lunes, 4 de febrero de 2013

Eurocopter delivers EC135 T2 to National Police Agency

Eurocopter Japan delivered a brand new EC135 T2 to the National Police Agency (NPA) on 30 January 2013. It will be the first EC135 to be deployed to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for law enforcement missions in the Tokyo prefecture.

The NPA and its police departments across Japan currently owns a fleet of 28 Eurocopter helicopters, which includes seven units of EC135 and 13 BK117s (EC145). These aircraft are operated by the police to guard the security interest of their respective prefectures. The newly acquired EC135 T2 will be the first EC135 to be deployed to the MPD, which also operates an EC155 B1 for a wide range of police activities, including life-saving operations, transportation, crime-prevention, security patrols and investigative search.

The MPD was the very first police department to begin using helicopters since 1959, and is the most frequent user of helicopters for law enforcement work amongst all police departments in Japan. Due to the varying landscapes of Tokyo prefecture which includes the Tokyo city center lined with skyscrapers, the Ogasawara Islands and the mountains on the outskirts of Tokyo, the MPD requires a range of helicopter types to tackle different missions and environmental challenges. In times of national disasters, the MPD has also been actively called upon for support.


"We are very honored to be able to deliver the first EC135 to MPD, which has a large and wellequipped Air Squadron," said Stephane Ginoux, President & CEO of Eurocopter Japan. "The EC135 is a model that is well-established in the law enforcement market around the world as well as in Japan. We will offer a full suite of support and services, including maintenance, operational support, as well as training, to cater to our customers' needs."

The EC135 is a powerful, lightweight, twin-engine helicopter renowned for its multi-mission capabilities, top-notch technology and low operating costs. Bearing Eurocopter's Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, the EC135 is one of the quietest helicopters in its class, making it a highly popular aircraft for flying over cities and densely-populated areas, and especially favored by law enforcement agencies and emergency medical services (EMS) operators. There are currently 70 EC135s flying in Japan for EMS, police work, electronic news gathering, VIP transport and business aviation.

Eurocopter delivers 10th EC135 Training Helicopter to Japan Maritime Self Defense Force

Eurocopter Japan successfully handed over the 10th EC135 Training Helicopter (TH135, a variant of Eurocopter's EC135 T2) to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) yesterday. The first TH135 was delivered in December 2009, to begin the replacement of their single-engine training helicopter fleet. The TH135s have been used by MSDF helicopter pilots since November 2011, with instrument flight training as part of the program from April 2012.

The TH135 is the customized version for MSDF, based on Eurocopter's light twin-engine helicopter EC135 T2. The selection was made taking into account the efficiency of its life-cycle cost, thanks to the operation rate and ease of maintenance. The EC135 fleet joins the Japan Ministry of Defense as its second Eurocopter helicopter type; the other being the EC225 model, which is being operated for VIP transport by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force

Eurocopter Japan has been delivering the TH135s on time, accomplishing the first instrumentation operation, assembly and customization. A full support system has also been set up to ensure prompt and timely parts delivery, as well as technical support for the maintenance and operation of the MSDF fleet. As a result, Eurocopter Japan was duly awarded by the Air Supply Depot of MSDF in December last year for its efficiency in parts delivery.
       
"The MSDF contract represents a milestone for Eurocopter in its efforts to gain a foothold in the Japanese defense market," stated Stephane Ginoux, President & CEO of Eurocopter Japan. "It is a great achievement for us to have delivered the 10 TH135 helicopters on time.  Our selection and the subsequent recognition by MSDF clearly show the confidence that they have in our products and support services, which serves as a great motivation for us to strive even harder to meet our customers' needs."

Recognizing the benefits of the EC135 as a training helicopter, Japan became one of the first countries in Asia to acquire the TH135 variant for its training. Tailored for advanced training missions, the EC135 is well adapted for air crew of defense forces operating new-generation multi-role or combat helicopters. In Europe, countries such as Germany, Spain and Switzerland are already using the EC135 or its military version, EC635, for pilot training.

