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Airbus C295 First Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Platform to Feature Pro Line Fusion™ Avionics from Collins Aerospace

November 16, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

– Features night-vision goggle compatibility, Head-Up Displays and Synthetic Vision for mission success

– Advanced human-machine interface will reduce pilot workload

– Touch-screen capabilities to increase ease of operation

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Airbus’ new C295 tactical aircraft will come equipped with Collins Aerospace System’s state-of-the-art Pro Line Fusion™ flight deck, significantly advancing the capabilities of C295 operators. The selection marks the first fixed-wing search and rescue platform to include Pro Line Fusion among its standard equipment. Collins Aerospace is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

The Pro Line Fusion flight deck designed for the C295 includes key features to help operators during search and rescue, and other tactical missions, being equipped with:

Four 14.1-inch (35.8 cm) touchscreen displays to provide a more intuitive interface for pilots to interact and customize their information on the flight deck
Night-vision goggle capability to help ensure successful missions in low light conditions
Head-Up Displays that enable the pilot to keep their eyes up for enhanced situational awareness
Enhanced Vision System (EVS) sensor that allows pilots to see through low-visibility conditions
Overlaid weather radar that shows a graphical depiction of weather along the flight plan for easy viewing
Integrated Terrain Awareness and Warning System that enables high-resolution 3D obstacle depiction and enhances mission safety
Fully integrated Mission Flight Management Systems supporting Search and Rescue patterns, Computed Air Release Points and High Altitude Release Points

In addition, the flight deck was designed to meet evolving airspace and regulatory requirements, future-proofing it for years to come.

“This flight deck implementation is a great example of how Collins Aerospace is able to apply the latest commercial avionics technology and integrate it with military functions and capabilities to create the perfect fit for our customers,” said Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager for Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace. “Our Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system will reduce pilot workload and increase ease of operation for all future C295 operators.”

Canada’s Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will serve as the launch customer for the C295 with the first delivery expected before the end of the year.

Saab and Vū Systems Launch Game-changing Enhanced Flight Vision System Solution

October 29, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Saab and Vū Systems are launching a Next Generation Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) solution using new passive millimetre wave (PMMW) technology, enabling pilots to see and land in low-visibility conditions at all times.

The Saab Vū EFVS enables commercial operators to maintain their schedule, while their competitors are forced to delay or cancel flights. It is the first system to provide reliable performance, unlocking access to airports in all weathers, without the need for conventional CATII/III infrastructure. The new Saab Vū EFVS provides the ability for take-off and landing in adverse weather conditions, including zero-visibility environments.

“The new system offers unmatched operational and safety advantages. Being able to take-off and land in low to zero-visibility environments radically reduces costs, increases safety and reduces environmental impact. This benefits pilots, operators and society as a whole. We are proud to be working together with Vū Systems to make this significant innovation commercially available,” says Jan Widerström, head of business unit Avionics Systems, within Saab business area IPS.

Every year, commercial aviation all over the world incurs massive financial losses as a result of delays and cancellations due to low visibility weather. In the USA alone, these additional costs amount to billions of dollars.*

To provide a solution to the impact of weather on U.S. flight operations, new FAA regulations (14 CFR 91.176) now permit landing without natural vision. The new regulations are performance based, meaning the performance of the EFVS sensor is critical to the operational value. The performance of the current EFVS sensors is limited by the atmospheric attenuation in the infrared band.

The Saab Vū EFVS solution is not affected by weather, enabling pilots to achieve Equivalent Visual Operations (EVO) and see runways at distances of two miles and more in zero-visibility conditions.

“This strategic arrangement with Saab means we can supply this revolutionary technology through a qualified supply chain to larger commercial customers, benefiting the aviation industry globally, by enabling them to take off and land when their competitors cannot,” says Stedman Stevens, CEO at Vū Systems.

Through a strategic partnership with Vū Systems, who developed the first commercially available PMMW sensor, Vū Cube, the Saab Vū EFVS exceeds the new regulatory performance goals. This unique solution comprises a new, sophisticated PMMW sensor and software that optimizes the sensor images with IR and synthetic vision, projected on the new Saab Head-Up Display (HUD). It provides pilots with the complete solution and the means necessary to land safely regardless of thick fog, snow, rain, smog, dust, smoke and clouds.

