INDIA TO STUDY BIRD STRIKES
India is to set up a national advisory body to study the growing threat of birdstrikes, to both civilian and military aircraft. The group - patterned after the International Bird Strike Research Group of aeronautical companies and aviation organisations - will evaluate the nature and extent of strikes and devise appropriate countermeasures. The DGCA, India's state-owned civil aviation regulator, will play a lead role. Last year 300 birdstrikes were reported.
FINNISH UAV CONTEST HEATS UP
A contest to select a mini unmanned air vehicle for Finland's army has attracted demonstrations by the BlueBird SpyLite, EADS DRAC, Elbit Systems Skylark, Israel Aerospace Industries EyeView-650 and the Rafael-promoted Aeronautics Defense Systems Orbiter. Finland plans to acquire 30-45 UAV systems worth around $25 million. The bidders are due to submit their responses by the end of February 2011 for shortlisting in April.
COBHAM WINS INDIA TRAINER EQUIPMENT DEAL
Cobham has won an £18 million ($28 million) contract to supply weapons carriage and release equipment for the Indian air force's next batch of BAE Systems Hawk 132 advanced jet trainers. The UK company's announcement follows the Indian government's £700 million deal in July for a further 57 Hawk 132s. In the previous deal, India bought 66 Hawks following a lengthy acquisition process extending back to the 1980s.
BOEING 787 DELIVERIES 'WILL BE JUST 12 IN 2011'
Wells Fargo has cut its estimate of Boeing's 2011 787 deliveries to just 12 units, from 53, and cut its 2012 expectations to 50 units, from 75. Following the on-board fire that struck a 787 in November, Wells analysts are estimating that production delays will last between three and six months.
BOMBARDIER DOWN IN THIRD QUARTER
Bombardier Aerospace recorded third quarter revenues of $1.8 billion, down from $2.1 billion during the period last year, with pre-tax earnings slumping to $87 million, from $103 million, as aircraft deliveries fell to 53 from 61. Bombardier expects its deliveries to be down 15% to 20% in fiscal 2011.
AFRICAN AVIATION POISED FOR LIBERALISATION
African aviation liberalisation may finally move forward over the next 12 months, as a new executing agency, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), formally takes up its mandate. For years critics have said the liberalisation process has moved too slowly, but AFCAC secretary general Boubacar Djibo insists things are moving forward: "It has taken time for us to select and adopt AFCAC as the executing agency, in charge of consumer protection, competition rules and general economic protection, ensuring there is a level playing field for airlines."
FAA RESTORES MEXICO'S TO TOP SAFETY RATING
The US Federal Aviation Administration has restored Mexico's safety rating to category one, following a July downgrade owing partly to a lack of check pilots. Category one countries comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards, while those in category two lack laws or regulations necessary for oversight in accordance with minimum international standards.
Source: Flight International
