Tag: reliability (Page 5 of 5)

Alstom to supply 42 Metropolis trains for Barcelona Metro

October 9, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

(from left to right): Sergio Boya, Alstom Spain, Miguel Angel Martin, Director, BCN trains Manufacturing Site, Maria Rosa Alarcón Montañés, Chair TMB, Gerardo Lertxundi Albéniz, Chief Executive Officer TMB

A contract worth over €260 million in Spain

7 October 2019 – Alstom has signed a contract with Barcelona Metro operator TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) to supply 42 Metropolis trains to replace those currently running on lines 1 and 3 of the network. The contract[1], valued at over €260 million, includes the design, manufacturing and commissioning of the trains. The five-car trains will be manufactured in Alstom’s Barcelona site and delivered to TMB within two and a half years.

“Alstom is honoured by this sign of confidence from TMB. The expertise and innovation capabilities of our teams are fully mobilised to support the plan to modernise Barcelona Metro for the benefit of passengers. Carrying over 400 million passengers per year, the Barcelona network is one of the most efficient and modern in Europe. With our trains, we aim to help TMB in the development of efficient and sustainable mobility that responds to the current and future needs of all passengers,” said Gian Luca Erbacci, Senior Vice President of Alstom in Europe.

“With the withdrawal of the oldest fleet, we accelerate a process of renovation that will increase service reliability, sustainability and passenger comfort in two of our most frequented Metro lines, in a context of maximum demand for the collective transport of Barcelona, upon the entry into force of the low-emission zone. This is the most important rolling stock acquisition in the history of TMB,” said Rosa Alarcón, President of TMB, during the signature of the contract.

According to the specifications, the new Metropolis trains will meet strict sustainability criteria; light structure, low energy consumption, high levels of recoverability and recyclability, technical reliability and ease of maintenance. The trains will also be equipped with remote sensors for optimal maintenance.

Alstom also puts the passenger at the heart of its design process. The trains for Barcelona will be built with the comfort of passengers in mind, offering accessibility, wide doors and spaces to facilitate passenger flow, acoustic comfort, vibration mitigation and passenger information in real time. Both external an internal design features will remain faithful to the TMB brand but will also add new visual elements that reflect the identity of Barcelona, such as graphics on the doors that represent Barcelona’s urban landscape.

The new trains for Barcelona will benefit from the experience and reliability of Alstom’s Metropolis range, currently in circulation on lines 9 and 10 of the Barcelona Metro, incorporating innovative technological solutions and meeting TMB’s requirements in terms of reliability, availability, safety and comfort. Alstom has more than 65 years’ experience in the production of metros, having sold over 17,000 metro cars operating in 55 cities worldwide and carrying 30 million passengers every day.

[1] Booked in Q2 of current fiscal year

Delta TechOps and ORIX Aviation Systems Sign Major Engine Maintenance Contract

September 21, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Delta TechOps, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) division of Delta Air Lines, has signed a five-year Maintenance Services Agreement with top-tier aircraft leasing company ORIX Aviation Systems, Ltd. (ORIX Aviation). The agreement will cover the support of CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B aircraft engines.

As both an operator of, and MRO for CFM56-5B and -7B engines, Delta TechOps is uniquely qualified to provide maintenance services to ORIX. Delta TechOps has been maintaining CFM56 engines for numerous years and will be able to pass along the same operational reliability and expertise to this globally-established lessor.

“We are proud that ORIX Aviation has selected Delta TechOps for their CFM56 engine maintenance needs,” said Mike Moore, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Maintenance Operations. “The agreement is a testament to our relationship and commitment to excellent customer service. We look forward to building on this partnership with this major aircraft lessor in the coming years.”

“We are pleased to have the expertise of Delta TechOps on board in support of CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B technical requirements which the ORIX Aviation team may have going forward,” said James Meyler, CEO – ORIX Aviation Group.

Tunisair Express Acquires Three ATR 72-600’s

September 6, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, 5 September 2019 – Tunisair Express and ATR, the world’s number one regional aircraft manufacturer, today confirm a firm order for three ATR 72-600s. The aircraft will renew Tunisair Express’s regional fleet and supply essential connectivity, both domestically and internationally.

