Ethiopian receives second Boeing 787-9

Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet on November 21, 2017.

In less than a span of a month since Ethiopian took delivery of Africa’s first Ethiopian B 787-9, the 2nd B787-9 aircraft has joined its youngest fleet totaling its operating fleet to 95 among which 21 are from the Dreamliner family.

Gulfstream exceeds G500 and G600 planned performance

Gulfstream Aerospace has announced that during rigorous flight-testing its long-range Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600 offer better performance than originally thought.

As a result, Gulfstream is announcing new performance standards for both aircraft.

Upon entry into service, the G600 will deliver 6,500 nautical miles/12,038 kilometers of range at Mach 0.85, 300 nm/556 km farther than the initially promised range of 6,200 nm/11,482 km. At its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the aircraft will fly 5,100 nm/9,445 km, an increase of 300 nm/556 km over original projections. 

The G500 can fly 5,200 nm/9,630 km at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85, providing operators even greater mission flexibility over the aircraft’s original 5,000-nm/9,260-km range. At its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the G500 will offer 4,400 nm/8,149 km of range, a 600-nm/1,111-km increase over its projected range of 3,800 nm/7,038 km.

 “As we methodically moved through our concurrent flight-test programs, which are going exceptionally well, we recognised we had both the time and ability to enhance G500 and G600 performance and give our customers a business-jet family that’s better than the one we had promised them,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Extracting more capabilities from our aircraft has become a Gulfstream hallmark, the result of creating and maintaining a culture committed to continuous improvement, listening to our customers and exceeding our promises.” 

To demonstrate its increased range, a fully outfitted G500 set a potential city-pair record between London and Las Vegas, flying 4,690 nm/8,686 km at an average speed of Mach 0.88 with a 32-knot headwind. Now in Las Vegas, both the G500 and G600 — with fully outfitted interiors — will be part of the Gulfstream static display at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition at Henderson Executive Airport. The city-pair record is pending confirmation with the National Aeronautic Association.

Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800-series engines, the G500 and G600 have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925 — the same as Gulfstream’s G650 and flagship G650ER. 

Embraer announces new IFEC supplier for the E-Jets E2s

Embraer has selected Meggitt Polymers & Composites and KID-Systeme as its new inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system suppliers for the E-Jets E2, the second generation of the E-Jets family of commercial aircraft.

Meggitt will design and produce a high performance radome assembly for in-flight connectivity, while KID-Systeme was selected by Embraer to provide the SKYfi Club – a wireless streaming onboard platform for commercial and executive aircraft.

“To best suit their operating environments, airlines and lessors can choose from the E2's portfolio of in-flight entertainment and connectivity products from multiple suppliers. There are also common smart and modular provisions that accommodate future equipment installation,” explained Rodrigo Silva e Souza, Vice President of Marketing, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The IFE&C portfolio will include wireless streaming entertainment to personal devices or seat backs, internet via Ka and Ku bands and air-to-ground connectivity, and real-time TV (iPTV).”

Meggitt will design, manufacture, and assemble Embraer’s installation kit, comprised of a radome, skirt seal, adapter plate, and fittings. One of the key benefits to this unique assembly is the tri-band radome capability, allowing each aircraft to be tailored to the customer’s preferred antenna manufacturer.

“From a fledgling commercial radome programme inherited as part of our advanced composites acquisitions in late 2015, I am delighted to have seen the exceptional progress to the creation of a low-risk, convenient, field-proven assembly for airframers and airlines,” said David Horner, Meggitt Polymers & Composites President. “This award makes us an exclusive provider of our unique kit of parts to one of the most progressive aircraft manufacturers in the world, and we are challenging our industry’s market leaders.”

KID-Systeme’s SKYfi Club has been selected by Embraer as a catalogue line-fit option for the E2’s airline customers that will be able to choose KID-Systeme’s streaming solution. SKYfi Club streams content to passengers’ personal electronic devices, giving them access to the entertainment options available, such as: movies, e-books, and magazines. The technology is based on the trusted ALNA (Airline Network Architecture) connectivity platform, already present in over 650 aircraft. The mature system provides a scalable and modular architecture adaptable to customer needs. It enables a wide range of additional services such as internet access, and data services. Additionally, SKYfi can be complemented by SKYpower, KID-Systeme’s in-seat power and cabin power management system.

“KID-Systeme is honored and delighted about this selection, which recognizes our continuous effort in focusing on value-adding innovations, high quality products, and first class customer service,” said Peter Schetschine, Managing Director of KID.

This past April, Embraer announced that Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) will also provide inflight entertainment and connectivity for the E-Jets E2.

