Wizzair partners Hungarian pilot school

Wizzair partners Hungarian pilot school

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Published on Monday, 22 September 2014 12:33

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Wizz Air, the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe*, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the University of Debrecen and Pharma-Flight Kft., to establish an ATO-certified pilot school for talented individuals willing to pursue a career in aviation.

The four parties agreed on facilitating the launch of the flighttraining program at the Pharma-Flight International Science and Service Center in 2015.

The airline will be involved in type-rating certification, supervision of the program syllabus, audit of the exam results and overall monitoring of the progress of the program.

In case of satisfactory results, upon the completion of the course, Wizz Air will offer the young cadets placement at one of its bases for further training.

Source and image: Wizzair

Bombardier Learjet 70 and 75 certiffied by EASA

Bombardier Learjet 70 and 75 certiffied by EASA

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Published on Monday, 15 September 2014 11:32

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Bombardier, the world’s leading business aircraft manufacturer, announced today that the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft have received full type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“Since their entry-into-service last December, our Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft have received strong interest from our customers,” said Éric Martel, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The performance and efficiency of both aircraft, combined with their completely new interior, clearly position them as leaders within the light category.”

The aircraft have enhanced performance through an engine thrust increase with an improved Honeywell engine, offering superior takeoff field length performance over their predecessors. The new avionic system contributes to achieving weight savings and the new canted winglets improve aerodynamic efficiency. Overall, both aircraft provide up to a nine per cent improvement in field performance under hot and high conditions and up to a four per cent improvement in fuel efficiency.*

The new interiors of the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft include improved comfort and styling of the seats, a spacious galley for optimized catering, work and storage space and a generous baggage suite. In both aircraft, the cabin management system features individual touchscreen monitors with full audio and video control. The advanced connectivity options of the Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft ensure the highest levels of convenience.

A breakthrough in business aviation, the Bombardier Vision flight deck is designed to deliver a completely new cockpit experience. By combining the best in technological advancements with superior design aesthetics, it provides pilots flying Bombardier’s Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft with an unprecedented level of control and comfort. The Bombardier Vision flight deck for Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft features the fully integrated Garmin G5000 digital avionics suite, designed with leading edge technology and one of the most intuitive crew interfaces available.

Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft customers will be able to count on a full range of 24/7 support around the world. Bombardier’s extensive European support network is anchored by a Regional Support Office in Farnborough, UK, a Parts Distribution Hub in Frankfurt, Germany and a Service Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In preparation for a smooth entry-into-service, Bombardier has reconfigured a Level D full-flight simulator at its aircraft trainingcentre in Dallas, Texas. Customer Services staff deployed throughout its worldwide network of Service Centres, Parts Depots and Regional Support Offices will also be ready to support upcoming entry-into-service activities including spare parts deployments, as well as updated information on the Customer Information Centre (CIC) website and the SmartFix Plus online troubleshooting tool.

Source and image: Bombardier

Ethiopian Airlines orders 20 Boeing 737 Max aircraft

Ethiopian Airlines orders 20 Boeing 737 Max aircraft

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Published on Monday, 22 September 2014 12:46

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Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines today announced an order for 20 737 MAX 8s. The order, previously unidentified on theBoeing Orders & Deliveries website, is worth more than $2.1 billion at list prices and also includes options and purchase rights for a further 15 737 MAX 8s.

The order represents the largest single Boeing order by number of airplanes from an African carrier.

"Today's order underlines our commitment to our 15-year strategic plan, 'Vision 2025', in which Ethiopian will strive to become the leading airline group in Africa carrying 18 million passengers per annum," said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, during a visit to the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa National Forum in Chicago. "The 737 MAX will form a key component of that strategic vision, enhancing our single-aisle fleet and keeping us at the forefront of African aviation."

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. The 737 MAX will be 14 percent more fuel-efficient than today's most efficient Next-Generation 737s – and 20 percent better than the original Next-Generation 737s when they first entered service. The 737 MAX has a total of 2,294 orders from 47 customers worldwide.

"This historic order for Boeing and our partner Ethiopian once again positions the carrier at the heart of African aerospace innovation with the acquisition of the 737 MAX," said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, speaking in Chicago. "Throughout the years, Ethiopian has consistently led the way in introducing new airplane types to passengers across Africa. Today's record order signals its commitment to continue that tradition."

