Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
LONDON — The head of the U.K. Military Aviation Authority (MAA) has expressed concerns over a lack of suitably qualified and experienced personnel across the U.K. military aviation community.
January’s news that BAE Systems Regional (BAESR) used additive layer manufacturing—better known as 3-D printing—to make an out-of-production spare part for its Avro RJ line turned a few heads. In commercial aftermarket circles, however, it is the company’s work in a similar area—producing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-certified independent replacement parts—that is even more notable.
Airbus Helicopters and its Chinese partner Avicopter have signed an agreement for the production of up to 1,000 EC175/AC352 helicopters over the next 20 years. Airbus Helicopters – formerly Eurocopter – began joint development work on the EC175, which is designated AC352 or Z-15 in China, in 2005. Avicopter produces the airframe, with Airbus providing most of the aircraft’s dynamic components. Final assembly takes place on two separate production lines in France and China.