The EC135 is a modern light twin-engine helicopter in the 3-ton class, with a seating capacity of seven to eight passengers (five for TH135). It offers good maneuverability, high visibility and low vibration level. After making its debut in mid-1996, more than 1,000 EC135 helicopters have been delivered worldwide for a variety of missions ranging from pilot training and law enforcement to emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue. In Japan, there are currently 70 EC135s operating for EMS, police work, electronic news gathering, VIP transport and business aviation.
 

About Eurocopter Japan
Eurocopter Japan Co.,Ltd was established in April 2009 as a subsidiary of Eurocopter (90%) and Itochu Corporation (10%). In July 2009, Eurocopter Japan established Eurocopter Japan T&E. Co.,Ltd, a joint venture with ANAM. After these two acquisitions, Eurocopter became the first foreign affiliated company in this field to become a full fledged industrial player in Japan. With around 55% market share in the civil and parapublic sectors, a fleet of 320 helicopters and 50 years of presence in Japan, Eurocopter Japan will continue to contribute to Japanese customers and the society by improving safety, usability and the cost efficiency of the air by providing excellent products and consummate services.

iberia revoluciona su oferta comercial con la llegada de los Airbus A330 y sus nuevas clases de largo radio

IBERIA REVOLUCIONA SU OFERTA COMERCIAL CON LA LLEGADA DE LOS AIRBUS A330 Y SUS NUEVAS CLASES DE LARGO RADIO

 

  • Los Airbus A330 introducen en Iberia un nuevo modelo de operación de las rutas de largo radio mucho más eficiente.
  • En clase Business Plus, destacan las nuevas butacas-camas completamente planas, cuyo diseño y disposición en el avión confieren mayor privacidad al cliente.
  • Las nuevas butacas de la clase turista incorporan un sistema de entretenimiento individual y "a la carta".
  • Próximamente, Iberia ofrecerá a todos sus clientes WIFI a bordo para acceso a internet y conectividad GSM para envío y recepción de SMS.
  • La nueva oferta comercial de Iberia incluye, entre otros, una transformación de www.iberia.com y nuevos servicios en la T4 y en otros aeropuertos de su red.
  • En 2012 Iberia obtuvo una puntualidad cercana al 80 por ciento, y el nivel de calidad percibida por los clientes mejoró en más 7 puntos.

 


 

Iberia ha presentado hoy en FITUR una ambiciosa oferta comercial de productos y servicios que desarrollará en los próximos meses, y que incluye desde el lanzamiento de sus nuevas clases Business y turista de largo radio, hasta una transformación total de www.iberia.com, y la introducción de innovadores productos y servicios en toda la experiencia de viaje del cliente.

 

La principal novedad comercial de Iberia para este año son los nuevos interiores Business y turista para sus vuelos de largo radio. Estas cabinas vienen incorporadas en los nuevos Airbus A330/300, el nuevo modelo de avión que llegará a la flota de Iberia para cubrir rutas transoceánicas.

 

El primero de estos Airbus A330/300 llegará a mediados de febrero y, hasta marzo de 2014, Iberia recibirá siete unidades más. Los Airbus A330 son aviones de dos motores, pero habilitados para realizar rutas transatlánticas. La principal ventaja de este modelo de operación con aviones bimotores es la eficiencia. Los nuevos Airbus A330 consumen en torno a un 15 por ciento menos de combustible que otros modelos de aviones cuatrimotores de similar capacidad, lo que se traduce en un considerable ahorro de costes.

