RECENT NEWS

Airbus will raise the monthly production rate of its A320-family aircraft to 38 per month in August 2011 and to 40 per month in first quarter 2012, the company announced today. The company currently turns out 34 A320s per month and plans to raise that its rate to 36 this coming December. A330/A340-family production remains at 8.5 per month. 

Airbus said continued strong demand-underscored by its sales performance during this month's Farnborough Air Show, where it collected sales commitments for 206 A320-family jets-and a record backlog of more than 2,200 airplanes prompted its latest decision to boost single-aisle production rates. 

“The recent Farnborough International Airshow, where Airbus garnered orders worth $28 billion in total and the leasing companies made a strong return to the market, was clear evidence of a strong and positive trend towards recovery,” said Tom Williams, Airbus executive vice president for programs.

Meanwhile, arch-rival Boeing continues to contemplate raising production rates of its 737 line beyond the 35-per-month rate it plans for 2012. 

Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said the company would decide by early fall whether or not to raise rates beyond 35 per month. “We were mildly surprised at the strength of new orders we've seen over the last quarter,” said McNerney. “It did support our thinking to take up production rates and supports our ongoing analysis to think through whether there's more opportunity beyond what we've announced.” 

However, any decision along those lines will depend on the ability of the 737's supply chain to support such a move. “I think the supply chain is the key question,” said McNerney. “I think moving from where we've been-in the low 30s-to something north of 35 [per month], while your competitor is also looking at moves and other airplanes are also moving up in rate, can put pressure on suppliers…So we're just working very methodically through different scenarios, and if the market is there, and the supply chain is committed and capable, you will see further movement.” 

“We’re seeing a gradual improvement in the business jet market,” Jay Johnson, the chairman and CEO of Gulfstream and Jet Aviation parent General Dynamics, noted yesterday during the company’s second-quarter financial conference. “Gulfstream flying activity is up and we’re seeing a 16-percent increase in aircraft service sales…The industry has turned the corner.” The aerospace division reported $1.38 billion in revenues in the quarter, “down modestly” from the $1.41 billion in the same period last year–a result of fewer pre-owned sales and completions at Jet Aviation–while profits increased 8.4 percent to $233 million. Aerospace backlog stood at $17.4 billion as of June 30, down $700 million from March 31. This includes orders for 250 G650s and an 18- to 24-month backlog–the “sweet spot,” according to Johnson–for G450s and G550s. Defaults are also down significantly, he said, with orders now outpacing defaults three to one. Johnson reaffirmed that Gulfstream will ship 76 large-cabin jets this year and upped his delivery forecast for midsize jets from 14 to 21 in 2010. In the second quarter, Gulfstream delivered 28 green aircraft (20 large, eight midsize), two more than it did a year ago (20 large, six midsize). Johnson expects sales to rise by “low to mid single digits” this year, with “steady growth” in revenues next year as G250 and G650 deliveries start in the second half.

Business jet charter, sales and acquisition firm Zenith Jet has released a “bottom-up segment dynamics” forecast that predicts 10,940 bizjets worth some $208 billion will be delivered this decade. According to the outlook, the large, super-large and ultra-long-range segments are expected to account for more than half of these sales revenues; by volume, “personal jets” will lead. A trough is expected next year, with a return to 2008 revenues and deliveries in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The report, which was prepared by Zenith vice president of aviation services George Tsopeis, also includes potential new aircraft models. According to the forecast, Bombardier will soon offer clean-sheet replacements for the Challenger 605 and Global Express XRS, for entry into service (EIS) in 2016 and 2015, respectively; Cessna will relaunch the Columbus (EIS 2016); Gulfstream will have replacements for the G350 and G450–dubbed the G360 and G470–by 2015; and Dassault Falcon will have its super-midsize jet in service in 2018. The forecast also indicates that Hawker Beechcraft could launch a clean-sheet super-light jet for EIS in 2014, but Tsopeis told AIN that this is now highly unlikely given the company’s current financial straits. Tsopeis also predicts the phaseout of the Bombardier Learjet 40XR, 45XR and 60XR, with the in-development Learjet 85 set to become Bombardier’s entry product. Additionally, he told AIN that the Gulfstream G650 will supersede the G550.

