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Aerospace cluster

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Aerospace Business Has Its Doubts About Plans to Revamp NASA

Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the aerospace giants with decades of experience working on America’s space program, will  sell rockets to carry astronauts into space, but the companies are leery about taking a leading role in President Obama’s vision for a revamped National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The business case depends on how much money NASA will be asking the companies to invest. In traditional “cost plus” development, NASA pays for everything. In that case, Boeing would be happy to participate.

Both companies are leery because they have lost money investing into space programs a decade ago.

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Pratt & Whitney Canada Enters Into Collaboration Agreement With FlightSafety International to Expand Global Training Network Capability

Pratt & Whitney Canada will have a long-term collaboration agreement with FlightSafety International to expand the company’s global training network capability and improve the customer training experience for all P&WC customers around the world. P&WC customers and employees will have access to FlightSafety’s world-class learning facilities and a strong technology-based training curriculum for the full range of P&WC engine products. Click here to read more

U of T engineers recognized for Apollo 13 rescue

A team of U of T engineers have been recognized for their help in saving the lives of members on the Apollo 13 mission 40 years ago. On April 13, 1970, an oxygen tank in the spaceship exploded as it was 80% of the way to the moon. The crew was forced to cancel the moon mission and focus on getting back to Earth alive. 

The plan involved the crew members moving from the service module, which was hemorrhaging oxygen, into the cramped, frigid lunar lander while they rationed their dwindling oxygen and electricity. The professors from the University of Toronto’s Institute for Aerospace Studies were called upon by Grumman, a major contractor on the lunar program, to make crucial air pressure calculations needed for the strategy. With very little data and no computers to rely on, the engineers were able to make the calculation and report it back to NASA. Click here to read more.

Aerospace weakness hits Bombardier

Bombardiers’s struggles are expected to continue because of the recession. They have predicted to deliver approximately 15 per cent less business jets compared to last year and approximately 20 per cent less commercial aircrafts compared to last year.

“Bombardier’s aerospace business will take another year before demand, revenues and margins start to recover,” Richard Stoneman, an analyst with Dundee Capital Markets, wrote in a note before the results were released.

However, last year Bombardier predicted that they would sell less than they actually did.  With that said, Bombardier received 33 net aerospace orders in the quarter, compared with six a year earlier. The also delivered 86 aircrafts, consisting of 49 business planes, 35 commercial aircraft and two amphibious vehicles. A year earlier, the company delivered 54 business planes, 37 commercial aircraft and two amphibious vehicles for a total of 93 aircrafts, a decrease of 7.5 per cent. Click here to read more

French Aerospace Companies Coming to Aeromart Montreal Business Convention Next Week

The Aerospace Cluster in Rhône-Alpes  France, will be leading a delegation of 12 companies from the region to take part in the business convention Aeromart Montreal 2010 organized by BCI Aerospace, from April 27 to 29.

This convention is organized around leaders, located in Montreal, such as the regional airplanes and business private jets manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace, the motorist Pratt&Whitney as well as the helicopter manufacturer Bell Helicopter.

More than 300 companies coming from all over the aerospace world.

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Hong Kong Airlines confirms order for six A330-200s

Airbus finalised an order with Hong Kong Airlines of six A330-200’s. The new aircraft is powered by PW 4000 engines. Hong Kong Airlines now has a total of 23 A330’s on order. They will start receiving them in the second quarter of 2010. These planes will help Hong Kong Airlines expand into the long haul market because they have low operating costs. More than 650 A330s have been delivered to various airline companies to date. Click here to read more.

The Canadian Aerospace Industry praises the federal government for recognizing Space as a strategic capability for Canada

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada is pleased that the federal government has recognized Space as a strategic sector for Canada. The Canadian space agency received funding from the the federal budget for the completion of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. Dr Claude Lajeunesse, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada stated that “Canada boasts many of the best workers and Space capabilities in the world, and this funding will play an important role in keeping these key strategic capabilities in Canada. For this reason, AIAC is pleased that Parliament voted to support the 2010 budget and the measures put forward.” Click here to read more.

Canadian aviation firms get $600M in Lockheed contracts

Canadian aerospace firms are being awarded more than $600 million in contracts as a part of a deal the federal government made with U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

“Lockheed Martin is devoting an initial $617 million of the Government of Canada’s CC-130J contract to Canadian companies across the country as a part of its obligations under the industrial and regional benefits policy,” said Industry Minister Tony Clement.

This will bring jobs and economic growth to communities accross Canada; specifically Montreal, Trenton, and British Columbia. Click here to read more

Aéro Montréal welcomes Québec government’s support for aerospace innovation

Canada’s most competitive aerospace cluster, Montreal, accounts for 60% of the Canadian aerospace revenues. It recently recieved more financial support from Mr. Raymond Bachand, Québec’s Minister of Finance. Quebec’s aerospace industry now has a budget of $150 million over the next four years. The financial support is for projects related to “green” aircrafts. The aerospace cluster will also promote the development of aeronautical technologies. Click here to read more.