Page 22 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2016 Online Magazine

FEATURE SINGAPORE AIRSHOW

increased point-to-point service to domestic Bombardier calculates an additional value Arrano, which made its first flight on Airbus
and trans border markets further afield, of over $8 million from the higher seat Helicopters H160 on 27th January 2016. This
as well as feeding its network. Bombardier capacity. This is as a result of the Q400 being engine has been designed for dual application
will deliver the first CS 100 jetliner to Swiss accommodate up to 12 to 14 seats more, (civil and military rotorcraft), however, at the
International Air Lines (SWISS) in Q2 2016 which deliver a 20 per cent cash operating moment, there is no other application for
and the larger CS300 is slated to receive its cost advantage per seat, and over 30 per cent this engine. Turbomeca’s Singapore-based
Type Certificate later this year. higher speed. The Q400 is also much faster subsidiary Turbomeca Asia Pacific (TAP),
Bombardier also announced the launch of than its competition, up to 160 km/h faster supports its Southeast Asian customers
a new variant of its popular Q400 turboprop than conventional turboprops. The larger seat and was recently moved to its new location
regional transport aircraft (RTA). The new 90 capacity family is also helped by the spacious in the Seletar Aerospace Park. TAP supports
seater Q400 version which will be available cabin, which has large windows, LED lighting, more than 175 operators, with more than 900
from 2018, will be the world’s only commercial large overhead bins for luggage stowage. engines spread over 17 countries (Singapore,
turboprop capable of carrying 90 passengers. More than 60 operators and owners across 40 Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, South-
Speaking at the launch announcement during countries, operate the Q400 family of aircraft, Korea, Taiwan, India, etc).
the show, Patrick Baudis, Vice President, which has logged more than 6.7 million flight Thales had a busy show and announced
Marketing, Bombardier Commercial hours and transported more than 413 million that it had fortified its position as the most
Aircraft, says “We are witnessing growth in passengers. Bombardier has recorded firm successful aerospace supplier in Asia with
the number of passengers per departure orders for a total of 547 Q400 aircraft. contracts signed with 16 airlines, including
in the turboprop market and Bombardier Despite the importance of the planned China’s Air China and Shenzhen Airlines,
is responding with a 90-seat Q400 aircraft milestones this year for the company’s India’s GoAir and Singapore’s BOC Aviation.
– a new segment solution ideally suited engine programmes, engine manufacturer Thales said it will equip a staggering total
for current and future short-haul and high Turbomeca had a quiet presence at the of over 700 Airbus single aisle aircraft in
demand markets.” No major structural Show, not making any announcements at the continent. Singapore is Thales’s primary
changes have been made to the airframe of the show. No fewer than four first flights regional hub for avionics, and handles
the Q400 for the new 90 seater variant, which are being planned in 2016 for new rotary both production of key systems as well as
will also be able to carry an additional 1000 kg wing platforms powered by next-generation Repair and Overhaul. Locally, the Group
of payload. Maintenance requirements have Turbomeca engines: Arrano in the Airbus manufactures flight control computer
also reduced with the A-Check and C-Check Helicopters H160, Ardiden 3 in the Kamov displays and electrical systems for Airbus
intervals now increasing from 600/6,000 Ka-62 and AC352, and Ardiden 1U aboard A320’s and A350’s and for Boeing B787’s. Key
to 800/8,000 flight hours. This will result in India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light contracts signed in 2015 include, in addition
the aircraft being able to fly 270 extra days Utility Helicopter (LUH). One of the most to a number of undisclosed airlines, Air
before being required to undergo a C-check. important new engines for Turbomeca is the China and Shenzhen Airlines choosing Thales

22 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE MARCH / APRIL 2016 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA