Cessna Announces Larger, Advanced Citation Ten; Debut for Garmin G5000 Avionics, Revolutionary Cabin Management System

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced at the 63rd NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention the launch of the Citation Ten, a larger, advanced version of the world’s fastest certified business jet, the Citation X. It also marks the debut of the Garmin G5000 avionics suite and a Cessna-exclusive advanced cabin management system, and it features more powerful and more efficient Rolls-Royce engines.

“The launch of the Citation Ten is an example of our commitment, repeated throughout the recent downturn, to new product development, and it’s a signal that we intend to do what we need to do to maintain a general aviation industry leadership position,” said Jack Pelton, Cessna chairman, president and CEO. “We’ve teamed with Garmin and with Rolls-Royce to conceive an almost perfect combination of speed, performance, ease of operation and productivity in one airframe – the Citation Ten.”

First flight of the new Citation Ten will be in late 2011, with certification and first delivery in 2013.

The Citation Ten features a 15-inch longer fuselage for more cabin space, winglets for more efficient performance, a new electrical system, dual lithium-ion batteries, new avionics, autothrottle, a redesigned cabin with new interior seats and cabin appointments, and a proprietary fiber optic-based cabin management system including the latest interface options for greater in-flight productivity and connectivity.

Performance is also enhanced with a 211 nautical mile (391 kilometer) increase in range at high-speed cruise, a 214-pound increase in maximum payload and a faster rate of climb direct to 45,000 feet.

“We are particularly excited about the advanced technology incorporated throughout the aircraft and the improved performance characteristics that give our customers a more efficient and a more productive aircraft and aircraft cabin that are designed to meet evolving requirements in business travel,” Pelton said.

“Further distancing this product from the competition is access to world-class customer service, not only through Cessna’s world-class support group, but also from Garmin and Rolls-Royce, with all three recently lauded in independent customer surveys,” Pelton said.

Enhanced Performance
The Citation Ten will use a pair of new Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 high-flow-fan turbines, each rated at 7,034 pounds of thrust. This gives the Citation Ten a 4 percent improvement in takeoff thrust, 9 percent improvement in climb performance, 7 percent improvement in cruise thrust and an additional 1.4 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption.

The Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 will be certified in 2013 ahead of aircraft type certification.

New Avionics, Cockpit Styling
Cessna is the first company to announce it will use the integrated Garmin G5000 avionics suite, which will be certified for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25 operations (commercial transport aircraft).

“We have a very successful relationship with Garmin, a company recently ranked by aviation professionals as having the best avionics customer support in the industry in a prestigious third-party survey,” Pelton said. “The level of reliability and integration and the ease of use of the G5000 are going to be unprecedented and will give Citation Ten owners a new level of operability.”

The Citation Ten’s restyled, clean cockpit design is anchored by the new, fully integrated Garmin G5000 system that centers on three 14-inch LCD primary and multifunction displays and four touch-screen control panels. Among the standard features of the new system are a pilot-vehicle touch-screen interface, TCAS II with Change 7.1, Synthetic Vision Technology, electronic charts, Garmin’s SafeTaxi, a dual flight management system with WAAS LPV and RNP 0.3 SAAAR capability, solid-state weather radar with turbulence detection and vertical scan capability, integrated terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), ADS-B Out and Link 2000+ data link. Options include satellite weather and an ICAO Type 1A flight data recorder.

Most Advanced Passenger Cabin in the Industry
Cessna has teamed with Dallas-based Heads Up Technologies to develop an intelligent cabin management system (CMS) that integrates cabin electrical systems, avionics and communications through a fiber optic backbone and an intuitive touch-screen user interface, resulting in “the ultimate connectivity experience.”

“Together with Heads Up Technologies, we offer in the Ten a cabin and cabin management system designed top to bottom for productivity,” Pelton said. “We surround all this productivity with new styling, more space, new seats, new lighting and more stowage – frankly more options all around to easily meet demanding customer requirements.”

“I am very comfortable referring to our new Citation Ten CMS as revolutionary,” Pelton said.

Technology is the foundation of the Citation Ten CMS. Designers opted for exclusive use of fiber optics instead of the more commonly used copper cable, not only providing sufficient bandwidth for system growth but greatly reducing aircraft weight. This size aircraft requires almost 200 feet of cable for the CMS; a fiber optic backbone weighs less than one-tenth what a copper cable system weighs. Aircraft using current technology CMS architectures carry extra cable – and extra weight – to accommodate future system expansion; if not, expansion is limited. The Citation Ten’s fiber optic architecture is scalable, both for system growth and for various aircraft.

