RR test composite made Low Pressure System (fan blades, a fan case and annulus fillers)

press release




Engineers at Rolls-Royce in Derby, UK, have successfully tested a key component of the UltraFan engine design. UltraFan will redefine the world of jet engines, delivering significant weight, noise and fuel burn reductions, and will be 25% more efficient than a first-generation Trent engine.

For the first time, all composite elements of the Advanced Low Pressure system (ALPS), including fan blades, a fan case and annulus fillers, were tested together on a donor engine.

The engine parts are manufactured using state-of-the-art, fully automated construction methods at Rolls-Royce’s Composites Technology Facility, a Composites Centre of Excellence.

Each fan blade is made robotically, building up around 500 layers of carbon fibre materials. Heat and pressure are then applied, and each blade is finished with a leading titanium edge, which offers extreme protection against foreign objects and bird strikes. When laid out, the layers of composite material that make up the fan blades and the fan case on this engine would stretch from London to Leeds.

The Advanced Low Pressure System demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s IntelligentEngine vision. Each blade has a digital twin – an identical virtual copy. During testing, vast amounts of data will be collected that will be fed into the digital twins, and allow engineers to predict how each blade will perform in service.

Ash Owen, Rolls-Royce, Chief Engineer, Civil Aerospace Demonstrator Programmes said: “These incredible technologies are taking our world-leading fan efficiency to the next level. More than a decade of research and development has brought us to this point and I’m confident that after extreme weather testing in Canada and performance testing in Germany, we can prove ALPS technology even further here in Derby, moving us one step closer to our UltraFan demonstrator.”

The Advanced Low Pressure System programme is a partnership between Rolls-Royce, Clean Sky, Innovate UK, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Aerospace Technology Institute, ITP Aero and GKN.

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INTERVIEW: CR929 boss details progress, timeline

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/interview-cr929-boss-details-progress-timeline-456061/?cmpid=SOC|Twitter|Flightglobal|sf208396874|sf208396874&sfid=701w0000000uP3H#sf208396874

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Drone Delivery Canada unveils Condor 400pounds payload unmanned helicopter

http://uasmagazine.com/articles/1991/drone-delivery-canada-unveils-condor-large-delivery-uas

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TsAGI and Rosteck test full scale 3 blade rotor for new light multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors

press release




Specialists of the Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI, a member of the National Research Center “Zhukovsky Institute”) together with the Design bureau “VR-Technologies” of the Russian Helicopters (State Corporation Rostec) conducted the second stage testing of the VRT500 rotor, (the VRT 500 is the light multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors).

The full-scale hingeless rotor model was tested in the largest Europe wind tunnel — the TsAGI’s subsonic wind tunnel. The Institute’s scientists studied the behavior of the model at speeds up to 136 km/h during the tests. The collective pitch angle was varied within the functional range, at the same time there were applied longitudinal design and lateral control systems. Specialists continuously recorded the measured data, including forces and the moments affecting the model in general, and loads for the three sections of one of the blades.

The experiment confirmed the previously calculated aerodynamics and aeroelasticity of the rotor and its blades. The results will help to clarify flight characteristics of the helicopter. “The VRT500 project’s tests were successful and turned out to be very interesting for us,” noted Oleg Kirillov, the Chief of the Department of aerodynamics and dynamics of helicopters. “First of all, we tested a full-scale model, and it was already a unique situation. Secondly, we had to deal with a hingeless rotor model. The design of this kind has been poorly studied in Russia yet; it was only used for the ‘Ansant’ helicopter. These works appeared to be exceptionally relevant to the development of the research competencies and design of hingeless rotors in TsAGI.”

The VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with twin three-blade coaxial rotors. Its takeoff weight is 1600 kg. The machine has the largest-in-its-class passenger/cargo cabin for up to 5 people and is equipped with a modern, interactive avionics complex. Its flight characteristics enable the helicopter to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, flying at a distance of up to 860 km, taking on-board up to a 730 kg payload. The helicopter is intended for passenger, multi-purpose, commercial, educational, VIP and medical operations.

