AgustaWestland signed three key supplier agreements for its AW609 civil tiltrotor program here at Farnborough yesterday, with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rockwell Collins and BAE Systems. These major agreements follow a trail of contracts signed with AW609 component suppliers since AgustaWestland acquired the tiltrotor program last November. FAA and EASA certification of the AW609 is projected to occur in the first half of 2016.
Engineering
July 9, 2012 - 2:20pm
Telephonics Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corp., has delivered its first production AN/APS-508, an advanced multi-mode imaging radar system (IRS), to the Canadian Department of National Defense (CDND) for installation on the CP140 Aurora long-range maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft.
July 8, 2012 - 12:30am
Esterline CMC Electronics has something new to show Farnborough International Airshow visitors, a touchscreen display that is part of CMC’s new Cockpit 4000 Next Gen, a technology demonstrator for future military training and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance attack aircraft.
July 1, 2012 - 12:10am
The 2012 Farnborough International airshow will fly in the face of still-tough business conditions, according to organizers of the biennial event, to be staged in the UK from July 9 to 15. “The last two years have seen a very difficult economic environment, but 2012 is looking like it will be a really great show,” said Farnborough International chief executive Shaun Ormrod.
June 13, 2012 - 10:20am
The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive for all Honeywell ALF502L-2C; ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; LF507-1F; and LF507-1H turbofans. The AD was prompted by two reports of engines experiencing uncontained release of low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. The AD requires operational checks of the engine overspeed trip system to prevent LP turbine overspeed, which could lead to uncontained release of the LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.
June 12, 2012 - 3:43pm
The FAA released Advisory Circular 120-76B late last week, updating the “Guidelines for the Certification, Airworthiness and Operational Use of Portable Electronic Flight Bags.” Naturally, much of the interest surrounding the updated AC involves how it applies to tablet computers such as the Apple iPad, which has gained a huge following among pilots in all segments of aviation.
May 15, 2012 - 1:05pm
Flight Display Systems introduced its upgraded Select CMS Platinum cabin management system this week at EBACE. Compared with the original Select CMS, the company said the Platinum version offers higher quality, better reliability and lower costs, and it is easier to install. The system provides high-definition with resolution up to 1080p on monitors from five to 55 inches. It also offers control through iPads, Android devices or any Web browser.
April 11, 2012 - 12:10pm
Dallas Airmotive’s Singapore regional turbine center has been awarded an operating certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The facility is authorized by Honeywell for TFE731 major periodic inspection (MPI) services and line maintenance on TFE731, CFE738 and HTF7000 engines as well as line maintenance on RE100, RE220 and 36-series APUs.
The 5,000-sq-ft facility is staffed by six employees, including five certified mechanics and engineering-level personnel.
April 5, 2012 - 2:35am
Universal Avionics is still offering an upgrade program for the UNS-1M/1Msp FMS to the reconditioned UNS-1E/1Esp, but the reconditioned units are expected to run out by year-end, according to a company spokeswoman. While the UNS-1E/1Esp are not Waas/SBAS-enabled, “they do offer an alternative solution to a more complex upgrade for UNS-1M/1Msp operators, she explained. A new UNS-1Ew with Waas is an alternative upgrade for the UNS-1M, and Universal is offering a $20,000 credit toward suggested list price through December 31.
April 4, 2012 - 3:50pm
Gama Group has acquired Oxford, England-based Ronaldson Airmotive. The engine and components overhaul facility strengthens the range of aerospace engineering capabilities available through the Gama engineering group of businesses. Ronaldson joins both Gama Engineering and Gama Support Services in offering a range of engineering products and services for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operators. The company offers comprehensive design, certification, maintenance, repair, overhaul and modification services at its Fairoaks and Farnborough facilities.
