http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/04/14/340613/northrop-flights-prove-software-for-autonomous-refuelling.html
Northrop Grumman has moved a step closer to achieving autonomous in-flight refuelling, which remains one of the major technology barriers facing unmanned aircraft systems.
A series of 10 test flights in March proved that a software algorithm based on relative navigation technology works inside an existing Northrop navigation system.
miércoles, 14 de abril de 2010
Un avión carguero se estrella en Mexico. Seis Muertos
http://www.abc.es/20100414/internacional-internacional/seis-muertos-caer-airbus-201004141640.html
Al menos seis personas han muerto al estrellarse un avión Airbus 300
de carga después de abortar un aterrizaje en el aeropuerto
internacional de Monterrey. El titular de Protección Civil del estado
de Nuevo León, en el norte de México, Jorge Camacho, ha declarado que
es posible que haya más víctimas mortales a causa del siniestro, que
ocurrió anoche alrededor de las 23.15 hora local (4.15 GMT
Al menos seis personas han muerto al estrellarse un avión Airbus 300
de carga después de abortar un aterrizaje en el aeropuerto
internacional de Monterrey. El titular de Protección Civil del estado
de Nuevo León, en el norte de México, Jorge Camacho, ha declarado que
es posible que haya más víctimas mortales a causa del siniestro, que
ocurrió anoche alrededor de las 23.15 hora local (4.15 GMT
Hawker Beechcraft, Pratt & Whitney Canada Announce First Flight of Second AT-6 Prototype
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and Pratt & Whitney Canada
(P&WC) today announced the successful first flight of the second Beechcraft AT-6 production
representative test vehicle (PRTV). The aircraft features a new P&WC PT6A-68D engine with 1600
shaft horsepower (shp) that greatly improves the overall performance of the AT-6 to complement the
world-class mission avionics performance of the Lockheed Martin mission system. The AT-6 is a
structurally strengthened derivative of the highly successful U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy
(USN) T-6A/B trainer – the world's most proven military trainer aircraft – that will address the mission
needs of the USAF for a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft. The USAF is
expected to launch an acquisition program this year.
The integration of the PT6A-68D engine, designed to improve aircraft performance over the first AT-6
PRTV, was accomplished by the HBC-P&WC team in only nine months and was executed
concurrently with the first PRTV's A-10-based mission avionics upgrade. The new T-6 derivative,
while incorporating structural improvements and increased electrical power generation required for the
LAAR mission, still retains approximately 95 percent overall commonality with the baseline T-6B.
"The AT-6 team has made remarkable progress in a very short time by integrating proven low-risk
technologies on both of our AT-6 test vehicles," said Jim Maslowski, president, Hawker Beechcraft
U.S. and International Government Business. "I am especially proud of how quickly the HBC-P&WC
team responded to the challenge of improving the performance of the AT-6 without sacrificing
commonality with the rest of the T-6 worldwide fleet. The enhanced performance of the 1600 shp
engine, when combined with our demonstrated A-10C derivative mission avionics capabilities, offers
air forces around the world a LAAR aircraft that is unmatched in the market."
Pratt & Whitney Canada is proud to be part of HBC's successful first flight of this exciting program.
Our engineering team has worked closely with HBC to ensure P&WC's engine meets all
expectations," said Michael Perodeau, Vice President, Corporate Aviation and Military Engines,
P&WC. "The PT6A-68D is a member of the latest generation of our PT6 engine family, which totals
over 25,000 engines in service today. It incorporates advanced materials and aerodynamic
technologies for exceptional levels of performance and reliability."
The AT-6 is designed to be able to quickly transition pilots between basic flight training missions and
complex NetCentric LAAR missions. The AT-6 incorporates the very best of proven training and close
air support capability to meet expected LAAR requirements. The aircraft covers a wide mission
spectrum that includes training, manned Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance and light
precision attack, while also offering non-traditional capabilities for Homeland Defense, Homeland
Security and Civil Support missions.
HBC has been meeting the needs of U.S. and foreign military customers around the world with trainer,
weaponized trainer and special mission aircraft, which are currently in service in more than 50
nations. Today, all USAF and USN student pilots train in a Hawker Beechcraft aircraft.
