By René Kurzenberg, on 31-08-2006 08:58
Views : 349
Published in : Kurznachrichten (News), Europe
Today, the 500th EC135 helicopter built at Eurocopter's German production facility in Donauwörth was delivered to the Austrian Motorist and Touring Club (ÖAMTC). General Manager of Eurocopter's German sites, Dr. Wolfgang Schoder, handed over the aircraft to Mr. Kurt Noé-Nordberg, CEO of ÖAMTC Air Ambulance Services. This is the 25th EC135 for ÖAMTC, one of the largest private operators of this helicopter type in the world. The concurrence of two "round" numbers - EC135 serial number 500 is ÖAMTC's 25th - is a lucky coindicence after decades of close cooperation between the two companies. Back in 1983, ÖAMTC acquired its first Eurocopter EMS helicopter, an AS350 at that time and named "Christophorus 1". Soon after, ÖAMTC was serving six rescue bases with its helicopters. As part of its fleet modernization which commenced in 1997, ÖAMTC successively introduced the EC135 for all its bases and bought an initial batch of seven. In September 2000, the Austrian government decided to privatize helicopter EMS entirely. The ÖAMTC took over the bases which had been previously operated by the government with the most modern rescue helicopter in the market, the EC135. Over the years, an additional 18 aircraft were purchased of which the last and latest was handed over today.
The EC135 stands for modernity and innovation: It is equipped with the world's most advanced rotor system. According to international safety regulations for EMS, it is powered by two turbine engines. Customers can choose between Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney PW 206B2 turbines, both capable of producing 690 horsepower, making the EC135 as fast as 287 kilometres per hour and giving it a range of 750 kilometres. The worldwide success of this Eurocopter type is due to the helicopter's easy handling, its extremely good manoeuvrability and its high availability (98 percent). Other assets of the EC135 lies are its bearingless main rotor and shrouded Fenestron® tail rotor, reducing noise level and vibrations during operations decisively (the external noise level is 7 db below ICAO limits). This makes the EC135 the perfect choice for Air Ambulance missions near or in urban areas and guarantees cost-efficient missions of highest safety standard for crew and patients.
Thanks to comprehensive optimization, the EC135 now offers even more advantages. Take-off weight was increased to 2,910 kilogrammes. At the same time, net weight was reduced to 1,445 kilogrammes, improving the ratio to 50 %. The payload was increased by about 80 kilogrammes, enabling the operator to either carry one more passenger or to stay airborne 30 more minutes, i.e. travel about 100 kilometres further. If equipped for IFR, the payload increase even amounts up to 90 kilos. "Eurocopter has decisively minimized maintenance costs of the EC135. Today, an EC135 has to be serviced for the first time after 400 hours flying time. This is an absolute benchmark in its class", states Fritz Holzinger, Vice President Sales and Customer Relations Central Europe at Eurocopter.
Two engine options and a huge variety of certified missions packages, also comprising digital cockpit layouts, enable a fully customer-specific configuration of the aircraft.
A rescue or Air Ambulance helicopter must fulfil the latest European regulations according to JAR-OPS3. For that reason, the aircraft dedicated to the ÖAMTC is equipped with the latest medical and technical gadgets - to ensure an optimal medical care on board. Meanwhile, ÖAMTC Air Ambulance Services exclusively operates EC135 helicopters. Since the start of service in 1997, the fleet has grown to a total of 25 aircraft (OE-XEA - OE-XEY).
By purchasing the EC135 back in 1997, the ÖAMTC took a decision for the helicopter type which has become the undisputed leader in the world market for new-generation, light, twin-engine helicopters. In 2004, a total of 67 aircraft of this type were ordered, whereas in 2005 the order book counted 87 EC135 aircraft. By means of highly flexible and customer-oriented production processes, Eurocopter today delivers 100 percent on time and quality. Due to the ever-increasing demand for the EC135, the production rate is constantly rising. While back in 2004 a total of 60 aircraft had been produced, some 72 helicopters were built in 2005. For 2006, 90 aircraft will be delivered out of the Donauwörth facility. On average, every third day, an EC135 leaves the final assembly line.
Last update: 02-07-2007 21:33
By René Kurzenberg, on 31-08-2006 08:55
Views : 365
Die EADS hat den ersten Prototypen der Missionsplanungs-Bodenstation (Mission Planning Ground Station, MPGS) für die NH90-Hubschrauber an die Finnish Air Force (FiAF) übergeben. Dieses neu entwickelte Planungssystem vereint erstmals die operationelle Führung und die technisch-logistische Unterstützung eines Waffensystems und ist neben der nationalen deutschen Version nun auch beim ersten Exportkunden im Einsatz. Die von EADS Defence Electronics entwickelte Einsatzunterstützungsanlage ist integrierter Bestandteil von vernetzten Operationen. Das System garantiert über die Datenkommunikation via Echtzeit-Datenlink eine höhere Sicherheit für Mensch und Fluggerät. In vernetzten Operationen ermöglicht das System die Anbindung an Führungs- und Informationssysteme, die den Piloten wertvolle aktuelle Zusatzinformationen bieten wie beispielsweise Wetterinformationen, Navigationskarten und aeronautische Informationen. Darüber hinaus ist mit der Einsatzunterstützungsanlage die Verbindung des Hubschraubers über Sprechfunk und Datenlinks zu Einsatzzentralen möglich. Die Integration der finnischen Missionsplanungsstation und die Koordination der Schnittstellen zu den bereits existierenden finnischen Führungs- und Logistiksystemen übernimmt die lokale finnische Firma Patria. "Mit dem jetzt gelieferten Prototypen sammeln sowohl die EADS als auch die finnischen Streitkräfte wichtige Erfahrungswerte, besonders an der Schnittstelle Mensch/Maschine. Damit ist gewährleistet, dass die ersten an Finnland gelieferten NH90-Hubschrauber bereits durch die MPGS unterstützt werden können," erklärte der Leiter von EADS Defence Electronics, Bernhard Gerwert, Insgesamt sind für die vorgesehenen 20 NH90-Hubschrauber fünf Mission Planning Ground Stations geplant, die im finnischen Jägerregiment in Utti und im Flugtestzentrum Halli installiert werden. Die MPGS ist eine Exportversion der EUA/OSS (Einsatzunterstützungs-anlage/Operations Support System), die bereits bei der Bundeswehr für ihre Tiger- und NH90-Hubschrauber im Einsatz ist. Die Einsatzunterstützungsanlage erhöht die Effizienz des Betriebs und verbessert gleichzeitig die Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Tiger- und NH90 -Hubschrauber der Bundeswehr. Die Einsatzunterstützungsanlage soll im Endausbau den gesamten Prozessablauf eines Hubschrauberverbandes vom Befehlseingang über die gesamte taktische und technische Einsatzplanung bis hin zur Auswertung und Logistik mit einem einzigen Planungssystem abdecken.