 

Los Airbus A330/300 de Iberia tienen una configuración de 36 asientos en Business y 242 en turista. En la nueva Business Plus, las butacas se convierten en camas completamente planas de casi 2 metros, que confieren mayor espacio a cada cliente. Iberia ha personalizado estos asientos, basándose en las necesidades demandadas por sus clientes. El resultado es un concepto más individualizado de viaje, donde cada butaca está insertada en módulos aislados con acceso directo al pasillo, para evitar molestias innecesarias. Además, el diseño y disposición de las nuevas butacas de la Business Plus otorgan mayor privacidad y permiten al cliente relajarse o trabajar en un ambiente acogedor. Para Marco Sansavini, director general de Comercial y Clientes de Iberia "con la renovación de su flota, Iberia revoluciona la experiencia de viaje de sus clientes en los vuelos largo radio. La nueva Business Plus de Iberia se sitúa, por comodidad y prestaciones, por delante de las mejores clases de negocios del mercado entre Europa y América Latina".

El sistema de entretenimiento de la nueva Business Plus también se ha renovado completamente para que sea más intuitivo y fácil de utilizar. La pantalla mide ahora 15,4 pulgadas, casi un 50 por ciento más que la actual, es táctil y tiene una navegación similar a la de las tabletas. Los clientes de la Business Plus cuentan, además, con un mando con una pantalla táctil de 4,2 pulgadas y un teclado virtual que, entre otras, tiene funciones de teléfono, les permite el envío de SMS y les da un acceso rápido a los contenidos más frecuentes de la programación. Cada mes, se incluirán más de 50 películas en varios idiomas, cerca de 80 opciones entre series de TV, documentales y programas, cerca de 200 opciones musicales y juegos en 3D, entre otros.

 

Próximamente Iberia ofrecerá WIFI en estos aviones para que todos sus clientes puedan tener acceso a internet, además de conectividad GSM para el envío y recepción de SMS. Asimismo, las nuevas butacas de turista y Business Plus cuentan con todo tipo de conectores para el uso y carga de dispositivos electrónicos.

 

En la nueva cabina de la nueva Business Plus se ha primado la claridad y ligereza visual de todos los elementos, la iluminación ambiental cambia su tonalidad según las fases del vuelo, se ha mejorado la luz de lectura, y los clientes disponen de más espacio para sus pertenencias.

 

Por otra parte, los Airbus A330 también incorporarán una nueva clase turista con entretenimiento individual para cada cliente. Se trata de un sistema muy intuitivo, con pantallas táctiles de 9 pulgadas, donde los clientes de la clase turista podrán disfrutar a demanda de películas en varios idiomas, series de TV, documentales, y tendrán un acceso rápido a la programación específica para los niños.

 

 

Además, las nuevas butacas de la clase turista de los vuelos de largo radio, integran un diseño moderno con una ergonomía mejorada, que otorga mayor comodidad y amplitud para los clientes. Estos nuevos interiores Business y turista vendrán en los Airbus A330/300, y se incorporarán a los Airbus A340/600 de la flota de Iberia a partir de mayo de este año, con las que la compañía realiza sus vuelos a América Latina, Norteamérica y Angola.

 

 

Además de las nuevas clases para los vuelos de largo radio, Iberia está trabajando en el lanzamiento de diferentes productos y servicios, que renovarán completamente su oferta comercial y mejorarán la experiencia del cliente.

 

Entre otros, a lo largo de 2013 Iberia transformará completamente www.iberia.com, para simplificar la navegación y mejorar los contenidos. La compañía trabaja también en una "socialización" de su web, y conectar a los más de 34 millones de usuarios de iberia.com con los cerca de 1.300.000 seguidores en redes sociales.

 

Dentro de su proyecto de mejora de la T4, Iberia prepara también importantes mejoras en todos los procesos: facturación, embarque, conexiones, y llegadas. La compañía está potenciando el check-in en los quioscos con un nuevo software más rápido e intuitivo, y está agilizando la facturación en mostradores y la entrega de equipajes. Iberia ha sido también la primera aerolínea del mundo en "movilizar" su sistema de facturación a través de la herramienta IBHelp, lo que permite a sus agentes atender a los clientes en cualquier lugar del aeropuerto y ser más proactivos en la prestación de servicios. Este año, la compañía trabaja en diversas iniciativas para agilizar aún más el proceso de facturación, como la implantación de nuevos módulos de entrega automática del equipaje.

