ACROFAN

LOT Polish Airlines and State Forests Together for the Climate

Solidarity Transport Hub Poland invites stakeholders to the strategic consultation for the new airport

LOT Develops Its Hub in Budapest – New Flights to Be Launched in September

Ka-32 helicopters to be used in firefighting in Turkey

Carriers from around the world actively engaged in consultation for the Solidarity Airport in Poland

Russian Helicopters to start additive manufacturing of parts in2020

LOT Announces Flights to Beijing-Daxing - from 28 October Will Beflying from Warsaw to China on a Daily Basis

SatADSL launches flagship Platform-as-a-Service offering in Asia

LOT and Colian Broaden Their Cooperation - New Sweet Snacks and Special Labelling of Three Aircraft

Rostec exhibits over 1000 pieces of military equipment at ARMY-2019

Russian Helicopters to certify Mi-171A2 in Peru

Experts of the Russian Helicopters Holding Company and United Engine Corporation (part of Rostec State Corporation) held a business meeting with representatives of the General Directorate for Civil Aviation (DGCAP) of Peru. The sides agreed on the procedure for validation of Mi-171A2 helicopter and VK-2500PS-03 engine. Peruvian aviation authorities plan to complete the helicopter certification in 2019. As part of the validation, DGCAP representatives also plan to visit Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and JSC “UEC-Klimov”, developers of Mi-171A2 helicopter and VK-2500PS-03 engine. "Currently, Peru is the largest operator of Russian helicopters in Latin America. Over 100 civil and military machines are registered in this country. Operators are interested in fleet renewal. And when the Mi-171A2 certificate is validated by Peruvian aviation authorities, we will be able to start supplying this modern machine. The similar procedure is being conducted to certify Mi-171A2 in Brazil, which shows potential of the market in Latin America for our machines," said Andrey Boginsky, Director General of Russian Helicopters. Mi-171A2 is the most advanced model of the Mi-8/17 helicopter type. The helicopter has VK-2500PS-03 engines with a digital control system, and a more efficient X-shaped tail rotor and a new main rotor with composite blades with the improved airfoil shape. Cruise and maximum speed of Mi-171A2 have increased by 10% compared to series-produced Mi-8/17 helicopters, while load-bearing capacity has increased by 25%. The helicopter may be effectively used around the clock, in highland conditions, at low and high temperatures, high humidity and over water. The digital avionics set KBO-17 ("glass cabin"), including the navigation instrumentation and the system of general helicopter equipment with display data indication, allowed the company to reduce the crew to only two people. Video cameras provide a better view during external load operations. Modern terrain awareness and warning systems, airborne and obstacle collision avoidance systems improved safety. The helicopter carries passengers and is offered in the transport, passenger and VIP versions. "Latin America is a promising region for Rostec, and we are ready to offer our partners competitively priced high-quality solutions with further technology transfer. We offer our partners not an individual product, but a set of related services," said Victor Kladov, Rostec's Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy. "I'm convinced that the Mi-171A2 validation will enhance and expand our cooperation in aviation and will make the helicopter attractive to potential customers in Peru and Latin America." In August 2017, the helicopter was certified by the Federal Air Transport Agency of the Russian Federation according to Category A providing for meeting the most stringent requirements to flight safety specified for civilian helicopters. In January 2018, tests were conducted successfully and showed that Mi-171A2 can be used at air temperatures up to -50 degrees Celsius.

Ansat to get Austrian medical modules

The Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) and an Austrian company Air Ambulance Technology signed a cooperation agreement. The parties agreed on joint development and Russian certification of the medical module which may be installed on Ansat helicopters. The document was signed by Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company Andrey Boginsky and managing director of Air Ambulance Technology Nicole Kuntner-Hudson during the international aerospace exhibition Paris Air Show 2019. "We are pleased to announce the start of cooperation with Air Ambulance Technology and we hope that this will be long-term and fruitful work. Creation of the new medical module which meets international standards for medical aviation will allow the holding company to expand the pool of potential customers, including European companies. We expect that installation of such equipment will help Ansat get a certificate of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency", said Director General of Russian Helicopters Andrey Boginsky after the ceremony to mark signing of the agreement. The light multi-purpose helicopter Ansat, which has the largest cabin within its class, is actively used by the Russian air medical services. This twin-engine helicopter is compact, and it does not require a large landing area. It can also be used for passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery and environmental monitoring. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its operation in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 meters. The helicopter can be operated in a temperature range between -45 and +50 degrees Celsius. The possibility of keeping the helicopter out of the hangar and low cost of operation are its significant advantages.

