Tag: engines (Page 11 of 12)

Alstom Delivers First Coradia Polyvalent Regional Train

August 28, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

27 August 2019 – Alstom has delivered the first five Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains for the cross-border CEVA[1] line to the SNCF Technicentre in Annemasse. Five trains will now be delivered each month until the end of November, with entry into commercial service scheduled for 15 December 2019. Since mid-August, Alstom’s teams have been supporting SNCF in training drivers for these new trains.

A total of 17 trains from Alstom’s Coradia Polyvalent range have been ordered[2] by SNCF, financed entirely by the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, to run on the Léman Express, Europe’s largest cross-border rail network (45 stations, 230 km). The Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains contribute to providing a sustainable alternative to the car for the daily commutes of Greater Geneva’s residents, as well as a better service to the economic and tourist hubs of the entire region. Today, just 16% of the 550,000 daily cross-border trips are made on public transport.

The Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains belong to Alstom’s Coradia range, of which 348 trains have been sold to 9 French regions[3] as part of the contract awarded to Alstom by SNCF in October 2009. The fleet has already covered more than 50 million kilometres in commercial service.

The trains have been adapted to the specific characteristics of the Franco-Swiss cross-border CEVA line: configured in their suburban version, each 72-metre train can carry up to 204 seated passengers at speeds of up to 140 km/h, in accordance with Swiss certification. Designed to ensure cross-border connections with ERTMS technology[4], Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains can run on several types of network voltages[5].

To optimise the fluidity of passenger exchanges and reduce stopping time in stations, the Coradia Polyvalent Léman Express trains are equipped with a full low floor, seven doors on each side, all with bridge plates, and a large reception area on the platforms. Coradia Polyvalent is the first train to comply with the PRM-TSI standard^[6]. The interior offers increased comfort thanks to the seats equipped with individual reading lights and electrical sockets and the spaces dedicated to bicycles and luggage. Large windows and reduced noise levels also improve the quality of the journey.

The manufacturing of Coradia Polyvalent involves more than 4,000 jobs in France at Alstom and its suppliers. Six of Alstom’s 13 sites in France are involved in the project: Reichshoffen for the design and assembly, Ornans for the engines, Le Creusot for the bogies, Tarbes for the traction chains, Villeurbanne for the on-board computerised systems and signalling products, and Saint-Ouen for the design.

[1] Cornavin – Eaux-Vives – Annemasse line

[2] Option exercised in July 2015 for the sum of 160 million euros

[3] Including 10 additional Léman Express trains for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in July 2019 (approximately 70 million euros)

[4] European rail interoperability standard

[5] 25 kV, 1500 V and 15kV for Germany and Switzerland

[6] Technical specifications for interoperability relating to persons with reduced mobility

Air New Zealand Confirms Order for Eight Boeing 787 Jets

May 28, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Air New Zealand Ltd said on Monday it has ordered eight Boeing Co 787-10 Dreamliner jets worth $2.7 billion (2.12 billion pounds) at list prices, to be powered by General Electric Co engines, as part of a drive toward increased efficiency.

New Zealand’s flag carrier also trimmed its earnings outlook citing higher fuel prices, and said problems with Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC engines and a moderation in demand growth have impacted its financial and operational performance.

The new plane order confirmed a Reuters report last week that Boeing had beaten out rival Airbus SE, which had proposed the A350 for the hotly contested deal.

The airline, which has Rolls-Royce engines on its existing fleet of 13 787s, announced it had switched to GE engines for the new order.

The 787s will replace eight older 777-200ERs and leave the carrier with an all-Boeing wide-body fleet as well as Airbus A320 family jets for shorter flights.

The order comprises eight long-range 787-10s, with the agreement including an option to increase the number of aircraft to 20.

The deal also gives the airline, which has previously mentioned a goal of flying Auckland-New York non-stop, the option to switch some aircraft to the longer range 787-9s.

“With the 787-10 offering almost 15 percent more space for customers and cargo than the 787-9, this investment creates the platform for our future strategic direction and opens up new opportunities to grow,” Air New Zealand Chief Executive Christopher Luxon said in a statement.

The eight jets will enter the Air New Zealand fleet between 2022 and 2027, the airline said.

