CONSULTANT AIMS TO RECAPTURE CIRRUS
Aviation consultant Brian Foley is attempting to put together a counter offer to China's bid for US-based general aviation airframer Cirrus Aircraft. "People want this company to be owned and operated on American soil, period," says Foley, who is attempting to galvanise an offer from a pool of US investors. Cirrus since 2001 has been majority owned by Arcapita, which is funded primarily from interests in the Middle East. Cirrus has not divulged the proposed investment from the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft, which is on hold pending government approvals.
LUFTHANSA TO ORDER 30 A320NEOS
The board of Germany's flag carrier, Lufthansa, has approved an order for 30 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft as well as five Boeing 777 freighters. It is taking five A321neo and 25 A320neo twinjets. Lufthansa has not disclosed an engine selection for the aircraft, the re-engined version of the baseline A320. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2016. Lufthansa's additional 777Fs will join the fleet in 2013.
SIKORSKY X2 DEMONSTRATOR WINS PRIZE
Sikorsky's high-speed X2 demonstrator has claimed the 2010 Collier Trophy awarded to the USA's greatest aeronautical or astronautical achievement by the National Aeronautical Association. The coaxial, compound helicopter set speed records by surpassing 250kt (460km/h) in level flight, Sikorsky says. The X2 was selected over six other nominees, which comprised the life-saving contributions in Haiti by general aviation, the MC-12W Project Liberty team, the automatic ground collision avoidance system, the Orion launch abort system, Boeing C-17 and the X-51A WaveRider.
EASYJET TO INSTRUCT PILOTS FOR MPL
EasyJet is to begin training its pilots for the new multi-crew pilot's licence under an agreement with Oxford Aviation Academy. A total of 30 EasyJet cadet pilots will be trained for the MPL under the approval of the UK civil aviation authority.The first six cadet pilots will begin their MPL training at Oxford airport in late August; the course is expected to take 78 weeks. Online applications for places will be accepted from mid-April.
WATANIYA AIRWAYS CEASES OPERATIONS
Kuwaiti carrier Wataniya Airways has closed down after running into financial trouble. Wataniya started up two years ago after the Kuwaiti government carried out plans to create additional airlines in the small Gulf state. It built a fleet of seven Airbus A320s, but towards the end of last year admitted it would be slashing its network and removing three of the jets from service. The carrier ceased all flights on 16 March.
RUSSIA MULLS OVER TU-154 BAN
Russian authorities are contemplating a blanket ban on using Tupolev Tu-154 airliners unless their reliability is improved. Airline industry regulator Rosaviatsia has compiled a list of additional technical requirements with the aim of securing the type's system functionality. "If aircraft manufacturers and suppliers do not meet these requirements, we'll advise that carriers cease operating Tu-154s starting from July," says Rosaviatsia chief Alexander Neradko.
Source: Flight International
