AVIATION MEGAFORCE

Efficiency of 737 supports the new start-up carrier's growth Boeing  and Ruili Airlines today celebrated the arrival of the airline's first direct purchase Next-Generation 737-700. Ruili is a newly established private airline based at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, the capital city of China's Yunnan province. "This is a momentous step forward for Ruili Airlines as we continue to enhance our fleet," said Ma Zhanwei, president, Ruili Airlines. "We hope that the competitive advantages offered by the 737 will enable us to grow from a start-up airline to a driving force in China's aviation industry."   The new airplane is the first of 14 737 orders and commitments from Ruili Airlines, including eight 737-700s and six 737 MAXs. The carrier currently operates two 737-700s and one 737-800 serving seven domestic routes in China. "We are honored to celebrate this milestone delivery with Ruili Airlines," said Ihssane Mounir, vi...

On-schedule arrival in India reinforces in-country partnership Photos (1)  Boeing has delivered the sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India, on schedule, on Nov. 24, arriving at Naval Air Station Rajali to join five others being used by the Indian Navy.   The P-8I is part of a contract of eight awarded in 2009. The final two deliveries are scheduled for 2015.   “The P-8I’s arrival in India is another key milestone for the program and marks our final delivery of the year,” said Dennis Swanson, vice president, Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India. “The Indian Navy is currently conducting missions with the first five aircraft, and this newest P-8I will begin flight trials in the coming months.” Based on the company’s Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing builds for the U.S. Navy.    The P-8I incorporates not only India-unique design features, but also Indian-bu...

MD/CE PERFORMANCE RATED HIGH IN 300 DAYS IN OFFICE The administration of the current Managing Director/CE of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam has been rated high for the giant strides and achievements recorded just 300 days in office. This was made known at an enlarged management meeting of the agency held last Monday in Lagos. Most speakers at the meeting lauded the managing Director for his silent revolution describing him as an agent of great change and a blessing to the agency. During this period, Engr. Abdulsalam, has purchased two shuttle buses to take workers particularly the Air Traffic Controllers to and from TRACON site, improved industrial relations, positive reports in the media, cordial relations with professional bodies and NCAT; allocation of 50 units of 2 bedroom flats in Abuja, reviving em-block payment, on-time payment of BTA and resolving diesel challenges, retreat for operational staff and JCC amongst other. Earlier on, Engr. Abdu...

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has been inundated with commendations from several callers at the agency’s stand at the just concluded 2014 Lagos International Trade Fair, for what most described as its very critical role in ensuring the safety and security of air travel in Nigeria.   Others commended NAMA for its efficient service delivery as an air navigation service provider. A legal practitioner, Mr Chika Ajaero described NAMA as ‘’a reasonable establishment.’’ He suggested a continuous interaction among flyers and aviation agencies to ensure harmony and co-operation in the overall interest of the safety of the Nigerian airspace. Mr Wole Afolahan, a staff of First City Monument Bank in his comment described NAMA as ‘’a critical institution made up of pleasant, erudite and very knowledgeable staff. He suggested that the agency’s ‘’ very laudable efforts at sustaining air safety should be complimented by airing its activities in the mass media on a ...

Includes partnership to expand commercialization of aerospace composites Longtime Boeing supplier rewarded for commitment to Partnering for Success  Boeing [ has signed a memorandum of agreement with leading composite supplier Toray Industries to expand its current contract for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to include the 777X wings. Once finalized, the long-term contract extension will take effect in 2015 and meet Boeing's customer affordability goals through the Partnering for Success program. The addition of the 777X to the current 787 contract represents a significant increase in the material provided to Boeing by Toray. Boeing and Toray will also collaborate to improve commercialization of composites in the aerospace market. Specific areas the companies will address include increased consistency and performance of composites across the production system and a cost structure that is more competitive with metals. "This partnership is a great example of why Toray is t...

ABS and Eutelsat are first customers for all-electric propulsion satellites Photos (1)   Boeing has successfully mated two 702SP (small platform) satellites in a stacked configuration in preparation for the first-ever conjoined satellite launch. The milestone is a significant step towards the early 2015 launch of the satellites ABS-3A and Eutelsat 115 West B, the first-ever all-electric propulsion satellites scheduled to enter service. The 702SP, designed by Boeing Network & Space Systems satellite businesses and Phantom Works, features an all-electric propulsion system and a joint configuration for a dual-manifest launch. By eliminating chemical propulsion and using only electric propulsion, the 702SP platform offers a significant mass advantage that translates to increased revenue-generating payload performance and launch vehicle savings to customers.

Gareth Jennings, London  - IHS Jane's Airport Review   Based on the Elbit Systems C-MUSIC system, the Flight Guard is housed in a single aerodynamic pod located on the under-fuselage of the host aircraft. It requires only electricity from the aircraft to function. Source: Elbit Systems Israel has adopted the Flight Guard missile protection system to protect its national airliners from the threat of manportable air defence systems (MANPADS), the Israeli Air Force (IAF) disclosed on 5 November. Flight Guard utilises the Elbit Systems Commercial Multi-Spectral Infrared Countermeasures (C-MUSIC) system adapted for the mission under the Israeli government's SkyShield programme. The system's roll-out across the nation's airlines follows a successful series of trials conducted earlier in the year. In February, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), the Civil Aviation Authority at the Ministry of Transport, and Elbit Systems trialled the podded syste...

