NewsComac to install C919 landing gear on iron bird by SeptemberComac has started the installation of parts on its C919 iron bird ground rig, and is targeting to have the aircraft's landing gear installed by late September. The Chinese airframer says the assembly of parts on the iron bird is an important task for the firm, and that in the first half of the year, several components necessary for iron bird tests have already been delivered. Without going into details, it adds that suppliers have also started tooling design and parts manufacturing. So far, over 200 tubes for the iron bird have been manufactured.
LinkCAA gives backing to Super Puma safetyThe UK Civil Aviation Authority has hinted that the 23 August fatal accident off the Shetland Isles involving a Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma was not caused by "an airworthiness or technical problem." Contained in a statement supporting the resumption of offshore flights with Super Puma helicopters, following a short-lived voluntary flight ban, the CAA says: "Based on all the information currently available, we do not believe that the accident was caused by an airworthiness or technical problem, and consider that the decision by the operators to resume Super Puma flights is appropriate. "We would not allow a return to service unless we were satisfied that it was safe to do so. We will review the position if any new evidence comes to light."
LinkAirbus steadily clocks up A350 flight hours Airbus has completed over 150h of flight testing with its A350 prototype, having resumed the campaign in August following a short break. The first test aircraft, MSN1, re-emerged in mid-August after undergoing modification to its flight-test installation in July. These upgrades included the fitting of a device beneath the aft fuselage which appears to be linked to high-attitude take-off testing, although Airbus says these minimum-unstick tests have not yet been conducted and are not scheduled for the "immediate future." Airbus chief Fabrice Brégier has completed his first flight on board the aircraft, joining a routine 3h sortie over south-west France.
LinkBombardier CSeries approved for first flight Bombardier has received a flight test permit from Transport Canada for the CSeries, securing the last regulatory requirement needed for the first flight to occur. The Canadian regulator certified FTV-1, a CS100, for flight testing today, says the Montreal-based airframer. Transport Canada said on 29 August that it was reviewing Bombardier's application for the flight test permit.
LinkMRJ attributes program delay to US FAA's delegation processMitsubishi Aircraft is taking longer than expected to develop its regional jet because of the challenges it has encountered in adopting the US Federal Aviation Administration's new certification and approval process. In a phone interview with journalists, the company's head of sales Yugo Fukuhara says the Mitsubishi MRJ regional jet is the first aircraft to fully apply the US FAA's organisational delegation authorisation (ODA) system, which came into effect in 2009. The ODA was partly applied to the Boeing 787 program when Boeing was delegated some responsibilities for performing tests to show that the aircraft's lithium-ion battery complied with airworthiness requirements. Under the ODA system, Mitsubishi is delegated the authority to design, test and analyse procedures and test results to show airworthiness requirements. This means that it also has to invest significant time and resources to develop the required processes.
LinkICAO Struggling To Avoid Carbon Trade War With EUTalks at the ICAO must bridge a deep divide between developed and emerging nations over airline emissions to avert the threat of a carbon trade war with the European Union. After more than a decade of debate at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there is little sign emerging powers China and India are ready to pay to pollute. Failure to get a deal would open the way for the European Union to resume international implementation of its own law that makes all aviation using EU airports buy carbon allowances. The last time it tried to enforce the law over frustration at a lack of ICAO progress, the EU faced counter-measures and the suspension of Chinese orders for Airbus jets. Some orders are still frozen.
LinkKingfisher Seeks USD$236 Mln. Damages From IAEA founder group company of grounded Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines is seeking about USD$236 million in damages from engine-maker International Aero Engines for allegedly supplying "inherently defective" engines, the airline said. United Breweries (Holdings) has filed a lawsuit against International Aero Engines and its shareholders in a court in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, Kingfisher said in its annual report, which was made publicly available on Monday. IAE, part-owned by Pratt & Whitney, competes with CFM International to supply engines for Airbus A320s.
LinkAustrian Air Staff Move To Tyrolean Not LegalLufthansa's 2012 transfer of thousands of staff from its Austrian Airlines unit to the cheaper Tyrolean Airways division was not legal, a Vienna court ruled on Monday. Austrian Airlines said in a statement it would appeal against the verdict of the Vienna Labor and Social Affairs Court, which called into question the centerpiece of the loss-making airline's restructuring. Lufthansa has said the partial transfer of Austrian Airlines' flight operations to Tyrolean, involving around 2,000 staff, boosted its 2012 operating profit by EUR€115 million (USD$152 million), helping it return to profit.
LinkDelta, Virgin Atlantic Close To Immunity ApprovalDelta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Airways are on track to receive immunity from US antitrust laws to operate a planned trans-Atlantic joint venture. In a filing on Friday, the US Department of Transportation said it had tentatively concluded that the alliance, which involves Delta buying a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic, would promote competition and would provide benefits to consumers in the North America-United Kingdom market. Delta and Virgin Atlantic announced the joint venture in December. Delta agreed to buy the Virgin Atlantic stake from Singapore Airlines for USD$360 million.
LinkRock Star's Wife Could Face Airport Weapon ChargeThe wife of rock guitarist Ted Nugent could face a felony weapons charge in North Texas after airport police caught her going through security at Dallas-Fort Worth airport with a loaded pistol, according to a police report. Shemane Nugent, 51, told authorities that she forgot that the Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver, packed in its case with 10 extra rounds, was in her bag when she prepared to board a flight on Thursday morning to Fort Lauderdale. The police report did not say if Ted Nugent, well known for his outspoken advocacy of guns and hunting rights, was traveling with his wife.
LinkBoeing C-17 inducted into Indian air forceThe Indian air force has formally inducted the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport. To mark the occasion, a ceremony took place at air force station Hindan, the home base for the air force's C-17s. Flown by the newly-raised No. 81 Squadron 'Skylords', the Globemaster will greatly enhance India's airlift capabilities.
LinkIsrael seeks R-model KC-135s from USAThe Israeli air force says it will only evaluate a US offer to sell it surplus Boeing KC-135 tankers if the aircraft involved are R-model examples. Washington has so far only proposed the sale of three KC-135Es, worth around $200 million. Israeli sources say the air force has made it clear it prefers the CFM56-powered R-model aircraft. These are included in the USA's excess defense articles programme, which allows Washington to give its allies military hardware for free, or at a greatly reduced price. The Israeli service is looking for new tankers, and surplus KC-135s were included in a US offer of equipment several months ago, which also featured the Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor. Israeli sources say that if the USA agrees to supply the longer-range KC-135R a deal could include 12 examples, to be transferred after undergoing depot maintenance in the USA.
LinkDanish AW101s to get MX-15 sensor fitDenmark is to perform an equipment upgrade on some of its air force AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, with the aircraft to be fitted with L-3 Wescam's MX-15 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor. Announced by the supplier on 2 September, Copenhagen's acquisition and sustainment contract will provide "a minimum of eight MX-15 imaging systems". Deliveries should conclude by 2014, it adds, with the new sensors to be installed by Denmark's Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation. Certification activities will be managed by AgustaWestland.
LinkPentagon and P&W reach tentative F-35 engine dealThe Pentagon and Pratt & Whitney have reached an agreement in principle for a production contract for the sixth lot of engines for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. "This agreement represents a fair deal for [the] government and Pratt & Whitney," says Lt Gen Chris Bogdan, F-35 programme executive officer. "Driving down cost is critical to the success of this programme, and we are working together - in each successive contract - to lower costs for the propulsion system."
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