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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 2349.PDF
GENERAL AVIATION INVESTMENT BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE Eurocopter plans service centre to lift EADS sales New Kuala Lumpur operation aimed at increasing brand's presence in South-East Asia There are about 80 Socata air craft operating in South-East Asia but no service centre. Eurocopter, Socata's Malaysian agent, also hopes the service centre will lead to the first Socata sale in Malaysia. "If you don't make the invest ment, people don't buy," says Eurocopter Malaysia managing director Philippe Lubrano. There are about 50 civilian Eurocopters flying in peninsular Malaysia. Eurocopter Malaysia is targeting these operators, which Eurocopter plans to open a service centre at Kuala Lumpur's Subang airport in December, in a drive to boost sales for EADS general avia tion products in South-East Asia. Eurocopter already operates sev eral maintenance centres in the region, including at Singapore, but wants to offer Malaysian operators a local solution. Parent EADS has also appointed Eurocopter Malaysia a service provider for Socata aircraft to improve support for Socata operators in the region. ACQUISITION Malaysia seeks SAR helicopters Malaysia is looking to acquire a fleet of search and rescue (SAR) helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for a new coast guard that is to be formed in 2005. Manufacturers expect that the coast guard will initially operate up to 10 helicopters and 10 fixed-wing aircraft, but Malaysian defence officials warn that purchasing boats is the top priority and the first aircraft acquisition is likely to be small and delayed until at least 2006. Malaysia does not have a dedicated SAR fleet and relies on the air force and police to provide aircraft on an ad hoc basis for at-sea rescues. But the ageing Sikorsky S-61 Nuris operated by the air force and police lack the equipment to complete some SAR missions. Malaysia's outgoing administration has appointed air force, navy and police officers to begin preparations. Manufacturers are already pitching air craft. Kaman is offering 10 used SH-2F Seasprites and AugustaWestland its A109s and AB139s, but Malaysia favours new aircraft. historically have used outside providers or have ferried their air craft to Singapore for maintenance. The company aims to service at least 20 helicopters and 20 fixed- wing aircraft a year. Eurocopter Malaysia began offer ing some local maintenance services in August 2002, when it started leas ing a hangar at Subang, and it added a second temporary hangar in June 2003. The new 1,860m2 (20,000ft2) facility, however, is larger, closer to the runway and includes a complete repair work shop. There is also room to double capacity if demand warrants. Eurocopter Malaysia plans to apply for US Federal Aviation Administration and European Joint Aviation Authorities approval, which will allow it to seek business from foreign operators. Thailand is a prime target because it without a Eurocopter maintenance centre. There are about 18 Eurocopter helicopters operating in eastern Malaysia and Brunei. Eurocopter Malaysia aims to open a separate service centre in eastern Malaysia, which has many oil companies requiring new helicopters. EVALUATION FAA to relax ADIZ security The US Federal Aviation Admin istration will test a relaxation of the special security restrictions on general aviation flying in the Baltimore-Washington DC air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in response to intense lob bying by private aviation groups. The 60-day test, to begin 1 November, will let pilots fly into and out of two small airports about 50km (30 miles) from Baltimore without filing a flight plan, contacting air traffic control or receiving a discrete transpon der code. Routing and altitude restrictions will remain on flights to and from these two airports. The test will also allow aircraft to leave a dozen other small Maryland airports without first fil ing an ADIZ flight plan. But pilots will have to broadcast a special code to announce their intention to leave the ADIZ from these air ports. Pilots will continue to follow ADIZ rules when flying to these airports, and any deviation would trigger a military response. US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president Phil Boyer calls the test "one of the first real breaks general aviation has gof' in the security zone. He reiterates that the special restriction "has outlived its intent". Washington National Airport remains closed to most general aviation aircraft. CONTRACT GERALD BUTT / NICOSIA Seabird and Jordanian Air Academy sign MoU Seabird Aviation Jordan and the Royal Jordanian Air Academy have signed a memorandum of under standing nominating each other as preferred suppliers for a number of complementary services. Seabird will source a range of training, maintenance and support services from the academy. At the same time, the academy will initi ally acquire four Seeker SB7L-360 low-level observation aircraft to allow it to offer training in low- level flight and surveillance skills appropriate to commercial and security programmes. The Royal Jordanian Air Acad emy, in its 38 years of operation, has trained over 1,500 pilots and 300 technicians. The academy's decision to pur chase four Seeker aircraft brings to 20 the number of firm orders rec eived by Seabird Aviation Jordan so far, with 78 more under considera tion from potential customers in the Middle East and Africa. Among them is the US-led Coalition Prov isional Authority in Iraq which is interested in the Seeker for oil pipeline security patrols. The first demonstrator aircraft began flight operations from Marka airport in Amman in October. The Royal Jordanian Air Academy is to acquire four Seeker SB7L-360s www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 21-27 OCTOBER 2003 23
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