Saab Brazilian Gripen E Completes its First Flight

August 29, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Saab today completed a successful first flight with the first Brazilian Gripen E fighter aircraft, 39-6001. At 2.41 pm CET on August 26, the Gripen E aircraft took off on its maiden flight flown by Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg. The aircraft operated from Saab´s airfield in Linköping, Sweden.

The duration of the flight was 65 minutes and included test points to verify basic handling and flying qualities at different altitudes and speeds. The main purpose was to verify that the aircraft behavior was according to expectations.

“This milestone is a testament to the great partnership between Sweden and Brazil. Less than five years since the contract was signed, the first Brazil Gripen has conducted her first flight,” says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab.

This aircraft is the first Brazilian production aircraft and will be used in the joint test program as a test aircraft. The main differences compared to the previous test aircraft are that 39-6001 has a totally new cockpit layout, with a large Wide Area Display (WAD), two small Head Down Displays (sHDD) and a new Head Up Display (HUD). Another major difference is an updated flight control system with updated control laws for Gripen E. It also includes modifications both in hardware and software.

“For me as a pilot it has been a great honour to fly the first Brazilian Gripen E aircraft as I know how much this means for the Brazilian Air Force and everyone at Saab and our Brazilian partners. The flight was smooth and the aircraft behaved just as we have seen in the rigs and simulators. This was also the first time we flew with the Wide Area Display in the cockpit, and I am happy to say that my expectations were confirmed,” says Saab test pilot Richard Ljungberg.

39-6001 will now join the test programme for further envelope expansion as well as testing of tactical system and sensors.

39-6001 will be designated F-39 in the Brazilian Air Force and will have the tail number 4100.

Watch the video!

New Macau Leader Backed by Beijing

August 25, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

HONG KONG, Aug 25 (Reuters) – The Chinese territory of Macau elected former legislature head Ho Iat Seng as its leader on Sunday – the sole approved candidate.

Ho, who has deep ties to China, is expected to cement Beijing’s control over the special administrative region and distance it from protests in neighbouring Hong Kong.

He secured 392 votes from a 400-member pro-Beijing committee to lead the world’s largest gambling hub for at least the next five years, public broadcaster TDM reported.

The 62-year-old’s highly scripted appointment comes as the former Portuguese colony tries to position itself as a beacon of stability and model for the Chinese government’s “one country, two systems” formula through which Beijing administers Macau and Hong Kong.

Although anti-government protests have roiled the former British colony of Hong Kong for nearly three months, Macau has seen little dissent to Beijing’s rule.

Ho said local youth could resist the influence of Hong Kong’s protesters and support measures to boost patriotism in Macau.

(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

Southwest Airlines Brings Shark Week To The Sky

July 9, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), in partnership with Discovery Channel, launched a campaign bringing the fun of Shark Week to flying fans this summer. The carrier is celebrating Shark Week throughout July, ahead of Shark Week on Discovery beginning Sunday, July 28.

“Our Shark Week partnership brings fun through unique offerings for our Customers and Employees,” said Brandy King, Director of External Communication who oversees the airline’s Brand Partnerships and Entertainment Public Relations initiatives. “Whether on the ground with augmented reality experiences and gate games hosted by our Employees, to inflight exclusive content on our Shark Week On-Demand Channel, or through our social channels with engaging content and a special sweepstakes, we’ll be celebrating Sharks all month.”

Southwest brings Shark Week to fans through all phases of travel and, this year, extends the immersion straight into their homes. Through an augmented reality experience, Shark Week fans engaging with Southwest through the carrier’s social channels and in airports across the country will be encouraged to “swim with sharks” by using the augmented reality experience, accessible via swa.is/sharkweek. Fans can download a filter on their cell phones to select from the five most-popular sharks featured in Shark Week programming (Great White Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Mako Shark, Tiger Shark, and Bull Shark) to swim across their screens, and share a photo or video of the experience to their social channels using #SharksTakeFlight.

Customers traveling this summer will be able to experience the fun of Shark Week in a variety of ways. While inflight, Customers can enjoy jawsome content via the Onboard Entertainment Portal’s custom Shark Week TV Series Channel. The Shark Week TV Series Channel houses a library of Shark Week episodes that Customers can sink their teeth into, plus a never-before-seen episode, Extinct or Alive: The Lost Shark, which Customers can watch nearly 30 days ahead of its premiere during Shark Week. The feeding frenzy continues as Southwest Customers tune in to Shark Week on Discovery Channel beginning Sunday, July 28, and continuing through Sunday, August 4, via Live TV onboard Southwest WiFi-equipped flights.

