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Aircraft Industries Purchases GE’s M601 and H80 Engines for L410 Aircraft

–EVENDALE, OHIO– Aircraft Industries, a Czech-based aircraft manufacturer, signed a five-year sales agreement with GE Aviation for the purchase of M601 and H80 engines. The engine agreement is for the L410-UVP-E20 aircraft, a twin-engine commuter aircraft, with annual production of 10+ units.

“GE is proud to enter into this strategic partnership with Aircraft Industries, our first H80 engine agreement for the commuter segment,” said Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation Turboprops. “Currently, the majority of L410 aircraft are flying in Russia, South America, and Africa, and we’re looking forward to growing the fleet in other regions with the GE H80-powered L410.”

The H80 engine features significantly advanced hot-day takeoff performance and high-altitude cruise speeds, which will enable the L410 to operate in additional locations.

Aircraft Industries plans to complete GE H80-powered L410 aircraft certification by mid-2012. Once introduced, the company will also offer an H80 engine replacement on already produced aicraft powered by M601 engines. The L410 aircraft first entered service in 1969, More than 1,100 units have been produced, and there are more than 450 aircraft in service today.

Aircraft Industries, located in Kunovice, Czech Republic, and formerly known as LET Kunovice, specializes in the production of L410 aircraft. The company’s history dates back to the 1930’s, when it was founded as an aircraft repair shop, and all types of aircraft were repaired there after World War II. LET built a new plant in Kunovice in the 1950’s and designed its first general aviation category aircraft in 1957. Since then, Aircraft Industries has had a successful history in the manufacturing of crop spraying, jet training and glider aircraft, and of course, commuter aircraft, in which they now specialize.

GE Aviation’s Business & General Aviation Turboprops has more than 1,600 M601 engines in service that have accumulated more than 17 million flight hours on 30 applications. The H80 engine continues flight testing on the Thrush 510G aircraft. It is undergoing certification testing and will power business and general aviation, utility and agriculture aircraft. The H80 engine combines the elegant, robust design of the M601 engine with GE’s 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials to create a more powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine compared with the M601 engine, with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The H80 engine will also feature an extended service life of 3,600 flight-hours or 6,600 cycles between overhauls. The H80 will provide the option of a single- or dual-acting governor, allowing customers flexibility in propeller selection.

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    FAA PR: Climbing Into Thin Air

    July 21–How does an airport suddenly go from being 2,000 feet to more than a mile high? Barring a “Hollywood-style” seismic event at your airport, the answer is density altitude; in other words, how high an aircraft “thinks” it is. When density altitude is high as a result of temperatures above standard at a given altitude, the air is less dense than normal. This means an aircraft will perform as if at a higher altitude with degraded climb performance and acceleration; two pretty important factors on a hot, humid day with a short runway and 50-foot pine trees looming at the end.

    The article “Climbing into Thin Air,” featured in the July/August issue of FAA Safety Briefing, offers more information on this “hot” topic.

    “Density altitude is not just a concern for flying in the mountains,” says FAA’s Bryan Neville. “Hot temperatures can have an affect at any altitude.” Neville, a former adjunct aviation professor and flight instructor with experience at both high- and low-elevation airports, suggests becoming familiar with the weight-and-balance and the performance and limitations sections of your pilot’s operating handbook (POH) or airplane flight manual.

    One the ways to keep your cool aloft on those hot summer days is to avoid takeoffs and landings at midday when temperatures are usually at their highest. Instead, take advantage of cooler mornings or evenings when the performance-robbing effects of high density altitude are not as pronounced.

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    Boeing Press Release:

    Statement on Virgin Blue’s Selection of the Next-Generation 737
    SEATTLE, Feb. 23, 2010 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] is delighted that Virgin Blue has selected the Boeing Next-Generation 737 for the replacement and expansion of its single-aisle fleet. We look forward to working with Virgin Blue to finalize the order, at which time it will be posted to the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site.

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    Press Release: FAA Installs Equipment for NextGen Aircraft Tracking System


    The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced the completion of a nationwide infrastructure upgrade that will enable air traffic controllers to track aircraft with greater accuracy and reliability, while giving pilots more information in the cockpit. This upgrade is a key improvement in the Next Generation Air Transportation System.

    “This upgrade is an important step in laying the foundation for the NextGen system, which provides controllers a much more precise view of the airspace, gives pilots much more awareness and information, and as a result strengthens the safety and efficiency of our system,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This state-of-the-art satellite system is already providing controllers with visibility in places not previously covered by radar.”

    The nationwide installation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) radio network supports a satellite-based surveillance system that tracks aircraft with the help of GPS. This provides more accurate aircraft location information than the current radar system.

    NextGen refers to a set of initiatives being implemented by the FAA in collaboration with the aviation community to ensure that the United States has the safest, most efficient airspace possible for decades to come. In addition to ADS-B, NextGen improvements are already delivering benefits that include more efficient air traffic procedures that save time and fuel and reduce emissions.

    “The installation of this radio network clears the way for air traffic controllers to begin using ADS-B to separate equipped aircraft nationwide,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. “It will also provide pilots flying aircraft equipped with the proper avionics with traffic information, weather data and other flight information.”

    Of the 230 air traffic facilities across the country, 100 are currently using this system to separate traffic. It is expected to be connected and operating at all 230 facilities by 2019. All aircraft operating in controlled airspace must be equipped with ADS-B Out avionics that broadcast the plane’s location, by Jan. 1, 2020.

    With the upgraded surveillance and broadcast system and aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out transponders, aircraft positions on controller screens update almost continuously, compared to every 4.7 seconds or longer with radar.
    ADS-B also enables more accurate tracking of airplanes and airport vehicles on runways and taxiways, increasing safety and efficiency. The new system significantly improves surveillance capability in areas with geographic challenges like mountains or over water. Airplanes equipped with ADS-B In, which is not currently mandated, will give pilots information through cockpit displays about location in relation to other aircraft, bad weather and terrain, and temporary flight restrictions.

    In addition to the operational benefits of ADS-B, each one of the 634 ground stations installed by Exelis of McLean, Va., is substantially smaller than a radar installation – resulting in less impact to the environment and less cost to maintain.

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    NTSB TO HOST INTERNATIONAL FAMILY ASSISTANCE CONFERENCE

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2011
    SB-11-06

    Washington, DC – The National Transportation Safety Board is hosting a conference to share best practices and promote post-accident family assistance in all modes of transportation. Family Assistance: Promoting an International Approach for the Transportation Industry, will be held in Washington, DC on March 28 and 29, 2011. The conference will bring together family members, transportation accident investigation agencies, industry representatives, government agencies, and the news media to share perspectives on lessons learned in providing family assistance following transportation accidents in an international context.

    “Following a major aviation or passenger rail accident in the US, the NTSB has the responsibility to coordinate support for survivors and families,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “With this conference, we are marking the 15th anniversary of the enactment of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act and the 10th anniversary of ICAO Circular 285, with a unique forum to identify lessons learned and draw from international experiences to improve the support for families in the wake of transportation tragedies worldwide.”

    The first day of the conference will include panel discussions featuring family members, transportation industry representatives, vendors, non-governmental organizations, transportation accident investigative agencies, and the news media examining their perspectives on transportation family assistance.

    The second day will feature a series of presentations by NTSB Transportation Disaster Assistance staff as they discuss the Board’s family assistance model from an operational perspective.

    This conference, being held at NTSB’s headquarters, is provided free of charge to those interested in the provision of family assistance in all modes of transportation. A complete agenda and list of speakers will be published prior to the conference. The first day will be webcast at www.ntsb.gov.

