MIDWEEK UPDATE 14 MAY 2014
1 Plan your weekend
2 Forthcoming events
3 AgustaWestland and Heliconia Aero Solutions Sign Distributorship Agreement for Morocco
4 AgustaWestland Completes Autorotation Trials for the AW609 Program
5 Airbus Helicopters partners with IAS for the first maintenance centre in Western and Central Africa
6 Beechcraft, Cessna offer broad range of GA aircraft suited for the Asia Pacific marketplace
7 Alenia Aermacchi: Fully Configured MC-27J Multi-Mission Tactical Transport Aircraft Completes First Flight
8 Versatility and cost efficiency of Airbus Helicopters' range displayed at ShieldAfrica 2014
9 Sukhoi traditions: SSJ100 special livery for Atlas Jet and Centre-South Airlines
10 Rate Card
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17 May: Dundee Airshow. Contact: Johan Pieters E-mail: johan@champ.co.za
082 923 0078
18 May: Parys Pylon Time Trials - All comers. Contact Scully Levin
E-mail: flyboys@global.co.za
24 May: Ladysmith Airshow. Contact: John Neilon E-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514
24 May: Lowveld Airshow (Nelspruit) Contact: Kerry Palermo 071 686 5996 E-mail: periperi@mweb.co.za
29 to 31 May: President's Trophy Air Race. Contact: Robbie Myburgh E-mail: website www.sapfa.org.za.
31 May: New Castle Airshow. Contact: E-mail: johan@champ.co.za
1 June: Baragwanath Airfield celebrates its 95th anniversary. The original airfield was created in 1919, with the Johannesburg Light Plane Club being formed in 1926. The club is still in operation today at the 'new' Baragwanath south of Lenasia and we are planning a good old fashioned fly-in to celebrate South Africa's aviation heritage and its future with a wide variety of aircraft present at the airfield on the day (old rubbing shoulders with new) and some great entertainment in the form of live music, vintage cars and motorcycles and period dress competition.
Please RSVP to Courtney Watson with your name, names of your guests, your aircraft type and Registration e-mail: cwatson@stithian.com 083 642-3565. Information will be available on the Johannesburg Light Plane Club website and updates and notices will be sent via E-mail Courtney.
7 June: Pietermaritzburg airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
7 June: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact: Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 e-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
14 June: Margate airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
21 June: Richards Bay airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail: gerna@kznairevents.co.za
20 & 21 June: Mafikeng Memorial War Fly-In. Contact Connie: Conradie 018 387 1425 or e-mail: info@mafikeng-flyingclub.co.za
28 June: Mkuze airshow. Contact: John Neilon e-mail: john@eastcoastsa.net 082 485 5514 or Gerna Fraser 031 563 9165 e-mail:
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AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Heliconia Aero Solutions, the flagship Company of Heliconia Group in Morocco, are pleased to announce the signing of a Distributorship Agreement for AgustaWestland helicopters models in Morocco. Both companies are also pleased to announce that Heliconia has placed a first order for two AW139 intermediate twin helicopters, plus a number of options, to perform offshore transport missions in Morocco. Pending delivery of the two helicopters, set for June/July this year, Heliconia has meanwhile started its offshore transportation missions with two AW139s leased from Agusta Westland since end February 2014. The dual announcement was made during the Marrakesh Air Show today by the Partners.
Emilio Dalmasso, AgustaWestland Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, said "This distribution agreement for our world class helicopters with such a leading partner in Morocco, as well as the introduction of the AW139 type into the growing offshore market in Morocco, marks a major event for the future of helicopter operations in the regional commercial market. We are confident that this is the beginning of a fruitful collaboration in a market which offers significant potential in the Oil&Gas industry and EMS services." Daniel Sigaud, President of Heliconia, said "This is a major milestone development for Heliconia, but also for Morocco as it will bring into the Moroccan market a new generation of aircrafts, which have proved over the last five years to have a major impact on Oil and Gas Offshore activities worldwide, at a time when very substantial investments are being earmarked to explore Moroccan territorial waters. Heliconia has had to beef up very substantially its internal structures and procedures, to secure required Authorizations and Permits from the Morocco Civil Aviation Authorities, and match up the high technology requirements of this new generation of aircrafts. It will also permit Heliconia to extend its activities in Africa in the future."
The AW139 is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW169 and AW189 models (Photo Agusta Westland)
The best selling helicopter in its category with a 56% share in the global market, the AW139 has become the benchmark platform for offshore transport operations, experiencing a growing success for a variety of applications in Northern Africa as well and is well positioned to find even greater success across the region. Over 200 customers from more than 60 countries have ordered almost 760 AW139 helicopters so far. More than 650 AW139s are already in service in the world market with over 850,000 flight hours logged by the global fleet. The AW139 is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW169 and AW189 models, which possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories. Heliconia Group, with companies based in Morocco and France, is already a major player in helicopter operations in those countries offering a range of services also including aerial work and more recently offshore transport in Morocco. Heliconia is already working on further regional developments from its Morocco based operations.
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The concurrent industrialization phase of the AW609 is also taking shape across the AgustaWestland network and associated supply chain (Photo AgustaWestland)
The handling qualities of the aircraft were very benign throughout the testing and the performance of the aircraft exceeded expected characteristics seen during preparation in the engineering simulator in Arlington Texas. Together, the test pilots and engineers were able to develop the best flight maneuvers that will ultimately allow training of commercial pilots in the planned full flight simulator. This latest goal provides further evidence of the AW609's quality in terms of design, performance and safety in the most demanding conditions.
This accomplishment follows the completion of the AW609 flight envelope expansion trials in December 2013. The concurrent industrialization phase of the AW609 is also taking shape across the AgustaWestland network and associated supply chain, with new equipment and tooling being acquired to guarantee existing orders can start to be fulfilled immediately after FAA type certification.
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Firmly committed to the development of services situated in proximity to its operators, Airbus Helicopters today announced that it has certified the Abidjan maintenance centre operated by International Aircraft Services (IAS), the largest civil helicopter operator in Western and Central Africa. Equipped with all the necessary operational resources, the center will service the AS365 and AS350 models from the famous Dauphin and Ecureuil families.
With more than 670 helicopters in service in Africa, and nearly 130 of them in Western and Central Africa, Airbus Helicopters is pursuing its international development, becoming the first helicopter manufacturer in this vast region to make available to its customers an entire maintenance and support centre certified "Operational & Intermediate" (O&I) level.
"We welcome this new partnership with IAS, which underscores our commitment to providing localized support for our customers operating in the region," said Loïc Porcheron, Airbus Helicopters' Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. "This maintenance center will increase the availability of their fleet of helicopters, while guaranteeing affordable maintenance costs."
Firmly committed to the development of services situated in proximity to its operators, Airbus Helicopters today announced that it has certified the Abidjan maintenance centre operated by International Aircraft Services (IAS) Photo Airbus
"We are very happy with this agreement, which brings a genuine international dimension to our organization and which will also allow us to create more opportunities with the region's countries," commented IAS CEO Hugues Moreau. "This partnership will see Airbus Helicopters' customers being offered a complete range of services that will encompass technical and operational support as well as the maintenance of their aircraft."
Airbus Helicopters has a network of more than 90 approved maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centers on the five continents. This new maintenance center will provide the region's operators with a service bearing all the quality hallmarks of Airbus Helicopters.
About International Aircraft Services
Located in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the IAS (International Aircraft Services) Group, has been providing helicopter services to its clients in Africa for over 30 years. With a fleet of over 20 Airbus Helicopters aircrafts, IAS remains the largest civil helicopter operator in West and Central Africa, specializing in offshore and onshore crew changes, VIP transport, medical evacuations, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, cargo transport and finally, helicopter maintenance. As of 2014, IAS has been certified as an official Airbus Helicopters Maintenance Center allowing regional customers complete maintenance for their aircrafts.
About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world's No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With over 40% market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company's fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters' international presence is marked by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters' range of civil and military helicopters is the world's largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company's chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.
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"As more customers in the region begin to research aircraft and match the products to their missions, we're confident the long history of innovation from our companies and the proven quality of the Beechcraft and Cessna brands will make our aircraft popular choices," said Kriya Shortt, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. "There's no other OEM at ABACE with a broader line of aircraft solutions for this growing general aviation marketplace, and we're proudly showcasing our unique proposition to one of the most exciting aviation sectors in the world."