Rajant Joins Kentucky Delegation to Promote State’s Aerospace Industry at the International Paris Air Show

The 53rd International Paris Air Show, happening June 17th-23rd, 2019, brings together all the players in the global aerospace industry. Rajant Corporation, the exclusive provider of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks will be there showcasing how its patented technology can provide secure, high-performance, low-latency connectivity for a wide range of autonomous applications in today’s marketplace and futurecasting what its industrial wireless networking can mean to aerospace. Rajant has an engineering, support and manufacturing facility in Morehead, Kentucky and works closely with neighboring Morehead State University in the development of robust, mobile communication systems for drones, small satellites, and other equipment. Due in part to this collaboration, Rajant will be among fellow members of the Kentucky Aerospace Industry Consortium (KAIC) and Kentucky’s State Cabinet for Economic Development exhibiting the state’s #1 export – aerospace. KAIC’s Executive Director D. Stewart Ditto II says: "Kentucky is a leader in aerospace and defense exports due to the advanced and innovative capabilities of our businesses, like Rajant. At the Paris Air Show, we look forward to increasing the awareness of the Kentucky's growth opportunities to ensure our companies have the tools needed for success. The aerospace and defense industries are key to the Commonwealth becoming a center for engineering and manufacturing excellence in the United States.” Rajant will have on hand two autonomous drones at their booth located in Hall 3, B94 (Commonwealth of Kentucky) of the International Paris Air Show. One is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with Rajant’s BreadCrumb® Drone Module. The other is Ghost Robotics’ Ghost Vision™ 60, a mid-sized foldable teleoperated and autonomous all-terrain Quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle (QUGV) for industrial inspection and perimeter security. It can cover 7.8 miles on a single charge or the approximate equivalent of 3.5 hours of continuous walking operation while carrying up to 25 lbs. Ghost Robotics and Rajant have collaborated on many projects, their latest being for DARPA. For the last few years, Rajant has been opening up commercial opportunities for drone manufacturers. Their Kinetic Mesh wireless network, powered by InstaMesh®, equips unmanned systems with wireless mobile broadband to provide instant, uninterrupted connectivity for continuous operation in the air, on land and at sea. According to Don Gilbreath, Rajant’s Vice President of Systems: “Autonomous applications require constant connectivity to remain operational. If coverage drops, even momentarily, these unmanned systems shut down. Mission-critical, industrial operations employing autonomy have zero tolerance for interruptions and are seeking the reliability only Rajant can offer them.” Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh networking capability brought them to the attention of Ghost Robotics as a strategic partner for deploying small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV’s) with their ground-based robot. Specific to DARPA, each robotic system (in air and on land) acts completely independent to explore and locate assets. The sUAV’s are able to fly into vertical stops and other hard to navigate voids, while the Vision60 QUGV’s can transverse rugged terrain akin to a dog’s four-legged capability. James Laney, Head of Autonomy and Applications at Ghost Robotics, shares: “We will be demonstrating with Rajant our Vision60 to show Paris Air Show attendees the important role our robot plays in the perimeter security of airstrips, where air drones may not be allowed. Our robot autonomously navigates along the fence line of runways in search of intrusions and can work in conjunction with sUAV’s for more in-depth situational awareness. As we look to the future of aerospace, our versatile, ruggedized QUGV’s maintain advantages over robots with wheels and tracks, making them a right fit for the unstructured terrain of planets and asteroids.”

Russian Helicopters Demonstrates a Modernized Ansat Concept at Paris Air Show 2019

Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) presented a concept of the modernized light Ansat helicopter at the International Paris Air Show 2019. The machine has new design solutions and options which will be introduced into serial production in the coming years. Ansat demonstrated in Le Bourget is equipped with a "glass cabin" – new avionics which ensure flights in accordance with instrument flight rules. The helicopter also has a weather radar, enhanced ground proximity warning module, wreck-resistant fuel system, LED lighting tools, and a wire cutter for wire strike protection. Moreover, there are changes in the helicopter design. It has modified tail boom fins from composite materials and heated bird strike resistant glass. "Today, Ansat has already started entering the international market. But we understand that the further development and commercial success require compliance with the highest civil aviation standards. That's why, in Le Bourget, we present our solutions that will make Ansat even safer, more effective and technological. We will be ready to offer some of these solutions to our customers in 2020," said Alexey Garipov, chief designer of Kazan Helicopters Design Office. It is planned that the Ansat fuselage will be partly made from composite materials which will help to reduce helicopter's weight and operation costs. The number of passengers will increase up to 8 persons, the range will expand by 30%. The light multi-purpose Ansat helicopter was designed by Kazan Helicopters Design Office. The machine is equipped with two engines and can be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery, environmental monitoring and as an air medical helicopter. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its use in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 meters. The helicopter can be operated in a temperature range between -45 and +50 degrees of Celsius. Its significant advantage is the possibility of storage out of the hangar and low cost of operation. The International Paris Air Show 2019 takes place at the Le Bourget airport in Paris on June 17-23.

