Not only is Sextant Avionique on home territory at the Paris air show, it is also very bullish thanks to recently-confirmed orders for avionic and satcoms equipment.
DaimlerChrysler Aviation has chosen a complete avionics package from Sextant for its A319 Corporate Jet fleet, including flight management systems (FMS), dual distance radio magnetic indicators (DDRMI), distance measuring equipment (DME) interrogators and much more. The comprehensive package also includes the innovative Jetsat Aero-1 satellite communications package.
US Airways, theUSA's sixth largest airline, has also selected avionics from Sextant (Chalet B87) for its recently-ordered A330 wide-body fleet.
The airline has ordered 30 of the type (seven firm orders, 23 options) and has already selected Sextant equipment for its A320 fleet. US Airways has firm orders for 128 A319 and A320 aircraft - 112 orders to be reconfirmed at a later date and 160 options with open-ended dates.
The first A330 is scheduled for delivery in early 2000 and Sextant must be hoping that US Airways will ask it to equip even more of its Airbus fleet.
US Airways has also opted for the Jetsat Satcom Aero-1 Aircraft Earth Station (AES). It will be fitted on the seven transatlantic A330-300 aircraft joining the fleet in 2000 and 2001.
Access
The Jetsat system will receive its first certification next month and is being demonstrated at the show on a Dassault Aero-I Falcon 900EX platform.
The system enables passengers to use telecom services and gives crew members access to both operational communications and air traffic services.
Using the Inmarsat 3 satellite constellation, with spot-beam coverage, it allows voice, fax and data communications. Developed by Thomson-CSF Detexis, Jetsat is marketed and supported worldwide by Sextant, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thomson-CSF which can be found in Hall 2B/J9-J10-K10.
Source: Flight Daily News