The Cessna CMS features an interactive, touch-screen system controller at each passenger seat for audio (digital media, MP3/iPhone), video (digital, Blu Ray), interactive moving map, cabin temperature, lights, window shades and even cabin diagnostics. The dual club-seat cabin arrangement also includes 110 or 220 volt electrical outlets and multiple USB/device inputs. High-speed Internet browsing, satellite radio and cabin Wi-Fi are available as options.

The Cessna CMS trip computer includes an interactive moving map with a global database featuring standard features like flight data displays and location indicator, and also offers access to points of interest information.

The new Citation Ten cabin mock-up is on display this week during NBAA at Cessna’s static aircraft display at Atlanta’s DeKalb Peachtree Airport (KPDK) following an unveiling on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. (EDT).

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Iberia quiere ser un referente en Barcelona con vuelos internacionales y nuevo hangar

http://www.revista80dias.es/noticias/2010/10/aviacion/20101018003-Iberia-quiere-ser-referente-Barcelona-vuelos-internacionales-nuevo-hangar.html

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French strikes expected to disrupt air traffic Tuesday

The controllers plan to strike for 24 hr. Most disruptions are expected to hit short- and medium-haul flights. Air France said it "plans to operate 100% of our long-haul flights" on Tuesday but has "had to cancel some domestic and European flights." In addition to the ATC workers striking, many of France's oil refineries have been heavily hit by strikes over the past week, raising the prospect of aircraft fuel shortages in the country. Eurocontrol is advising airlines flying into French airports to carry sufficient fuel for return trips.

http://atwonline.com/international-aviation-regulation/news/french-strikes-expected-disrupt-air-traffic-tuesday-1018

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EADS North America KC-45 tanker program benefits from the first flight of third Australian A330 MRTT

Arlington, Virginia, 18 octubre 2010

The maturity of the EADS North America KC-45 program has been further reinforced with the maiden flight of Australia’s third mission-equipped Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). EADS North America is offering an A330 MRTT-based tanker to the U.S. Air Force as the KC-45, and is the only competitor offering the Air Force a tanker that is already flying, refueling and fully certified today.

Airbus Military will begin deliveries of A330 MRTTs this year to its first operator, the Royal Australian Air Force.

The first two A330 MRTTs built for Australia have performed more than 1,300 aerial refueling contacts and transferred more than one million pounds of fuel, using the same advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) and digital under-wing refueling pods offered on the KC-45. The Australian aircraft also is configured with a Link 16 real-time data link for airborne connectivity, along with a directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system, among other defensive systems.


The third Australian A330 MRTT was converted to its tanker/transport configuration by Qantas Engineering in Brisbane, Australia – underscoring the company’s ability to successfully transfer A330 MRTT production and outfitting around the world. The KC-45 variant of the A330 MRTT will be built at a new American aerospace center of excellence that will be constructed in Mobile, Alabama.

“Every day, the A330 MRTT program is demonstrating that our KC-45 offers the U.S. Air Force a tanker solution that is in production, flying today and proven,” said EADS North America Chairman Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. “We are ready to bring the only real tanker in the Air Force competition to the U.S., where it will be built by 48,000 Americans.”

During the four-hour maiden flight for the newest Australian A330 MRTT, the aircraft reached an altitude of 41,000 feet and performed a series of preplanned trials of test equipment, handling qualities, performance and systems in a full range of mission situations. This is the fifth A330 MRTT currently flying, including two aircraft for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force.

The A330 MRTT is in production today for four U.S. allies. Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have ordered a total of 28 MRTTs. It has won every head-to-head competition with Boeing’s KC-767 tanker – including the U.S. Air Force competition in 2008.

To learn more about the KC-45, visit www.kc-45now.com

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Supersonic business jet developer Aerion gets supersonic test results

http://www.aerioncorp.com

Aerion Announces Details of Recent Supersonic Flight Tests Reno, Nevada, October 18, 2010 – Aerion Corporation announced at this week’s National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting and Convention (booth 6202) additional detail and preliminary results relating to a new round of flight tests in collaboration with NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. These tests, which took place in July and August 2010 and achieved a top speed of Mach 2.0, mark the latest milestone in preliminary engineering activities for the world’s first supersonic business jet (SBJ).