Russian Helicopters demonstrates a modernized Ansat concept at Paris Air Show 2019

Russian Helicopters demonstrates Ansat with a new satellite communication system at Paris Air Show 2019

Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) presented the light multi-purpose Ansat helicopter equipped with the new Mku30 satellite communication system at the 53th International Paris Air Show 2019. "The Holding Company actively develops the introduction of modern satellite communication systems for helicopters. We entered into an agreement with the MOST-satellite systems company on joint promotion of these products. The Ku-band satellite communication system was created for Ansat and integrated into its avionics. It ensures data transmission and reception at the speed up to 2 Mbps regardless helicopter's location. We plan to offer this system as an option for all civil helicopters of the Holding Company," said Andrey Boginsky, Director General of Russian Helicopters. The Mku30 satellite communication system allows single-point and multi-point video conferencing on board, smooth real-time transmission of selected amounts of data and high-quality video content. At Paris Air Show 2019 held in the French capital on June 17-23, Russian Helicopters shows two Ansat helicopters – medical and VIP versions. The light multi-purpose Ansat helicopter, which has the largest cabin within its class, is actively used by the Russian air medical services. This twin-engine helicopter has compact size and does not require a large landing area. It can also be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery and environmental monitoring. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its use in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 meters. The helicopter can be operated in a temperature range between -45 and +50 degrees of Celsius. Its significant advantage is the possibility of storage out of the hangar and low cost of operation. The international air show in Le Bourget is one of the largest and oldest air shows in the world. It takes place every two years at the Le Bourget airport, 12 kilometers from Paris. Russia is a regular participant of the show. The first Russian aircraft presented in France was ANT-35 in 1936. In 1965, the Soviet Union showed Mi-6, Mi-8 and Mi-10 helicopters for the first time at Paris Air Show.

RAJANT Joins Kentucky Delegation to Promote State’s Aerospace Industry at the International Paris Air Show

LOT Inaugurates Flights to BEIRUT

The first plane of LOT Polish Airlines to Beirut will depart from Warsaw Chopin Airport at 10:30 pm. The flight timetable was planned to ensure convenient transfers for passengers from the whole region of Western and Central-Eastern Europe. Flights are scheduled four times a week in June, September, and October, and five times a week in July and August. One of the planes operating the route will be Embraer 195, which accommodates from 112 to 118 passengers, depending on the version. "This destination is extremely important to us. Year by year, we observe increasing trade exchange between Poland, the European Union, and Lebanon. In addition, we see a huge potential in the sales of organised trips. This is confirmed by ticket sales statistics, as around 25 percent of all bookings are group reservations," says Rafał Milczarski, CEO, LOT Polish Airlines. LOT's new connection is addressed to tourist and business traffic. In comparison to the other countries of the region, Lebanon is characterised by a stable political and economic situation. "For several years, the number of Poles travelling to Lebanon has been steadily increasing. Only in 2017, it exceeded 4,700 people. Launching a direct connection between our capitals, operated by LOT Polish Airlines, will certainly have a positive impact on reinforcing this trend and increasing the tourist exchange between the countries. Without a doubt Beirut – known as the 'Paris Of The Middle East' – will become an even more popular destination," says Anna Krupka, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. According to official Lebanese data, only in 2018, the Country of Cedars was visited by nearly half a million tourists, which confirms the growing interest in the place. The estimated time of flight from Warsaw to Beirut is 3 hours 25 minutes and 3 hours 40 minutes from the Beirut to Warsaw. The plane will depart from Warsaw Chopin Airport at 10:30 pm to arrive in Beirut at 2:55 am local time. The flight in the opposite direction will begin at 3:50 am local time, with the estimated time of arrival at 6:30 am at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The timetable was designed in such a way to allow for convenient time of transfer in Warsaw on the way to airports in Western Europe, Northern Europe, and the Balkans. LOT sees an opportunity in the fact that the current offer of flights to Lebanon of from Central and Eastern Europe is limited. "We see a large potential in ethnic traffic between Scandinavia and Germany, and Lebanon. The traffic comes both from Scandinavia and Germany to Lebanon and from Lebanon to Germany and Scandinavia. Thanks to extension of LOT's flight network to Germany and Scandinavia in the years 2016-2018 (new connections to Berlin, Billund, Hanover, Nuremberg, Oslo, and Stuttgart) and Warsaw's geographical location, Warsaw Chopin Airport is an excellent transfer point for passengers travelling from/to Beirut," adds Rafał Milczarski.

