18-24 June 2019 I flightglobal.com

COntract Blazing a trail How massive three-year deal will help F-35 hit crucial price target

ISSN 0015-3710 £3.90 Better together Spooling up 25 Raytheon/UTC merger to create Rolls-Royce powers ahead with $74 billion aerospace giant 10 breakthrough technologies 34 9 770015 371310

CONTENTS Volume 195 Number 5691 18-24 JUNE 2019

Rolls-Royce readies future powerplant technology P34 Rolls-Royce

NEWS COVER STORY

BEHIND THE HEADLINES 18-24 June 2019 I flightglobal.com 19 Multi-year deal Craig Hoyle got updates has F-35 soaring high on Saab’s Gripen E and THIS WEEK GlobalEye programmes in 8 Gripen E excluded from Swiss contest Combined purchase of nearly 500 aircraft will Linkoping (P30). And in 9 MRJ rebrand makes room for SpaceJet help Lockheed hit unit Derby, Dominic Perry saw 10 Merger sees Raytheon lock on to UTC price target, but Turkish COntraCt the latest in Rolls-Royce 11 GE9X certification effort powers past delays involvement with the B l a z i n g engine innovations (P34) programme appears a trail H o w m a s s i v e t h r e e - y e a r d e a l w i l l AIR TRANSPORT to be over help F-35 hit crucial price target

ISSN 0015-3710 £3.90 Better together Spooling up 25 12 Citation climbed into conflict with 737. Raytheon/UTC merger to create Rolls-Royce powers ahead with $74 billion aerospace giant 10 breakthrough technologies 34 9 770015 371310 US Air Force

EU introduces common drone registration rules FIN_180619_301.indd 1 13/06/2019 10:22 13 Airbus hands over its 12,000th aircraft. CFM to roll out Leap-1B bearing cage fix FEATURES 14 Malta Air is latest to join Ryanair stable. Tigerair Australia pilots feline fine over pay deal 26 T-X mettle in the metal 16 E190 nearly crashed after cabling error. Boeing and Saab believe combining traditional

Airbus A319 crossed active runway at Toronto materials and modern processes will make the US Air NEXT WEEK PARIS Force’s new trainer an affordable winner – with major Come sunshine or deluge, DEFENCE export appeal 18 we will bring you the most First-batch award readies VH-92A for 30 (E)ven smarter comprehensive coverage presidential debut. First flown two years ago, Saab’s Gripen E is from the 53rd Paris air show Autonomous Black Hawk takes off powering towards delivery for the Swedish and 19 Partnership model will underpin success of Brazilian air forces, while the company targets a Tempest programme broad range of export opportunities 20 C-130H exit a priority for New Zealand REGULARS 34 Powering into the future While focusing on ramp-up and reliability, Rolls-Royce 7 Comment NEWS FOCUS 22 Lockheed battles F-35 operating costs has its sights fixed on the next generation of gas 40 Straight & Level turbine and electric propulsion systems 41 Letters BUSINESS AVIATION 38 Flying high into our fifth decade 43 Classified 24 Tamarack seeks Chapter 11 protection. The latest in a series of articles marking Flight’s 110 45 Jobs Ampaire generates interest in electric motor years in aviation publishing examines how the 47 Working Week 25 NFT drives ahead with Aska flying car. magazine evolved during the 1950s as the industry Lilium lands in London to secure software skills went from strength to strength

DownloadDownload the new the Commercial 2019 Commercial Engines Engines Directory Report nowDownload withnow enhanced with updated The data enhancedEngine and in-depth data Directory. and market in-depth analysis market analysis flightglobal.com/ComEngDirectory flightglobal.com/commengines13flightglobal.com/commengines CFM 2017 strip ad.indd 1 30/05/2019 08:37 flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 3

19/07/2012 17:51 CONTENTS

Image of the week A joint formation of combat aircraft is shown taking part in exercise Astral Knight over the Adriatic Sea on 4 June. F-16s, and F-35s from the US Air Force and its Italian counterpart flank a B-52H bomber. The manoeuvres also involved Croatian MiG-21s and Slovenian personnel

View more great aviation shots online and in our weekly tablet edition: flightglobal.com/ flight-international US Air Force The week in numbers Question of the week Last week, we asked: Hottest topic at Le Bourget? You said: 42% Cirium Dashboard Total votes: 1,249 Dublin will pay €5m towards runway lengthening if Waterford airport’s operator can show the total bill will be below €12m 737 Max grounding 616 votes 49%

A321XLR Launch 387 votes

Aegean -€35.2m CRJ joins MRJ 31% Bad news for the Aegean-Olympic Air group as first-quarter 4% 203 votes losses exceeded last year’s €30.8m; but revenue was up 4% 16% Franco-German FCAS 43 votes

Menzies Aviation This week, we ask: Raytheon/UTC tie-up? 24,000 ❑ Bigger is better ❑ Some synergies Turns to be handled yearly by John Menzies at London Luton ❑ Off target for EasyJet, which has extended its ground handling contract Vote at flightglobal.com

Cirium’s premium news and data service delivers breaking air transport stories with profiles, schedules, and fleet, financial and traffic information flightglobal.com/dashboard

CIVIL SIMULATOR CENSUS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE www.flightglobal.com/civilsim

4 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com WE’RE CREATING A MORE CONNECTED EVERYTHING

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Superior skills

pollo 8 astronaut and former Eastern AAir Lines chief Frank Borman once defined a superior pilot as one who used their superior judgement to avoid situations that require the use of their superior skills. Superior skills would include those demonstrated by the crew of an Air ­Astana Embraer 190 who found them- selves the unwilling participants in a ter- rifying 2h drama in the sky over Portugal last year, as their aircraft – its ailerons mistakenly misrigged during mainte- nance – persistently and violently re-

Martin Meissner/AP/Shutterstock belled against commands. This can work At one stage, the twinjet entered a left roll exceeding 90°, despite the yoke being turned hard to the right, according to simulations performed by Portuguese in- Bigger – but better? vestigators based on flight data. To diagnose such a problem during Corporate diversification to alleviate ups and downs of business cycles has flight is complex enough. To deal with it long gone out of fashion – but UTC is still playing the conglomerate game requires undoing hard-wired instincts reinforced by years of training. The situation had precedent. Some he argument for combining disparate Sundstrand companies and its 2012 acquisi- ­pilots – like those of a misconfigured Tbusinesses under a corporate umbrella tion, Goodrich). Also in the family are Otis Lufthansa Airbus A320 in 2001, saved by may seem compelling. Operations exposed to and Carrier, makers of elevators and air-­ the first officer’s swift intervention – are a variety of markets buffer a parent company conditioners. A United Technologies Research fortunate. Others, like the crew of the from boom-bust cycles. While industry-­ Center supports all the UTC businesses. prototype Spectrum S-33 five years later, expert leaders of the subsidiaries get on with Now, even UTC – which has long lagged are not. Every student pilot, before they running their businesses, professional man- the S&P 500 share price index – has thrown first leave the ground, is taught to turn the agers in head office look after strategy, with in the towel. Late last year it announced wheel towards the instructor, look at the access to far greater financial resources. plans to split into three companies by hiving aileron, and check it deflects the right way. But conglomerates have long been out of off the lifts and air-con units. Last week came “Up yours, captain,” goes the mantra. fashion. Investors prefer to do their own di- word of a master plan to merge with missiles Although the error was missed by the versification by owning shares in companies and military electronics player Raytheon to maintenance organisation that overhauled of their choosing, believing – reasonably create an aerospace behemoth with com- the E190, the crew also failed to notice the – that focused businesses perform better. bined revenues of some $74 billion – on a par problem during pre-flight checks. with Airbus and second only to Boeing. There is no substitute for visual reassur- This merger will create scale, Were it so simple. UTC shares fell when it ance, when it essentially amounts to the announced its Otis and Carrier plan, and difference between life and death. Better to but with so little overlap it is both firms’ shares fell on news of the latest be down here wishing you were up there, deal. Investors seem wary of the huge cost of than the other way round. Any superior far from obvious how either such massive corporate surgery. pilot would tell you that. ■ This latest merger will certainly create See Air Transport P16 constituent company benefits scale, but it is far from obvious how either con- stituent company benefits. Very little product overlap suggests few opportunities to exploit Big name conglomerates heavily exposed technology jointly. There will be huge costs to to aerospace have included ITT, Textron and come, and UTC has spent fortunes on big, GE – all of which have to varying degrees ­disruptive acquisitions this past decade. consolidated in recent years. One of the last Raytheon will give UTC more exposure to to enthusiastically fly the conglomerate flag is the US military market, and UTC will better United Technologies, or UTC. connect Raytheon to civil markets. That is, Subsidiaries include Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon Technologies may prove to be just Collins Aerospace (created last year by merg- another conglomerate, within the very broad ing the newly acquired Rockwell Collins with category that is aerospace. Time will tell if it Granger/Shutterstock The Wright way United Technologies Aerospace Systems, it- finds more leverage.■ self an amalgamation of UTC’s Hamilton See This Week P10 flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 7 THIS WEEK BRIEFING ROME RAISES M-345 TRAINER COMMITMENT ORDER Italy has signed for 13 more Leonardo M-345 jet trainers, with the €300 million ($333 million) deal bringing to 18 the number ordered by Rome. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2020. The Italian air force has a total requirement for 45 M-345s to replace a 137-strong fleet of aged Alenia Aermacchi MB-339s, including for its Frecce Tricolori aerobatic display team. Saab CHAIR SITTING PRETTY AFTER REBRAND Armasuisse rejected Swedish type due to its non-operational status STRATEGY Swiss charter airline Germania Flug is to operate as Chair Airlines from 1 July. German parent Germania filed for COMBAT AIRCRAFT GREG WALDRON SINGAPORE insolvency in February. Since then, Germania Flug has been working on a revamp. Chair will ditch Germania’s green and white colour scheme in favour of blue and red branding. The Gripen E excluded carrier operates a fleet of three Airbus A319s from Zurich. INITIAL SAS A350 WILL VISIT CHICAGO FIRST from Swiss contest FLEET SAS’s first 300-seat Airbus A350 is to enter service in January 2020, following delivery by year-end. The Scandinavian Bern narrows fighter procurement options to four bidders, group says the first long-haul flight operated with the aircraft, after asking Saab to cancel pending Payerne deployment on 28 January, will be between Copenhagen and Chicago. SAS has ordered eight of the twin-aisle jets, powered by Rolls-Royce aab has withdrawn its Gripen tests, Saab says: “We believe that Trent XWB engines. SE from a new fighter evalua- Gripen E is the best choice for tion process being conducted by Switzerland, and the offer, as EXPERIENCE COUNTS FOR NEW FLYBE CHIEF Switzerland, with the decision ­presented in January 2019, still AIRLINE Connect Airways, the consortium taking over regional narrowing Bern’s fleet-renewal stands.” The company’s proposal carrier Flybe, has named Virgin Atlantic official Mark Anderson options to four candidates. was based on the provision of as its new chief executive. Currently executive vice-president of “Gripen E will enter into ­either 30 or 40 single-seat fighters, customer experience at the airline, Anderson previously worked ­operational service years before to replace the Swiss air force’s as managing director of Virgin Holidays. Outgoing Flybe chief Switzerland has scheduled deliv- ­current Boeing F/A-18C/Ds and Christine Ourmieres-Widener will stand down on 15 July. eries [in 2025], and will meet all obsolete Northrop F-5s. its defined capabilities. However, “Saab is committed to deliver at PILOT DISORIENTATION LED TO F-35 CRASH the Gripen E development plan least 40 Gripen E fighter aircraft ACCIDENT The Japan Air Self-Defence Force believes pilot does not match the Swiss plan to on time, meeting requirements disorientation caused the crash of a Lockheed Martin F-35A on perform flight tests with aircraft and within planned budget, in- 9 April, according to a Reuters report quoting defence minister that are operationally ready in cluding a comprehensive support Takeshi Iwaya. The accident happened 28min after take-off 2019,” the Swedish manufacturer concept with local contribution, from Misawa air base, with no distress call received from the announced on 13 June. guaranteeing the most affordable pilot. Tokyo ended its search for the aircraft’s wreckage on 4 Saab had been due to send a test operating costs and the highest June, but Japanese media reports three days later indicated example and an operational Grip- level of autonomy,” it says. that the remains of its pilot had been recovered. en C to Payerne air base for a 24-28 Switzerland has already June evaluation, but says the Ar- ­conducted evaluations of the rival DAHER TO COMPLETE KODIAK QUEST masuisse procurement agency F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault ACQUISITION Daher, manufacturer of the TBM line of high- “formally recommended” that it Rafale, Eurofighter­Typhoon and speed turboprops, is to acquire Idaho, USA-based Quest cancel the deployment. Lockheed Martin F-35A from Pay- Aircraft, which makes the short take-off and landing Kodiak “Since the submission of the erne, and Saab contends that 100. Japan’s Setouchi Holdings has owned Quest Aircraft proposal in January, the Armasu- “Competitors have showcased ca- since 2015. The deal is expected to close by year-end, subject isse expectations on the flight pabilities on existing platforms to approvals. tests evolved to expect participa- which are different to the versions tion of operationally ready air- offered for delivery.” AIRLINE BUSINESS OFFERS EASY LISTENING craft,” it explains. In May, the Swiss government PODCAST The podcast series from Flight International sister Noting that allowing Saab to allocated Swfr6 billion ($6 bil- magazine Airline Business will have daily updates from the Paris perform future ground and flight lion) for its planned acquisition air show, examining all the news and gossip from Le Bourget. tests with its new-generation of new fighters, with the Meanwhile, in this month’s edition, hear from the Airline fighter would “contradict equal ­procurement intended to form Business team on the talking points from the IATA AGM in treatment of all candidates”, part of a wider overhaul of its Seoul, including the latest thinking on the grounding of the ­Armasuisse says: “With the non- air-defence capabilities. ■ Boeing 737 Max fleet. Subscribe via usual platforms like iTunes, participation... Gripen E leaves Additional reporting by Craig Spotify and Soundcloud, or visit: flightglobal.com/abpodcast the evaluation process.” Hoyle in London Despite its elimination from the See Feature P30

8 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com Merger sees THIS WEEK Raytheon lock on to UTC This Week P10

PROGRAMME JON HEMMERDINGER BOSTON MRJ rebrand makes room for SpaceJet Mitsubishi Aircraft cancels MRJ70 and launches 76-seat variant designed to meet scope-clause requirements in USA

itsubishi Aircraft has over- New aircraft is pitched Mhauled the MRJ programme, at US regional carriers rebranding under the name SpaceJet, cancelling MRJ70 de- velopment and starting work on a new 76-seat variant called the SpaceJet M100. The Japanese company will display a mock-up of the M100’s cabin at the Paris air show and in- tends “later this year” to formally launch development of the new regional jet, which it has tailored to the requirements of US region- al airlines, Mitsubishi Aircraft said on 13 June.

