Page 34 - World Airnews September 2020 Edition

NEWS AIRLINES

CATASTROPHIC IMPACT FIRST QF-16 FULL SCALE

MODIFICATION

“Though the installation of the drone con-

version package is a relatively new venture for

team from Boeing and the US air us, our hope is to leverage cost efficiencies and

Aforce completed the fi rst QF-16 full- proficiencies benefiting both partners.”

scale aerial target to undergo conversion from Conversion of the F-16 A/C aircraft to the

a modification line in Arizona. unmanned QF-16 configuration requires

The aircraft was flown last month to Tyndall modification of the airframe and installation of

air force base, Florida, where it will be used major components.
autonomously in future weapons training The QF-16 performs both autonomous
operations. manoeuvres through autopilot and controlled

The 309th aerospace maintenance and manoeuvres through ground stations.
regeneration group located at Davis-Mon- “The partnership between Boeing and

than AFB in Tucson teamed with Boeing AMARG is crucial to expediting capability to

under a public-private partnership to create the warfighters,” said Craig DeMeester, Boeing
a second modification line to supplement QF-16 program manager.
ongoing QF-16 work at Boeing’s Cecil Field “It’s an example of great teamwork, and

site in Jacksonville, Florida. completing this first jet is just the beginning as
“The delivery of this first AMARG modified we have more deliveries planned this year and

QF-16 aerial target drone is a testimony of the well into next year.”

national traffic continued to be practically segment was recorded at -20.2% and the cooperative, synergistic relationship we had Boeing began converting retired F-16s into

non-existent in May. domestic segment at -18.5%. hoped for when we created the private-public QF-16s in 2015. More than 120 aircraft are on

irports Council International “As in previous months, global air freight Domestic passenger markets remain partnership with Boeing,” said col. Jennifer contract to be modified, with over 40 percent

AWorld data has revealed that volumes have not been affected to the same severely affected by the ongoing crisis, but Barnard commander of the 309th AMARG. delivered to date. Q

global passenger traffic declined by -91.3% extent as passenger traffic and showed signs North America and Asia-Pacific have shown
year-over-year in May as a result of the of a slight upward curve but, with most of signs of a slow recovery.

ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. the passenger fleet still grounded, capacity Decline are however still significant.
was dramatically reduced.

This is slightly above the worst decline of North America posting a -88.8% decline

global passenger numbers in the history of “Airports are important engines of while Asia Pacific recorded a -73.2% drop NEWS

the aviation industry of -94.4% which was growth and the recovery of this sector will in domestic passengers. Other regions all

recorded the previous month in April. be a significant driver of the global eco- recorded declines above -90% in May.
nomic recovery. This will only be sustained

Global passenger traffic continued its dra- if passengers, staff and the public have AIR FREIGHT

matic decline, falling more than 10 percent- confidence in air travel. The Covid-19 outbreak continues to heavily MANUFACTURING

age points compared to the prior month to impact all major freight markets except
“ACI’s recently launched Airport Health
-52.5% for the first five months of 2020. Accreditation programme will help to for North America, but small gains started

The 12-month rolling average for the restore this passenger confidence, assisting to emerge in May when compared to TECHNOLOGY CENTRE

global industry is also continuing with the airports by assessing new health measures the previous month. Globally, air freight
downward trend and recorded -19.3% by and procedures introduced as a result of volumes were reduced by almost a fifth in

the end of May. the COVID-19 pandemic.” May, with a drop of -17.9% compared to to deliver an affordable, capable and reliable

As in previous months, the effect of ACI collects and analyses data from a signif- May 2019. aircraft for the warfighter.

the Covid-19 pandemic on the air freight icant sample of airports that provide regular Substantial losses were recorded in Africa ell Textron has unveiled its new “The MTC is the next step in successfully

industry was not as significant in May when reports on monthly passenger and air freight (-38.3%), Latin America-Caribbean (-34.6%), deploying new manufacturing technologies

compared to the passenger market. statistics, forming part of the world’s most and Middle East (-38.2%) while Asia-Pacific B140,000ft ² manufacturing technology and processes into Bell’s future factories,” said

Global air freight volumes posted slightly comprehensive source for airport data. (-21.5%) and Europe (-18.7%) recorded centre in Fort Worth, Texas. Glenn Isbell, vice president, rapid prototyping

better results in May compared to April lesser but still sizeable volume losses. The centre is an innovative space where Bell and manufacturing innovation.

with a decline of -17.9% compared to May PASSENGER TRAFFIC North America, recorded a less signifi- will test and refine technologies and processes “These future factories working together

2019 resulting in a -12.8% drop for the first Besides North America and Asia-Pacific, all cant drop of - 4.6% in total freight volumes - demonstrating manufacturing readiness and with our teammates and suppliers will be

five months of 2020. other regional markets posted declines higher alleviated by a robust domestic freight ability to successfully build and support Future designed to enable high-quality, high-rate

The global 12-month rolling average than -95% of their global passenger traffic. market that recorded an increase of +0.1% Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft. production of the Bell V-280 Valor, Bell 360

continued to move further into negative The start of a slow recovery of the compared to a substantial loss of -11.0% for The facility provides capabilities that span Invictus and other future aircraft.”

territory at -6.7% by the end of the month. domestic traffic helped North America and its International freight market. all of Bell’s core manufacturing of rotor and Digital connectivity and integration form the

“After a devastating month of April Asia-Pacific to post slightly better figures The international air freight market’s drive systems, critical infrastructure and final backbone of the MTC. Every inch of the facility

for the aviation industry when global air with decreases of -90.3% and -82.5% negative trend has soothed in May with a assembly. will be monitored and controlled by a net-

travel came to a virtual halt, data for May respectively. International passenger traffic loss of -19.6% compared to the previous Since establishing a footprint in North Texas work of IT, Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber

revealed a tiny sign of a recovery driven continues to be virtually halted with all month’s decrease of -26.4%. Domestic in 1951, Bell’s facilities have been a hub for security systems that manage the inflow and

by the domestic markets in China and the regions recording decline above -98% for a freight volumes followed a similar path and new technology in aviation. Many milestones, outflow of materials, as well as the movement

United States,” ACI world director general second consecutive month. posted a slight improvement to – 13.6% in including first flight of the XV-15, V-22, 609 and of activity throughout the factory.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. Global international and domestic mar- May compared to -13.8% in April. Year-to- 407, took place in the DFW metroplex. By deploying a networked software infra-

“In the Asia-Pacific and North American kets posted unprecedented declines for a date air freight figures for May, as well as Building FVL aircraft will require the right structure, the MTC will produce a digital twin

regions, there were signs for optimism with second month in a row, falling by -98.6% the 12-month rolling average, continued blend of investment in manufacturing technol- of itself that gives everyone a common operat-
the data showing some early improvement and -85.3%, respectively. The 12-month their negative trend and are now at -12.3% ogy and a quality workforce, as well as strong ing picture of the building, the equipment and

in domestic passenger traffic, but inter- rolling average for the international and - 6.7%, respectively. Q partnerships with the state and community, the processes. Q

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