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First Two S-92 Helicopters Go Into Service
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., has delivered two S-92 helicopters to airlift services provider AAR Corp., for operations in Afghanistan. AAR will perform passenger and cargo lift missions on behalf of the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), a government agency that provides transportation for the Department of Defense.

Both aircraft are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to simultaneously carry both passengers and cargo in the same cabin space.

“Deployment to Afghanistan is a tremendous opportunity for AAR and the U.S. Government to see what the multi-mission S-92 aircraft is capable of in some very challenging flight conditions at high altitude,” says Ed Beyer, vice president for Sikorsky Global Helicopters. “The unique interior configuration of these two aircraft will give AAR greater mission flexibility to perform its utility and transport missions.” sikorsky.com

Chromalloy’s $5 Million Facility in Tampa, FL
Chromalloy officials and employees broke ground on a $5 million ceramic core production facility in Tampa, FL. The new 40,000ft² production facility will be built adjacent to the company’s newly operational industrial investment foundry.

“This is an important day for Chromalloy, Tampa Bay, and the State of Florida,” says Armand F. Lauzon, Jr., president, Chromalloy. “We are pleased to be a vital member of the community with a new world-class foundry – and a companion core production facility that will help us better serve our customers worldwide.”

In addition, the company’s new 150,000ft² investment casting foundry in Tampa – Chromalloy Castings – was unveiled in December 2010 and is fully online. The foundry expanded the company’s casting capability to pour up to one million pounds of superalloy turbine components and parts for aerospace, aero-derivative, and industrial gas turbine engines. chromalloy.com

Boeing Delivers First Next-Generation 737-800 Featuring Innovative Sky Interior to Air China
Air China has received delivery of Boeings first Next-Generation 737-800 with the innovative Boeing Sky Interior. With this new addition in its fleet, Air China has become the first Chinese airline to operate the 737-800 with the Boeing Sky Interior, offering passengers an enhanced onboard experience with larger stowage bins and sculpted sidewalls, LED lighting system with cove lighting and curved architecture, and more intuitive passenger service units.

Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of improvements to the Next-Generation 737. The next to come will be a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2% – making the airplane a full 7% more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered. The performance improvements to the airframe and engine are in certification test, and will be phased into production between mid-2011 and early 2012. boeing.com