Page 28 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

DRONES MANUFACTURER

NOAA EXPANDED DRONE EMBRAER BIZJET DELIVERIES

PROGRAMME CONTINUE

he NOAA agency recently an- mbraer said it expects a further
Tnounced the launch of the Un- Edelay in the closure of a deal for

manned Systems Operations Programme. Boeing to purchase its commercial aircraft

“The new programme will promote the business as it recorded a strong year in its

safe, efficient and economical operation of executive jet division in 2019.

unmanned systems NOAA uses to collect Embraer now expects a delay beyond
high-quality environmental data for the June 23 for approval by the European Com-
agency’s science, products and services.” mission for its plan to sell Boeing 80% of its

“Unmanned airborne and maritime commercial aircraft business for (US) $4.2

systems are transforming how we conduct billion in cash, officials told analysts.

earth science at NOAA,” said retired Navy The deal with Boeing remains a top pri-
Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet deputy ority despite the crisis caused by the novel
NOAA administrator. corona virus, officials said. In late 2019, Embraer announced a pur- cancellations, an extensive slowing in its

“Our new Unmanned Systems Opera- Embraer continues to work with Boeing chase agreement with Flexjet for an order supply chain or production operations, or

tions Programme will help us dramatically The Unmanned Systems Operations Pro- two locations. The NOAA Aircraft Opera- to gain the approval and to make the deal valued at up to (US) $1.4 billion for Praetor a material impact on demand for prod-

increase the application and use of these gramme is being established within NOAA’s tions Centre in Lakeland, Fla., will continue move forward, Embraer CEO Francisco and Phenom 300E business jets. ucts, it said.

technologies in every NOAA mission area.” Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to support the agency’s unmanned aircraft Gomes Neto said on the call. Backlog at the end of 2019 for the exec- Still, the company has suspended guid-

NOAA drones - dubbed UxS- are sen- (OMAO), which operates, manages and activities. A new facility being built by the utive jet segment totalled (US) $1.4 billion, ance for 2020 until the company has a
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Embraer

sor-equipped and can operate autonomous- maintains the agency’s fleet of ships and Mississippi State Port Authority in part- is continuing to deliver executive jets in 2020. about 9% of Embracer’s total backlog. better sense of its impact, officials said.

ly or are remotely piloted. NOAA currently aircraft and oversees NOAA’s diving and nership with the University of Southern In its commercial aviation segment, The company has temporarily halted

uses UxS for seafloor and habitat mapping, small boat safety programs. Mississippi in Gulfport, Miss., will support “We had a few deliveries this week and we Embraer delivered 89 commercial jets in production in Brazil and is evaluating other

ocean exploration, marine mammal and Its services will include training, cyber se- unmanned maritime systems. continue with our sales activities,” Embraer 2019, including 35 in the fourth quarter, possible actions.

fishery stock assessments, emergency curity, acquisition and other expert support NOAA received (US) $12.7 million from CFO Antonio Carlos Garcia said. Embraer de- compared to 90 in 2018. So far, it is difficult to know the impact

response, and at-sea observations that to ensure safe, cost-effective operations Congress this year to improve and expand livered all business jets it produced in 2019 and The Brazil-based manufacturer posted of COVID-19 on its business, officials said.

improve forecasting of extreme events, such across the agency. UxS operations across the agency, including ended the year without whitetails, he said. total revenue of (US) $5.46 billion in 2019, As soon as it does, Embraer will restate its

as harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. “With the creation of this new pro- the creation of the new programme - a key The company delivered 109 executive up from (US) $5.07 billion in 2018, and a financial guidance. Q

“The recent increase in the availabil- gramme, we will be better positioned to goal of NOAA’s recently released Unmanned jets in 2019, including 62 light jets and 47 net loss of (US) $322.3 million compared to

ity of highly capable UxS has brought a transition these technologies into operation- Systems Strategy. large jets, up from 91 in 2018. Shipments a net loss of (US) $178.2 million in 2018. Article courtesy: https://aviationweek.