Quelle: eads.net
By René Kurzenberg, on 30-08-2006 11:11
Views : 368
Geplant ist diesen Shuttle künftig regelmäßig zu allen großen Messen in Berlin anzubieten. Das Konzept sieht vor, dass die Passagiere direkt aus der Maschine in den Helikopter umsteigen. Geplant ist auch das Konzept auf andere deutsche Flughäfen auszuweiten.
Quelle: germanwings.com
Last update: 02-07-2007 21:30
By René Kurzenberg, on 30-08-2006 11:08
Views : 402
Published in : Kurznachrichten (News), Africa/Middle East
Im Rahmen der humanitären Hilfeleistungen für den Libanon sind bereits rund 90 Tonnen Hilfsgüter durch zwei Transportmaschinen Transall C-160D und einen Airbus A310 der Luftwaffe nach Beirut transportiert worden.
Die Hilfsgüter für die libanesische Bevölkerung bestehen im Wesentlichen aus Zelten, Decken, Medikamenten, Sanitätsfahrzeugen und Babynahrung.
Die Transportmaschinen Transall C-160D werden vornehmlich eingesetzt, um Hilfsgüter von Larnaka auf Zypern nach Beirut zu transportieren, der Airbus A310 versorgt diese Basis auf Zypern von Deutschland aus.
In den nächsten Tagen finden weitere Hilfsflüge statt.
Quelle: luftwaffe.de
Last update: 02-07-2007 21:20
By René Kurzenberg, on 30-08-2006 10:59
Views : 357
Cathay Pacific Airways celebrated the 100th aircraft to join its fleet by taking delivery of an Airbus A330-300 at a ceremony at the manufacturer's base in Toulouse, France. The aircraft was presented in special livery to mark the achievement and named "Progress Hong Kong". A further five A330-300s are scheduled to join the Cathay Pacific fleet in 2007 and 2008. Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific already operates one of the largest Airbus fleets in the Asia - Pacific region, with 26 A330-300s, 15 A340-300s and three A340-600s currently in service. The A330-300 fleet operate on medium range regional routes, as well as longer sectors to Australia. The A340-300s and A340-600s operate ultra long-haul non-stop routes between Hong Kong, Europe and North America. The A340-600s have been operating daily non-stop services between Hong Kong and New York since July 2004. Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Philip Chen said: "Our latest aircraft not only caps 60 years of great achievements, but also heralds a new era of expansion for the airline. In the past 10 years we have doubled our fleet size and by 2010 we will operate more than 130 aircraft. This continued growth represents the confidence we have in the airline, and also the confidence we have in Hong Kong's future as a centre for business and tourism, and as a passenger and freight hub of international importance. Our recent acquisition of Dragonair underlines our commitment to the city and will, I believe, create new synergies that can only benefit Hong Kong." Airbus Chief Operating Officer - Customers John Leahy said: "Over the past 60 years, Cathay Pacific Airways has built a reputation for being one of the world's most visionary and prestigious carriers. Airbus is very proud to have been part of Cathay Pacific's success story during a period full of enormous challenges. We are proud of the steadily growing fleet of A330s and A340s efficiently operating on the airline's regional and intercontinental long haul network. In the spirit of true partnership, Airbus is delighted to share in Cathay Pacific's anniversary celebrations and the delivery of its 100th aircraft today, " Cathay Pacific was the first airline in the world to have established a mixed A330/340 fleet operation, fully exploiting the unique common design concept pioneered by Airbus. Sharing the same cockpit layout, operational procedures and handling characteristics, the aircraft are operated by Cathay Pacific as a single fleet, with pilots qualified to fly both types on a regular basis. Further benefits are also achieved through streamlined maintenance procedures as a result of the high level of common on-board systems and airframe components shared by the A330 and A340. Cathay Pacific's latest A330 delivery further reinforces the success of the A330/A340 Family as the preferred choice of airlines worldwide in the medium to long-range segment, with over 900 total orders from more than 60 customers. The A330/A340 Family has been especially successful in the region with more than 230 aircraft in service with19 airlines in Asia-Pacific.
Source: eads.net
Last update: 16-03-2008 21:04