As part of ditching the MRJ Mitsubishi Aircraft moniker altogether, Mitsubishi Aircraft has renamed the MRJ90 regional carriers. So-called scope MTOW cap. The now-axed The M100 will be 34.5m (113ft) the SpaceJet M90, which could clauses between major airlines MRJ70 would have met the long – about 1.3m shorter than the eventually evolve into the M200. and their pilot unions largely weight restriction but carried only M90 and 1.1m longer than the “As we prepare for the entry-­ ­restrict those feeder carriers from 69 seats in two classes, eroding its MRJ70, according to Mitsubishi into-service for the SpaceJet operating aircraft with more competitiveness against 76-seat- Aircraft’s specifications. M90, we are also announcing the than 76 seats or an MTOW ers, notably the Embraer 175. It will have 1,910nm (3,540km) SpaceJet M100 – the result of our ­exceeding 39,000kg. Should Mitsubishi Aircraft range – slightly less than the research and development dur- move forward with development 2,040nm range of the longest-­ ing the past few years, and the “Having evolved from and certification, the M100, to ar- legged variant of the M90 – and be answer to the regional market’s rive in 2023, could become the powered by twin Pratt & Whitney current and future needs,” says the now-retired only new-generation,­ clean-sheet PW1200G turbofans. Those en- Mitsubishi Aircraft president regional 76-seat jet that matches gines will each produce 17,600lb- ­Hisakazu Mizutani. MRJ70 designation, US regional airlines’ requirements. thrust (78.3kN) – the same as the The M100 reflects Mitsubishi “Having evolved from a con- M90’s powerplants, the specifica- Aircraft’s intention to offer an air- the SpaceJet M100 is cept study for the now retired tions shows. The MRJ70 was to be craft that fits snugly within the designed to adapt to MRJ70 designation, the SpaceJet powered by a 15,600lb-thrust requirements of US regional air- M100 is designed to adapt to spe- PW1200G variant. lines, the world’s top regional jet specific market needs” cific market needs,” says Mitsubi- buyers. Mitsubishi Aircraft shi Aircraft. “In the US market, OVERHEAD BINS Carrying 76 seats – spread the aircraft is optimised to be Cargo space will be diminished – across first, premium-economy scope-clause compliant in the 13.6cb m (480cb ft) in the M100, and economy classes – and with Mitsubishi Aircraft has, until ­65-76-seat, three-class cabin con- compared with 18.2cb m in both a maximum take-off weight now, lacked an aircraft to proper- figuration. It can also be config- the MRJ70 and M90 – but the (MTOW) of 39,000kg (86,000lb), ly address those constraints. ured for other global market needs ­aircraft will have enough over- the M100 will fit within the op- Its M90, which is set to enter up to 88 seats [in a] single class.” head bin space for each passen- erational constraints of most US service in 2020, exceeds the Hints of major MRJ news had ger to stow a roller-bag. swirled for weeks, with analysts Mitsubishi Aircraft’s disclo- insisting Mitsubishi Aircraft need- sure of its M100 plan came days ed a 76-seater. before the Paris air show and one Mitsubishi Aircraft was not week after parent Mitsubishi immediately available to provide Heavy Industries announced it specific details about how the has been negotiating purchase M100’s design differs from that of the Bombardier CRJ programme, the M90 or the MRJ70. or its assets. In creating the M100, Mitsubi- Analysts say owning the CRJ’s shi Aircraft “optimised” the air- global sales and services craft’s length, cargo space and the ­footprint could help Mitsubishi

Gary Dawson/Shutterstock arrangement of its overhead bins Aircraft win airlines’ confidence The MRJ90 – now rechristened M90 – will enter service next year and seating, the company says. for its own products. ■ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 9 This week

consolidation jon hemmerdinger boston Merger sees Raytheon lock on to UTC Deal would create $74 billion turnover aerospace giant sufficiently large to push back against demands for cost cuts

aytheon’s proposed merger for second position in the table: in Rwith United Technologies 2018, the European airframer (UTC) will create an aerospace brought in revenues of €64 billion giant with an annual turnover of ($71 billion). Boeing is the world’s $74 billion and sufficient supply largest aerospace firm, with $101 chain muscle to push back billion in 2018 revenue. against demands from the big air- Raytheon Technologies would framers for significant cost cuts. have four divisions: Collins; In addition, the move, which ­Integrated Defense and Missile will create the industry’s second Systems; Intelligence, Space and or third-largest player, could well Airborne Systems; and Pratt & trigger another raft of consolida- Whitney. tion among the sector’s smaller Merluzeau thinks that the operations. merger could create a “shock-­

Although US President Donald US Air Force absorbing-capable organisation” Trump has already expressed con- Group will make F-35 weapons and engine, among other systems with sufficient­ diversification to cern about the planned combina- be insulated­ should one sector tion, the companies’ lack of prod- spun off into independent compa- billion dollars of synergies – half suffer a downturn. uct overlap should ensure the nies, as previously announced. of that goes back to the Depart- Aboulafia adds that defence merger clears regulatory hurdles. Raytheon chief executive Tom ment of Defense through cost contractors such as Raytheon, “The synergies are very, very Kennedy will become the ­reduction on contracts,” Hayes which earned 81% of its 2018 strong. There is very little overlap ­combined company’s executive told Bloomberg. “It’s going to revenue from military and I can think of,” says Michel Mer- chairman, while UTC boss Greg ­increase competition, not hurt ­government sales, increasingly luzeau, director at aerospace re- Hayes will be its chief executive. competition. We are going to cre- see risk in remaining heavily reli- search and consulting company The new corporation will be ate a company­ that can compete ant on one segment. They view Air. “I see very few red flags, or based in Raytheon’s home state internationally on a level playing the high-growth commercial any red flags.” of Massachusetts. field,” he adds. ­sector as a means to supplement, Around $1 billion worth of Raytheon’s strengths rest in even buoy, defence. PRICING POWER ­annual savings through synergies ­defence technology – missile, Richard Aboulafia, aerospace an- are expected to be generated space, surveillance, electronic EXTRA resilience alyst with Teal Group, sees the within four years, enabling the warfare and integrated defence Analysts also see a combined Raytheon-UTC plan as enabling combination to pass $500 million systems. It also sells commercial Raytheon-UTC as better able to Raytheon, which has a strong “in annual savings returned to air traffic management products, counter Boeing’s efforts to wring ­defence portfolio, to expand into customers”. The deal is expected cyber security services, and costs from commercial suppliers. the fast-growing commercial to close in the first half of 2020. ­machine learning and artificial Indeed, as part of its cost-cutting ­aerospace sector, where UTC en- But Trump is already question- intelligence technologies. moves, Boeing replaced UTAS joys a market-leading presence. ing whether the merger might UTC’s Collins Aerospace with Heroux-Devtek as 777 “There is so much pricing further drive up US military­ pro- ­division – formed from the ­landing-gear supplier. power and growth that comes curement costs. “I am a little con- ­merger of Rockwell Collins and “If you are a supplier like UTC, from the commercial market,” he cerned,” he told CNBC on 10 United Technologies Aerospace you want this critical mass… to says, adding that competitors June. “Does that take away more Systems (UTAS) – makes a range push back on pricing pressure,” may look to follow suit. competition?” of products from avionics and Aboulafia says. If Boeing keeps “Parker, Safran, GE [Aviation], Trump says he would find the electrical systems to cabin equip- squeezing on the commercial Honeywell – all of these are great merger problematic “only if” the ment and landing gears. P&W side, the combined company examples of systems companies companies make the same prod- manufactures both military and could make up the difference on that might want to achieve ucts. “It’s already not competi- civil engines – including the its military deals with Boeing, he ­greater critical mass by a merger,” tive,” Trump says of the aero- F135 for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 suggests. Aboulafia says. space industry. “Part of [why] we and its PW1000G line of geared But for all the potential upside, The plan, which the companies spend so much money… is we turbofans – and turboprops and concerns have been raised about confirmed on 9 June, calls for have no competition.” smaller jets through its Pratt & the wisdom of UTC pursuing UTC’s Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and Hayes and Kennedy say that Whitney Canada division. such a substantial deal so close to ­Collins Aerospace units to merge less than 1% of the companies’ its 2018 acquisition of Collins. with Raytheon, creating a compa- revenues come from overlapping second largest “It’s an awful lot,” says Abou- ny called Raytheon Technologies. products and insist synergies will Based on Flight International’s an- lafia. “Executing this kind of UTC’s Otis elevators and Carrier help lower costs. nual Top 100 Aerospace Compa- merger is always a monster. refrigeration businesses are ex- “We also are going to save the nies listing, the new Raytheon Merger fatigue must have set in cluded from the deal, and will be government money. We’ve got a Technologies will vie with Airbus among everyone involved.” ■

10 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com Citation climbed This week into conflict with 737 Air Transport P12 propulsion Jon Hemmerdinger Boston GE9X certification effort powers past pressure of delays Extended flight evaluations and “anomaly” in compressor will not put campaign behind schedule, says manufacturer

E Aviation still anticipates ond phase of test flights after de-

Gcompleting GE9X certifica- termining that the initial design GE Aviation tion testing this year, after a wore out faster than expected. Evaluations of engine have been conducted aboard 747 testbed lengthier-than-planned round of “Since the engine for phase flight evaluations and a recently two had the new variable stator No specific details were avail- The block test involves run- discovered “anomaly” in an en- vane lever arm in the high-pres- able, but the anomaly is “me- ning the engine for 25 cycles of gine’s high-pressure compressor. sure compressor, we wanted to chanical in nature – and is not 6h each, accumulating 150h of A second phase of certifica- get the engine performance data related to the design or perfor- run time during which the engine tion flight trials for the engine on this configuration at altitude,” mance of the high-pressure com- is at “redline” – its maximum that will power Boeing’s 777X GE says. pressor”, says the firm. core speed, fan speed and ex- was performed in May, during The manufacturer also repeated haust gas temperature. which the powerplant complet- some tests conducted during the ground tests Boeing chief financial officer ed 53 test flights and logged first phase. “The engine per- “GE is taking a proactive ap- Gregory Smith recently indicated more than 300h. formed extremely well on the proach and working the im- that the airframer was waiting on Cincinnati-based GE indicated flight tests,” GE says. provement so it can be incorpo- the GE9X to advance the 777X late last year that it expected Additional changes to improve rated into the flight-test engines programme. “Long pole in the tent “making about 18 flights or so” the GE9X’s durability are also at Boeing as well as incorporated right now is [the] GE engine. during the second-round tests, under way. into our engines that will be There are some challenges they’re roughly the same as performed in “During a recent test, GE de- used for our remaining ground working through their own test- the initial phase in May 2018. tected an anomaly in the engine tests,” the company says. ing,” Smith says. “We’re having to Additional flight tests required data from the high-pressure GE has completed about 85% do some retesting. And they’re for the recent effort reflect chang- compressor,” the manufacturer of the GE9X’s certification testing, working their way through that. es to the 105,000lb-thrust says. “After data analysis and including aerodynamic, bird-in- “We still expect to fly this year (467kN) GE9X’s variable stator additional testing, our engineers gestion, loss-of-blade, hail and and entry into service in 2020.” vane lever arm. This component saw an opportunity for a durabil- icing tests. Boeing installed GE9Xs on its controls the pitch of the stator ity improvement in the front of “The engine’s performance at first flight-test 777X in January. vanes inside the high-pressure the compressor. altitude was great,” GE says. The engine’s 3.4m (134in)-diame- compressor, slowing airflow and “GE anticipates completing its “Just a handful of tests now re- ter fan, composed of 16 carbonfi- increasing pressure. GE rede- certification testing this year,” main, including emissions and bre blades, makes the GE9X the signed the arm prior to the sec- the company adds. block test.” world’s largest jet engine. ■

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flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 11 AIR TRANSPORT

incident david kaminski-morrow london Citation climbed into conflict with 737 Executive jet ascended to wrong altitude, putting it on collision course with Air Europa airliner, Spanish probe reveals

panish investigators have The inquiry points out that the S­determined that the crew of an radio communications and phra- executive jet climbed to the wrong seology were clear and correct, altitude before a serious airprox and that the 737’s captain had incident involving a descending overheard “perfectly” the Cita- Air Europa Boeing 737-800. tion acknowledgement. The Cessna Citation Mustang “This put him on the alert, (EC-LCX), operated by Caladero since he was holding at [12,000ft] Aviation, had departed Palma de and could see [the Citation] Mallorca on 20 April 2017. climbing quickly on his left on a It was cleared to climb to flightpath that converged with 11,000ft but its captain incorrect- his,” it adds.