“The 787-10 has 95 percent commonality with Air New Zealand’s existing fleet of 787-9s and will provide the airline with added benefits in terms of capacity and overall operations,” Vice President of Boeing Commercial Sales and Marketing for Asia Pacific Christy Reese said.

The 787-10 is the largest member of Boeing’s Dreamliner series, and can serve up to 330 passengers in a standard two-class configuration, about 40 more than the 787-9 airplane.

The airline said the 787 was 25 percent more fuel efficient than the jets it is replacing, and noted that carriers typically receive large discounts on the list price of jets.

HEADWIND

In a separate announcement, Air New Zealand trimmed its 2019 earnings before taxation, saying it now expects to beat NZ$340 million ($223 million). That compared with a forecast range of NZ$340 million to NZ$400 million announced in late March.

The change was due to an additional NZ$25 million headwind from increased jet fuel prices, the company said.

The airline also said Rolls-Royce engine issues – in which components prematurely fail or needed extra checks – impacted 2,500 flights and led to 150 cancellations, affecting its financial performance.

Air New Zealand in March launched a two-year cost reduction programme and said it would defer spending on aircraft by about NZ$750 million ($491 million) as part of a business review.

In February, Air New Zealand slashed domestic fares by as much as 50 percent in a shake-up of its pricing structure in response to the slackening travel market.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon in Wellington, Aditya Soni in Bengaluru and Jamie Freed in Singapore; Editing Richard Pullin and Christopher Cushing)

Air Lease Announces Delivery of A350-900 to Sichuan Airlines

May 21, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL; “ALC”) announced the delivery of one new Airbus A350-900 aircraft on long-term lease to Sichuan Airlines. Featuring Trent XWB-84 engines, this A350-900 is the first ALC A350-900 to deliver to an airline in China. The aircraft is from ALC’s order book with Airbus and joins eight Airbus aircraft currently on lease from ALC to Sichuan Airlines for a total of nine aircraft.

“Sichuan Airlines is a loyal long-term customer of ALC and we are pleased to be leasing our new A350-900 to the airline,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “This significant delivery further strengthens our close relationship and we are confident this new widebody aircraft will complement the airline’s current fleet operations, adding technological and innovative advancements that will bring a whole new experience to Sichuan’s offerings.”

“We are very pleased to announce this new A350-900 delivery to our distinguished customer, Sichuan Airlines,” said Jie Chen, Air Lease Corporation’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Asia. “ALC is proud to introduce the airline to the A350-900 and pioneer modernizing the airline’s long-haul fleet to maximize Sichuan Airlines’ fleet operations and global growth.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Piaggio Invites Submissions for Expression of Interest (EOI)

May 8, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Commissioner Vincenzo Nicastro: “We want to begin exploring the demand in the market to better understand those who are currently potentially interested”.

The Extraordinary Commissioner of Piaggio Aerospace, Vincenzo Nicastro, wants to implement an initial analysis in order to evaluate the market’s interest in buying the company or one of its business units (Aircraft and Engines) or to conduct a reorganization, in accordance with the “Marzano Law”.

Piaggio Aerospace (in Extraordinary Receivership since last December) published today a paid notice in a selected number of financial newspapers after authorization from the Ministry of Economic Development. A copy of the announcement can be found at www.piaggioaeroas.it, where a short presentation of the company is also available.

“The goal of this action,” declares Nicastro, “is to better understand who the interested candidates are as a way to evaluate their characteristics in order to maintain business continuity for Piaggio Aerospace, thus moving forward with subsequent initiatives according to the law”.

In particular, the Aircraft business unit focuses on the design, construction and maintenance of civil and military aircraft, along with customer service activities. The Engine business unit revolves around the design, construction and maintenance of aero-engines.

During a meeting held in Rome on April 24, 2019, the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Defence agreed on a plan to support Piaggio Aerospace business activities.

The Italian Government indicates the goal on Piaggio Aerospace to conduct all engine maintenance out of one single hub, confirming Piaggio Aerospace as a reliable partner in this specific field. The plan also foresees new contracts for the engine maintenance with a ten-year plan; a contract for the retrofitting of nineteen P.180-Avanti operated by various Italian Institutions and the purchase of ten new P.180-Avanti.