Rostec to finance civil aviation projects with over $600 million

Novikombank, part of Russia’s State Corporation Rostec, concluded a number of agreements during the XXIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2019) to finance the holdings of the Corporation's aviation cluster, namely United Engine Corporation (UEC) and Russian Helicopters. Among key target projects were the modern PD-14 and VK-2500 aircraft engines and a number of civilian helicopters, such as the Ansat and Ka-226. The key objective of the agreements is to provide funding for production of civilian products by the UEC and Russian Helicopters. Novikombank's total amount of loans to UEC enterprises will reach 35 billion rubles (about $540 million). The agreements provide comprehensive financial support for important projects such as the production of PD-14 and SaM146 aircraft engines, TV3-117 and VK-2500 helicopter engines, as well as gas turbine energy units and other equipment. The strategic partnership agreement between Novikombank and Russian Helicopters covers the delivery, repair and service support of helicopters such as Ka-62, Ka-32, Ka-226, Ansat, Mi-171А2, Mi-171, Mi-38 and other products of the civilian sector. The parties also signed a loan agreement that covers financing to the holding for 5 billion rubles (over $75 million). “The development of civil aviation, helicopter engineering, engine building is one of the key priorities of Rostec. Products such as the PD-14 and VK-2500 engines, Ka-226 and Ansat helicopters, are not only strategically important for our country, but have high potential and interest in foreign markets. This is confirmed by numerous concluded agreements with China, countries of Southeast Asia, the Middle East and others”, pointed out the Industrial Director of Rostec’s Aviation Cluster, Anatoly Serdyukov. “Naturally, successful implementation of our projects requires loans and investments. Today's agreements will contribute to the continuous development of our aviation enterprises. ” Rostec continues to implement the extensive development of its aviation cluster in accordance with the approved Strategy, the main objectives of which are the development of civilian products, improvement of operational efficiency and gaining access to global markets until 2025.

LOT Polish Airlines Landed in Miami

LOT launched this summer’s its most expected flight. Passengers can now fly to sunny Florida form many cities in Europe via Warsaw. The flights will be operated four times a week with modern Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners. Miami is LOT’s ninth destination in the US. Flights to and from Miami will be operated every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The departing flights from the Warsaw Chopin Airport are scheduled for 12:05 a.m and the arrival in Miami is planned for 5:30 p.m. (local time). Passengers will depart from Florida on an evening flight at 8:05 p.m. and will land in Warsaw the next day at 12:15 a.m. The flight from Warsaw to Miami will last 11 hours and 25 minutes. The connection to Miami will be operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliners only. “LOT creates a perfect gateway to all willing to fly to Florida from Central and Eastern Europe - the fastest growing region of the continent. Currently over half a million passengers travelling between two regions despite of lack of direct flights. Now they can transfer via Warsaw – the most convinient European airport, where for most of our flights we offer connecting time as short as one or two hours from cities such as Budapest, Prague, Bucharest, Kiev, Kosice, Tallinn, Vienna, Moscow, Vilnius and also Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Stockholm,” says Rafał Milczarski, LOT Polish Airlines CEO. Miami is already LOT’s ninth destination in the US. Launching its new connection to Florida, LOT contributes to the growth of tourist and business traffic between Poland and USA. “At present there are nearly 500 thousand people of Polish origin living in Florida. We are very glad that we can meet the expectations and needs of the Polish Diaspora in America who now, for the first time, can take advantage of direct flights on the route between Poland and USA,” adds Rafał Milczarski. The new connection will allow to take advantage of LOT Cargo’s potential. Miami is one of crucial airports for the market of pharmaceutical products which, thanks to new IATA CEIV Pharma certificates, will be soon transported to Florida from Europe by LOT’s Dreamliners. LOT Cargo will also deliver perishables from South America to Poland and Europe, including seafood, vegetables, exotic fruit and cut flowers from Venezuela, Ecuador and Columbia as well as aircraft and car parts from Chile, Peru and Argentina. LOT Dreamliners have a cargo capacity ranging from 12 and 13,5 tons on average, depending on the machine type. The flights from Miami will be operated exclusively by Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the most technically advanced aircraft in the world. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art technology, they offer increased cabin pressure and humidity levels, and are much more spacious. All those factors help enhance passengers’ comfort during such a long flight and reduce the so-called jet lag effect. There are three travel classes available aboard the Dreamliners: LOT Business, LOT Premium Economy and LOT Economy. Miami will be the 14th long-haul connection in LOT’s network and the airline’s 9th destination in North America. LOT’s current offer includes flights from Warsaw: to New York City JFK and Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and Singapore, New Delhi and also to Colombo. LOT’s regular offer includes over 111 destinations, which means that since the beginning of 2016 their number has increased by over 70.