ly read back the clearance as AirTeamImages Visibility was good at the time 12,000ft. This was the same level Narrowbody’s captain heard incorrect read-back from Mustang pilot and both crews were able to see to which the 737-800 (EC-JBK), in- the other aircraft during the con- bound to Palma, had been assigned started to descend, as a discre- after the incident. flict. The Citation captain, who and at which it was stabilised. tionary evasive manoeuvre. CIAIAC says the Citation’s cap- had been the monitoring pilot, At the point where the Citation At their closest point, the two tain did not know why he heard took control of the executive jet to levelled off the two aircraft were jets were 0.9nm apart, at the same the original climb clearance in- perform the evasive descent. “on a collision course”, says Span- altitude, before they began to sep- correctly, but he stated that the “He opted for that manoeuvre in ish investigation authority CIAI- arate – partly because the 737’s first officer set 12,000ft as the order to remain in visual contact AC, at a distance of 2.5nm (4.6km). collision-avoidance system re- cleared altitude. with [the 737] although, when he While the two aircraft were fit- versed its descend instruction to a “In other words, both pilots started the manoeuvre to descend ted with collision-alert systems, climb order, and partly because made the same mistake,” it says. and turn left, he lost sight of the only that installed on the 737 was the Citation was told to turn left But it adds that neither the other aircraft,” the inquiry says. capable of issuing resolution ad- by air traffic control. controllers on duty – a trainee “He also complied with the in- visories, and it instructed the Short-term conflict alert sys- overseen by an instructor – no- struction given by the controller crew to descend. tems had not been implemented ticed the incorrect altitude ac- to turn left immediately, which The Citation’s system provided in the airspace sector at the time, knowledgement by the Citation’s finally made the flightpaths of the a traffic alert and its crew also and were not in place until a year crew, despite their “clear reply”. two aircraft diverge.” ■ safety victoria bryan london EU introduces common drone registration rules

he EU has published new operational requirements for dif- T rules on drone use that will ferent types of drone and use. replace regulations in individual They also include a requirement member states and give oversight for new drones to be individually to the bloc’s safety regulator. identifiable, so that authorities As of June 2020, operators of can trace them. EASA says this small unmanned air vehicles will will help to prevent incidents need to register in the member such as when drone sightings state where they reside or where halted flights at London Gatwick they have their main place of busi- airport in December 2018. ness, says the European Union “Europe will be the first re- Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). gion in the world to have a com- Once authorised in one member prehensive set of rules ensuring state, both professional and recrea- safe, secure and sustainable op-

tional operators can fly their erations of drones both for com- Peter MacDiarmid/Shutterstock drones across the EU. This means mercial and leisure activities,” Identification requirement will help prevent disruption at airports they can travel with their un- states EASA executive director manned air vehicles or set up busi- Patrick Ky. tion and growth in this promising only become applicable in one nesses that operate across the bloc. He adds: “Common rules will sector.” The new regulations year, giving member states time The rules lay out technical and help foster investment, innova- enter into force in July, but will to implement them. ■

12 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com AIR TRANSPORT An-124s embroiled in legal spat Air Transport P14 directive

CFM to roll out Leap-1B British Airways engine bearing cage fix

ngine maker CFM Internation- its directive that mandates an in- Eal is promising to shortly roll spection already covered by CFM out a redesigned component in its in a February service bulletin. Leap-1B, which powers the CFM adds: “100% of the fleet is ­Boeing 737 Max, to cure a linger- in compliance with our recom- ing reliability concern. mendations and there have been European safety regulators no further events. We fully under- have instructed 737 Max opera- stand the cause of these events livery tors, via a directive, to inspect and the repetitive inspections are ­engine gearbox scavenge screens to prevent further events. BA’s first A350 shows true colours for metallic particles after several “CFM has validated a new de- British Airways has tweeted a photo of its first of 18 Airbus in-flight shutdown incidents. sign that it is currently certifying A350-1000s, newly painted with the IAG carrier’s livery. The The European Union Aviation and industrialising, with a initial jet, set to arrive in July, will debut a new business-class Safety Agency (EASA) is aware of planned release in the coming seat within a three-class layout which accommodates 331 five instances of commanded in- months. This issue does not im- ­passengers. Another three -1000s are to join the BA fleet by flight engine shutdown which oc- pact the Leap-1A fleet.” year-end. Meanwhile, BA has also switched three of its 25 curred after activation of oil filter If the inspections find specific A320neos to the A321neo, taking its total order for the larger bypass indications. metallic particles, the engine variant to 13. IAG’s Spanish budget operator Vueling has also “Investigations identified the must be removed from service doubled its A321neo commitment, from six to 12, the cause as failure of the radial drive before the next flight and the ­airframer’s latest backlog data shows. shaft bearing cage,” EASA adds in ­issues rectified. ■ output David Kaminski-Morrow London Airbus hands over its 12,000th aircraft Airframer passes delivery milestone for original range, discounting A220 programme acquired as CSeries last year

ay saw Airbus pass the 37 had been delivered before These five aircraft comprised that point since Airbus acquired M12,000 ­deliveries mark with Airbus took over control of the an A350-1000 for Etihad the CSeries. its original aircraft range, outside former Bombardier CSeries ­Airways, an A320neo each for The airframer has delivered of the A220 programme it ac- ­programme. ­Iberia and SalamAir, an A321­ 313 aircraft so far this year – 90 quired last year. Airbus handed over a total of neo for Cebu Pacific Air, and an more than it had achieved at the The airframer’s backlog 81 aircraft, including four A220s, A320 for Aero K. same point in 2018. ­figures recorded 11,995 deliver- in May. Its detailed backlog lists Airbus formally identified its However, Airbus’s slow order ies by the end of April. These five aircraft delivered on 31 May, 12,000th delivery as an A220 activity failed to pick up in May, comprised 11,927 organic deliv- among which would have been handed over to Delta Air Lines on when the airframer gained eries, from the A320 family up- the 12,000th airframe from lines 20 May – a total that would have ­business for just a single wards, plus 68 A220s – of which other than the A220. counted 33 A220s produced to ­A320neo, which will be config- ured for VIP missions. This made barely any differ- ence to the negative net order figure of 57 aircraft recorded by the company over the first five months of the year. The airframer has taken orders for 43 long-haul and 25 single- aisle aircraft since the beginning of this year, but has suffered heavy cancellations including more than 70 A350s and A380s. ■ Read our special coverage

AirTeamImages of Airbus’s half-centenary: Shipments on final day in May, inlcuding A320neo for Oman-based SalamAir, helped achieve landmark flightglobal.com/airbus-at-50 flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 13 AIR TRANSPORT

operations Ellis taylor perth Tigerair Australia pilots feline fine over pay deal

o-frills airline Tigerair pilots take industrial action in De- N­Australia and its pilots’ union cember 2018 and January 2019, have ratified a new working agree- which included a 4h stoppage at ment, which will help with the one point. An in-principle agree- carrier’s transition from an Airbus ment was reached in March.

AirTeamImages A320 fleet to Boeing 737s. “This resolution frees up man- Antonov argues modifications jeopardise freighters’ safe operation The Australian Federation of agement to focus on getting Tige- Air Pilots says that the agreement rair’s fleet transition to the Boeing airworthiness david kaminski-morrow london has been approved by the coun- 737 from the A320 organised try’s Fair Work Commission, and properly and to recruit pilots An-124s embroiled in legal spat went into effect on 4 June. using the competitive salaries In exchange for greater effi- and conditions now on offer,” krainian legal authorities are “jeopardised” the safe operation ciency measures to cover training says the union’s senior industrial Uattempting to halt the opera- of the outsized freighters, the law rosters, crew will receive an ini- officer, Patrick Larkins. tion of a batch of Antonov firm says. tial 16% increase in basic pay. Tigerair Australia has 10 ­An-124s from the fleet of Russia’s It states that – as a result – the Negotiations between the A320s and five 737-800s in its Volga-Dnepr Group. court has “imposed arrest” on union and the company have fleet and is wholly owned by The five aircraft have been listed five An-124s bearing serial num- taken over two years, and saw the ­Virgin Australia. ■ as part of a seizure order from a bers 609, 610, 703, 709 and 710. Kiev district court, according to This is intended to preserve ­Ilyashev & Partners, which is repre- “physical evidence” of any dam- senting the airframer. age, says Ilyashev senior partner Antonov argues that continued Roman Marchenko. operation of the aircraft “vio- Third parties, including air- lates” provisions laid down in ports and aviation regulators, are ICAO airworthiness standards. also “prohibited” from allowing The airframer has filed com- departure or arrival of the air- plaints over Russian approval of craft, the firm adds. German-based organisation There is no indication, howev- KER/Shutterstock AMTES to develop modifications er, that the seizure order has had O for the An-124, without any meaningful effect. At least ­Antonov’s participation as type some of the freighter aircraft

certificate holder. had continued operating during Paul Mayall/imageBR Antonov claims that this has early June. ■ Agreement supports no-frills airline’s adoption of a 737-based fleet expansion victoria bryan london Malta Air is latest to join Ryanair stable Low-cost carrier says move will see it add North Africa services and help island become southern European transit hub

yanair has detailed plans to give it access to North Africa mar- three years,” states Ryanair chief ties over the coming years as we Rset up a unit in Malta, adding kets from Malta. The Maltese gov- executive Michael O’Leary. hope to add over 50 more aircraft to its growing stable of airlines. ernment had on 9 June disclosed The budget carrier will also add to the Maltese register,” adds The Irish carrier will move six an outline of the plans, saying that to its Maltese air operator’s certifi- O’Leary. Ryanair says it hopes to Malta-based Boeing 737s into the Ryanair initiative would help cate dozens of Ryanair aircraft cur- complete the investment in Malta start-up Malta Air and plans to develop the island nation into a rently based across France, Ger- Air by the end of June. grow the fleet based in the country southern European transit hub. many and Italy. The move will Malta Air is set to join Buzz, to 10 aircraft within three years. “Malta Air will proudly fly the allow employees to pay income Laudamotion, Ryanair UK and In addition, 200 crew will Maltese name and flag to over 60 tax in those countries, rather than the principal Ryanair operation move to local Maltese contracts, destinations across Europe and in Ireland, where the aircraft are within the group. Ryanair had and Ryanair says it plans to create North Africa as we look to grow currently registered. previously set up an IAG-style 350 jobs over three years. our Maltese-based fleet, routes, “We look forward to working structure earlier this year to Ryanair says the investment will traffic and jobs over the next closely with the Maltese authori- manage its operating units. ■

14 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com

AIR TRANSPORT

INQUIRY DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW LONDON E190 nearly crashed after cabling error Air Astana flight suffered severe control problems when aileron systems were incorrectly installed during maintenance

ortuguese investigators have Sufficient control was eventu- Pfound that an Embraer 190’s ally regained to enable the crew to aileron cables had been incorrect- divert to Beja airport, where the jet ly rigged before a ferry flight dur- landed on its third attempt after ing which the pilots experienced aborting two unstable approaches. severe in-flight control problems. GPIAA says that a detailed The Air Astana aircraft had un- ­examination of the E190 con- dergone scheduled maintenance firmed an “incorrect ailerons

at the OGMA facility at Alverca ­control cable system installation” AirTeamImages do Ribatejo before its departure on both wings. Situation was so severe crew considered ditching aircraft into ocean for Almaty, via Minsk, on 11 The pilots’ yokes on the type ­November last year. are connected, through cables, to 11 days of additional investiga- GPIAA says the aircraft suf- But its crew struggled with hydraulically-powered control tions by the servicing personnel fered “significant” structural dam- ­serious instability almost immedi- units which move the ailerons. and Embraer – these actions “did age to both wings, the fuselage ately after the aircraft took off, GPIAA says an inversion of the not identify” the reversal of the ai- and the flight-control surfaces, with abnormal attitudes, oscilla- cables occurred between wing leron cables, says the inquiry. sufficient for it to formally reclas- tions, momentary losses of ribs 19 and 23. It adds that investigation has sify the event as an accident. ­control, and high structural loads turned up “deviations” to OGMA has embarked on an during recovery manoeuvring. SERVICE BULLETIN ­internal procedures by the main- ­action plan to eliminate the pro- Portuguese investigation au- It states that the E190 had been tenance organisation which cedural deficiencies discovered thority GPIAA has released a sim- modified through a service meant the cabling error was not in the course of the investigation, ulation image obtained from flight ­bulletin which changed a sup- detected by various safety mech- while Embraer is updating main- data showing the aircraft in a left port through which the cable anisms before the aircraft was tenance documentation in rela- roll exceeding 90° despite the system passed. dispatched. Nor was the incor- tion to flight controls. yoke being turned hard to the “There was no longer the rect operation of the ailerons Investigators released the air- right, illustrating the problems the cable routing and separation ­noticed during flight-control craft (P4-KCJ) back to Air Astana pilots had to cope with. around rib 21,” says the inquiry, checks by the crew. on 21 January this year, and the Adverse weather, intense and this resulted in maintenance The six occupants of the air- airline has been evaluating g­ -forces and continuous alerts instructions becoming “harder craft – a captain and two first of- ­options for the airframe. from the cockpit systems added to to understand”. ficers, plus three airline techni- GPIAA is continuing with the the complications. Such was the Although a “no dispatch” mes- cians – were all “physically and investigation in order to complete severity of the situation that the sage mentioning the flight-control emotionally shaken” by the analysis of the circumstances of crew sought headings to fly out to system was generated during the ­subsequent in-flight upset, but the accident, and publish any rel- sea, in order to ditch the aircraft. maintenance activity – leading to ­escaped serious injury. evant safety recommendations. ■

INCIDENT DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW LONDON American A319 crossed active runway at Toronto

anadian investigators have The American Airlines aircraft Transportation Safety Board of board says 06L was the only run- Cdisclosed that an Airbus (N9017P) had been operating a Canada. But after switching to the way of the pair in use at the time. A319 crossed an active Toronto service to Miami on 13 May. tower frequency the crew notified At that point, Toronto airport runway, prompting a go-around It had been cleared by ground that they were taxiing for the par- had been experiencing fog, rain from another flight on approach, control to taxi for a departure from allel runway 06R. and reduced visibility and the to hold short of a parallel runway runway 06L, which was correctly “The incorrect runway read American crew subsequently that was not in use. read back by the crew, says the back was not noticed by the stated that, having believed they tower controller,” says the board. were cleared to taxi to 06R, they Air Canada Rouge jet was It states that the controller in- held short of the runway’s ILS forced to perform go-around formed the crew that an inbound hold line as warranted by the me- jet – an Air Canada Rouge A319 teorological conditions. from Orlando – would be landing This resulted in the aircraft’s ahead of their departure. occupying 06L and the tower But the American A319 pro- ­controller had to order the flight to ceeded to cross 06L without clear- execute a go-around owing to traf-