Finally, the plan also includes the completion of the P.1HH HammerHead (the Unmanned Aerial System) certification process, along with the subsequent acquisition of two systems and the development of further technology to support Piaggio Aerospace to compete in the international market arena. Each system is made out of a Ground Control Station and two aircraft. More systems would be acquired in the medium- term.

All EOI, which are non-binding, should be sent (in English or Italian) to the Extraordinary Commissioner by 6 pm CEST on Wednesday, May, 15, 2019 via email at piaggioaeroamministrazionestraordinaria2@pec.piaggioaero.it.

Air Lease Places Two New Airbus A321neo’s With Air Macau

December 5, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL; “ALC”) announced a long-term lease agreement for two new Airbus A321neo aircraft with Air Macau. Featuring Pratt & Whitney PW1133G engines, the aircraft will deliver from ALC’s order book with Airbus in November 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

“ALC has worked closely with Air Macau’s management team since 2010 and we are pleased to strengthen our long-standing relationship with the airline with this announcement today,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “We are committed to providing the most modern, fuel-efficient aircraft to ALC customers and these two new A321neo aircraft will significantly enhance Air Macau’s fleet operations.”

“We are honored to announce the placement of these two new A321neo aircraft with Air Macau today,” said Jie Chen, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Asia of Air Lease Corporation. “ALC values our relationship with the airline and these two new placements contribute to our long-term association.”

“Air Macau is thrilled to announce the placement of these two new A321neo aircraft with ALC,” said Chen Hong, Chief Executive Officer of Air Macau. “We are focused on continually enhancing and modernizing our fleet with the very best aircraft available, and these two new A321neo from ALC are key to optimizing our fleet development.”

Forward-Looking Statements

About Air Lease Corporation (AL)

ALC is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. For more information, visit ALC’s website at www.airleasecorp.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181205005223/en/

Airbus, Dassault Finalizing Bid On New Fighter Jet

November 16, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

BERLIN (Reuters) – Airbus (AIR.PA) and France’s Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA) will shortly submit an unsolicited proposal for initial conceptual work on a next-generation fighter jet to German and French officials, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The two companies agreed in principle in April to work together on an ambitious Franco-German program to design a new warplane, but are anxious to get some early funding so they can start work on new technologies required for the multi-billion project – with a goal of fielding a new aircraft around 2040.

Germany and France signed a memorandum of understanding about the project in April, but progress has been halting amid disputes between the governments about future exports, and among industry about how to divvy up work on a system to integrate the new jet with drones and other weapons.

One source familiar with the matter said the two companies could submit their proposal by the end of the year or early next year, paving the way for the first contract awards next year.

One French military official told the International Fighter conference in Berlin this week that the two governments hoped to conclude an initial contract in January.

Peter Harster, senior executive with MTU Aero Engines (MTXGn.DE), said the study contract was needed, along with a medium-term budget plan, to help set a realistic timetable and key requirements to ensure the new jet would be ready by 2040.

Harster also called for a separate contract for work on an engine for the new jet to enable optimal flexibility and give the customers direct control over the propulsion system.

Bruno Fichefeux, head of future combat air systems at Airbus, told the conference he expected conceptual work on the program to begin soon, “bilaterally or with Spain.”

A Spanish official told the conference his country was in discussions with both the Dassault-Airbus team, and a separate project being led by Britain’s BAE Systems (BAES.L) to secure a role on one of the projects. A French military official said the two projects could also be merged at a future date.

Douglas Barrie, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said government and industry ties would likely shift again, as in the 1970s and 1980s during work that ultimately led to the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault’s Rafale.

“We’re at the start of that process again now. And I don’t think it will take a decade to shake out, but it will take some time,” he said. “I think shifts are inevitable.”

Senior executives from Airbus and other companies discussed the next generation fighter with German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen at a meeting hosted last week by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), the sources said.

BDLI declined to comment on the meeting. No comment was immediately available from the defense ministry.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Mark Potter)

Image from http://www.dassault-aviation.com

Unraveling The Boeing 737 MAX Lion Air Crash

November 15, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

(Reuters) – The crash of a Boeing Co 737 MAX jet in Indonesia on Oct. 29 has raised questions on whether the manufacturer shared enough information with regulators, airlines and pilots about the systems on the latest version of its popular narrow-body plane.

