COMMERCIAL
Hainan Selects Teledyne
Teledyne Controls, based in El Segundo, Calif., said it was selected by Hainan Airlines for automating flight data retrieval and electronic software part distribution. The package selected includes Teledyne’s Wireless GroundLink system (WGL), LoadStar Server Enterprise (LSE) software application, enhanced Airborne Data Loader (eADL) and Portable Maintenance Terminal 2000 (PMAT 2000), which will carry out Software Part distribution.
The WGL system connects the selected products together and enables wireless data transfer across the entire fleet. This complete hardware and software solution will be implemented across Hainan’s Boeing 737 fleet, consisting of 57 new aircraft. This selection makes Hainan Airlines the first operator in China to expand the WGL functionality from flight data retrieval to wireless data distribution, Teledyne said.
With this system, Hainan Airlines can electronically record their aircraft data and wirelessly transfer the data via the WGL system from the aircraft to the ground, within minutes of landing, and from any airport worldwide. Once the data is received, it can be processed and analyzed in record time to assess operations and aircraft performance. Additionally, Hainan will be able to wirelessly distribute Software Parts directly from their ground station’s software configuration system, LSE, through the WGL to the eADL for loading into onboard target systems. To support the remainder of the Hainan fleet not equipped with the WGL system, software parts will be distributed electronically by LSE using the PMAT 2000 Portable Loader system. In both cases, the use of electronic Software Part distribution eliminates the need to manually carry and load hundreds of floppy disks onto the aircraft, saving time, manpower and reducing overall costs.
MILITARY
Thales on KC-390
Thales has been awarded a contract by Embraer Defence and Security to provide the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the GPS of the KC-390.
Thales High Performance Inertial Reference System (HPIRS) allows military aircraft to successfully conduct missions by flying in all weather conditions, with the highest level of safety. Thales said the unique architecture of the aircraft’s navigation system enables a significant reduction in life cycle and maintenance costs.
“Thales HPIRS and GPS will provide unique capability to the KC-390 and will contribute to the success of the program. After a rigorous selection process, Thales solution was clearly the best one for the KC-390,” said Eduardo Bonini Santos Pinto, senior vice president, operations, and COO, Embraer Defence and Security.
Also in May, Goodrich was selected to provide the air data system, ice detector, windshield ice protection controller and the fuel quantity gauging and control system for the KC-390. Initial hardware deliveries are expected to begin in 2013. The systems will be provided by Goodrich’s Sensors and Integrated Systems teams in Minnesota and Vermont. Goodrich previously had been selected to design and manufacture state of the art electro-hydrostatic actuators, electro-backup hydrostatic actuators, actuator electronics and electrical controls for the fully integrated, fly-by-wire, primary flight control system of the aircraft.
Embraer is developing the KC-390 under contract with the Brazilian Air Force. The test flights are planned for 2014 with the initial delivery of KC-390 in 2016.
CONTRACTS
â–¶ FAA awarded a $2.77 million contract to ITT Exelis and GE Aviation to help accelerate the development of required navigation performance (RNP) approach procedures, under the agency’s System Engineering 2020 (SE2020) portfolio.
Under the contract, ITT Exelis, the prime contractor, and GE’s Naverus, the sub-contractor, will develop RNP approach procedures into five airports: Ted Stevens Anchorage International in Alaska, James M. Cox Dayton International in Ohio, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City, Mo., General Mitchell International in Milwaukee, Wis., and Syracuse Hancock International in New York. ITT Exelis and GE’s Naverus will be responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining a total of 10 procedures two for each airport.
â–¶ Russia’s Transaero Airlines has selected Row 44’s In-Flight Broadband Entertainment Ecosystem for connectivity on the carrier’s narrow-body and 767 fleets. The system will deliver a variety of services, including broadband Internet access to live television, e-commerce, video on demand and bookable destination services. All services will be accessible through the passenger’s own Wi-Fi devices across the airline’s routes within and from Russia to North America, the Caribbean, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
â–¶ Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia, the country’s air navigation services provider, has selected Frequentis to supply air traffic management voice communications systems for its towers in Bucaramanga, Yopal, Pereira and Neiva, as well as for the air traffic center located on San Andres island, located about 450 miles northeast of the country’s Atlantic coast. The company will supply five of its VCS 3020X voice communication systems.
â–¶ STG Aerospace signed an agreement with Swiss International Air Lines to supply its WhiteHawk LED cabin lighting system for the airline’s fleet of Avro RJ 100s. STG said the aftermarket system offers the first “swap-out/swap-in” solution for LEDs which, until now, has proven expensive to retrofit. WhiteHawk requires no modification to the existing ballast units or lamp holders; installation is carried out by simply replacing fluorescent tubes with WhiteHawk LED tubes, the company said.
â–¶ Curtiss-Wright Controls was awarded a contract from Embraer to provide rugged data acquisition and recorder technology for the Legacy 500s. Curtiss-Wright Controls Avionics & Electronics delivered its Acra KAM-500, Acra multi-role recorder and Acra network switch subsystems to Embraer for use on the Legacy 500 network FAA certification program.
â–¶ Astronics Corp.’s wholly owned subsidiary, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp. (AES), and Panasonic Avionics signed a multi-year Master Supply Agreement for Astronics’ EmPower In-Seat Power Systems that are installed with Panasonic’s In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity systems.