Alenia Aermacchi: roll-out of first two Italian Air Force T-346A trainers

The roll-out took place at the Alenia Aermacchi factory at Venegono Superiore and was attended by company executives and representatives of the Armed Forces and local government.
Within a few months the first two T-346A – as the M-346 is designated by the Italian Air Force – will be delivered to the Experimental Flying Unit at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base, near Rome, where they will undergo operational evaluation testing.

full text: http://www.aviationnews.eu/2010/12/21/alenia-aermacchi-roll-out-of-first-two-italian-air-force-t-346a-trainers/

Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed emergency escape and rejected takeoff tests

December 21, 2010, Zhukovsky

Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed two tests of vital importance for final AR IAC certification – emergency evacuation testing and rejected takeoff with maximum braking kinetic energy.

According to the certification requirements to the emergency evacuation testing the SSJ100 SN 95007 had 90 seconds to get all 98 volunteers of different age groups and 5 crew members off the plane. The tests were carried out under the supervision of AR IAC and EASA authorities. The first production aircraft was placed in a darkened hangar of the Flight Test Center in Zhukovsky. The results were evaluated through the synchronized video recording from the passenger cabin and outside each of the two emergency slides.

The tests demonstrated the aircraft compliance to the certification requirements, having confirmed that 73 seconds is sufficient for the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew.

Under the supervision of AR IAC Sukhoi Superjet 100 SN 95003 has successfully completed the most difficult certification test case – rejected takeoff with maximum braking kinetic energy.

The rejected takeoff is performed for the overall check of wheels, tires and brakes at maximum possible braking speed. The braking speed parameters are set for the conditions of hot and high airport with maximum tailwind. It is worth mentioning that brakes at the start are worn down to minimum thickness. In full compliance with the certification requirements the tests are performed without thrust reverser.

The key indicator successful brakes performance at rejected takeoff is the capability of the airplane to confirm the estimated distance before full stop and its ability to stay without catching fire until full passengers' evacuation.

Prior to testing Goodrich and Michelin (suppliers of brakes, wheels and tires) had conducted extensive test bench simulations.

During the rejected takeoff tests, SCAC's chief test pilot Alexander Yablontsev slammed on brakes of the aircraft loaded to its maximum takeoff weight (45880 kg) at the speed over 300km/h. With its jammed brakes the aircraft travelled another 700 as expected.

The results of the tests demonstrated full compliance of Sukhoi Superjet 100 with EASA and AR IAC certification requirements. After full stop of the aircraft no wheel inflammation has occurred.

These tests provided another evidence of Sukhoi Superjet 100 compliance with certification requirements and its utmost reliability and safety.

Superjet International

OCDE Reforma de las ayudas a Airbus y Boeing para vender

ras las quejas de una veintena de las aerolíneas más importantes de Europa y Estados Unidos, los créditos de los que se beneficiaban aerolíneas de otras partes del mundo para comprar aviones a Airbus y Boeing se van a encarecer de forma progresiva, con el fin de acercarlos a las condiciones del mercado.

http://www.cincodias.com/articulo/empresas/Reforma-ayudas-Airbus-Boeing-vender/20101222cdscdiemp_22/

Boeing 747-8 undergoes extreme testing [video]

It's been dragged, dropped, soaked, and forced to hover, shudder and flutter. Boeing test pilots have been subjecting the new 747-8 Freighter to a series of punishing tests as part of the extensive program to certify the airplane.

Boeing

Airbus Military A330 MRTT ends 2010 on a high note

The Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is poised to be delivered to three different customers in 2011, following a flurry of activities which ended 2010, and with its position cemented as the only tanker offered in the US Air Force´s KC-X tanker competition that is real, certified, flying and refuelling today.
In a major exercise with the Portuguese Air Force on three days in November, 25 F-16A/B pilots underwent air-to-air refuelling training, conducting more than 70 dry and wet contacts in different weapons configurations, and expressing their satisfaction with the refuelling systems including the proven Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).

The operation came soon after the A330 MRTT´s first real-life refuelling mission involving two PoAF F-16s which were airborne when their home base of Monte Real was suddenly closed because of an emergency. The fighters, call-signs Tiger 71 and Tiger 72, had been conducting trials with the A330 MRTT and were accepted back to receive more fuel, enabling them to stay airborne until the end of the emergency and avoid having to divert to another airfield.

On 13th December the A330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) for the UK´s Royal Air Force successfully completed a series of dry contacts for the first time, performing simulated refuelling with a F-18 fighter using the FSTA´s Fuselage Refuelling Unit. The Fuselage Refuelling Unit is the same that is offered on the EADS North America KC-45, the configuration of the A330
MRTT that is being offered to the U.S. Air Force.