NAMA MD PLEDGES COMMITMENT TO INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT \ The Managing Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam has solicited a collaborative partnership between the media and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as it strives to deliver “a world class CNS/ATM infrastructure across the nation that would guarantee the safety and security of the Nigerian airspace, within the ambit of the Aviation Master plan.’’ Engr. Abdulsalam who made these remarks at the 20 th Annual Seminar of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) which took place at the NCAA headquarters annex in Lagos, where he was represented by the Ag. GM Procurement, Engr. Muyiwa Adegorite, also expressed delight that the successful implementation of TRACON has given Nigeria the platform for the overlay of other cutting edge technologies due for takeoff like Controller/ Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), Mode S Data Link and Aeronautical Inf...

   Lewis Lazare Reporter- Chicago Business Journal Southwest Airlines  (NYSE: LUV) apparently means business. Despite some two weeks of air traffic control hell in October in Chicago, where Southwest has its largest hub at  Midway Airport , the low-fare carrier still managed to almost match its September on-time arrival performance, according to stats released today by FlightView, an airline and airport performance data provider. According to FlightView, Southwest notched a 77.3 percent on-time arrival performance in October, down just slightly from the 77.9 percent recorded in September, when air traffic control issues began to be a factor in the Chicago area. Southwest's October on-time performance also gave it bragging rights over Chicago-based  United Airlines  (NYSE: UAL) and American Airlines  (NASDAQ: AAL), both of which have major hubs in Chicago. AA and UA were equally impacted by the prolonged closure of  Federal...

     Boeing, SMBC Aviation Capital  has announce Order for 80 737 MAXs   Largest single 737 MAX order from a leasing company   World's third-largest leasing company grows fleet of high-demand, fuel-efficient airplanes.  Boeing  and SMBC Aviation Capital announced an order for 80 737 MAX 8s, valued at more than $8.5 billion at list prices. This is the largest single order for 737 MAXs from a leasing company and will help SMBC Aviation Capital grow its portfolio of high-demand, fuel-efficient airplanes. With this agreement SMBC Aviation Capital becomes the 50th 737 MAX customer and grows the program's order book to more than 2,400 airplanes. "It is 10 years since our business placed its first order with Boeing and we have enjoyed a decade of successful partnership since then," said Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital. "The 737 MAX 8 is one of the most fuel efficient and versatile aircraft available and today's ...

Demonstrations prove added capability for on-orbit wideband and commercial satellite platforms  Boeing  has proven its new anti-jamming communications technology is capable of operating as either a ground-based user terminal or satellite-based networking hub, enabling the military to send and receive secure communications at a significantly lower cost by using existing terminals and satellites. The anti-jam technology uses a protected tactical waveform, which shields signals from interference by adversaries or cyber-terrorists. This demonstration complements  previous on-orbit demonstrations  over satellites like ViaSat-1 and the sixth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-6), showing the ability to operate anti-jam waveforms over existing commercial and military spacecraft. “We’ve confirmed this technology can be applied quickly and affordably to existing assets, especially operational WGS satellites and ground terminals,” said Dan Hart, vice president of Boeing Gove...

Order adds to Air Canada's current operating fleet of 23 777s Boeing  and Air Canada announced an order today for two additional 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The order, previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, is valued at $660 million at list prices. Air Canada currently operates 23 777s, including 17 777-300ERs and six 777-200LRs (Long Range). “The 777-300ER continues to provide our customers with unmatched economics and efficiencies,” said Brad McMullen, vice president, North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We appreciate Air Canada’s confidence in the airplane as they grow their 777 fleet." The 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER is equipped with the world's most powerful GE90-115BL commercial jet engine, with a maximum range of 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kilometers). The 777-300ER is the most popular member of the 777 family, accumulating mo...

Terminal 2 (T2) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is undergoing a major upgrade at a cost of between USD280 million and USD320 million. Project completion is set for 2017. Turner Construction is the builder, while the design is by Gin Won Associates and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The 495,000 ft  2  (45,987 m  2  ) T2 serves about 4.7 million international and 800,000 domestic passengers per year. Funding for the T2 renovation will come from a combination of passenger facility charges, Transportation Security Administration grants, LAX funds, and airport revenue bonds. Passenger boarding bridges at all 10 gates in T2 will be replaced with equipment previously removed from the Tom Bradley International Terminal when it was completely remodelled,  IHS Jane's  was told. Those gates will be refurbished by ThyssenKrupp at a cost of USD13.3 million. The existing baggage-handling system will be partially replaced and improved under a USD11 ...

A total of 40 Air Traffic Controllers are to proceed for training this month on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) in Cairo, Egypt as part of efforts by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA to enhance capacity of its critical manpower in operations. According to the Managing Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, this training is part of the wider effort of management in ensuring the continuous training and retraining of personnel to keep pace with dynamics of evolving technology. Engr. Abdulsalam  who was represented  by the acting  direrector of Operations,  Mr Edward Ogedegbe at this year’s Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Annual General Meeting (AGM)which took place in Kano ,also disclosed that another five Air Traffic Controllers have been billed for   WindShear Equipment training in Germany by December, 2014. The NAMA boss revealed that with the Mode ‘S’ Data link and Controller/Pilot D...

Saturday, November 1, 2014 SETS AGENDA FOR SAFETY,SECURITY & SEAMLESS FLIGHT OPERATIONS Captain Muhtar(l) and Enginneer Adeyileka yesterday Capt Muhtar Usman assumed office as Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority [NCAA] yesterday 31st of October,2014 in Lagos. On assumption, he declared that his administration would focus on Safety, Security and Comfort in the conduct of flight operations in and out of Nigerian airspace in line with the Transformation Agenda of the federal government. In achieving this, Muhtar said he would be guided by Annexes of the International Civil Aviation Organization[ICAO], the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations[NCARs] and other appropriate legislations and conventions in line with international standard. According to Fan Ndubuoke, the General Manager, Public Affairs of NCAA in a press statement said Capt Usman was full of commenda...