Aviation News in Brief 15 Oct 2019

Japanese prefectures order Bell choppers: Bell Textron announced that two Japanese prefectures have placed orders for two Bell 412EPI helicopters. The orders came from the Wakayama and Ishikawa Prefectures, through Rotorcraft Services Group (RSG) and EuroTec Japan Corporation. Each Prefecture has ordered one Bell 412EPI, and the aircraft will be operated by their respective firefighting departments. “We are honoured that the Wakayama and Ishikawa prefectures have selected the Bell 412EPI for their firefighting and disaster relief and response missions,” said Jacinto Monge, managing director for north Asia at Bell. “This agreement demonstrates the Bell 412EPI’s strength in the Japanese para-public sector and the confidence the Japanese government has in the aircraft to save lives.” The Bell 412EPI improves the Bell 412 platform with the Bell BasiX Pro fully integrated glass flightdeck, providing critical flight information at a glance for greater situational awareness and safety. The Bell 412EPI is in service with governments in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Lufthansa Technik helps to bring in-flight Internet to China: Lufthansa Technik has further increased its market presence for connectivity modifications in Asia and has signed a deal with China’s Air Esurfing Information Technology. Further contract partners include Honeywell (antenna hardware provider) and China Satcom (satellite provider). According to a new five-year agreement, Lufthansa Technik will design and certify Ka-band-based connectivity retrofit packages for both the Airbus A320ceo and A320neo aircraft families as well as the Boeing 737NG and 737MAX. The company will also work with Air Esurfing Information Technology to provide the respective CAAC validated EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC) to support Chinese airlines. Moreover, Lufthansa Technik will take care of material supply and material handling services for the installation of the packages, that can be tailored to each of Air Esurfing’s airline customers and their specific requirements. Sino Jet awarded snags honours at World Travel Awards 2019: Business jet operator Sino Jet was named “Asia’s Leading Private Jet Charter” and “China’s Leading Private Jet Charter” at the World Travel Awards ceremony held recently in Vietnam. Jenny Lau, group president of Sino Jet said: “We are honoured to receive the WTA Awards which recognise of our commitment and determination to provide best-in-class services and the industry’s highest safety standards. Investment into our skilled professionals, particularly engineers, and to expanding Sino Jet’s geographic presence remains key. We continue to strengthen our service portfolio, and we are now further expanding to second and third tier cities in China. This market is also very strong for our personalised travel experiences and entrepreneurs’ network, which is delivered through our sister company, GEOSTAR.” Ideagen and TP Aerospace sign deal: TP Aerospace has signed a deal with Ideagen to implement software from Ideagen as it expands its global quality management operations. The Copenhagen-based organisation will adopt Ideagen’s Q-Pulse quality management software as the company rolls out its growth plan, Green Sunrise, which aims at moving closer to customers, among others, through more locations around the world. Ideagen’s Q-Pulse system will provide TP Aerospace with a “single source of the truth” in regards to operational quality management, providing a crucial system for auditing, training, reporting and document management during and beyond its ambitious global growth project. TP Aerospace operates in the aftermarket for aircraft wheels and brakes and serves customers worldwide. The majority of the new locations expected as part of the growth plan are centred in Asia-Pacific to accommodate the strong growth in the region. Since the launch of the strategy in 2018, MRO facilities have already been set up and are running in Thailand and Malaysia, while also a sales representative office in Shenzhen, China, has been added. TP Aerospace is also looking to increase presence in the other major regions, and a fully operational shop is already set up in the UK as part of the Green Sunrise project. FL Technics becomes rep for Langa Industrial: MRO provider FL Technics has signed an exclusive representation agreement with the Spanish ground support equipment manufacturer Langa Industrial. FL Technics will represent Langa by providing various ground support equipment to airlines, MROs, and other players. Langa Industrial manufactures hydraulic tripod and axles jacks, nitrogen and oxygen carts, hydraulic maintenance platforms, maintenance and access ladders, hydraulic jack testers, automatic jacking controlling systems, aircraft weighing systems, mobile maintenance cranes, stands, towable heaters, truck mounted and self-propelled scissor platforms, as well as other equipment. FL Technics will exclusively represent Langa Industrial in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the Baltic states, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldavia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Malta, Austria, Kenia, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Kameron, Qatar, and Iceland. Airbus and Air Austral sign a purchase agreement for three A220s: Air Austral, France’s Réunion Island-based airline, has signed a firm order for three A220 aircraft. With this order Air Austral becomes the first A220 customer based in the Indian Ocean region. The A220 is purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market and is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines. The A220 had an order book of over 500 aircraft at the end of September 2019.