Cape Air firms delivery schedule for first 20 of 100 Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft

Tecnam announced the conclusion of an agreement with U.S.-based commuter airline Cape Air on delivery schedule for the first 20 of 100 Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft.

Negotiations were concluded following an extensive review of the configuration, direct and indirect cost analysis of the P2012 by key members of both the Cape Air and Tecnam leadership teams, including Dan Wolf – CEO and Founder, Jim Goddard – Senior Vice President, Fleet Planning & Acquisitions and Mike Migliore – CFO of Cape Air. The contract was signed by Paolo Pascale, CEO, Amedeo Fogliano, CFO and Walter Da Costa, Global Sales Director on behalf of Tecnam.

The production of the next-generation 11 seat P2012 Traveller has been much anticipated by many airlines, who have been demanding a replacement for the hundreds of ‘heritage’ airplanes in the FAR23/CS23 category currently in service around the world.

Cape Air has been a key partner in the development of the Traveller, along with Lycoming engines and Garmin avionics. EASA and FAA certification is on track for 2018, with an initial delivery of the first 20 airplanes beginning in January 2019.

Several pre-orders for the Traveller have been received from operators worldwide, including Argentina, Russia, Australia and Europe, which will quickly establish the P2012 as the perfect aircraft for regional airlines operating short-haul routes.

“It’s a historic day for Tecnam. We are so proud to have fulfilled the needs of Cape Air, one of world’s largest regional airline operators. Our response has been to produce not only a beautiful aircraft but one which enables operators to offer better and modern service along with reduced operating and maintenance costs. We warmly welcome Cape Air to the Tecnam family, and thank the board for their trust”, said Paolo Pascale, Tecnam CEO

“What we asked of Tecnam was not easy, but they gave us a real solution for our future needs in a changing industry. We are now able to offer our passengers a modern and stylish twin-engine aircraft ideal for small community air service in the U.S. and abroad. We look forward to having the aircraft in service. Tecnam has created a great product that is both innovative and beautiful. We are confident the Traveller will delight our communities and customers” said Dan Wolf, Cape Air CEO.

The Tecnam P2012 Traveller, designed by Professor Luigi Pascale, first flew on July 21st, 2016. Tecnam is aiming for EASA and FAA certification by 2018. Since the maiden flight, the prototype has accumulated more than 250 flight hours. P2012 serial number 002 has been configured as a “Conforming Production Aircraft’, and will be the template for P2012 customer production aircraft.

Equipped with latest avionics from Garmin, the new G1000 Nxi and powered by two modern 375 HP Lycoming piston engines, the Tecnam P2012 Traveller has been designed from the start to be a very versatile and flexible aerial platform, offering multi-role opportunities including VIP, cargo, parachuting, medevac and amphibious.

More information on the P2012 Traveller at http://p2012.tecnam.org

About Cape Air

Now in its 28th year, Cape Air is one of the largest independent regional airlines in the United States, serving 39 cities in the US, Caribbean, and Micronesia. The employee-owned company, based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, has grown from three flights a day between Provincetown and Boston in 1989 to a fleet of 91 aircraft, 525 flights a day and service to 686,000 passengers annually. Cape Air has been recognized as “One of the Top Ten Small Airlines in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler.

Read more...

As We Move Towards Driverless Cars, Will We Ever Have Pilotless Planes?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/as-we-move-towards-driverless-cars-will-we-ever-have_us_59c86b67e4b0f2df5e83afb0

Read more...

Boeing Zhoushan Completion Facility Sets China Plan In Motion

Boeing’s Zhoushan 737 MAX completion and delivery site is on track for a 2018 debut
http://aviationweek.com/aviation-week-space-technology/boeing-zhoushan-completion-facility-sets-china-plan-motion

Read more...

New Multirotor Drone Flight Record

The Skyfront Tailwind UAV flew for a total of 4 hours and 34 minutes, around 10 times longer than many battery-powered drones. http://www.uavexpertnews.com/2017/09/multirotor-drone-flight-record/

https://youtu.be/H8mqOl_gr4k

Read more...

China’s CH-5 UAV conducts live-fire trial with new precision weapon

http://www.janes.com/article/74363/china-s-ch-5-uav-conducts-live-fire-trial-with-new-precision-weapon

Read more...