 

Junto con AENA y Policía Nacional, en los últimos meses Iberia está agilizando también el paso por los controles de seguridad y documentación en la T4. La compañía ha lanzado en las últimas semanas un nuevo servicio denominado "Iberia Conexiones" para el traslado avión-avión de pasajeros en riesgo de pérdida de conexión, y ha puesto en marcha Puntos de Atención Rápida que facilitan  al cliente las gestiones asociadas a una pérdida de conexión o demora en su equipaje.

 

Todas estas iniciativas forman parte de la fuerte apuesta que Iberia está realizando para incrementar la calidad de su servicio. De junio a diciembre de 2012, la compañía logró un 84,5 por ciento de puntualidad y, en el acumulado del año, cerca de un 80 por ciento de vuelos en hora, 10 puntos más que el año anterior. Las diferentes mejoras en sus productos y servicios, le sirvieron a Iberia para incrementar el nivel de calidad percibida de sus clientes en más de 7 puntos.

 

Dutch 737 pilot locked out of cockpit while co-pilot sleeps



Dutch airline Transavia said it has launched an investigation after a Boeing 737 pilot was locked out of the cockpit and his first officer was later found asleep at the controls.

According to a Dutch Safety Board report released Wednesday, the pilot stepped out of the cockpit to take a bathroom break about 2½ hours into the flight.

When he returned a short time later, the pilot used an intercom to ask his first officer to open the door. There was no answer, the report said.

3-meter long titanium airplane part 3D printed in one piece



Most titanium alloys are poor thermal conductors, therefore thermal based additive manufacturing (AM) is an effective way to process titanium alloys. In addition, it is often expensive to cast and machine parts from titanium, AM process is proven not only to be cost effective but could also shorten lead time.

The State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in China began its research of Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) in 1995. The emphasis has been focused on obtaining excellent mechanical properties for LAMed metal parts through careful control of the material microstructures. The material of LAMed parts include titanium alloys, superalloys, and stainless steel.

SAFRAN IS WORKING ON THE NEURON, THE UAV OF THE FUTURE



The nEUROn is a demonstrator for the future European stealth UCAV, and flown remotely from the ground. Its maiden flight, out of Istres on December 1st, 2012, was a success – and was a decisive step for this forward-looking program where Safran is supplying both the engine and braking control system

The nEUROn project kicked off in 2005 at France’s initiative, via the DGA (the French defense procurement agency), and clearly ties in with efforts to build Defense Europe. Mirroring this Europe-wide drive, six European partner industrial firms are working on it, led by Dassault Aviation. Safran’s partnership with this aircraft manufacturer goes back a long way with the Mirage and Rafale programs, but we also have a strong track record in observation and surveillance UAVs. Sagem (Safran) is currently producing two tactical UAV systems for land forces: the Patroller, a long-endurance UAV system, and the Sperwer, an observation UAV system. Safran’s expertise in propulsion systems and equipment for fighter aircraft also put it in a good position to boost MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV development. These long-endurance UAVs are becoming increasingly active in field operations, especially in Afghanistan, and have become essential to armed forces.

Choosing experience The nEUROn is 10 meters long, 12.5 meters wide and weighs 5 tons (tare). This latest-generation demonstrator is powered by a Safran engine. Dassault chose the Adour Mk 951, developed by RRTM, a Turbomeca (Safran) and Rolls-Royce joint venture, because it knows it can count on this engine’s reliability and it has clocked up extensive experience. This engine has flown over 8 million hours and is considered the benchmark in its category (6,000 to 6,500-lb, i.e. 3-ton thrust). And it has another advantage: RRTM’s continuous improvement drive has optimized its service life. “This single-engine aircraft is modern – and has been tried and tested,” explained Adour Program Manager Florent Chauvancy at Turbomeca. “We have run extremely in-depth endurance and integration tests on it.”