The jet operated by budget carrier Lion Air crashed into the Java Sea shortly after take-off from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board.

WHAT IS NEW ON THE 737 MAX?

The most hyped features of the 737 MAX compared with its predecessor, the 737NG, are more fuel-efficient engines.

But as a result of the larger engines, which are placed higher and further forward of the wing, the jet’s balance changed. To address that, Boeing put in place more anti-stall protections, Leeham Co analyst Bjorn Fehrm said in an online post.

An automated protection system called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) kicks in when the angle of attack is too high, when the plane’s nose is too elevated, threatening a stall.

WHAT IS ‘ANGLE OF ATTACK’?

On paper, it measures the angle between the air flow and the wing. But it is so fundamental to flight that historians say the only instrument on the Wright Brothers’ first aircraft was a piece of yarn designed to measure it.

If the angle of attack is too high, the airflow over the wing is disturbed, throwing the plane into an aerodynamic stall.

One of two angle of attack sensors on the Lion Air jet was faulty, according to Indonesian investigators.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week warned airlines that erroneous inputs from those sensors could lead the jet automatically to pitch its nose down even when autopilot is turned off, making it difficult for pilots to control.

WHICH AIRLINES OPERATE THE 737 MAX?

Boeing has delivered 241 of the jets to customers since it entered service last year, according to its website.

Major operators include Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Norwegian, Lion Air, Air Canada, China Southern, China Eastern and flydubai.

Another 4,542 have been ordered but not yet delivered.

WHAT DID AIRLINES AND PILOTS KNOW ABOUT THE SYSTEM?

Lion Air’s flight manual did not contain information about the new anti-stall system, according to investigators and an airplane flight manual seen by Reuters. U.S. pilots were also not made aware in training courses, pilot unions say.

American Airlines said it was “unaware” of some of the functionality of the MCAS system. [L4N1XQ23Q]

Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg told Fox Business Network on Tuesday that Boeing provides “all of the information that’s needed to safely fly our airplanes”.

HOW WOULD A PILOT SHUT OFF THE SYSTEM?

Pilots can stop the automated response by pressing two buttons if the system behaves unexpectedly, the FAA says.

That action is set out in a checklist used by Lion Air pilots for in-air troubleshooting, an instructor said. It is also required to be committed to memory by pilots.

Pilots on a flight from Jakarta to Bali the day before the crash experienced a similar sensor issue but managed to land safely by turning off the system, the New York Times reported.

HOW WAS THE SYSTEM APPROVED?

The FAA holds the main responsibility for certifying Boeing jets and training programs for pilots, but local regulators also issue approvals for airlines based in their countries.

An unresolved question is how Boeing measured the system’s reliability and on what basis the FAA certified it as safe.

HOW ARE PILOTS TRAINED?

An FAA document on training requirements for 737 MAX pilots transitioning from the older 737NG has no reference to the new anti-stall system.

Lion Air says it followed a training regime approved by U.S. and European regulators. The training was restricted to three hours of computer-based training and a familiarization flight.

However, Brazil’s regulator told Reuters that it had required specific training for pilots on the anti-stall system.

WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE CRASH?

Boeing last week issued a bulletin to airlines reiterating existing procedures and advising them to add information on the anti-stall system to flight manuals, which was quickly followed by an FAA directive making that mandatory.

The FAA and Boeing are studying the need for software changes, as well as revisions to training and operating procedures on the 737 MAX, the regulator said.

WHEN WILL THE FIRST REPORT ON THE CRASH BE RELEASED?

A preliminary report will be released on Nov. 28 or 29, according to Indonesian investigators. However, divers have yet to locate the airline’s cockpit voice recorder, which would shed light on pilot interactions that are important for gaining a fuller picture of the circumstances of the crash.

(Reporting by Jamie Freed in Singapore, Tim Hepher in Paris, David Shepardson in Washington, Eric M. Johnson in Seattle, Tracy Rucinski in Chicago and Marcelo Rochabrun in Sao Paolo; Editing by Dan Grebler)

Image from www.boeing.com

Aviation Segment To Fuel GE’s Growth

November 13, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

The Aviation segment has been one of General Electric’s (GE) best-performing units in recent quarters. In the third quarter, the vertical’s revenue jumped 12% to $7.5 billion from $6.7 billion in the previous year’s quarter. However, the segment’s revenue fell slightly short of analysts’ estimate of $7.6 billion.