Spike Plans To Fly Unmanned Supersonic Demonstrator This Month

The SX-1.2 is an unmanned scaled proof-of-concept aircraft that will help validate the control and stability of the S-512 at low speeds. https://www.bjtonline.com/business-jet-news/spike-plans-to-fly-unmanned-supersonic-demonstrator-this-month

Read more...

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s New 20-Year 2017-2036 Market Forecast Shows Strong Opportunities for the 60- to 150- Seat Segment

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today released its 20-year Market Forecast for the 60- to 150-seat segment. According to this new 2017-2036 Market Forecast, the 60- to 150-seat seat segment will be a catalyst to further growth, market penetration and airline profitability.

“The outlook for our markets is strong,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We are the only manufacturer with a solution for any type of business model in the 60- to 150-seat segment, and we are well positioned to capture the value from the exciting opportunities outlined in this Market Forecast.

“In addition to showing general market dynamics, our forecast focuses on how airlines are changing the way that assets are evaluated,” added Mr. Cromer. “Airlines are shifting their primary metric for network and fleet optimization strategies from ‘cost’ to ‘profit’. With this thinking in the forefront, more airlines are investing in right-sized aircraft that maximize their profits.”

The complete market is seen as 12,550 aircraft worth U.S. $820 billion, based on 2017 list prices. The 100- to 150-seat segment will represent 70 per cent of the revenues, 6,800 aircraft valued at $580 billion, followed by the 60- to 100-seat segment with 5,750 deliveries worth $240 billion.

After a trend to take larger aircraft in the recent years, airlines will look at taking smaller aircraft in the future. Some of the conclusions that this new Market Forecast is drawing include the fact that revenue growth is just one part of the profitability equation, and the traditional pursuit of reducing cost-per-seat with large aircraft is not necessarily yielding more profit for airlines. A focus on cost-per-seat instead of yield-per-passenger have resulted not only in lower profits for airlines but also in poor passenger experience.

In some regions, even heavy discounting can’t fill oversized planes, while in other regions, overbooked flights are generating outrage amongst passengers. Profit contribution will be transitioning from a network-wide basis to per-passenger basis. With the objective of increasing the profitability per passenger, airlines start investing in right-sized aircraft based on market demands.

The forecast says small regional aircraft (20-60 seats) segment erosion will have a rippling upgrading effect; large regional aircraft (60-100 seats) will continue to dominate short-haul (up to 500 nm/926 km) routes; and small single-aisle aircraft (100-150 seats) will increase point-to-point flying on short- to medium-haul sectors and will allow airlines to fly new and thin routes at a profit. The forecast predicts that 86 per cent of the current fleet in this segment will retire by 2036.

North America and Europe will continue as the largest markets for new aircraft. Together they will take delivery of 5,700 aircraft or 46 percent of deliveries.

The forecast divides the world into nine geographical regions – North America, Europe, Greater China, East Asia and Oceania, Latin America (including Mexico), Russia and CIS, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. There will be a strong demand for large regional aircraft from Asia/Pacific owing to growth, and renewal demand from Europe and North America. Key markets for the small single-aisle aircraft segment are North America, Europe and Greater China.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s leading manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we posted revenues of $16.3 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Read more...

Boeing, Qatar Airways Announce Order for Two 747-8 Freighters and Four 777-300ERs

EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Qatar Airways announced an order today for two 747-8 Freighters and four 777-300ERs (Extended Range), valued at $2.16 billion at list prices.

The orders were previously unidentified on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

The airline also received the first of its 747-8 Freighters at a delivery ceremony attended by His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister.

"The addition of our very first 747-8 Freighter is a significant moment for our Cargo division, and a welcome addition to our 20-strong cargo fleet of wide-body aircraft," said His Excellency Mr. Al Baker. "As the world's third-largest cargo operator, Qatar Airways continues to invest in fleet expansion, with a second 747-8F due to be delivered in November. This reflects our confidence in Boeing to continue to deliver an outstanding product that meets our exacting standards. We expect no less than perfection, and we are confident that Boeing will continue to deliver that."