Ethiopian currently serves more than 83 destinations across five continents from its base at Bole International Airport in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian flag carrier's partnership with Boeing has existed for more than half a century, with a current fleet of more than 50 Boeing airplanes that includes Next-Generation 737s, 757s, 767s, 777s, 787 Dreamliners and a cargo fleet of 757s, 777 Freighters and MD-11s.

Source and image: Boeing

Boeing opens Singapore Cyber Analitical Center

Boeing opens Singapore Cyber Analitical Center

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Published on Monday, 22 September 2014 12:48

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Boeing will open its first Cyber Analytics Center outside the U.S. in Singapore, to bring advanced cybersecurity capabilities and services to customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Boeing is a leader in cybersecurity from the U.S., and we warmly welcome Boeing’s decision to establish the Cyber Analytics Center in Singapore,” said Gian Yi-Hsen, director of the Singapore Economic Development Board’s Safety & Security Industry Programme Office. “This center is a first for Boeing internationally and a significant addition to the cybersecurity industry in Singapore to meet the growing demands of the region.

”The center will help train and equip cybersecurity professionals, perform advanced analytics and serve as Boeing’s regional cybersecurity center of excellence. Boeing will hire and train cybersecurity professionals in Singapore to staff the center.

“We are taking our Singapore partnership to a new level with this Cyber Analytics Center aimed at boosting cybersecurity in the city-state and beyond,” said Skip Boyce, president of Boeing Southeast Asia.

“Boeing already has a strong business presence here, comprising commercial airplane and defense procurement,aircraft maintenance and research and technology work.”
A key feature of the facility will be the ability for customers to share timely and actionable information. The center will also provide a collaborative environment for security professionals to work with industry partners, customers and academia to solve complex, cybersecurity challenges.

"We’ve established this center to address current and evolving cybersecurity challenges in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Per Beith, director of Boeing’s Information Security Solutions. "The risks to critical infrastructure and governments worldwide continue to grow, and this center demonstrates Boeing’s – and Singapore’s – commitment to addressing the cyber threat."

Source and image: Boeing

Cessna gets $13mln for three 20B Grand Caravam EXs

Cessna Aircraft Co., Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $13,674,035 firm-fixed-price contract for three Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EXs, one aircrew training device, spares and training.

Contractor will provide aircraft, aircrew training device, spares, including a spare aircraft engine, and training to the U. S. Africa Command area of responsibility in support of counterterrorism measures in Niger, Kenya and Mauritania.

Work will be performed at Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015.

This contract involves pseudo foreign military sales in conjunction with Section 1206 funding. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8620-14-C-4015).

Source and image: US DoD

IT in aviation training: a call for evolution

With major aircraft manufacturers sharing a backlog of over 10 000 aircraft, MRO providers worldwide are finding themselves under increasing pressure to introduce new means designed to meet the demand for appropriate support of the rapidly growing global fleet. Meanwhile, as a large portion of services in the industry is still heavily reliant on human labour, a peaking demand for appropriate technical training is not expected to drop any time soon. In such an environment, the introduction of innovative IT-solutions can not only improve some of the training-related processes but also enable service providers to significantly cut costs.

During the last decade or so IT has truly changed the wayairlines conduct business. According to SITA, the level of IT operational spending by carriers worldwide topped $10.8 billion in 2013. The majority of carriers anticipate another increase in the airlines’ IT budget in 2014. However, the implementation of informational technologies in maintenance operations, let alone technical training, is definitely lagging behind. Meanwhile, as costs related to maintenance typically make up to 17% of all operating costs, it is the area in which technology can be used to optimize operations and boost profits.

“There is a set of major factors currently contributing to the increased IT spending within the aviation industry, including higher airline profitability, next-generation aircraft and engines, as well as cloud computing, mobility and advanced analytics,” shares Kestutis Volungevicius, the Head of FL Technics Training. “Moreover, as changes in the aviation industry are happening at an increasingly rapid pace, the demand for faster training solutions rises accordingly.”

