Boeing-COMAC Technology Center to Support Efficient Air Traffic Management
BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2013 – Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announced today that the Boeing-COMAC Aviation Energy Conservation and Emissions Reductions Technology Center will conduct two new research projects on air traffic management to support the long-term efficiency, capacity and safety of China's air traffic system.
"Combining our two companies' efforts on air traffic management through our Joint Technology Center is a natural step forward in our steadily expanding collaboration," said Marc Allen, president of Boeing China.
The Boeing-COMAC Technology Center, the companies' collaborative effort to support commercial aviation industry growth, will work with Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) to forecast the 30-year capacity of China's national airspace system. This research will develop evaluation tools to predict trends of future airspace development and provide recommendations for improving the national airspace system. CAUC is administered by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and hosts the National Key Laboratory of Operation Safety Technology.
"With the increasing demand for air transport and growing environmental concerns, air traffic management plays a key role in the healthy growth of air transport capability," said Dr. Guangqiu Wang, vice president of COMAC's Beijing Aeronautical Science and Technology Research Institute (BASTRI). "It is our great pleasure to cooperate with Boeing to work on air traffic management initiatives for greater energy efficiency and emission reduction."
The Boeing-COMAC Technology Center will also work with Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which hosts the National Key Laboratory of Air Traffic Flow Management Technology, on development of an air traffic decision support system to optimize in-bound air traffic flow at airports. Successful outcomes from this project will help air traffic controllers determine the most efficient arrival sequences and enhance flight safety by providing better situational awareness.
"We are very pleased to work with COMAC to support the long-term efficiency of China's commercial aviation system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Dr. Dong Yang Wu, vice president of Boeing Research & Technology - China. "The Boeing-COMAC Technology Center continues to partner with wop'rld-class research capabilities in China to support commercial aviation's growth while reducing its environmental footprint."
The Boeing-COMAC Technology Center previously announced research to identify contaminants in waste cooking oil, which is sometimes called "gutter oil" in China, and processes that may treat and clean it for use as jet fuel. Funded by both companies and located in COMAC's BASTRI, the Boeing-COMAC Technology Center is working with China-based universities and research institutions to expand knowledge in areas such as sustainable aviation biofuels and air traffic management that improve commercial aviation's efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
China is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has reported that passenger traffic reached 319 million in 2012 and forecasts that it will reach 1.5 billion passengers in 2030. Boeing has estimated that Chinese airlines will need to buy 5,260 new commercial airplanes by 2031 to meet this extraordinary demand.
Asia-Pacific to drive demand for bigger and more efficient aircraft
Asia-Pacific airlines will lead global demand for larger and more eco-efficient aircraft types over the next 20 years, according to the latest market forecast for the region by Airbus. The forecast was presented February 25th in Singapore by John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus.
Altogether, airlines from the region will take delivery of around 9,870 new passenger and cargo aircraft during the forecast period, valued at US$1.6 trillion. This represents 35 per cent of all new aircraft deliveries worldwide over the next 20 years, ahead of Europe and North America. In terms of value, the region will account for 40 per cent of the global market for new airliners, reflecting the higher proportion of widebody aircraft required by Asia-Pacific carriers.
In the passenger market, the fleet of aircraft operated by Asia-Pacific carriers is expected to more than double in the next 20 years, from 4,300 aircraft today to a total of 10,440 jets, based on higher than average annual traffic growth of 5.8 per cent and replacement of nearly 3,500 aircraft in service today.
Reflecting the high levels of urbanization in the Asia-Pacific region, traffic will continue to be concentrated around a growing number of major cities, with larger aircraft providing the most efficient means of meeting demand while overcoming airport constraints. As a result, Airbus predicts that carriers in the region will acquire some 3,840 widebody aircraft over the next 20 years, accounting for 44 per cent of worldwide demand in the larger aircraft categories.
