Con ocasión del salón EBACE 2011, Eurocopter presenta el primer helicóptero EC145 concebido en colaboración con “Mercedes-Benz”

Marignane, Francia, 17 de mayo de 2011  
El helicóptero EC145 "Mercedes-Benz Style" de Eurocopter – hecho a la medida para los operadores especializados en los desplazamientos de ejecutivos y el transporte de personalidades- hará su debut mundial en la muestra European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) de Ginebra. El primer ejemplar de este tipo será expuesto durante el salón antes de ser entregado a un cliente europeo.

"Sólo un año después de que Eurocopter presentase la concepción del EC145 "Mercedes-Benz Style" en la muestra EBACE 2010, desvelamos hoy el primer ejemplar de este nuevo aparato del que ya podemos comunicar la primera venta a un operador corporativo europeo", dijo Olivier Lambert, director general de Compras y Relaciones con los clientes de Eurocopter. "Estos logros confirman el éxito del planteamiento de Eurocopter a la hora de desarrollar productos
capaces de satisfacer las exigentes expectativas de los operadores especializados en el transporte de ejecutivos y la aviación privada.

Concebido conforme a un proyecto de diseño dirigido por Advanced Design Studio de Mercedes Benz, en Como, Italia, el lujoso interior del EC145 "Mercedes-Benz Style" se inspira en los automóviles de alta gama de este fabricante. Se distingue por sus materiales de lujo, sus elegantes maderas, la agradable iluminación ambiental de la cabina y los maleteros multifuncionales.  

"Estamos muy satisfechos de haber realizado el  primer producto "Mercedes Benz Style" con Eurocopter" declaró Gorden Wagener, director de Diseño de Mercedes Benz. El interior del helicóptero EC145 Mercedes Benz refleja bien nuestro lenguaje en términos de diseño y responde a las mayores exigencias en materia de elegancia, de prestigio y de confort" El EC145 "Mercedes-Benz Style" se adecua a una amplia gama de misiones: transporte de ejecutivos y viajes familiares, así como para vuelos de tiempo libre y deportivos. Los asientos están montados sobre carriles de forma que se pueden reconfigurar fácilmente y disponer de forma distinta para cuatro a ocho pasajeros, así como desmontar para ganar espacio para equipajes. Es también evolutivo por la posibilidad de almacenamiento para fines diversos facilitada por numerosos puntos de anclaje en el suelo y las paredes.

El EC145 se inspira en el concepto "Mercedes-Benz Style" y representa la alta gama de los  helicópteros bimotor de peso medio. Combina desarrollos avanzados de Eurocopter en cuanto a diseño de cabina y aviónica, al mismo tiempo que dispone de un sistema de rotor sin articulaciones y palas de rotor mejoradas, que garantizan un bajo nivel de las emisiones sonoras y vibraciones. Hasta la fecha se han entregado más de 400 EC145 en todo el mundo, destinados a un amplio abanico de operaciones y misiones; siendo el único helicóptero de este tipo con capacidad hasta para ocho pasajeros.

Eurocopter ofrece la más amplia gama de helicópteros de ejecutivos y de aviación privada, con doce tipos de modelos diferentes en las clases de monomotores ligeros, bimotores ligeros y medios, así como bimotores pesados, con capacidad para transportar de cuatro a 19 pasajeros en configuraciones de ejecutivos y privadas. En los últimos cuatro años, Eurocopter ha vendido más de 500 helicópteros en estos segmentos de mercado a un gran abanico de clientes que van
desde clientes privados y operadores de transporte ejecutivo a diferentes tipos de empresas en todo el mundo.

En respuesta a la evolución de la demanda de productos de alta gama, Eurocopter ha puesto en marcha, en ocho años, tres importantes iniciativas para el mercado de ejecutivos y privado. Combinando un equipamiento interior y un diseño que responden a las necesidades de los viajeros más exigentes el EC145 "Mercedes-Benz Style", junto con la categoría Stylence y el EC135 "por  Hermès" hacen posible una experiencia única en los viajes.  

Encontrarán más información en el stand Eurocopter (Hall 7, stand 7065) durante el Salón EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition) que tendrá lugar en el Centro de exposiciones Palexpo de Ginebra del 17 al 19 de mayo.

