Paris, eh?

Magellan Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with BAE Systems for work on the F-35 Lightning II program. The company will produce more than 1,000 sets of horizontal tails for the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 program over a 20-year period. 

Magellan will produce F-35A horizontal tail assemblies using components that require advanced composite manufacturing, machining capabilities, and strict quality standards. The majority of the components used for the assembly are produced in Magellan’s divisions. The horizontal tail production under the MOA has a potential value of over CDN$1.2 billion over the life of the program. To date, Magellan has achieved sales of CDN$100 million on the F-35 program.

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) announced it has signed a five-year collaborative research agreement with Aerolia, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Company, to conduct research and development activities in the areas of advanced machining and various metallic and composite technologies. Work will be conducted at the NRC facility in Montreal. This latest agreement marks the continuation of close to 25 years of collaboration between NRC and EADS and its related companies. At the show, NRC also announced other collaborative agreements as well as new research areas of focus.

Aerolia also revealed during the Paris Air Show that it would be establishing its North American headquarters at Montreal’s Mirabel airport, where it will make centre fuselages for Bombardier’s Global 7000 and 8000 jets. 

Arik Air signs firm agreement for 7 aircraft: Lagos-based Arik Air has signed a firm contract to acquire three CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft and four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The Nigeria-based airline will be the first to operate the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft in Africa. Based on list prices, the contract is valued at approximately US$297 million. Arik Air currently operates four CRJ900 aircraft and two Q400 NextGen aircraft.

Alaska Air Group orders up to 10 Q400s: Seattle-based Horizon Air will acquire three more 76-seat Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners, representing the conversion of three previously booked options. The airline also reconfirmed its options on another seven Q400 NextGen aircraft. Based on the list price of the Q400 NextGen aircraft, the contract is valued at approximately US$98 million. The three new aircraft will increase Horizon Air’s orders for Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners to 51 aircraft – the world’s largest fleet. 

Undisclosed customer orders for 12 Global 8000 jets: Bombardier Aerospace announced at the Paris Air Show that it had received firm orders for 12 Global 8000 business jets from an undisclosed customer. The transaction is valued at approximately US$804 million, based on the 2013 list price for typically equipped aircraft.

VistaJet orders up to 40 Bombardier business jets: VistaJet has placed firm orders for 20 Challenger 350 jets and options for an additional 20 Challenger 350 jets. The transaction for the firm aircraft order is valued at approximately US$518 million based on 2013 list prices. If all options are exercised, the total value of the order is approximately US$1.035 billion, based on 2013 list prices. Deliveries for the Challenger 350 aircraft, launched last May 20, will begin in mid-2014.

Odyssey is European Customer for 10 CSeries aircraft: At Paris, Bombardier disclosed that a previously announced firm order for 10 CS100 aircraft was placed by Odyssey Airlines, a new airline that intends to operate from London City Airport. The firm order was announced on June 24, 2011. Based on the list price for the CS100 aircraft at the time of the order, the firm order is valued at US$628 million.

COMAC and Bombardier sign Phase II of long-term collaboration: Bombardier and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC) have signed a definitive agreement (DA) covering four distinctive projects for strategic collaboration. The DA is to be executed as part of the second phase of the parties’ long-term collaboration on leveraging commonalities between the C919 and CSeries airliners. The four initiatives COMAC and Bombardier will collaborate on are: 1) specific areas of the CSeries aircraft flight test activities pertaining to non-flying tasks, 2) implementing and maintaining the common items that were achieved as part of Phase I, 3) sales and marketing, and 4) certain areas of customer services related to training, technical publications and parts distribution.

CAE announced at the Paris Air Show that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI), a manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems. The two companies will pursue opportunities to integrate CAE’s simulation systems with GA-ASI’s RPA for the purpose of offering international customers a comprehensive training solution.

CAE also struck a new alliance with Lockheed Martin in Paris, where officials from both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for F-35 Lightning II training system support and services in Canada. 

Esterline CMC Electronics’ new PilotView Aircraft Network Switch (ANS) has been selected by Bombardier for the CSeries aircraft to support advanced maintenance network connectivity and maintenance operations. As well, Lockheed Martin chose Esterline CMC Electronics’ FMS and GPS systems for avionics upgrades to the U.S. Navy C-120T. The company’s portable missions display was also selected for the U.S. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Real Time Information in the Cockpit (RTIC) program for C-130H aircraft. Finally, in addition to other various announcements, Esterline CMC also revealed that its GPS landing system had received FAA certification for GPS/LPV approach operations on B737 classic aircraft.   

Bell Helicopter and Turbomeca team up 

Bell Helicopter and Turbomeca, a Safran company, announced at Paris that Bell’s new five-seat, short light single engine helicopter will be powered by Turbomeca’s Arrius 2R engine. The Arrius 2R engine delivers performance and power within the 450-550 shaft horsepower class, while improving safety and lowering pilot workload via a full authority dual-channel engine control (FADEC). The twin-module engine configuration is designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower the cost of operation. The Arrius 2R boasts proven reliability and 3,000 hours’ time between overhaul at service entry, as well as Turbomeca’s service and support excellence.

Air Canada has committed to a 15-year OnPoint customized service solution agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its GEnx-1B engines that power its Boeing 787 aircraft.  Air Canada placed an order for 37 firm GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787 aircraft, with options for 13 additional aircraft and 10 rolling options. The airline operates a large GE and CFM56 powered fleet including GE90-powered Boeing 777s, CF6-powered Boeing 767s, CFM56-powered Airbus A320s, CF34-powered Bombardier CRJ200/705s and Embraer E175/190s.

A total support solution for Eurocopter helicopters in deployed operations was launched at the Paris Air Show with a consortium agreement signed by its five participants: Eurocopter, DAHER, DCI, Eurotradia and Vector Aerospace. This solution – designated E-HOTS (Eurocopter Helicopter On Theatre Services) – consolidates the five partners’ expertise and pools their resources, providing a turnkey support package that covers an extensive range of services for rotorcraft in any deployed operation such as humanitarian and crisis relief missions, in conflict zones, and for oil and gas exploration.

Vector also signed an agreement with Sikorsky Aerospace Services that appoints Vector’s UK facilities as authorized Customer Service Centers (CSC) to support the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. 

L-3 WESCAM has announced the launch of two new products that directly reduce the costs associated with development testing and the sustainment of fielded electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) surveillance and targeting systems. The new MX-Emulator and MX-RAid products support L-3 WESCAM’s portfolio of MX-Series systems for military, homeland security and airborne law enforcement use.

Denis Lebel, minister of transport, infrastructure and communities, minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec, and minister of intergovernmental affairs, made an important announcement at the 50th Paris Air Show concerning the awarding of financial assistance to 10 Greater Montreal aerospace businesses and organizations.

The enterprises and organizations receiving this financial assistance from the Government of Canada are Aerolia Canada, Abipa Canada Inc., Hemmingford Aerospace, Alta Precision Inc., Centre technologique en aérospatiale (C.T.A.), Aerospace Welding Inc., Groupe Meloche, Maetta Sciences Inc., Tekalia Aeronautik and Sinters America Inc.