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Spacex Boeing design risks threaten new delays for US space program

http://aviationnews.eu/news/2019/02/spacex-boeing-design-risks-threaten-new-delays-for-u-s-space-program/

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Turkey Launches Heavy Attack Helicopter

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-02-25/turkey-launches-heavy-attack-helicopter

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Autonomous Flight Ready To Build Flying Prototype Y6S

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2019-02-22/autonomous-flight-ready-build-flying-prototype-y6s


https://autonomousflight.com/

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Crash: Atlas B763 at Houston on Feb 23rd 2019, lost height on approach

http://avherald.com/h?article=4c497c3c&opt=0

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The HondaJet is the Most Delivered Aircraft in its Class for Second Consecutive Year

press release




GREENSBORO, N.C. - February 20th, 2019 - Honda Aircraft Company announced today that the HondaJet was the most delivered aircraft in its class in 2018, based on numbers provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Last year, 37 HondaJets were delivered around the globe, marking the second consecutive year the HondaJet has been the most delivered very light jet.

"We are proud that our customers continue to choose the HondaJet for its unrivaled performance, efficiency and cabin comfort. This, along with our strong global dealer network, has made the HondaJet the most delivered aircraft in its class", said Honda Aircraft Company President & CEO Michimasa Fujino. "The HondaJet finishing as the most delivered aircraft for the second consecutive year is a testament to our team's dedication to developing cutting-edge technologies that improve the lives of our customers around the world."

Honda Aircraft Company has fully transitioned its aircraft production line from the original HondaJet to the HondaJet Elite and will continue to offer the performance package developed by the Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) for the original HondaJet. The company expects to maintain production of four to five aircraft per month.

Throughout 2018, Honda Aircraft Company marked several major milestones, including the introduction of the HondaJet Elite, the creation of the APMG performance package and the customer delivery of the 100th HondaJet. The company also received the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA) 2018 Foundation Award for Excellence for setting a new standard in business aviation with the HondaJet.

In 2018, the HondaJet Elite received type certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and delivered the first aircraft to a customer in Japan. The company also increased its global footprint to several additional regions around the world with new dealers and type certifications, including Argentina, India and Panama.

About HondaJet Elite The HondaJet Elite is the fastest, furthest and highest-flying plane in its class. The HondaJet Elite incorporates Honda Aircraft's many technological innovations, including the unique Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) nose and wing and composite fuselage. These advancements contribute to the aircraft's superior performance, unparalleled efficiency and maximized fuselage space, making the aircraft's cabin the largest in its class. The HondaJet Elite cabin features a full service galley, a private lavatory with optional belted seat and an exclusive Bongiovi sound system. The aircraft sets the gold standard in safety and human-machine interface technology with an ergonomically designed cockpit and enhanced customized Garmin® G3000 avionics suite. Honda Aircraft continues to be committed to the improvement of lives through personal mobility while living in a sustainable society. The HondaJet Elite remains significantly more fuel efficient and emits less greenhouse gases than all other similarly sized twin-engine business jets. Certified for single pilot operation, the HondaJet Elite continues to live up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.

About Honda Aircraft Company Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft's world headquarters is located in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.

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Roscosmos and Space Adventures signed a contract for the implementation of the short duration space flights to the ISS

press release




State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” and “Space Adventures, Inc.” signed a contract for the implementation of the short duration space flights of two spaceflight participants on board the same “Soyuz” spacecraft to the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. The flight is scheduled to launch in late 2021.

State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” and “Space Adventures, Inc.” have been cooperating in space tourism since 2001, when the first space tourist - Dennis Tito - flew on orbit. In total, seven people have visited space station in the frame of space tourism program with Charles Simonyi visiting the ISS twice.