According to FL Technics Training, the retiring current generation of technicians along with the on-going fleet renewals might drive the aviation industry to the point when the lack of qualified aviation specialists will eventually interfere with its expansion plans. Data by AWIN indicates the overall rate of technical personnel eligible for retirement should reach 9.6% this year, followed by 11.3% in 2015 and 13.3% in 2016. “Add the need to support new sophisticated solutions implemented in new generation aircraft, and you will find yourself in a highly competitive business environment with a booming demand for relevant specialists and training services. As a result, training providers are in constant search for innovations which would enhance and facilitate the training process with quality, flexibility and cost effectiveness in mind,” says Kestutis Volungevicius.

Normally, the duration of a typical technical training-related trip is at least 4 days. Considering the fact that an individual specialist usually requires approximately 3 training courses per year to maintain and raise his qualification, this adds up to over 280 hours or almost 35 working days, which an average MRO professional currently spends in training-related travels on a yearly basis. Meanwhile, the approximate average expenses on a trip with a two-night stay may reach up to $800-$1 400. Needless to say, in an economic environment which presupposes cost cutting and maximized efficiency this is not something an MRO provider can really afford.

“As the costs of training are constantly rising, more and more distance training solutions, such as online courses, are emerging worldwide to aid both individuals and organizations in reducing their course-related travel costs and allowing to avoid the need for lengthy trips to the training facilities,” comments Kestutis Volungevicius. “In an industry where every second and every dollar matters, the decision to opt for such services and implement the modern technologies alongside regular training solutions might actually might become the critical aspect in gaining the much-needed competitive edge,” concludes the Head of FL Technics Training.

Source and image: Avia Solutions Group / Fl Technics Training

Aviation aftermarket: a call for enhanced information sharing

Ryanair's recent $22 billion order of 200 Boeing's 737MAX aircraft is a clear sign that the growth of the global fleet isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. In the meantime, TeamSAI predicts that the global MRO-related spending can be expected to increase at a rate of 3.3% annually until 2022. Following an intense period of numerous mergers and acquisitions the number of players in the segment is shrinking and the remaining providers are forced to focus on their planning and data-sharing efforts in order to deal with the growing workload.

Various statistical data indicates that reducing MROexpenditures by as few as 10% could almost double a carrier’s profits. However, despite numerous efficiency benefits stemming from an integrated approach to maintenance operations, its adoption in the aviation industry to date has been rather slow.

Luckily, the industry players’ attitude towards maintenance planning, as well as supply chain execution and management is starting to change for the better. A recent survey performed by PwC revealed that maintenance organizations which had decided to change their attitude towards data-sharing (approximately 25% of all market players), were significantly outperforming their competitors. For instance, their internal shops generated 14% better turnaround times than the industry average. As for the on-time delivery of spare parts, the compliance observed in mature organizations was 72%, while the industry median is 68%.

“Up until now, the relationship among carriers, MROs and parts suppliers in the aviation industry has been difficult to say the least. Thus, the lack of trust shared by different industry players has been one of the most important obstacles when it comes to improving maintenance related processes,” shares Zilvinas Sadauskas, the CEO

of Locatory.com “Moreover, many organizations are simply reluctant to share relevant information, which they consider an advantage in competition. However, those who do manage to step out of their comfort zone, usually don't have to wait long in order to start enjoying improved results.”

According to AWIN, up to 39% of airlines across the globe are planning to replace their ERP systems, while about 58% are expecting to enhance them over the next 5 years. Meanwhile, based on the results of a recent PwC’s survey, one of the global carriers, which has started sharing maintenance plans across all functional areas, has been able to reduce part delivery delays by 40%, while cutting the inventory by 50 million items.

According to the CEO of Locatory.com, if one is seeking better lead times, enhanced quality and reduced costs, communication between aircraft operators, MROs and spare parts suppliers needs to evolve. Ultimately, the more information is shared between the parties involved in the maintenance process, the greater the possibility that the relevant support operations will become less chaotic and more consistent. The first area to demonstrate the benefits of such an approach is the supply chain, where one should rather quickly observe increasing efficiency and part availability.

“Naturally, implementing an integrated approach in the aftermarket support can be way more complex than in manufacturing, where the strategy is applied widely, since different MRO scenarios are significantly more difficult to predict. Nevertheless, the benefits of such a decision are more than rewarding,” says Zilvinas Sadauskas. “However, pursuing an integrated system requires a respective change in attitude towards many processes. It is only by addressing those issues that the challenges integrated approach presents can be justified.”

Source and image: Avia Solutions Group