At about 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, a Hawker Beechcraft Premier I piloted by Jack Roush crashed at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis., on the second day of the annual EAA AirVenture show. The Premier was flying from Ypisilanti, Mich., to Oshkosh. A witness told AIN that the Premier “approached very tight to the runway” and overshot, then was “doing sharp turns” and was flying very slowly at a low altitude above Wittman’s Runway 18. The witness said there was a piston-powered Piper landing in front of the Premier. The Premier was observed about 200 feet above the runway banking from side to side by AIN just before it disappeared behind buildings and parked airplanes. The witness said that the Premier’s right wingtip hit the ground first, spinning the airplane rapidly around to the left. After the Premier stopped, the engines were still running at a high power setting. Roush was observed exiting the crumpled jet with blood pouring down his face. The passenger on board appeared to be uninjured, but they were both taken to the hospital, where Roush was reported in serious but stable condition. He was discharged from the hospital this afternoon. After the accident, the Premier’s fuselage could be seen broken apart just forward of the engine pylons. The cockpit and cabin appeared intact. The wreckage was moved to a maintenance hangar at the airport and the runway reopened yesterday morning. “A number of people have come forward with photos and video,” said an EAA spokesman. The NTSB is investigating.

The business aviation market is getting stronger, but it’s not getting stronger soon enough to support hopes for a full-blown recovery in the short term, according to Dassault Aviation’s assessment of its financial results for the first half of this year. The French airframer said yesterday that, despite slowing order cancellations, it sold only two Falcons in the first six months of this year. However, it delivered 45 Falcons during this period, which was a significant increase over the 26 delivered in the first half of last year. Operating income for the first half reached €248 million ($319 million), which was 104 percent above the year-ago period, while the operating margin also improved to 12.4 percent versus 8.7 percent last year. Consolidated net sales for the first half were €1.99 billion ($2.56 billion), a 44-percent rise from the €1.38 billion ($1.77 billion) achieved in the first half of last year. Dassault expects to deliver a total of 85 Falcons this year. Group chairman Charles Edelstenne warned that Dassault will have to achieve further improvements in productivity to meet the threat posed by U.S. competitors that have relocated some activities to lower-cost economies while continuing to benefit from a dollar-euro exchange rate that favors U.S. exporters. According to Dassault, excess pre-owned aircraft inventory is still suppressing new aircraft sales.

Honda Aircraft this week said that power was switched on in its first conforming flight-test HondaJet light jet, while the fuselage and wing assemblies were mated for the first static test aircraft. “The success of our power-on tests is an important step in the completion of the first conforming flight-test aircraft,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “With this significant milestone achieved, we are now focused on the integration of avionics and other electrical systems in anticipation of first flight later this year.” Meanwhile, the static test article is expected to begin static structural testing next month. Stress testing will be conducted at Honda Aircraft’s R&D facility on its Greensboro, N.C. campus using the homegrown “MTS FlexTest” structural test system. The entire aircraft can be tested simultaneously to prove static and fatigue strength under various flight and ground load conditions. Honda’s test facility also includes an environmental chamber to simulate hot-wet conditions, which is required testing for the validation of composite structures. While the assembly and testing of aircraft continue, the company is nearing completion of its Greensboro production facility, which in addition to the manufacturing line will also house a FlightSafety level-D flight simulator for pilot training. FAA certification of the HondaJet is scheduled to occur late next year.

Partsbase, an online business-to-business parts locator service for the aviation, aerospace and defense industries, has acquired PMA Parts Finder (PPF). For the past 10 years the PMA Parts Finder computer program has been locating PMA parts and their holders. The output of the program can be directed to screen view or printed lists, machine-readable data files or, in the case of PMA holders, to address labels or mail merge data documents. Data and merge export documents can be imported into other programs for creation of mass mailings or other purposes. The system is one of the most comprehensive collections of PMA parts available. PPF starts with the FAA database but it requires “extensive cleaning to be usable and is typically incomplete due to approval process delays,” the company said. PPF then supplements the FAA’s database by collecting information directly from PMA parts producers and other Internet sources. The end result is access to detailed information that, compared with the current material from the FAA alone, is more complete and searchable by part number, descriptions, aircraft, engine and PMA holder. Under Partsbase, the new combined product is being called Partsbase PMA Market Research Tool.

