Air Capital Aviation Report: June 22, 2008

Carl ChanceBy Carl Chance, Wings Over Kansas’ aviation & aerospace correspondent, former news consultant and producer for Wingspan Air & Space Channel.

Boeing Statement on Tanker Protest Ruling.Boeing Statement on Tanker Protest Ruling.

St. Louis, June 18, 2008 –Boeing was informed today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in Boeing’s favor on a number of issues related to its protest of the U.S. Air Force’s award of a $35 billion contract to supply the service with its next-generation aerial refueling aircraft, or KC-X tankers, to begin replacing the current fleet of KC-135 tankers.

In response to the ruling, Boeing released the following statement from Mark McGraw, vice president, Tanker Programs.

"We welcome and support today’s ruling by the GAO fully supporting the grounds of our protest. We appreciate the professionalism and diligence the GAO showed in its review of the KC-X acquisition process. We look forward to working with the Air Force on next steps in this critical procurement for our warfighters."

Boeing B-52H Displayed at Defenders of Freedom Air ShowBoeing B-52H Displayed at Defenders of Freedom Air Show.

St. Louis, June 17, 2009 — The Boeing B-52H bomber went on display recently at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., during the Defenders of Freedom Air Show. One of the most versatile platforms in the U.S. inventory, a B-52H took off from Barksdale in April to participate in the U.S. Air Force-led Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008, where it demonstrated the ability to deliver live video obtained from its targeting pod to multiple land-and air-based assets. The demonstration proved the B-52’s ability to operate in a network-centric battlefield.

Revolutionary Hawker 4000 Receives FAA Approval to Begin Customer DeliveriesRevolutionary Hawker 4000 Receives FAA Approval to Begin Customer Deliveries.

Wichita, Kan. (June 12, 2008) — Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification for the new flagship Hawker 4000 super-midsize business jet, allowing the company to begin delivering this revolutionary aircraft to customers this month. The Hawker 4000 is first in its class, first in the world and the world’s most advanced business jet based on its innovative composite construction. HBC concurrently received the FAA production certificate for the Hawker 4000.

"This is a historic step forward for Hawker Beechcraft, as our hard work and dedication on the Hawker 4000 program has resulted in the most luxurious, most innovative and most advanced super-midsize business jet in the world," said Jim Schuster, HBC chairman and CEO. "We’ve put a tremendous amount of effort into the Hawker 4000 and are eager to fulfill our substantial backlog of worldwide customer orders."

Bombardier Secures Order For 110 Learjet 60 XR AircraftBombardier Secures Order For 110 Learjet 60 XR Aircraft.

  • Firm Order for 25 Aircraft and 85 Conditional Aircraft.

Montreal, June 20, 2008 — Bombardier Aerospace today announced a significant business jet sale as an undisclosed European customer placed an order for 110 Learjet 60 XR aircraft, of which 25 are firm and 85 are conditional aircraft orders. The transaction for the firm order is valued at approximately $340 million U.S. and the total value of the contract, if all conditional orders are confirmed, will be approximately $1.5 billion U.S., based on the 2008 list price of a typically equipped aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2009.

"This is a tremendous announcement for Bombardier," said Steve Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "This major sale confirms that the Learjet 60 XR aircraft offers an optimum performance-cabin-value combination that is key for midsize jet operators. With nearly 45 years of history Learjet aircraft are the proven choice for leading flight departments worldwide."

In service since July 27, 2007, the Learjet 60 XR aircraft combines the extraordinary value and high-speed performance of its predecessor, the Learjet 60 aircraft, with a state-of-the-art Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and a completely redesigned cabin.

The Pro Line 21 avionics suite features the latest flight deck design, human factors concepts and system technology, equipping pilots with immediate, intuitive access to vital flight information. The totally redesigned interior features five available floorplans, a larger galley, a brighter and more spacious lavatory, a new cabin management system with three-inch (7.6-cm) LCD control modules and ports for laptops, MP3 players and other audio/visual equipment and LED lighting is featured throughout the cabin


Note: We’ll publish continuing news and items of interest in the next "Air Capital Aviation Report" as they develop. Please keep logging on to www.wingsoverkansas.com for weekly aviation and aerospace updates on stories, features, history, news, education and more!