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Rockwell Collins bringing synthetic vision to Pro Line 21TM avionics

GENEVA, Switzerland (May 16, 2011) – Operators of aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins' Pro Line 21^TM avionics will soon be able to realize the operational benefits of synthetic vision. The upgrade, available in 2012, will be offered for forward fit and aftermarket installations of Pro Line 21. The announcement was made at the 11^th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Synthetic vision technology better equips flight crews for situational awareness in low visibility and unfamiliar territory by providing a computer generated 3D depiction of terrain. Precise navigation and integrity monitoring sensors provide a synthetic view of the external environment, regardless of weather or time of day, enhancing operational safety.

"Today, more than 4000 aircraft are flying with Pro Line 21, and more than 300 aircraft are delivering each year," said Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. "Bringing this advancement to Pro Line 21 is a prime example of our commitment to provide the latest safety and situational awareness technologies to one of the largest customer bases in business aviation today."

Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 is a family of flexible avionics system solutions designed to address a wide range of aircraft and missions. From light turboprops to long-range business jets, from commercial helicopters to special mission aircraft, Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 systems are flying on aircraft delivered from the factory and are also available as aftermarket upgrades. The open systems architecture of Pro Line 21 enables continuous improvements to be made to the system as operating requirements evolve.

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[Video] Future officers unveils futuristic cockpit

text: http://www.boeing.com/Features/2011/05/bds_capstone_5_16_11.html

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Hawker Beechcraft Announces King Air 200GTR Upgrade

GENEVA, Switzerland (May 17, 2011) – Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) today announced a product enhancement package for existing Beechcraft King Air 200GT turboprops that incorporates customer-requested changes and technology upgrades to increase the airplane's performance and resale value. The King Air 200GTR package incorporates BLR Aerospace composite winglets, a Raisbeck Engineering Ram Air Recovery System (RARS) and Hartzell 4-blade composite propellers. This introduction is the latest in a line of aftermarket upgrades that provide multiple performance enhancements to HBC fielded aircraft, including the recently introduced Hawker 400XPR and 800XPR.

"This upgrade is consistent with our ongoing commitment to satisfy customer requests by working with them to maintain the highest levels of efficiency and productivity for their current aircraft," said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft vice president, GCS. "We continue to identify and incorporate technological improvements and modifications to our aircraft to enhance their performance and versatility, extend their service life and increase their resale value."

The Beechcraft King Air 200GTR modification packages are available exclusively at Hawker Beechcraft Services facilities. At its maximum-gross-takeoff weight, it will take off over a 50-foot obstacle in only 2,111 feet from a sea level airport – 400 feet shorter than a King Air B200GT. Its new high/hot takeoff performance is even more exceptional. At max gross takeoff weight, from a 5,000 foot elevation airport at 25°C, the takeoff distance over a 50-foot obstacle is 3,094 feet, which is improved approximately 700 feet over its predecessor. The King Air 200GTR achieves its excellent field performance without making any significant tradeoffs. In fact, it offers slight increases in high speed cruise, climb performance and range over a King Air B200GT. The shorter runway capability adds access to more than 1,100 airports previously unavailable to King Air 200GT operators and provides additional safety margin and operational flexibility on longer fields.

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A fresh look and identity for Airbus business and VIP aircraft

Airbus' line of corporate jets has marked a new evolution with today's introduction of updated branding, colours and nomenclature for these aircraft – which offer unmatched comfort, space and cabin flexibility.
16 May 2011 Headline news

Announced in advance of this week's Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, the branding "refresh" provides a uniform new-generation aesthetic for the company's business and VIP jets, and reinforces high commonality with the modern Airbus airliners on which each are based.

The new branding is reflected by the updated naming system employed for Airbus corporate jets, with "Airbus ACJ" now preceding the model it is derived from. For example, a 21st century flagship A380 ordered for corporate, VIP or government transport will carry the "Airbus ACJ380" designation.

Due to their strong ties with the world's most modern airliner family, Airbus business aircraft continue to deliver all of the benefits modern technology has to offer – including fuel-saving aerodynamics, the use of innovative weight-saving materials and centralised maintenance.