At the core of an integrated project This military aircraft was the first to be entirely designed and developed on a virtual platform, in a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environment. Florent Chauvancy highlighted this trailblazing aspect: “This system allows partner teams to work simultaneously and in real time on the same 3D database from their offices across the continent. Safran provided Dassault with a full digital model of its Adour engine to harness this tool’s full potential. From a management perspective, this organization is the ultimate way to boost efficiency and control costs more effectively.” This forward-looking interface puts Safran in a position to start working on this major program early on, especially as it will also be supplying the nEUROn’s braking system and harnesses. “As we were actively involved in the very first development phases, it will be easier for Safran to develop the future UCAV,” the Adour Program Manager rounded up.

Irán presenta su nuevo caza de última generación [Fotos y Video]

Irán presenta su nuevo caza de última generación [Fotos y Video]:   El presidente IraníMahmoud Ahmadinejadha hecho público un pequeño caza de diseño propio durante las celebraciones de laRevolución Islámicaque expulsó alShaen 1979. El diseño aparentemente se corresponde con la estética de un caza de última generación. Sin embargo un análisis más detallado del avión indica que se podría tratar de una maqueta.

El Parlamento Europeo adopta una resolución favorable a la Aviación General

El Parlamento Europeo le ha dado a la Aviación General el impulso mas grande de los últimos tiempos con la adopción de una resolución que guia a la Comunidad Europea y a sus estados miembros a adoptar una serie de principios que deberían preservar, fomentar y promover la Aviación General a traves de toda Europa. La Resolución 2008/2134(INI) descata la importancia de mantener una proporcionalidad legislativa, reconociendo las diferencias entre CAT (Transporte Aéreo Comercial) y la GA (Aviación General) a la hora de asignar cargas e impuestos, asegurando que la GA tiene garantizado el acceso a aeropuertos y al Espacio Aéreo y aceptando que la GA juega un papel vital en la infraestructura de transporte europea.

Entrega de un helicóptero AS532 AL Cougar al Ejército de Tierra

 Entrega de un helicóptero AS532 AL Cougar al Ejército de Tierra

 

Se ha completado con éxito en las instalaciones de Eurocopter España en Albacete la recepción técnica y administrativa del último helicóptero AS532 AL Cougar, correspondiente al contrato de cuatro unidades firmado en 2006 con el Ministerio de Defensa español tras superar satisfactoriamente los ensayos e inspecciones, tanto en tierra como en vuelo, de la aeronave y de los sistemas de misión que incorpora.

 

El helicóptero se ha suministrado con grúa de rescate, gancho de carga sobre el que se instala el sistema de lucha contra incendios, faro de búsqueda, sistema de flotabilidad de emergencia y sistema optrónico gestionado por un operador desde una consola en cabina, que dota al helicóptero de las capacidades esenciales adaptadas a los cometidos encomendados a la Unidad Militar de Emergencias ante desastres naturales y humanos, y desplegable para intervención en cualquier lugar del territorio nacional.

En estos procesos ha intervenido personal de la Dirección General de Armamento y Material, las FAMET y de la Unidad Militar de Emergencias, usuaria final del helicóptero encuadrado en el Batallón de Helicópteros de Emergencias sito en la Base valenciana de Bétera y perteneciente a las Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra.

El miércoles se inicia en Yelahanka Aero India 2013

El miércoles se inicia en Yelahanka Aero India 2013:

Bangalore.- Más de 400 expositores procedentes de 26 países participarán en el  Salón Internacional Aeroespacial Aero India 2013, que se desarrollará en el Air Force Station, Yelahanka, cerca de Bangalore desde el miércoles al próximo domingo.

Carbures adquiere la empresa de composites estadounidense Fiberdyne

Carbures adquiere la empresa de composites estadounidense Fiberdyne:
Madrid.- Carbures, empresa gaditana que fabrica y suministra estructuras de fibra de carbono para el sector aeronáutico y automovilístico, ha adquirido el 100% de la norteamericana Fiberdyne, empresa que fabrica piezas de composites para estos sectores y con la que se instala en Seattle, centro neurálgico del sector aeronáutico de Estados Unidos.

