ATR Launches STOL 42-600S: Regional aircraft maker ATR said it has received authorisation from its board of directors for the launch of the ATR 42-600S, a Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL), a new version of the ATR 42-600 that can take-off and land on runways as short as 800 metres with 40 passengers on board in standard flight conditions. To-date, ATR has recorded 20 commitments from operators and lessors for this ATR 42-600S variant. This includes Elix Aviation Capital as the launch lessor and Air Tahiti as the launch operator. The 42-600S is a new addition to the company’s aircraft family and certification is expected by the second half of 2022, with the first delivery expected immediately after. The principal modifications for the 42-600S will concern the introduction of a larger rudder, which allows increased control of the aircraft at lower speeds. The new version will continue to use the same engine as both the ATR 42 and 72. The ATR 42-600S will allow pilots to be able to select between the ATR 42 and 72 engine ratings, meaning the aircraft can use increased power for performing STOL operations, or elect to operate more efficiently with less power on longer runways. The ATR 42-600S will also be able to symmetrically deploy its spoilers to improve braking efficiency on landing. It will also come with an autobrake system which will ensure that the full braking power occurs immediately upon landing.
GoAir launches non-stop flights from Singapore to Bengaluru and Kolkata in India: GoAir said it will start direct flights to Singapore from India from Bengaluru for four days a week and Kolkata for three days a week. Flight operations from Singapore will commence on 19 October.
Air Astana launches A321: Air Astana presented its first Airbus A321 Long Range (LR) ‘Super Arrow’ aircraft at a ceremony held in the airline’s technical centre at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport. The airline is the first operator of the aircraft in the CIS and is scheduled to take a further six Airbus A321LR aircraft on lease from Aercap of the United States. The new Super Arrows will gradually replace the fleet of Boeing 757s, which have been in operation since 2003. Air Astana now has 19 Airbus aircraft in its fleet, including eight A320, four A321, three A320neo, three A321neo and one A321LR.The average age of Air Astana’s fleet is now 7.1 years, one of the lowest in the industry.
New aviation valuation firm launched in China: China Aviation Valuation Advisors announced the founding and launch of the first specialist aviation valuation onshore firm in China and the official aviation valuation partner of the Tianjin Dongjiang FTP (DJFTP) government. The firm is expected to support a fleet of over 1,500 aircraft in Tianjin DJFTP and over 3,500 in China. The newly established expert firm will provide services including asset and enterprise valuation reports, transaction and asset advisory, market intelligence, and support services to investors, lessors and airlines across the greater China region. The company currently has offices in Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai and has local sister companies in Hong Kong (Asia Aviation Valuation Advisors) and Seoul, Korea (Korea Aviation Valuation Advisors) and others in Asia.
HAECO Cabin Solutions adds internal ODA capability: HAECO Cabin Solutions, a division of HAECO Americas, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, announced that it has expanded its Organisation Designation Authorisation (ODA) team with the addition of Meredith Frazier, who is qualified to work as a cabin safety ODA unit member. This designation allows her to review and approve drawings of parts and/or part alterations to witness tests, amongst other duties, ensuring all interior products on commercial aircraft comply with FAA standards.
