Eurocopter sells five AS350 B3 helicopters in India
The acquisition of five AS350 B3 helicopters by three Indian customers was announced by Eurocopter and its Eurocopter India subsidiary at the Aero India 2011 exhibition in Bangalore.
Three of the rotary-wing aircraft were ordered by Global Vectra, whose fleet will grow to seven AS350 B3s; while Summit Aviation and SS Aviation each purchased one. All five are scheduled to be delivered during 2011.
“The AS350 B3 has become the single-engine helicopter of choice for major Indian operators, who are increasingly adopting it for their fleets,” said Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling. “Seeing this trend, we are confident the AS350 B3 will be instrumental in developing such segments as heli-tourism, passenger transportation, rescue, aerial work and law enforcement throughout the country.”
With unrivalled performance at extremely high altitudes, the AS350 B3 is a worldwide reference – especially for evolving market opportunities. The helicopter can carry more passengers in hot and high conditions than any other rotary-wing aircraft in its class. For India, it is the ideal multipurpose single-engine helicopter, offering the lowest operating costs and highest safety standards.
The AS350 B3 has experienced major success in heli-skiing applications at such locations as the Alps in Europe, North America’s Rocky Mountains and Alaska, and the Andes in South America – with operations now extended to the Himalayas in India.
“Heli-skiing is a sport that requires high level of aircraft safety, robustness and capability to function immaculately in extremely high altitude conditions,” explained Neeraj Bhatia, the Managing Director of Summit Aviation. “The AS350 B3 was our choice for such duties at Gulmarg, Kashmir, where it is taking on the most challenging tasks with ease, and demonstrating incredible performance.”
The AS350 B3 also has redefined pilgrim tourism in India, and is flying tourists to places like Vaishno Devi, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Amarnath. It is successfully used by numerous operators for corporate transportation, and has become the backbone of India’s geophysical surveys. Five AS350 B3s are in operation to support the country’s geophysical survey activity, with four of them flown by Global Vectra – the first operator using this helicopter type in India for such missions.
Most recently, Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited equipped an AS350 B3 with cameras and relay equipment for TV broadcasts during the recent Commonwealth Games, an Indian first.
The SS Aviation contract announced today at Aero India 2011 makes this operator a new Eurocopter customer, with the AS350 B3 becoming the first helicopter in its fleet. “There is an increasing demand in the rural areas of Karnataka for air transport services, so the purchase of a helicopter makes sense to cater to this growing demand,” stated H. I. Mahesh, the CEO of SS Aviation.
Boeing Completes Industrial Participation Programs for 1st 5 UK C-17s
LONDON, Feb. 11, 2011 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has successfully completed — ahead of schedule — its industrial participation (IP) programs for the first five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). To date, Boeing has delivered benefits of more than $1 billion to United Kingdom industry for this aircraft program.
“Boeing has been a partner to the United Kingdom for more than 70 years, serving the needs of its commercial airplane customers and Britain’s military,” said Mike Kurth, managing director, Boeing Defence United Kingdom. “Boeing is a major contributor to the local economy. The company has spent more than $17 billion over the past eight years, working with more than 300 partners and suppliers that bring thousands of high-value, long-term jobs to the UK.”
UK companies that contribute to Boeing’s C-17 program are:
- BAE Systems: head-up display
- CAV Aerospace Llantrisant: avionics racks
- Eaton Aerospace: pressure regulating system and pump canister for onboard inert gas generating system
- GE Aviation Systems Cheltenham: differential pressure indicator and standby altimeter airspeed indicator
- GE Aviation Systems Hamble: wing trailing edge panels and flap hinge fairings
- GKN Aerospace: flap vane assemblies
- Goodrich Actuation Systems: pitch trim control valve
- IPECO: crew seats.
This work, along with Boeing’s continued partnership with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, helped fulfill C-17 UK IP obligations. As part of this program, Boeing also provides marketing assistance to help a number of UK small- and medium-sized enterprises identify new market opportunities across The Boeing Company, as well as with its extended network of suppliers.
Boeing is bringing another $1.1 billion in opportunities to UK industry through IP programs associated with the RAF’s sixth and seventh C-17 aircraft, the AH-64 Apache Integrated Operational Support program, the CH-47 Chinook Through Life Customer Support program, and the Project Julius Chinook Mk4 upgrade program.
