September 2008
Diamond goes green
(September 30, 2008)Diamond announced has pledged full support to “go green” with a special promotion for the DA40 XLS. Diamond distributors will offer a special promo for those who’ll purchase a DX40 XLS between October 1 and November 30: the company will offer a fuel cut-down rate to $1.99 per gallon for the first 18 months/200 hours (whichever comes first). This contributes extra green cash to the purchase of this fuel-efficient aircraft. As asserted in a press release from diamondaircraft.com, “Like all Diamonds, the DA40 XLS is a very fuel-efficient aircraft: it burns only 10 gph, and cruises at 150+ knots. That’s a 50% better fuel efficiency then some old-design aircraft competitors,” explains Heike Larson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Diamond. “With this excellent fuel efficiency, the DA40 XLS becomes the savvy and responsible choice in this day and age of high fuel prices. And, of course, this fuel efficiency makes it possible for us to make this unique offer to our customers.” The $1.99 fuel buy-down represents a value of about $8,000 – and enables a typical DA40 buyer to fly with $1.99 fuel for her initial 12-18 months of aircraft ownership. In addition to this $8,000 value, buyers are also eligible for a $2,000 training credit offered by Diamond – enough to get 40 hours of training towards an IFR ticket. Buyers also qualify for the exceptional 2008 tax savings – up to $300,000 in write-offs on a DA40 XLS, which can mean over $100,000 back on a qualifying buyer’s 2008 tax return.* “The DA40 XLS has been a very popular aircraft for us, especially since fuel prices have increased so dramatically. We are very happy that we can do our part to alleviate some of that pain for new DA40 XLS owners,” says Dan Eldridge, General Manager at Great Lakes Diamond Aircraft Sales. “After all, we are pilots ourselves, and as passionate as our customers about taking these beautiful planes up in the sky. The last thing we want is for fuel prices to make people think twice about taking flight – and with this offer, new DA40 owners can just get up and go, without worrying about the pocket book.”
Arik Air invests in three Airbus crafts
(September 30, 2008)Arik Air, a private airline based in Nigeria, has recently purchased three Airbus A340-500s. The deal makes Arik Air the latest customer of Airbus. This acquisition is important for Arik Air, as it will support the airline’s growth strategy to develop Lagos and Abuja hubs. The newly bought Airbus crafts will be use to charter trips to London, New York, and Houston. The A340-500 is powered by Rolls Royce Trent engines that will provide the best possible passenger comfort, in terms of two-class configuration. The planes will be delivered to Arik Air by the end of November 2008. As cited from the Airbus press release: "This aircraft order will enable Arik Air to start international connections with new and modern aircraft that will support our objective to become one of Africa’s key airlines that operate at international standards with new aircraft, top maintenance and where security and quality come first", said Mr. Arumemi-Johnson, Chairman of Arik Air. John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers responded, “Arik Air is one of Africa’s most dynamic airlines and we are proud that they have selected the A340 to develop their international network. With the A340-500 offering outstanding performance, range and unparalleled levels of passenger comfort, I look forward to the start of our partnership. We support their development in and outside Africa". The A340-500 is the member of Airbus’ A330/A340 Family that flies furthest, and is the most modern aircraft in the 250-375-seater segment flying today. The A340-500, operates the world’s longest-range commercial air routes, the longest linking Singapore non-stop with New York, an 18-hour flight, and as such offers passengers the latest in comfort and in-flight services. With four engines, the A340 offers unrivalled operational economics and flexibility on ultra-long-haul non-stop routes over remote oceans and terrains such as mountain ranges and the Polar Regions.