“Test flights this past summer are tangible proof that Aerion is leveraging all available assets to continue refining technology that will be applied to our planned supersonic business jet,” said Aerion Vice Chairman Brian Barents. “We thank our investors and preliminary customers for their continued support, as well as NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate for their unique testing expertise and facilities. Aerion remains convinced of the need not just to fly farther and in greater comfort, but much quicker as well.”

Data gained from the initial series of five data flights aboard a NASA F-15B aircraft are being analyzed by comparing the static pressures recorded at 60 points on the flat plate at varying speeds and altitudes with those predicted by aircraft computer models, including the test pylon and flat plate test article. Engine inlet parameters are included in the model and adjustable to achieve the best fit with the measured pressures during the F-15B tests.

This process has been completed and the design of a test article to be used in the next series is well along. The design goals include achieving maximum extent of supersonic laminar flow, confirmation of its robustness under realistic conditions and crossflow pressure gradients. When the aerodynamic optimization of the new test article has been completed, mechanical design and fabrication to NASA flight test criteria will be carried out by Aerion. Then, after ground and flight qualification tests by NASA, the second phase of the tests will be performed. “Future tests will evaluate supersonic boundary layer transition properties as they relate to manufacturing standards for surface quality and assembly tolerances, both crucial to future production of Aerion’s supersonic business jet,” said Dr. Richard Tracy, the company’s chief technology officer.

Aerion’s SBJ, designed to carry 8-12 passengers efficiently at high subsonic as well as supersonic speeds, has attracted roughly 50 letters of intent with accompanying deposits for the $80 million aircraft. This $4 billion order book has remained relatively constant, despite recent economic volatility. The company is engaged in ongoing talks with business aviation original equipment manufacturers; aircraft deliveries would begin five to six years from the formation of a joint venture to cover the rest of SBJ development, production, certification, sales and support.

Press Release (pdf)


SUPERSONIC NLF CONCEPT



Aerion’s straight-wing, natural laminar flow design, coupled with proven engines from Pratt & Whitney, enable sustained and efficient supersonic cruise up to Mach 1.6. Aerion’s natural laminar flow wing reduces total airframe drag by up to 20 percent versus previous delta wing technology.

That reduction creates a virtuous circle, allowing the Aerion jet to cruise on less power, requiring less fuel and therefore a lower overall weight.



The NLF wing enables fuel efficient subsonic cruise speeds between Mach .95 and .99, and allows for boomless cruise up to Mach 1.1.

A straight-wing, natural laminar flow design provides benefits at the low and slow end of the speed envelope, as well. Approach and landing speeds will mirror those of today’s larger business jets, allowing routine access to runways of no more than 6,000 feet.

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Official Maiden flight for Indian military UAV

"The aircraft was flown in a manner exactly as planned, up to a height of 3,000 feet (900 metres), remained airborne for 30 minutes and completed all mission requirements," Defence Research and Development Organisation spokesman Ravi Kumar Gupta said of Saturday's flight.

The drone, named Rustom, has a maximum flight time of 15 hours and is a prototype that the military intends to develop into more advanced models, officials said.


http://www.defencetalk.com/maiden-flight-for-indian-military-uav-drone-29512/

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Embraer certifica en China un centro para el mantenimiento de los aviones que produce

Durante ceremonia de inauguración realizada hoy en Pekín (China), en las instalaciones de Tianjin Airlines Company Limited, Embraer anunció que las instalaciones de esta compañía serán el primer centro autorizado de servicios para el mercado de aviación comercial en China. La empresa china realizará mantenimiento programado y no programado en las aeronaves ERJ 145 y Embraer 190, atendiendo a los requisitos Parte 145 de la autoridad de aviación civil de aquel país.


http://www.aerotendencias.com/industria-aeronautica/2116-embraer-certifica-en-china-un-centro-para-el-mantenimiento-de-los-aviones-que-produce

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La nueva versión del caza indio Tejas tendrá elementos de quinta generación

•  la nueva versión de ese avión de combate se utilizarán elementos del caza de quinta generación FGFA, el que la India desarrollará junto con la compañía rusa Sukhoi.