The widebody deliveries to the region will include 3,080 twin-aisle aircraft, such as the A330 and all-new A350 XWB, and around 760 very large aircraft with over 400 seats, such as the A380, for the busiest routes. At the top end of the market, the region will lead global demand for airliners such as the A380, accounting for 45 per cent of deliveries in this size category.
In addition to long haul services, carriers in the region will continue to operate large numbers of mid-size widebodies on regional services, with more routes being served in the future by aircraft carrying more than 400 passengers.
While Asia-Pacific carriers will lead demand in the larger aircraft segments, the latest Airbus forecast also sees the number of single aisle aircraft in the region accelerating in the coming years.
This will be largely driven by the ongoing growth in the low cost sector, which has increased by seven per cent annually for the last ten years. This growth, plus replacement cycles, will generate demand for some 6,030 new single aisle aircraft in the region, such as the best-selling A320 Family.
As with the widebody market, the average seating capacity of single aisle aircraft in the region will also grow, with a significant move towards the larger models offered by the various manufacturers and higher seating configurations.
In the cargo sector, the region will continue to dominate the global market. According to the new forecast, the dedicated freighter fleet operated by Asia-Pacific airlines will grow from 316 today to some 887, representing 30 per cent of the global freighter fleet. While many of the aircraft will be converted from passenger models, Airbus predicts that around 251 new production freighters will be delivered to the region over the next two decades. As in other world regions, around 30 per cent of the freighters will be in the 45 – 70 ton category served by mid-size widebody aircraft, such as the A330.
“The Asia-Pacific market is where the action will be in the air transport market over the next 20 years,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Growing economies, bigger cities and increasing wealth will see more people flying, driving the need for larger and more efficient aircraft.”
“Airbus will be uniquely placed to meet demand from airlines in the region with the most modern, efficient and comprehensive product line, ranging from 100 to over 500 seats and catering to every market segment.”
The Asia-Pacific region is a core market for Airbus, accounting for 31 per cent of all orders recorded by the company to date. Today, there are more than 2,100 Airbus aircraft in service with 97 operators across the region, with another 1,800 on order with customers for future delivery. This represents over a third of the company's total backlog, reflecting the importance of the region as the fastest growing market for new civil aircraft.
Airbus' forecast for the Asia-Pacific region is derived from the company's Global Market Forecast, which foresees a need for some 28,200 passenger and freighter aircraft valued at nearly US$4.0 trillion over the next 20 years. In the various size categories the forecast predicts total demand for 1,710 very large aircraft, 6,970 twin aisle widebodies and 19,520 single aisle aircraft.
The Airbus product line comprises the best-selling A320 Family in the single aisle market, the popular A330 and all-new A350 XWB in the mid-size widebody category and the flagship A380 in the very large aircraft segment. In the freight market Airbus currently offers the new-build A330-200F and the A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (A330P2F) programme.
Boeing, Istanbul Technical University Launch Collaboration in Aerospace Technology Research
ISTANBUL, Feb. 20, 2013 – Boeing and Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Turkey’s leading aerospace engineering and technology institution, today announced a new collaboration in aerospace research to benefit the flying public.
Boeing Turkey President Bernard Dunn and ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karaca held a signing ceremony at the university campus to celebrate an agreement to launch joint research and development programs. The event was attended by Turkish Airlines Executives Dr. Temel Kotil and Dr. İsmail Demir. Dr. Kotil is the Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Airlines and former chair and associate Dean of the University’s Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering. Dr. Demir is the Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Technic and a graduate of ITU.
In addition, Boeing and ITU announced their first joint project: a one-year effort to research and develop an advanced air-filtration system to enhance air quality for passengers in commercial airplane cabins.
“We are very pleased to establish a new research partnership with Istanbul Technical University, one of Turkey’s finest institutions of higher learning,” said Dunn. “Boeing is defined by its technological edge, and we believe our collaboration with ITU will bring innovative ideas to our company and support Turkey’s goals for economic and technology development.”