Boeing and the US Air Force celebrate opening of new Training center
(September 30, 2008)The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] and the US Air Force celebrated the opening of the new F-15E Mission Training Center (MTC) at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, Suffolk, United Kingdom. The center, which began operations in 2008, has supported over 299 training missions, while maintaining an astounding 100% availability rate. The center provides aircrews of the highest standard, simulator-based training without the material and personnel costs, plus environmental issues associated with training on operational aircraft. "The MTC provides a forum where pilots are able to ‘train as they fight’ on a daily basis," said Kay Grabanski, F-15E MTC program manager for Boeing. "It is a highly realistic training system that allows pilots to sharpen their skills without putting themselves in harm’s way or adding wear and tear to their aircraft." The training center provides two high-fidelity, dual-cockpit F-15E simulators, each with a 360-degree visual system and a robust synthetic environment, as well as instructor/operator and brief/debrief stations. The simulators, enhanced with head-tracked area-of-interest display visual systems, can be operated individually or linked to provide two- or four-ship training within the MTC. They also can be linked locally with two medium-fidelity F-15E Manned Combat Stations to allow local four-ship training. The Lakenheath MTC will join the Air Force’s Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) training network in 2009. "The Boeing-operated center provides an important training capability that will help ensure operational readiness for the U.S. Air Force," said Mike Kurth, managing director, Boeing Defence UK. "The 48th Fighter Wing will use the system for introductory, operational and continuation training of all F-15E squadrons." Boeing supports this training capability with several key products, including the Visual Integrated Display System, Manned Combat Stations and the Big Tac Combat Environment Server. Boeing also provides the key network elements to enable local and long-haul networked training. Lockheed Martin provides the instructor/operator station, the non-combatant natural environment system and the electro-optical/infrared imaging system, along with geographic databases. SAIC provides the brief/debrief station. Under the F-15E MTC contract, Boeing has delivered two F-15E MTCs to two other sites — Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. Boeing has delivered and currently operates six Air Force F-15C MTCs around the world and is the prime contractor for the F-15E and F-16 MTC contracts. Boeing also is integrating the F-22 Raptor into the DMO training network. "The MTC provides a forum where pilots are able to ‘train as they fight’ on a daily basis," said Kay Grabanski, F-15E MTC program manager for Boeing. "It is a highly realistic training system that allows pilots to sharpen their skills without putting themselves in harm’s way or adding wear and tear to their aircraft." The training center provides two high-fidelity, dual-cockpit F-15E simulators, each with a 360-degree visual system and a robust synthetic environment, as well as instructor/operator and brief/debrief stations. The simulators, enhanced with head-tracked area-of-interest display visual systems, can be operated individually or linked to provide two- or four-ship training within the MTC. They also can be linked locally with two medium-fidelity F-15E Manned Combat Stations to allow local four-ship training. The Lakenheath MTC will join the Air Force’s Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) training network in 2009. "The Boeing-operated center provides an important training capability that will help ensure operational readiness for the U.S. Air Force," said Mike Kurth, managing director, Boeing Defence UK. "The 48th Fighter Wing will use the system for introductory, operational and continuation training of all F-15E squadrons." Boeing supports this training capability with several key products, including the Visual Integrated Display System, Manned Combat Stations and the Big Tac Combat Environment Server. Boeing also provides the key network elements to enable local and long-haul networked training. Lockheed Martin provides the instructor/operator station, the non-combatant natural environment system and the electro-optical/infrared imaging system, along with geographic databases. SAIC provides the brief/debrief station. Under the F-15E MTC contract, Boeing has delivered two F-15E MTCs to two other sites — Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. Boeing has delivered and currently operates six Air Force F-15C MTCs around the world and is the prime contractor for the F-15E and F-16 MTC contracts. Boeing also is integrating the F-22 Raptor into the DMO training network. Press release obtained from www.boeing.com
Gulfstream Breaks Ground on New Service Center
(September 30, 2008)Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), today broke ground for the second phase of its new Savannah Service Center. When completed by the third quarter of 2009, the overall service center will be the largest maintenance facility in the world built specifically for business jets. The second phase of the new service center, which covers 348,248 square feet, will include a hangar building that can accommodate 18 large-cabin aircraft; offices; an engine run-up area for customers and additional repair shops; and 1,170 parking spaces for employees. The 330,951-square-foot first phase, which opened in August 2007, also has a hangar that can house 18 large-cabin aircraft; offices; repair shops; a fuel farm; an engine run-up area and a cafeteria. The 679,199-square-foot service center is part of a seven-year, $400 million long-range expansion plan that Gulfstream announced on March 6, 2006. The completed service center will occupy a total of 76.6 acres at the southwest corner of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The site is being leased from the Savannah-Hilton Head Airport Commission. “Gulfstream is committed to providing the highest standard of service to its customers,” said Mark Burns, president, Product Support, Gulfstream. “This service center reflects that commitment and enhances our ability to meet customer demand for aircraft refurbishment and maintenance.” When the new service center is completed, the existing 209,000-square-foot service center in Savannah will become a completions facility for the new Gulfstream flagship aircraft – the Gulfstream G650. In addition to Savannah, Gulfstream operates service centers in Long Beach, Calif.; Dallas; Appleton, Wis.; Brunswick, Ga.; and London, England. The service centers provide maintenance, overhaul, testing, inspections, equipment installations and refurbishment of Gulfstream business jets. Gulfstream also manages six service centers under the General Dynamics Aviation Services banner. These are located in Las Vegas; Dallas; Minneapolis; Appleton, Wis.; Westfield, Mass.; and West Palm Beach, Fla., and service Gulfstream, Challenger, Learjet, Hawker and Falcon business jets.