Southwest Employees also are getting in on Shark Week fun! Beginning July 8, Employees in 40 Southwest airports will display Shark Week materials in gate areas with which Customers can interact. Delivering on Southwest’s legendary Customer Service and Hospitality, Southwest Employees will host gate games to entertain fliers and celebrate the 31st anniversary of Shark Week, one of the most popular and longest-running televised summer events in history.

For fans who want to experience a diving excursion, Southwest is hosting a Dare to Dive sweepstakes from July 1-31 giving a chance to land a trip to Nassau, Bahamas, to enjoy a diving experience*. Anyone may visit Southwest.com/sharkweek for a chance to win roundtrip air travel (does not include taxes and fees of at least $5.60 per one-way flight) for winner and three guests, a $3,000 gift card to The Island House, a boutique hotel, and a $375 gift card to Stuart Cove’s for a diving excursion.

One of the most popular and longest-running televised summer events, Shark Week has celebrated cartilaginous creatures for more than 30 years. This year, viewers can enjoy hours of new content that will answer some of your most pressing shark-related questions. This year’s programming will immerse fans in the lives of sharks all around the world, from the Caribbean Sea to the island of Guadalupe, and many places in between.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and the District of Columbia, excluding Alaska, age 19 years or older at time of entry. Limit one entry per person per day. All fields must be completed. Approximate retail value of prize: $4,975.00. For complete details and Official Rules, visit http://www.southwest.com/sharkweek. By submitting an entry, you agree to the Official Rules. By entering, information collected will be used in accordance with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy at Southwest.com. Sponsor: Southwest Airlines Co., 2702 Love Field Dr. Dallas, TX 75235. Enter by July 31, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. E.T. Air travel does not include taxes and fees of at least $5.60 per one-way flight.

Airbus Lands MBDA Boss Bouvier To Steer Strategy

May 15, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

PARIS (Reuters) – European missile maker MBDA’s chief executive is returning to Airbus as head of strategy as the planemaker seeks to modernise its factory system and explores future options in defence, two people familiar with the matter said.

Antoine Bouvier, 59, replaces Patrick de Castelbajac who becomes head of Airbus Asia-Pacific, the sources said. Castelbajac’s responsibility for Airbus international operations had already been transferred to sales chief Christian Scherer.

At Airbus, Bouvier will be embarking on a battle of wits with a new strategy head at arch-rival Boeing CO.

Chris Raymond, until recently head of Boeing’s Autonomous Systems business, recently became vice-president for enterprise strategy under finance director Greg Smith, sources said. Raymond’s appointment has not been officially announced.

Airbus and MBDA declined to comment on Bouvier’s appointment, which was first reported by AeroDefenseNews. It is the latest step in a management reshuffle accelerated by the recent official appointment of Guillaume Faury as Airbus CEO.

Bouvier, a former civil servant who narrowly missed out on running France’s DGA defence procurement agency two years ago, brings experience in forging defence partnerships to Airbus, which is embroiled in a row with Germany over arms controls.

He is expected to be replaced at MBDA by former OneWeb chief Eric Beranger.

Although there is fierce day-to-day competition, with Taiwan’s China Airlines opting last week to switch to Airbus, the European planemaker is not expected to exploit the grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX jetliner for now, industry sources said.

NEXT GENERATION

The future of the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX – the industry’s most successful models – is seen as strategically entwined and insiders say Airbus is also worried about the impact of the grounding on global certification..

But the planemakers are crafting crucial strategies for the next generation of single-aisle jets from about 2030 – both likely to define the aircraft industry well beyond mid-century.

Insiders say Faury wants Airbus to focus more on industrial strategy and closing a perceived gap with Boeing in production technology, as well as responding to the threat of increased environmental regulation of air travel, as well as new products.

Airbus must also assess how to respond to rising defence spending after its failure to merge with Britain’s BAE Systems in 2012 left it heavily skewed towards commercial markets that are now approaching the end of an extended upcycle.

It is involved on the German side of a nascent Franco-German fighter project along with French partner Dassault Aviation but faces competition for valuable systems work and a growing spat with the German government over export controls.

