 29 500 000 50,00%
5 British Airways 104 040 000 10,00%
6 Cargolux 79 900 000 15,00%
7 Cathay Pacific Airways 57 120 000 20,00%
8 Japan Airlines 35 700 000 25,00%
9 LAN Chile 8 220 000 20,00%
10 Qantas 8 880 000 20,00%
11 SAS 70 167 500 15,00%
12 Singapore Airlines 74 800 000
13 Lufthansa 0 100,00%
14 Swiss International Air Lines 0 100,00%





(*) Las personas jurídicas dentro la empresa están obligadas solidariamente a pagar el conjunto o la parte de la multa impuesta.

Acción por daños y prejuicios
Cualquier persona o empresa afectada por el comportamiento contrario a la competencia descrito en este caso puede acudir a los tribunales de los Estados miembros y reclamar una indemnización por daños y perjuicios. La jurisprudencia del Tribunal y el Reglamento del Consejo nº 1/2003 confirman que en los casos que se dirimen ante los tribunales nacionales, una decisión de la Comisión constituye una prueba vinculante de que la práctica se produjo y era ilegal. El hecho de que la Comisión haya impuesto multas a las empresas implicadas no obsta para que puedan concederse también tales indemnizaciones, sin que proceda su reducción como consecuencia de la imposición de tales multas.
La Comisión considera que las denuncias justificadas en concepto de reclamación por daños deben pretender compensar, de manera justa, a las víctimas de una infracción por el daño causado. Se ha publicado un Libro Blanco sobre acciones de daños y perjuicios por incumplimiento de las normas comunitarias de defensa de la competencia (véanse IP/08/515 y MEMO/08/216). Puede obtener más información, incluido un resumen para los ciudadanos del Libro Blanco, en:
Para más información sobre la actuación de la Comisión contra los carteles, véase MEMO/10/290


Fire on 787 test aircraft forces evacuation (Photos & video)

ZA002 was en route from Yuma, Arizona to Harlingen, Texas, for an
extended test of the aircraft's nitrogen generation system, when smoke
was seen in the main cabin. It had earlier shifted its destination
in-flight to Laredo, Texas where better weather was observed.
Full text
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/10/349530/fire-on-787-test-aircraft-forces-evacuation.html

Vídeo

http://www.king5.com/news/business/Smoke-fills-787-cabin-during-test-flight-106999968.html



Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/airlinereporter/4327924913/in/set-72157623344200886/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/airlinereporter/sets/72157623296534806/

martes, 9 de noviembre de 2010

APES 0024 Final de año, negociación de subida de sueldo

Sukhoi Superjet 100 Certification Program is progressing towards completion.







Moscow, November 8. Sukhoi Superjet 100 certification campaign is successfully progressing towards completion. All major certification flight programs are accomplished. The prototypes have gained 2245 flight hours in 948 flights.

On October 28 the aircraft 95003 returned from Iceland after a month testing for operation in side winds, having fully confirmed its compliance with certification requirements at side wind speed up to 15m/sec. Keflavík International Airport is situated at the Atlantic coast of Iceland. Its runways are built at 90 degrees angle each other, so when the wind follows the direction of one runway, it causes side wind at another one bringing the possibility tο conduct test landings іn side wind, nο matter whісh direction thе wind blows. Because of its unique wind conditions, Keflavik Airport is widely used for side wind testing by the European and American manufacturer. Keflavik has been used for side winds testing by A380 and B787.

Along with side winds testing program, the aircraft has successfully performed a series of testing for CATII landing, which is enough to get the Type Certification. Preparation to CATIIIA testing is in progress.

In Zhukovsky Flight Test Center SCAC engineers successfully completed air stairs and cargo compartment equipment testing.

“We’ve already gone through the most challenging testing certification programs. As per our estimations our team has already covered 90% of the overall certification testing scope. Now we are finalizing avionics safety failure testing, EMC, HIRF with emergency evacuation testing to follow”, - said Igor Vinogradov, SVP Certification.


Sukhoi

UK plans shipborne UAV research package

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to launch a maritime unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capability demonstration to explore performance characteristics and inform future requirements.

