Aircraft Interiors Expo 2011: Cabin flexibility throughout the Airbus Family for added customer value

Reveal of new lavatory concept freeing-up space for more seats on A320 Family cabin

5 April 2011 Press Release

Airbus once again showcases its cabin innovations at this years' Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. The leading manufacturer presents a market research mock-up of a space-saving rear lavatory and galley concept for the A320 Family for the first time.

Called Space-Flex, the concept makes more efficient use of the volume at the rear of the cabin. The result: two lavatories plus a galley can now be accommodated in this space, offering airlines the possibility to install up to three more revenue-generating seats in the cabin and/or to improve seat pitch. One of the Space-Flex lavatories provides full access for 'Persons with Reduced Mobility' (PRM) through a simple conversion process: an industry first on a single-aisle aircraft.

Another key to cabin flexibility, the A350 XWB enabling platform, is impressively demonstrated at the Airbus booth. Standard interfaces designed to accommodate a wide variety of operator needs and cabin furnishings based on modular designs combine to facilitate the customization of the cabin and allow airlines to reconfigure their cabin in service more easily than before.

The A380 display underlines the unmatched passenger appeal of the world's biggest passenger aircraft. With more than 40 aircraft in service, the A380 is getting overwhelmingly positive passenger feedback and brings operators higher load factors and increased revenues.

Airbus' SPICE galley project (ace nnovative atering quipment) has been making steady progress during 2010. After revealing the operational prototype at last years' Aircraft Interiors Expo, Airbus will present the progress of user trials performed at a full-scale test facility in Toulouse, demonstrating full cabin service for up to 200 passengers. The space-saving catering system improves crew working conditions at the same time as saving hundreds of kilograms of weight and generating space for additional revenue seats.

Airbus space-efficient concepts go beyond new products. Airbus Upgrade Services will present its range of retrofit solutions and services. Cabin experts and students or young talents can inform themselves about career opportunities at Airbus and personally talk to human resources representatives.

The Airbus stand is located in hall 7, booth number 7D20.

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Airbus Statement Tom Enders on AF447 debris discovery

4 April 2011

"Airbus welcomes the news of the discovery of the AF447 wreckage.

This is a relief for all those affected by this tragic event, in first place the relatives and friends of the victims.

We do hope that this discovery will lead to the retrieval and the reading of the two recorders because these data are essential for the understanding of this accident.

This discovery is very encouraging and rewards the tremendous efforts of all those who never gave up. It underlines how important air safety is to all actors of the air transport community."

Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO

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SuperJet International completes first Aeroflot Flight Crew Training Course

March 31, 2011, Moscow - SuperJet International (SJI) - a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, and Sukhoi Holding - has completed Flight Crew Training Course for Aeroflot pilots at its Training Center facility in Moscow. The “Type Rating course for Aeroflot pilots” on the SSJ100, conducted by SJI Staff Pilots had a duration of 24 days.

The courses involved three flight crews (6 pilots) in classroom sections which required the use of CBT (Computer Based Training), the FTD Type5 (Flight Training Device) based in Zhukovsky (Moscow Region) with the aim of FPTD (Flight Procedure Training Device). In-flight training has been also accomplished by the use of SSJ100 Serial Number 5. Upon training completion, Aeroflot Crews have been certified by Federal Air Transport Agency (Ministry of Transport of Russian Federation).

“I am proud and honored to be one of the first airline pilots who took to the air the new Russian aircraft - states Eugene Voronin, Chief of the Aeroflot SSJ100 pilots team – the aircraft is reasonably easy to control. I was really impressed and I greatly appreciated its cockpit. The SSJ100 fully differs from the cockpit of any other Russian aircraft. It is comfortable, spacious, with wonderful onboard field of view and a side-stick instead of control column. I am sure that our passengers will enjoy the flight on the SSJ100 as well”.

“It is a major step ahead for SuperJet International – states Mr. Carlo Logli Chief Executive Officer - This proves that SJI Training Team is ready to provide training courses on SSJ100 type to pilots, flight attendants and maintenance staff of airlines in Russia and in other countries. Specific training programs for Aeroflot pilots have been developed in order to ensure the right entry level training. The initial training activities have been performed through the support of Sukhoi test pilots and the SJI international team of top-level flight and maintenance instructors. SuperJet International is working hard in order to meet Customers needs and maximize the aircraft’s availability. I am confident that the set up of a professional and experienced Training Organization will guarantee a smooth entry into service of the SSJ100”.

