Canada to sign delayed C-17 deal
CONTRACT Canada was expected a sign a C$3.4 billion ($2.9 billion) contract for four Boeing C-17 strategic transports on 2 February, after delays in finalising agreements on work to be placed with companies across Canada under the country¹s requirement for regional industrial benefits equal to the value of the contract. The delay means Canada may sacrifice early delivery slots offered by the US Air Force contingent on the contract being signed by the end of 2006.
Australia gets first Coastwatch aircraft
DELIVERY The Australian Customs Service received its first of 10 upgraded Bombardier Dash 8 surveillance aircraft from Coastwatch prime contractor Surveillance Australia in Darwin, Northern Territory, on 1 February. The fixed-wing aircraft will carry surveillance information management systems to be supplied by Galileo Avionica from October 2008, with these to also equip two Eurocopter EC145 helicopters to enter use by April 2008.
FSF backs FAA age proposal
PILOTS The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) has welcomed the US Federal Aviation Administration¹s stated intent to raise the commercial pilot retirement age from 60 to 65. FAA administrator Marion Blakey says the agency plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to align US regulations with the International Civil Aviation Organisation standard revised in November last year, which allows a commercial pilot to fly up to the age of 65 provided the other pilot in the crew is younger than 60. FSF president and chief executive Bill Voss says: "Raising the mandatory age to 65 does not present any safety concerns provided all pilots continue to have their health monitored."
Bankruptcy brings Symphony 160 finale
LIQUIDATION Symphony Aircraft Industries (SAI), maker of the Symphony 160, has ceased production of the 160hp (120kW) two-seater after a Canadian bankruptcy court allowed creditors to liquidate the assets of the Trois-Riviers-based company. Symphony produced 45 aircraft before seeking protection from creditors last year.
BMI acquires British Airways partner BMed
TAKEOVER BMI¹s parent has acquired Heathrow-based British Airways franchise carrier British Mediterranean (BMed). BMI says its holding company has subscribed to around £30 million ($59 million) of new shares in BMed. Under the deal BMI senior executives Sir Michael Bishop, Nigel Turner and Tim Bye have joined the BMed board. BMI and BA have agreed that BMed¹s franchise and any other commercial arrangements will continue until the end of the summer
2007 timetable.
Third Super Puma crash for MHS Aviation
ACCIDENTS Helicopter operator MHS Aviation suffered its third accident involving a Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma since 2005 when an L2 variant crashed into the sea shortly after lift-off from an oil rig offshore from Bintulu, east Malaysia on 30 January. Nine survivors were picked up, but one of the passengers died, says oil company Petronas, which had contracted MHS to carry workers to and from the platforms. On 11 November last year an MHS Super Puma with 23 people on board went down off Dugun, Terengganu, on the eastern coast of western Malaysia, but all except the captain survived. In June 2005 all 13 people on board an MHS AS332 survived when it ditched near a rig offshore from Bintulu.
Esterline expands with CMC purchase
ACQUISITION US-based Esterline is paying $335 million for avionics specialist CMC Electronics, boosting its avionics and controls business unit and fitting its ³strategy to consolidate manufacturers of superior aerospace systems and components², says chief executive Robert Cremin. CMC turned in full-year revenues of C$205 million ($174 million) in 2006.
Source: Flight International
