Bombardier has replaced its vice president of marketing for commercial aircraft, including the slow-selling and still-grounded CSeries airliner. Ross Mitchell, previously in both business and commercial aircraft sales, last week succeeded Philippe Poutissou. Bombardier also has named company veteran Jean Seguin as president of the Aerostructures & Engineering Services business, which was formed in July when the company split the unit off from its Business and Commercial Aircraft segments.
Europe’s air traffic control agencies claim they are better prepared than in 2010 for the potential impact on aviation from volcanic ash, as eyes turn to another impending eruption in Iceland. Civil protection authorities sealed off parts of the region surrounding the Bardarbunga volcano in southeast Iceland after earthquake swarms, some registering as high as four on the Richter scale, were measured, indicating a possible impending eruption.
An innovative engine cycle conceived for a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) launch concept is attracting interest for possible wider application in several air-breathing hypersonic roles.
Less than four years after the AC311, one of Avicopter’s key new helicopters, made its first flight, an upgraded version with a different engine has taken to the air. The AC311A also features improvements to flight controls and the rotor, says Avic, the parent of the state helicopter maker. The flight of the aircraft, introducing the Turbomeca Arriel 2B1A engine to the AC311 series, lasted 10 min. and took place at Jingdezhen, the home of Changhe Aircraft, a long-established Chinese helicopter maker that now is part of Avicopter.
Dowty is engaged in an advanced composite design and manufacturing research effort to prepare for a coming wave of new-generation blades, whether they are longer, thinner propellers or large-scale, wide-chord blades for an open rotor.
