+ve NEWS AFRICA

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

FAA revised airworthiness directive for Sikorsky

FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S–61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V; Croman Corporation Model SH–3H, Carson Helicopters, Inc., Model S–61L; Robinson Air Crane models and more. This SNPRM is prompted by comments received in response to a previous SNPRM and a reevaluation of the relevant data. This SNPRM retains the proposed actions in the previous SNPRM, provides an increased estimated cost of the main rotor shaft (MRS) replacement, and clarifies some of the language in the Required Actions section of the AD. The proposed actions are intended to prevent MRS structural failure, loss of power to the main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. FAA is proposing this SNPRM after evaluation all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other helicopters of these same type designs. Certain changes described above expand the scope of the previous SNPRM (78 FR 24363, April 25, 2013) by increasing the economic burden. FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 60 helicopters of U.S. registry. Source and image: GPO

Locatory.com and Unical Aviation Team Up to Deliver Customers Access to Spare Parts

Locatory.com, an IT company supporting the aviation industry with IT-based Supply Chain Optimisation solutions worldwide, is delighted to team up with Unical Aviation, a USA-based global supplier of aircraft parts, components, and inventory-based solutions in offering industry professionals access to Unical Aviation’s parts inventory using one of the largest aviation inventory listing systems.

As of August 29, 2014, the Locatory.com trading platform launched the inclusion of Unical Aviation’s one million unique part numbers supporting commercial and militaryaircraft. Through Locatory.com’s advanced web based platform, Unical Aviation provides operators and MROs worldwide with solutions for both routine and AOG requirements across a range of commercial aircraft including Boeing, McDonald Douglas, Airbus, Embraer, and Bombardier as well as military platforms including the F5, F15, F16, and C130.

“With such a major universal supplier as Unical Aviation, the community of our platform users gain access to an even more extended range of spare parts. What is more, all Unical Aviation parts and components will be covered by our Amber system thus ensuring that all the available parts are being offered literally in just a few seconds after an operator or an MRO sends an e-mail with the request,” comments Zilvinas Sadauskas, the CEO of Locatory.com.

“Unical Aviation’s cooperation with Locatory.com gives our customers a convenient source through which to locate and order critical aviation parts from our extensive inventory holding. Combined with our comprehensive parts based solutions encompassing component exchanges & leasing, repair management, kitting services, our standard same-business-day shipping, and available 24/7 AOG Service, support is provided anytime, anywhere” shares Alex Tan, Executive Vice President, Sales.

Source and image: Locatory.com

Ebola Crisis: EU organises airlift operation to West Africa

The European Union is scaling up its response to the Ebola disease in West Africa with an airlift operation to the affected countries. The European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) will facilitate the transportation of relief items to West Africa. In addition, the EU will fund and coordinate if necessary the evacuation of international staff from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

A quarter of the new €4 million funding will be allocated to UNICEF, enabling three Boeing 747 cargo planes to transport vital material to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The first plane will take-off on Friday, carrying 100 metric tons of emergency equipment from Amsterdam to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The supplies and equipment include personal protection equipment, including masks and gloves, as well as essential medicines and hygiene supplies.

In addition, the remaining €3 million will help in the setting up of a medical evacuation system, coordinated by the ERCC, that will enable international workers in West Africa diagnosed with the Ebola virus disease (EVD) to be evacuated in less than 48 hours by plane to hospitals within Europe that are equipped to deal with the disease.

This initiative is funded from €30 million in humanitarian aid announced by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, in New York last month during a High Level Meeting in response to the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

"We are in a race against time to fight Ebola," said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian aid and Crisis Response. "The European Commission alone has so far pledged some €180 million to help the affected countries. Funding is crucial but far from enough. That is why, together with our member States, we have been mobilising in-kind assistance including medical equipment and personnel."

Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health, added: "To strengthen Europe's preparedness to handle Ebola, we have been mobilising solidarity inside the EU. We are working closely so that patients can be treated in an appropriate healthcare facility."

The ERCC is coordinating the transportation of aid, equipment and personnel to hotspots in the countries affected by the disease. European countries such as the UK, France, Austria and Belgium have already made use of the mechanism, providing field hospitals, ambulances, sanitation products, medical isolation equipment and experts to the affected region.

