Air News On The Success Of The First Test Flight For Gulfstream 650 & World Air news Round Up On Airlines Development & New Routes Expansion

Air News On The Success Of The First Test Flight For Gulfstream 650 & World Air news Round Up On Airlines Development & New Routes Expansion

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. test pilots and flight-test engineers recently made business-aviation history when they flew the Gulfstream G650 flight-test aircraft for the first time using only an electrically powered ,fly-by-wire backup flight-control actuation system.

Gulfstream Serial Number (S/N) 6001 flew for a total of three hours and 33 minutes.

Test pilots Jake Howard and Gary Freeman along with flight-test engineers Bill Osborne and Nathaniel Rutland, evaluated the fly-by-wire system in electric backup actuation mode for two hours and 20 minutes of the flight, performing five landings with the backup system engaged.

"The system performed flawlessly," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programmes, engineering and test at Gulfstream."There was no difference in handling qualities between the electrically and hydraulically powered modes."

"It flew so well that unless pilots were told they were in backup actuation mode, I don't think they would notice," said test pilot Freeman.

Typically, fly-by-wire uses a third hydraulic system to provide redundancy in the event of a dual hydraulic system failure.

However, Gulfstream's fly-by-wire architecture uses electric backup hydraulic actuators (EBHA)- electrically-controlled actuators that are primarily hydraulically powered but offer electric power as aback up.

A self-contained hydraulic reservoir and motor pump allow full operation should hydraulic loss occur.

The G650 has an EBHA at every primary control surface (elevator, rudder and aileron) as well as the outboard spoiler. These provide enhanced safety and aircraft availability because of the two different power sources.

The self-contained actuators also offer an advantage following extremely rare failure scenarios, such as a rotor burst.

The historic G650 test flight began with evaluating the electric backup-mode handling qualities in one axis and then progressed to full evaluations in all axes (pitch, roll and yaw).

The test conditions consisted of all flap settings at 10000 feet for speeds ranging from 1, 13 reference stall speed (VSR) to maximum flap extended speed (VFE).

Cruise configurations were evaluated at FL280, FL350 and FL450 and the full speed spectrum. The pilots also initiated an emergency descent profile from FL450 to FL250.

Additionally, they evaluated handling qualities in the landing configuration by making multiple offset approaches at Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, in Brunswick,Ga.

World Air News Round Up

AOPA World Conference For SA

Pretoria-Following his recent visit to South Africa, the secretary-general of the International Council of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (IAOPA), John Sheehan, has announced that the 2012 World Assembly is to be held in the country.

Sheehan joined AOPA SA chairman, Dr Koos Marais, for a visit to Sun City before leaving for Cape Town where he was met by AOPA-SA' secretary/treasure, Peter Blaine, for an inspection tour of the Cape Peninsular.

During his visit, Sheehan stressed the importance of the World Assembly .IAOPA has a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization council and, as such, acts as watchdog and custodian of the interests of general aviation.

South Africa, one of the five founding states of the IAOPA in 1962, last hosted the World Assembly in 1992. Details as to the exact timing and venue for the conference had not been announced by the time of going to press.

Relief Flight

Seattle-For the second time in less than two months, Ethiopian Airlines and Seattle Anesthesia Outreach recently partnered to deliver medical equipment to the Black Lion Hospital, Ethiopia's largest hospital.

Approximately 1, 2 metric tones of medical supplies were loaded into the cargo hold of a new Boeing 777-200LR delivered to Ethiopia Airlines. The supplies proved vital when 28 Seattle doctors, nurses and technicians traveled to Ethiopia recently as part of ongoing humanitarian support to that region.

COMAIR Bids Farewell

Johannesburg-Comair bade farewell recently to its fleet of Boeing 737-20s that was instrumental in company's launch into the mainstream airline business 15 years ago.

The Boeing 737-200 fleet flew across the kulula.com and British Airways liveries, logged more than 200000 flying hours and has carried over 15-million passengers.

Fuel Surcharge Increase

Johannesburg-South Africa Airways (SAA) has introduced an increase in the fuel surcharges ranging between US$ and $30 per leg/sector on most of SAAs routes in both economy and business class cabins.

In its domestic market, the surcharge increases by $5 per sector and in some of the international routes, by up to $30.

Milestone 767

Everett, Wash- Boeing marked a proud moment in the company's history recently at a ceremonial rollout of the 1000th 767 aircraft.

The milestone aircraft is a 767-300ER passenger model for ANA (All Nippon Airways) and was the final 767 to complete assembly on the current production line.

Super Galaxy

Marietta, Ga.- the fifth Lockheed Martin C-5 has been inducted into the reliability enhancement and re-engine programme(RERP) to be transformed into what the company claims to be the worlds most capable strategic airlifter, the C-5M Super Galaxy.

With more than 70 improvements, the Super Galaxy has set 42 world aviation records and is claimed to be America's premier global direct delivery weapon system.

MOU Signed

Addis Ababa-The African Union Commission (AUC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

The MoU is the result of special and essential relationship that has developed over the years and for which both sides have committed to ensuring its furtherance and effectiveness.

New India GA Aircraft

New Delhi-Mahindra Aerospace's new five-seat general aviation aircraft, India's first indigenous GA aircraft, made its maiden flight last month.

The NM5-100 will sell for "20 percent less than similar aircraft from Cessna."

The company has been working for several years in partnership with Indias National Aerospace Laboratories to design the aircraft, which is expected to meet FAR Part 23 standards. A larger version of the aircraft also is in the works, which will seat 8 to 10.