An industry day for the Tactical Maritime Unmanned Air System (TMUAS) Capability Concept Demonstrator (CCD) programme is to be hosted by the Defence Equipment and Support organisation's Programmes and Technology Group (PTG) on 26 November.

Full text http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jni/jni101109_1_n.shtml

China prueba su primer helicóptero civil ligero nacional

PEKÍN. El primer helicóptero civil ligero de diseño íntegramente chino realizó hoy con éxito su vuelo de prueba en la ciudad nororiental de Tianjin, informó la agencia oficial Xinhua.

http://www.abc.com.py/nota/china-prueba-su-primer-helicoptero-civil-ligero-nacional

Designers rethink jet aircraft in the quest for shorter take-offs




What's wrong with this picture? If you said the engines are upside down, you'd be wrong. The odd engine placement is part of a cruise-efficient, short take-off and landing (CESTOL) aircraft concept from the Georgia Tech Research Institute which also sees mechanical wing-flaps replaced by high-speed blasts of air to generate extra lift. It's hoped that the development of such craft will make more airports available to fixed-wing jet aircraft by enabling take off and landing at steep angles on short runways, as well as reducing engine noise.

Full text: http://www.gizmag.com/nasa-cestol-research-jet-shorter-runways/16842/



Related:

Videos
NASA cruise efficient STOL aircraft concept video





2025: AirNextGen Flies NASA CESTOL Airliner video




Downloads
Quiet Cruise Effi cient Short Take-Off and Landing Subsonic Transport System (pdf)


Short Field Take-Off and Landing Performance as an Enabling Technology for a Greener, More Efficient Airspace System (PDF)

CESTOL(ppt)

South Korea to develop F-15SE's conformal weapons bays

Boeing and Korea Aerospace Industries have entered a memorandum of agreement for the Korean firm to design, develop and manufacture the conformal weapons bays for the former's F-15 Silent Eagle.

full text http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/09/349439/south-korea-to-develop-f-15ses-conformal-weapons-bays.html

CESSNA, BYE ENERGY TO PROVIDE UPDATE ON ELECTRIC CESSNA 172 AT AOPA AVIATION SUMMIT

DENVER, Colorado – November 8, 2010 – Bye Energy, Inc. and Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, will release details of their effort to develop an electric propulsion system for a Cessna 172 Skyhawk during the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Aviation Summit Nov. 11-13 in Long Beach, Calif.

Bye Energy announced The Green Flight Project (www.TheGreenFlightProject.aero) earlier this year, and is developing, with support from Cessna, electric and electric-hybrid propulsion systems for light general aviation aircraft. The company is planning to fly an electric-powered Cessna 172 Skyhawk proof of concept aircraft in the spring of 2011.

George Bye, CEO of Bye Energy, said integrated ground testing began within the past week on the various hardware components of the initial electric propulsion system. “Early test results are confirming that our assumptions of the benefit of electric propulsion are positive,” he said. “I would like to once again thank everyone at Cessna for their outstanding support and collaboration on this ambitious effort.”

Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton said: “Cessna is enthusiastic about the concept of integrating electric propulsion into mainstream general aviation, and we are actively engaged in Bye Energy’s development efforts with the electric Cessna 172 proof of concept aircraft.”

Cessna and Bye Energy will hold a press briefing on Thursday, Nov. 11, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Room 201B of the Long Beach Convention Center. Bye and Charlie Johnson, COO of Bye Energy and former president of Cessna, will be at the Cessna booth (#313) inside the convention center during the AOPA Aviation Summit. For more information about the AOPA Aviation Summit, go to www.aopa.org.


ByeEnergie

lunes, 8 de noviembre de 2010

Boeing just released its 2011 Geopolitical Trends Report. Examines gov't policies and the implications for aviation.

The global business environment for commercial aviation is complex. And geopolitics -- the intersection between politics, economics and geographic developments -- is one of the most challenging components of this environment.

Boeing's business strategy reflects extensive study of geopolitical forces. Understanding this component is critical to identifying opportunities, assessing risk and ultimately achieving competitive success.

