Eurocopter soars high in India as its in-country subsidiary leads the Indian civil and parapublic helicopter markets’ evolution

Eurocopter India delivered a strong performance during the first year of operation as a full-fledged Eurocopter subsidiary, leading the market with 65 percent of new aircraft deliveries in 2011. It has set its sights on meeting new milestones in the evolution of India's civil and parapublic helicopter market, and is expanding its support and services network in major cities to provide proximity services to customers across India.

Hyderabad, India Aviation 2012 ,  13 March 2012


Eurocopter's internationalization strategy to establish subsidiaries in key markets to be closer to its customers is showing good results in India. In just over a year since the inauguration of Eurocopter India in October 2010, customers are seeing the benefits of Eurocopter's in-country presence. On-time deliveries, proximity services and development of new market segments are some of the achievements made in the last one year by the New Delhi-based outfit.

"Eurocopter has the honor of being the first helicopter manufacturer to commit to this market with a full-fledged subsidiary, and we have moved steadily ahead after its creation," said Xavier Hay, the CEO of Eurocopter India. "It may be a young subsidiary, but we already have achieved much, thanks to the experience and industrial relations that Eurocopter has built up over the last 50 years in India. We look forward to another half-century of success with our Indian partners." Based on the 2011 record of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Eurocopter India delivered nine brand new turbine helicopters out of a total of 14 registered last year, representing a 65% market share. Out of the nine Eurocopter aircraft delivered, five were twin-engine helicopters, with the remaining four being the single-engine AS350 B3.

The superiority of Eurocopter's AS350 B3 and its latest version – the AS350 B3e – has been clearly demonstrated in India. After securing an impressive 70-80 percent market share in the single-engine sector during the last two years, the AS350 family has become the definitive reference in India in this category for excellent performance in hot and high conditions with the lowest operational costs.

Other highlights of the year included the delivery of Pawan Hans Helicopters' 10th and final AS365 N3 Dauphin in a deal that was signed in March 2010. This makes Pawan Hans the biggest Dauphin operator in the world, with a fleet of 35 helicopters and a record of over 375,000 flight hours logged. A unit of the EC155, an enhanced version of the Dauphin family, was also successfully delivered on time to the Madhya Pradesh government, fulfilling the customer's expectations as it gained smooth entry into service with satisfactory performance.

Eurocopter also focused on developing its support and services offerings, where customers would be able to access a full suite of services from spare parts supply and technical assistance, to training, retrofits and customization anywhere in India. In addition, Eurocopter India is also expanding its network of Eurocopter-approved maintenance centres, adding Bangalore to the two existing facilities in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Giving it a vote of confidence, Chief Pilot of EON Aviation Capt. R.S. Das noted that "the opening of the Eurocopter subsidiary in India for supply of spares has enabled direct interaction between the operator and the OEM, with consequent reduction in the downtime of the helicopter." The Director of Himalayan Heli Services, Harsh Vardhan expressed similar sentiments, saying that "the technical team also based in the Delhi office, work in tandem with our engineers and are greatly helpful in the trouble shooting of any technical problem that we may have faced."

Recognizing the immense potential of this huge market, Eurocopter India has been laying the foundations to develop new market segments, such as aerial and utility work, as well as emergency medical services. It has already successfully cemented the leadership position of the AS350 B3 Ecureuil, making it the preferred choice for operators not only in charter missions, heli-tourism, pilgrimage tours and geophysical surveys, but also in electronic news gathering missions when this model was used for live coverage of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the inaugural F1 Indian Grand Prix last year.

"Our achievements in the first year of operations augur well for Eurocopter India's future in this high-growth market. The bookings that we received in the first quarter of 2012 is an encouraging sign that we will end the year on a high note," Hay concluded.

At India Aviation 2012, Eurocopter will be displaying models from its two renowned helicopter families – Ecureuil and Dauphin. On display at the exhibition stand (Hall B, EADS stand no. 25.1) are the latest versions of the Ecureuil family, AS350 B3e and EC130 T2, as well as the AS365 N3+ Dauphin. On static display will be a corporate version of the EC135, as well as the AS350 B3.