AirTeamImages ance and stop short of 06R. The fic on the runway. ■

16 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com Keep up with all the real-time coverage and analysis from the 2019 Paris air show

Pick up your copy of Stay in-touch with all Flight Daily News from the latest news online at our show team flightglobal.com/paris

Celebrating 110 years 17-23 of aviation coverage JUNE DEFENCE

technology GARRETT REIM LOS ANGELES Tests have included landing on the White House lawn Autonomous Black Hawk takes off

Sikorsky UH-60A Black called the Sikorsky Autonomy Re- A Hawk retrofitted with fly-by- search Aircraft (SARA). This has wire controls and an autonomous ­accumulated more than 300h of flight-control kit has made its first autonomous testing since 2013. manned flight. SARA technology was devel- Conducted at the company’s oped using hundreds of millions West Palm Beach site in Florida of dollars in joint investment on 29 May, the event will be from Sikorsky, the US Army and

US Navy ­followed by further testing to the US Defense Advanced ­expand the optionally-piloted ­Research Projects Agency PROCUREMENT GARRETT REIM LOS ANGELES helicopter’s flight envelope. (DARPA), says Van Buiten. Sikorsky plans to conduct a Sikorsky says its OPV kit could fully autonomous flight without be retrofitted to almost any UH-60 First-batch award any pilots in 2020. in the US Army inventory, along “The notion [is] a vehicle that with medium-sized civilian heli- can fly with two crew, one crew copters such as the S-92. It is readies VH-92A for or no crew, depending on mis- working with DARPA and the US sion demands,” says Chris Van Federal Aviation Administration Buiten, vice-president of Sikor- to certificate the technology. sky Innovations. Such a system “It’s possible this goes in at the presidential debut could fly the helicopter autono- same time as other capability,” US Navy awards Sikorsky $542 million contract to produce mously, allowing pilots to focus Van Buiten says, noting: “the initial six Marine One aircraft, after operational assessment on mission planning or aiding army is looking at the [Improved injured personnel. It could also Turbine Engine Programme] for he US Navy has awarded ­including landing and taking off take over if the crew were killed the Black Hawk.” This activity TSikorsky $542 million to from the south lawn of the White by enemy fire. will re-equip­ 1,300 of the type build six VH-92A presidential House without damaging the grass. The company is moving rapid- with GE Aviation T901-900s. helicopters, with the deal cover- The VH-92A has logged more than ly with testing. During the first Sikorsky sees the OPV kit as ing low-rate initial production lot 520 flight hours to date. flight the UH-60A hovered and improving handling qualities and 1 of its Marine One procurement. An initial operational test and flew at up to 40kt (74km/h). This adding autonomy, but also en- Deliveries will run between 2021 evaluation activity is set for was increased to around 80kt hancing safety. It cites controlled and 2023 to the US Marine Corps ­mid-2020, with initial operational through additional sorties con- flight into terrain as the number (USMC), with the award also cov- capability planned for late the ducted in the following week. one cause of helicopter crashes, ering spares and training support. same year. Sikorsky’s parent com- The test aircraft is the first to and says such a system could take Advancing the programme into pany, Lockheed Martin, installed have Sikorsky’s full authority fly- over from a distracted pilot, pull- its production phase follows a a first simulator for the new model by-wire Optionally Piloted Vehi- ing away from a collision course. ­so-called “Milestone C” decision at the Presidential Helicopter cle (OPV) kit. To instal this, it Noting the ability to update its taken by the navy on 30 May. This Squadron at USMC Base Quanti- completely removed mechanical OPV technology with new was informed by testing and opera- co in Virginia earlier this year. flight controls from the UH-60A. ­software, Van Buiten says: “This tional assessments of the The VH-92A fleet will eventu- The OPV kit is based on the architecture enables decades of ­S-92-based type by the US Naval ally total 23 aircraft, which will company’s Matrix autonomy enhancement of capability. It will Air Systems Command from NAS replace the Marines’ current ­technology, which has been dem- constantly be spiralling and Patuxent River in Maryland, Sikorsky VH-3Ds and VH-60Ns. ■ onstrated on a modified S-76B ­adding functionality.” ■

programme Third Gripen E makes maiden sortie Saab flew its third test example of the Gripen E for the first time on 10 June, with aircraft 39-10 completing a 57min sortie from its Linkoping site. The GE Aviation F414-powered fighter follows two previous examples, which entered flight testing in June 2017 and November 2018 respectively. Meanwhile, the company’s Gripen Demo airframe (39-7) is due to resume flights soon, ­having ­received updates including an AEL Sistemas-produced wide area display in its rear cockpit. Saab also expects its first four ­production Gripen Es to fly before the end of this year. See Feature P30 Lasse Hejdenberg/Saab

18 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com C-130H exit DEFENCE a priority for New Zealand Defence P20 cover story garrett reim los angeles Multi-year deal has F-35 soaring high Combined purchase of nearly 500 aircraft will help Lockheed hit unit price target, but Turkish involvement appears over

n what has been billed as the F-35 if it takes delivery of the Ilargest procurement contract in [Almaz-Antey] S-400 system,” the history of the US Department says Lord. “Thus, we need to of Defense (DoD), Lockheed Mar- begin unwinding Turkey’s partic- tin and the Pentagon have ipation in the F-35 programme.” reached a $34 billion “handshake Although it had set a 31 July agreement” covering the produc- deadline for Turkey to give up tion of hundreds of F-35 Light- acquisition of the S-400, the DoD ning II stealth fighters. is already taking steps to remove The agreement covers the the country from the pro- ­purchase of a combined 478 air- gramme, including banning it craft through low-rate initial from the annual F-35 chief exec- ­production lots 12, 13 and 14, for utive officer roundtable on 12 the US armed services, partner June, and updating the pro-

nations and Foreign Military Commonwealth of Australia gramme’s governing documents Sales customers. The F-35 Joint “Handshake agreement” covers aircraft for US and partner militaries without Ankara’s participation. Programme Office and Lockheed However, Lord says: “None of are negotiating the final details of reduction across all variants from Lockheed is ramping up out- the steps we are taking are the contract. lot 11 to lot 14.” put to meet what it expects to be ­irreversible. If Turkey chooses to “When the statutory certifica- Significantly, Lord adds that growing demand for the Light- forgo delivery of the S-400, we tion is completed, we will be able under the framework agreement, ning II. The company sees world- look forward to restoring normal to formally announce the final the unit price of a conventional wide sales of the stealth fighter programme activity.” The nation unit recurring flyaway [URF] pric- take-off and landing F-35A should possibly reaching 4,600 units was planning to acquire 100 of es for each variant in each lot,” US fall below a key target of $80 mil- over the course of its life-cycle. the stealth fighters by 2030. under secretary of defense for ac- lion during lot 13 of production: Meanwhile, Lord says the USA Turkish President Recep quisition and sustainment Ellen “One year earlier than planned”. has started the process of remov- ­Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed Lord said on 10 June. “Until that The DoD plans for lot 12 to ing Turkish suppliers from the US concerns over its S-400 acqui- time, this agreement has achieved total 157 examples – an 11% in- F-35 programme, as a conse- sition. Ankara sent personnel to an estimated 8.8% savings from crease from the prior arrange- quence of Ankara’s purchase of Russia in May to train on the sys- lot 11 to lot 12 F-35As, and an ment, which covers production long-range air-defence equipment. tem, and expects to receive the ­approximate average of 15% URF throughout 2019. “Turkey will not receive the equipment by July. ■ collaboration craig hoyle london Partnership model will underpin Tempest success

he UK wants to adopt a new proposed new arrangement as Tinternational partnership potentially similar to the “best ­arrangement for its Tempest next- athlete” model employed by generation combat aircraft, in an Lockheed Martin when select- effort to avoid the rigid work- ing suppliers for the F-35. This share models employed during would avoid repeating the UK’s previous joint programmes. experience as a member of the “Nations need to collaborate on four-nation Eurofighter consor- the strength of what they bring to a tium, where he argues “preser- programme, with the desire for in- vation of the purity of the dustrial and technology gains in ­workshare arrangements some- there as a consideration, but not times seemed to be the main aim the primary driver,” says Sir of the programme”.

Simon Bollom, chief executive of Launched at the Farnborough BAE Systems the UK’s Defence Equipment and air show last July, the Tempest ac- UK is seeking international involvement in future combat air system Support (DE&S) organisation. tivity involves BAE Systems, Speaking at the Royal Aero- Leonardo’s UK arm, MBDA, Rolls- The project envisions delivering a ­Potential partners have previously nautical Society in London on Royce, DE&S and the Royal Air future combat air system for been listed as including Japan, 10 June, Bollom described the Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office.­ ­operational use by around 2035. Sweden and Turkey. ■ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 19 DEFENCE

Procurement GREG WALDRON SINGAPORE C-130H exit a priority for New Zealand Government picks J-model airlifter to replace tactical transports, and eyes successors for 757, Super Seasprite fleets

ew Zealand has selected the NLockheed Martin C-130J tac- tical transport as the preferred candidate to succeed its current five H-model Hercules, and also outlined plans to replace several of its other in-service types with- in the next decade. Replacing the C-130Hs is “the highest-priority project” covered within the nation’s newly pub- lished Defence Capability Plan. “The current Hercules have served us well since the 1960s, but they have reached the end of

the road, and suitable and proven Commonwealth of Australia replacement aircraft will need to Aged between 50 and 54 years, the air force’s current five Hercules are becoming harder to maintain be sourced,” says defence minis- ter Ron Mark. ­performer, and this aircraft is globally will require an air trans- to serve civil requirements, valued­ “The current fleet is increasing tried and tested. We cannot take port option for the movement of at NZ$300-600 million. in cost to maintain, and is taking risks with what is one of our most personnel, equipment and stores “Investment in a range of longer to put through mainte- ­critical military capabilities.” over long ranges,” says the plan. ­capabilities will be considered, nance. After considering the “The eventual withdrawal from including satellite surveillance, range of military air transport air- ageing assets service of the current Boeing 757 unmanned air vehicles and tradi- craft carefully, the Super Hercu- Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows fleet will allow for the procure- tional fixed-wing surveillance,” it les has been selected as it offers that the Royal New Zealand­ Air ment of a strategic airlift capabil- says. A request for tender will be the necessary range and payload Force’s C-130Hs are aged ity that meets capability require- issued in 2020, with a service in- capability, as well as fully meet- ­between 50 and 54 years. The De- ments across a range of tasks.” troduction targeted for 2023. ing the New Zealand Defence fence Capability Plan estimates a A 2028 date has been set to Force’s requirements,” Welling- total replacement­ cost of over “This aircraft is tried field replacements for the na- ton says. It will seek pricing in- NZ$1 billion ($660 million), with tion’s current leased Beechcraft formation on the C-130J via the ­service entry expected in 2023. and tested. We King Air 350 trainers, and its US government’s Foreign Mili- Other types to have been promot- eight Kaman Aerospace SH-2G tary Sales mechanism, but stress- ed for the requirement include cannot take risks Super Seasprite rotorcraft. es that neither a final decision the Airbus Defence & Space with one of our most “A new fleet of maritime has been made, nor one on the A400M and Embraer KC-390. ­helicopters will be acquired in number of aircraft to be acquired. Wellington has also earmarked critical capabilities” order to support the naval patrol, “Tactical air transport capabil- NZ$300-600 million to replace its Ron Mark sealift and combat capabilities,” ity is one of the highest-value current two Boeing 757-200 Combi Defence minister, the plan says, valuing a procure- ­assets available to New Zealand, airframes, which are used to trans- New Zealand government ment at over NZ$1 billion. A offering huge utility to the com- port passengers and cargo and ­consultation with industry will munity and nation, enabling have an average age of 26 years. In- begin next year, with a request for movement of personnel and dustry discussions will start in Meanwhile, to complement the ­tender ­expected in 2024. cargo around the country, the 2021, with a request for tender nation’s on-order fleet of four Boe- Long-range unmanned aircraft South Pacific, down to Antarctica ­expected in 2024 and new aircraft ing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, capable of supporting land and and all around the globe,” says to enter service in 2028. Wellington is talking to industry maritime forces will also be Mark. “We need a proven “Operations in the Pacific and about an air surveillance capability sought after 2030. ■

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PROGRAMME GARRETT REIM LOS ANGELES Lockheed battles F-35 operating costs Manufacturer insists it can hit $25,000-per-hour target by 2025, detailing comprehensive list of improvement initiatives

f the US Air Force (USAF) had Iall the money in the world, its fighter of choice would undoubt- edly be the Lockheed Martin F-35A. But even the best-funded of services does not always get what it wants. Costing $44,000 per hour to fly, the F-35 is too expensive for the USAF’s purse. Earlier this year, it settled for a modernised version of a 1970s design – Boe- ing’s F-15EX – for a purchase of up to 80 aircraft, in part because of it having an operating cost of only $29,000 per hour.