The Boeing 2011 Global Geopolitical Trends report offers detailed insight into the dynamics of government policies worldwide and the implications for commercial aviation. The report reflects research and analysis by Boeing experts, as well as input from noted geopolitical subject matter experts from outside Boeing, including economists and think tanks.

The 2011 Global Geopolitical Trends report is now available for download. PDFs require Acrobat Reader; you can download the latest version here. http://www.boeing.com/commercial/pdf/geopolitical_trends.pdf

Rolls Royce says that Qantas A380 failure is a Trent 900 engine failure

Rolls-Royce has made progress in understanding the cause of the engine failure on the Trent 900 powered A380 Qantas flight QF32 on 4 November 2010. It is now clear this incident is specific to the Trent 900 engine.

As a result, a series of checks and inspections has been agreed with Airbus, with operators of the Trent 900 powered A380 and with the airworthiness authorities. These are being progressively completed which is allowing a resumption of operation of aircraft in full compliance with all safety standards. We are working in close cooperation with Airbus, our customers and the authorities, and as always safety remains our highest priority.

We can be certain that the separate Trent 1000 event which occurred in August 2010 on a test bed in Derby is unconnected. This incident happened during a development programme with an engine operating outside normal parameters. We understand the cause and a solution has been implemented.

The Trent 900 incident is the first of its kind to occur on a large civil Rolls-Royce engine since 1994. Since then Rolls-Royce has accumulated 142 million hours of flight on Trent and RB211 engines.

We will provide a further update with our interim management statement on 12 November 2010.


Rolls Royce Press Release


Infographic: Trent 900 IP turbine in the spotlight as QF32 investigation unfolds

http://bit.ly/cQ25aA

Boeing Informs Customers About 787 Delays

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aviationdaily&id=news/avd/2010/11/08/07.xml

Boeing Achieves Power On for New 747-8 Intercontinental



Boeing



EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed the power on sequence for the new 747-8 Intercontinental. This milestone enables the program to begin functional tests on the airplane.

"This is a critical step in the assembly process for the new 747-8 Intercontinental," said Elizabeth Lund, 747 deputy program manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The airplane's systems are now live. This milestone is a reflection of the focus and hard work of our engineers, mechanics and suppliers."

Power on is a complex series of tasks that methodically energize and activate the airplane's systems. In this critical stage of the assembly process, the electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems are brought on line.

Mechanics connected the 747-8 to an external power cart to energize the flight-deck display and maintenance systems. The electricity coursing through the airplane's 133 miles (214 km) of wire will be as high as 105 kilovoltampere (kVa).

The program also activated the airplane's hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Pressurized to 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi), the hydraulics power the flight control surfaces, landing gear, brakes and steering systems. The 160 psi applied to the pneumatic system enables the airplane to operate the environmental control systems and the leading-edge flaps.

"We are very methodical in ensuring the integrity of the airplane's systems," said Todd Zarfos, vice president of 747 engineering, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This accomplishment is a key milestone in validating the design, installation and functionality of the electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems."

The program is expected to complete assembly of the 747-8 Intercontinental in the first quarter of 2011. The airplane is scheduled to enter service in late 2011 following the flight test program.

The 747-8, which includes the 747-8 Intercontinental and the 747-8 Freighter, was launched in November 2005. Boeing has 109 orders for the 747-8 -- 33 for the 747-8 Intercontinental and 76 for the 747-8 Freighter. The first 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled to deliver in late 2011.

The new 747-8 Intercontinental offers the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large passenger airplane, while providing enhanced environmental performance. The 747-8 provides new revenue opportunities that allow airlines to maximize profits. Eighteen feet longer than the 747-400, the 747-8 has 51 additional seats to accommodate 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration, and it also offers 26 percent more cargo volume.


Boeing

Singapore Airlines no halló problemas en motores Rolls-Royce de sus A380

a compañía aérea Singapore Airlines indicó el lunes que al cabo de una serie de inspecciones no había detectado ningún problema con los motores Rolls-Royce Trent 900 de sus Airbus A380.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gNsXjZ2w39w7XcIb0aixOhLK1JJQ?docId=CNG.907e38349b4976bc9692bfb526fd17f5.81

Photo: Airbus Military A400M drops paratroopers for the first time




The Airbus Military A400M military airlifter has dropped paratroopers for the first time in a successful demonstration of one of its key roles.

Six freefall paratroopers made jumps from aircraft Grizzly Three in separate passes from 6,000ft at the th Fonsorbes drop zone near Toulouse on 4 November.

The paratroopers, two each from the UK armed forces, French armed forces, and the French Centre d'Essais en Vol reported that the aircraft was easier to jump from than other transports. Four of them jumped from the left-hand side door, and two from the ramp.

In an earlier flight water-filled balloons were first dropped from the aircraft and, following the paratroopers, specially instrumented mannequins were dropped using static lines. Further trials are planned for 2011.

Press Release

Japan's Skymark to buy four A380 superjumbos

Japan's low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines said Monday it will buy four A380 superjumbos from Airbus, with an option on two more, in a deal worth a total of two billion euros by catalogue price.

Full Text: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jgSOnR4DrMn_pmM1d-S4xB-7EFJw?docId=CNG.74bac5b4cc9462fd7346e1c94b90120a.751


Will we see the 1st A380 in 853 pax configuration?

Biofuel worse for climate than fossil fuel: study (via @abelpardolopez)

European plans to promote biofuels will drive farmers to convert 69,000 square km of wild land into fields and plantations, depriving the poor of food and accelerating climate change, a report warned on Monday.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=biofuel-worse-for-climate-than-foss

Qantas airea el incidente del 380 y calla sobre el 747

Uno lee, piensa, ordena y reordena lo leído, y de repente va haciendo conexiones entre cosas aisladas.

Llama la atención que en agosto Qantas tuviera un fallo con un motor Rolls Royce de uno de sus 747, sin embargo nadie dio el bombo que se ha dado al fallo del A380. Nadie cuestionó la seguridad del 747, ni se leyeron alarmistas titulares en prensa sobre Airbus, que no olvidemos, benefician bastante a Boeing. El 26 de Octubre se supo que el problema había sido en la turbina. La semana pasada Qantas tuvo problemas tanto en un A380 como en un 747.

Y sin embargo se ha dicho en todos los sitio sque el 380 está bajo lupa. Digamos que esa información es incompleta, y ademas daña a Airbus y beneficia a Boeing. Quien está bajo lupa es Rolls Royce, fabricante del motor que dio problemas, porque el a380 lleva dos tipos de motores, depende del modelo, y el que lleva el 'otro' motor, no está bajo estudio. Y después de leer todo lo anterior, junto con el correo que nos llegó desde Australia, uno piensa... ¿Quien debería estar bajo la lupa es Qantas, o no?

domingo, 7 de noviembre de 2010

Air Force To End The Need For Pilots In 6th Generation Fighters

The United States Air Force is now looking for a F-22 Raptor replacement. It must be in service by 2030 and, for the first time ever, they want to be able to deploy these combat fighters unmanned and remotely controlled.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/11/air-force-to-end-the-need-for-pilots-in-6th-generation-fighters/


Optionally manned air vehiches era begins

Requeriments for F-22 Replacement: Next Generation Tactical Aircraft Materiel and Technology Concepts Search

Synopsis:
Added: Nov 03, 2010 4:07 pm
SYNOPSIS: The Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) Capability Development and Planning Division (XRX) is conducting market research analyses to examine applicable materiel concepts and related technology for a Next Generation Tactical Aircraft (Next Gen TACAIR) capability with an initial operational capability (IOC) of approximately 2030. The envisioned system may possess enhanced capabilities in areas such as reach, persistence, survivability, net-centricity, situational awareness, human-system integration, and weapons effects. It must be able to operate in the anti-access/area-denial environment that will exist in the 2030-2050 timeframe.