Press Release
(P&WC) today announced the successful first flight of the second Beechcraft AT-6 production
representative test vehicle (PRTV). The aircraft features a new P&WC PT6A-68D engine with 1600
shaft horsepower (shp) that greatly improves the overall performance of the AT-6 to complement the
world-class mission avionics performance of the Lockheed Martin mission system. The AT-6 is a
structurally strengthened derivative of the highly successful U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy
(USN) T-6A/B trainer – the world's most proven military trainer aircraft – that will address the mission
needs of the USAF for a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft. The USAF is
expected to launch an acquisition program this year.
The integration of the PT6A-68D engine, designed to improve aircraft performance over the first AT-6
PRTV, was accomplished by the HBC-P&WC team in only nine months and was executed
concurrently with the first PRTV's A-10-based mission avionics upgrade. The new T-6 derivative,
while incorporating structural improvements and increased electrical power generation required for the
LAAR mission, still retains approximately 95 percent overall commonality with the baseline T-6B.
"The AT-6 team has made remarkable progress in a very short time by integrating proven low-risk
technologies on both of our AT-6 test vehicles," said Jim Maslowski, president, Hawker Beechcraft
U.S. and International Government Business. "I am especially proud of how quickly the HBC-P&WC
team responded to the challenge of improving the performance of the AT-6 without sacrificing
commonality with the rest of the T-6 worldwide fleet. The enhanced performance of the 1600 shp
engine, when combined with our demonstrated A-10C derivative mission avionics capabilities, offers
air forces around the world a LAAR aircraft that is unmatched in the market."
Pratt & Whitney Canada is proud to be part of HBC's successful first flight of this exciting program.
Our engineering team has worked closely with HBC to ensure P&WC's engine meets all
expectations," said Michael Perodeau, Vice President, Corporate Aviation and Military Engines,
P&WC. "The PT6A-68D is a member of the latest generation of our PT6 engine family, which totals
over 25,000 engines in service today. It incorporates advanced materials and aerodynamic
technologies for exceptional levels of performance and reliability."
The AT-6 is designed to be able to quickly transition pilots between basic flight training missions and
complex NetCentric LAAR missions. The AT-6 incorporates the very best of proven training and close
air support capability to meet expected LAAR requirements. The aircraft covers a wide mission
spectrum that includes training, manned Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance and light
precision attack, while also offering non-traditional capabilities for Homeland Defense, Homeland
Security and Civil Support missions.
HBC has been meeting the needs of U.S. and foreign military customers around the world with trainer,
weaponized trainer and special mission aircraft, which are currently in service in more than 50
nations. Today, all USAF and USN student pilots train in a Hawker Beechcraft aircraft.
Press Release
50th Anniversary Beechcraft Baron to Debut at 2010 Sun ’n Fun Fly-In
WICHITA, Kan. (April 12 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced that
the 50th anniversary Beechcraft Baron G58 will make its public debut at the 36th annual Sun 'n
Fun Fly-in & Expo April 13-18 in Lakeland, Fla. The limited edition Baron that incorporates high
performance Hartzell Scimitar propellers, elegant interior design features and amenities, and a
choice of four distinctive external paint schemes will be one of the highlights of the HBC aircraft
display at space MD8-A at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
"We are excited to unveil the 50th anniversary Baron at this year's Sun 'n Fun," said Keith
Nadolski, president, Beechcraft Americas. "With its loyal and enthusiastic customer base, the
Baron continues to be the dominant twin engine piston aircraft of our entire industry and
provides performance capabilities and versatility that are the best in its class."
The 50th anniversary Baron is a limited edition version of the current G58 model, which was
announced in 2005. Recognized as the twin-engine piston aircraft that pilots aspire to own, the
Baron G58 offers unmatched performance and range/payload capabilities in its segment. It also
features a premium cabin that provides the best ride of any twin-engine aircraft, including
flexible seating that allows for seating of two, four or six people, with the option to reconfigure
and remove seats to accommodate mission needs and large baggage items. Its flight deck
includes fully integrated Garmin G1000® avionics with a GFC 700 flight control system and new
GWX 68 color weather radar.
The golden anniversary aircraft incorporates a specially-engraved, 14-carat-gold Baron and 50-
year emblem into the power quadrant and pilot/co-pilot control wheels, matching wheat leather
seats and removable headrest covers with an embossed Beechcraft shield, and leather-
wrapped yokes in an exclusive wheat finish. The aircraft also sports a heritage Beechcraft shield
sculpted into the velvet cut Baron Brown carpet in the club seating area. Rosen sun visors, a
Lightspeed Zulu headset and standard air-conditioning round out the internal enhancements.