“Today marks the start of a strong partnership between Boeing and ITU on innovative design and research for the aerospace sector,” said Prof. Dr. Karaca. “We are very pleased to have not only Boeing, but also our national flag carriers Turkish Airlines and Turkish Technic on board as strong supporters and partners of such cutting-edge R&D for civil aviation.”
The environmental control system in today’s commercial airplanes minimizes concentrations of chemical contaminants to extremely low levels. In their research, Boeing and ITU will explore the effectiveness of specially treated nano-fibers to further remove volatile organic compounds from the airplane cabin.
“This project is an example of how Boeing is continuously working to improve the commercial airplane passenger experience,” said Mike Friend, senior technical director of Global Research and Development Strategy for Boeing Research & Technology. “We look forward to working with the talented faculty and students at ITU, which has a strong research program in nano-materials for aerospace applications.”
Boeing has maintained a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey for nearly 70 years. It currently provides aircraft and services to Turkish commercial and defense customers and is a significant and trusted partner of the Turkish aerospace industry.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., Boeing is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. Boeing Research & Technology collaborates with customers, suppliers, universities and R&D agencies throughout the world to provide a broad base of innovative and affordable technologies for Boeing’s business units. For more information, please visit www.boeing.com.
For more information on Istanbul Technical University, please visit http://www.itu.edu.tr/en/.
Honeywell To Purchase New Global Headquarters In Morris Plains, N.J.
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell announced that it has signed a purchase agreement for a new global headquarters in Morris Plains, N.J. The company's decision is subject to approval of its application with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) for state incentives under the Grow N.J. Assistance Program. The company expects the move to occur in 2015.
"This site represents a terrific opportunity for Honeywell," said Rick Kriva , Honeywell's Vice President of Global Real Estate. "The new building can more than accommodate our current N.J. employee base, allows for future growth, and will enable us to develop a truly world-class global headquarters while staying in Morris County and New Jersey."
Honeywell is purchasing the Morris Plains property and buildings from McNeil-PPC, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company. While there is no anticipated impact to Honeywell's 2013 financial outlook as a result of this transaction, the transition to the new site will significantly reduce future operating expenses for the company and is in line with its stated goals to streamline its global real estate footprint.
The purchase agreement includes 40 acres of land, a 475,000 square foot building complex, and a parking garage. With this site, Honeywell will have the opportunity to equip its employees with the latest technologies and accommodations. The building retrofits will include Honeywell technologies that will allow for greater energy efficiency and enable the site to be a showcase for the company's building technology capabilities. More than 50% of Honeywell's technology portfolio is dedicated to energy efficiency. The transition to Morris Plains will also greatly minimize disruption to the more than 1,000 Honeywell employees scheduled to occupy the building.
" Frank Druetzler , mayor of Morris Plains, contacted us as our re-zoning application for our current Morris Township site slowed. In Morris Plains, we found a great opportunity that's close-by, has more office space, and can be fitted with our technologies," said Kriva. "We thank Mayor Druetzler for his leadership and assistance."
Honeywell originally planned to stay in Morris Township, where its headquarters has been located for more than 50 years, and redevelop its campus as a mixed-use site with a combination of commercial, residential, and lab space. Honeywell's current 147-acre property is underutilized with more than 50% of the campus unoccupied and its buildings outdated, inefficient, and costly to operate. Remaining in Morris Township has been predicated on both the approval of the Grow N.J. incentives and the proposed zoning changes, both of which were essential to making the project economically viable. The original plan would have resulted in millions of dollars of capital investment, created hundreds of new construction jobs, generated millions of dollars in permitting fees and annual tax revenues for Morris Township, while preserving open space.
"We could no longer accept additional delays and uncertainty," continued Kriva. "After two years and more than 50 public meetings, the opposition's delay tactics and lawsuits bogged down the process and forced us to rethink our plans. The litigation has created a significant level of risk and uncertainty in the market, leaving us without a reliable and timely way to proceed in Morris Township."