EL SECTOR AERONÁUTICO ESTADOUNIDENSE CONOCE “AEROSPACE & DEFENSE MEETINGS SEVILLA 2012”

Extenda presenta el evento de negocios 'ADM Sevilla 2012' en 'Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit', que se celebra en Seattle hasta el próximo 15 de marzo

Extenda-Agencia Andaluza de Promoción Exterior, entidad dependiente de la Consejería de Economía, Innovación y Ciencia, y la empresa Advanced Business Events (ABE), especializada en la organización de eventos del sector aeronáutico han presentado el encuentro 'ADM Sevilla 2012' en la convención 'Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit', se celebra hasta el 15 de marzo en el Washington State Convention Center de Seattle (Estados Unidos).

De esta manera la Agencia continúa con su plan de promoción del `Aerospace & Defense Meetings Sevilla 2012´, un evento internacional de negocios, el primero celebrado en España, cuyo objetivo es centrar la atención de las empresas aeronáuticas en las fortalezas y oportunidades del sector andaluz, que en 2011 ha alcanzado unas exportaciones de 997,8 millones de euros. Con este fin, el director de la Oficina de Promoción de Negocios de Extenda en Miami mantiene reuniones desde el 12 de marzo con los distintos agentes del sector para presentarles la cita de Sevilla.  

La 'Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit Seattle' es principal evento de su clase en Estados Unidos y supone una oportunidad para identificar socios potenciales y establecer acuerdos y contactos entre compañías aeronáuticas. En su programación se incluyen reuniones entre firmas del sector a fin de detectar socios de interés, así como la celebración de talleres sobre las perspectivas de futuro para la cadena de suministro aeroespacial y las distintas tecnologías y productos. Con 600 empresas participantes y 1.200 visitantes profesionales, la organización espera cerrar el congreso con más de 5.000 reuniones de negocios.

ADM Sevilla

Ya son más de 200 empresas y entidades aeronáuticas de 17 países las que se han inscrito en 'ADM Sevilla 2012', evento que cuenta con la financiación del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional a través del Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2007-2013. Los países representados hasta la fecha son España, Francia, Austria, Portugal, México, Alemania, Italia, Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Marruecos, Canadá, Brasil, República Checa, Hungría, Suiza, Malasia y Túnez.

También son varias las firmas patrocinadoras que apoyan este encuentro, entre ellas los principales fabricantes y 'tier one' del país, como EADS, Aernnova, Alestis Aerospace y Aciturri, así como la Asociación de Empresas Innovadoras Andaluzas en Tecnologías Estratégicas de Seguridad y Defensa (Albin) y la empresa Siemens.

Por otra parte, este evento cuenta con la colaboración de las principales instituciones del sector, tanto nacionales como regionales, como la Fundación Hélice, el Parque Tecnológico Aeroespacial de Andalucía (Aerópolis), la Asociación Española de Tecnologías de Defensa, Aeronáutica y Espacio (TEDAE) y el Centro Avanzado de Tecnologías Aeroespaciales (CATEC), así como de "Invest in Spain" y Sevilla Congress and Convention Bureau.

Asimismo, en el marco de ADM se celebrará la reunión anual de la European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (EACP), asociación que aglutina a los clusters más importantes de la industria aeroespacial europea, lo que refuerza el posicionamiento de este evento como una cita de interés para el sector.

'ADM Sevilla 2012' ha sido presentado ya en diversos foros en ciudades como Madrid, Sevilla y Bilbao, así como en otras ferias y encuentros del sector celebradas en Estados Unidos, México, Francia, Marruecos, Portugal, Reino Unido o Singapur. Asimismo ha conseguido captar el interés de importantes firmas del sector a nivel internacional, como Eurocopter, Bombardier Aerospace, Dassault Aviation, Airbus Operations France o Thales Alenia Space, que ya han confirmado su participación.

El Aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat estrena un sistema de control por multilateración

Mejora la información que reciben los técnicos de control de la torre del aeropuerto

Es más eficaz en condiciones de baja visibilidad y permite controlar todos los vehículos que circulan por el área de maniobras y la zona de
plataforma

El sistema utiliza una técnica parecida al Global Positioning System (GPS)

El Aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat ha puesto en marcha un nuevo
sistema de vigilancia de la superficie aeroportuaria, el sistema de
Multilateración, que utiliza una tecnología parecida al Global Positioning
System (GPS). Este nuevo sistema es más eficaz que los radares
tradicionales y permite que la información recibida por la Torre de Control
del Aeropuerto sea más precisa, incrementándose la seguridad de los
movimientos que llevan a cabo los aviones cuando se acercan o alejan
del aeropuerto o ya se encuentran en tierra, lo que a su vez supone una
mejora en la capacidad de la plataforma del aeródromo barcelonés.

