March 22, 2018 - No. 023 In This Issue Gogo Business Aviation Hits Milestone with 100th Business Jet Now Flying with AVANCE L5 System 2018 Safety and Flight Ops Conference looks at technology-driven change IAI starts work to develop solutions for electric-powered aircraft FAA extends deadline for non-commercial aircraft receive technology authorization Thailand aims to become aviation hub for high-flying Asia-Pacific region France launches Man-Machine-Teaming programme to develop AI for combat aviation Aircraft Antenna Specialist Readies Product For 2019 Release HNTB Shares Aviation Expertise at Airports@Work Conference Honeywell Unveils New Lightweight, Low-cost Router Gameco's Growth Plans Spur Hiring, Construction Scientists design spacecraft to deflect Earth-bound asteroids Gogo Business Aviation Hits Milestone with 100th Business Jet Now Flying with AVANCE L5 System BROOMFIELD, Colo., March 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- It took just six months for Gogo Business Aviation (NASDAQ: GOGO), the leading global provider of broadband connectivity products and services for aviation, to reach a major milestone with the 100th installation of a Gogo AVANCETM L5 system. The install was recently completed by Constant Aviation on an Embraer Legacy 500 for a prestigious mid-west U.S.-based flight department. More than 275 AVANCE L5 systems have been shipped with hundreds of additional systems on back order and scheduled for delivery in 2018 - highlighting how popular the system has been thus far in the business aviation marketplace. In total, Gogo expects to have approximately 500 installations of the new system by the end of 2018. AVANCE L5 systems are actively being installed at all MROs and aftermarket OEM service centers. To date, Gogo and its OEM partners and dealers have received type certificate and supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals for AVANCE L5 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) across more than 35 airframes. Gogo and its partners are securing STCs for more than 25 additional airframes in the coming months, meaning AVANCE L5 will be available for installation on more than 55 business jet platforms. "The demand for AVANCE L5 has been overwhelming," said Sergio Aguirre, president of Gogo Business Aviation. "The reports we're receiving from those who are using L5 have been extremely positive and the system is performing as expected. Our mission now is to get our product manufacturing caught up with the demand, and we're making tremendous progress on that front every day." Gogo AVANCE L5 connects to the Gogo Biz 4G network delivering faster speeds and enhanced network capacity enabling activities such as live streaming video and audio, video conferencing, on-demand movies, personal smartphone use, real-time data for cockpit apps, and remote diagnostics and support while in flight. "Flight departments, passengers and owners appreciate both the value and the enhanced inflight connectivity experience the AVANCE L5 delivers for everyone on board," said Jay Rizzo, executive vice president of strategic sales at Constant Aviation. "In addition to the installations completed thus far for Gogo, Constant Aviation has more than 50 AVANCE L5 installations scheduled before the end of 2018. We're pleased to partner with Gogo to help bring this technology to the cabin and improve the quality of air travel through a better inflight Wi-Fi experience." Constant Aviation, a premier full-service MRO with a nationwide network, has secured STCs for Gulfstream, Cessna, Embraer and Bombardier airframes. "The manufacturers, and our dealers and operators saw the value AVANCE L5 could deliver with a proven and reliable network," Aguirre continued. "We are grateful to the maintenance directors and avionics leads who offered aircraft for the STC process." Gogo AVANCE is an innovative software-centric approach that combines Gogo's advanced hardware and software technology to create a fully integrated, aviation-grade inflight connectivity and entertainment platform. The platform enables connected aviation technologies, services and applications like never before. About Gogo Business Aviation Gogo is the inflight internet company. We are the leading global provider of broadband connectivity products and services for aviation. We design and source innovative network solutions that connect aircraft to the Internet, and develop software and platforms that enable customizable solutions for and by our aviation partners. Once connected, we provide industry leading reliability around the world. Our mission is to help aviation go farther by making planes fly smarter, so our aviation partners perform better and their passengers travel happier. You can find Gogo's products and services on thousands of aircraft operated by the leading global commercial airlines and thousands of private aircraft, including those of the largest fractional ownership operators. Gogo is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., with additional facilities in Broomfield, Colo., and locations across the globe. Connect with us at business.gogoair.com. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gogo-business-aviation-hits-milestone-with-100th-business-jet-now-flying-with-avance-l5-system-300617313.html Back to Top 2018 Safety and Flight Ops Conference looks at technology-driven change The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that "Technological Progress and Safe Operations - Embracing Technology-Driven Change," will be the theme for the 2018 Safety and Flight Ops Conference. "Advances in technology have contributed to improvements in safety and operational efficiency throughout aviation's history. At the same, some of these advances have also introduced new challenges to be addressed. The Safety and Flight Ops Conference provides a forum for safety and operations experts to come together to understand and discuss the opportunities and challenges being created by aviation's latest technology advances," said Gilberto Lopez Meyer, IATA's Senior Vice President, Safety and Flight Operations. The 2018 Safety and Flight Ops Conference will take place in Montreal, Canada, 17-19 April. IATA's Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac, and Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will deliver keynote remarks. Other presenters include: *Ali Bahrami, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, FAA *Steve Creamer, Director Air Navigation Bureau, ICAO *Sara de la Rosa, UAS Program Lead, UNICEF *Steve Lee, CIO, Changi Airport Group *Eric Laliberté, Director General, Space Utilization, Canadian Space Agency *Patrick Magisson, Executive Vice President, Safety and Technical Affairs, IFALPA *Jeff Poole, Director General, CANSO *Claudio Trevisan, Head of Air Operations Department, EASA *Jorge Vargas, Executive President, COCESNA "Aviation safety is built on global standards and working together. The diverse stakeholder groups participating in this event illustrate this partnership approach, which has been so important to making aviation the safest form of long distance travel the world has ever known," said Lopez Meyer. Session tracks will cover: *Aircraft Data: Who Owns It? *UTM, ATM and Space Traffic Management *Rethinking the Way We Train Our Pilots *Technology - Optimizing Airline Operations *Regulatory Preparedness *Developing the Future Leaders of Aviation A new feature this year is the "SFO (Safety and Flight Ops) Bistro" speed networking event in which delegates will have the opportunity to visit up to five tables hosted by experts on more than a dozen subjects including fatigue management, cyber security, cabin safety and pilot training. All attendees will have the opportunity to interact, engage and contribute in this small round-table environment. The conference will also offer a number of specialized workshops on safety and operations-related subjects. https://www.eturbonews.com/180929/2018-safety-and-flight-ops-conference-looks-at-technology-driven-change Back to Top IAI starts work to develop solutions for electric-powered aircraft Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI) has commenced work on the development of green energy solutions for use in future electric-powered aircraft. The company is set to complete the conceptual design phase of the solutions as part of the effort. When developed, the solutions are expected to offer environmental benefits as well as longer ranges and endurance with fuel cost savings. Currently, electrical solutions are mainly used to power very light aircraft. However, IAI estimates that as the technology continues to advance, the electric propulsion market will expand to include short-range passenger planes and other configurations. Annual demand for electrically powered aircraft is predicted to grow by hundreds over the next ten years, including various sizes and mission profiles. IAI Engineering and Development Group vice-president Moshe Medina said: "The aviation world is about to enter a new era of electric propulsion. The significant improvement of electrical power sources for the cellular communication and electric cars may prove to have a positive effect on the reliability and efficiency of the electrical power system. "These, in turn, can make the electric aircraft 'the next big trend' in the world of aviation. Electric airplanes are greener, quieter, reliable and more economical." IAI has experience in the development of electric power systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. Over the last few years, the company has been making huge investments in the research and development of electric power systems, including engines, batteries, and energy sources. IAI is also considering potential collaborations with startup companies to collaborate in the development of electrically powered aircraft. https://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/iai-starts-work-develop-solutions-electric-powered-aircraft/ Back to Top FAA extends deadline for non-commercial aircraft receive technology authorization The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently extended the deadline U.S. Part 91 operators to receive authorization for Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), a technology that allows nonverbal communication between aircraft and air traffic control on non-emergency issues. Part 91 operators are small, non-commercial aircraft. Operators