At MBDA, Bouvier helped forge an Anglo-French agreement on the use of shared missile technology.

Bouvier followed the classic path of a French mandarin from the prestigious Polytechnique engineering school to France’s ENA civil service academy. He had been linked with a number of top aerospace posts such as Safran and Thales.

“His appointment will be very credible with the French government,” a person familiar with the appointment said. France and Germany own 11 percent each of Airbus.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Luke Baker and Alexander Smith)

ATR and Aurigny Confirm Order for 3 ATR 72-600’s

January 10, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Guernsey-based airline will be launch customer for ClearVision™

Toulouse, 8 January 2019 – ATR and Aurigny today confirm the acquisition of three ATR 72-600 aircraft, following approval from the States of Guernsey and after the initial signature of a Letter of Intention at the Farnborough Airshow, in July 2018. The first aircraft will be delivered in August 2019 and all three will be equipped with the new ClearVision™ Enhanced Vision System (EVS), with Aurigny the launch customer for this cutting-edge technology.

ClearVision™ uses an external camera to display an augmented outside-view in real-time to a head-mounted visor, worn by the pilot with the EVS improving significantly the pilot’s vision. This is a major change for Aurigny’s crew as Guernsey’s location in the English Channel, see its flight operations regularly affected by fog, leading to disruptions for passengers. A study showed that an ATR equipped with the ClearVision™ EVS could have saved 50% of the disrupted landings in Guernsey, over the period of a year. ClearVision™ will also enhance operations into other destinations served by Aurigny.

ClearVision™ is an option on ATR’s latest avionics suite, Standard 3, which delivers important operational improvements and a first in commercial aviation. In addition to the EVS selected by Aurigny, ClearVision™ also offers a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) that provides the pilot’s Head-Up Display with digital images of terrain and obstacles, from an extensive database. Operators can also opt for a Combined Vision System (CVS), combining the EVS and SVS, and offering pilots the best possible vision and situational awareness.

Mark Darby CEO of Aurigny said: “The opportunity to modernise our fleet, allowing us to offer our customers the very latest standards of comfort whilst introducing technology that will minimise disruption to their travel, makes perfect sense. Aurigny plays a key role in assuring vital connectivity between Guernsey and the UK and Europe. These new aircraft are going to make a significant difference both to our flight operations and to the people of Guernsey.”

Stefano Bortoli CEO of ATR said: “ATR’s aim is always to develop solutions that will have genuine impact for our operators and also on the travel experience of their passengers. Aurigny’s new ATRs, equipped with ClearVision™ will reduce delays and cancellations for its passengers. To have Aurigny as the launch customer for this technology is the perfect seal of approval for its effectiveness. We are proud that our latest-generation ATRs equipped with this cutting-edge solution will provide improved connectivity for the people of Guernsey.”

Regional connectivity supports local economies, with a 10% increase in flights generating a 5% rise in tourism, an increase of 6% in local GDP and 8% more Foreign Direct Investment. With a fuel burn advantage of 80% compared to regional jets, ATR -600 series aircraft represent the most efficient way of supplying these essential links.

About Aurigny:
As Guernsey’s airline, Aurigny is proud to offer a wide range of services and lifeline links to the Bailiwick and its visitors. Established 50 years ago, Aurigny have had the privilege of serving more than 16 million customers over this time, and currently operate more than 15,000 flights a year, to 14 destinations. Aurigny is owned by the States of Guernsey and their network includes services to Guernsey, Alderney, and destinations across the UK and in Europe.

ABOUT ATR:

European turboprop manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the regional aviation market. ATR designs, manufactures and delivers aircraft, with its fleet encompassing some 200 airlines in nearly 100 countries. The ATR 42 and the ATR 72 are the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat category. With continuous improvement as a driving force, ATR produces cutting edge, comfortable and versatile turboprops that help airlines expand their horizons by creating more than 100 new routes every year. Compared with other turboprops, ATRs offer an advantage of 40% on fuel burn, 20% on trip cost and 10% on seat cost, whilst offering the lowest noise emissions. ATR is an equal partnership between leading aerospace firms Airbus and Leonardo and benefits from a large global customer support network allowing it to deliver innovative services and solutions to its clients and operators all over the world. For more information, please visit http://www.atr-aircraft.com. Follow us on Twitter – #ATRLeads

Story and image from http://www.atraircraft.com