El nuevo sistema no sólo permite controlar los aviones que operan en el
aeropuerto, sino también puede triangular las señales de otros vehículos
que circulan por la plataforma, como los camiones de bomberos o los
coches de los operarios del aeropuerto, mejorando el grado de
información de lo que sucede en la zona de plataforma.

El nuevo sistema es capaz de detectar, identificar y seguir blancos,
independientemente de su tamaño, gracias a un proceso de triangulación
de las señales recibidas en varios puntos del aeropuerto o próximos a él
que permiten determinar su posición.

Por tanto, el sistema de Multilateración contribuye a mejorar la seguridad
y la operatividad del Aeropuerto en condiciones meteorológicas adversas
especialmente en aquellas que limitan la visibilidad. Se trata además de
un sistema flexible, sencillo de adaptar a los cambios que se lleven a cabo
en el aeropuerto, instalando más receptores o cambiando de sitio los ya
existentes.

Multilateración en Barcelona-El Prat
La implantación de este nuevo sistema ha supuesto ubicar 32 receptores
por el área de maniobras del Aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat, y 6 en tres
emplazamientos exteriores, además de 6 estaciones transmisoras y 6
transpondedores de referencia que se comunican con la estación central
de proceso a través de dos anillos de fibra óptica. La información pasa de
esta estación central hasta las pantallas de los técnicos de control de la
Torre del Aeropuerto.

El sistema de multilateración, o posicionamiento hiperboloide, se basa en
el cálculo de la diferencia del tiempo de llegada de una señal transmitida
por un objeto hacia al menos 3 receptores distribuidos sobre un área
geográfica. El tiempo que tarda cada señal permite conocer la distancia
del objeto con cada receptor y por lo tanto su posición exacta.

Vuela el primer ATR 72-600 de Air Nostrum

El primer ATR 72-600 para Air Nostrum completó ayer día 12 de marzo su primer vuelo en Toulouse.

Vuela el primer ATR 72-600 de Air Nostrum:

Air Force hopes to put F-35s at fewer bases

Air Force hopes to put F-35s at fewer bases: The Air Force is looking to slash the number of locations where it will base F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadrons to bring down the jet’s estimated trillion-dollar sustainment costs.

Jornadas del espacio en la UPM: La historia del Transbordador Espacial y el futuro de los vuelos tripulados

Qantas Starts Using Wi-Fi on International Flights

Qantas Starts Using Wi-Fi on International Flights:

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Flat polymer sheets bend themselves into 3D shapes - just add water

Flat polymer sheets bend themselves into 3D shapes - just add water:

When the petal of a flower is being formed, its shape is achieved by cells in one area expanding more than cells in an adjacent area. This uneven expansion causes the material to buckle, creating the desired curves and creases. Scientists from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst have taken that same principle, and applied it to flat polymer gel sheets that fold themselves into three-dimensional shapes when exposed to water. Some day, such sheets could serve a number of useful purposes...
Continue Reading Flat polymer sheets bend themselves into 3D shapes - just add water

New technology allows for high-speed 3D printing of tiny objects

New technology allows for high-speed 3D printing of tiny objects:

Are 3D printers not amazing enough already? Apparently some scientists at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) didn’t think so, as they have now built one that can create intricate objects as small as a grain of sand. While the ability to 3D-print such tiny items is actually not unique to the TU Vienna device, the speed at which it can do so is. According to the researchers, this makes the commercial production of things such as medical implants much more viable...
Continue Reading New technology allows for high-speed 3D printing of tiny objects

Comunicado de Iberia ante la desconvocatoria de la huelga de los sindicatos Sepla y Stavla

• La compañía cree que la desconvocatoria es una buena noticia para los clientes, empresa, sector turístico y economía nacional.
• Iberia está reprogramando los vuelos cancelados y reubicará de nuevo a los clientes en los vuelos que inicialmente tenían reservados.

Madrid, 13 de marzo de 2012

Iberia cree que la desconvocatoria de las huelgas previstas a partir del 16 de marzo por el sindicato de pilotos Sepla y el de tripulantes de cabina de pasajeros Stavla es una buena noticia para todos los clientes, empresa y sector turístico en general, máxime ante el inicio de la temporada alta en nuestro país, puesto que la huelga estaba convocada en días especialmente sensibles para el sector turístico y la economía nacional.

