12/23/08

Cirrus Design Names Brent Wouters To The Post Of Chief Executive Officer


Alan Klapmeier, Chairman of Cirrus Design Corporation, recently named Brent Wouters to the post of Chief Executive Officer effective February 1, 2009. continue to build upon Cirrus’ strong success to date in his new role.” Prior to Cirrus, Mr. Wouters was the Chief Financial Officer of International Payment Services, where he was instrumental in completing 11 acquisitions.


According to Cirrus Design, Mr. Wouters previously was an award‐winning equity analyst, an information technology consultant, and an aircraft engineer and flight simulator engineer. Mr. Wouters holds an M.B.A. from Georgia State University, an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University, and a B.A. in Math and Physics from Iowa’s Graceland University.

Kevin Keough, Director ‐ Portfolio Management Group at Arcapita, Inc., Cirrus’ private equity partner based in Atlanta, noted, "As Cirrus’ ownership partner, we strongly support Alan’s appointment of Brent to CEO. Cirrus has seen its most rapid growth in the last decade as it has delivered over 4,000 new airplanes in more than 50 countries around the world.”

Keough concluded, “Cirrus stands poised to repeat its success in the emerging personal and light jet market with its “Vision Jet”. Cirrus enjoys strong and steady financial commitment and operational support from Arcapita and with such a positive outlook across all its aircraft programs, we are excited that Alan will continue to provide overall company direction as Brent takes the reins of day‐to‐day leadership

Source: Cirrus Design
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12/22/08

Japan Airlines Plans First Demonstration Flight Using Sustainable Biofuel


Japan Airlines (JAL) recently announced that it will be the first airline to conduct a demonstration flight using a sustainable biofuel refined from the energy crop, camelina. The airline also announced that the demo flight is planned for January 30, 2009 out of Haneda Airport, Tokyo.


According to Pratt & Whitney, a blend of 50% biofuel and 50% traditional Jet-A jet (kerosene) fuel will be tested in one of the four Pratt & Whitney JT9D (pictured above) engines of a JAL-owned Boeing 747-300 aircraft. The biofuel component to be used will be a mixture of three second-generation biofuel feedstocks: camelina (84%), jatropha (under 16%), and algae (under 1%).

Camelina (pictured left), also known as gold-of-pleasure or false flax, is an energy crop, given its high oil content and ability to grow in rotation with wheat and other cereal crops. The crop is mostly grown in more moderate climates such as the northern plains of the U.S, and originally hails from northern Europe and Central Asia.

It can be grown even in dry areas, poor soil and at high altitudes. It is classified as a 'traditional' crop, but is considered next-generation given that its primary use is as a biofuel feedstock. The camelina to be used in the JAL demo flight was sourced by Sustainable Oils, Inc., a U.S.-based provider of renewable, environmentally clean, and high-value camelina-based fuels. Terasol Energy sourced and provided the jatropha oil, and the algae oil was provided by Sapphire Energy.

JAL, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and Honeywell's UOP have committed to the use of second-generation biofuel feedstocks that are more efficient and sustainable energy than first-generation counterparts. Second-generation biofuel feedstocks, such as camelina, jatropha and algae, do not compete with natural food or water resources and do not contribute to deforestation practices.

Source: Pratt & Whitney     Image Sources: Pratt & Whitney and Wikipedia
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Cessna Announces Delivery Of First Retail Citation XLS+


Cessna Aircraft Company recently completed the first Citation XLS+ retail delivery to an undisclosed customer based on the East Coast of the United States.


According to Cessna, the Citation XLS+ was first announced in October 2006 and achieved Federal Aviation Administration certification on May 30; European Aviation Safety Agency certification is in process and expected to be complete in early 2009.


The order book exceeds 200 for the XLS+, an upgrade of the mid-size XLS. The original Citation Excel was delivered in July 1998, followed by the Citation XLS in July 2004. The series has accumulated a global fleet of nearly 680 planes and more than 1.5 million flight hours.


“With the XLS+, Cessna continues the tradition of the Excel and XLS as the most affordable stand-up cabin business jet,” said Roger Whyte, senior vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’ve incorporated “Voice of The Customer” throughout the design of the XLS+, including increased serviceability. This aircraft has the most advanced diagnostic system on any Cessna Citation to date.”


The Citation XLS+ features the fully integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and electronically controlled (FADEC) engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Exterior and interior restyling is also integrated into the new model, most prominently the extended contour of the nose and expanded seat widths, both introduced to more closely resemble Cessna’s Citation X and Citation Sovereign models.


The Citation XLS+ travels as fast as 441 knots (817 kilometers per hour) with a range of more than 1,858 nautical miles (3,441 kilometers). At maximum takeoff weight it will depart from runways as short as 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) at standard, sea-level conditions. It will land on runways as short as 2,700 feet (823 meters) at its typical landing weight.

Source: Cessna
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12/10/08

What Determines The Fuel Efficiency Of Aircraft?


Flying Magazine features a story on the fuel efficiency of airplanes and what factors affect how much pilots pay for fuel.

What is the most efficient aircraft? According to the article, there is no one single answer. It depends on the aircraft you are flying and what your mission is.

The aviation industry uses a metric called specific range to determine how fuel efficiency. The skill of a pilot can make a difference. Advances in technology in both engines and aerodynamics are helplng as well.

Source: Flying Magazine
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