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Hill Airmen, F-35 a lethal combo at Red Flag

https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/1761109/hill-airmen-f-35-a-lethal-combo-at-red-flag/

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Virgin-Galactic makes record space flight with three on board

In its fifth supersonic rocket powered test flight, Virgin Galactic reached space for the second time today in the skies above Mojave CA. Spaceship VSS Unity reached its highest speed and altitude to date and, for the first time, carried a third crew member on board along with research payloads from the NASA Flight Opportunities program.

continue reading:
https://www.virgingalactic.com/articles/virgin-galactic-makes-space-for-second-time-in-ten-weeks-with-three-on-board/

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ESA: Signs of ancient flowing rivers on Mars

We see Mars as a cold, dry world, but plenty of evidence suggests that this was not always the case. Research in past years instead increasingly indicates that the planet once had a thicker, denser atmosphere that was able to lock in far greater amounts of warmth, and therefore facilitate and support the flow of liquid water on the surface below.  Continue reading:

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_ancient_flowing_water_on_Mars2

• Title Perspective view of ancient river valley network on Mars
• Released 21/02/2019 11:00 am
• Copyright ESA/DLR/FU Berlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
• Description This image from ESA’s Mars Express shows a valley network on Mars. This oblique perspective view was generated using a digital terrain model and Mars Express data gathered on 19 November 2018 during Mars Express orbit 18831. The ground resolution is approximately 14 m/pixel and the images are centered at 66°E/17°S. This image was created using data from the nadir and colour channels of the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). The nadir channel is aligned perpendicular to the surface of Mars, as if looking straight down at the surface.

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Touchdown: Japan's Hayabusa 2 probe snatches dust from asteroid Ryugu

https://newatlas.com/hayabusa-2-touchdown-ryugu-jaxa/58593/

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First private moon mission takes off aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

https://www.spacex.com/news/2019/02/23/nusantara-satu-mission

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Boeing shifting spare parts in preparation for Brexit: executive | Article [AMP] | Reuters

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1QF0V1?__twitter_impression=true

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Hybrid fiber combines strength of metal core and elasticity of rubber shell

Abstract

Tough, biological materials (e.g., collagen or titin) protect tissues from irreversible damage caused by external loads. Mimicking these protective properties is important in packaging and in emerging applications such as durable electronic skins and soft robotics. This paper reports the formation of tough, metamaterial-like core-shell fibers that maintain stress at the fracture strength of a metal throughout the strain of an elastomer. The shell experiences localized strain enhancements that cause the higher modulus core to fracture repeatedly, increasing the energy dissipated during extension. Normally, fractures are catastrophic. However, in this architecture, the fractures are localized to the core. In addition to dissipating energy, the metallic core provides electrical conductivity and enables repair of the fractured core for repeated use. The fibers are 2.5 times tougher than titin and hold more than 15,000 times their own weight for a period 100 times longer than a hollow elastomeric fiber.




Full text: http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/2/eaat4600






Figure 1B compares the force versus strain responses of a solid gallium rod, an empty SEBS fiber, and a Ga-SEBS metamaterial fiber (see fig. S2 for stress-strain data). In Fig. 1B, each sudden decrease in force corresponds to a break in the metallic core of the Ga-SEBS fiber, after which a polymer bridge forms from the encasing polymer. After each break, the force needed to maintain a constant rate of extension increases steadily as the bridge is strained, until eventually the metallic core fractures again and the cycle repeats itself. During these cycles, the strain localizes primarily in the polymer bridges between the breaks, which keeps the overall stress high regardless of the macroscopic strain. This behavior generates a sawtooth-shaped curve centered about the force needed to break the metallic core (see note S1 for additional details) and provides an effective and continuous energy dissipation method. The fiber sustains approximately the same force as the force needed to break the metallic core, but for almost six times the amount of strain.

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Indian air forces strikes 3 targets in Pakistan

https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/19-minutes-12-jets-3-targets-this-is-what-the-iaf-did-in-pakistan-while-you-were-asleep/amp_articleshow/68164179.cms

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Airbus inaugurates its Innovation Centre in China

press release







Partnering with local innovation forces to shape the future of flight

Airbus has inaugurated its Innovation Centre in China at an official opening ceremony in Shenzhen, China, one of the world’s leading innovation hotspots.

Airbus China Innovation Centre (ACIC) has been operating since early 2018 and currently focuses on designing, testing, and certifying new technologies relating to five areas: Hardware Lab, Cabin Experience, Connectivity, Manufacturing Innovation and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). ACIC is committed to identifying the next big innovation to transform the aerospace sector, leveraging local talent, technologies and partners to further enhance Airbus’ capabilities to shape the future of flight.