Losing sales to an airframe de- US Air Force signed nearly five decades ago is In addition to pursuing increased reliability, airframer is proposing “nose-to-tail” maintenance review a problem for Lockheed’s F-35 programme, so the company has “The reliability of the later lots performance-based logistics con- craft, using a “nose-to-tail” main- responded by promising to re- of aircraft is excellent, in terms of tracts and master repair agree- tenance concept. “The approach duce the A-model’s operating their performance out in the field. ments with suppliers in April trains crewmembers across the cost to $25,000 per hour by 2025. They are really flying well,” says 2019 to improve parts inventories entire air system, so that main- For its part, the US Department Litchfield. “The [low-observabili- and reduce sustainment costs. tainers can work on the entire air- of Defense (DoD) is highly scepti- ty] maintainability of this jet is And troublesome parts are also craft, versus individual subsys- cal. “The department doesn’t see blowing people away.” getting more attention. tems,” it says. “The effort has a path to get to $25,000 per flying The company believes that it “Wing-tip lenses are wearing reduced the dedicated mainte- hour by [fiscal year 2025],” Rob- has pinpointed the type’s cost faster than we thought they nance team to less than five per- ert Daigle, its director of cost problems – now all that is left is would be,” says Litchfield, who sonnel per aircraft per shift, analysis and programme evalua- to fix them. adds that low-observable paint is down from about 12.” tion, told the US House Armed “73% of the [parts] on this air- also delaminating earlier than it Lockheed is also working to Services Subcommittee during a craft have never failed yet; 95% should. “We are going through a address problems with the F-35’s May hearing. or so are exceeding their reliabili- reliability and maintainability Autonomic Logistics Information Instead, the Pentagon estimates ty requirements. You’re talking improvement, and [the new ver- System (ALIS), which the DoD’s that by 2024 the F-35 will cost the about a very small percentage of sions] are proving to be much Office of the Director of Opera- USAF $36,000 per hour to fly. parts [that have issues],” Litch- more durable.” tional Test and Evaluation in Jan- “And then after 2024, our projec- field says. “I challenge you: find uary criticised for frequently re- tions are that cost per flying hour any weapons system that exceed- PART EXCHANGE quiring “manual workarounds to is going to flatten out and increase ed its reliability this early in the In June 2018, Lockheed replaced complete tasks designed to be a little bit because the planes are programme, much less [that has] Northrop Grumman as the sup- automated”, and for having “per- starting to age, and we are going to an improvement programme to plier of the fighter’s Distributed vasive problems with data integ- have to bring them back into drive out those parts that aren’t Aperture System, switching to rity and completeness”. depot,” says Daigle. reliable. We are by far and away Raytheon. It expects the move to Speaking in March, then-Sec- leading the industry in terms of save $3 billion over the life of retary of the Air Force Heather MAINTAINING FOCUS reliability and improvements.” the programme, while also offer- Wilson quipped: “I can guarantee Lockheed acknowledges the Lockheed says the problem in ing better performance and in- that no air force maintainer will challenges but remains defiant. part stems from a previous focus creased reliability. ever name their daughter Alice.” “We know exactly what the on the F-35 Joint Program Office’s More reliable carbonfibre verti- Despite such challenges, Litch- costs are for the Lockheed Martin Continuous Capability Develop- cal tail blade seals are also now field says no miracles are needed part of the equation,” says Bruce ment and Delivery initiative. being used, and Lockheed says to reach the $25,000 per hour Litchfield, the company’s vice- “A lot of energy, a lot of focus GKN Aerospace Transparency Sys- goal by 2025. president of aeronautics sustain- went into this platform to get it to tems “is ramping up production “When I look at the F-35 cost ment. “We know what the cost have the capabilities that it has,” and repair capacity” to address an curve there is nothing unusual curve has to be in order to hit that says Litchfield. “That same disci- issue with the fighter’s canopy. about it. We’ve just got to be fo- [$25,000] target and we are put- pline, that same element, is [now] The airframer is also suggest- cused on it. There is no techno- ting in play the initiatives to keep going into sustainment.” ing that the USAF employ a logical challenge that is in our driving that [cost] down. Lockheed signed long-term smaller support team for each air- way of driving that cost down.” ■

22 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com Aerospace Big Data Series flightglobal.com/bigdata

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FINANCIAL KATE SARSFIELD LONDON Tamarack seeks Chapter 11 protection Safety concerns over Atlas active winglets forced manufacturer into move, which it promises will secure company’s future

mergency airworthiness direc- tion of the emergency directives. Etives in Europe and the USA “These upgrades improve the related to Tamarack Aerospace’s reliability and safety of the Atlas Atlas active winglet system equip- winglet modification,” says Tam- ping certain Cessna Citation jets arack, and have been submitted have pushed the Idaho-based sup- to both regulators as a proposed plier to seek Chapter 11 bankrupt- resolution. cy protection. Nearly 75% of the affected The safety directives, issued in fleet has been upgraded to date, April and May, “effectively and Tamarack says its goal is to grounded” those Citation light retrofit the outstanding aircraft as business aircraft retrofitted with soon as possible.

the feature. Aerospace Tamarack The regulators have been “re- Sandpoint-headquartered Tam- Airworthiness directives cover Cessna jets retrofitted with system luctant” to provide an estimated arack says entering the bankrupt- timeframe for lifting the airwor- cy protection means it can contin- Federal Aviation Administration fixed in place before the next flight. thiness directives, the company ue trading and focus on (FAA) issued the airworthiness di- The FAA has also ordered Atlas says, noting that it is “keenly sen- supporting affected customers, rectives after Atlas – a load-allevia- to be disabled on the seven models sitive to the day-by-day impact” while also working with regula- tion system – malfunctioned on a and will only allow US-based At- that this situation has imposed tors to lift the flight restrictions. handful of occasions. This result- las-equipped Citation jets to per- upon its customers. “Chapter 11 will be a tempo- ed in in-flight upsets, from which form approved ferry flights, until a “We are committed to contin- rary state, and it is meant to en- pilots had difficulty recovering. modification has been validated. ue working hard with EASA and sure the long-term viability of the EASA has ordered Atlas to be Tamarack says it is “committed the FAA to enable them to have company,” it says. deactivated on the Citation Jet, CJ1, to the safety of its products”, add- all the data they need to approve The European Union Aviation CJ2/2+, CJ3/3+ and M2 twinjets, ing that it had already issued two a resolution at the earliest possi- Safety Agency (EASA) and US and the active-control surfaces service bulletins prior to publica- ble hour,” says Tamarack. ■

TESTNG JON HEMMERDINGER BOSTON Ampaire generates interest in electric propulsion

Cessna 337 Skymaster pow- tion engine with a proprietary Cessna 337s have a push-pull Ampaire has disclosed few de- A ered partly by an electric battery-powered electric propul- propulsion design, with one pro- tails about the aircraft or its sys- motor flew on 6 June from a Cali- sion system. peller at the front of the fuselage tems, due to their prototype status. fornia airport, demonstrating a But the company left the Cess- and one at the rear. However, the firm says the prototype propulsion system that na’s forward engine in place, re- The aircraft are typically pow- modified 337’s range is “nomi- manufacturer Ampaire hopes to sulting in a “parallel hybrid” de- ered by two Continental IO-360 nally” 174nm, although this will deploy commercially by 2021. sign in which the gas engine and piston engines. vary according to passenger Ampaire replaced the twin-­ electric motor run concurrently, The six-seat prototype took off count and weather conditions. engined Cessna’s rear combus- each providing thrust. from Camarillo airport, north- Ampaire will use flight-test west of Ampaire’s Los Angeles data to develop a pre-production headquarters with one pilot and prototype, which it expects to one flight engineer on board, and ship to Maui, Hawaii later this flew about 22nm (40km). year for flight testing between Ka- Ampaire had already flown the hului and Hana, located on oppo- prototype but says the 6 June sor- site sides of the island. tie was the first public flight. Hawaiian regional carrier The US Federal Aviation Ad- Mokulele Airlines will support ministration in May granted Am- the effort by providing Ampaire paire authority to begin a flight- with hangar space, parts, pilots test programme, which will and maintenance, according to involve multiple missions each reports. week until August, to “gather data “Ampaire has mapped a clear

Ampaire about the electric propulsion’s path… to commercial operations Battery-powered unit replaces Skymaster’s rear combustion engine performance characteristics”. in 2021,” the company says. ■

24 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com BUSINESS AVIATION T-X mettle in the metal Feature P26 development kate sarsfield london Lilium lands in London to secure software skillset

erman electric aircraft de- including maintenance and Gveloper Lilium is to base its scheduling flights on-demand, software engineering hub in says Lilium’s chief commercial London to take advantage of officer Remo Gerber. The system what the company calls “the will also need to integrate with rich pool of talent” in and existing air traffic control regula- around the UK capital. tions and systems, he says. Hundreds of engineers will be The move comes less than a recruited over the next five years month after a full-scale prototype to design and build software to of the Lilium Jet made its first support a planned on-demand flight at the start-up’s Oberpfaffen- ilium Jet air taxi infrastructure for the hofen headquarters in southern L ­five-seat Lilium Jet. Germany. The unmanned and Technology is required for support of future on-demand operations The electric vertical take-off ­remotely-piloted aircraft made a and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is low, untethered hover which flight with the prototype in the Jet, although a timeframe for this scheduled to enter service in 2025 ­lasted around 1min. coming months. first flight has not been disclosed. and will require consumer-facing, Gerber says testing is continu- Feedback from the flight tests Lilium is aiming to secure ride-hailing apps and sophisticat- ing and the company is “building will be incorporated into the first ­certification for the eVTOL air- ed software for fleet management, up” to perform the first transition fully-conforming manned Lilium craft in the early 2020s. ■ design kate sarsfield london NFT drives ahead with Aska flying car Californian start-up reveals electric-powered vertical take-off and landing concept, setting 2025 service entry target

S start-up Next Future Trans- research and development centre that will allow the four-seat Aska to landing sites measuring 20m Uportation (NFT) has unveiled – where it was seeking to raise – Japanese for bird – to eventual- (65ft) x 20m. “The Aska offers the a one-sixth-scale model of its awareness of the programme ly fly autonomously, although comfort of all-in-one, door-to- electric vertical take-off and land- amongst potential customers, in- Kaplinsky says it will initially be door travel without the need to ing flying car, which it hopes will vestors and partners. certificated with a pilot on board change from a car to an air taxi. become a leading player in the The project has been self-fund- for “regulatory” reasons. We expect extraordinary market nascent urban air mobility ed to date, says Mika Kaplinsky – Described by NFT as “the brain demand,” says Kaplinsky. (UAM) market and revolutionise who is also chief executive of of the product” the software is de- Powered by 14 ducted electric point-to-point transport for many NFT – and around $50 million is signed to sense and avoid obsta- fans – including two tilting units thousands of travellers. needed in the first funding round cles, providing “safe and worry- each at the rear and on the wing Known as Aska, the project was to build and fly the initial full- free flights”, says Kaplinsky. – the Aska can take off and land launched in 2018 by husband and scale prototype, an event sched- The software will eventually be vertically and then transition to a wife team Guy and Mika Kaplin- uled for the first quarter of 2021. offered to other UAM-aircraft de- horizontal cruise phase. sky. The pair hope to bring the ve- “After that milestone, we will velopers. “We will demonstrate With full batteries, the Aska is hicle to market by 2025. need to raise around $150 mil- the system on the half-scale Aska, projected to have a maximum NFT took the wraps off the lion to bring the Aska to market,” which we plan to fly in the first range of 300nm (560km) with scale model on 11 June at the says Kaplinsky. quarter of 2020,” says Kaplinsky. one passenger and 130nm with EcoMotion show in Tel Aviv, NFT, based in Mountain View, The Aska’s main advantage is three. The projected maximum ­Israel – home to the company’s California, is developing software that it can open its wings and fly speed is around 300kt (555km/h). Early models of the all-compos- ite Aska will be priced at around $200,000, but NFT expects the cost to fall significantly as demand escalates and the fleet grows. A key market for the flying car is owner-flyers, but NFT is plan- ning to widen the Aska’s appeal by introducing a subscription- based, on-demand model where Company wants $50 million customers can use the vehicle to build full-size prototype FT

N whenever they need it. ■ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 25 DEVELOPMENT

GARRETT REIM LOS ANGELES

oeing’s extensive use of composites in its 787 airliner and the ultimately cancelled Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 T-X mettle Comanche stealth helicopter made it B a pioneer in aerospace carbonfibre. But for its most recent aircraft design, the company throws all that fancy material out of the win- dow. Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s T-X – winner of the US Air Force (USAF) ad- vanced jet trainer programme – is an entirely in the metal metal aircraft. Despite industry trends, the firm believes that is its strength, however. Boeing and Saab believe combining traditional materials The T-X’s metal airframe, combined with and modern processes will make the US Air Force’s new all-digital design and agile software develop- ment processes, make the trainer untouchable trainer an affordable winner – with major export appeal on price and operating costs, the company told FlightGlobal during a visit to its St Louis, the jets at a price $7 billion below what the T-50A trainer in partnership with Korea Aero- Missouri production facility in May. “[There USAF thought possible. In September 2018, space Industries, argues that Boeing’s bid is is] very little composite. It’s basically an all- the service selected Boeing for a $9 billion unprofitable. In fact, during the third quarter metal aircraft. [It is] easy to repair,” says Paul contract to produce 351 T-X aircraft, 46 simu- of 2018, upon winning the contract, the victor Niewald, Boeing’s senior director and chief lators and associated ground equipment. The recorded charges of $400 million associated engineer for the T-X programme. “From an af- T-X fleet will replace the USAF’s 58-year-old with expected losses on the T-X. fordability standpoint, metal and making Northrop T-38C Talons. The contract is an in- The last time Boeing tried to sell the USAF a metal parts for us would be cheaper than de- definite-delivery and indefinite-quantity jet billions of dollars below expectations it ran signing tooling to make composite parts.” award, allowing the service to purchase up to into some snags. That programme, the KC-46A The aircraft is so cost effective, says Boeing, 475 aircraft and 120 simulators. Pegasus tanker, has lost nearly $3.6 billion. It that the company was able to offer a fleet of Rival Lockheed Martin, which offered the was delayed by a year and a half and has had

26 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com T-X

two embarrassing foreign object debris work First flight took place 36 stoppages since deliveries started less than six months after firm concept months ago, among other issues. Nonetheless, Boeing argues that its recent T-X trainer contract with the USAF makes fi- nancial sense and that this time is different.