who want to take advantage of a North Atlantic Track System track will still have a deadline and will have performance-based communications and surveillance standards. The FAA said in December that current authorization would be given by March 29 to align with the International Civil Aviation Organization's mandate on communication and surveillance standards. The new FAA deadline is Sept. 30. "This is a rapidly evolving process, and already we've seen many changes making the A056 (data link) authorization easier for operators to receive," Brian Koester, National Business Aviation Association manager of operations, said. "For example, the FAA's compliance guide has been updated to allow operators to demonstrate alternative means of compliance for their aircraft to meet the TSO C-160a standard through statements of compliance from the manufacturer or showing their aircraft is equipped with VDL M2 (tunable to multiple frequencies) that includes integrated avionics that allows flight crew to automatically load uplinked messages in to the flight management system." https://transportationtodaynews.com/news/8726-faa-extends-deadline-non-commercial-aircraft-receive-technology-authorization/ Back to Top Thailand aims to become aviation hub for high-flying Asia-Pacific region Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo, Acting President of Thai Airways, discusses the phenomenal growth of the Asia-Pacific region and how Thailand can act as a major aviation hub for the region. She also speaks about the nation's tourism strategy and how Thai Airways plays an important role in promoting Thailand as a first-class tourism and business destination Rapid economic growth in the ASEAN region has been driving a surge in demand for air travel for the past two decades. Air-traffic has been steadily growing and passenger traffic is expected to triple in the Asia-Pacific region over the next two decades. How do you asses the regions potential in the aviation sector? We see tremendous growth potential in Asia Pacific. The Asia-Pacific region is now the world's single largest aviation market as well as a growing economic powerhouse, making it crucial for airlines to be a part of this market for increased growth. Growing purchasing power in emerging economy markets, increased air connectivity, more affordable travel and a relaxation of visa requirements continue to fuel tourism demand from within and outside the region. We are seeing how government agencies, investment organizations and industry power players in Thailand are pooling their resources together through public and private partnerships to create Asia's next major aviation hub. Is Thailand in position to become a full-service aerospace-hub? Thailand aims to establish an aviation centre in the near future in order to cater to the expected growth in the tourism sector. The U-Tapao International Airport Development Project is one of several important development projects in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). There will be more than the current 34-35 million visitors to Thailand each year and we believe that building the aviation hub at U-Tapao is beneficial. The project would offer attractive business opportunities for aviation partner companies and suppliers. As Thailand's central geographical location makes it highly suitable as an MRO hub while the deep sea port in Laem Chabang can accommodate transport critical for very large aircraft components. Plans are also underway to revamp U-Tapao International Airport as part of the plan to develop the Eastern Economic Corridor. The ambitious plan for a new rail system to link Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports will improve flexibility and logistical speed for MRO facilities. Thailand's ambitious goal to become an aviation hub is possible but there are two strategic areas that the country needs to improve first: infrastructure and airport facilities. But to take advantage of these opportunities, we need to increase capacity through airport expansion and improvement in the way we manage airline traffic across the country. This will allow us to more effectively manage the expected growth in aircraft traffic and become a hub for Southeast Asia. How do you asses the performance of the aviation industry in Thailand? What would you point out as Thailand's greatest strengths? Thailand enjoys a strategic location and serves as a gateway into the heart of Asia - home to what is today the largest growing economic market. This has gained a well-deserved reputation throughout the world for its gracious hospitality. Bangkok remains the most visited destination in Asia-Pacific. Inbound tourism to continue to expand due to various factors including the country's "tourism-friendly environment," and proactive marketing plans of government agencies. This year is Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018, and the goal is to bring in more quality tourists and maintain the country's traditional tourism markets. It is also intended to create higher economic value and distribute tourism income to the regional areas of the country. It will also follow the development agenda of Thailand 4.0, based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, as