IATA: Solidarity Airport is a strategic project... Airline consultation will start in July

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is working with key stakeholders in Poland to establish an Airport Consultative Committee to facilitate consultation with global airline community on the development of the Solidarity Transport Hub Poland, a new airport planned in Central Europe. The first meeting will take place in Warsaw on July 18. The Committee created by the IATA in cooperation with Solidarity Transport Hub Poland (STH) management, will serve as an important forum to exchange ideas and better inform decision-making. The Airport Consultative Committee (ACC) will essentially serve as an airline technical body to review strategic options, assess the cost and benefits, and consider the operational impacts on airlines and their passengers. IATA will extend invitations for ACC membership to all passenger and cargo airlines (including non-IATA members) that have an interest in operating from STH. This will include current operators at Chopin Airport as well as those that may have future plans to enter the Polish market when Solidarity Airport opens. Participants will be expected to have the seniority or expertise to represent their organization’s views and make a contribution to the proceedings. "Our operation is carefully thought out. It is impossible to plan the airport well, without asking for the opinion of those who will use it. We are consistently building a knowledge base that will help us prepare the master plan of the Solidarity Airport" says Mikołaj Wild, Government Plenipotentiary for Solidarity Transport Hub Poland. The inaugural ACC meeting, scheduled to take place in Warsaw on July 18, will be the first of many that will be held throughout the STH development process. The initial activities will include verifying that the conceptual assumptions of the STH are aligned with the needs of carriers and whether any possible improvements need to be made. The overall goal is to ensure that infrastructure solutions are consistent with the expectations and needs of carriers: technical, operational and financial. "We highly value the knowledge and experience of IATA experts, which is why we want to conduct the widest possible consultations with the airline industry. The result is to be a new airport between Warsaw and Lodz, which takes into account the needs of all its customers: carriers, companies operating in the airport and providing services to it, and above all passengers” says Dariusz Sawicki, STH board member for the airport investment part. IATA brings experience gained on global airport projects to Poland and has incorporated the lessons learned into the ACC’s terms of reference which describe its objectives, activities, membership and structure. The ACC will have two co-chairs with one chosen from the airline community and the other drawn from STH. “On behalf of IATA, we are very pleased to be working closely on this key project for transport in Europe. With European demand for travel set to grow by around 50% by 2037, it is vital that the right infrastructure be built now to be ready for this increased. Air passengers are counting on us and IATA is proud to be part of the solution” says Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe. The ACC is the next step in the comprehensive consultation process with STH stakeholders which started in mid-April with a meeting attended by over 60 representatives of various entities, e.g. Polish Aviation Group, Board of Airline Representatives in Poland, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, Poczta Polska, Orlen, LOTOS, PERN, LOT AMS, LS Airport Services, Polish Hotel Holding, FedEx, DHL, UPS, TNT Express. STH familiarized the partners with the planned stages of the investment, presented a working block diagram of the project implementation as well as terms of reference regarding the structure and scope of consultation. By the end of May, STH received over 400 comments and proposals on a wide range of topics concerning the infrastructure of the planned airport, from aircraft, passenger, and baggage handling to cargo and technical support. This year STH plans to engage a strategic and technical advisor, an international entity with investment experience in the design, construction and management of interchanges. This year STH will also commission a master plan. It will include, among others: air traffic forecasts, dimensioning of planned infrastructure and initial plan of its location, construction stage and detailed business model of the planned airport.

Russian Helicopters to open mobile service center in Peru

Russian Helicopters holding (part of Rostec State Coropration) will participate in the Seventh International Exhibition of Technology for Defense and Prevention of Natural Disasters SITDEF-2019 held in the territory of the headquarters of the Peruvian Army in Lima from May 16 to 21. This year, we present in Mexico the main civilian line of Russian helicopters: the light Ansat, the medium Mi-171A2 and the medium heavy Mi-38. "We are working closely with our Peruvian partners in creating a mobile service center for maintenance of the multi-purpose Mi-171Sh helicopter in close to the city of Arequipa. The holding has currently finished the first installation and commissioning stage under a contract with Rosoboronexport. Further work will continue in October, as agreed with the Peruvian side. We are planning to finish all operations this year and provide further support to our partners during the first helicopter repairs", said the Deputy Director General for Aftersales Services, Igor Chechikov. The service center consists of three different maintenance lines: for full airframe overhaul of the Mi-171Sh, mechanical system aggregate maintenance and aviation/radioelectric equipment maintenance. In 12 countries in North and South America, including Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Chile, more than 370 helicopters, both civilian and military, manufactured in the USSR and Russia are functioning. Peru operates over 90 civilian and military Mi-8/17 helicopters produced in the USSR and Russian Federation, the highest amount on the continent. At the exhibition, the holding's experts will hold discussions about the questions concerning both service maintenance and repairs of the Mi-8/17 series of helicopters operated in Peru. It is also planned to hold negotiations with both Peruvian partners and representatives of other countries on the acquisition of modern Russian civilian technology and its possible deliveries to foreign customers. The light multi-purpose helicopter Ansat, which has the largest cabin within its class, is actively used by the Russian air medical services. This twin-engine helicopter has compact size and does not require a large landing area. It can also be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery and environmental monitoring. High-altitude tests of Ansat have been successfully completed, which confirmed the possibility of its use in mountainous terrain at altitudes up to 3,500 meters. The Mi-8/17 series of helicopters, which the Mi-171A2 is a part of, is well known in Peru. Its cruise and maximum speeds have been increased by 10% and its flight automation has been significantly improved. Unique flight characteristics allow to operate the Mi-171A2 in humid tropical climate. The helicopter is designed to solve a wide range of tasks – from patrolling and coast guard to search and rescue operations. The holding also presents a multipurpose Mi-38, which occupies a niche between the middle Mi-8 and heavy Mi-26. It can carry 5 tons of payload over a distance of 800 km. The rotorcraft is equipped with highly economical engines, crash-resistant fuel system and energy-absorbing seats, which makes it as safe as possible for passenger traffic.