This capability request for information (CRFI) is open to all companies. No contract is intended to be awarded as a result of this CRFI, however any follow on announcements/contracts related to a Next Gen TACAIR system will be restricted to US companies or those meeting the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) requirements for foreign owned companies with Defense Security Service (DSS) approved mitigation for performing classified work. Responses to this CRFI are due no later than 17 Dec 2010. Those interested are encouraged to submit cost data if available. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights; however, if any information is considered proprietary, then the cover page and pages containing such information must be marked accordingly. Multiple responses, each addressing a concept or family of concepts are encouraged (but not required) from each party.
TITLE: Next Generation Tactical Aircraft (Next Gen TACAIR) Materiel and Technology Concepts Search


Full Text here
Download in Ms-Word 2007 format

PICTURE: Australian safety board missing Qantas A380 engine disk evidence

In particular the ATSB wants to retrieve the missing half of the number two engine's geared disk. Approximately one half of the disk has already been found, ATSB photos indicate.

"The recovery of that disk could be crucial to a full understanding of the nature of the engine failure, and may have implications for the prevention of future similar occurrences," the ATSB says.

"The ATSB has requested any residents of Batam Island... to forward those items to the local police for retention," it adds.


http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/07/349416/picture-australian-safety-board-missing-qantas-a380-engine-disk-evidence.html


Qantas A380 likely lost engine disk

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/06/349412/qantas-a380-likely-lost-engine-disk.html

sábado, 6 de noviembre de 2010

EADS and Airbus welcome A400M agreement with customer nations / EADS y Airbus se congratulan por el acuerdo del A400M con las naciones clientes

EADS and Airbus welcome the conclusion of negotiations with OCCAR and the seven A400M launch customer nations. The agreement, finalised today in Toulouse in the presence of the French Defence Minister Hervé Morin, the national armament directors and other representatives from all customer nations, is the long awaited further detailing of the principle agreement reached in March 2010.

While the overall economics of the March agreement remain unchanged, the government payments are now more back-loaded than previously expected. Negotiations on the export levy facility (ELF) scheme are expected to be finalized before the end of the year.

“The A400M flight test programme is making excellent progress and demonstrates the soundness of the product. We are very proud of the achievements so far and are now moving towards the series production by the end of the year”, said Domingo Ureña, Managing Director of Airbus Military.

press release





EADS y Airbus acogen con satisfacción el fin de las negociaciones con la Organización Conjunta de Cooperación en Materia de Armamento (OCCAR) y los siete países clientes del lanzamiento del A400M. El acuerdo concluido hoy en Toulouse, en presencia del Ministro francés de Defensa, Hervé Morin, los Directores Nacionales de Armamento y otros representantes de las naciones clientes, constituye la culminación en detalle y sumamente esperada del acuerdo de principios alcanzado en marzo de 2010.

Si bien los aspectos económicos del acuerdo de marzo de 2010 no han cambiado (véase el comunicado de prensa adjunto del 5 de marzo de 2010 adjunto), los pagos de los gobiernos se efectuarán ahora más tarde de lo esperado. Está previsto que las negociaciones referentes al esquema ‘export levy facility’ (ELF) - instrumento financiero reembolsable a partir del inicio de la exportación de los aviones - concluyan antes de finales de año.

"El programa de ensayos en vuelo del A400M está progresando de forma excelente y pone de relieve la excelente calidad del producto. Estamos muy orgullosos de los logros conseguidos hasta la fecha y, ahora, avanzaremos en la producción en serie hasta finales de año", declaró Domingo Ureña-Raso, Presidente de Airbus Military.


nota dew prensa

Boeing's ULOR: new compund helicopter concept



Read full text in http://s.noticias-aero.info/ULOR

Boeing patent may provide glimpse into 737 replacement plan



Read full text in: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2010/09/boeing-patent-may-provide-glim.html

Airbus Military logra sellar la refinanciación del A400M

Según el acuerdo alcanzado, las naciones reducirán los pedidos en diez unidades (tres menos por parte de Gran Bretaña y siete de Alemania), por lo que quedarían en 170 aparatos. Estos aviones, a su vez, elevarán su coste en 2.000 millones, y los países clientes renunciarán a cobrar las penalizaciones relacionadas con los retrasos actuales.

http://www.expansion.com/2010/11/05/empresas/auto-industria/1288977922.html


España: es el momento de que Airbus "cumpla su compromiso" con las naciones
http://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-espana-momento-airbus-cumpla-compromiso-naciones-20101105195648.html

viernes, 5 de noviembre de 2010

US Air Force seeks more sophisticated drones

"The number one manning problem in our Air Force is manning our unmanned platforms," Breedlove told defense reporters at a breakfast Thursday. He said it takes between 180 and 200 people to fly and maintain one 24-hour drone patrol, staff its launch and recovery, and interpret and distribute the intelligence it gathers.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/11/ap-air-force-seeks-more-sophisticated-drones-110410/

Sobre el A380 de Qantas y Alan Joyce

Hemos recibido un correo electrónico desde Australia, de un lector que ha trabajado para Qantas y vive en Australia, y por tanto está bastante al día de toda la actualidad Australiana. El correo dice...

