Virgin Galactic’s manned SpaceShipTwo rockets into space and back

Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic's first two astronauts ©Virgin Galactic/Quasar Media 2018

After taking off from the Mojave Desert in California, the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo successfully reached an altitude of 82.7km, well beyond the altitude that space, or the thermosphere, begins at 80km, but below the recognised 100km altitude, the Karman Line, where the Earth’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins. It is understood that the rocket plane climbed to an altitude of approximately 10,000 meters (32,000 feet) under jet propulsion, after which the rocket was ignited, powering the aircraft for 60 seconds, enabling it to fly at 2.9 times the speed of sound. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic was formed in Read more

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West Star Aviation receives STC for MD93 Series Digital Clock/USB Charger for Falcon 50 aircraft

West Star Aviation have received an FAA STC for the installation of Mid-Continent MD93 series digital clock/USB charger in Falcon 50 Aircraft. This unique 2-in-1 solution saves panel space by combining a multi-function digital clock with dual USB charging ports. “The MD93 delivers accurate time keeping functions as well as USB charging ports for both standard and high-power devices that are common today,” said Marty Rhine, Vice President of Sales, West Star Aviation. “While seemingly simple, these units are functional, reliable and provide true value and utility to the operator. So much so, we anticipate moving into DER approvals for Read more

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German Federal Police strengthens Super Puma fleet with delivery of three H215s

The German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) takes delivery of three heavy H215 helicopters ©Airbus Helicopters/Eric Raz

The German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) has taken delivery of three heavy H215 helicopters, with a fourth to follow in June 2019. These twin-engine multi-role Super Pumas will enter operation at the beginning of 2020 supporting the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME), which oversees maritime missions off of Germany’s coast. These aircraft will complement the German Federal Police’s existing fleet of Airbus helicopters, which includes 42 H135 family helicopters, 19 Super Pumas (AS332 L1s), 19 H155s and 8 H120s. The German Federal Police flies its aircraft 365 days a year while performing a wide range of missions such as border Read more

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OASES from Commsoft chosen by WZL2 in Poland

Polish MRO organisation, WZL2 (Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A.), has chosen OASES, Commsoft’s MRO IT system, to support its developing commercial operations. With more than 70 years’ experience of repairing, modernising and servicing complex fighter-bomber and fighter aircraft for the armed forces of the Republic of Poland, WZL2 is now approaching civil aviation customers with Bombardier Q400, ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop airliners, Embraer E-Jet airliners and ultimately Boeing 737NG aircraft. OASES, with its technical sophistication allied to an intuitive user interface, is structured in a modular format to provide maximum flexibility and scalability. WZL2 has selected the Read more

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Delta TechOps partners with Rolls-Royce to provide worldwide On-Wing Care Services

Delta TechOps has partnered with Rolls-Royce to provide worldwide On-Wing Care Services for various Rolls-Royce Trent engines. “This collaboration with Rolls-Royce expands our existing relationship and provides customers with round-the-world support from our expert field teams,” said Jack Arehart, V.P. — MRO Services. Under this agreement Delta TechOps will provide engine line maintenance support services at remote sites for Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent XWB, Trent 1000 and Trent 7000 operators. The services range from entire engine removal and install, to video borescoping, fan blade changes and main gearbox replacement. The Rolls-Royce On-Wing care network ensures the highest-level of service Read more

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First ANA A380 rolls-out of Airbus paintshop with unique livery

ANA's first A380 rolls out of the paintshop ©Airbus

The first A380 for All Nippon Airways (ANA) has rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg, Germany, bearing the airline’s distinctive and unique Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle livery. ANA has firm orders for three A380s, becoming the first customer for the superjumbo in Japan. The airline will take delivery of the first A380 at the end of Q1 2019 and will operate the aircraft on the popular leisure Narita-Honolulu route. The three ANA A380s will be painted in a special livery depicting sea turtles which are native to Hawaii. The first aircraft is blue, the second will be Read more

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Bundeswehr orders seven H145 search and rescue helicopters

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINWBw) has ordered seven H145 helicopters to replace the German Armed Forces’ (Bundeswehr) obsolete Bell UH-1D search and rescue fleet. The aircraft will be delivered in 2020 and will be stationed at the sites in Niederstetten, Holzdorf and Nörvenich. Airbus Helicopters will also be responsible for logistics support, repair, and maintenance of the helicopters. According to an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Bundeswehr is also responsible for search and rescue operations in the event of aircraft accidents on German territory. It therefore maintains a fleet of Read more

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Leo Koppers to retire after 16 years with MTU Maintenance

Leo Koppers (r) and his successor Martin Friis-Petersen

On January 1, 2019, Martin Friis-Petersen will take on the role of Senior Vice President MRO Programs at MTU Aero Engines, heading up the sales and marketing organization for MTU Maintenance. He takes over from Leo Koppers, who is retiring after 16 years with MTU. “We are extremely grateful to Leo Koppers for his great skill and personal dedication. In the time he has been with MTU, he has been the go-to expert for MRO, well-known and respected among key industry players and highly regarded by customers and colleagues alike,” says Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer, MTU Aero Engines. During Read more

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Bahamasair signs three year Global Maintenance Agreement with ATR

Caribbean airline Bahamasair has become the latest airline to select ATR’s Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA) contract. The GMA covers the full Bahamasair fleet, which is composed of three ATR 42-600s and two ATR 72-600s. The contract covers Standard Exchanges, Line Replacement Unit (LRU) repairs and Propeller repairs. Bahamasair becomes the fourth airline in the Caribbean to choose the GMA and this reflects the quality and comprehensiveness of ATR’s maintenance service in the region.

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Prague Airport breaks record by servicing 16 million passengers a year

©Prague Airport Terminal 2

Václav Havel Airport Prague has released that the number of serviced passengers per year had reached 16 million on Wednesday December 12. This confirms the current trend that Prague Airport has been growing faster than the European average of airports in the same category. By the end of the year, the number of passengers serviced at Prague Airport is estimated to be 16.8 million, which means a 9% increase compared to 2017. The airport is expected to experience further growth in 2019. Since the beginning of the year, Václav Havel Airport Prague has serviced an average of 46,000 passengers every Read more

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