well as Inclusive Tourism that maintains a balance between the economy, society, and the environment. To boost the region's tourism industry, THAI works with the local travel related stakeholders such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile and Thai Air Asia to study ways to open more direct flights in the region. Stakeholder involvement is the key to successful collaboration as industry help reshape the Thai travel industry for positive growth and development. The Thai aviation industry's outlook improved after the ICAO's red-flag removal, which could foster the Thai aviation industry to grow more. The outlook for air travel markets this year remains broadly positive, although an earlier boost in demand spurred by falling oil prices is now behind us, with growth rates potentially moderating. Aside from automatic check-in kiosk, flight re-booking and document check, we're excited about our continually improving relationship with airport and travel industries stakeholders, because we cannot make the large-scale, airport-wide changes that we need to without collaboration with all of our strategic partners. We want to encourage the widespread adoption of technology to improve the passenger experience and optimize operations. How would you describe Thai Airways role as a strategically important national infrastructure asset? Thailand's economic policy, which focuses on high-tech manufacturing and expansion of trade, combined with increased foreign capital inflows, will support accelerated growth in air services. THAI as the national carrier operates under the government policy and being a part of the tourism industry to meet the country's long-term strategic development plan in order to transform Thailand's economic structure to "Thailand 4.0". This is focusing on becoming a value-based and innovation-driven economy by moving producing commodities to innovative products, emphasizing on promoting technology, creativity, and innovation in focus industries and from a production-based to a service-based economy. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development project and airport upgrades are partially a major investment in infrastructure as the part of the government's efforts to make Thailand one of the most preferred investment destination in Asia. Again the area around U-Tapao Airport is to be developed into a special aviation zone as part of a drive to open up Thailand as a regional aviation hub. The zone will benefit from a special investment promotion to woo aviation companies to Thailand. The Government plans to connect the three international airports, Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao, with a high-speed train system. A new terminal will also be opened to enable the airport to increase passenger numbers from 3 million to 15 million. This expansion is only the first of several stages. After reaching a 15 million passenger threshold under the first phase, the second phase will seek to further expand the passenger throughput to 30 million. The third stage aims to double that again to 60 million passengers by 2038. In terms of fleet modernization, what efforts are being done by Thai Airways to remain highly competitive? The fleet of aircraft is the main company asset that generates revenue for THAI. The longer the aircraft utilization, the higher aircraft maintenance costs will be. It's necessary to maintain regular maintenance for old aircraft that cannot be fully utilized. Meanwhile, new aircraft technology and innovation makes newly manufactured aircraft considerably safer and better engine management helps to minimize a company's operating costs. While commercial airline competition remains high, the trend is that there is a likelihood that the passenger fare index will remain steady or be lower. While airlines are unable to increase passengers' air fare, it is necessary to compete with lower operating costs. Therefore, in order for the company to effectively compete with other airlines, the company must acquire new aircraft types for its fleet in an effort to reduce operating costs. How is Thai Airways redefining the customer relationship and creating a world-class experience? To redefine customer relationships, THAI places great emphasis on customer service at every touch point and the connection between airlines and customers in the current global rise in digital technologies. For the millennial customer, the trend involves an increasing use of online channels and social media, for example email, Facebook, and Instagram, etc. Hence, THAI is undertaking a massive program that involves use of big data technology which could lead to expanding our loyal customer volume. Initially, we have integrated the system to all customer contact points within the service ring, in order to synchronize useful data and deliver a great travel experience to customers. In addition, we ensure that THAI strictly complies with all mandatory regulations in order to ensure flight safety and security. As the countries flagship carrier, what is Thai Airways role when it comes to promoting Thailand to an international audience as a tourism and business destination? To establish Thailand as Asia's