Alan Joyce este es un personaje digno de ser investigado porque tiene una ristra de "perlitas" interesantes (hay varios libros que circulan por aqui hablando del tipejo este y de su tijera en cuanto a gastos mas basicos de mantenimiento). Es algo asi como O'Leary, el de Ryanair... No me extrañaria ni un apice que la decision de dejar a los 380 en tierra no hubiera sido al principio q una maniobra comercial para sacar pasta a RR o a Airbus en futuras entregas.... hace dos meses el mozo, por el mismo problema (que con el 380) no dejo en tierra a la flota de 747s...

Es una opinión de alguien de allí, y por tanto, Noticias Aero no se responsabiliza de opiniones ajenas, ¡pero es interesante saber qué se opina al otro lado del mundo del tema!

EADS sigue "apostando al 100%" por su avión no tripulado pese a la alianza de Francia y Reino Unido

http://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-economia-empresas-eads-sigue-apostando-100-avion-no-tripulado-pese-alianza-francia-reino-unido-20101104190527.html

Según han asegurado a Europa Press fuentes de Cassidian, la división de Defensa y Seguridad de EADS (la antigua CASA), la compañía continúa con el proyecto, "independientemente" de los compromisos que hayan alcanzado Francia y Reino Unido, y seguirá con la prefinanciación que se acordó con los países implicados.

  No obstante, las fuentes consultadas reconocieron que Cassidian no podrá prefinanciar el programa "indefinidamente" y llegará un momento en que los países deberán abordar los costes de este avión no tripulado, que podría entregarse en 2018.

Qantas believes a design issue or the failure of some engine part is the likely cause of A-380 Thursday's mid-air engine explosion

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSDY5ME64X20101105



jueves, 4 de noviembre de 2010

Rutan to Retire Next April; EAA Plans Tribute at Oshkosh 2011

http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-11-04_rutan.asp

Burt Rutan, EAA 26033, founder and chief technical officer of Scaled Composites, Mojave, California, announced this week he would retire in April 2011 and assume the title of Scaled’s founder and chairman emeritus. EAA, which had already begun planning to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Burt’s Voyager aircraft around the world flight, will feature a full Salute to Burt Rutan as one of its main themes at AirVenture Oshkosh 2011.

Colombia Receives Israeli 767-based Tanker (IAI released this video of the aircraft)

video


Northrop Grumman's LEMV Program Completes Three Major Milestones




MELBOURNE, Fla., BETHPAGE, N.Y., and LONDON, Nov. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In just four months since signing a $517 million agreement with the United States Army to build three airships with 21-day persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) program team has completed three important program milestones. The team is headed toward its fourth, the Critical Design Review (CDR), by the end of first quarter FY11.

"In less than four months time, we have completed our System Readiness Review (SRR), Initial Baseline Review (IBR) and our Preliminary Design Review (PDR) which looks at the hybrid air vehicle design, ground station infrastructure, and ground and airborne system software," said Alan Metzger, Northrop Grumman vice president and integrated program team leader of LEMV and airship programs.



The June 14, 2010, agreement provides for the design, development and testing of the first long endurance airship within an 18-month time period. "We have made great progress to date and have a great partnership with the Army. As we move forward, we look to inflate our first vehicle next spring, and our first flight is scheduled for mid-next summer," Metzger said. "Upon completion of the development ground and flight testing phase, we expect to transition to a government facility and conduct our final acceptance test in December 2011. It's a very aggressive, almost unprecedented schedule from concept-to-combat with a first of its kind system."