Airbus also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shenzhen Municipal Commerce Bureau for close collaboration, acceleration, application and industrialization of UAM. With extended regional partners, Airbus aims to further develop the local UAM ecosystem and promote solutions that fit local transportation needs.
As Airbus’ first disruptive innovation centre in Asia, and second worldwide after A3 in Silicon Valley, ACIC’s mission is to fully leverage local advantages including talent, enterprises and the ecosystem, to combine it with Airbus’ aerospace expertise to identify, explore and accelerate breakthroughs in technologies, business models and new growth opportunities.

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Airbus certifies A400M Cargo Hold Tanks refueling unit

press release




Airbus has successfully completed the certification flight tests for the A400M Cargo Hold Tanks (CHT) refueling unit, taking a new step towards the full certification of the aircraft for air-to-air refueling operations as a tanker.



The campaign, performed together with the Spanish Air Force Test Centre (CLAEX), featured a total of nine flights where 90 tonnes of fuel were dispensed to Spanish Air Force F-18 receivers and to another A400M prototype as a representative heavy aircraft receiver.



The test campaign included the development and certification of the Cargo Hold Tanks with the latest Fuel Quantity Management System software, to be certified during 2019, enhancement of the night refueling vision system and preliminary testing of helicopter air-to-air refueling capabilities.

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Airbus Friedrichshafen triples the size of its integration facilities

Press release

Airbus’ Friedrichshafen site has opened Europe’s most state-of-the-art satellite integration and space technology centre, known as the Integrated Technology Centre (ITC). The ITC, which triples the area of clean room space to 4,200 m², is dedicated to building satellites, probes, space instruments and experimental technologies. The centre took only two years to build at a total cost of approximately €45 million.

“Airbus’s significant investment in this building also represents an investment in the future – both for the Airbus site at Lake Constance and for Baden-Wuerttemberg as an aerospace location. When it comes to space technology, we are now a step ahead of the rest of Germany – in terms of science and research, development and technology, and enthusiasm for the aerospace industry,” said Baden-Wuerttemberg’s Minister-President, Winfried Kretschmann. “With this technology centre, Airbus has shown it has the courage to take the leap into a new age of even better satellites, and this includes those intended for scientific purposes. Satellites can, for instance, document changes in sea levels and detect even small sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Satellites of this nature are helping to expand the basic scientific knowledge needed to combat climate change.”

“Space flight has undergone huge positive development over the past few years. In addition to scientific missions to explore our solar system and investigate fundamental physical laws, we as a space company are meeting a swiftly increasing demand for high-performance, ultra-reliable Earth observation, meteorological and navigation satellites,” said Nicolas Chamussy, Head of Airbus Space Systems. “Thanks to the new satellite hub, production at Airbus’s Friedrichshafen site is optimally positioned in terms of both quality and quantity compared with our competitors.”

With dimensions of 70 x 60 metres and a ceiling height of up to 18.50 metres, the building was designed to expand the current satellite integration hall. The new ‘dual’ complex enables projects to be executed more efficiently and economically and, thanks to cutting-edge technology and its new size, also offers new possibilities for developing future space projects, such as large space telescopes.

The centrepiece of the ITC is its large clean room. The final integration of the satellites takes place under clean room conditions of various ‘cleanliness classes’ (from ISO 8 to ISO 5) in facilities totalling approximately 2,100 m², of which 400 m² are dedicated to ISO 5. Extensive air conditioning and filter systems circulate an air volume of 900,000 m³ up to 60 times an hour, which not only ensures the required levels of cleanliness but also a consistently elevated air pressure, in addition to controlling humidity and temperature.

Four seismic blocks, each weighing 150 tonnes, ‘decouple’ special integration tables from the building and ensure a completely vibration-free environment for the installation of optical instruments. A computer-controlled fan and filter matrix on the south side of the clean room generates air-flow profiles that can be adjusted to the occupancy of the room. This concept allows different clean room classes to be created in a single hall with no disruptive partitions or curtains.