Beyond the new designations, Airbus corporate aircraft also will stand out from the crowd with a fresh design and colour scheme – highlighted by metallic-blue shading on a majority of an aircraft's fuselage and tail sections, and pulled together with distinctive flowing curves and an all-new "Airbus Corporate Jets" logo.

Airbus corporate jets are increasingly becoming the preferred choice of companies, individuals and governments, with more than 170 sold worldwide – comprising more than 110 ACJ318s, ACJ319s and ACJ320s, along with approximately 60 VIP and government widebodies.  Aircraft currently in service are operation around the world and on every continent, including Antarctica.

This global success will be a focal point of Airbus' high-profile presence at the three-day EBACE 2011 industry event, which begins on May 17.

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Cessna Citation Ten to Make First Flight by Year-End. Cessna Displays Enhanced Citation X at EBACE

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Cessna Citation Ten to Make First Flight by Year-End

Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the Citation Ten is scheduled to make its first flight by year-end 2011, with first deliveries planned for the second half of 2013.
The Ten is a mid-size aircraft with uprated design and performance, enabling it to fly higher, faster and further than the existing Citation X (Model 750), the world's fastest certified business jet. First announced at the 2010 National Business Aviation Association convention, the Citation Ten is designed for greater fuel efficiency and increased comfort for up to nine passengers and two pilots.
The two Rolls-Royce AE 3007C2 engines will take a 16,601 kilogram (36,600 pound) MTOW Citation Ten off the ground in 1,567 meters (5,140 feet) and give the aircraft a maximum cruise speed of 976 kilometers an hour (527 knots) and a certified ceiling of 15,545 meters (51,000 feet). The Ten has a maximum range of 6,010 kilometers (3,245 nautical miles), putting city pairings such as New York-London, Boston-San Francisco, London-Dubai and Miami-Seattle within convenient one-hop flights.
The Ten is 15 inches longer than the Citation X, providing extra passenger legroom in the forward club seating area. The cabin management system delivers ultimate touch-screen control to the passenger, maximizing the digital entertainment experience from web to movies to moving maps. One convenient panel at each seat provides connections for personal electronic devices.
The Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck is the most intuitive pilot-aircraft interface ever seen in a business avionics suite. The high-resolution multi-function displays have split-screen capability, allowing continuous monitoring of engine, flight control, hydraulic and electrical systems. Garmin's SVT synthetic vision technology on the primary flight displays gives the crew a total virtual reality view of runways, terrain, traffic and obstacles. Electronic charts with aircraft position overlay provide dynamic situational awareness during approach.


Cessna Displays Enhanced Citation X at EBACE
Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is displaying its latest version of the Citation X this week at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibit before beginning a European demonstration tour. The Citation X on display features the newly certified Honeywell Primus Elite avionics suite, new cabin management system and winglets.
The enhancements, announced in mid-2010, are now standard and available as an optional service bulletin upgrade through the Cessna Citation Service Center network for in-service Citation Xs.
The five-panel Elite system is based on the Citation X's current Honeywell Primus 2000 system. Primus Elite features liquid crystal displays offering high-resolution graphics display capability for electronic approach charts with aircraft position worldwide as well as XM satellite weather in the United States and southern Canada. In addition, improved moving map capability will depict geographical and political boundaries as well as airspace and airways. LCD technology also provides greater reliability and longer service life than previous displays.
Improvements to the proprietary cabin management system, also included as a standard feature for 2011 deliveries, include touch-screen control panels, MP3 player inputs, an improved stereo sound system optimized for the Citation X cabin, updated Airshow display imagery and dual Blu-ray players with a high-definition display monitor mounted in the forward closet.
Cessna is offering Aircell's high-speed Internet system as an option this year for U.S. access and adding a European system as an option in 2012.
At the conclusion of EBACE, the Citation X will begin a two-week demonstration tour with scheduled stops throughout Europe and Africa. The Citation X is the fastest certified business jet in the world, with time and cost efficiency as its most important benefits. Normally configured for eight passengers, the Citation X has a range of more than 5,686 kilometers (3,000 nautical miles) and flies as high as 15,545 meters (51,000 feet), well above most weather systems and other aircraft traffic for a smoother, more efficient flight profile.
Cessna is exhibiting at Booth 7091, Hall 7, of the Geneva Palexpo at EBACE. The company's static display at the event includes the Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Citation XLS+, Citation CJ4, Citation CJ2+, Citation Mustang, Grand Caravan and Turbo Stationair.