ALC orders 25 A350 XWBs and firms up options for 14 A321neo aircraft


Significant lessor order for Airbus’ newest, most fuel efficient aircraft




Air Lease Corporation (ALC), the Los Angeles based aircraft leasing company has signed a contract for 25 A350 XWB Family aircraft, consisting of 20 A350-900 and five A350-1000, the largest member of the A350 XWB Family. ALC also has options for five additional A350-1000s. With this new order, ALC becomes the 35th A350 XWB customer and the order takes the A350 XWB backlog past 600 (to 617).

Concurrently, ALC has signed a purchase order for 14 A321neo aircraft following an earlier agreement announced at the 2012 Farnborough International Air Show for 36 A320neo Family aircraft plus 14 options. With this latest confirmation from ALC, the lessor’s cumulative orders for the A320neo Family have reached 50, of which up to 34 will be A321neo models. ALC will announce engine selections at a later date.

“The A350 XWB Family is becoming the industry benchmark for efficiency in the long haul segment, and the A320neo Family is ideal for airlines operating short to medium haul missions. These aircraft will help airlines grow their businesses while simultaneously reducing their operating costs and emissions,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Air Lease Corporation’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “ALC offers its customers the most modern, efficient aircraft on the market, and both the A350 XWB and the NEO fit right in that category.”

“ALC’s continued confidence in Airbus products and especially our fuel efficient A350 XWB and A320neo Families is a great indicator of the long-term success of these aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “When you offer products which cut fuel consumption by a double digit number, and combine that with low maintenance costs and the latest in cabin innovations, it’s a pretty compelling proposal whether you are in the low cost, full service or charter segment.”

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions and seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. The new family will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2014, with ALC’s newest order included, the A350 XWB has already won 617 firm orders from 35 customers worldwide.

The A320neo will enter into service in late 2015, followed by the A321neo in 2016. The A320neo Family incorporates latest generation engines and large Sharklet wing-tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings which is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tons of CO2 per aircraft per year.

With more than 9,000 aircraft ordered and over 5,400 aircraft delivered to over 380 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family.

Turkish Airlines orders five additional A330 passenger aircraft



Turkish Airlines has signed a firm order for two additional A330-300 passenger aircraft and three options as part of the carrier’s continued growth plans. The additional order for the A330 Family is taking their total firm order for the type to 38. Turkish Airlines placed their first order with Airbus in 1984, and today operate 104 Airbus in total.

The new aircraft will be deployed on medium and long haul routes from the Turkish Airlines hub in Istanbul.

“As one of the fastest growing airlines, our strategy of growth needs to be fully supported by efficient, reliable and profitable aircraft” said Dr Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Airlines. “This new order for A330s reinforces our commitment to a family of aircraft which already helps us to achieve our ambitious expansion plans, in a profitable and sustainable manner.”

“We are very proud to win a repeat order from Turkish Airlines as it shows without doubt a strong endorsement for the A330 unique combination of unbeatable economics, versatility and fuel efficiency,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In response to the continuing strong demand, we’re making the A330 better and better, with new higher weight variants to offer more payload-range capability while keeping reliability at top level.”

Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,200 orders, with over 900 aircraft flying with close to 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. With numerous ongoing product improvements, it still remains the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft, averaging dispatch reliability well above 99 percent.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats

Philippine Air Force to acquire FA-50 aircraft from KAI




 The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is acquiring 12 FA-50 fighter jets from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to enhance its air defence capabilities, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda has confirmed.

GE Aviation Provides Flight Management For Boeing 737 MAX

GE Aviation Provides Flight Management For Boeing 737 MAX: FMS Designed To Control The Aircraft With An Accuracy Of 30 Feet GE Aviation has been awarded a contract from The Boeing Company to provide the flight management system for the Boeing 737 MAX airplane. The system will be designed and manufactured at GE facilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Clearwater, Florida. The first 737 MAX is on track to be delivered in 2017.