089 - Aircraft for the future traveller
089 - New aircraft, technology & travelling style for passengers at the 2008 Singapore Air Show. By Matthew Holden.
We find out for you the latest technological changes for the travelling public in the years to come from Airbus and Boeing at Singapore Airshow 2008 The Singapore Air Force F16 Black Knights aerobatics team thrill the crowd And we bring you more great PodSafe music!
| Airbus A380 | Boeing 787 Dreamliner |
 |
|
Visit the aircraft manufacturers websites here :
Scene or Section - Time it starts
Introduction & Opening by PM -0:00:00
Weekly message -0:02:13
A380 v B787 - 0:03:30
Podsafe music - 0:14:00
Very Light Jets - 0:17:30
Conclusion & close - 0:23:20
Singapore Air Show 2008: 2008 saw Singapore hosting the Asia regions most prestigious air show and over US$13 billion of sales orders were taken during the weeklong event.
This airshow is the first at the newly constructed, purpose built air show site at Changi Exhibition Centre; next to Changi International Airport.
Cost to develop this structure - which is all built on reclaimed land - was S$90 million and sponsored by the Singapore Economic Development Board.
There are three main areas; 40,000 sq meter fully air conditioned exhibition hall; Static aircraft park next to the exhibition hall and 100 private business/hospitality chalets.
Airbus S.A.S: Airbus had a significant pressence 
at the Singapore Air Show. Their star attraction was the A380 of which Singapore Airlines have received two and are expecting further deliveries in 1H 2008.
PodAsia spoke with Colin Evans - Technical Marketing Director from France about the significant differences of the A380 and its impact on the environment.
The Boeing Company: Randy Tinseth, Vice President of Marketing from Boeing in Seattle Washington invites PodAsia Traveller to the Boeing booth where we have a great discussion about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and comparison of the A380 v 747.
The 787 Dreamliner has three versions offered with long haul aircraft for the 14,000km (8,000 miles) and a shorter haul 4,600km (2,500 mile) version.
Passengers will also see improvements with the new airplane, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience. Expect to see the Dreamliner enter into service 1H 2009.
Black Knights of the RSAF contribute to the show. Members from the Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights form the aerobatic display team of the Republic and fly appropriately painted red and white (the country colours of Singapore) F-16s.
The six pilots, all dressed in black Nomex flight and compression suits come from the three F-16 squadrons of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) resident on the island (a fourth squadron resides in the U.S. for training). They fly the Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52 and boast a collective 6,500 hours in the type.
A thrilling airshow was devised by the Black Knights that took advantage 
of the small flight area around Changi, Malaysia and Indonesian air space with low level flying, fast ascents to 10,000 feet and a number of different maneuvers.
Team leader Lt. Cmdr. Leng Wai Mun, Major Tay Kok Ann, Lt. Col Philip Chionh, Maj Jeffrey Nah, Captains Augustine Wan and Lester John Fair.
Very Light Jet Aircraft: A very light jet (VLJ) were generally previously known as "microjets" and a small jet aircraft approved for single-pilot operation, can seat 4-8 people, with a maximum take-off weight of under 10,000 pounds (4,540 kg). They are lighter than what is commonly termed business jets and cost between US$1.2m (Epic Victory) and US$3.295m (Citation Mustang).
The only two aircraft currently approved by the US FAA and able to be delivered are Cessna Citation Mustang and Eclipse Aviation Eclipse 500.
This week we interview Mr Michael McConnell - Vice President Sales and Marketing - from Eclipse Aviation.
Eclipse Aviation manufacture the Eclipse 500 which is a 3-5 seat VLJ aircraft and is one of the leading producers within the category.
Whereas Adam Aircraft have filed for bankruptcy, Eclipse is now navigating the challenging skies of manufacturing and being in the capital intensive aviation Industry.
So far, it looks good. Eclipse have announced a US$100m+ equity injection into the business by European Technology and Investment Research Centre and such a financial partner will, no doubt, enable Eclipse to tap into new markets.
We also asked Cessna to share and be with us on the program with but they declined to comment.
Listing of Very Light Jet (VLJ) manufacturers and resources:
Adam Aircraft — Denver, Colorado, USA - On February 15, 2008 Adam Aircraft Industries, Inc. filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the U.S. bankruptcy code. The case number is 08-11751.
Aircraft Investor Resources — Epic is a trademark of Aircraft Investor Resources, LLC. Epic Aircraft is located in Bend, Oregon, USA.
Aviation Technology Group — Englewood, Colorado, USA based Aviation Technology Group is the manufacturer of the Javelin Executive Jet (Mk-10). It also manufactures the Javelin Mk-20 Military Trainer.