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Cessna Expands European Customer Service

Rendering of Cessna Citation Service Center in Valencia, Spain

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2011 - Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, continues to expand its industry-leading customer support services in Europe with new facilities, enhanced parts distribution and more service options for Citation owners.

"Cessna continues to invest in customer service and continues to lead the industry in every part of the world in developing new service delivery methods," said Brad Thress, Cessna senior vice president, Customer Service.

Facilities
Cessna broke ground earlier this year on a new Cessna Citation Service Center in Valencia, Spain, to augment the Citation Service Center in Paris in supporting some 1,300 Citations in Europe. The new facility will include 6,000 square meters (64,000 square feet) of hangar space and about 8,200 square meters (88,264 square feet) of office, storage and shop space.

The first cadre of nearly 20 employees has been hired and the employees are already in FlightSafety maintenance training in Spain taking courses for each Citation model. The employees will then be assigned to a year-long, hands-on program at Cessna service centers around the United States, assuring service at the new facility will come from experienced technicians from the start when it opens in the third quarter of 2012.

Cessna also opened this year a new line maintenance facility in Prague, sharing hangar space at sister company Bell Helicopter's service facility at Prague Ruzyně International Airport (PRG/LKPR). Cessna and Bell are Textron companies.

Certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency in February, the center has already begun performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance operations. The new Citation service center, sharing nearly 3,000 square meters (32,000 square feet) of shop space, is staffed and managed by Cessna.

Cessna is increasing the number of parts at its European parts distribution facility in Amsterdam, which it also shares with Bell. Thress said the company plans this year to increase part numbers available at the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol facility from 3,500 to more than 10,000.

Services
Thress said Cessna has revolutionized customer service delivery options with its ServiceDirect program in the U.S. and is expanding the program around the world, particularly in Europe. Options included in ServiceDirect include the popular Mobile Service Units, AOG go-teams and the Air Response Team, HomeService and temporary personnel support.

Cessna is adding a second Mobile Service Unit in Europe to its current unit based in France. The new one will be based in another part of Europe but the exact location has yet to be determined. MSUs are full-size service trucks equipped with tooling to perform a variety of Citation scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasks up to engine removal. In addition to the two European trucks, Cessna has 11 MSUs in operation in the U.S. with two more planned to launch by early June.

On April 4, Cessna also expanded its operation at the Citation Service Center at Paris Le Bourget Airport to around-the-clock, one of the only business jet maintenance facilities in Europe operating 24 hours a day. The change entailed reordering work flow to ensure shorter maintenance events — less customer downtime — in addition to changing work hours.

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Boeing 777 Returns to Seven-Per-Month Production Rate

- Build time decreases from 52 to 49 days as rate increases

- Program achieves highest production rate for fourth time

EVERETT, Wash., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers rolled out the first Boeing (NYSE: BA) 777 jetliner at the seven-per-month rate. The airplane, a freighter, will deliver to FedEx Express in June.
This is the fourth time that the program has built the 777 at the seven-per-month rate. The program also built at this rate from July 1997 to February 1998, August 1998 to October 1999 and most recently from November 2006 to May 2010.
"This rate increase reflects the strong demand for the 777. It continues to be the clear leader in the 300-400 passenger seat market," said Larry Loftis, 777 vice president and general manager. "We were prepared, thorough and disciplined as we have increased our production rate from five to seven."
As production rate increased, the program reduced production flow from 52 to 49 days from start to finish. Days of flow were removed in wing spar, service-ready wing and final body join areas. The flow reduction is attributed to increased productivity in those areas.
"We incorporated lessons learned from previous rate increases to ensure we'd have the smoothest transition," said Loftis. "Fortunately, we entered the rate break when the program is very healthy, and we are experiencing some of the all-time-best metrics," he added.
"Our customers are eager to buy more 777s and the airplane has rightly earned the reputation as the market leader. Now, our job is to deliver," said Loftis.
The 777 program received 48 new orders through April 2011, and has a backlog of more than 280 airplanes. In first quarter 2013 the program will again increase rate from seven to 8.3 airplanes per month –100 airplanes per year – an all-time high.