La compañía espera que la vuelta a la negociación del convenio colectivo por parte del Sepla se realice de buena fe y con la intención de llegar a un acuerdo en todo lo concerniente a la negociación de un convenio colectivo, en un momento en el que más que nunca se hace necesario seguir reduciendo costes para ser competitivos. La compañía igualmente se felicita de que se vaya a nombrar un mediador independiente, tal y como propuso en su momento, con el objetivo de que ayude a desarrollar las negociaciones dentro del marco del VIII convenio colectivo.

Iberia está reprogramando en estos momentos todos los vuelos cancelados, y reubicará a sus clientes en los vuelos que inicialmente tenían reservados para los días 16 y 19 de marzo. Los clientes con vuelos posteriores mantienen sus reservas tal y como las eligieron, ya que no se había procedido aún a cancelar los vuelos más allá del lunes 19.

Una vez más, Iberia quiere agradecer a todos sus clientes la paciencia y comprensión que han mostrado en estos momentos difíciles, así como a sus empleados el gran esfuerzo y trabajo realizados. Iberia está haciendo, y hará todo lo que está en su mano para recuperar lo antes posible la confianza de todos los clientes, que durante los últimos meses se han alejado de la compañía por culpa de la huelga del Sepla.

Stop ETS trade conflict

Airbus and eight industry partners call upon Governments of France, Germany, the UK and Spain

12 MARCH 2012 PRESS RELEASE

In joint letters Airbus, Air Berlin, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, MTU Aero Engines, Safran and Virgin Atlantic have called upon Prime Ministers David Cameron (UK), Francois Fillon (F), Angela Merkel (GE) and Mariano Rajoy (Sp) to take action and stop an escalating trade conflict with China and other countries opposing the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

In their letters, the nine CEOs confirm that as a response to European ETS, aviation related businesses are now faced with real concrete action with serious consequences on the European aviation business.

In many of the countries opposed to ETS, countermeasures and restrictions on European airlines are in preparation, such as special taxes and even traffic rights limitations. In China, approval for US$12 billion worth of Airbus orders has been suspended. Airbus estimates that this will jeopardise more than 1,000 Airbus jobs in Europe and at least another 1,000 in the supply chain.

The nine CEOs fully expect the list of suspensions, cancellations and punitive actions to grow as other important markets continue to oppose ETS. They see the situation as becoming intolerable for the European aviation industry. "A situation that Europe can ill-afford in the current economic climate."

The CEOs therefore urgently request consultations at the level of the EU Council and, most importantly, with the States taking this retaliatory trade action. "The aim must be to find a compromise solution and to have these punitive trade measures stopped before it is too late."

"We have always believed that only a global solution would be adequate to resolve the problem of global aviation emissions. This solution can only be found in ICAO, which has recently appointed a high level dedicated group to propose a global framework for international aviation emissions by the end of this year," the CEOs claimed in their letter.

The CEOs reminded the governments that the aviation industry has always supported the need to increase the sustainability of worldwide aviation by reducing its environmental impact. Furthermore, aviation supports market based measures as one important means of achieving this goal. "As such, our industry remains in supporter of global Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) applied to aviation."

The CEOs urge the Prime Ministers to use their influence in the ICAO Council to find an acceptable solution within as short a time frame as possible and offer industry's support in providing resources to make this possible.

The CEOs are:

• Airbus: Tom Enders
• Air Berlin: Hartmut Mehdorn
• Air France: Alexandre de Juniac
• British Airways: Keith Williams
• Iberia: Antonio Vazquez
• Lufthansa: Christoph Franz
• MTU Aero Engines: Egon W. Behle
• Safran: Jean-Paul Herteman
• Virgin Atlantic: Steve Ridgway

Boeing Statement Regarding the WTO Appellate Decision in DS 353

CHICAGO, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body today released its decision in DS 353 addressing a complaint the European Union (EU) filed against the United States in retaliation for an earlier U.S. challenge to the subsidies European governments have provided to Airbus. Boeing (NYSE: BA) issued the following statement in response to the WTO action:

"The Appellate Body today slashed earlier findings of harm to Airbus from U.S. subsidies.  The decision confirms that in terms of amount, effect and nature, U.S. government support to Boeing is minimal in comparison to the massive European subsidies provided Airbus.  

"With respect to amount, the Appellate Body found that unaddressed subsidies to Boeing total approximately $3 billion – about one-sixth of the $18 billion Europe has given to Airbus.