Source and image: Europa.eu

Serious confusion as Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at The Hague Aiport. Find out what happened

Get ready for Etihad's lap of luxury in the sky - in its Airbus A380s

Hamburg: Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer James Hogan said he is confident luxury cabins on the airlines’ new Airbus A380s will sell.

The Residence suite, located on the aircraft’s upper deck, features a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower, complete with butler, for up to two people, making it the first three room luxury suite in commercial aviation history.

However, it remains to be seen how strong the market is for such an extravagant product, and while Etihad claim it will undercut the cost of a private jet, it can’t — as a fixed schedule commercial airline — boast the same flexibility.

Top 10 Best Airports in the World

For travelers weary of long lines at security checkpoints and overpriced fast food, the idea that any airport could be viewed as “best” may seem laughable. However, for travelers lucky enough to have flights that originate or end at any of the airports listed below, the word “best” is totally appropriate. These outstanding airports received the most votes from more than twelve million travelers who participated in a survey administered by Skytrax. Awards for the 2013 World’s Best Airport and nine runners-up were announced at passenger terminal EXPO in Geneva, Switzerland. The winning airports were located largely in Europe and Asia, with only one representative from North America and none from Australia, South America or Africa. The United States was also notably absent from the list of winners.

1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport claimed top prize for the fourth time since the Skytrax awards were initiated, having last won the title in 2010. In addition to winning the top overall award, Singapore Changi Airport, which served more than fifty million passengers in 2012, was named Best Airport in Asia and Best Airport for Leisure Amenities.

2. Incheon International Airport, Seoul, South Korea

Last year’s winner Incheon International Airport slipped to the second place. Still, the main airport serving the South Korean capital is no slouch. In addition to its overall second place finish Incheon received the Best Airport Staff Service – Asia and Best International Transfer Airport awards for 2013.

3. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

For the first time since the Skytrax awards were issued, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands broke into the top three finishers, largely due to its highly-regarded and efficient self-service transfer process. Schiphol also earned top honors for Best Airport in Europe and Best Airport in Western Europe.

4. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, China

A third-place finisher for 2012, Hong Kong International Airport slipped to fourth place in the overall voting for the 2013 World’s Best Airport. Nonetheless, Hong Kong International Airport remained a favorite among the voters. In addition to its overall fourth place finish, Hong Kong International airport ranked in the top five among all airports in six different categories.

5. Beijing Capital International Airport, China

Beijing Capital International Airport only began operations in 2008 and has added passenger traffic every year. Nonetheless, the airport maintained its fifth place overall position from 2012 to 2013, and was also named the best airport in China.

6. Munich Airport, Germany

For travelers who hate the dried out microwave fare many airports offer, Munich Airport in Germany features food offerings that are a treat to the palate. In addition to scoring sixth in overall voting for 2013, Munich Airport also earned the award for Best Airport in Central Europe and Best Airport Dining Experience.

7. Zurich Airport, Switzerland

If you have ever experienced lost luggage, you will appreciate the fact that Zurich Airport in Switzerland is a perennial winner in the category of Best Airport Baggage Delivery, in addition to scoring seventh place in overall voting in 2013. Zurich Airport also earned the 2013 award for Best Airport Staff Service – Europe.

8. Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia, Canada

Finishing in eighth place overall in the 2013 voting, Vancouver International Airportis the only North American representative on the list of World’s Best Airports. Moving up from its overall ninth place finish in 2012, Vancouver International Airport retained the award for Best Airport in North America.

9. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Japan

A new entry in the top ten list of World’s Best Airports, Tokyo International Airportmoved up five places from its 2012 position. Haneda took first place in the category of Best Domestic Airport, a new category for 2012, and also snagged the award for Best Airport Terminal Cleanliness.

10. London Heathrow Airport, England (Great Britain)

Rounding the top ten is London Heathrow Airport, earning its place on the list largely due to its highly-regarded Terminal 5, which opened in 2008. T5, as it is commonly known, also earned the award for Best Airport Terminal for the third year in a row. The entire airport has undergone an overhaul, with its efforts rewarded by Heathrow finally earning 4-Star Airport status in 2012.