Maintenance center for Ansat helicopters to open in Mexico in 2020

The Mexican company Craft Avia Center in cooperation with the Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) is planning to open a technical maintenance center for Ansat type civilian helicopters in the city of Guadalajara. “The creation of a maintenance center for Ansat type helicopters in the Mexican city of Guadalajara is in active stage. The project is being implemented by Craft Avia Center in close cooperation with Russian Helicopters. The center will start its operation in 2020", said the Deputy Director General for Aftersales Services of Russian Helicopters, Igor Chechikov. Representatives of the holding held corresponding negotiations with their Mexican partners during the third international aerospace show FAMEX 2019, held in the Santa Lucia air base close to Mexico’s capital. With the support of Russian Helicopters, the center will be equipped with the required documentation and technology. Training of Mexican technical service engineers is also planned. The first Ansat helicopter will be delivered to Mexico for Craft Avia Center in 2019. “We have long and successful relations of cooperation in the field of helicopter construction with our Mexican partners. Around 50 Russian-made Mi-17 type helicopters are successfully operated here. Rostec is focused on both strengthening our cooperation with Mexico and developing long-term relations with the whole region of Latin America. Creating the maintenance center for Russian Ansat helicopter is a significant step forwards in this path”, pointed out Victor Kladov, Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy of Rostec. He added: “I’m confident that the maintenance center will both strengthen and expand our cooperation in the field of aviation, as well as make the light Ansat helicopter more attractive to potential customers in both Mexico and Latin America in general”. During 2014-2015, Russian Helicopters conducted successful overhauls of 19 helicopters operated by the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense. Currently the company is providing comprehensive after-sales support maintaining the whole fleet of Mi-17 helicopters operated in the territory of Mexico. The light multi-purpose helicopter Ansat, which has the largest cabin within its class, is actively used by the Russian air medical services. This twin-engine helicopter has compact size and does not require a large landing area. It can also be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery and environmental monitoring. Ansat has been successfully tested for high-altitude operations, confirming that it can be used in mountainous areas with altitudes up to 3,500 meters. The multi-purpose helicopter Mi-17-1V is one of the modifications of the Mi-17 type, designed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, a subsidiary of the Russian Helicopters holding company. Good performance characteristics, ease of operation and reliability have made these helicopters popular throughout the world. Mi-17-1V has a top speed of 250 km/h and maximum flight range of over 600 kilometers. It can carry up to 37 paratroopers. The civilian variant is widely used for cargo and passenger transport, firefighting and rescue operations. The international aerospace show FAMEX takes place in Mexico once every two years. Russian Helicopters is a regular participant of the exhibition.

Russian Helicopters will participate in the FAMEX 2019 exhibition

Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Coproration) will participate in the third international aerospace show FAMEX 2019 held in Santa Lucia air base in Mexico. This year the company will exhibit a line of Russian civilian helicopters in Mexico: light Ansat, medium Mi-171A2 and heavier Mi-38 helicopters, representing the three main weight classes used in various spheres of application. The light multi-purpose helicopter Ansat, which has the largest cabin within its class, is actively used by the Russian air medical services. This twin-engine helicopter has compact size and does not require a large landing area. It can also be used for normal passenger and VIP transport, cargo delivery and environmental monitoring. Ansat has been successfully tested for high-altitude operations, confirming that it can be used in mountainous areas with altitudes up to 3,500 meters. “In November 2018 we signed a contract with the Mexican company Craft Avia Center about a delivery of Ansat helicopter equipped for passenger transport. The machine is ready for delivery to the Mexican side”, said Andrey Boginsky, the Director General of Russian Helicopters. Currently the holding company is negotiating with partners about supplying spare parts and components for the Ansat as well as preparing a training program for helicopters of this type to Mexican pilots. Additionally they have submitted an application for validation of Ansat and Mi-171A2 type certificates in Mexico. The delegation of Russian Helicopters at the FAMEX exhibition will be led by the company’s Deputy Director General, Igor Chechikov. Under his leadership, the holding's experts will discuss the service maintenance and repair of the Mi-8/17 helicopters operated in Mexico. The Mi-8/17 type helicopters, of which the latest Mi-171A2 is part of, are well known in Mexico. More than 80 changes were made to the new design, which have raised its cruise and maximum speed by 10% as well as significantly increased flight automation, compared to the base model. Mi-171A2 can be used in humid, tropical conditions thanks to its unique performance characteristics. It is designed to solve a wide range of tasks - from patrol and coast guard to search and rescue operations. The company will also exhibit the multirole helicopter Mi-38, which fits the niche between the medium class Mi-171A2 and the heavy class Mi-26 helicopters. It can transport a cargo of up to 5 tons over a distance of 800 km. The helicopter is equipped with fuel-efficient engines, crash-resistant fuel system and energy-absorbing seats, making it extremely safe for passenger transport. There are also plans to hold negotiations with both Mexican partners and representatives from other countries at the FAMEX-2019 exhibition. The focus will be on the latest Russian technology for civilian operators and the possibility of supplying it to foreign customers.