From pistons to turboprops to business jets, Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker products have for years been in service on mainland China and throughout the region. These aircraft play an array of roles, for example personal transportation, charter operations, cargo hauling, pilot training and special missions such as aerial survey, weather modification and flight inspection.
"Beyond participation at events like ABACE and selling aircraft to operators in China and the greater Asia Pacific, we have been an active part of this dynamic region for many decades," Shortt said. "We have business development personnel and field service reps in-country, we have invested in service and parts facilities, and we've developed in-country partnerships for manufacturing, service and sales."
Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft are ideal for the type of flying done in the region, offering the performance and reliability operators want along with operating efficiencies. (Photo copyright Cessna)
Beechcraft and Cessna are located in adjoining chalets at this year's ABACE. Aircraft on static display for Beechcraft include the Bonanza G36 single-engine piston, the Baron G58 twin-engine piston, the flagship of the King Air family of twin-engine turboprops, the Beechcraft King Air 350i, along with the King Air C90GTx and Special Mission King Air 350ER. Cessna aircraft on exhibit include the Grand Caravan EX single-engine turboprop, the Citation XLS+ light midsize business jet and Citation Sovereign+ midsize business jet.
This marks the ABACE debut for Beechcraft's piston-engine products, which both received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2010. The Bonanza is the longest continuously produced aircraft in history, with more than 18,000 units delivered since 1947. More than 6,800 twin-engine Barons have been produced since its introduction in 1960. Also debuting at the show is Cessna's upgraded mid-size jet, the Citation Sovereign+.
"Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft are ideal for the type of flying done in the region, offering the performance and reliability operators want along with operating efficiencies for trips to and from the most important business hubs in Asia," Shortt said. "As the infrastructure in China continues to develop, more business leaders and entrepreneurs are learning that seeing their clients and operations on a regular basis is possible by owning business aircraft."
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Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, in partnership with ATK announced that the demonstrator of a fully configured MC-27J multi-mission tactical transport aircraft completed its first flight from the company's Turin Test Flight Centre.
The MC-27J is an advanced multi-mission system jointly developed by Alenia Aermacchi and ATK. The MC-27J is based on the C-27J, the most state-of-the-art twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft currently available (Photo copyright Alenia)
The demonstrator aircraft was modified with an L-3 Wescam MX-15Di Electro-Optical and Infrared Turret that was mounted under the nose of the aircraft and is optimized for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and SAR missions (Search and Rescue); and with Link-16 datalink software and hardware provisions that will prepare the aircraft for the ATK palletized mission system installation. Provisions for upgraded Selex ES communication system with crypto capability have been also set up.
The installation of both the ATK developed modular roll-on/roll-off mission and weapon system, and a modified side door for the GAU-23 30 mm cannon installation will be completed in May. In June 2014, a new series of flight tests, including firing the side-mounted cannon, will be completed.
The MC-27J, successfully completed a first phase of ground and flight tests in the spring of 2013. The series of tests were conducted by ATK and Alenia Aermacchi personnel at Eglin Air Force Base in the U.S. The tests demonstrated the C-27J's ability to host a self-contained, roll-on/roll-of gun pallet (RORO) using ATK's proven GAU-23 30mm cannon in a side firing configuration. Live fire tests and a timed demonstration of the capability to quickly transition from a cargo configuration to a weaponized configuration of the aircraft exceeded all test objectives.
Background Information:
At Farnborough Air Show in 2012, ATK and Alenia Aermacchi announced their intent to jointly develop and market the MC-27J multi-mission aircraft using a phased approach. The MC-27J will provide customers with the ability to quickly go from a tactical cargo mission capability to a persistent multi-mission capability utilizing RORO pallets for the integrated mission system consoles, the GAU-23 cannon, and Precision Guided Munition weapon systems that enable C2/ISR architectures.
The MC-27J is an advanced multi-mission system jointly developed by Alenia Aermacchi and ATK. The MC-27J is based on the C-27J, the most state-of-the-art twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft currently available on the market that provides unequalled performance.