In early 2012, LEMV will be transported for demonstration in an operational environment. The program then transitions from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USA SMDC) control to the project manager for the Army's unmanned aircraft systems.

Northrop Grumman has designed a system with plug-and-play capability to provide warfighters with a system that can rapidly accommodate next generation sensors as emerging field requirements dictate. "Our solution readily integrates into the Army's existing Universal Ground Control Station (UGCS) and Deployable Common Ground System (DCGS) command centers and ground troops in forward operating bases—the main objective is to provide U.S. warfighters with persistent ISR capability to increase awareness of the ever changing battlefield.

"LEMV is longer than a football field, taller than a seven-story building and will remain airborne for more than three weeks at a time, delivering a high level of fuel efficiency. Fuel costs are minimal at $11,000 for a 21-day period of service. It's very green," Metzger added.

Northrop Grumman has teamed with Hybrid Air Vehicles, Ltd. of the United Kingdom using its HAV304 platform, Warwick Mills, ILC Dover, AAI Corporation, SAIC and a team of technology leaders from 18 U.S. states and three countries to build LEMV. Northrop Grumman will provide system integration expertise and flight and ground control operations to safely take off and land the unmanned vehicle for worldwide operations.

Press Release

Aena sacará en breve a concurso las torres de control aéreo

El proceso comenzará con la licitación de las primeras torres de control dentro del plan estatal para fomentar la competencia y servirá para reducir costes y mejorar la calidad, mientras que la seguridad se mantendrá en el nivel máximo, ya que todas las decisiones operativas seguirán dependiendo de Aena, aseguró Lema.


http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=noticias&id=4cd259952f8ad&viewTemplate=1


Trabajadores de Aena se manifiestan contra su privatización
http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=noticias&id=4cd259f472fcd&viewTemplate=1

Boeing proposes to beat Kiowa upgrades with AH-6S

Boeing is now pitching the AH-6S helicopter as a less costly alternative for the US Army than upgrading 330 Bell Helicopter OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scouts.

The provocative claim challenges a plan to install a new avionics suite and a nose-mounted sensor on the OH-58D, and reflects rising doubts about the army's commitment to replace the Kiowa Warrior with an armed aerial scout helicopter.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/11/03/349069/boeing-proposes-to-beat-kiowa-upgrades-with-ah-6s.html

First commercial Sukhoi Superjet 100 makes maiden flight

First commercial Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) SN 95007 designed for Armenian Armavia airlines made its maiden flight, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft company said.

"During the flight, a crew carried out functional test of aircraft systems and equipment, engine, confirmed flight characteristics of the aircraft in an operational range," the company said adding that the aircraft is expected to arrive in Moscow soon, where in accordance with aviation regulations, its performance on typical routes will be tested.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20101104/161207739.html

Boeing exec: Airlines aren't pushing for re-engined 737

Despite public comments to the contrary, Boeing's major 737 customer airlines are not clamoring for new engines, a Boeing executive said on Wednesday.

"There are virtually no customers I can name off the top of my head, throughout the executive suite, that are pushing us to re-engine," Nicole Piasecki, vice president of Business Development and Strategic Integration at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in Bellevue, at the annual aerospace conference of the British-American Business Council's Pacific Northwest branch.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/227109.asp

Qantas grounds A380 flights after engine failure (Emirates says not considering similar action as it uses EA engine)

http://reut.rs/bsC3Pz
"We will suspend all A380 takeoffs until we are fully confident we
have sufficient information about (flight) QF32," Qantas Chief
Executive Alan Joyce told reporters.


Aterrizaje de emergencia de un A380 de Qantas en Singapur por
problemas en un motor
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/11/04/internacional/1288847412.html

Se trata del primer problema técnico grave desde que hace tres años
tuviera lugar el primer vuelo comercial del Airbus A380, el mayor
avión de pasajeros del mundo. Ante esta incidencia, la compañía aérea
Quantas ha anunciado que inmovilizará todos sus aparatos, hasta que
tengan todos los datos del vuelo QF32.

