PacSim delivers flight training device to US client: New Zealand-based Pacific Simulators has delivered a new ProJet PS4.5 Flight Training Device to Tri-Star Aviation, in Houston, Texas. Based on the Boeing 737-800, the new trainer is the ideal move for General Aviation (GA) pilots looking to make the move to jet operations and preparation for their first airline job. Tri-Star Aviation is a full service FBO and flight school providing fuel, maintenance, flight training, avionics, and aircraft support since 1989. The move to providing jet simulator training services is the brainchild of founder and Chief Pilot, Dan Marrouf. “With the current COVID pandemic it may not seem the ideal time to be expanding our operations, but we are in this for the long haul. We know that the aviation sector will get back to what it was earlier this year, especially now that the vaccines are just around the corner, and we see the FTD as an important tool in our flight school. PacSim have been outstanding and we are extremely pleased with the high quality and attention to detail in all aspects of the sale.”
GEODIS boosts women in leadership in top positions: GEODIS has structured an internal women’s network. This is dedicated to giving both GEODIS’ male and female employees opportunities to express themselves, make suggestions, initiate or support actions that contribute positively to gender equality and that help increase the number of women in leadership positions. The network is also intended to improve the reputation of the logistics and transport industry, a field traditionally dominated by men, to one with an image of greater equality and attractive to women. GEODIS held a recent “GEODIS Women’s Network” (GWN) summit. “We want to continue the action we have already initiated and give women the means to access key positions. Our goal is to increase the number of women in managerial positions.” said Mario Ceccon, executive vice president Human Resources for GEODIS group. “At 13 percent in 2017, women now hold 18 percent of leadership positions. We are aiming for 25 percent by 2023.” The GWN is a worldwide network open to all employees, supported by senior management and energised by an active steering committee made up of women and men from various countries in which the group is active (France, Germany, Denmark, Singapore, the USA, etc.), and representative of various functions such as: Human Resources, Operations and the Group Management Board. The GWN acts to promote inclusion, reduce professional disparities between men and women, improve the balance between work and private life and provide equal career prospects. “With a woman as CEO, GEODIS is already signalling loud and clear that women have access to leadership positions” said Ceccon.
Airport Dimensions launches 3rd sleep ’n fly lounge at Dubai: Airport Dimensions has opened a sleep ’n fly Sleep Lounge at Concourse C (Terminal 3) in Dubai International Airport. The new facility will offer guests a unique, private space in which to rest and socially distance. Sleep ’n fly is the pioneer and number one brand in dedicated airport Sleep Lounges, offering passengers a welcome opportunity to have some downtime without having to leave the airport, ahead of their departing or connecting flight. The Concourse C lounge is Airport Dimensions’ third sleep ’n fly branded location at Dubai International, and the company’s relationship with the airport dates back to 2017 when it opened its Concourse A premises. This lounge opening also marks the fourth Sleep Lounge Airport Dimensions has brought to airports in the Middle East, and the second opening at a Gulf hub over the last three months respectively.
GE Aviation’s digital group Joins GE Digital: GE Digital, GE’s software business, announced that GE Aviation’s Digital Group has joined the company. This group features digital solutions that address flight safety, fuel, asset records, and network operations for commercial airlines and business jet operators, and data integration to help securely convert data into insights. Solutions help aircraft operators to increase aircraft readiness, decrease the sustainment cycle time and lower sustainment costs. GE Digital’s Aviation Software capabilities provide a collection of full flight data, management of compliance for leased asset records, and advanced analytics for fuel management and operational safety—providing insight that helps drive optimization of the fleet. This allows aircraft operators to tackle their most pressing maintenance issues faster, make better decisions regarding real-time fleet health, and increase fleet reliability and help boost customer satisfaction. In particular, predictive maintenance capabilities drive reduced operational costs through analytics-based solutions that take maintenance from unplanned to planned, a big change in the airline industry.
Thales introduces ‘Ready to Fly’: After introducing its strategy for a low carbon future enabling a 10 percent reduction of aircraft CO2 emissions by 2023, Thales is supporting its global airline customers with advanced technologies to restore confidence in air travel by enhancing the health safety and wellness of passengers. These affordable solutions can be quickly deployed to meet the immediate needs of airlines on new and in-service IFE systems. The Ready to Fly portfolio of solutions offered by Thales are designed to help airline customers restore passenger confidence in air travel during the crisis and in a post pandemic world. With Ready to Fly, Thales InFlyt Experience is focused on expediting the industry’s digital transformation through passenger-centric solutions and integrated products as well as services that increase crew efficiency. Ready to Fly solutions enable cabin innovations that reduce touch and mitigate passenger congestion. The Ready to Fly “touchless” solutions allow passengers to safely control the inflight entertainment system with their personal phone or tablet for a full IFE experience, including digital versions of onboard paper menus, magazines and important safety and health information. To reduce physical interactions with the crew, while maximizing services, the Thales Travel Assistant solution will enable passengers to request and receive automated information on the seatback monitor. The crew will also have the ability to gather information, receive notifications and control the cabin from their own secure personal phone or tablet.