Today's announcement is the latest milestone in Qatar Airways' relationship with Boeing. The carrier became a launch customer for the 777X in 2013, was the first to operate the 787 in the Middle East and has 20 737 MAX airplanes on order.

"We are proud of our strong, enduring and growing partnership with Qatar Airways and we truly appreciate the value its business has brought to Boeing, its employees, suppliers and our communities," McAllister said. "As one of the world's largest international cargo carriers, it is heartening that Qatar Airways has selected the 747-8 Freighter to meet the needs of its growing cargo operations and to see the important role the 777-300ER continues to play in its long-haul fleet."

Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of nearly 100 Boeing widebody airplanes and has more than 100 additional Boeing airplanes on order.

The 747-8 Freighter gives cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance. It is optimized to provide greater revenue cargo-carrying capability than the 747-400, offering 16 percent more cargo volume while keeping its unique nose door.

The 777-300ER has the highest schedule reliability of any twin-aisle airplane flying today. It is the flagship of the world's elite airlines.

Read more...

Germany and Norway place firm order for fleet of five NATO-owned Airbus A330 MRTT tankers

Order to be placed by NSPA through OCCAR under EDA initiative

Madrid, 25 September 2017 – Airbus Defence and Space has received a firm order for five Airbus A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transports from Europe’s organisation for the management of cooperative armament programmes – OCCAR – on behalf of NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) and funded by Germany and Norway.

The order follows the announcement on 29 June of a Memorandum of Understanding under which the two nations would join Netherlands and Luxembourg in the European/NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) programme.

A contract amendment signed at the OCCAR headquarters in Bonn, Germany today adds five aircraft to the two previously ordered by Netherlands and Luxembourg and includes four additional options to enable other nations to join the grouping. It includes two years of initial support.

The programme is funded by the four nations who will have the exclusive right to operate these NATO–owned aircraft in a pooling arrangement. The aircraft will be configured for in-flight refuelling, the transport of passengers and cargo, and medical evacuation flights.

The first two aircraft have already been ordered to be delivered from Airbus Defence and Space’s tanker conversion line at Getafe near Madrid and all seven are expected to be handed over between 2020 and 2022.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) initiated the MMF programme in 2012. OCCAR manages the MMF acquisition phase as Contract Executing Agent on behalf of NSPA. Following the acquisition phase, NSPA will be responsible for the complete life-cycle management of the fleet.

Airbus Defence and Space Head of Military Aircraft Fernando Alonso said: “This new order further demonstrates the A330 MRTT’s position as the world’s premier tanker/transport aircraft. But it also firmly establishes the MMF as one of Europe’s most important collaborative programmes and a model for the future European defence projects which are expected to be launched in the coming years.”

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, and is one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Read more...

Pressure on Boeing to deliver KC-46 on time | Lockheed announce RC PAC-3 missile intercept | KAI exec arrested [feedly]

Pressure on Boeing to deliver KC-46 on time | Lockheed announce RC PAC-3 missile intercept | KAI exec arrested
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/pressure-on-boeing-to-deliver-kc-46-on-time-lockheed-announce-rc-pac-3-missile-intercept-kai-exec-arrested-037982/

 -- via my feedly newsfeed

Read more...

UAE embraces the future with the world’s first concept flight of the Autonomous Air Taxi (Volocopter)

Press release

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, attended the maiden concept flight of the Autonomous Air Taxi (AAT), a vehicle that will be used for the world’s first self-flying taxi service set to be introduced by Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

The two-seater AAT, capable of transporting people without human intervention or a pilot, has been supplied by Volocopter, a Germany-based specialist manufacturer of autonomous air vehicles. The test flight was held at a location near the Jumeirah Beach Park.

“After the remarkable success of the first driverless metro in the region, we are glad to witness today the test flight of the Autonomous Air Taxi,” said HH Sheikh Hamdan. “This is another testament to our commitment to driving positive change. We are constantly exploring opportunities to serve the community and advance the prosperity and happiness of society.”

He further said that adopting advanced innovative technologies and applications that help to enhance services for the community is key to topping global competitiveness rankings.