Boeing has an unmatched reputation for delivering world-class industrial participation programs that have brought benefits of more than $41 billion to nearly 40 countries over the past 30 years.
The RAF earlier this month received its seventh C-17 aircraft as part of the UK’s strategic air bridge to British Armed Forces in Afghanistan, a landlocked theater of operation surrounded by inhospitable terrain. The UK C-17 fleet complements its strategic air transport role by supporting humanitarian efforts such as tsunami relief in Southeast Asia and earthquake rescue in Pakistan.
Boeing Defence UK Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. It currently has employees at 20 locations throughout the UK supporting Ministry of Defence and U.S. military programs.
Source and photo: Boeing
Last Chance For Air Tattoo Earlybird
11 February 2011
People planning to attend the Air Tattoo’s 40th anniversary celebrations in July have until the end of February to get their hands on special Earlybird tickets, organisers warn.
From March 1, day-specific tickets for the world-famous airshow, on July 16-17, will cost £39 plus a £4 booking fee for orders taken online or over the telephone. However, the Earlybird price is just £34, representing a saving of up to £9 per ticket. All accompanied under-16s get in free of charge.
Air Tattoo organisers are planning a range of breath-taking set pieces both in the air and on the ground at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to mark 40 years of staging world-class airshows. The first Air Tattoo was held at North Weald airfield in 1971 and has since grown to become one of the UK’s biggest outdoor public events. It is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.
This summer, more than 150,000 people are expected to attend the airshow to see many of the world’s most exciting aircraft, including fast jets, giant transporters, classic warbirds, helicopters and aerobatics display teams. In addition to the thrilling seven-hour flying programme, there is a large static aircraft park, a classic car display, an action arena, fairground and outdoor concert. Entertainment includes a stunt car driving demo, a parachute tower, children’s quad bikes, a motorbike display team, water zorbing, re-enactors plus a range of aircraft simulators.
Air Tattoo Deputy Director of Marketing Helen Webb said that as most people are having to tighten their belts it was important to remind everyone of the savings to be had by purchasing their Earlybird tickets this month. She added: “Our prices mean that families can enjoy a day out savouring all the excitement of the world’s largest military airshow this summer without breaking the bank.”
As well as celebrating its 40th anniversary, this summer’s Air Tattoo will host a gathering of specially-decorated ‘Tiger’ aircraft from the NATO Tiger Association. ‘Tiger’ aircraft come from NATO squadrons that have a Tiger or Big Cat in their emblem and their association marks its 50th anniversary in 2011. The ‘operational’ spotlight STAR 11 will focus on aircraft and equipment involved in the roles of Strike and Reconnaissance.
In addition to the day-specific Earlybird tickets, there is also an opportunity to buy tickets valid for either Saturday (July 16) or Sunday (July 17), two-day weekend tickets as well as tickets for all the various grandstands and enclosures.
See Air Tattoo 2011
Source and Photography: RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2011
Latest SPICE galley trial demonstrates shorter service times
During a special lunch held onboard an A330 jetliner, Airbus confirmed the rapid service times provided by its SPICE (SPace Innovative 
Catering Equipment) galley system – including a 50 per cent reduction in food preparation time when compared to industry standards.
Airbus has confirmed a key benefit of its new SPICE (SPace Innovative Catering Equipment) galley system, underscoring its rapid service times during a special lunch held onboard an A330 at the company’s mock-up centre in Toulouse, France.
A total of eight airlines – including Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM – took part in this recent trial to evaluate SPICE in as close to real conditions as possible. While the 194 Airbus employees enjoyed their three-course meals, the service crew’s activity was filmed – allowing for in-depth analysis of SPICE’s performance.
Among the key findings, SPICE provided a 50 per cent reduction in food preparation time when compared to industry standards, while drink preparation was four times as fast. Overall, this service took roughly the same time as the eight airlines’ individual benchmarks – despite there being more passengers for each crew member to serve.
“It goes without saying that the trial proved to be a great success,” explained Daniel Percy of Airbus’ aircraft interior marketing team. “We were able to confidently tick off one of the key items required for complete market validation.”
Airbus believes this system has potential to become the first new industry-wide standard for galleys in over forty years. In addition to time savings, SPICE also provides significant weight and space reductions – with minimal changes to the current way of serving passengers and preparing food for loading onto an aircraft.
Source and photo: Airbus