"With respect to effects, the Appellate Body rejected 66% of the EU's claims that Airbus had lost sales as a result of U.S. subsidies and more than 93% of its claims that it had lost market share.  Boeing has had to compete with an entire fleet of subsidized Airbus aircraft that the WTO found would most likely not even exist without illegal launch aid, while Airbus competes against a Boeing product line that received little support from the U.S. government according to today's ruling.

"With respect to nature, the WTO found that launch aid was a pernicious, market-distorting subsidy without which Airbus itself would most likely not have existed and no Airbus aircraft would have been built at all.  By contrast, the WTO has now found that Boeing has received little U.S. government support during the same time period since the formation of Airbus.

"In sum, the WTO decisions in the two cases establish conclusively and finally that European subsidies competitively disadvantage Boeing and American workers and will continue to do so until launch aid is eliminated.

"We appreciate the work of the WTO Appellate Body, and we are prepared to work with the U.S. government as it determines what steps, if any, are necessary to address the WTO's decision.  Boeing is fully committed to compliance with WTO rules.

"Airbus has not shown the same commitment to compliance with the WTO's decisions and rules. The EU had until Dec. 1, 2011, to comply with the ruling against the illegal Airbus subsidies, and it refused to comply.  Airbus continues to benefit from billions of dollars of government loans that do not carry commercial terms and that the WTO found to be illegal market-distorting subsidies. What's more, European governments have recently provided billions of dollars in new launch aid for the next Airbus model, the A350, continuing this illegal practice in defiance of the WTO.  

"The U.S. government has made it clear that it will use all of the WTO tools at its disposal to ensure that European governments comply with last year's ruling – particularly the ruling against $15 billion in illegal launch aid, the pernicious subsidy unique to Airbus. Boeing supports and appreciates the strong stance the U.S. Trade Representative has taken to force European compliance and finally insist upon the level playing-field necessary for fair and open global competition."

Further information will be available this afternoon at boeing.com/wto

Boeing and US Army Successfully Test Advanced Rotorcraft Flight Control System

Adaptive Vehicle Management System provides enhanced maneuverability and safety while reducing workload

Tactile cues maximize mission effectiveness

MESA, Ariz., March 12, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Army have successfully completed a series of tests on the company’s Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS), an advanced rotorcraft flight control system. AVMS, which has been in development for two years, delivers enhanced maneuverability and safety while reducing aircrew workload and overall operating costs.

A Boeing H-6 helicopter equipped with the integrated AVMS conducted seven separate test flights in Arizona from Dec. 9 to 21. The tests demonstrated how AVMS adapts the flight controls to the aircraft’s flight condition, environment and even pilot intent. This improves the aircraft’s ability to operate in reduced-visibility situations with greater stability and improved safety.

“AVMS is a step forward from a traditional flight control system in that it is able to process large amounts of information and communicate with the pilot through forces applied to the control sticks,” said James Dryfoos, Boeing AVMS program manager. “These tactile cues allow the pilot and aircraft to work together better and maximize mission effectiveness.”

“Many elements of the AVMS can be incorporated into the CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache rotorcraft platforms, and could be a key capability in future Boeing aircraft such as Future Vertical Lift rotorcraft,” said Steve Glusman, director, Boeing Advanced Mobility, a division of Boeing Phantom Works. “Projects such as AVMS deliver on Boeing’s promise to be more affordable, agile and innovative in a resource-constrained environment.”

AVMS is a joint development project between the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate* (AATD) and Boeing. The company is competing for the second developmental phase of the project, which is scheduled to be awarded later this year.

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Boeing Phantom Eye Conducts Medium-speed Taxi Test

Hydrogen-powered high altitude long endurance aircraft approaching 1st flight

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., March 13, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the Phantom Eye high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle has conducted its first medium-speed taxi test. The hydrogen-powered aircraft is designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and communications.

The test was conducted March 10 at Edwards Air Force Base in coordination with the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

Phantom Eye, traveling atop its launching cart system, reached speeds of up to 30 knots as ground teams relayed directions and information using Boeing’s advanced Common Open-mission Management Command and Control (COMC2) software.

“The aircraft performed well and the data collected will help populate our models,” said Drew Mallow, Boeing Phantom Eye program manager. “This test brings us one step closer to our first flight.”

With its 150-foot wingspan, Phantom Eye is designed to fly at an altitude of up to 65,000 feet and stay airborne for up to four days while carrying a 450-pound payload.