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Boeing, Greenpoint Technologies Team on 747-8 VIP Modifications

Boeing Global Transport & Executive Systems to install Aeroloft on 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes

WICHITA, Kan., May 16, 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been selected by Greenpoint Technologies Inc. (GTI) to install GTI's Aeroloft modification on four new 747-8 Intercontinental VIP airplanes purchased by customers of Boeing Business Jets. Greenpoint Technologies is a recognized Boeing Business Jets completion center in Kirkland, Wash.

The airplanes will be modified starting later this year at Boeing's Global Transport & Executive Systems (GTES) facility in Wichita.

"Boeing is excited to be part of the team that will provide this capability for the new 747-8 Intercontinental," said Boeing GTES Director and General Manager Steve Wade. "GTES has a long history of modifying Boeing's commercial platforms -- including 747 VIP airplanes -- and we hope this is the first of many opportunities to support GTI on similar projects."

The Aeroloft is a passenger area installed above the 747-8 Intercontinental's main deck between doors four and five, forward of the overhead crew rest. The modification includes installation of a staircase, an entry vestibule, a lounge, sleeping berths, and a crew rest adapter module. GTI is the exclusive provider of this product. More information about the Aeroloft is available at www.greenpnt.com/portfolio.xml.

"Partnering with GTES on the Aeroloft installation is an ideal solution," said GTI President Scott Goodey. "Our working relationship spans more than 10 years of GTI support for executive head-of-state interior modifications. This combined expertise benefits our customers with a beautiful, reliable product."

The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental VIP represents a new benchmark in fuel efficiency and noise reduction, allowing customers to lower fuel costs and fly into more airports at more times of day. The 747-8 Intercontinental is 16 percent more fuel-efficient than the Boeing 747-400, and 11 percent more fuel-efficient than the Airbus A380.

GTES, part of the Global Services & Support business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a Boeing commercial derivative business headquartered in Wichita, with major domestic operations in Oklahoma City and the Puget Sound area of Washington state. GTES supports all Boeing aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's executive fleet, including VC-25, C-32A and C-40B/C, as well as the National Command Authority's E-4B and the U.S. Navy's C-40A and E-6B.

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EADS invites young talents and experienced professionals to Le Bourget Air Show

Paris,  16 May 2011

• More than 20 workshops, more than 1000 participants expected
• EADS CEO Louis Gallois and other top executives to attend the workshops
• Recruitment targets of more than 4000 permanent recruits and more than 4000 internships in Europe across the Group

EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services, invites students, graduates and experienced professionals from all over the world to the 49th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget to join its "Work for EADS" workshops. The participants will have a chance to meet EADS top executives, engineers and HR representatives to discuss the latest technical projects and developments as well as related career opportunities. The company will welcome its guests at the HR Lounge on the static display, in front of hall 2A.
EADS and its four Divisions – Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – are offering more than 20 workshops, to be held from 20 to 25 June. A few of the highlights are: Diversity Day on Tuesday, 21 June: Workshops by all Divisions illustrate the Group's commitment to ensuring social, cultural and gender diversity and to addressing disability issues. One objective of the day is to create a network of female engineering students and female EADS managers.
Intercultural Day on Wednesday, 22 June: Workshops by several Divisions will demonstrate the global strategy of the Group. International career opportunities but also the challenges of setting up a business and working in a new cultural environment will be on the agenda, in particular in the Astrium and Cassidian workshops.
Professional Day on Saturday, 25 June: This day is dedicated overall to supporting the massive recruitment need of over 4000 new hires, in particular for Airbus and Eurocopter. The EADS Recruitment Center will give an overview of current recruitment opportunities. Recruitment interviews will be possible. Experienced professionals of the following domains will be most welcome: structure/stress engineering, systems engineering, lean management.
Interested students, graduates and experienced professionals can apply online to attend the workshops: www.parisairshow.eads.com. The deadline is 22 May, 2011. Further information on the Le Bourget preparations is available on Twitter at https://twitter.com/eadsatlebourget. EADS will provide invited participants with an entry ticket on the day of their workshop and reimburse part of their travel expenses.
Jörg Kutzim, head of the EADS Recruitment Center, is confident that the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget will be an occasion for participants to "discover what it's like to work for EADS and to meet our experts and see what motivates them to continuously push boundaries". The presence of top executives will give students, graduates and experienced professionals an insight into the challenges that EADS employees are taking up every day. CEO Louis Gallois will be present and will talk about EADS' Vision 2020 with several groups of international engineering students. EADS has recruitment targets of 4000 permanent recruits and more than 4000 internships in Europe across the Group.
About EADS
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2010, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 45.8 billion and employed a workforce of nearly 122,000.