DIGITAL DESIGN Although Boeing’s T-X is made of old-­ fashioned metal, its design was completed en- tirely using 3D digital models. The company says it used this method through the entirety of the development process, starting with drafting of the concept. That enabled the design team to co-ordinate its work more efficiently and obtain feedback quickly on aerodynamics and loads. “Yes, 3D design has been out there, but to be able to put it all together through the pro- cess, all the way through production, [that has

not been done],” says Niewald. “This gave us Boeing the opportunity to prove it out and show that it does have time savings, [and] it does have development methods, the airframer says. The first production T-X aircraft and simula- first-time quality impacts.” The development programme was able to tors are scheduled to arrive at Joint Base San For example, Boeing boasts that its first two move quickly and cheaply, says Niewald. ­Antonio-Randolph, in Texas, in 2023. The aircraft were assembled in 80% less time, “We went from firm concept to first flight in USAF plans for the trainer to reach initial compared with what the company historical- 36 months. Within 24h of the first flight, we ­operational capability by 2024 and full opera- ly had observed with other early examples. flew the second flight. We flew 71 times- be tional capability by 2034. And the time it took to develop a line of code fore contract award,” he says. “Sometimes we for the T-X was cut in half using agile software flew multiple sorties daily. One time we actu- SAAB ROLE ally flew four times in one day.” Boeing downplays its T-X partner Saab’s role Type was designed entirely Boeing says the T-X can handle a higher op- in the design and manufacturing of the T-X. using 3D digital models erational tempo, in part, because it is easy to “We had design authority for the entire air- maintain. “We went to school on the T-38: craft and then we delegated the authority for what were the great things about that aircraft Saab to do the aft fuselage,” says Torgerson. and what were the things they wanted to For his part, Saab chief executive Hakan change from a maintenance perspective?” Buskhe declines to detail the company’s like- says Ted Torgerson, Boeing T-X senior direc- ly percentage share of each T-X produced, but tor. “We worked hard to correct those things.” notes: “It’s a fairly big portion.” The Swedish Maintainers helped to design the T-X aircraft, company recently announced its selection of adding features such as large avionics bays, West Lafayette, Indiana, as the location for its maintenance panels that open with push but- future $37 million US manufacturing facility, tons and high wings that personnel can walk from where it will ship completed rear fuse- underneath, he says. lage sections – described as “from the canopy Boeing says neither of its test aircraft will back” – to St Louis for final assembly. be at the Paris air show because they are con- Lars Sjoberg, Saab’s T-X programme man- tinuing to support the engineering, manufac- ager, says it will manufacture the first batch of turing and development (EMD) programme. structures at its Linkoping site in Sweden under an EMD phase subcontract received from Boeing. This will lead to the production of five flight-test aircraft, plus single fatigue and static test examples. Saab cut first metal under this deal in late November 2018. Sjoberg says that once the airframer’s ­activities in West Lafayette have been estab- lished, “90%-plus” of subsystems will be US produced. Saab and Boeing believe the T-X has the po- tential to sell 2,600 units over its lifetime, with around 1,000 examples coming from the US military and the rest from foreign air forc- es. Both firms decline to name potential fu- ture international customers, although Boeing

Boeing has previously said operators in the Asia-­

Boeing Agile approach cut time on software work Pacific region, including the Royal Australian❯❯ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 27 Airlines

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Current T-38 trainer has been in service for 58 years US Air Force

❯❯ Air Force, are seen as possible buyers. ware. Integration of an in-flight refuelling During an October 2018 earnings call, Boeing “In some places it’s better that probe and weapons hardpoints under the chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said the pro- Boeing faces the customer, wings are also being considered, the company gramme represented a “$40 billion multi-dec- says. “We put space, weight, power and cool- ade platform and services opportunity”. While and in other places, it’s better ing into the airplane for that eventuality of neither party has disclosed potential marketing growing the airplane into that next aggressor, allocations, such matters are contained within for Saab” light-attack aircraft,” says Torgerson. their joint development agreement on the T-X, Lars Sjoberg “You can think of the advanced training sys- signed in December 2013, Saab says. T-X programme manager, Saab tem as step one, maybe aggressors as step two, “From a partnership perspective, we will and then light attack is step three,” said Jeff face other markets,” says Sjoberg. “We will Shockey, vice-president of global sales and mar- work together – in some places it’s better that single-engined type “probably could be the keting for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, at Boeing faces the customer, and in other plac- next step”, while noting: “One of the reasons the Shangri-La Dialogue in ­Singapore in May. es, it’s better for Saab, depending on what we have been successful is that we have been In fact, Boeing’s long-term goal of modify- country, the situation and what is the experi- focused on designing a purpose-built trainer. ing the aircraft into a light-attack or light fight- ence and relationships.” As an example, he But of course, there are possibilities to devel- er variant puts the T-X squarely within Saab’s notes: “In Sweden, I think it would be better op this aircraft even more.” area of expertise: the Gripen. That light single- that Saab approach the customer.” Boeing says space in the T-X fuselage was engined fighter is the combat aircraft of choice Looking at the longer term, Buskhe says a reserved for radar, electronic warfare, radar for budget-constrained air forces such as the dedicated light-attack development of the warning receivers and other combat hard- Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa and Thailand, while both Sweden and Brazil are acquiring its new-generation E model. In much the same way that Boeing is marketing the T-X, Saab has pitched the Gripen’s ease of maintenance to militaries, as well as its low price and operational cost. “[Competitors] can’t touch our costs. We will have all their capability at a fraction of the cost,” says Torgerson. “There are a lot of coun- tries that need an inexpensive aircraft and now the USA actually has one to offer them.” Both companies are bullish. “Our expecta- tion is that T-X will be very dominant,” Sjoberg says. “It will be a major player.” ■ Pair of test aircraft logged Additional reporting by Craig Hoyle in 71 flights before selection

Boeing Linkoping and Greg Waldron in Singapore flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 29 PROGRAMME (E)ven smarter

First flown two years ago, Saab’s Gripen E is powering towards delivery for the Swedish and Brazilian air forces, while the company targets a broad range of export opportunities

CRAIG HOYLE LINKOPING its Gripen Demo, or 39-7, platform to use, after not make a planned deployment in support of the completion of an extensive modernisation an evaluation for Switzerland’s fighter con- aab is set to increase the intensity of its activity. De la Motte says the heavily adapted test. “The Gripen E development plan does Gripen E flight-test programme over Gripen B now features full E-model tactical not match the Swiss plan to perform flight the coming months, with a trio of air- functionality in its rear cockpit, which has also tests with aircraft that are operationally ready craft currently supporting the activity been equipped with the AEL Sistemas-pro- in 2019,” the company says. It had planned to S to be increased to eight before year-end. duced wide-area display that will be installed send a test asset and a Gripen C to Payerne air By mid-May, Saab’s first two Gripen E test in all examples of the new-generation type. base from 24-28 June: speaking last month, de airframes – 39-8 and 39-9 – had been flown “We will use it as a flying rig, to test new la Motte noted: “It’s challenging to demon- for a combined 125h, with their work having functions, and also for customer demonstra- strate a 2025 Gripen today”. previously been supported by a Gripen Demo tions,” he says of the asset. Switzerland’s previous selection of the platform, used from 2008. Its third and last Gripen to replace its Northrop F-5 intercep- dedicated E-model test asset, aircraft 39-10, delivery commitments tors was thwarted by a public referendum. took to the air for the first time on 10 June Despite three examples having been flown, For the new process, which will also select a from the Swedish company’s Linkoping site. the Gripen E will not be making a debut successor for Bern’s Boeing F/A-18C/Ds, Saab Eddy de la Motte, Saab’s head of business ­appearance at the Paris air show. Instead, offered to supply either 30 or 40 E-model unit Gripen E/F, says the programme’s first Saab’s focus is on meeting its first delivery fighters. It faced rivals in the shape of the F/A- four production aircraft are now in final commitments for Sweden and Brazil, and on 18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale,­ Eu- ­assembly in Linkoping, including lead ex- ramping up series production of the type. rofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35A. amples for its current two customers for the With a combined 96 examples due to enter At the time of FlightGlobal’s visit to type: the Swedish and Brazilian air forces. operational use from around 2023, an annual Linkoping, test aircraft 39-8 was undergoing Both services will receive their first aircraft rate of 24 units must be swiftly established. structural inspections, having logged 100h before year-end to support initial test and Additional export sales could prompt the airborne since its debut in June 2017. It has evaluation processes. company to add further capacity, however. performed flight-envelope expansion, stores In addition to adding production examples Saab suffered a setback on the eve of the separation and loads testing, along with fuel to its test programme, Saab is also set to return show, announcing on 13 June that it would and environmental control system checks.

30 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com GRIPEN E

Test asset 39-8 Aircraft 39-9 is being flown with a full ­Swedish defence minister Peter Hultqvist of has accumulated electronic warfare system and Leonardo-­ the defence committee’s recommendations. 100 flight hours supplied Raven ES-05 active electronically This should take around six months to com- scanned array radar in use, with Saab report- plete, after which the nation’s parliament­ ing strong results. must vote on the investment required to sup- “This aircraft is built for a very different en- port any increase in defence spending. vironment, with complex electronic warfare, “The best we can do is to have defence de- long-range systems and an adversary with a cisions on a solid ground – we need to do as lot of advanced equipment,” Wandt says. solid a job as we can,” Hultqvist says. In addition to external stores testing con- Brazil also holds the potential for further ducted at Sweden’s Vidsel range last year, business, Saab believes. The nation has so far which culminated with separation of Diehl ordered 28 single-seat Gripen Es and eight Defence IRIS-T air-to-air missiles, other recent two-seat F-model examples, but is believed to highlights have included maximum rate have a need for a further two similar batches. climbs and dives and recording the fastest- Saab is working closely with Brazilian air- ever speed by a Gripen. Saab declines to re- framer Embraer on the project, covering a veal the performance achieved. gradual transition of assembly to the Latin American country. follow-on purchase A new company, Saab Aeronautica As the Swedish air force draws closer to re- ­Montagens – 90% owned by the Swedish ceiving its first example, it is already eyeing company and 10% by Brazil’s Akaer – is to the potential for a follow-on purchase to its manufacture major structures in Brazil, in- initial 60-aircraft deal. cluding the forward and rear fuselage, tail “We want to have 60 Es,” says Colonel cone, air brakes and wing box. Established in ­Anders Person, the service’s commander air Sao Bernardo do Campo, the company staff, referring to details in a recent white paper ­currently employs 45 people, and will com- published by the nation’s defence committee mence full operations during 2020. outlining spending priorities for the five-year period concluding 2025. This proposed also “At some point after 2030 retaining some of its existing 95 C/D-model ­examples longer than previously planned, to we’d like to buy another 60 Es, provide “the core of the fighter aircraft system” as the new model enters frontline use. to replace the C/Ds”

Saab “At some point after 2030 we’d like to buy Colonel ­Anders Person another 60 Es, to replace the C/Ds,” says Per- Commander air staff, Swedish air force “So far, it’s really reliable and doing what’s son. The new type’s high level of operational expected,” says Saab test pilot Marcus promise is not lost on the Swedish air force, Wandt, who was the first to fly the new which – having referred to its current Gripen Meanwhile, work on Brazil’s F-model model. “We want to make sure it’s the same by using Saab’s “smart fighter” branding – la- ­variant continues at the Gripen Design and on the inside,” he adds. bels the coming standard as “(E)ven smarter”. Development Network facility in Gaviao “The handling is very comparable to the Indeed, Person says, by 2035, the air force ­Peixoto, where 90 Brazilian and 17 Swedish Gripen C/D, but you can pull more g in the hopes to have increased its strength to eight engineers are currently employed. middle of the envelope,” Wandt says. active Gripen squadrons. Having come into effect in October 2015, ­Despite the E’s larger size, “the agility is still “We need now to make an analysis by the the export buyer’s roughly SKr39.3 billion there”, he says, with carefree handling defence forces and authorities which are ($4.5 billion) contract remains on track, says throughout the flight regime. working on materiel questions,” says Michael Franzen, Saab’s head of business unit Gripen Brazil. The customer’s first aircraft has achieved power-on, and after initial tests in Sweden will be flown to Brazil next year to support an evaluation process likely to total around 800h in the country. Initial operations with the locally ­designated F-39 will commence from Anapolis air base during 2021. In all, 13 of the air force’s new fighters will be assembled in Sweden by Saab, with another eight to be completed in Linkoping by Brazilian personnel; the remain- ing 15 will be delivered from Embraer’s Gaviao Peixoto plant. Its first F-model example is scheduled to make its flight debut in 2022, New radar and with this featuring a 45cm fuselage extension. electronic warfare Franzen indicates that a possible future system are among Gripen sale to Colombia could be achieved by type’s key features

Saab “a mix of production in Sweden and Brazil.” ❯❯ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 31 Join over 23,000 industry professionals for the most important three days of business aviation, with 1,000 exhibitors, 2 static displays of aircraft – one inside the exhibit hall and the other outside at Henderson Executive Airport, and more than 50 education opportunities. Save the date and visit the NBAA-BACE website to learn more.