Piper Drops The Piper sport

Miami-Piper Aircraft has announced that it will no longer be marketing the Piper Sport LSA, citing "differences in business philosophies," with Czech Republic-based Czech Sport Aircraft (CSA), the Piper Sports manufacturer.

The two companies had worked together for roughly one year in an arrangement that had Piper brand a version of CZAs Sport Cruiser light sport aircraft as the PiperSport.Piper had created a stand-alone distributor network to market the aircraft, but now says its long term interests are best served without ties to CSA.

Dissolution of the arrangement had nothing to do with the aircraft itself, Piper said.

Profits Return

Dallas-Growing demand fore helicopters has helped Textron swing to a fourth-quarter(2010) profit of $60-million,reversing a $63-million loss in the year earlier period.

Profit jumped $54-million in the company's Bell helicopter unit.

Meanwhile, Cessna saw a $105-million revenue increase, though earnings declined by $5-million due to low production levels.

For 2011, Textron forecasts sharply higher earnings of $1 to $1, 15 per share.

Confidence Vote

London-Rolls-Royce won a key vote of confidence last month when British Airways announced a multibillion dollar order for Trent 900 engines for its Airbus A380 aircraft.

Bas order was the first since a Trent 900 engine suffered a midair blowout last November, forcing the emergency landing of a Qantas A380.

SA ATNS Fees Published

Johannesburg-The new Air Traffic and Navigation Services' fees which will become effective in South Africa as from April 1, were published recently in the Government Gazette.

These fees represent an increase of approximately 22, 5% when compared with the earlier fee level which came into effect in April 2011.

The fees for aircraft under 5000 kilograms remain zero rated except for aircraft utilizing OR Tambo International Airport.

Airbus Price Increase

Toulouse-Airbus has increased the average list price of its aircraft by 4, 4%.

The increment applies for all new aircraft from the beginning of January 2011, apart from the A380, for which the increase is 8,4%.

The 4, 4% increment has been calculated according to the Airbus standard escalation formula over the January 2010 to January 2011 period. Meanwhile, the A380s additional price adjustment reflects the type's outstanding revenue generating performance now being demonstrated in airline service.

In its 40 year history, Airbus has sold more than 10000 aircraft and delivered over 6500 since its first airliner entered service in 1974.

SAA was the first African airline to introduce Airbus aircraft in 1975.

Aviation Conference

London- The second annual European Corporate Aviation Summit (ECAS) will take place on September 8 and 9, 2011, at the Swedish Air Force Museum, in Linkoping, Sweden.

The international event will provide the platform for high level debate, exchange of ideas and information as well as extensive networking opportunities for senior executives from Europe and the rest of the world.

Big Business jet Sale

Montreal-Bombardier Aerospace has announced the receipt of firm orders from an undisclosed customer for two Challenger and six Global jets.

The transaction is valued at approximately US$383-million based on the 2010 list price for typically equipped aircraft.

Egypt Air Named As Service Centre

Sao Jose dos Campos-Embraer has reinforced its partnership with Egypt Air by signing a five-year agreement with Egypt Air Maintenance and Engineering, which has become an authorized service centre for the Embraer 170/190 family.

Based in Cairo, the airline is already an Embraer Flight Hour Pool programme customer, and now the group's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company joins the Embraer aircraft services network.

Ethiopian Gets New Board

Addis Ababa-Ethiopian Prime Minister ,Meles Zenawi,has appointed new Board of Directors for Ethiopian Airlines, the national flag carrier which is 100% owned by the government.

Addisu Legese, former minister of agriculture and rural development and deputy Prime Minister, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the board. Legese replaces Syoum Mesfin, former minister for foreign affairs, who served as board chairman of Ethiopian for the past ten years.Mesfin has now been appointed as Ethiopian ambassador to China.

Nine other new board member were appointed .Sinkenesk Ejigu, minister of mines, is among them.

Non-Stop NY Service

Johannesburg-South African Airways is to introduce non-stop services between Johannesburg and New York with effect from May 1.

The reduced travel time result in fast and efficient connections to several key US destinations such as Boston, Chicago, Florida, California, as well as Canada and the Caribbean.

AJW Expands

London-A J Walter Aviation, a leading independent aircraft spares support specialist, is expanding its commercial jet engine management business by combining its service and commercial expertise in component leasing and contracted support with anew in-house resource providing technical excellence in the engine sector.

The AJW engine portfolio will offer integrated management solutions comprising engineering services, aircraft engines for lease and quality overhauled condition engine parts to help operators to minimize engine maintenance costs.

New Route Opened

Kigali- RwandAir, the national carrier of Rwanda, launched direct flights from its operating hub Kigali to Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo, from the beginning of this month. The new route is being served with three weekly flights.

Appointments

Toulouse-Gunter Butschek has been appointed as Airbus' executive vice president operations as from the beginning of this month.

He is now a member of the Airbus executive committee and replaces Gerald Weber, who has left Airbus after successfully completing his missions.

Butschek is also chairman of the Board of Management of Airbus in Germany.

Paris- Stephane Chery has joined Euro copter to head the group's international media relations and reports directly to Cecile Vion-Lanctuit, who was appointed vice president of corporate communications in May 2010.

Chery, 37, was formerly a partner at Publicis Consultants. He joined the agency in May 2005 and, among other responsibilities, managed its change communication and pres relations teams.

Over the last few years he has directed numerous media campaigns for clients.

Geneva-Our correspondence in Switzerland reports that a Pilatus Business Aircraft has appointed Charles Mayer as vice president, marketing.

He will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies, branding initiatives and promotional activities that support Pilatus products and services.

Mayer will also lead marketing communications, market analysis, database management, and the development of customer-driven, product marketing initiatives.

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