Aviation revenue accounted for 25% of GE’s total revenue in the third quarter compared to 24% in the previous year’s quarter. The segment’s orders in the third quarter totaled $9.1 billion, up 35% YoY.

Click the link below for the full story!

Aviation Segment To Fuel GE’s Growth

Image from www.ge.com

First A330-800 Takes To The Skies Over Toulouse, France

November 6, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, 06 November 2018 – The first A330-800 took off this morning at Blagnac in Toulouse, France at 10:31am local time, for its maiden flight taking place over south-western France. The aircraft, MSN1888, will perform the dedicated flight-physics tests required for this variant.

The crew in the cockpit comprise: Experimental Test Pilots Malcolm RIDLEY and François BARRE and Test-Flight Engineer Ludovic GIRARD. Meanwhile, monitoring the aircraft systems and performance in real-time at the flight-test-engineer’s (FTE) station are Catherine SCHNEIDER and Jose CORUGEDO BERMEJO. The A330-800’s certification development programme itself will last around 300 flight-test hours, paving the way for certification in 2019. Its sibling, the larger A330-900 family member, recently completed its development testing and certification programme which validated the A330neo Family’s common engines, systems, cabin and flight & ground operations.

Launched in July 2014, the latest generation of Airbus’ widebody family, the A330neo builds on the A330ceo’s proven economics, versatility and reliability while reducing fuel consumption by a further 14 per cent per seat. The NEO’s two versions – the A330-800 and A330-900 – will accommodate 257 and 287 passengers respectively in a three-class seating layout, are powered by the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, offer new “Airspace” cabin amenities and feature a new larger span wing with Sharklet wingtip devices.

The A330 is one of the most popular widebody families ever, having received over 1,700 orders from 120 customers. More than 1,400 A330s are flying with over 120 operators worldwide. The A330neo is the latest addition to the leading Airbus widebody family, which also includes the A350 XWB and the A380, all featuring unmatched space and comfort combined with unprecedented efficiency levels and unrivalled range capability.

#A330neoFF

Story and image from www.airbus.com

Honeywell Profit Beats On Strong Aero & Automation Sales

October 19, 2018 / WIL BALDWIN

(Reuters) – Honeywell International Inc (HON.N) beat expectations for third-quarter profit on Friday and lifted its full-year forecasts for cash flow and margins as it rode a boom in e-commerce driven warehouse investment and aircraft production.

Shares of Honeywell, which makes everything from aircraft engines to catalysts used in petroleum refining, were up 2.5 percent at $159 in premarket trading.

Honeywell has benefited from a rise in global travel that has driven record orders for jets, leading to robust demand for its avionics, braking systems and other aircraft parts.

Recovering demand for business jets, for which the company makes engines, thanks to a tax windfall handed to Corporate America by President Donald Trump in January, has also helped the company.

Sales at the aviation unit, the company’s biggest business, rose 10 percent to $4.03 billion. Margins expanded by 80 basis points to 22.1 percent in the third quarter ended Sept. 30.

Honeywell’s results come a day after Cessna jet maker Textron (TXT.N), one of its customers, reported a 12.5 percent growth in its backlog at $1.8 billion, citing an improving business jet market.

The company has also taken advantage of a boom in e-commerce as it supplies warehouse automation equipment and software to customers such as Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O).

Sales in safety and productivity solutions unit, which houses the warehouse automation business, climbed 11 percent to $1.58 billion, while margins jumped 150 basis points to 16.6 percent.

Excluding items, Honeywell earned $2.03 per share, beating analysts’ average estimate of $1.99 per share, according to Refinitiv data.

The company’s revenue rose 6.3 percent to $10.76 billion, topping the consensus of $10.75 billion.

Honeywell increased the low end of its 2018 adjusted free cash flow to $5.8 billion from $5.6 billion, while keeping the top end unchanged at $6.2 billion.

The company now expects full-year margins to rise 19.5-19-6 percent, up from 19.4-19.6 percent. Excluding the impact of divestitures, Honeywell said its full-year earnings will be in a range of $7.95 to $8.00 per share.

(Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)

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