www.nbaa.org/2019 GRIPEN E

❯❯ Saab is also pitching the Gripen E as a po- tential solution for Canada’s future fighter needs. At last month’s CANSEC show in Ot- tawa, the company outlined its willingness to explore in-country assembly of the single-en- gined type, should this be required if the gov- ernment selects it to equip the Royal Canadi- an Air Force. Sweden is also eyeing an opportunity to sell Gripens to the Finnish air force, at a time when Stockholm and Helsinki are considera- bly strengthening their defence co-operation. Hultqvist describes the prospect of such a

deal with its Nordic neighbour – which cur- Saab rently flies F/A-18C/Ds – as “important to us”. AEL Sistemas-produced wide-area display will be installed in all examples of the Gripen E India also remains a sales target for the Swed- ish airframer, as well as multiple other oppor- sale every 18 months – but he today stops for 30 years. Indeed, with so many sales tunities in Europe and Asia. short of such objectives, due to the time prospects now on the company’s radar, he Saab chief executive Hakan Buskhe once needed by nations when deciding on a new notes: “The good way to sell more is to spoke of a target to conclude a new Gripen fighter capability that is likely to serve them ­deliver on time”. ■

programme CRAIG HOYLE LINKOPING Saab expands its vision worldwide for GlobalEye swing-role surveillance system In common with its Gripen E year” as the expected handover “It behaves very much as the The GlobalEye has demon- fighter, another of Saab’s new date for the first of the UAE’s VIP version of the Global 6000, strated “excellent system product offerings – the GlobalEye Bombardier Global 6000 business which we are happy with, because ­performance” during testing, swing-role surveillance system – is jet-based air, ground and mari- we have done substantial Tossman says. also approaching its first delivery, time surveillance assets. The ­changes to this platform,” says Aircraft produced for the UAE to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Swedish company has already Lars Tossman, Saab’s head of ra- have five onboard operator air force. handed over some of its associ- dar solutions. ­stations, with the aircraft offering Launched at the Dubai air show ated equipment, including Mounted above the fuselage, an endurance of 11h. in November 2015 with a surprise ­systems for training, planning and the aircraft’s 10m (32.8ft)-long, 1t Future customers for the two-aircraft order, and subse- post-mission evaluation. Saab Erieye ER active electroni- GlobalEye system – which might quently expanded to add a third The programme’s lead aircraft cally scanned array radar can not require the full swing-role example, the GlobalEye has un- has been involved in extensive ­detect small, stealthy airborne ­capability sought by its launch dergone extensive testing since a flight testing performed from targets and even submarine ­customer – will receive adapted lead platform (9714) made its Granada, Spain, since last ­periscopes, and has a ground Global 6500s, due to Bombardier’s ­debut flight in March 2018. This September, with this activity in- moving target indication evolution of the long-range was followed by aircraft 9743 in cluding envelope expansion work. ­capability for monitoring land ­product. The new model features January, while the last – 9787 – is European Union Aviation Safety ­vehicles. A Leonardo Seaspray- more powerful Rolls-Royce Pearl likely to get airborne for the first Agency pilots have also flown series maritime­ surveillance radar engines and some aerodynamic time late this year, following the aboard the aircraft in support of a and electro-optical/infrared enhancements. completion of modification work process that should soon culmi- ­sensor, plus automatic Tossman says this change will at Saab’s Linkoping site. nate with Swedish authorities ap- ­identification ­system equipment, require some further flight testing Speaking in Stockholm on 20 proving a supplemental type will be employed­ to monitor to be performed, but that “for us it May, Buskhe revealed “April next certificate for the adaptation. ­maritime targets. doesn’t have a difference:­ it’s the same [type] certificate.” Platform made Saab also has previously debut flight in ­proposed a dedicated maritime March 2018 surveillance derivative of the ­platform named the Swordfish, which would feature around ­70-80% commonality with the GlobalEye. It is prepared to launch a full development activity if a buyer gets on board. Pointing to the company’s ­flagship surveillance offering, Tossman concludes: “We think we have a really good solution, be- cause we have a fantastic radar

Anders Bergstrand/Saab and a fantastic mission system.” ■

flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 33 PROPULSION

Powering into the future While focusing on ramp-up and reliability, Rolls-Royce has its sights fixed on the next generation of gas turbine and electric propulsion systems

DOMINIC PERRY DERBY most radical part of the new engine – or at least a radical departure from R-R’s traditional olls-Royce arrives at this year’s Paris architecture – is a power gearbox (PGB), cur- air show with the immediate focus rently in test and development at the firm’s on ramping up production of in-ser- site in Dahlewitz, near Berlin. vice engines and curing the disrup- Five of an eventual seven or eight test arti- R tion still being felt by operators of Boeing cles have been built so far, accumulating 250h 787s powered by the Trent 1000. Develop- of run time on attitude and altitude rigs, says ment activities are continuing in the back- Curnock. A sixth unit, a more production- ground, of course, but are at a relatively early representative example, is currently in build; stage in the cycle. As the manufacturer’s chief evaluation work on the component is sched- customer officer Dominic Horwood points uled to begin later in the summer. Sized for an out, when the Trent 7000 engine entered ser- 80,000lb-thrust (356kN) powerplant, the PGB vice late last year with the Airbus A330neo, it has a ring gear with an 80cm (31in) diameter marked “the end of that wave of Trent devel- and has already taken records as the most opment”. powerful aerospace gearbox ever run. R-R’s next commercial engine programme is the UltraFan, a geared-fan powerplant current- KEY SYSTEMS ly sized for future widebody applications that Other key systems for the new powerplant are promises a 10% fuel-burn improvement over a blizzard of acronyms – chief them being the Trent XWB. As Horwood says, UltraFan is ALPS and ALECSys. The former – the Ad- the “expression of our future in large engines”. vanced Low Pressure System – is a fan featur- Although UltraFan is not scheduled to ing composite blades with a titanium leading enter service until the latter half of next dec- edge (CTi) rather than R-R’s traditional hollow ade, R-R is making good progress with the titanium parts, as well as a fan case and annu- various technological building blocks that lus filters also made from composite material. will come together to form the new engine, Attached to a Trent 1000 donor engine, the explains Phil Curnock, chief engineer, civil CTi fan first flew in 2014 aboard the compa- aerospace future programmes. Arguably the ny’s Boeing 747 testbed. Since then, R-R has

34 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com ROLLS-ROYCE Rolls-Royce Nemesis NXT-based ACCEL is about speed – and integration of electric energy systems

continued to amass data on ALPS, including functional performance, indoor noise, core back-to-back tests against a metal fan, and water ingestion and operability trials. “It has icing tests carried out in Manitoba. Whole been the most successful demonstrator test system trials have also recently been complet- that we have ever done,” says Curnock, not- ed, says Curnock. ing that all engine starts were successful. Another recent evaluation saw R-R remove, Additionally, evaluations of a four-stage damage and then re-insert one fan blade in intermediate-pressure turbine were recently order to check vibration levels. The results finished at R-R’s Spanish subsidiary ITP. achieved what Curnock describes as an engi- All this activity is building up to a major neer’s ideal in that there were “no surprises”. milestone for the programme when UltraFan Low-speed tests of the ALPS design were also is run for the first time – an event currently recently conducted using an 88cm-diameter scheduled for 2021. “I have really got all the scaled, metallic version. “Performance, oper- building blocks now and that’s what we are ability and noise testing results have exceed- doing,” says Curnock. “We are completing the UltraFan promises to better ed expectations,” R-R says. design and analysis phase this year. Some of Trent XWB fuel burn by 10%

Rolls-Royce UltraFan is likely to enter service with the the long-lead items are already in build.” Next CTi fan, but as Curnock says, that design must year, he says, will be entirely focussed on prove better than a metallic equivalent, and its manufacturing and assembly work. selection will mostly be driven by how big the engine is. “It is very difficult to beat hollow tita- FURTHER OPTIMISATION nium capability. The break point where we in- R-R has a clear near-term focus on the gas tur- troduce [composite] is interesting: it has to bine and further optimisation of that technolo- trade its way on,” he says. “The larger [the en- gy. Curnock notes that the company does not gine] gets the more likely I am to use it.” “believe that electric is going to take over pow- ALECSys, meanwhile, is R-R’s Advanced ering the very largest aircraft”. However, that Low Emissions Combustion System – a new does not mean that potential applications for learn-burn combustor that allows the engine new power sources are being ignored. As to be fine-tuned during different phases of Eddie Orr, head of capability, Rolls-Royce Elec- flight. Ground tests of the system were carried trical – a business unit that straddles all three out last year using a modified Trent 1000. of the manufacturer’s divisions – says, “electri- “Predictions were pretty much as expected,” fication is a new opportunity for us and a new says Curnock. Flight tests will take place over opportunity for the [aerospace] industry”. the coming years using the same Trent 1000. While agreeing with Curnock’s analysis, Another key building block for UltraFan is Orr still believes electric power can play an the Advance3 core, which first ran in 2017. It “incremental and disruptive” role, even on features components made from new materials larger passenger jets. That does not mean re- including ceramic matrix composites and placing traditional turbofans with electric mo- super nickel alloys for better high-temperature tors but using the technology to enable effi- performance. R-R has completed the first phase ciency gains – “making gas turbines more of tests on the Advance3 core, which has been electrical”. attached to a Trent XWB fan system and Trent For example, R-R has been testing, on an 1000 low-pressure turbine to form the demon- Adour powerplant, the use of electrical ener- strator engine. This initial phase included runs gy to start the engine rather than bleed air. at maximum power, beginning in 2018. Power for the process is drawn from stored ALECSys combustor ground A “more aggressive” test period is taking energy produced by a generator attached to testing turned up no surprises

Rolls-Royce place this year, which incorporates X-ray, the high-pressure shaft. A second phase of ❯❯ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 35 Stand out from the crowd

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flightglobal.com/jobsnews ROLLS-ROYCE

❯❯ testing will begin shortly, evaluating ALPS composite-bladed fan has whether a second generator can be added to flown with Trent 1000 on 747 the low-pressure shaft. “It lets you play with the amount of electrical power you take from either shaft during the flight cycle,” says Orr. The energy generated could be used to re- duce the amount of bleed air taken from the engines to run the air conditioning, and ­potentially to power items like the oil or hy- draulic pumps, which are currently run off the engine’s accessory gearbox. Ultimately, as electricity is used to run more systems, it could remove the need for the accessory gear- box entirely, he says, which would offer ad- ditional drag-reduction benefits on smaller

business jet engines due to its location. Rolls-Royce “If we are taking the starter generator off the accessory gearbox and leaving oil pumps on traditional end, it has partnered with motor its maintenance and support organisations, there, are we really making the most of that specialist YASA and Electroflight on the including bolstering its computing and technology development? So, can we utilise ACCEL programme, which seeks to break the ­analytics capabilities to deal with the 30TB of that technology to get us into the more-elec- world speed record for an all-electric aircraft. data produced by its engines each year. This tric sphere?” he says. Flight testing of the modified Nemesis NXT includes the creation of a “digital twin” for Other systems such as de-icing or actuators racer is due to begin next year. each engine produced, allowing the employ- could also be powered by the stored electrici- Although the headlines will focus on ment of predictive analytics on components. ty, says Orr. whether or not the project achieves its speed In addition, R-R is developing a suite of apps While more-electric is the strategy for large goal, Orr says while it would be “nice” to take under its Intelligent Insights brand, to allow engines, down the size range, hybrid or full- the record, that is not the principal aim for the carriers to better optimise aspects of engine electric architectures are being developed and company: “It’s all about the learning in terms of performance or operation. tested. R-R is already working with Airbus on integration – the energy storage system, the bat- Indeed, in presentation after presentation the E-Fan X technology demonstrator, which tery management system… to make sure that during a two-day briefing ahead of the Paris replaces one of the four turbofan engines on a we understand where we need to get to in order air show, executives emphasised the conver- BAe 146 regional jet with a 2MW electric to make this a viable product proposition.” gence of three strands – product, services motor powered via an AE 2100 turboshaft and digital – which are combining under ­engine located in the fuselage. This effort UNDERSTANDING HARDWARE R-R’s IntelligentEngine concept. This envis- should help R-R better understand whether Besides a better understanding of the hard- ages powerplants that are “connected, com- the technology is suitable for regional aircraft ware, the ACCEL is also allowing R-R to prehending and contextually aware” – the applications and “whether or not you can de- “work a bit like a start-up”, while still main- final point relating to engines that can use velop the electrical technology to make that taining the “governance and safety aspects” data about where they are operating, and feasible in terms of cost and weight and cost that the aerospace industry demands. how they are being used. per passenger”, says Orr. Meanwhile, with the market for urban air And while the connected element of those Two other projects are helping R-R to hone mobility (UAM) vehicles beginning to take three Cs is obvious, for R-R, “comprehending” its electric capabilities in the air. At the more off, R-R is eyeing a solution for this segment, means “an engine which knows what’s hap- too. Ground tests of a 1MW hybrid propulsion pening to itself and which can take actions system with an M250 helicopter engine at its based on its own experiences and those of core are under way at its Indianapolis site in other engines in the fleet”. the USA. Currently­ using off-the-shelf tech- R-R’s investment is not confined to metal nologies, Orr sees the system being refined and carbonfibre or batteries and software, how- using more bespoke components. It will even- ever. The company is also pouring a not incon- tually be flight tested, although he stresses siderable sum into concrete. Taking shape at that the propulsion system is “platform ag- the manufacturer’s Derby, UK campus is a nostic” and, as yet, there is no airframe on huge new structure – “bigger than a Premier- which to put it. ship football pitch” is the boast – which will But Orr says the challenge for the wider in- become testbed 80, a facility­ that will be dedi- dustry is not simply one of technology – UAM cated solely to demonstrator engines. designs that are “technically feasible” – but to Commissioning of testbed 80 will begin in ensure that everyone plays by the same certifi- 2020, says Gareth Hedicker, director of de- cation standards, while also not strangling velopment and experimental engineering at development. “We all have a responsibility to R-R. It features 1.7m (5.6ft)-thick concrete make sure that everyone is safe and therefore walls, which will enable “more efficient” we all have to – as a business, as an industry X-ray testing, he says, meaning evacuation of – understand what it takes to make sure that the immediate area will not be required. In

Rolls-Royce this new technology as it comes into new op- an uncontained environment, “the equip- Testbed 80, currently under construction, erating spaces is safe,” he says. ment we use could give you a chest X-ray six will be dedicated to demonstrator trials The manufacturer also continues to refine miles away”, says Hedicker. ■ flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 37 FLIGHT AT 110 Flying high into our fifth decade The latest in a series of articles marking Flight’s 110 years in aviation publishing examines how the magazine evolved during the 1950s as the industry went from strength to strength

MAX KINGSLEY-JONES LONDON In May 1952, BOAC inaugurated the era of jet transportation with its first Comet flight. Sadly, he 1950s was an incredibly significant the era came to an abrupt halt two years later decade both for aviation and for Flight. when the Comet was grounded after a spate of The Comet heralded the jet age – albeit mysterious mid-air accidents. Gunston recalled a hesitant one – while Flight celebrated his colleague, Ken Owen’s coverage of the spe- halfT a century of aviation publishing. cial inquiry into the accidents, which began in It was also the decade that Flight’s longest- July 1954 and lasted another three months. serving scribe joined the team – “Uncle” Roger Gunston, who sadly passed away in 2013, re- Bacon and his Straight & Level diary column. called how Flight marked the coronation of Her Maurice Smith and associate editor “H.F.” Rex flying new aircraft for our “In The Air” series or Majesty Queen Elizabeth II “by visiting every King remained at the helm, both with distin- testing the latest Ferrari in Monaco for our sister RAF command, which then extended to many guished Second World War Royal Air Force weekly, Autocar.” As a result, Ramsden recalled parts of the world, finally producing its first (RAF) service. Smith was awarded two DFCs fly- that King was the “de facto boss”. issue thick enough for ‘square-back’ binding – ing Avro Lancasters and de Havilland Mosquitos, and with a gold front cover”. while King was a weapons intelligence officer. Bill Gunston, renowned aviation writer and ADVERTISER RELATIONS Flight’s technical editor, recalled for our cente- Gunston said the cancellation in November nary issue in 2009 how the 1950s was a forma- 1955 of the RAF’s Vickers-Armstrong V1000 tive decade in the post-war era: “Led by Mau- long-range jet transport upset the Flight team: rice and Rex, Flight’s team of young editorial “In those days Flight relied totally on its adver- men, almost all of them pilots, built up such a tisers, and each evening let off steam in the customer base that the long-time rival, The Aer- Brunswick Arms pub next door [to Flight’s Dor- oplane, first changed to Commercial Aviation set House headquarters], releasing the frustra- News and then went out of business.” tion at being careful what appeared in print.” “JM” Mike Ramsden, who joined the editorial Flight’s coverage of US military programmes team in 1955 and subsequently became one of our generated some unwanted attention in 1955, with distinguished editors, recalled for the centenary a feature on North American’s F-100A Super celebration issue that “Maurice was often away Aviation royalty: the Duke’s 1959 note Sabre, including a detailed cutaway drawing.

