News Pages October 2012:Layout 1
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NEWS Roundup Aerospace
Airliner forecasts
China will need 5,260 aircraft, valued at $670bn, over the next 20 years and that Indian airlines will require 1,450 aircraft valued at $175bn in the next 20 years, with 1,201 of these being singleaisle and 234 to be twin-aisle jets. As well as this, it predicts worldwide demand for 24,000 aircraft worth $4·5 trillion, with China being the second largest market for commercial aircraft. Airbus
Airbus has revealed its latest Global Market Forecast for 20122031, pointing out the need for a total of 28,200 new airliner deliveries worth $4 trillion. 27,350 of these will be passenger jets and 850 will be freighters. Two-thirds
of the existing aircraft flying today will be replaced with more fuelefficient models in the next 20 years. However, John Leahy, chief operating officer, customers commented that China’s opposition to Europe’s ETS carbon-trading scheme remains active, with sales of 35-45 A330 widebodies still under threat. ● Meanwhile, Boeing released a commercial forecast showing
Flying bike A company called Aerofex is testing a bike-like ‘hover vehicle’ in California’s Mojave Desert. Using ducted fans, the bike is mechanically manoeuvred by two control bars which control balance. It is claimed that its simplicity means that no pilot training will be necessary. Aerofex plans to fly a second version in October and an unmanned drone version by the end of 2013.
Blimp racing An aviation enthusiast plans to organise a round-the-world ‘World Sky Race’ using blimps, departing from London in 2014. Organiser, Don Hartsell, intends the airships to race in eight stages, with the shortest time being the winner. It is estimated that the race will cost $50m.
X-51A failure
Airbus reveals ‘Smarter Skies’ concept Airbus has unveiled its ‘Smarter Skies’ vision of air travel in the 2050s, with propelled platforms to boost acceleration, allowing a steeper ‘eco-climb’ of the aircraft to reduce fuel and reach cruise altitude in a shorter amount of time. Airbus says this would also create shorter runways providing more space for airports. Other ideas include free flights and glide descent and approaches, as well as allowing aircraft to fly in bird-like formation, reducing drag by flying together on long range flights.
The Boeing/USAF experimental aircraft, the X-51A Waverider, broke apart over the Pacific Ocean during its test flight on 14 August after its supersonic-combustion scramjet engine failed to ignite.
Who’s News Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon has died aged 82, following complications from heart surgery. Patrick McLoughlin MP has replaced Justine Greening MP as UK Transport Secretary. Virgin Atlantic’s chief executive Steve Ridgway is to step down next year. The chief financial officer of Gol, Leonardo Porciuncula Gomes Pereira, resigned from his position on 15 August. Gol has not named his replacement.
succeeds Ray Conner who held the role prior to his promotion to president.
EADS has announced the newly appointed Group Executive Committee. John Leahy (chief operating officer – customers, Airbus), Gunter Butschek (chief operating officer, Airbus) and Bernhard Gerwat (ceo, Cassidian) are three new members.
Airberlin has announced Simon Cook as the new sales manager for UK and Ireland.
Robert Behnken has been named chief astronaut by NASA. He succeeds Peggy Whitson. John Wojick has been named vice president of sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He
October 2012 Aerospace International
Flight Safety International has promoted Tom Eff to svp, General Counsel & Secretary, Scott Fera to svp, marketing, Greg McGowan, svp operations and Ken Motschwiller as svp and cfo. London Oxford Airport has announced that Andi Pargeter has been appointed its new md. She will commence her new role immediately.
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Leonid Sergeev has been appointed ceo of southern Russian airport group Basel Aero.