• nuevo radar 
• cabina modernizada.
• El Tejas Mk2 tendrá alas más largas que el Tejas ordinario. Esto permitirá al nuevo aparato portar más armas y más combustible.
• Mayores tomas de aire

La mayoría de esos elementos estarán listos en los próximos dos o tres años.


http://sp.rian.ru/Defensa/20101018/147764604.html

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A small but growing list of airlines are eliminating rows in 1st classthe as customers increasingly look for cheaper seats.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-10-18-firstclass18_ST_N.htm?utm_campaign=Aviation+Updates+-+Google+News&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_source=SNSanalytics

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Bombardier Grows Its Flagship Global Family with Two New Jets: the Global 7000 and Global 8000 Aircraft

Bombardier's Global aircraft family (from left to right): Global 7000, Global 8000, Global Express XRS and Global 5000 aircraft.


Corporate aviation leader Bombardier Aerospace today reaffirmed its command of the large business jet category by introducing two new jets, the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft. Bombardier’s flagship Global aircraft family now uniquely covers the large, ultra long-range category with four aircraft models, the Global 5000, Global Express XRS, Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets.

“Bombardier’s commitment to innovation, ongoing investment in product development strategy and strength as the industry leader are key contributors to our overall success,” said Steve Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The Global aircraft platform gained instant worldwide recognition for design and performance when it was first introduced in 1996, and Global aircraft have since become renowned as the industry’s most advanced jets. By extending this great aircraft family, we are once again offering a business jet travel experience that is unmatched and ahead of its time.”

“These new aircraft are solid examples of Bombardier’s foresight and visionary thinking. The Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets will give our customers the ability to reach more destinations non-stop than ever before, delivering unprecedented levels of performance, flexibility, and comfort,” continued Mr. Ridolfi. “There has never been a better time to “Be Global”.”

Global 7000 aircraft: Featuring a spacious four-zone cabin, this aircraft sets the benchmark for a new category of large business jets. With a volume of 2,637 cu. ft. (74.67 cu. m.), passengers will enjoy 20 per cent more living space than the cabin of the current industry leader. The aircraft will have a high-speed cruise of M 0.90 and a range of 7,300 nm (13,520 km) at M 0.85*. It will fly London-Singapore, New York-Dubai or Beijing-Washington non-stop with 10 passengers*. Entry into service is scheduled for 2016.

Global 8000 aircraft: Flying farther than any other business jet, the Global 8000 aircraft will feature a superior three-zone 2,236-cu.ft. (63.32-cu.m.) cabin and an impressive range of 7,900 nm (14,631 km) at M 0.85*. It will connect Sydney-Los Angeles, Hong Kong-New York and Mumbai-New York non-stop with eight passengers*. The Global 8000 jet will reach a high-speed cruise of M 0.90. Entry into service is scheduled for 2017.

Unmatched performance
Bombardier’s new Global aircraft will feature an all-new high-speed transonic wing, designed to significantly optimize aerodynamic efficiency, combined with next-generation GE TechX 16,500 lb- thrust-engines to deliver significant efficiency and emissions advantages, including reduced NOx emissions – 50 per cent below the International Civil Aviation Organization’s upcoming Civil Aircraft Emissions Protocol (CAEP-6) regulations – and an eight per cent better overall fuel-efficiency target when compared to the industry-leading Global Express XRS aircraft. Featuring a high-speed cruise of M 0.90, these aircraft are designed to outperform all others, connecting more key city pairs non-stop worldwide through a combination of outstanding range, fuel efficiency and balanced field length.

Ultimate comfort and flexibility
Cabin features common to both new aircraft include: maximum natural light through new enlarged windows, that provide approximately 80 per cent more surface per window than on current Global aircraft; a generous baggage suite that is accessible during flight; a crew rest area equipped with berthable seating; a spacious galley with optimized meal preparation and storage possibilities; an innovative approach to cabin zones, giving customers more flexibility and choice when defining their floorplan; and innovative design options that bring the comforts of home to the aircraft environment.

Innovative technology and design
Both aircraft will also feature the most up-to-date version of the Global Vision flight deck and the advanced connectivity capability of a leading-edge cabin management system to ensure the highest levels of convenience, comfort and control ever presented in a business jet.


Press Release

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Eurocopter se adjudica el mantenimiento en tercer escalón de helicópteros el Ejército del Aire por 2,5 millones de euros

ATLANTA, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) Business Jets today announced that the Rockwell Collins Enhanced Vision System (EVS) was certified last week by the Federal Aviation Administration on a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), an Air National Guard C-40. The Rockwell Collins EVS is available to current and future BBJ operators as a post-production modification.

The EVS capability enhances situational awareness for pilots during approach, landing, taxi and takeoff by presenting an image of the external environment on the Head-up Guidance System (HGS) and head-down displays.

