RAPSCO

The Regional Airline Parts Support Co. (RAPSCO) has reached an agreement with LORD Corp. to take over manufacture and distribution of parts and assemblies related to the Fairchild (now M7 Aerospace) Metro and Merlin models SA26 and SA226 aircraft. Over the past several years, RAPSCO has expanded its inventories to support these aircraft with LORD engine mount components. The agreement will allow operators of older Metro and Merlin models to obtain engine mount components in the future, said Dave Candler, Chairman of RAPSCO. "With the recently published more encompassing inspection criteria, a substantial supply of parts is key to these operators' success," he said.

Embraer

Embraer's Phenom 100 very light jet has completed the Joint Definition Phase (JDP), a significant milestone toward delivering the aircraft. During the JDP, a multidisciplinary team - including more than 300 Embraer engineers, in collaboration with suppliers co-located at corporate headquarters - finalized the Phenom 100 product definition and met with authorities to agree on methods for fulfilling certification requirements. The Phenom 100 team completed the Preliminary Design Review and developed a digital mock-up of the aircraft using CATIA V5 engineering software. One of the first applications of the digital model was the automated milling of the full-scale mock-up at BMW Group DesignworksUSA. The digital mock-up also provides a platform for engineering experts to complete structural and aerodynamic analyses, design production planning through digital manufacturing, and determine assembly logistics. The manufacturing processes and tooling established for the prototype will be honed for use in the production line.

Viva International

Caribbean regional operator Viva International, Inc. [VIVI] has received a commitment for $4 million of financing on a "best efforts basis" from S.G. Martin Securities of New York, an investment banker. The commitment is for equipment financing and other related aviation acquisitions, and will be funded via the sale of 8 percent convertible debentures. The privately offered debentures also contain an exercisable warrant that, if exercised, will provide additional capital to the company. The S.G. Martin firm will be accepting subscriptions and deposits on the company's convertible debenture and will hold them in escrow until closing with suitable equipment acquisition packages and or related aviation acquisitions as submitted by the company for consideration and funding.

Chinese Infrastructure

China aims to spend about US$17.4 billion to expand its airport infrastructure over the next five years to meet robust air traffic demand, state media said. Beijing plans to build 44 airports by 2010 and upgrade existing facilities, especially in major cities, the Shanghai Securities News said. That will bring the number of airports in China to 186 by 2010, when Shanghai hosts the World Expo and two years after the Beijing Olympics. China's carriers are expected to have 1,580 aircraft by 2010, up from 863 now, putting more pressure on existing facilities.

European Regionals

Europe's regional airlines are enjoying a period of long-term traffic growth, according to the latest statistics produced by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). ERA carriers reported average growth of 6.3 percent for scheduled passenger traffic in 2005 compared to 2004, confirming a strong year for intra-European aviation. The average scheduled passenger load factor among ERA reporting airlines for 2005 was 61.5 percent. This is the highest year-end scheduled passenger load factor figure since ERA began collecting data in 1987. The peak month figure of 67.3 percent scheduled passenger load factor was achieved in July. ERA believes that the rising load factors are probably caused by the continued prudence among operators in increasing capacity. The average sector distance flown rose by 19km (to 550km) in 2005 when compared to 2004. The average sector time was 74 minutes, up from 72 minutes in 2004. The fact that the average sector time has increased in line with the average distance indicates the continuing success of EUROCONTROL's program to minimize en route delays. Antonis Simigdalas, president of ERA, said: "These annual results are hugely encouraging. As an industry, we can clearly stop talking of recovery now and begin talking of progress." Mike Ambrose, director general of ERA, added: "The unprecedented load factor statistics tell their own story. Intra-European aviation is growing and we can look forward with optimism."