Jet Aviation increases charter services in response to growing demand: Jet Aviation announced that is expanding its charter and aircraft management services with 41 new global fleet additions. The expansion comes in response to growing inquiries about charter services, despite the overall slowdown of air travel in 2020. With COVID bringing airlines to a near standstill in 2020, Jet Aviation has been responding to a marked increase in demand for aircraft management and charter services. Noting a five-fold increase in charter inquiries in particular, the company has broadened its service palette to meet the varying requirements of its customers. Flight restrictions and travel bans have nonetheless kept flight activity relatively flat, despite 41 additions to its global fleet. Jet Aviation also continues to add new aircraft to its global aircraft management and charter fleet. Of the 41 new aircraft additions, 13 are available for third-party charter under the company’s Part 135 charter certificate including six Hawker 900XP, a Gulfstream G450 & G550, a Challenger 300 & 350, a Falcon 2000EX EASy & Falcon 2000LXS, and a Citation Sovereign. Meanwhile, Jet Aviation Dubai recently completed and successfully redelivered the region’s first 4C-Check on a Dassault Falcon 50. The inspection was combined with FMS upgrades, light cabin refurbishments and mandatory ADS-B implementation. In tandem, the company also redelivered a 144-Month Check on a G450 and a 192-Month Check on G-IV, both requiring extensive structural repairs. The company is currently performing a C-Check on a BBJ as well.
Textron introduces STCs for IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle for King Air operators: Textron Aviation announced supplemental type certification (STC) approval of the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense Autothrottle on Pro Line Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air 200 series aircraft including new production Beechcraft King Air 260 turboprops. STC approval on Pro Line 21-equipped Beechcraft King Air 300 series aircraft is anticipated soon. Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker customers receive factory-direct support by Textron Aviation through a global network of service and parts centres, mobile service units and 24/7 1CALL AOG support. These STCs are in addition to the approvals of the autothrottle on the Beechcraft King Air 200 series equipped with Pro Line 21 avionics, the Beechcraft King Air 300 series equipped with Pro Line Fusion avionics and new production Beechcraft King Air 360 turboprops, announced in August 2020. The IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle delivers precision control to optimise power output. The enhancement reduces pilot workload by automatically managing engine power from the take-off roll through the climb, cruise and descent phases of flight.
Launch success for UAE’s FalconEye satellite: The Earth observation satellite FalconEye was successfully launched from the European Spaceport (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana by an Arianespace Soyuz rocket. Owned and operated by the United Arab Emirates, FalconEye was developed by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as co-prime contractors. The FalconEye system will support the needs of the UAE’s Armed Forces. The satellite weighed 1190 kg at launch and will be raised to a helio-synchronous orbit of 611 km. Airbus Defence and Space was in charge of the satellite design, integration and test, and supplied the platform. Thales Alenia Space designed and supplied the optical instrument and the image processing chain.
ITE Singapore becomes customer for Airbus’ ‘ACT for Academy’: Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has signed an agreement with Airbus to use the training solution ‘Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for Academy’ in its curriculum. ‘ACT for Academy’ is a maintenance training software solution under Airbus’ Training Services that aims to familiarize students with the latest Airbus aircraft technology and maintenance procedures, in a classroom environment. Through this solution, Airbus aims to prepare and equip young aerospace students to meet their career challenges and to equip them with the necessary skills. ‘ACT for Academy’, which will complement the basic aircraft training currently available in the curricula of ITE classes, is an operationally oriented, scenario-based tool focused on a ‘learning by doing’ approach. The Institute of Technical Education was established as a post-secondary institution in 1992, under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and a key developer of national skills certification and standards skilling Singapore for the future economy.
Gulf Air partners with Sabre: Sabre announced that Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has recently implemented Sabre’s branded fares technology, enhanced merchandising capabilities that allow travel agents using the Sabre global distribution system (GDS) to access the full breadth of airlines’ branded fares. With this implementation, agents can now easily view, compare and sell Gulf Air’s ‘Boutique’ fare family across the network, offering their customers greater choice and personalisation at better value. Gulf Air has introduced a new price concept for all destinations effective Oct. 20, 2020, which travel agents can book through Sabre’s GDS. With three Economy Class and two Falcon Gold class fare options, customers will be able to enjoy more choice when booking their flights. By marketing its “Boutique” fares through Sabre, Gulf Air will be giving its customers more control over their travel experiences, paying for the services that best meet their needs.
PT6 turboprop engine hits 50,000: Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies, announced that the 50,000th PT6 turboprop engine has rolled off the production line achieving an exceptional milestone in General Aviation. With the new PT6 E-Series engine now in full production, powering the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, the numbers continue to grow. The PT6 turboprop engine is the proven choice for demanding, high-cycle/high-power applications in single- and twin-engine aircraft for all kinds of missions and applications. The engine fleet’s current flying population is more than 25,000 units and it has accumulated more than 410 million flight hours and counting–that’s more flying time than anyone else in this segment.
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