Category: Aviation News

UK-based GFS Projects has unveiled initial concepts for man-carrying and unmanned cargo-carrying coanda-effect aircrafts, the latter with disc spans reaching up to 30m (100ft).

The initial man-carrying version would be a scout craft with a crew of one to two. It would be capable of dash speeds of 100-150kt (185-277km/h), but also be able to stop in flight to hover above areas of interest.

Scout configurations include a single-seat arrangement with four thrusters integrated into the lower air vehicle disc airframe and a V-tail, and twin seat craft with single tail.

The cargo version would use a large detachable pod suspended beneath the airframe disc. A lead application could be the deployment of mobile medical facilities, says GFS founder and managing director Geoff Hatton.

An adapted configuration could operate as a medical evacuation system: “It would have to be a 30m craft or of that order,” he says.

The company is to lead its shift from research craft to commercially ready vehicles over the next two years through the development of a 1.2m-disc UAV optimised for the civil market.

An internal combustion engine-powered prototype is in preparation and is set to fly in the second half of this year, says Hatton.

The company has already built and flown one electric-powered demonstrator with dual ducted fan thrusters mounted within the disc.

A second demonstrator with twin suspended ducted fans, each generating 1lb thrust, is currently being rig tested to measure the combined effects of the design modifications in improving flight performance against headwinds.

Full Story At Flightglobal.com …

The first Superjet 100 aircraft has been ferried from Komsomolsk to Moscow for the static trials. It has been ferried to Central Aerodynamic Institute (TsAGI) by AN-124 “Rouslan” aircraft.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 is a regional jet family in the 60 to 95-seat category. The Superjet 100 will be produced by Russian aerospace firm Sukhoi’s civil division.
The Superjet 100 was formerly referred to as the Russian Regional Jet (Самолёт Российский Региональный Сухого), or “Sukhoi RRJ.” The name was changed on 17 July 2006.

Major subcontractors include Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Ilyushin, Yakovlev, and PowerJet. Boeing provides consulting in such areas as project management, market planning, certification and customer support. SNECMA is providing some level of funding for the project. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is negotiating a participatory role. Deliveries are to begin in 2008.

Production was to occur in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia, but Sukhoi is considering moving production to a city in the European portion of Russia, due to pressure from airlines and Sukhoi’s partners.

The aircraft will be equipped with two PowerJet SaM146 turbofans.

The Superjet 100 is intended to compete against the Antonov An-148, Embraer E-Jets and the Bombardier CSeries programs.

At the moment Superjet 100 is placed to the TsAGI platform where the hardwares are joining for the following static trials.

See all pictures at: Picture Gallery

UPDATE: Roll-Out coverage at: First Sukhoi Superjet 100 rolls out – Photos & Video

Delta Air Lines today unveiled its updated corporate brand – a striking three-dimensional, red “Widget” icon flying across a blue background – that reflects the company’s successful transformation into a highly differentiated, customer-focused airline.

Like posted before besides a new logo and coporate branding, a new livery is unveiled.

Flying a tiny Microlight aircraft across the world through snow and over ocean would test the courage and skills of anyone. However, Miles Hilton-Barber, a blind British adventurer, today has completed an epic 21 700 km flight from London to Sydney in what friends called “a motorbike in the sky”.

“It’s the fulfillment of an amazing dream. I’ve been wanting to do this flight for about four years,” he said.

“I’ve wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid. Now I’m totally blind and I’ve had the privilege of flying more than halfway around the world.”

Hilton-Barber said after a victory pass over Sydney’s sparkling harbour and Opera House in perfect morning weather. “The big thing is not me flying to Australia but thousands of blind children around the world are going to see again through this flight,” told Miles Hilton-Baker to journalists at Sydney’s Bankstown airport. Barber also has a special message to Japan.

Mr Hilton-Barber, who went blind 25 years ago, is hoping the trip will raise $2.5 million for the charity Seeing is Believing, which works for the prevention of blindness in developing countries.

He flew with a sighted co-pilot and uses revolutionary speech output from navigation instruments to steer a course for his customised hang glider-like plane.

He told a Japanese journalist how much he would lost his way without the technology of Japan. “To Japan, hey wonderful, thank you Japan and most of the equipment in my house comes from Japan so I would be lost without your digital technology, top marks for Japan and I love Honda motor cars,” said a cheerful Barber.

The 58-year-old from Derby is the first blind pilot to fly a motorized hanglider more than halfway round the world, crossing 21 countries on a 55-day journey which began at Biggin Hill airfield, near London, on March 7. The father of three passed over Europe, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, following the route taken by the classic 1919 London to Sydney Air Race. – Reuters

On following links you will find impressive pictures of newly constructed Changi Terminal 3. The “forest in an airport” – idea reminds me a little bit of KLIA 😉 I wonder how long the plants will survive since, unlike KLIA, they are not put into a special greenhouse-like area, but planted directly inside the terminal building.

At first view the roof reminds of 80s architecture, at second view it’s a really stunning idea to simulate sun light floating through forrest trees.

See all photos:
http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1246
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=70216