SuperJet International, which is in charge of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) sales in the Western markets, is also responsible for training and after-sales support all over the world. Given the international nature of the product, SuperJet International has established two facilities based in Venice and in Moscow for its training opportunities.

About SuperJet International:

SuperJet International, a joint venture between Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company (51%) and Sukhoi Holding (49%), is in charge of the marketing, sales, customization and delivery of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa and Japan. The Company is also responsible for training and worldwide after-sales support, as well as the design and development of VIP and cargo variants. A SuperJet International branch is active in Moscow, together with a sales office in Washington, DC, U.S.A.

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Mitsubishi Aircraft to Establish Europe Sales Office

Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation announced the establishment of a locally incorporated, solely-owned subsidiary in Amsterdam, the Netherlands to function as its sales base for Europe. With the establishment of the Europe sales office, Mitsubishi Aircraft will accelerate its sales activities of the MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) in the European region. The new company will begin operation on May 1, 2011.

Europe is the second largest market for regional jet aircraft, following the United States. The new regional sales base allows Mitsubishi Aircraft to conduct on-the-ground sales activities to customers without any time differences. The Europe sales office will not only cover the European but also the Middle Eastern and African markets. It will strengthen relationships with potential customers and enhance the presence of the MRJ brand to secure new orders.

Mitsubishi Aircraft expects 5,000 regional jets to be in demand in the next 20 years; 30% of which will come from Europe. Amsterdam was chosen as the best suitable location to conduct the most efficient and productive sales activities in this huge market because of its central location and excellent connectivity within Europe. The main purpose of the Europe sales office is to boost sales activities, gather information, and conduct public relations. Furthermore, the office will promote the MRJ brand to the market and develop a higher brand profile.

Dr. Philip de Heer, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Japan, commented as follows: "The contacts between Japan and the Netherlands started with the ship 'de Liefde' washing ashore on the coast of Japan on April 19th, 1600. Almost 411 years later, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Europe makes a smooth landing in the Netherlands. The differences between the two events are obvious, the similarity too: both are the beginning of a long relationship in which business and reliability are the key drivers. "

Hideo Egawa, President of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation commented as follows: "Since the opening of the business in the U.S. Sales Office in November 2008, we have worked to build stronger bonds with our customers and have concluded the definitive Purchase Agreement with Trans States Holdings for the order of 100 MRJ aircraft last December. We have many potential customers showing strong interest in the MRJ in the European region. We expect establishing this new sales office will greatly enhance our presence in the region, resulting in new orders. "


Overview of the New Company (as of April, 2011)
Company Name : Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Europe B.V.
Major Activities : Securing orders and sales activities, gathering information and conducting Public relations for the European, Middle Eastern, and African regional market
Business Opening Day : Currently Scheduled on May 1, 2011
Location : Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Capital : 500,000 EUR
Shareholder composition : Solely owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
President : Akinori Kojima
(Currently Manager in Sales and Marketing Department European region)
Number of Employees : 4 (at the time of establishment)

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Commences Mitsubishi Regional Jet Assembly Work

Tokyo and Nagoya, April 5, 2011 – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation have jointly announced the commencement today by MHI of assembly work on the next-generation Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ). Based on an order placed by Mitsubishi Aircraft, which is developing the MRJ, MHI began riveting work on the frame structure surrounding the emergency escape hatch for crew in the cockpit roof of the aircraft. While manufacture of individual parts had already begun last autumn, today's start of assembly work indicates that the MRJ project to develop Japan's first passenger jet is progressing steadily and firmly as scheduled. The aircraft's first flight is slated for 2012.

To mark this beginning of assembly work on the MRJ, a ceremonial rivet driving celebration was held at MHI's Tobishima Plant. The ceremony was attended by Hideo Egawa, President of Mitsubishi Aircraft, and Akihiko Ishikawa, General Manager of the Commercial Airplanes Division of MHI's Aerospace Systems, as well as by others involved in the project.

The start of assembly work on the MRJ signifies that the aircraft's production mode has now progressed to a new level. Going forward MHI, in addition to producing the MRJ's major components—including the fuselage, wings and empennage—will also engage in final assembly and equipment installation on receipt of the various components currently being produced by the many project partners.