The system uses an infrared sensor to improve the pilots' view of the runway in various conditions including bad weather. This aids pilots to avoid terrain and clearly identify the runway, including any obstructions, early in the approach. It also assists pilots with "black hole" approaches to airports not equipped with precision landing aids and with landing and maneuvering at unfamiliar airports.

"I had the pleasure of flying several of the flights during the EVS development flight-test program with the Air National Guard and the Rockwell Collins team. That experience gave me the chance to see the EVS advantages first hand," said Steve Taylor, Boeing Business Jets president.

"Given the variety of destinations visited by most BBJ operators, the improved situational awareness that EVS provides can be a great advantage," said Taylor.

"The truly collaborative effort between Rockwell Collins, Boeing, the Air National Guard and the entire development team has made EVS a reality for BBJ owners and operators who have been eagerly awaiting this capability," said David Austin, senior director, HGS for Rockwell Collins.

Installation of the EVS system on BBJs requires that the airplanes receive an upgrade to the HGS 4000, a modified radome, and the infrared camera.

The EVS system will be demonstrated on the Air National Guard BBJ at DeKalb Peachtree Airport during the National Business Aviation Association convention, Oct. 19-22, 2010.

boeing press release

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Nace la Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Equipos de Asistencia en Tierra para Aeronaves (AEFEATA)

Los principales fabricantes en España de equipos de Handling aeronáutico, GSE por sus siglas en inglés, (Ground Support Equipment): Einsa (Equipos Industriales de Manutención SA), JBT, Talleres Electromecánicos Gorris, TEMG, y Langa Industrial, han constituido en Madrid una asociación empresarial con la finalidad de aunar la representación, defensa y fomento de sus intereses generales a nivel nacional.

José Carlos Gallego, director regional en España de JBT, presidirá la Junta Directiva de AEFEATA, de la que Denis Philip Maguire, director comercial de Einsa, es vicepresidente, Luis Gorris, director general de Talleres Electromecánicos Gorris TEMG, secretario y José Luis Langa, director general de Langa Industrial, vocal. Según se determina en los estatutos de la Asociación, la Asamblea General, integrada por todos los asociados, será su órgano supremo de gobierno. Cualquier otra empresa española cuya actividad se enmarque en la fabricación de equipos de asistencia en tierra para aeronaves podrá integrarse en AEFEATA previa solicitud y aprobación por parte de la Junta Directiva.

Los estatutos de la Asociación determinan tres clases de asociados, los fundadores, los de número, es decir los que ingreses tras haber sido ésta constituida, y los de honor, nombrados como tales por la Junta Directiva en reconocimiento a su prestigio o contribución relevante a los fines de AEFEATA.

El sector del handling español es uno de los más importantes del mundo, la actividad de estos operadores, clientes de los fabricantes de equipos GSE, está regulada por AENA, el gestor estatal aeroportuario que otorga las licencias de operación en la totalidad de los aeropuertos públicos españoles. El cumplimiento de la normativa europea, relativa al respeto medioambiental en los aeropuertos, cuyas directrices AENA recogió en los pliegos del concurso del año 2006 a que están sometidos los actuales operadores de handling, afectó directamente a los requisitos exigibles a la flota de equipos de asistencia en tierra para aeronaves y supuso una fuerte inversión tecnológica por parte de los fabricantes a fin de adaptarse a las nuevas exigencias.

Esta situación, unida a los efectos de la fuerte competencia que se ha generado entre los operadores de handling, tras la concesión de nuevas licencias en 2006, y en el marco de crisis general que todavía azota al sector del transporte aéreo, a tres años de la renovación del concurso para otorgar nuevas licitaciones, ha impulsado la formación de la Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Equipos de Asistencia en Tierra para Aeronaves. AEFEATA aspira a defender los intereses comunes y posicionar correctamente en el futuro a un sector que da empleo directo en España a más de 500 trabajadores, proponiendo acciones de colaboración con AENA y con las compañías de handling encaminadas a lograr una salida común satisfactoria para todas las partes, afectadas por la crisis global y local del sector.

Nota de prensa

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Las dos caras de un dólar débil para EADS (entrevista de Galloise con Wall Street Journal)

Louis Gallois, el presidente ejecutivo de European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), afirma que las políticas económicas de Estados Unidos que debilitan el dólar son peligrosas para la empresa matriz de Airbus, pero aumentan su interés por intentar realizar adquisiciones en EE.UU.

Estos son apartes de una conversación con The Wall Street Journal.

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1315978

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