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With more than 670 of its rotorcraft operating across the African continent, Airbus Helicopters' presence at next week's ShieldAfrica exhibition will spotlight the role of its product line in serving this evolving market's varied missions.
"The designed-in versatility of our aircraft is demonstrated daily in Africa, where they are deployed on demanding missions in some of the world's most difficult operating conditions," explained Loic Porcheron, Airbus Helicopters' Vice President for Africa and Middle East. "Adding to their reliability are the competitive maintenance costs and operational effectiveness for which our products are known worldwide."
The Airbus Helicopters fleet in Africa is utilized by 200 operators, who deploy the rotorcraft in roles that range from military, parapublic and law enforcement missions - particularly border patrol, search/rescue, natural disaster relief and anti-poaching duties,- to Oil and Gas transportation, emergency medical airlift, as well as private and executive transportation.
The Airbus Helicopters fleet in Africa is utilized by 200 operators, who deploy the rotorcraft in roles that range from military, parapublic and law enforcement missions (Photo © Anthony Pecchi - 2011)
These operations are backed by Airbus Helicopters' commitment to customer support, which includes proximity presence through its subsidiary in South Africa as well as service centres.
To be displayed by Airbus Helicopters at ShieldAfrica are scale models of its light single-engine AS350 Ecureuil, medium-weight AS365 Dauphin and multi-role AS332 Super Puma. The company will be co-exhibiting with International Aircraft Services, an Abidjan-based helicopter services provider whose Airbus Helicopters-built fleet is composed of the AS365 Dauphin, AS355 Ecureuil and SE316 B Alouette rotorcraft types. The company is already performing the maintenance of the AS365, which is used by the Presidency of Ivory Coast.
The ShieldAfrica exhibition is being held May 6-8 at the Ivory Coast's National Police Academy at Abidjan.
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As part of "Sukhoi" design bureau 75-th birthday celebration, "Atlas Jet" Sukhoi Superjet 100 presentation took place in Zhukovsky, the aircraft will become part of Moscow carrier "Center-South" fleet and will be operated for "Atlas Jet". The peculiarities of SSJ100 MSN 95015 livery are the corporate colors of new Customer and the "Sukhoi" symbolics.
Leading aircraft developer and manufacturer, design bureau "Sukhoi" celebrates its 75-th birthday in July 2014. On 29 of July 1939 design bureau was founded, and Pavel Sukhoi was appointed Chief Engineer.
On the threshold of "Sukhoi" jubilee celebration it was decided to give the aircraft the name of Sergey Melnikov, Hero of Russia.
Sergey Melnikov took part in design and development of new aircraft and also performed flight tests of Su-17, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, Su-33.
Pavel Sukhoi's work had huge impact over Russian aircraft industry. Every year design bureau "Sukhoi" strengthens its leading positions as leading developer and manufacturer of both military and civil aircraft.
The livery is the corporate colours of new Customer and the "Sukhoi" symbolics (Photo Sukhoi)
Today "Su" aircraft and their modifications are more than 60% of frontline Russian Air Force and also the "Su" fighters are in the armies of more than 30 countries worldwide and are delivered to South-East Asia, Latin America and Middle East. More than 100 aircraft types were created and more than 60 of them were in serial production. Total number of produced aircraft surpasses 10000. More than 50 world records were made on "Su" fighters.
In 2000 Sukhoi Company established JSC "Sukhoi Civil Aircraft" aimed at creation civil aircraft. Design bureau "Sukhoi" played important role in first modern Russian civil aircraft RRJ-95 (Sukhoi Superjet 100) creation.
SSJ100 (MSN 95015) is second aircraft of this type in the fleet of "Center-South". On 21 of March 2014 first SSJ100 (MSN 95012) was delivered to the Customer and the very next day it started to perform charter flights, the first took NASA delegation to "Baikonur".
SSJ100 were delivered to first Customers in 2011. Today regional jet Sukhoi Superjet 100 is present in fleet of 5 Russian carriers such as Aeroflot, Yakutia, Moskovia, Gazprom Avia and Center-South and in 3 foreign carriers - Interjet (Mexico), Sky Aviation (Indonesia) and Lao Central (Laos). SSJ100 performed more 27 000 commercial flights and more 40 000 flight hours.
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