AAV News in Brief 12 August 2024

Airbus to build two radiometers for CNES: Airbus has been selected by the French Space Agency (CNES) to design and build two new generation microwave radiometers as part of the French contribution to the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS): the C²OMODO mission (Convective Core Observations through MicrOwave Derivatives in the trOpics). A cooperation between the United States, Canada, Japan, Italy and France, AOS’ goal is to optimise how we examine links between aerosols, clouds, atmospheric convection and precipitation. Encompassing six satellites as well as suborbital platforms in the air and on land, it will provide key data for improved forecasts of weather, air quality and climate. C²OMODO will provide the first-ever global view of vertical air motions and precipitation properties in convective storms. This will enable two key improvements: the enhanced understanding of how intense precipitation forms, and also how these processes are represented in computer weather models which will lead to improved global weather forecasting. Designed and built in Toulouse, France, the C²OMODO high-frequency microwave radiometers will be mounted on two of the AOS satellites, working in tandem in an inclined orbit: AOS-Storm, under the lead of the US and Precipitation Measuring Mission (PMM) under the lead of Japan. StandardAero Signs CFM LEAP-1A deal: StandardAero has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Avianca to provide support for an undefined quantity of the CFM International LEAP-1A turbofan engines powering the carrier’s fleet of Airbus A320neo passenger aircraft, according to its operational demands.  Avianca joins the growing list of operators to rely on StandardAero’s new LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) line established at its San Antonio facility in Texas. Under the general terms agreement signed between the two companies, Avianca will be able to benefit from the broad range of LEAP-1A capabilities offered by StandardAero, which last March became the first North American non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) holder for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.  These services – which include MRO support, workscoping/forecasting, engine testing, program management, component repair development, lease engine support and module swaps – are offered in a seamless fashion under StandardAero’s Total Engine Asset Management (TEAM) portfolio. AJW Group wins PBH contract from Ascend Airways: AJW Group announced the successful launch of a comprehensive Power-by-the-Hour (PBH) contract with Ascend Airways. The multi-year agreement will see AJW Group support Ascend Airways’ Boeing 737MAX and 737NG aircraft with a tailored support program, including components and world-class Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services provided by AJW Technique in Montreal. Their extensive global network of repair contracts is expected to expand by an additional two to five aircraft per year over the duration of the contract. Ascend Airways, part of the Avia Solutions Group family, was established in early 2024 to provide locally based aircraft and crew to meet the needs of UK-based airlines, tour operators, charter brokers, government departments, and NGOs. “We are delighted to embark on this journey with Ascend Airways,” said Scott Symington, Chief Commercial Officer at AJW Group. “This partnership underscores our dedication to providing top-tier support that drives operational reliability and efficiency. By offering solutions that optimise their fleet’s performance and ensure passenger safety, we are committed to supporting Ascend Airways’ growth and operational success.” Air Charter Service opens its doors in Ireland: Leading aircraft charter specialist Air Charter Service, has opened a new office in Dublin, the company’s first in Ireland. Justin Bowman, ACS’s Chief Executive, commented: “Ireland has always been on our list of where we wanted an office. In fact, it was at a company conference in Ireland more than 20 years ago that our Chairman, Chris Leach, first laid out his global expansion plans for ACS to the rest of the team. Business aviation in Ireland has been on an upward trajectory for some time now, and this move will help us to better serve our existing customers in the country and to grow our client base further. We are really excited to see the opportunities that ACS Ireland creates for the business going forward. Heading up the office is the hugely experienced Alex Sadler, who joined ACS more than 11 years ago in our London headquarters. Most recently he successfully opened and ran our office at Gatwick Airport, and he is looking forward to growing a team of aircraft charter experts in Ireland.” United Aero Group joins Nighthawk dealer group: Nighthawk Flight Systems announced the addition of United Aero Group to its family of dealers. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Nighthawk’s commitment to expanding its reach and delivering cutting-edge aviation technology to customers worldwide. “We are thrilled to welcome United Aero Group into the Nighthawk family. Their reputation for exceptional customer service and an industry leader in helicopter MRO services aligns perfectly with our mission to provide pilots and operators with the best in aviation technology,” said Paul Martin, CEO of Nighthawk Flight Systems. “This partnership will enable us to reach new heights and serve our customers with even greater efficiency and precision.” EUROCONTROL and Frequentis extend long-term contract: Frequentis Comsoft has been awarded a two-year industrial partner contract extension, continuing their long-standing relationship with EUROCONTROL. The renewed contract ensures continuous support and upgrades for ARTAS (ATM surveillance tracker and server) to meet evolving demands. The CAMOS contract (Centralised ARTAS Maintenance and Operational Support – Industrial Partner) involves the maintenance and operational support for the ARTAS system. ARTAS is the most widely deployed tracker in Europe and is recognised as one of the most advanced and mature surveillance data processing systems worldwide. Developed by EUROCONTROL on behalf of their member states, ARTAS employs the latest multi-sensor tracking technology to deliver exceptional accuracy and reliability using PSR, SSR, Mode-S, ADS-B, and multilateration surveillance sources. The system supports around 90% of daily flight movements in Europe and is deployed at approximately 100 locations. Volocopter completes test in Paris: Volocopter, the pioneer of sustainable air mobility, successfully completed a crewed test flight at the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’École, the first bespoke commercial vertiport for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) integrated within Volocopter’s approved flights routes in Paris. This flight initiated the eVTOL operational validation phase, a critical step to making electric flights a norm in the city and beyond. The commencement of this phase holds immense significance for the entire Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) industry, as it will generate practical knowledge for integrating eVTOLs in vertiports and airspaces in megacities worldwide. The crewed Volocopter aircraft took flight from the inaugurated vertiport of the Aerodrome of Saint-Cyr-l’Ecole, built by Groupe ADP, the company’s longstanding Parisian partner. With this flight, the partners begin their operational validation phase, a pre-commercial test series to mature the eVTOL ecosystem in France. This includes flight maneuvers to and from the vertiport, ground handling, communication with air traffic control, and battery charging and management at vertiports. Validation testing at an eVTOL-bespoke and route-approved location in Saint-Cyr-l’École will give Volocopter a unique advantage in gathering first-hand data on improving its aircraft operations. Embraer extends US$1 billion syndicated credit line: Embraer has signed an US$1 billion syndicated credit agreement for five years. The deal is an extension of a US$650 million syndicated credit operation announced in October 2022. The contract provides the company with important access to financial resources at pre-negotiated rates. Led by banks PNC Bank, Crédit Agricole, Citibank, and with the participation of institutions such as BNP Paribas, Mizuho, Bank of America, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Corporation, Natixis, JP Morgan, MUFG, Santander, Banco do Brasil, Commerzbank, Morgan Stanley, Bradesco, and Goldman Sachs, the agreement allows access to a revolving credit line that can be used by Embraer’s subsidiaries in the U.S. and the Netherlands, with Embraer S.A. as its guarantor. Earlier this year, S&P Global Ratings raised Embraer’s rating from “BB+” to “BBB-” and maintained a stable outlook. According to S&P, Embraer’s strong cash generation allied with higher aircraft deliveries, cost reduction, and efficiency measures led to free cash flow in 2023 which was considerably stronger than the company’s guidance to the market. Fitch Ratings also revised the company’s BB+ with a positive outlook, while Moody’s raised the rating to Ba1 and maintained a stable outlook. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]