Cessna Aircraft Company — Wichita, KS, USA based Cessna Aircraft Company is the manufacturer of the Citation Mustang. The Citation Mustang is fully certified.
Cirrus Design Corporation — Duluth, Minnesota, USA based Cirrus Design has been developing the Cirrus Jet. Cirrus Design chooses to not release more details at this point but promises that the Cirrus personal jet will be the brilliant execution of ingenious design.
Comp Air — Merritt Island, FL, USA based Comp Air LLC., manufactures kits for a complete family of all-composite kit-built airplanes, ranging in size from 2 to 11 seats, powered by engines from 65 to 1,800 hp, with cruise speeds ranging from 75 mph to 400 mph TAS. Comp Air is the manufacturer of the Comp Air Jet.
Diamond Aircraft Industries — From facilities in London, Ontario, Canada and Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Diamond produces single and twin-engine propeller aircraft and a single-engine jet aircraft. Diamond Aircraft is the manufacturer of the D-Jet, the five-place single-engine VLJ (very light jet).
Eclipse Aviation Corporation — The manufacturer of new-generation small jet aircraft Eclipse 500, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Vern Raburn is President and CEO.
Embraer – So Jos dos Campos, Brazil based Embraer is the manufacturer of the Phenom 100 which is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW 617F engine.
Eviation Jets — Ames, IA, USA based Eviation Jets is the manufacturer of the Eviation EV-20 Vantage Jet which is powered by Williams International’s FJ44-1AP turbofan engines. The team is developing the first production model EV-20 to be used for final flight-testing, certification, and customer shipment in Brazil.
Excel-Jet — Monument, CO, USA based Excel-Jet is the manufacturer of the Sport-Jet. Excel-Jet’s new Sport-Jet is a single engine cabin class 4-place personal jet aircraft aimed at the general aviation pilot. Its single engine is a Williams FJ-33 producing 1,500 pounds of thrust, giving Sport-Jet spirited performance with 2,500 fpm climbs.
GE Honda Aero Engines – Cincinnati, Ohio, USA based GE Honda Aero Engines is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aviation and Honda Aero, Inc and was formed in October 2004 to design, manufacture, sell, and support a family of innovative engines in the 1000 to 3500 pound thrust class for the business aviation industry. The HF120 turbofan engine will be the first product from GE Honda Aero Engines after completing a rigorous testing and maturation program. The HF120’s launch customers include Spectrum Aeronautical’s Freedom and Honda Aircraft’s HondaJet.
Honda Aircraft Company — Honda Aircraft Company was established to develop, produce and sell HondaJet. It’s a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Aircraft Company is based at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.A. HondaJet is powered by GE-Honda HF120 engine.
Maverick Jets — Maverick Jets is the manufacturer of the SoloJET which is powered by the Pratt & Whitney JT-15-5 and the SmartJET, a cost effective jet in its class, as well as the CruiserJET. It also manufactures the SeaJET and Maverick Military, an inexpensive virtual military training aircraft, or primary obsevation/patrol platfom. Its corporate headquarters is located in Jackson, Wyoming and marketing headquarters is in Broomfield/Denver, Colorado, USA.
Pratt & Whitney Canada — Based in Longueuil, Quebec, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is a world leader in aviation engines powering business, general aviation, and regional aircraft and helicopters. Its new PW600 family of engines, designed to provide the best possible combination of flexibility, speed, safety and economical operation for the next generation of very light jets (VLJs). The Eclipse 500 aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines.
Spectrum Aeronautical — Cardiff by the Sea, CA, USA based Spectrum Aeronautical is the manufacturer of the Spectrum Independence S-33. It is also developing its second model, a new mid-size business aircraft called the Spectrum Freedom S-40 that will be powered by the GE Honda HF120 turbofan engine.
The New Piper Aircraft — Vero Beach, FL, USA based The New Piper Aircraft is the manufacturer of the PiperJet. The PiperJets clean sheet design incorporates single-engine turbine power for optimum cost efficiency, state-of-the-art safety measures, and a strong, smooth all-metal body.
Williams International — Walled Lake, Michigan, USA based Williams International is the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of small gas turbine engines. It also has a second facility, located in Ogden, Utah.
MUSIC PROMOTION: PodAsia supports and promotes impendent artists. Music in this episode is from the podsafemusicnetwork.com. Hear Canadian artist Paula Toledo and her song "Pride".
PodAsia reviewers say "Paula has an excellent vocal range and puts such passion and soul into her music. She should go far."