Halo Intersceptor concept would serve as car, boat, plane and helicopter





Video



We’ve seen cars that transform into boats, into airplanes, and even into helicopters, so why not one that transforms into all three? That’s the idea behind UK designer Philip Pauley’s Halo Intersceptor concept. Now, before you start picturing a kind of Swiss Army knife-type vehicle, you should know that the Intersceptor concept revolves around a central car that remains unchanged, that simply “plugs in” to different attachments. It’s definitely an intriguing idea, even if you may never be able to buy one.

http://www.gizmag.com/halo-intersceptor-multivehicle-concept/16798/



Halo Intersceptor
The Halo Intersceptor is a power hybrid, multi functional vehicle, based around one car that can couple with several vehicle attachments to form the basis of private air, sea and land travel. The next generation of super sports, leisure and business travel. A unique and cuttingedge opportunity to experience the ultimate in multi faceted transportation designed and developed for the most discerning independent traveller and business personnel. No need for superlatives, no hyperbole, just desire and good business sense. A Phil Pauley creation, the Halo Intersceptor is the future of travel as we know it. Imagine being able to drive your car to the airport, fly it over water and land in a faraway island all in the same vehicle.

The Halo Intersceptor is not a flying car; it should be considered a road legal aeroplane, helicopter and motor cruiser. Comprising a car component the “Intersceptor” and three connecting housings, Halo 120°, Halo 46° and Halo 22°. Each housing facilitates a unique and unparalleled transportation experience going far beyond anything currently on the market.

The Halo Intersceptor project is a roadmap for boundary pushing Auto Manufacturers to follow. You will see a shift towards this type of design by all sports models within the next decade. Air space is going to become a very competitive place as the global road infrastructure starts to slow down.

Intersceptor
This High Performance Cockpit is a four wheel drive supercomputer. It can be considered a four seater USB stick that is designed to outperform any other private vehicle on earth.
Length - 4.35m
Height - 1.2m
Weight - 2.1m
Performance
* Maximum speed: 311mph
* Range: 700 miles
* 0-62: 2.3sec

Halo 120°
The Halo 120 is a private and unparalleled Jet flight experience, 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days aWeek, 365 Days a Year. This boutique Aviation experience offers a lifetime of exploration and global access.
General characteristics
* Length: 9.5 m
* Wingspan: 14.5m
* Height: 5.22 m
* Wing area: 117.45 m²
* Airfoil: NACA 64-210.68 root, NACA 64-209.80 tip
* Empty weight: 47,200 lb
* Loaded weight: 82,800 lb
* Max takeoff weight: 100,000 lb
* Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 turbofans
o Dry thrust: 17,900 lbf (79.6 kN) each
o Thrust with afterburner: 25,100 lbf (112 kN) each
* Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0186
* Drag area: 9.36 ft² (0.87 m²)
* Aspect ratio: 1.79
Performance
* Maximum speed: Mach 2
* Combat radius: 1,330 mi
* Ferry range: 4,200 mi
* Service ceiling: 66,000 ft
* Rate of climb: 25,890 ft/min
* Wing loading:
o Spread: 126.0 lb/ft²
o Swept: 158 lb/ft²
* Thrust/weight: 0.61
* Lift-to-drag ratio: 15

Halo 46°
Private aviation offers unique efficiencies to the business traveller, saving both time and
energy. The benefits of driving into a Helicopter attachment within a regional and urban
setting offer unparalleled accessibility.
General characteristics
* Crew: 2 pilots and 2 passengers
* Length: 10.1 m
* Rotor diameter: 5.5 m
* Height: 2.7 m
* Empty weight: 5,000 lb
* Max takeoff weight: 9,500 lb
Performance
* Maximum speed: 185 knots
* Range: 450 nmi
* Service ceiling: 15,000 ft
Halo 22°
This High Performance Sports Cruiser features a race bred double hull for ultimate
performance. This closed cockpit offers external access to a forward double berth for luxury
accommodation.
Length overall - 11.15m
Length hull - 9.9m
Height - 3m
Performance
* Maximum speed: 55-63 knots
* Range: 1200 nautical miles
* Cruising Speed: 38 knots


Press Release [pdf]


More info:
http://www.halointersceptor.com/Halo_High_Res/Halo_Site_Home.html
http://www.philpauley.com/
http://www.pauley-interactive.co.uk/