Trump shift the emphasis in east Africa

US President Donald Trump has approved a mission proposal from the Pentagon that will allow the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) to provide additional support for the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali Government forces as they strive to defeat Islamist al-Shabaab – a fundamentalist Salafist jihadist terrorist organisation that has pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda.
The president signed a directive designating part of southern Somalia as an “area of active hostilities” for the next six months. This will allow AFRICOM greater freedom of action in its operations in this area, including more aggressive air strikes.
President Trump is understood to have reacted to a request by General Thomas Waldhauser, the head of AFRICOM, who reportedly requested additional authority in giving the command greater flexibility, autonomy and timeliness when making decisions to prosecute targets, allowing commanders to conduct operations without having to consult the White House for each mission.
US Forces are also expected to step up the scope, scale and intensity of their operations against Al Shabaab, moving further away from the Obama administration’s policy of only allowing defensive operations, and missions in support of AMISOM. Some see this as an indication that the US has finally overcome its reluctance to intervene in Somalia, following the 1993 battle of Mogadishu (immortalised in the book and movie ‘Black Hawk Down’), which saw the loss of multiple UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 19 US dead, and a humiliating early withdrawal by the remaining US force in March 1994.

Boeing has launched its third major business unit when Boeing Global Services

Boeing has launched its third major business unit when Boeing Global Services began operating alongside Commercial Airplanes and Defense, Space & Security.

This new dedicated services business focuses on the needs of government, space and commercial customers worldwide.  

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg announced the formation of Global Services in November 2016 to expand Boeing's share of a global—and growing—commercial and government services market worth an estimated $2.6 trillion over the next decade.

"Aerospace services represents one of our biggest growth opportunities for the future," said Muilenburg. "Standing up Global Services will accelerate our capabilities across all Boeing services and support areas—from our traditional parts, modifications and upgrades business to strengthening our data analytics and information-based offerings. Our services expertise, the global reach of our business, and our strong customer partnerships have us well positioned to compete and win in this important sector." 

Boeing has been working since November to fully define and structure the integrated new business, which combines key capabilities of the company's former Commercial Aviation Services and Global Services & Support groups. Led by President and CEO Stan Deal, Global Services will bring innovative service solutions to customers in four key capability areas: Supply Chain, Engineering, Modifications & Maintenance, Digital Aviation & Analytics, and Training & Professional Services. 

"We've been talking with our customers over the past few months as we've prepared for this transition, and tomorrow they can begin to see the value of this dedicated services unit that allows us to deliver agile, cost-competitive solutions so they can reduce costs, drive efficiency and ultimately optimise their operations," said Deal.

Honeywell powering in-flight connectivity with JetWave

Honeywell says it aims to highlight what it means to be fully connected in the aviation industry by promoting its JetWave in-flight connectivity hardware.

JetWave enables both air transport and business aviation customers to access Inmarsat’s GX Aviation high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi broadband service – the business aviation package for GX Aviation is branded Jet ConneX.

Honeywell has two JetWave antenna systems available – a small tail-mount variant for business jets, and a larger fuselage-mounted antenna for commercial airliners and larger VVIP aircraft. When partnered with its JetWave terminal and other hardware they both offer passengers a multi-megabit internet experience close to what they are used to on the ground.

Business aviation platforms supported by JetWave and Jet ConneX, include Bombardier Global models; Dassault Falcon; Embraer Lineage 1000E (in early 2018); Gulfstream G650, G550, and soon the G450; and well as Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jets.

Using Inmarsat’s advanced Ka-band satellite network, Jet ConneX currently offers data plans up to 15Mbps and global coverage up to about 82 degrees latitude.

Honeywell says the helicopter industry can also take advantage of higher-speed on-board Wi-Fi, video transmission and telemedicine capability using its Aspire 200 connected aircraft solution.

The Aspire 200 system, combined with Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband high-data rate (HDR) software package, brings high-bandwidth connectivity to the helicopter cabin without being adversely affected by the rotor.

Honeywell was recently awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Aspire 200 satellite communications system on the Airbus Helicopters AS350 and Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk, and has applied for an FAA STC for the Bell 429, while Transport Canada has certified the system on the Bell 429.

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approvals for these helicopters are also under way. In addition, EASA recently approved the installation of the Aspire 200 system on the Leonardo AW139 helicopter.

Honeywell is also highlighting its GoDirect fuel efficiency software, GoDirect maintenance and service plans for aircraft and helicopters, retrofit, modification and upgrades for the cockpit and cabin, such as Honeywell’s Ovation select cabin management and Primus Elite integrated cockpit, and much more.

Embraer introduces Best-in-Class 5,800-feet Cabin Altitude on Legacy

Embraer has announced the enhancement of the flight experience aboard its Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 mid-cabin business jets. The cabin altitude of these two revolutionary aircraft is already considered among the lowest on the market, but the maximum cabin altitude has been further reduced to a best-in-class 5,800 ft (1.768 m).

“With our focus on value, the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 are setting new standards for the midsize cabin segments,” said Michael Amalfitano, Embraer Executive Jets. “These aircraft are beautifully designed and brilliantly engineered, and they will continue to elevate the experience that we provide our customers.”

The current maximum cabin altitude of the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 is 6,000 ft (1.828 m) when flying at 45,000 ft (13.716 m). The cabin pressurisation differential was increased from 9.3 psi to 9.73 psi to reduce the maximum cabin altitude to 5,800 ft. The aircraft’s environmental control system also preserves a sea-level cabin altitude while flying under 27,050 ft (8.245 m).

Launched in 2008, the Legacy 500 and Legacy 450 entered the market in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Deliveries of these aircraft with new the cabin altitude enhancement will commence in the first quarter of 2018 when the upgrade also becomes available to the installed fleet.