business destination, THAI also supports the government agencies, such as TCEB (Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau) and MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions) to drive arrivals from all agencies that plan various business events and attract growing numbers of international visitors to Thailand. In 2018, we have projects to support trade shows and road shows in China, U.S.A., India, Australia and Germany. Some promotional special fares are offered plus some rewards such as complimentary tickets for familiarization trips. Furthermore, THAI has continually organized our own booths at the World's Leading Travel Trade Shows, such as ITB Berlin and WTM (World Travel Market) in London. Those marketing activities abroad are good opportunities to attract millions of international travellers who are interested in visiting Thailand both for leisure and business. As a result of promotional activities overseas, our revenues increase and the activities create brand awareness for Thai Airways International as Thailand's national flag carrier. Those are parts of THAI's efforts to promote Thailand to all international audiences as a tourism and business destination. Japan is one of Thailand's top 5 source of tourist arrivals with 1.5 million arrivals in 2017. How significant is the Japanese market to Thai Airways? How would you define the relationship within this market? Since the inaugural fight between Thailand and Japan was implemented in 1960, THAI now has 57 years of experience operating flights to Japan. Over time, Japan has become one of THAI's most important markets. We have been gradually penetrating into the market as a foreign carrier in Japan that transports passengers between the two countries. THAI has been a major contributor to bring Japanese visitors to Thailand as well as Thai visitors to Japan. There are many Japanese companies that have business establishments in Thailand and have a market presence across the country. Some famous companies such as Toyota have become quite popular in the Thai market and prove to be one of the most important power houses for the Thai economy together with its automobile-related affiliate companies. As the major contributor of transportation between Thailand and Japan, THAI has also established a strong brand with the Japanese business sector in various industries. As incremental flights between Thailand and Japan will continue to grow, together with expected improvement of economic conditions, we are certain that business opportunities for Japanese companies will also continue to grow higher for many years to come. http://www.theworldfolio.com/interviews/thailand-aims-to-become-aviation-hub-for-highflying-asiapacific-region/4498/ Back to Top France launches Man-Machine-Teaming programme to develop AI for combat aviation French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly has officially launched the 'Man-Machine-Teaming' preliminary advanced study programme (PEA MMT), which seeks to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for combat aviation of the future. The design plan for the study programme was awarded to Dassault Aviation and Thales by the French Government defence procurement and technology agency, the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA). While Dassault Aviation has been awarded the role of the lead contractor for the air combat system, Thales has been selected to serve as the co-contractor to deliver the human / system interface and sensors. The scope of the PEA MMT project includes a 'cognitive air system' concept, which is based on more autonomous functions onboard an aircraft, as well as on a man / machine relationship in which the human element is constantly maintained in the decision loop. The programme will include several French start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), laboratories and research centres specialised in AI, robotics, and new man / machine interfaces, which will work in collaboration with Dassault and Thales to ensure the development of advanced algorithms. In January this year, the new PEA MMT programme was notified to the companies by the French DGA and is slated to continue for a period of three years. The programme has been designed to focus on defining future cockpits and independent systems, improving new technologies in man / machine teaming within the cognitive air system, and enhancing concepts and technologies in the field of smart / learning sensors. https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/france-launches-man-machine-teaming-programme-develop-ai-combat-aviation/ Back to Top Aircraft Antenna Specialist Readies Product For 2019 Release Airlines continue to evaluate their connectivity options with a keen eye on cost, one element of which is the weight and drag imposed by traditional mechanical broadband antennas for satellite communication. Now QEST, a German company that concentrates solely on aircraft antennas, expects that its new, flat phased-array electronically steerable antenna will be ready for the market by early next year. In an interview at the Satellite 2018 show in Washington March 12, Chief Technical Officer Joerg Oppenlaender stressed that