In the adjacent check-out rooms, technicians can conduct a broad array of electrical function tests without having to enter the clean room area. All computer systems are housed in their own air-conditioned, noise-insulated racks.

The two wings of the ITC provide a further 1,100 m² of integration and laboratory space for component manufacturing and technical areas. The first floor of the building’s west wing houses a conference zone and a multifunctional showroom and information space, whose large panoramic windows provide a unique view of the flight hardware production process.

Four Sentinel satellites for the European environment and security programme ‘Copernicus’, the joint European-Japanese EarthCARE Earth observation satellites and two 12.30-metre-long planar radar antennas are the first projects to move into the new centre. The integration work for JUICE, a mission to the icy moons of Jupiter (set to launch in 2022), is also expected to start within the next six months.

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Bell to develop game-changing technologies for the future of Quebec’s aerospace sector.

press release

• Government of Quebec Supports Bell Project 
• Bell to develop innovative and game-changing technologies for the future of Quebec’s aerospace sector.

On Friday, February 22, the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière Region, Pierre Fitzgibbon, announced that phase 3 of the SA2GE project will encompass four promising projects. Totalling $50M (including $25M in subsidies), phase 3 of the SA2GE project will continue until March 31, 2021.





The four promising projects of this third phase include:







The Propulsion for safe, silent, eco-friendly and efficient urban operations (POUSSÉE) project, led by Bell, which aims to develop technologies that will improve the propulsion power and energy efficiency of vertical-lift vehicles, and at the same time reduce their weight and external noise;







The Smart, eco-friendly wing (AILE) project, led by Bombardier, which aims to develop technologies that will integrate new multipurpose wing concepts to business and commercial aircraft so as to optimize aircraft aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption;







The Integrated Modular Avionics for low-impact air navigation (ÉcoNav-3) project, led by CMC Electronics, which aims to develop new navigation technologies that will reduce the ecological footprint of air transport by optimizing flight plans in particular;







The Highly reliable compact photonic modules for airborne communication and navigation systems project, led by SME TeraXion, which aims to develop optical photonic technologies for aircraft systems with a view to replacing larger, heavier systems with greener, high-performance optical circuits.







SA2GE’s goal is to develop innovative and game-changing technologies for the future of Quebec’s aerospace sector with a view to mobilizing Quebec’s SMEs, universities and research centres and reducing the sector’s environmental footprint.

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Cessna Citations lead the industry in 2018 deliveries; Citation Latitude recognized as most delivered midsize business jet

press release




Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron, Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that its Citation aircraft were the most-delivered business jets of 2018 according to the annual shipment and billings report published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Textron Aviation delivered 188 business jets – including 57 Cessna Citation Latitude aircraft – winning the midsize segment for the third consecutive year and outselling its closest competitor four to one.

“Leading business jet deliveries in 2018 is a continued testament to the trust our valued customers place in the Citation family,” said Rob Scholl, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “We’re honored to see that customers and operators have responded by making the Latitude their midsize platform of choice for three years running.”

Recognized for its mission flexibility and low operating costs, the Citation Latitude has grown in popularity with operators worldwide. In 2018, the midsize jet earned certification in Australia and China and today, the aircraft is certified in 43 countries. The worldwide fleet has amassed more than 150,000 flight hours since entering service in 2015.

The jet’s class-leading takeoff field length of 3,580 feet provides greater access to airfields usually reserved for smaller aircraft, allowing operators to land closer to their final destinations. Inside, the Latitude’s flat floor cabin delivers a new level of comfort to the midsize segment, and features like Bluetooth connectivity and a custom wireless cabin management system give passengers cabin control from their personal devices.