"We thank Mayor Mancuso, the Morris Township Committee, and Planning Board for their efforts in supporting our plan for rezoning the site for mixed-use development, but given the continuing delays we had to move forward with what we believe is in the best interest of our company, employees, and shareowners," said Kriva.
Honeywell has re-filed its application with the NJEDA for incentives under the Grow N.J. Assistance Program to reflect its decision to move its headquarters to Morris Plains.
"We admire the commitment by the governor, legislature, and NJEDA to growing business in New Jersey and thank them for providing us with an opportunity to preserve and create jobs, and reinvest in the state," concluded Kriva.
Honeywell's Corporate Technology Center, Lab Operations, and Flight Operations will remain in their current locations.
First Airbus A350 XWB with wings complete emerges for outdoor testing
26 February 2013 The first Airbus A350 XWB – MSN001 – now showing its completed wings, has moved to its next phase of ground testing, from Roger Béteille A350 XWB FAL “Station 30” to the Clément Ader area “Station 18” in Toulouse. The aircraft is structurally complete and shows the installed winglets, belly fairing panels, main landing gear doors.
The aircraft has recently completed successfully a series of indoor ground tests as well as stability tests on ‘movable’ elements such as rudder, elevators, ailerons and wing spoilers and landing gears extraction/retraction. The next steps which will take place outdoors at the Station 18 ground test station will include three planned families of tests: Fuel tanks testing – including levels, flows, sealing and internal fuel transfer functions; pressure testing of the fuselage; and radio equipment testing.
Satellite firm ViaSat to add 275 jobs in Duluth
From the Atlanta Business Chronicle, January 21, 2013
Communications equipment firm ViaSat Inc. will add about 275 jobs at its metro Atlanta campus. The expansion will more than double the company's local workforce.
Carlsbad, Calif.-based ViaSat (NASDAQ: VSAT) will lease a new $10 million, 60,000 square foot office building at its Breckinridge Park campus in Duluth, which is also the company's regional headquarters, a source said.
ViaSat produces satellite and other digital communication products for government and commercial customers.
In Duluth, the company focuses on antenna systems and commercial networks and has R&D and manufacturing operations.
ViaSat will initially add 50 jobs, with the remaining jobs being added over several years.
The new jobs will include software engineers, mechanical engineers, programmers and analysts. The average salary will pay about $90,000 annually
The expansion is driven by demand for mobile satellite communications, ViaSat spokesman Bruce Rowe said.
ViaSat is developing antennas used on business jets and for government aerial reconnaissance.
The need for ViaSat's antennas is increasing as governments do more aerial surveillance missions.
"Real-time video of battle space is important to them," Rowe said. "They can be that much more accurate with their targeting, they can do it faster."
ViaSat is also developing antennas that allow for in-flight Wi-Fi, Rowe said.
ViaSat reported profits of $7.5 million, on revenue of $863.6 million.
United Breaks Ground on new Widebody Aircraft Hanger
CHICAGO, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines broke ground on a new widebody aircraft maintenance hangar at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The airline, which is investing more than $25 million in the 90,000 square foot facility, expects to complete construction by year end.
"United is committed to the city of Newark, the state of New Jersey and the region," said Kate Gebo , vice president of corporate real estate. "Construction of this new widebody hangar in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey underscores that commitment and our investment in reliability and service."
Economic development officials estimate the project will drive more than 200 construction jobs, $12 million in wages and $52 million in regional economic activity.
"This state-of-the-art facility will be the workplace for more than 700 United aviation maintenance technicians," said Joe Ferreira , vice president of line maintenance. "From this hangar, they will work together to ensure the safety and reliability of United's fleet and the comfort and convenience of our customers."
With more than 400 daily departures from Newark Liberty International Airport to more than 130 airports, United and United Express offer more flights from New York/Newark to more cities around the world than any other airline. Approximately 13,000 United employees are based at the airline's Newark hub.
In October 2012, United broke ground on a 125,000 square foot maintenance hangar at Washington Dulles International Airport.