LOT Business Lounges offer free internet courtesy of UPC

As of today, LOT Polish Airlines passengers taking advantage of the carrier’s “Polonez” and “Mazurek” business lounges may use free-of-charge Internet service by logging in to a dedicated Wi-Fi network. The service that complements a wide range of benefits available to travelers visiting the comfortable lounges is available the courtesy of UPC Business – a company offering digital services for the business sector. The “Polonez” LOT Business Lounge located at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport has been operated by the Polish carrier since 1 July 2015. Located in the Schengen zone, the lounge is open all year round, seven days per week, from 5 am to 11 pm. Each year it serves more than 300,000 passengers valuing the high level of comfort and top-class travel standards. On 26 of February this year, the Polish carrier’s flagship lounge was visited by the one millionth passenger. In 2018, LOT opened another business lounge – “Mazurek”, which is located in the Chopin Airport’s non-Schengen zone. Willing to keep up with the growing passenger expectations, LOT has provided business lounge visitors with free Internet access offered over a dedicated Wi-Fi network by UPC Business. “UPC Business offers wireless Wi-Fi solutions that meet the requirements of even the most demanding customers. I am deeply satisfied with the fact that travelers from all over the world, spending their time in LOT Business Lounges, will now be able to take advantage of a dedicated Wi-Fi network provided by UPC Business. By launching the service, we are assuming a meaningful obligation towards our customers. We also confirm that the services we offer are of the highest quality,” says Jerzy Gołębiowski, B2B Director, UPC Poland. The new offering may already be taken advantage of by all passengers visiting “Polonez” and “Mazurek” lounges. All guests are informed about this opportunity at the reception desk. Additional information boards with the logotypes of both companies have also been placed within the comfortable waiting rooms. “Our Warsaw business lounges are extremely popular among passengers. We are taking every effort to make sure that the products and services offered there are of the highest quality available. Business passengers attach particular attention to the quality and availability of Internet service. Therefore, it is with great satisfaction that we are offering them broadband Internet access supplied by UPC Business. I am convinced that the change will be warmly welcome by our passengers and will further complement the wide range of our services,” adds Krzysztof Moczulski, Product Office, LOT Polish Airlines. “Polonez” and “Mazurek” lounges may be used, inter alia, by business class passengers on Star Alliance flights, as well as by the holders of Miles & More cards: silver (Frequent Traveller), gold (Senator) and black (HON Circle). The holders of Star Alliance Gold cards are included in that group as well. In addition to free Wi-Fi, the guests are offered a broad selection of Polish and foreign press titles. They may also use computers, watch TV, relax in bathrooms with showers and taste a range of cold snacks and hot meals served all day long. The ”Polonez” lounge offers also a mini SPA - Premium Beauty by Yonell, where all visitors may take advantage of cosmetic treatments and relax during a massage. A special LOT Elite Lounge is also located in the “Polonez” lounge. It is dedicated to business class passengers traveling on LOT’s long-haul flights, and to holders of the Star Alliance Gold card. This section of the lounge offers 45 seats. “As we are waiting for the construction of the Central Airport, the Chopin Airport will be undergoing a considerable overhaul. The plans assume that the “Polonez” lounge will be moved to a new, larger location. This change will considerably increase the level of the visitors’ comfort, especially during the peak hours,” Moczulski adds.