corresponding increase in their innovative al platforms that will gather critical environ- Last year, a NOAA research paper in Bul- included 46 in the fourth quarter, including So far in the wake of the novel corona com/business-aviation/embraer-bizjet-

use as a force multiplier for many NOAA mental data every American relies upon,” letin of the American Meteorological Soci- 20 light jets and 26 large jets, up from 36 virus, Embraer has not experienced order deliveries-continue-2020-despite-covid-19

programs. NOAA’s use of small unmanned said Michael J. Silah, director of the NOAA ety outlined how disposable could be used for the same quarter the year before.

aircraft for science missions has increased commissioned officer corps and OMAO. to gather data from a hurricane’s lower eye

more than tenfold since 2012.” The new programme will be housed at wall - the most dangerous part. Q
NEWS AIR SERV IN CENTRAL
AFRICAN REPUBLIC
NEWS
PASSENGER TO fore seen, but we are determined to continue that currently, only three ventilators are
“The world is facing challenges never be-

providing support as long as we are able.” available to the population of nearly five
million people. Air Serv is working alongside
n Air Serv aircraft is on the ground

FREIGHTER CONFIGURATION Ain Bangui, Central African Republic The programme is operating as part of a other aid organizations to source and deliver

(CAR) to support humanitarian operations network providing air transport services to supplies amid worldwide suspension of inter-
non- governmental agencies and humanitar-

national commercial flights, as an increasing

demand for cargo flights, crucial to the deliv- IAI EVP and General Manager of the there. The programme is expected to be short ian organizations working within the region. number of countries are permitting the

ery of medical supplies, medicines, food, and Aviation Group, Yossi Melamed said “IAI term until it can be taken over by the French Relief organizations, and especially health- arrival and departure of humanitarian cargo

srael Aerospace Industries has other necessary equipment, has been rising. is excited to receive the FAA’s certifica- organization, Aviation Sans Frontieres (ASF). care providers, are under extreme strain as the flights only. Air Serv aircraft are the bridge

Iannounced that the Federal Aviati on Founded in January 2019, the Aviation tion for converting B737-800s, and we However, border closings are quickly virus begins to spread through the country. connecting lifesaving aid with those who

Administration (FAA) of the United States Group consolidated all of IAI's activities thank both the FAA and the CAAI. We impacting the movement of aircraft and Six confirmed cases had been reported need it most. The organization is urgently
crew from country to country, increasing

and the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel involving manned aircraft, both military have witnessed increased demand for the likelihood of extension. as of March 31, although the number is not requesting donations and pledges as it re-
sponds to this unprecedented crisis.

(CAAI) have certified IAI's Aviation Group's and civilian, into one business unit. cargo aircraft in recent years. Being able The Air Serv team arrived in CAR with the widely considered accurate due to a shortage

to convert additional models will help us

Donor-supplemented programs will

conversion of Boeing B737-800 aircraft It is one of the few facilities in the world meet the demand. I would like to thank expectation of remaining for the next thirty of tests and is expected to increase quickly. facilitate the delivery of desperately needed

from passenger to cargo configuration. that specializes in converting passenger our partners at the Haite Group in China days, but is prepared to continue the pro- CAR is heavily dependent on outside as- supplies, and permit partner organizations

aircraft into cargo configuration. The

The Aviation Group has now delivered the Group handles both wide-body and for their trust in IAI. In addition, IAI sends gramme should conditions deteriorate and sistance, with an estimated 70% of health- to focus the bulk of their budgets where

first two converted aircraft of this model. narrow-body aircraft, which are operated our best wishes to all airlines impacted the ASF crew is unable to enter the country. care provided by non-profit aid organiza- they will have the most impact, providing

tions. The inability to transport cargo and

With the COVID-19 crisis forcing many by some of the world’s largest shipping by the COVID-19 crisis, and hope they will “Emergency response waits for nothing. personnel into the country due to border healthcare, shelter, food, and sanitation.

airlines into halting passenger service, the companies, such as Amazon and DHL. resume all their flights soon.” Q If anything, services are needed now more closings could have catastrophic effects. Donations can be made through the Air

than ever,” said Air Serv CEO, Stu Willcuts. The Norwegian Refugee Council reports Serv website at www.airserv.org Q
World Airnews | May 2020 World Airnews | May 2020
— 26 — — 27 —