The market-leading modern ATR turboprops support airline operations by burning 40% less fuel and emitting 40% less CO2, compared to a regional jet. The ATR -600 cabin will also introduce the best onboard experience to Tunisair Express passengers, including the ATR’s Cabinstream™ In-Flight Entertainment system, enabling passengers to enjoy their flight by accessing a range of multimedia content on their personal electronic devices.

Tunisair Express Director General, Yosr Chouari, said: “We have had a long and strong partnership with ATR since the early 1990s, and we are pleased to introduce the modern ATR 72-600 into our fleet thanks to the support of the Tunisian Government and parent company Tunisair. When deciding on a fleet renewal strategy, it was clear that the combination of its unbeatable economics and most eco-responsible performance made the ATR the best choice for our regional network. Furthermore, we are sure that our passengers will greatly appreciate the modern, spacious cabin with its widest-in-class seats and the new cutting edge Cabinstream™ technology giving our passengers an exceptional on board experience.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Bortoli, commented: “The decision of Tunisair Express for three new ATR 72-600s is a further endorsement of our product and validates our policy of continuous development. With a dispatch reliability of 99.7%, its effectiveness in hot conditions, and its performance perfectly suited to the operations envisaged by Tunisair, the ATR is the ideal aircraft to continue supplying essential connectivity throughout Tunisia and beyond its borders.”

ATR’s Market Forecast sees a demand for 350 new turboprops over the next 20 years for the Africa and Middle-East region. Regional aviation provides essential connectivity around the world. A 10% increase in regional flights generates additional increases of 5% in tourism, 6% in regional GDP and 8% foreign direct investment. Turboprops are key in connecting communities around the world: 36% of all commercial airports rely exclusively on turboprops and 50% rely, also exclusively, on regional aircraft.

About Tunisair Express:
Tunisair Express is a Tunisian public airline that is a subsidiary of the Tunisair group. It serves the Tunisian domestic network as well as nearby international destinations. The company also offers a charter service, notably to European tour operators. Tunisair Express as created in August 1991, under the name Tuninter and operated its first flight in March 1992. The company transports over 300,000 passengers every year across its network. The renewal of its fleet will allow Tunisair Express, to both reinforce its domestic and neighbouring services from Tunis, as well as open new routes.

Airbus Delivers First A330neo in Hi Fly Livery

September 3, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Hi Fly, the privately-owned Portuguese wet lease specialist operating an exclusive all-Airbus fleet, has taken delivery of a new A330neo on lease from Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL). The aircraft is configured with 371 seats in a two-class layout, with 18 high-comfort lie-flat business class seats and 353 economy seats. All seats are equipped with the latest-generation in-flight entertainment system, and mood lighting is available throughout the aircraft.

The A330 will be deployed to further expand Hi Fly’s long-haul wet lease and charter operations worldwide. Hi Fly operates an all-Airbus fleet of 20 aircraft including four A320 Family aircraft, 15 A330/A340 Family aircraft and one A380.

As a wet lease specialist, Hi Fly provides aircraft on lease for short notice airline operations, with crew, maintenance and third-party insurance provided in a service-ready package.

The A330neo Family is the new-generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900. The A330neo Family aircraft shares 95% commonality with the previous A330.

It builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family, while reducing fuel consumption by 25% per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation.

The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and new A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity systems.

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Fleet Surpasses 20,000 Flight Hours

August 30, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

Fort Worth, TX (28 August 2019) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X has surpassed more than 20,000 flight hours. Bell has delivered 200 aircraft to customers operating the aircraft spanning six continents.

Since the first delivery in 2017, the global fleet has logged more than 20,000 hours, marking one of Bell’s fastest growing accumulation of flight hours of any current commercial platform.

“Our Bell 505 operators rely on the aircraft to perform from the beginning of each day to when their mission is complete,” said LaShan Bonaparte, program director, Bell 505 and Bell 429. “Logging more than 20,000 flight hours is very impressive for an aircraft in service less than three years. This achievement is a testament to the Bell 505’s performance and our customer’s confidence in the aircraft.”

With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is Bell’s new five-seat aircraft designed for safety, efficiency and reliability using advanced avionics technology. It incorporates proven dynamic components, advanced aerodynamic design, a dual channel FADEC Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine and best-in-class value.

For more information, visit the Bell website.