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    Goodrich and Royal Jordanian Airlines Sign Support Agreement

    Work will be performed through Prime Solutions(R) at the Goodrich Dubai campus

    Goodrich and Royal Jordanian Airlines Sign Nacelle Services Agreement for Support of Airbus A320, A340 and Embraer E195 Fleets

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 31, 2011 -Goodrich Corporation has signed a nacelle services agreement with Royal Jordanian Airlines. The five-year Prime Solutions(R) agreement covers maintenance and support of nacelles and thrust reversers for the airline’s fleet of V2500-powered Airbus A320s, CF34-10E powered Embraer 195s and CFM56-5C- powered Airbus A340s. The agreement will be managed through Goodrich’s Dubai campus in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, which will provide the regional support to this national airline of Jordan.

    Bob Gustafson, Goodrich Aerostructures vice president and general manager of Aftermarket Services said, “This agreement demonstrates the breadth of services we offer on different aircraft types that are in different stages of their lifecycles. From the newer E195 airplanes to the more mature A320s and the out-of-production CFM56-5C nacelles on the A340-200, Goodrich is committed to offering world-class nacelle maintenance services on all of these programs.”

    In addition to demonstrating the breadth of services and programs offered, Gustafson added that the agreement is another example of an airline recognizing the value of securing long-term nacelle services with a locally positioned nacelle MRO. “Goodrich’s Dubai campus is strategically located to provide local services to airlines so that they can achieve time and cost savings from having repairs performed on large components close to their main operating bases,” he said.

    Royal Jordanian president and CEO Hussein Dabbas agreed that the Goodrich strategic MRO location was an important factor in the airline’s decision. “We are pleased to put this Prime Solutions agreement into place and that the work will be performed at the Goodrich Dubai campus, which is close to the Royal Jordanian base in Amman, Jordan,” Dabbas said. “The A320s, A340s and Embraer 195s represent a significant portion of the airline’s fleet and we look forward to the maintenance work being performed by a well-known, renowned nacelle MRO.”

    Prime Solutions is a comprehensive suite of maintenance services and asset/inventory management programs that can be fully customized to meet any airline’s needs for nacelle maintenance.

    Royal Jordanian is Jordan‘s national carrier and began operations more than 47 years ago. Under the guidance and direction of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the airline connects Jordan and the Eastern Mediterranean area with the rest of the world. It continues to continuously modernize and upgrade its services, renew its fleet and expand its route network and operations. Royal Jordanian operates flights from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. Its fleet covers a network of 58 destinations on four continents.

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    Boeing, American Airlines Complete Order for 35 Next-Generation 737s

    SEATTLE, July 21 — Boeing and American Airlines, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMR Corp., today announced the airline has exercised options for an additional 35 Next-Generation 737-800s.

    The order is part of American Airlines’ ongoing fleet renewal plan, replacing MD-80s with fuel-efficient Next-Generation 737s. The 737-800 is 35 percent more fuel efficient on a seat-mile basis than the MD-80s it will replace.

    “American Airlines is leveraging all the performance benefits of the Next-Generation 737 to enhance the airline’s competitive position, while providing an enhanced passenger travel experience,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “American’s investment in additional 737s demonstrates real confidence in the 737’s technology and economics. In addition, the new interiors on its existing 737 fleet and the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior on deliveries starting in 2011 will ensure American’s customers continue to enjoy an exceptional flying experience.”

    “The 737-800 provides additional amenities for our customers while helping to reduce our operating and fuel costs and lessen our impact on the environment,” said Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer for American Airlines. “The 737 is a product that benefits all of American’s stakeholders and is a good fit for our current fleet renewal plans.”

    Famous for its extremely efficient operation, high dispatch reliability and leading performance on coast-to-coast flights, the 737-800 remains the airplane of choice for airlines wanting to take advantage of new opportunities in the market.

    Today’s 35 new orders build on an order for 84 737s that began arriving in 2009. American currently expects to have a total of 195 737-800s in its single-aisle fleet by the end of 2012.

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