Further information

• http://www.parisairshow.eads.com
• https://twitter.com/eadsatlebourget

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Airbus introduces new corporate jet branding, colours and names

Change reflects commonality throughout corporate jet family

Blagnac,  16 May 2011

Airbus has introduced new branding, colours and names for its corporate jets, reflecting aircraft improvements, the company's culture of innovation and family commonality.
The new colours comprise metallic-blue shading on most of the fuselage and tail, highlighted by flowing curves that echo the colour schemes often chosen by Airbus corporate jet customers, and are accompanied by a new "Airbus Corporate Jets" logo.

As part of this new branding, a new nomenclature is also being introduced. "Airbus ACJ" will now precede the model of the airliner from which each corporate jet is derived, with the A318 becoming the Airbus ACJ318, and so on throughout the family, all the way up to the Airbus ACJ380.
"Airbus has always been an innovator, regularly introducing improvements for the benefit of its customers, and we wanted to reflect this in our corporate jet family by introducing new branding, colours and names that provide a fresher and more modern look," declares Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. "One of our greatest strengths is having the world's most modern aircraft family, and this is reflected in the new Airbus corporate jet branding," he adds.

With Airbus' family concept, innovations introduced on one member of the family pave the way for their implementation on others, allowing the widest possible spread of customer benefits.

Airbus corporate jets deliver the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet, giving customers unmatched comfort, space and freedom of movement. They give customers the comfort that they want in the size that they need, business-like arrangements to luxurious layouts. Airbus corporate jets are also the largest and most modern corporate jet family in the world, capable of flying 19 to more than 100 passengers inter-continentally.
Airbus corporate jets feature cabins that allow customers to take into the air the comfort and space that they already enjoy at home and in the office, as well as features that differentiate them from their airliner counterparts. For the Airbus ACJ318, ACJ319 and ACJ320, these features include a reinforced structure and additional centre tanks (ACTs) for greater range, built-in airstairs for greater autonomy, and high-thrust engines for good take-off performance.

Modern Airbus aircraft use new technologies such as fuel-saving aerodynamic designs, weight-saving new materials such as carbonfibre, and common cockpits and centralised maintenance to simplify operation and minimise costs.

Airbus' cockpit commonality extends throughout its aircraft family, from the smallest aircraft to the largest, making it easier, quicker and less costly for pilots to transition among them, as well as creating a large flight-crew community on which corporate operators can draw.
Airbus is the only manufacturer to offer a modern aircraft family across the board, giving its customers all of these benefits and more.

Airbus corporate jets have won more than 170 sales to date, and are flying on every continent, including Antarctica.


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EADS North America delivers the first UH-72A Lakota helicopter to the South Dakota Army National Guard

Delivery ceremony draws hundreds of attendees to the Crazy Horse Memorial

Arlington, Virginia and Rapid City, South Dakota,  16 May 2011

EADS North America delivered the first of six UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to the South Dakota Army National Guard yesterday during a delivery ceremony at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota's Black Hills.

The UH-72A Lakota is produced by American Eurocopter in its Columbus, Miss. manufacturing facility located at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.

The South Dakota Army National Guard will ultimately receive six Lakota helicopters, four in the Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) configuration and two in the Security and Support (S&S) Battalion configuration.