According to v-p of strategic development Rebecca Flick, it will improve Partsbase's current system, giving instant access to enhanced FAA PMA cross-reference data. “The PMA Parts Finder data will greatly improve Partsbase's market intelligence services. Partsbase will now be able to deliver the most comprehensive and integrated PMA data for its clients. We offer our clients a choice of five different packages-limited access, bronze, silver, gold and platinum,” Flick said. Boca Raton, Fla.-based Partsbase allows its clients to cross reference aircraft part-number information with the three cross-reference choices: FAA PMA, US MCRL (master cross-reference library) and NATO MCRL. For access, clients must have at least the silver membership, which gives them the choice of one cross reference with their membership. Members of Partsbase can upgrade their level of membership at any time. 

Flick said that previously, using  the Partsbase system required clients to purchase the software and install it on their own computer. “With the new Internet-based system it will be accessible from any computer anywhere in the world. It is currently in beta test and should be available by the end of August.” 

“We were delighted to have been part of the conceptualization and certification of the 50Dash4 program. Now that it’s a proven performer, the best future for the program is in the hands of a strong, full-service business aircraft MRO such as West Star,” Ken Goldsmith, Jr., managing director of Yankee Pacific Aerospace, said. The relationship goes back to 2006. “When we were Premier Air Center in East Alton, Illinois, we came up with the idea of a Falcon 50 upgrade to Honeywell TFE731-4-1C engines. The upgrade significantly increases range and payload through improved takeoff performance, higher initial cruise altitudes, increased cruise speed and reduced fuel consumption. The TFE731-4-1C also has increased inspection intervals and a special MSP rate from Honeywell versus the standard TFE731-3/3D-1C engines,” Jim Swehla, president of Premier Aircraft and executive v-p of sales & marketing for West Star, told AIN. “We teamed with Yankee Pacific in 2006 for their engineering expertise and formed Premier Aircraft, with West Star doing the installations–six since May 2007.” Swehla said the upgrade takes about six weeks. The company made the STC available to other MROs, and Midcoast Aviation, Duncan Aviation and Jet Aviation became membership partners. 

Bangalore, India-based Deccan Charters’ Mumbai facility has been approved as a Sikorsky authorized customer service center (CSC) to support the S-76 helicopter. “We are pleased to provide in-country aftermarket support services. Aligned with our international strategic initiatives and overall commitment to our worldwide customers, this agreement serves as an important launch point in India,” said David Adler, president of Sikorsky Aerospace Services. The Mumbai CSC will provide S-76 operators with aftermarket support, including Sikorsky-trained local maintenance personnel for on-site maintenance management, inspections and parts procurement. According to a spokesman for the company, this latest approval is a continuation of the company’s commitment to increase its presence in India. Since 2007, Sikorsky has worked in tandem with Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) of Delhi to explore the creation of aerospace operations in India. Last year, Sikorsky and TASL expanded this association into a joint-venture agreement under which TASL builds S-92 helicopter cabins and other aerospace components for Sikorsky. 

Eclipse Aerospace has named VNE Jet of Henderson, Nev., the exclusive U.S. Southwest region factory-authorized gold service center for the Eclipse 500. A spokesman for Eclipse told AIN, “VNE’s region includes Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and all of West Texas, including Dallas.” The designation allows VNE Jet to provide maintenance services, parts distribution, airframe, engine and avionics inspections, AOG services, support services and parts distribution for qualified Eclipse mechanics and repair stations throughout the Southwest region. The Henderson location also allows the mobile repair team to serve the western U.S. within hours of an AOG call. Led by Scott Bullock, VNE Jet’s president, the company is staffed primarily by former Eclipse Aviation employees and has been providing aircraft maintenance services for EA-500 owners since Eclipse Aviation entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy. “We are pleased to be selected,” Bullock said. “Our training, dedication and years of experience with the Eclipse 500 and its engines and systems are some of the reasons we are providing services in support of the manufacturer.”