“Phantom Eye’s hydrogen-powered propulsion system, matched with its exceptional fuel economy and robust endurance, ushers in a new realm of possibilities for potential customers’ long-endurance ISR missions,” said James Dodd, Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft vice president, Boeing Phantom Works.

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Lockheed Martin Awaits U.K. F-35 Decision

Lockheed Martin Awaits U.K. F-35 Decision: A possible U.K. decision to revert back to buying the F-35B rather than the C-model should not disrupt production flows, Lockheed says.

Boeing Completes Preliminary Design Review of Commercial Crew Space Transportation Vehicle

CST-100 will assure safe, reliable, affordable US access to space

HOUSTON, March 13, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] successfully completed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the company’s integrated Commercial Crew Space Transportation system, which includes the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft, on March 12. The integrated system will provide the United States with the capability to transport people and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), the Bigelow Space Complex and other destinations in low Earth orbit.

The system PDR, which included the CST-100 spacecraft, launch vehicle and ground system, evaluated technical adequacy, progress and risk resolution of the design and test approach.

“The progress made by the Commercial Crew team has been outstanding. It is clear that this team has the discipline and the right design, test and safety approaches and processes to ensure a safe, reliable and affordable transportation system by the middle of the decade,” said John Mulholland, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Programs.

“Boeing is leveraging not only the enduring spaceflight capabilities resulting from our 50-year heritage supporting human spaceflight, but also our contemporary expertise and experience, to achieve milestones toward the future of human spaceflight such as this PDR,” Mulholland added.

The PDR included representatives from Boeing, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and independent consultants. They examined all milestones accomplished in the development of the integrated system design since the Delta System Definition review that was conducted in May 2011, under NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Space Act Agreement.

Boeing has scheduled additional tests to be performed in 2012, including a launch abort engine hot fire test series, which was successfully completed on March 9, parachute drop tests in April, a landing air bag test series in May, a forward heat shield jettison test in June, and an attitude control engine hot fire test in June, to gather additional data on key functional elements of the spacecraft design.

The Boeing Commercial Crew program includes the design, manufacture, test and evaluation, and demonstration of the CST-100 spacecraft, launch vehicle and mission operations -- all part of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Transportation System -- for NASA’s Commercial Crew Development program. This system will provide crewed flights to the ISS and also support Bigelow Aerospace’s orbital space complex. The program is based on Boeing’s experience and innovation of over 50 years of human spaceflight and nearly 100 years of commercial aviation.

The CST-100 is a reusable capsule-shaped spacecraft based on proven materials and subsystem technologies that can transport up to seven people, or a combination of people and cargo. Boeing has designed the spacecraft to be compatible with a variety of expendable rockets. The company has selected the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V launch vehicle for initial CST-100 test flights in 2015.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Wins Coveted Collier Trophy

Prestigious prize honors the greatest aeronautic achievement in America in 2011

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner has won the 2011 Robert J. Collier Trophy, one of the aerospace industry's most prestigious honors for excellence. The award places the ultra fuel-efficient Dreamliner in an exclusive group of pioneers that revolutionized air travel.

"We were very pleased with this year's slate of nominations - all of them were impressive, inspirational, and innovative and certainly represent the future of aviation and aerospace," said Walter Boyne, Chairman of the National Aeronautic Association and Chairman of the Selection Committee. "We congratulate Boeing on their great accomplishment with the 787."

The NAA awards the prize to the air or space vehicle that represents the greatest aeronautic achievement in America, the value of which was demonstrated by actual use during the previous year.

The 787 Dreamliner, the first mid-size commercial airplane capable of flying long-range routes, completed a rigorous flight testing effort to earn certification in 2011. The 787 was then delivered to ANA of Japan and put into service on daily routes. The Dreamliner wrapped up 2011 by setting two world records in its class, one for speed and one for distance.

"It's not often in a career that we have the chance to make history – to do something big and bold that will change the world in untold ways and endure long after we are gone," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The men and women of Boeing, working with our partners around the world, poured their hearts into designing, building and delivering the 787 Dreamliner. It was a long and sometimes difficult journey. We're deeply honored to receive this award."

The Collier Trophy, first awarded in 1911, was designed to encourage innovation in aerospace by emphasizing improved performance, efficiency and safety. Past winners include Orville Wright; the Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11 Moon mission team; Boeing for several airplanes, including the 747 and the 777; Boeing and partners for the F/A-18E/F, the International Space Station; and Bell Boeing for the V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor.