Collins Aerospace and L3 Harris to Support New C-130H Aircraft Cockpit Capabilities

August 30, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

1970s era aircraft to be updated with Flight 2 Avionics
Will support extension of life of the aircraft by 20 years
Provides pilots increased situational awareness and reduces workload

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Aug. 28, 2019) – Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has been selected by L3Harris Technologies to play a key role in the U.S. Air Force’s C-130H Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2 (AMP INC 2) program. The fleet of 176 C-130H aircraft, operated by the Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve, will be equipped with Collins Aerospace’s Flight2™ integration avionics system and will expand the company’s position as a global leader in C-130 modifications.

Once on contract, Collins Aerospace’s Flight2 avionics will replace over 100 analog instruments in the current cockpit with seven multifunctional displays (MFD), three control display units (CDU), and a new digital autopilot. These new systems will reduce workload, improve the pilots’ situational awareness, and improve the safety and reliability of the aircraft. The new displays also make it easier for the pilots to overlay flight plans, see nearby points-of-interest and view radar and threat information.

“Prior to our selection for the AMP INC 2 program, 190 C-130 aircraft have already been modified, or are on contract to be modified, with our proven Flight2™ avionics. Our history of successful installations played a big role in our selection,” said Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager for Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace. “These aircraft are important to national security, and by working with L3Harris, our integrated avionics system will support the extension of the life of the planes for another 20 years.”

The avionics contract adds to the suite of nose-to-tail solutions that Collins Aerospace provides for the C-130 aircraft. Other products include propellers, wheels, brakes, secure communications, Head-up Displays/Enhanced Vision Systems (HUD/EVS) and advanced cargo loading systems.

MDHI Features MD 530F at APSCON 2019

July 15, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces its participation in the 2019 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Convention (APSCON), July 17-19, 2019 at the CHI Health Center, Omaha, NE. The MDHI display will feature a company-owned MD 530F configured with the type-certified Block 1 all-glass cockpit, newly designed side mounts, and critical vision mission equipment from Trakka Systems. The MD 530F on display is one of two MDHI research and development assets dedicated to ensuring technological and performance improvements for the iconic 369FF airframe.

“Continuous improvements, innovation, and service to airborne law enforcement and public safety operations have been at the core of MD Helicopters’ business for more than 50 years,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “Through investment in product design and internal research, development and testing, we are able to deliver next generation capabilities that improve performance, reduce pilot workload, and ensure that reliability, affordability and optimal operational readiness remain hallmarks of the MDHI brand for the next 50 years and beyond.”

Current MDHI customers and interested operators who visit the MDHI booth at the 2019 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Convention (APSCON), will be able to learn more about the following offerings:

Certified Glass Cockpits

MDHI has type-certified for production, and as a type-design option, advanced, all-glass cockpits for the MD 530F and the MD 600N. Certification efforts are ongoing for the company’s other single-engine models. The Block 1 glass cockpit for the MD 530F single-engine helicopter features:

Howell Instruments Electronic Engine Instruments and Crew Alert System (EICAS)
Garmin G500[H] TXi Electronic Flight Instruments (EFIS) with Touchscreen GDU 700P PFD/MFD
Garmin GTN 650 Touchscreen NAV/COM/GPS
Optional L-3 ESI 500 Electronic Standby Instrument

Advanced Mission Equipment Installation

In order to accommodate installation of the widest range of mission critical vision technologies, MD Helicopters designed and is currently certifying innovative new side mounts that will allow effortless integration of critical EO/IR and searchlight equipment. The mounts are purpose-built to support law enforcement-preferred left-hand command configurations for vision solutions.

On display at the MDHI booth, #1001, are EO/IR and Searchlight solutions from TRAKKA Systems.

TrakkaBeam® TLX
TC-300 high performance multi-sensor surveillance system

Aftermarket & Customer Support Programs

The MD Helicopters Aftermarket and Customer Support teams continue to focus on innovation and responsiveness. Both the easy-to-use MyMD.aero customer portal and the Aftermarket Center of Excellence (ACE) have played integral roles in ensuring optimal operational readiness for the global fleet of MDHI-brand helicopters.

Demo Flights

MDHI has limited availability for demo flights while in Omaha. Interested organizations with current acquisition plans can request a demo flight either prior to show open (July 14 or 15), or immediately following the close of APSCON 2019 (July 19 or 20). Request should be submitted through your MDHI Business Development Director.

“We have great respect for our law enforcement operators, the job they do and the sacrifices they make each and every day, and it is for them that we remain focused on manufacturing the best helicopters with the most advanced, most affordable, most capable systems available.”