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Bombardier’s New European Mobile Response Team Aircraft Enters into Service

press release

• Dedicated Challenger 300 aircraft boosts mobile response capability in Europe and supplements shipping from Frankfurt parts distribution hub
• Additional mobile response aircraft continues worldwide Customer Experience growth to further enhance product support and services  
• Challenger 300 mobile response aircraft will provide thorough coverage and skilled OEM support throughout Europe and the Middle East
• Newly entered-into-service Global 7500 business jet operators to benefit from increased mobile response capability

Bombardier today announced the latest addition to its expanding service and support network – a dedicated Mobile Response Team (MRT) aircraft, based in Frankfurt, Germany. The Challenger 300 aircraft marked its entry-into-service by successfully completing its first mission, providing a European customer with efficient unscheduled maintenance support.

The strategically located Challenger 300 aircraft will deftly supplement the shipping of parts from Bombardier’s main European parts distribution hub at Frankfurt International Airport. Its 3,065-NM (5,646-km) range and impressive Mach 0.83 top speed capability will enhance the MRT’s reach and response times to a fleet size of more than 700 aircraft in Europe and the Middle East.

“With this investment, we are adding expertise and increasing accessibility to OEM support for our European operators and paving the way for the industry’s largest and longest-range business jet – our flagship Global 7500 aircraft – which is now in service,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice-President and General Manager, Customer Experience, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The addition of a dedicated Challenger 300 aircraft will augment the worldwide efforts of our MRT, already ranked as one of the most comprehensive onsite, mobile and aircraft-on-ground resolution services in the industry.”

Bombardier Customer Support in Europe: There are a total of seven Bombardier line maintenance stations in Europe located in Luton, UK, Linz, Austria, Paris, Nice and Cannes in France, and Milan and Olbia in Italy. They complement the tip-to-tail heavy maintenance services provided by Bombardier’s newest wholly-owned service centre at London Biggin Hill Airport in the UK and jointly owned Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services in Berlin. Bombardier operators also have access to 12 Authorized Service Facilities in the region.

Bombardier Worldwide Mobile Response Services: In recent months, Bombardier has expanded its customer response capability significantly. Five new Mobile Response Team trucks have been deployed, bringing the current worldwide total to 30. The Challenger 300 aircraft in Frankfurt joins a dedicated Learjet 45 aircraft in Chicago, along with two maintenance control centres (MCCs) in Linz, Austria and Wichita, Kansas. The new MCCs work in conjunction with Bombardier’s Customer Response Centre, which operates 24/7 to streamline customer requests and optimize maintenance support.

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Bombardier to Invest $22 Million into Two Major Aerospace Research Projects in Québec

press release





Bombardier announced Feb 22nd that it will invest a total of approximately $22 million CAD over a three-year period into two major aerospace research projects: Aéro21 and the third phase of the SA²GE project. Both projects will bring together large aerospace companies, SMEs, as well as local universities and research centres.

“Through this strong alliance between industry, government and researcher partners, we are proud to not only push the limits of technology and build greener, more efficient aircraft, but to also increase the competitiveness of the Québec aerospace industry,” said François Caza, Chief Technology Officer, Bombardier Inc.

Aéro21 aims to facilitate the implementation of 21st century technologies in the Québec aerospace sector and is expected to generate $65 million CAD of investments over three years. 24 companies will be providing 75% of the funds for Aéro21, including $18.75 million CAD from Bombardier, and the Government of Québec will be investing the remaining 25%. Bombardier’s participation will focus on expanding the use of computerized models to test various aircraft systems and components from the design phase through certification, in an effort to bring new aerospace products to market at a faster pace and reduce development costs.

SA²GE (Smart Affordable Green Efficient) was first launched in 2010 and is dedicated to developing smarter, more efficient and effective technologies, while reducing the environmental footprint of the aerospace industry. Four subprojects were selected for the third phase of SA²GE, including one called AILE (Aile intelligente et légère pour l’environnement), which was proposed by Bombardier along with four other industry partners. The focus of this subproject is to develop multifunctional wings for business and commercial aircraft that will optimize aerodynamics and weight to reduce cost and fuel consumption. Bombardier plans to invest $3.6 million CAD in AILE, which will be matched by the Government of Québec.

With these investments, Bombardier reaffirms its leadership in the development of innovative aerospace technologies. The company was recognized as Canada’s top R&D investor by Research Infosource for investing approximately $12 billion CAD over the past six years.

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