Built largely with lightweight composite materials, combined with a host of breakthrough technologies, the 787 Dreamliner is 20 percent more fuel efficient than similarly-sized airplanes, allowing airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. The airplane is also much easier for airlines to maintain and sets new standards in environmental performance. 60 customers have ordered 868 Dreamliners, making it the fastest-selling widebody airplane in commercial aviation history.

Sweeping Loss for Boeing in WTO Appeal

• Appeal Report confirms and extends the WTO’s condemnation of massive illegal subsidies to Boeing
• Appellate Body rejects nearly 90% of US appeals of the WTO’s earlier findings while validating 100% of EU appeals
• Loss of roughly $45 billion in Airbus sales due to illegal Boeing subsidies
• B787 is the most heavily subsidized aircraft in aviation history

12 MARCH 2012 PRESS RELEASE
Today’s Report from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body (DS353) confirms and even extends previous WTO findings. The Report confirms the existence of illegal U.S. subsidies to Boeing – previously identified by the WTO as “at least $5.3 billion” and extended by billions of US dollars as a result of today’s decision – resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $45 billion in sales for Airbus. Despite earlier Boeing claims that only minimal actions to comply with WTO rules were necessary, it has become clear today that Boeing will have to make major changes to comply with this final WTO ruling.

“The Appellate Body has now spoken in both the Airbus and Boeing cases,” said Rainer Ohler, Airbus’ Head of Public Affairs and Communications. “Comparing the core claims made by both sides, the net outcome is clear:

Boeing’s cash grants are fundamentally illegal, while the system of loans to Airbus by European governments is legal and may continue. Boeing and the U.S. now will have six months to implement the WTO decision.”

Moreover, today’s decision is a broad repudiation of the US’s arguments in this case – rejecting every single US appeal regarding the subsidies given to Boeing and nearly all of its appeals as to the competitive harm that those subsidies impose, while accepting every single EU point of appeal.

The WTO Appellate Body’s report highlights the scale of illegal support to Boeing funded by U.S. taxpayers. The final decision confirms the facts already available from the previous Panel Report:
• Boeing has already received “at least $5.3 billion” of U.S. taxpayer dollars, determined to be illegal.

• Boeing is set to receive at least an additional $2 billion in illegal state and local subsidies in the future under existing illegal schemes.

• The effect of the subsidies is significantly larger than their face value in light of their “particularly pervasive” nature.

• These pervasive subsidies have thoroughly distorted competition within the aviation industry, directly resulting in significant harm to the European aerospace industry.

• Boeing would not have been able to launch the 787 without illegal subsidies.
“Consequently, the B787 – previously known as the “Dreamliner” – is now to be called the “Subsidy-liner” (B7aid7). The WTO ruling proves it is the most highly subsidized aircraft in the history of aviation”, commented Rainer Ohler.

Furthermore, today’s report also expands on earlier WTO findings to reveal additional illegal and anti-competitive features of the support provided to Boeing. Specifically, the WTO Appellate Body agrees with the European Union that:

• Every single one of the 23 U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and all eight of the NASA research grant programmes are illegal subsidies.

• The U.S. Government’s many transfers to Boeing of intellectual property rights for technology developed at U.S. taxpayers’ expense were illegal subsidies.

• The WTO has now also embraced the EU appeal by determining that an additional approximately $500 million in state and local support from Kansas are also illegal subsidies that must be withdrawn.

Airbus congratulates the European Commission and the Governments of France, Germany, the UK and Spain for their success at the WTO and is grateful for the years of effort they have invested in setting the record straight.

“Boeing and the U.S. only have six months to end decades of illegal corporate welfare for Boeing and fundamentally change the way the U.S. Government supports the commercial aerospace business: a disappointing outcome for those who launched this battle. Without compliance, massive sanctions will result – conclusively dispelling the U.S. and Boeing’s public smokescreen that the WTO’s findings will have no relevant consequences for Boeing,” Ohler concluded.

More information about the WTO cases at http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/hot-topics/wto/

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U.S. Government, Airbus Disagree On WTO Ruling: Both Sides Say The Body Ruled In Their Favor ... Again Here we go again. In the ongoing public relations battle between the U.S. and Europe over subsidies to airline manufacturers, both sides are again claiming victory.

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