"These new aviation assets will better allow us to respond the needs of the state and federal mission," said U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Mike Snow, South Dakota's State Army Aviation Officer. "These new Lakota helicopters enhance the unit's ability to respond to a wide range of missions when called upon."

EADS North America has delivered 167 Lakota helicopters since 2006, all on time or ahead of schedule and on budget.

"EADS North America is extremely proud of our track record of delivering every Lakota helicopter on time and on budget," said EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe. "The UH-72A Lakotas provide a unique aviation capability that Army National Guard units need to perform the demanding missions they are called upon to perform every day."

UH-72A Lakota helicopters are operating from 31 basing locations in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, Germany and the Pacific Ocean's Kwajalein Atoll following the establishment of 10 new fielding sites in 2010. The Army UH-72A fleet has surpassed the 60,000 flight hour milestone in April.

Five Lakotas for the U.S. Navy – which are designated the H-72A – have been assigned to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. for the training of test pilots from the U.S. military and allied countries. The Navy has accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours and is currently integrating a training-specific instrument package into its first H-72A with engineering support provided by American Eurocopter.

The U.S. Army is using its Lakotas in multiple configurations for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions, search and rescue duties, border patrols along the U.S./Mexican border, VIP transport, general aviation support and in combat flight training at the service's Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Ft. Polk, La., and soon at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, Calif.

EADS North America delivered aircraft in seven different configurations directly from the production line during 2010, and retrofitted 41 previously-delivered Lakotas to support the growing scope of missions of the UH-72A fleet.

Operational missions have included oil spill monitoring and response flights along the U.S. Gulf Coast after the 2010 Operation Deepwater Horizon oil spill, as well as disaster response following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Lakotas have also been used in successful rescue operations in California and Arkansas. Currently four Lakotas from the D.C. Army National Guard, located at Ft. Belvoir, are deployed in Germany for a year to support MEDEVAC missions for U.S. Army Europe command.

EADS North America and American Eurocopter engineers continue to integrate additional mission equipment packages (MEPs) on the UH-72A, achieving FAA certification for the Combat Training Center (CTC) MEP in 2010. Efforts continue on additional MEP integration, including a MEP for the Army National Guard's Security and Support (S&S) Battalion missions.

The S&S Battalion mission equipment package expands the Lakota's capabilities to conduct reconnaissance, border protection, command and control and air movement operations that support U.S. homeland defense and security missions. In April 2011, EADS North America began retrofitting previously-fielded UH-72As with the S&S Battalion MEP. In addition to retrofitted aircraft, the first LUH production units with the S&S Battalion MEP will commence later this year with deliveries starting in early 2012.

This successful establishment of a state-of-the-art helicopter production line in the United States demonstrates EADS North America's ability to in-source high value production activity to the United States.

The 2010 production rate for Lakotas at American Eurocopter's Columbus facility was 53 aircraft and is scheduled to remain at 53 for 2011.

The training of U.S. Army Lakota aviators and mechanics also continues on schedule under EADS North America's responsibility, with nearly 550 pilots and 350 maintenance personnel completing their classes at American Eurocopter's headquarters facility in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The UH-72A is a Defense Acquisition Category (ACAT) I major defense acquisition program for the U.S. Defense Department, and it marked one of the most rapid introductions of a new aircraft in the U.S. Army's history. Deliveries of the aircraft to National Guard units allow aging OH-58 and UH-1 rotary-wing aircraft to be retired, while UH-72As assigned to the active component of the U.S. Army free up UH-60 Black Hawks for assignment to combat missions.

About American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter is a helicopter manufacturer that produces, markets, sells and supports the broadest range of civil and para-public helicopters offered by any manufacturer in the United States. The company is a subsidiary of EADS North America Holdings, the North American operations of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services, and is an affiliate of Eurocopter, the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world. American Eurocopter's product line represents the most cost-effective, technologically-advanced helicopters, ranging from light single to heavy twin, serving all markets and missions. Company headquarters and main facilities are located in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a large manufacturing and production facility in Columbus, Miss., that produces the UH-72A for the U.S. Army's Light Utility Helicopter program.

About EADS North America
EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.

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