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954

38 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com RETROSPECTIVE

“Soon afterwards Dorset House was visited moving up to editor-in-chief) and held regular by a Special Branch policeman, accompanied “editorial meetings” in The Brunswick Arms, by an American,” recalled Gunston. “I ex- over a pint of pale ale, recalls Ramsden. plained at great length how everything had “Big ideas took off in the Brunswick. One been based on published information, the cuta- evening in 1957 Rex agreed to our ideas for a way relying largely on small photographs in diary column and named it Straight & Level,” advertisements. Soon ‘probes’ became a regular he wrote in our centenary issue. Flight feature, thanks to diligent research by “Edited” by our fictional columnist “Roger such artists as Arthur Bowbeer, Frank Munger Bacon”, Straight & Level offered an offbeat and, later, John Marsden.” view of the industry and included a zany cast of A tour by Gunston of the US aircraft compa- characters such as marketing man Rollo Free- nies in mid-1955 would set a precedent that lunch, civil servants: Top Kneddy and Bottom continues to this day. “I met almost every big Neddy and the pilot’s pilot Capt Speaking, name in the business, including Hall Hibbard of much to the delight of thousands of “Nephews” Lockheed, George Schairer of Boeing, Donald and “Nieces”. The spirit of Uncle Roger lives on Douglas Sr and top Douglas engineers Ed Bur- in today’s Straight & Level page, and he still ton and Ed Heinemann,” said Gunston. makes his annual return in our festive quiz. The close of the decade saw Flight marking its half-century along with a tweak to its name. King held regular “editorial Gone was the long-standing “and Aircraft Engi- meetings” in The Brunswick neer” suffix, replaced by “Aircraft, Spacecraft, Missiles”, reflecting the broadening aerospace Arms, over a pint of pale ale sector the magazine was covering. Flight officially celebrated its half-centenary in its 2 January 1959 issue, marking the occasion “These meetings paved the way for Arthur with a leader, asking “How Far Have We Come?” Bowbeer to pay his own visits and produce the which reflected on what our founder-editor Stan- first detailed cutaways of the Douglas DC-7C ley Spooner “would think if he were with us and DC-8, Boeing 707-120, and Lockheed now… About flying, that is, and about Flight”. L-1649 and Electra, for our special Commercial Our celebratory issue included a congratula- Aircraft issue of 6 July 1956. Since then, not tory message from avid aviator HRH Prince only has it become routine for staffers to ‘cross Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, which conclud- the pond’, but Flight now has a team based in ed: “The growth has been remarkable, yet I am the USA, something unthinkable in the 1950s.” convinced that Flight will have things just as Flight covered the unveiling of Lockheed’s remarkable to report in the next fifty years.” U-2 spy plane in February 1957 and was not That issue also carried many congratulatory misled by the US National Advisory Committee adverts from contemporary manufacturers such for Aeronautics description that it was a gener- as English Electric and Rolls-Royce. A notable al-purpose research aircraft with U standing for one, from Rotol (now the Dowty division of GE “utility”, recalled Gunston. Aviation) described Flight as “an invaluable “Rex King saw through the ruse at once, writ- work of reliable reference… to both the student ing a leading article headed ‘U-2... can be a top of the contemporary scene and the student of security chief.’ He explained that the strange history”, concluding: “Congratulations on a aircraft was clearly designed to carry out clan- long and successful Flight”. Says it all, really! n destine reconnaissance flights at an altitude Read more about Flight’s history and our above that of any hostile fighters.” In 1959, key industry names marked celebration of 11 decades in print at: In 1957, King became editor (with Smith Flight’s half century with special adverts flightglobal.com/Flight110

1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 39 STRAIGHT&LEVEL

From yuckspeak to tales of yore, send your offcuts to [email protected]

How to miss the Plane propaganda The Circuit of London race cold coffee held last Saturday was one

Russian flight attendants have Waldron/FlightGlobal Greg of those events offered a few tips that will which possess a endear you to the cabin crew if very high you’re looking to increase your propaganda chances of decent service, value. Everyone that saw comrades. the race has been rendered Airfare search specialist more familiar with the Aviasales has interviewed potentialities of the Russian airline personnel to aeroplane. obtain their views of the ideal passenger. Dentist fill in Aside from having general On one of the French tidiness and respect, it says, the airfields now being used by best passengers don’t insist on the 2nd Tactical heading for the lavatory as soon France’s naval aviators and sailors are deprived of many Air Force, the as the catering trolley starts of the simple pleasures of home while at sea, including dental officer, heading up the aisle. – it seems – Kronenbourg 1664 and Gauloises, even when he has no Nor do they stand up and aboard the country’s flagship aircraft carrier. Instead, if RAF teeth to stop or pull retrieve baggage from overhead this truck making a delivery to the Charles de Gaulle, out, spends his spare time bins immediately after the docked in Singapore recently, is anything to go by, they in a boiler suit working with aircraft parks at the gate. have to make do with Fosters and Marlboro. A line from the maintenance men on “The speed of leaving the those noted troubadours, the Gallagher brothers, the aircraft. aircraft doesn’t change with the springs to mind: “I was looking for some action. But all I speed at which stuff it taken off found was cigarettes and alcohol” Show piece the luggage racks,” notes the Britain’s first general collective cabin crew wisdom, aviation trade show and adding that the perfect operators’ passenger does not ask too many Times warp convention, the questions, is not bothered Doug Brown writes with this Flight Business whether lunch involves chicken snippet from, as he says, and Light or fish, and – according to some “presumably one of the younger Aviation Show at Cranfield, responses – spends much of the correspondents” on The Times will be a prime opportunity time asleep. on the day after the D-Day 75th for buyers and sellers But the best bit of advice anniversary celebrations. interested in this most comes from one flight attendant Reporting Dame Vera Lynn’s rapidly expanding sector of who told the survey: “We have a recollection of hearing the news aviation. name badge on our chest and it that the Normandy invasion had doesn’t say ‘Miss’. And no started, the piece notes that the Pilot bling passenger who says ‘please’ and Forces’ Sweetheart was “travelling Severe scratching to ‘thank you’ was ever served cold back from a trip serenading multifunction control/

coffee.” soldiers in Burma when the Kobai/Shutterstock display screens private jet she was aboard stopped An early jet-setter is being noted, to refuel in Djerba”. with damage Aerospace marching confidently more prevalent into the show – rendered out of on the left side of cockpits. Broken news date days after going to press by Action? Request flying crew The flurry of aerospace merger the Raytheon mega-merger. to desist from the practice and acquisition deals in the run- The latter will see bewildered of wearing diamond rings up to Paris played havoc with employees come under their while on duty. Suggest they attempts to produce our scene- fourth brand in as many years, keep their assets in cash, setting print articles nice and with Rockwell Collins buying like normal mortals do. early ahead of the show. B/E Aerospace in 2016, only to First there was our “Will be itself subsumed into United 100-YEAR ARCHIVE Bombardier announce sale of Technologies a year or two later, Every issue of Flight CRJ at Le Bourget?” story – and soon, it seems, a new entity from 1909 onwards killed by the Mitsubishi move. called Raytheon Technologies. can be viewed online at

Sovfoto Universal Images Group/Shutterstock Then, our weighty piece about Come on, keep up at the back flightglobal.com/archive Friendly... unless provoked the new combined Collins there!

40 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com [email protected] letters

It is important on a long-haul programme flight to have some degree of ­privacy in that part of the cabin, Potential of Brazilian engineers and this would need some I am enjoying the Embraer thought by the designers. We welcome your letters on any Julian Bennett aspect of the aerospace industry. At 50 supplement (Flight Please write to: International, 11-17 June). Sible Hedingham, Essex, UK The Editor, Flight International, When most people think Quadrant House, The Quadrant, of Brazil, rain forests with Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5AS, UK large spiders, an obsession An invitation Or email: with football and carnival On 3 July, the Cranfield ­College [email protected] dancers seem to come to Embraer of Aeronautics Alumni Associa- The opinions on this page do not mind. They seem to over- KC-390 embodies nation’s skills tion (CCAAA) will be holding its necessarily represent those of the editor. annual general meeting at Letters without a full postal address sup- look its aerospace expertise. plied may not be published. Letters may Its latest product, the KC-390 airlifter, looks like a winner, and ­Cranfield University. also be published on flightglobal.com has the potential to go far. We would like to extend an and must be no longer than 250 words. That is thanks to another nation that values its engineers. ­invitation to all alumni of ­courses Edward Philpott in aerospace and aviation-­related Neston, Cheshire, UK subjects, and ­request they ­register Inconveniencing and/or allow us to ­update them on ­current and ­future activities premium class ­Toronto on an Airbus A321. ­executive vice-president for pro- at Cranfield. There has been some discussion There was no business class, so grammes Philippe Mhun may Jack Stockford in the letters page recently about we chose premium-economy. want to think about, though, is Secretary of the CCAAA the use of single-aisle airliners on The seats were very comforta- the lavatories, which were up Centre for Aeronautics long-haul routes. ble – and for a ­relatively short front. As a ­result, there were Cranfield University Last year, we flew from long-haul flight, more than ­always a few people ­milling Cranfield, Bedfordshire ­London Stansted airport to ­adequate. One thing Airbus around in the premium area. MK43 0AL, UK

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flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 41 READER SERVICES

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42 | Flight International | 18-24 June 2019 flightglobal.com

WORKING WEEK

WORK EXPERIENCE MARTIN STUBBS Bringing innovations to Aberdeen Beginning his career as a firefighter at Edinburgh airport, Martin Stubbs then started work at Europe’s busiest heliport, where he now runs everything from air traffic control to compliance, fire and rescue

How did you get into the destinations within Europe. We aviation industry? currently operate one fixed-wing I joined Edinburgh airport on runway and three helicopter run- 28 December 1993 as a trainee ways, and welcome 3.1 million firefighter, and started a fantastic passengers per year through our career path. It sounds a bit of a cli- airport. It’s this diversity that che, but my dream job from a very makes the airport such an young age was to be a firefighter. ­enjoyable and interesting place How has your career to work. progressed? What plans do you have for the I spent nine years at Edinburgh airport? as a firefighter and then moved to Last year we introduced new- Aberdeen. In 2013 I was appoint- generation security screening ed head of the fire service, and in equipment, and this has trans- 2016, I was appointed head of formed the passenger experi- aerodrome operations. This is ence, as well as how our teams my current role and has been a work. This year we will com- fantastic opportunity for me. I plete a three-year multimillion-

am fortunate enough to work InternationalAberdeen airport pound transformation of our ter- with a great team who have an Every day is different, says Stubbs, which makes the job enjoyable minal building, with new retail extremely high level of knowl- units, dining areas and lounges edge and professionalism. provider. I am the point of con- needs continuous investment. becoming fully available in au- What are the highlights of your tact for the UK Civil Aviation Au- Ensuring we keep everything tumn 2019. We introduce high career? thority, ensuring the highest lev- moving to a tight schedule while reach extending turret technolo- Before entering the airport indus- els of safety and compliance are carrying out construction works gy later this year, which is a try, I worked as a heavy goods maintained at all times. This is a always presents difficulties. Our change to the way our firefighters vehicle mechanic. This experi- very fast-paced industry and re- winters up here in the northeast operate. Our parent company, ence proved invaluable, as I have sponding to the needs of our op- of Scotland can be particularly AGS Airports, wants to embrace ­always been involved in fire erators, whether it is within the difficult and the team are re- technology and realise the bene- ­appliance design, which is some- rotary- or fixed-wing markets, is nowned within industry for their fits that it can give the business thing I enjoy. Being given the vitally important. A large part of winter operations experience, and the traveller. Over the next ­opportunity to take on a key my role is meeting with business which is second to none. three years we will continue to managerial role reporting direct- partners to understand their What do you enjoy most about invest in our airside infrastruc- ly to the managing director was a needs, being responsive to your role? ture, ensuring safety is given the real highlight. My fire service change so they can respond to Every day at the airport is differ- ultimate priority. n ­career will also always be a time customer requirements. ent and can be very challenging – Looking for a job in aerospace? that I look back on with a great What are the challenges? it’s this that I enjoy the most. You Check out our listings online at deal of fondness. The diversity of aircraft and can have a whole day planned flightglobal.com/jobs What does your job involve? ­operators can present us with but an unexpected event can My role has a wide remit, as I real challenges. Sometimes we change everything. The aircraft If you would like to feature in have overall responsibility for have to find unique ways of types and travellers using the air- Working Week, or you know airside operations, fire and res- working, taking into account our port are varied as we are Europe’s someone who would, email cue service, motor transport, and infrastructure layout and operat- busiest heliport, servicing the your pitch to kate.sarsfield@ am also the appointed contract ing consents. We have a complex offshore industry for many years, flightglobal.com manager for our air traffic control and extensive infrastructure that and have fixed-wing routes to 42

flightglobal.com 18-24 June 2019 | Flight International | 47 MQ-9B SkyGuardian

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