his firm designed the ESA only for aviation, with a focus on building performance and efficiency into the device. That means working within very tight size, weight and power limits and meeting high standards for performance under difficult aviation conditions. The QEST device will be able to handle Ku, K and Ka bands, Oppenlaender says. The CTO says QEST got size and weight down so dramatically by designing an extremely efficient antenna just for aviation His ESA radiates 80% of input power, versus 30% for one competitive ESA. QEST has about 2,000 mechanical antennas already flying, and mean time between failures so far has been about one million flight hours. Oppenlaender says he is targeting a 100,000 MTBF for his ESA. "We could get it higher, but customers want more performance, which makes it more complex, so with a higher MTBF." The QEST ESA is flat and small, which means it will not work well near trans-polar routes, until low-earth orbiting constellations are in place, possibly in five years. But QEST believes other antennas, like traditional mechanically steered models, will continue to be used on widebodies that fly these routes. http://www.mro-network.com/technology/aircraft-antenna-specialist-readies-product-2019-release Back to Top HNTB Shares Aviation Expertise at Airports@Work Conference ACI-NA's Airports@Work Conference brings together the most complex facets of airport operations - safety, security, environment, technology, and technical affairs - for a collaborative discussion about today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities. Peter Aarons, HNTBassociate vice president and WED aviation director, moderated a Business InfoTech Committee panel on "Terminal Projects and Integration with Technology." Aarons is currently serving a 3-year term on the BIT Leadership team for this ACI-NA Committee. Greg Albjerg, HNTB vice president and national aviation planning practice leader, presented an informative case study on "Managing Airport Operations During Construction-Bringing Airports, Contractors, Airlines, and the Regulators Together." Albjerg is serving a 2-year leadership term on the Operations and Technical Affairs group. From strategies to develop sustainable business models to ensuring the highest levels of security, conferences like this offer airport professionals a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes work of airport operations. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12403849/hntb-shares-aviation-expertise-at-aci-nas-airportswork-conference-in-new-orleans Back to Top Honeywell Unveils New Lightweight, Low-cost Router Honeywell Aerospace is bringing to market a new lightweight, onboard router that the manufacturer says will be offered at a fraction of the cost, will take less space, and consume far less power than existing routers. To reach market in May, the new GoDirect Router is estimated to be half the size and weight of traditional products and one-third the price. In addition, it will use about 30 percent of the power of existing systems, the company estimated. The GoDirect router also comes with built-in security software that provides security from laptops and other connected systems brought on board, both on the ground and while the aircraft is in the air. This threat protection software, also to be available in May, further will be offered as an upgrade option on legacy Honeywell routers. The new router is designed to lower one of the major barriers to connectivity on airplanes, said John Peterson, senior director, Connectivity Services, Honeywell Aerospace. Since rolling out its GoDirect suite of connectivity services in 2016, Honeywell has experienced about 300 percent growth in subscriptions, Peterson said. But it also has received substantial feedback from operators about the size and costs of onboard routers. "The barrier to entry has been really high," he said, saying operators asked, "Why is it so expensive to put routers on the airplane; why does it take so long; and why do we have to take cabins apart to rewire them? Everything that [has been provided] is too big, too heavy, too hot, and consumes too much power." Peterson said, "We realized, we have an opportunity...to bring a completely disruptive product to the aerospace market." The new router is designed for ease of installation. For aircraft with older, legacy systems, the new router will simply plug into the same location, a swap that should take about 30 minutes, Peterson said. The router can be installed anywhere on the airplane. Multiple routers can be installed without needing extensive wiring throughout the airplane and at the same cost or less of a single legacy router. Installing multiple routers can provide redundancy, with a Wi-Fi backup. Peterson, who likened the router to using a new lightweight tablet rather than a decade-old laptop, noted that most routers on the market today were designed about a decade ago. But technology since then "has changed so dramatically," he said, noting that the market now demands distributed processing where tablets, mobile phones, and laptops all can interact with the same system, along with streaming services. The router provides all these capabilities and access to Honeywell's GoDirect software and services as on Honeywell's larger CNX-900, the company added. Honeywell first is certifying the system on its Bombardier Challenger 300, but has a number of installation and certification projects planned for the next few months, Peterson added. Honeywell's goal is to have the system certified on most Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream aircraft in the first half of the year, he said. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-03-20/honeywell-unveils-new-lightweight-low-cost-router Back to Top Gameco's Growth Plans Spur Hiring, Construction HANOI - Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co. (Gameco) is looking to dramatically expand its workforce and hangar facilities to meet growing demand from its part-owner China Southern and other customers. The company will need to add up to 280 employees this year just to meet expected staff turnover of 5-6%, said Gameco General Manager Norbert Marx during Aviation Week's MRO East Asia conference. It also wants to bring in another 500 to account for growth, meaning a total hiring target of almost 800 workers this year. Meeting a rising need for staff is a challenge for the aviation sector in many countries, and China is no different. Marx estimates that demand for MRO labor in China- as measured in total hours - is expected to grow by 11.5% a year. However, the actual growth rate is only at 8%. This represents "a gap that has to be addressed," Marx said. Regarding facilities, Gameco intends to construct a third hangar at its Guangzhou base. This will be capable of handling six widebodies and 4-6 narrowbodies, Marx said. When it opens, it will lift Gameco's overall heavy maintenance capacity to about 30 aircraft. The company has received board approval for the project, and now must obtain the multiple government approvals required. After that it will go through a public bidding process. Construction is likely to begin at the end of this year or early in 2019, said Marx. Entry into service could occur either in late 2020 or early 2021. Gameco also has other development projects underway, including a new composite repair facility and a component center. The company is in the final stages of completing the land transfer process for the site where these two facilities will be built. Construction on these is expected to start at the end of this year. China Southern is Gameco's main customer, with third-party work making up the remaining 35% of its business. Marx wants to grow the third-party share, but this will be challenging due to "the very steep trajectory" of China Southern's fleet expansion. Gameco is also looking to expand its presence overseas. This month it began performing line maintenance work in New Zealand, and hopes to do the same in Australia soon. It will initially work on China Southern aircraft in these countries, but could extend this to cover other Chinese carriers, Marx said. http://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/gameco-s-growth-plans-spur-hiring-construction Back to Top Scientists design spacecraft to deflect Earth-bound asteroids Scientists from Nasa have conducted a study to design a conceptual spacecraft to blow up asteroids that could destroy Earth. US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists also collaborated with Nasa on the study. The study also examined the ability of the spacecraft to nudge the 101955 Bennu asteroid. The Hypervelocity Asteroid Mitigation Mission for Emergency Response vehicle (HAMMER) spacecraft will be 9m-tall and weigh 8.8t. It has a modular design to enable it to act either as a kinetic impactor, essentially a battering ram, or as a transport vehicle for a nuclear device. The spacecraft could be used to deflect 101955 Bennu, which has a possibility to hit Earth in September 2135. It would have an impact equivalent to 1,200t, which is 80,000 times the energy of the Hiroshima bomb. Weighing approximately 79 billion kilograms with a 500m diameter, the asteroid is currently moving around the sun at more than 63,000mph. LLNL physicist and the study paper coauthor Kirsten Howley said: "The chance of an impact appears slim now, but the consequences would be dire. "This study aims to help us shorten the response timeline when we do see a clear and present danger so we can have more options to deflect it. The ultimate goal is to be ready to protect life on Earth." According to the researchers, it would require a minimum of 7.4 years to deliver a mission to deflect Bennu and cause a greater change in speed and trajectory of the asteroid. Howley further added: "The push you need to give it is very small if you deflect the asteroid 50 years out. "But that far out, you're likely to think the percentage of being hit would be 1%. The probability of a Bennu impact may be one in 2,700 today, but that will almost certainly change, for better or worse, as we gather more data about its orbit." Nasa's Center for Near Earth Object Studies has recorded the discovery of more than 2,500 near-Earth objects that are potentially as large as Bennu. http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/scientists-design-spacecraft-deflect-earth-bound-asteroids/ Curt Lewis