MHI and Mitsubishi Aircraft will continue to devote their utmost efforts toward making the MRJ project a success, aiming to play a significant role in the ongoing development of the global aviation industry.

About the MRJ

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) is a family of 70- to 90-seat next-generation regional jets which will offer both top-class operational economy and outstanding cabin comfort based on a vision of applying advanced mainline jet technology to create a new standard of next-generation regional jets.

The MRJ is under development by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and will be based on cutting-edge technology cultivated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries during its many years engaged in the development and manufacture of both military and commercial aircraft.

By featuring state-of-the-art aerodynamic design, noise analysis technologies and a game-changing engine, the MRJ will significantly cut fuel consumption, noise and emissions, consequently improving airline competitiveness and profitability. The MRJ will have a four-abreast seat configuration, large overhead bins, and feature an innovative slim seat offering heightened passenger comfort.

About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading heavy machinery manufacturers, with consolidated sales of 2,940.8 billion yen in fiscal 2009, the year ended March 31, 2010. MHI's diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants, environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery, aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems.


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South Africa accepts first five upgraded Rooivalks for operational use

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN ROOIVALK HANDED OVER TO SA AIR FORCE

The upgraded Rooivalk combat support helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force for operational duties.

The helicopter, designed and manufactured in South Africa, was received by the Chief of the SA Air Force, Lt Gen Carlo Gagiano.

The Chief Executive Officer of Denel, Talib Sadik, says the handover is the culmination of 25 years of research, development and high-technology manufacturing.

"This is a product that the South African public can be proud of – locally designed, locally manufactured and, now, ready for deployment by our local Air Force," says Sadik.

Lt Gen Gagiano says the Rooivalk will contribute significantly to the ability of the SAAF to fulfil its mandate in peacekeeping operations and to support the future deployment of South African soldiers.

The handover at the Denel Aviation campus in Kempton Park follows on a rigorous testing and evaluation programme by the SAAF. The first five helicopters will be operational at 16 Squadron, which is based in Bloemfontein. The remaining six will be completed and ready for deployment later this year.

Sadik says the upgraded Rooivalk Mark 1 has been tested at the Air Force's Test Flight and Development Centre (TFDC) since the beginning of November 2010. The evaluation included day and night flight operations, target identification and tracking, cannon firing, and evaluation of the secure communications modes and self-protection features.

"We received very positive reports from both the flying and ground support crews," says Kgobe. "Our upgrade programme for the Rooivalk was completed on track and on schedule."

The Rooivalk project started its design phase in 1984 and had its first flight in April 1990. It attracted world-wide attention for its unique design and capabilities and have been displayed at major international air shows in England, Dubai, Malaysia and Cape Town.

Denel Aviation was responsible for the final modifications to the helicopter to improve its safety and reliability and accuracy of its weapons systems and to complete all outstanding certification flight testing to enable application for a full military type certificate at the Cabinet-agreed deployment baseline.

During the retrofit programme all 11 SAAF production Rooivalk aircraft will be brought up to the Mark 1 standard. The programme includes the significant remanufacturing of certain gearbox mounting components that were found to be out of specification on a number of aircraft.

Kgobe says the recent evaluation included the testing on Rooivalk of the upgraded Mokopa anti-armour guided missile developed by Denel Dynamics. Live firing of the upgraded missile from Rooivalk was done in January this year at the Denel Overberg Test Range.

The missile scored direct hits on targets, both at the long- and short range limits of the missile, demonstrating successful weapons carriage and release from the aircraft, missile target lock-on and missile flight characteristics.

New external fuel tanks now increase the Rooivalk's self-deployment range by 50%. Denel Saab Aerostructures assisted with detailed design of the tanks and is also responsible for manufacturing.

The original Rooivalk was designed as "an attack helicopter and tank killer" to meet the needs of SA Defence Force as it existed in the 1980s, explains Sadik. The changing role of the SANDF, which is now primarily engaged in mandated peacekeeping missions, meant that aircraft systems had to be adapted to meet the new requirements effectively.

"Rooivalk is now a modern, sophisticated, combat support helicopter, ready to be used by the SANDF in any of its potential deployed operations," he says.

Denel Aviation will be responsible for the deeper-level support capabilities to sustain flying operations. This includes all maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work done on the Rooivalk fleet.

"As design authority and original equipment manufacturer we will ensure that the Rooivalk remains fully operational throughout its assigned life," says Kgobe.


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