This latest activity follows the commencement of FSTA certification and qualification flight-testing on 24th November at the start of a process that will lead to eventual certification of the aircraft by Spanish military certification authority INTA. First delivery is due in late 2011.

The aerodynamic modifications made to the basic A330-200 design in service with airlines around the world have also been demonstrated to comply with the most recent noise requirements

The delivery process of the first aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force is on-going. Final hand-over will take place once the lengthy review of all related documentation and activities are complete.

The second aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force recently entered the conversion process in Madrid and the first is progressing smoothly towards delivery in 2011.

The first aircraft for the United Arab Emirates has completed its structural conversion and is now undergoing systems installation in preparation for delivery in 2012.

Head of Airbus Military Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said: “2010 has been an outstanding year for the A330 MRTT which has clearly demonstrated the robustness and maturity of the conversion process as well as the performance of the aircraft exactly as
promised. We look forward with great excitement to delivering aircraft to our customers and see them beginning operations next year.

Airbus Military

First HondaJet assembled and tested under the Federal Aviation Administration's certification process takes flight

December 21, 2010 – Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., announced that it has successfully completed the first flight of its FAA-conforming HondaJet advanced light business jet. The event is a significant step in Honda's aerospace program leading to delivery of aircraft in 2012.

The first conforming HondaJet lifted off yesterday, December 20, 2010, at 15:31 EST from Honda Aircraft Company's world headquarters facility at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The HondaJet remained aloft for 51 minutes, during which time the aircraft's flight characteristics and performance were analyzed and systems checks were conducted. Various test data gathered during the flight were transmitted real-time to Honda's flight test telemetry operations base within the company's world headquarters facility.

"This is a very important milestone for the HondaJet program," said Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO. "This aircraft was assembled and tested under strict FAA certification processes, and we are very pleased to have achieved this successful first flight. Our team has worked extremely hard to reach this critical step in the HondaJet program, and these results reflect Honda's focus and determination to develop a class-leading aircraft."

"We are very encouraged by our initial review of the flight data, which indicates the conforming HondaJet performed as expected. As we move forward, we will continue to focus all of our efforts and energy to deliver to our customers the most advanced light business jet yet created," said Fujino.

To support the company's certification program, Honda has completed its second FAA-conforming aircraft, which already has undergone numerous structural tests required for commencement of certification flight testing. Honda also has completed mating of main assemblies for its third FAA-conforming aircraft, which is now in the systems installation phase of completion. This third conforming aircraft, to be used mainly for mechanical systems flight testing, is scheduled to be completed in early 2011. A total of five FAA-conforming aircraft, including one additional flight test aircraft and one additional structural test aircraft, are planned to support the HondaJet certification program.

While Honda enters the flight test program with its conforming HondaJet, the company also nears completion of its aircraft production facility on its Greensboro campus. The 266,000 ft2 HondaJet production facility is scheduled for completion in early 2011, with the final phase of interior build-out now underway. Upon completion of the production facility, Honda will begin the process of moving equipment and personnel into the facility and undertaking pre-production preparations and training necessary to support HondaJet production ramp-up beginning in 2012.

About HondaJet
Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Ltd., has amassed orders for well over 100 HondaJet advanced light business jets. Scheduled for first delivery in the third quarter of 2012, the $4.5 million HondaJet is Honda's first-ever commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for dynamic performance together with superior efficiency. The HondaJet proof-of-concept aircraft has accumulated more than 500 flight test hours and attained both a top speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and a maximum altitude of 43,000 ft. in flight testing.

The HondaJet incorporates many innovative technological advances in aviation design, including a unique over-the-wing engine-mount configuration that dramatically improves aircraft performance and fuel efficiency by significantly reducing aerodynamic drag in flight. This innovative approach to airframe design also lowers ground-detected noise when overhead and allows for a more spacious cabin and greater cargo capacity. The HondaJet is powered by two highly fuel-efficient GE Honda HF120 turbofan jet engines.

The production HondaJet flight deck features a Honda-customized Garmin® G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system incorporating a class-leading layout with three 14-inch landscape-format displays and dual touch-screen controllers for overall avionics control and flight plan entries. The HondaJet Avionics Suite is the most advanced glass flight deck available in any light business jet and provides state-of-the-art integrated avionics functionality featuring split screen MFD capability, satellite weather, graphical synoptics, digital audio, and optional


Honda
http://hondajet.honda.com

APES se va de vacaciones hasta después de Reyes

Sabemos que habéis echado de menos hoy miércoles nuestra habitual tira APES, pero... ¡¡hasta el dibujante se merece unas vacaciones!! Así que no habrá APES hasta después de Reyes.