“Encouraging innovation and adopting the latest technologies contribute not only to the country’s development but also build bridges into the future,” he added

His Highness stressed the importance of the transportation sector, which he said is a vital driver of the development process and an indicator of the level of advancement of the nation. He hailed the remarkable progress achieved in this sector through a number of landmark projects that have maintained the highest international standards while remaining true to the principles of environmental sustainability. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group; HE Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future; and HE Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority also attended the test flight.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA said: “The Autonomous Air Taxi has a variety of unique features that include top security and safety standards, and multiple redundancies in all critical components such as propellers, motors, power source, electronics and flight controls. It is also fitted with optional emergency parachutes, nine independent battery systems, and a battery quick-charge and plug-in system, which takes two hours to reach full charge in the prototype version, a time that will be significantly reduced in the production version.”

Powered by clean electricity and featuring low noise levels, the AAT is an environmentally-friendly vehicle. Its current prototype version has a maximum flight time of approximately 30 minutes at a cruise speed of 50 km/h, and a maximum airspeed of 100 km/h. All these features will evolve in the production vehicles. The AAT measures about two meters in height, and the diameter of the rotor rim, including propellers, is just over seven meters.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan was briefed about the integration of the AAT with public transport systems such as the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transit modes and taxis. The briefing also covered the procedures for making the AAT service available to the public through a smart mobility app. The app will allow customers to book flights, receive booking reference details and track the route of the AAT.

Over the next five years, the RTA will collaborate with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that the operational requirements for implementing AAT services are put in place. These requirements include developing laws and policies governing certification of the aircraft and AAT operations at an Emirate and Federal level, defining aerial routes and corridors, designing and locating take-off and landing points, setting standards for official operators of AAT services in Dubai, identifying the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and specifying security and safety standards for the AAT.

Al Tayer revealed that the RTA has appointed US-based JDA Aviation Company, an autonomous air-vehicle safety specialist, to oversee preparations for AAT flights and manage safety. The trial operations and the process of developing legislation for this type of vehicles will stretch across five years, during which comprehensive operational, security and safety measures will be put in place, noted Al Tayer.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan pressed the operation button to launch the first AAT and watched its flight in the sky. He also watched aerial shots transmitted by the airborne taxi on monitors, and reviewed the process that the RTA will follow to track the flight of the AAT. His Highness then posed for photos with the project teams from the RTA and Volocopter.

Smart Mobility
Commenting on the event, Al Tayer said, “The trial run of the AAT reflects the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the world’s smartest city. It is also part of the RTA's efforts to introduce autonomous transportation services after conducting rigorous tests for these vehicles in Dubai’s climatic conditions. The move also reflects the Dubai Smart Autonomous Mobility Strategy’s target for autonomous transport to account for a quarter of total journeys in Dubai by 2030.”

Al Tayer commended the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s efforts to develop a legislative and operational structure as well as specifications and standards for operators of such vehicles in the Emirate. He praised the two organisations for their efforts to put comprehensive legislation in place before the official start of commercial AAT operations. Such a legislative and operational structure will be the first of its kind worldwide.

Read more...

Australian Government to establish national space agency

press release

The Turnbull Government has committed to establishing a national space agency to ensure Australia has a long-term plan to grow its domestic space industry.

Acting Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the establishment of a space agency is one of the key issues being examined by the Expert Reference Group appointed to review Australia’s space industry capability.

“The global space industry is growing rapidly and it’s crucial that Australia is part of this growth,” Minister Cash said.

“A national space agency will ensure we have a strategic long-term plan that supports the development and application of space technologies and grows our domestic space industry.”

“The agency will be the anchor for our domestic coordination and the front door for our international engagement.”

Former CSIRO Chief Dr Megan Clark is chairing the Reference Group, and its review is well advanced.

The Reference Group has sought views from across the country from industry, government and society, which will be used to inform our plan to expand this important and exciting sector.

The Reference Group has received almost 200 written submissions in response to its issues paper, and more than 400 people have been consulted through roundtables in each state and territory.

Meetings have also been held with key stakeholders, including the state and territory governments.

Feedback from the extensive consultation process has overwhelmingly shown the need for the establishment of a national space agency.

The Reference Group will now develop a charter for the space agency for inclusion in the wider strategy being brought forward by the end of March 2018.

Read more...