Externally, the Hartzell blended airfoil Scimitar propellers equipped with unfeathering
accumulators will provide a performance boost, while a choice of four color palettes and a
specially-designed paint scheme give the anniversary aircraft a unique look. The limited edition
Baron is identified by an exclusive number sequence (1/12) and proudly displays the heritage
Beechcraft shield on the tail. Each aircraft features distinctive 50th anniversary commemorative
graphics on the nacelles and fuselage, with upper leading-edge wing surfaces finished with
select anniversary paint.
Press Release
the 50th anniversary Beechcraft Baron G58 will make its public debut at the 36th annual Sun 'n
Fun Fly-in & Expo April 13-18 in Lakeland, Fla. The limited edition Baron that incorporates high
performance Hartzell Scimitar propellers, elegant interior design features and amenities, and a
choice of four distinctive external paint schemes will be one of the highlights of the HBC aircraft
display at space MD8-A at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
"We are excited to unveil the 50th anniversary Baron at this year's Sun 'n Fun," said Keith
Nadolski, president, Beechcraft Americas. "With its loyal and enthusiastic customer base, the
Baron continues to be the dominant twin engine piston aircraft of our entire industry and
provides performance capabilities and versatility that are the best in its class."
The 50th anniversary Baron is a limited edition version of the current G58 model, which was
announced in 2005. Recognized as the twin-engine piston aircraft that pilots aspire to own, the
Baron G58 offers unmatched performance and range/payload capabilities in its segment. It also
features a premium cabin that provides the best ride of any twin-engine aircraft, including
flexible seating that allows for seating of two, four or six people, with the option to reconfigure
and remove seats to accommodate mission needs and large baggage items. Its flight deck
includes fully integrated Garmin G1000® avionics with a GFC 700 flight control system and new
GWX 68 color weather radar.
The golden anniversary aircraft incorporates a specially-engraved, 14-carat-gold Baron and 50-
year emblem into the power quadrant and pilot/co-pilot control wheels, matching wheat leather
seats and removable headrest covers with an embossed Beechcraft shield, and leather-
wrapped yokes in an exclusive wheat finish. The aircraft also sports a heritage Beechcraft shield
sculpted into the velvet cut Baron Brown carpet in the club seating area. Rosen sun visors, a
Lightspeed Zulu headset and standard air-conditioning round out the internal enhancements.
Externally, the Hartzell blended airfoil Scimitar propellers equipped with unfeathering
accumulators will provide a performance boost, while a choice of four color palettes and a
specially-designed paint scheme give the anniversary aircraft a unique look. The limited edition
Baron is identified by an exclusive number sequence (1/12) and proudly displays the heritage
Beechcraft shield on the tail. Each aircraft features distinctive 50th anniversary commemorative
graphics on the nacelles and fuselage, with upper leading-edge wing surfaces finished with
select anniversary paint.
Press Release
Controladores aéreos: el pulso entre las partes se enquista
http://www.expansion.com/2010/04/13/empresas/1271193514.html?a=9583938526249b7fbf888d86e59f9942&t=1271234077
Ambas partes no han avanzado en las negociaciones del convenio colectivo, desde que el Gobierno aprobara por sorpresa, el 5 de febrero, un real decreto para regular el sistema de navegación aérea. El objetivo es acabar con los privilegios del poderoso colectivo y proceder a la liberalización del sistema.
El decretazo devolvía a Aena la gestión y organización del trabajo y aumentaba la jornada laboral obligatoria de sus empleados a 1.700 horas (antes era de 1.200) eliminando las horas extras que disparaban el coste del sistema. Estas son las líneas rojas que ha marcado la norma, pero el gestor tiene que desarrollarlas en un nuevo convenio (el actual caducó en 2004), pactado con sus trabajadores.
Composite Helicopter based on OH58 Kiowa
Replacing the four-blade rotor and tailrotor with coaxial rotors and ducted fans reduces the power required by 15-20%, says AVX, which in turn boosts the helicopter's hot-and-high performance with the existing engine. The company estimates the OH-58D AVX can meet or exceed the performance promised by the ARH.
OH-58D + AVX = Kamov Warrior?
It resembles Sikorsky X-2, but with coaxial rotors rather than main rotor and tail rotor.