IRAQ SEEKS NEW ARMED HELICOPTER FLEET

Efforts to develop the new Iraqi air force have gathered pace, with Baghdad seeking to buy 24 Bell 407 or Boeing AH-6 Little Bird armed helicopters. To form part of a wider armaments package worth a potential $2.4 billion, the proposed deal also includes 200 Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and 15,000 2.75in rockets for the aircraft, plus .50 cal machine guns and M134 miniguns. "These helicopters and missiles will be used to develop new Iraqi air force squadrons and/or wings, and enhance the ability to sustain itself," says the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Separately, Iraq has also requested the foreign military sale of six Lockheed C-130J transports for $1.5 billion.

EMBRAER DELIVERY SURGE HELPS PROFITS

A continuing surge in aircraft deliveries in 2008 helped Embraer double its profits in the second quarter compared with the same period last year. The Brazilian regional and business aircraft manufacturer's net income jumped from $67 million in the second quarter last year to $134 million in US generally accepted accounting principles. At the same time, Embraer's civil aircraft deliveries in the second quarter grew by nearly half. Embraer delivered 52 aircraft in the second quarter, a 44% increase compared with last year. Deliveries during the first half of the year amount to 97, a record number and a 59% increase compared with last year. Embraer still plans to deliver 195-200 jets in 2008, but "tending toward the higher figure". Net sales during the quarter grew by 47% to $1.6 billion.

ECLIPSE 500 CRASHES ON TAKE-OFF

An Eclipse 500 (N333MY) was involved in a take-off accident on 30 July when it ploughed into an embankment and trees at Brandywine airport in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The accident, which is the first suffered by the twin-engined type since deliveries began in early 2007, reportedly occurred after a rejected take-off. Local press reports indicate that one of the two engines could not be shut down by fire and rescue after the accident. The investigation comes as the US National Transportation Board studies an Eclipse 500 incident at Chicago Midway airport where the pilot lost control of the aircraft's engines. According to the FAA's preliminary report in the Brandywine accident, neither the pilot nor his passenger was injured on board.

UK SKIES GET BUSIER BUT SAFER, REPORT REVEALS

There appear to be fewer loss-of-separation incidents in UK airspace and the level of risk involved in individual incidents is smaller, despite the increase in traffic during the period under review, according to the independent UK Airprox Board. The board, which analyses incidents reported by civil and military pilots and air traffic controllers, says it has examined 154 reports for 2007 compared with 159 the previous year. Among the 65 reported incidents that involved at least one commercial air transport aircraft, five were judged risk-bearing, but for the second year running none of these were in the highest risk category, and five is the lowest number of risk-bearing commercial air transport incidents recorded in the last 10 years, says the Airprox Board.

BA TAKES 777-300ERS AS IT WAITS FOR 787S

British Airways is to acquire six Boeing 777-300ERs from 2010, and has taken options on four more. The airline will purchase two of six and lease the other four, with GE Commercial Aviation Services believed to be the source of the latter. Chief executive Willie Walsh says: "This retains flexibility and gives us flexibility to either replace or grow, particularly in light of delays to the 787 programme." He adds that the -300ERs "are likely to be replacement and flexibility aircraft rather than growth aircraft".




Source: Flight International