LOT Took off from KRAKÓW to BUCHAREST

LOT Polish Airlines is developing its offer from Krakow Airport launching direct connection between the capital of Małopolska Voivodeship and Bucharest. But this is just one of the many novelties that the Poland’s flag carrier has prepared for passengers of the Krakow Airport this season. The first LOT flight from Krakow to Bucharest was scheduled on Monday, April 1st at 20.25. LOT primarily use the Bombardier Q400 airplanes to operate its flight each of which can take 78 passengers on three classes of travel on board: business, premium economic and economic. Flights are operated according to the following schedule: LO649 KRK-OTP 20:35-23:15 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays LO650 OTP-KRK 06:15-07:05 Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Małopolska Voivodeship is one of the most dynamically developing regions in Poland, which attracts not only tourists but also more and more people travelling on business. LOT in cooperation with Kraków Airport is constantly increasing its offer. After the success of our direct connections from Kraków to Chicago and Budapest, as well as due to the continuing popularity of domestic flights to Warsaw and Gdańsk, we are sure that new connections to Bucharest and Dubrovnik soon to be available in the offer will also prove to be a success - says Adrian Kubicki, Director of Corporate Communications. Flights to Bucharest from Kraków are planned until the end of October. However, the air carrier does not exclude the extension of this offer also for the winter season. In addition to the newly opened connection to the Romanian capital, LOT Polish Airlines also offer from Krakow Airport direct flights to Chicago (3 flights a week), Budapest (6 flights a week) and Dubrovnik (from 25 May, one flight a week), as well as three domestic connections. LOT offers 7 flights a day to Warsaw, one a day to Gdańsk, and from April 25, twice a week, the planes of the carrier will connect Kraków Airport with the Olsztyn-Mazury airport. We are pleased with the development of our national carrier at Kraków Airport. Bucharest is another, long awaited by passengers connection from the interesting and diverse offer of LOT flights. I am sure that our further cooperation will strengthen us as a leader among European regional airports. It will also allow for the consistent development of the tourist and business industry of Kraków and Małopolska Voivodeship,- says Radosław Włoszek, CEO of Kraków Airport. LOT in 2018 carried onboard a record number of over 8.9 million passengers, more by 2 million than a year earlier. This year, the Polish carrier plans to fly 10 million passengers. Currently, LOT uses 81 modern aircraft every day. The carrier has already 111 connections around the world in its scheduled offer.

Airbus’ Skyways drone trials world’s first shore-to-ship deliveries

Airbus Skyways drone lifting off ©Wilhelmsen Airbus has begun shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks the first time drone technology has been deployed in real port conditions, to deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage. The maiden shore-to-ship delivery flight was made to the Swire Pacific Offshore’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel ‘M/V Pacific Centurion’, 1.5km from the shoreline of Singapore’s Marina South Pier, carrying 1.5kg of 3D printed consumables. Landing safely on the ship deck and depositing its cargo to the shipmaster, the Skyways unmanned air vehicle swiftly returned to its base, with the entire flight taking within ten minutes. The trials are being undertaken in conjunction with partner Wilhelmsen Ships Services, one of the world’s leading maritime logistics and port services company. During the trials, Airbus’ Skyways drone will lift off from the pier with a payload capability of up to 4kg, and navigate autonomously along pre-determined ‘aerial corridors’ to vessels as far as 3km from the coast. Airbus’ Skyways lead, Leo Jeoh shared his excitement at the milestone flight: “We are thrilled to launch the first trial of its kind in the maritime world. Today’s accomplishment is a culmination of months of intense preparation by our dedicated team, and the strong collaboration with our partner, as we pursue a new terrain in the maritime industry.” “We are also happy to be taking a step forward for Airbus’ urban air mobility endeavour, as we continue to explore and seek better understanding of what it takes to fly safe and reliable autonomous flying vehicles safely,” he added. “The now proven, seamless operation of drone deliveries from shore to ship, in one of the world’s busiest ports proves the hard work, investment and faith we, and indeed our partners, placed in the Agency by Air project over the past two years was not misplaced,” said Marius Johansen, Vice President Commercial, Ships Agency at Wilhelmsen Ships Services. “Delivery of essential spares, medical supplies and cash to master via launch boat, is an established part of our portfolio of husbandry services, which we provide day in and day out, in ports all over the world. Modern technology such as the unmanned aircraft systems, are just a new tool, albeit a very cool one, with which we can push our industry ever forward and improve how we serve our customers,” he added. The use of unmanned aircraft systems in the maritime industry paves the way for possible enlargement of existing ship agency services’ portfolio, speeding up deliveries by up to six times, lowering delivery costs by up to 90%, reducing carbon footprint, and significantly mitigating risks of accidents associated with launch-boat deliveries. Airbus and Wilhelmsen Ships Services signed an agreement in June 2018 to drive the development of an end-to-end unmanned aircraft system for safe shore-to-ship deliveries. The collaboration marries Airbus’ extensive expertise in aeronautical vertical lift solutions and Wilhelmsen’s wealth of experience in ship agency services. A landing platform and control centre were set up at the Marina South Pier in November 2018, through the facilitation of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The maritime agency also designated anchorages for vessels to anchor off the pier for the trials, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore worked with Airbus and Wilhelmsen to ensure safety of the trials. Skyways is an experimental project aimed at establishing seamless multi-modal transportation networks in smart cities. Through Skyways, Airbus aims to develop an unmanned airborne infrastructure solution and address the sustainability and efficiency of unmanned aircraft in large urban and maritime environments. Having demonstrated the ability to deliver parcels safely and reliably to vessels anchored off the coast of Singapore, Skyways will soon be commencing another trial phase delivering air parcels autonomously in an urban environment, at the National University of Singapore.

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