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DAI And HAV To
Launch A Commercial Heavy Lift Air Vehicle Program By Bill Goldston |
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August 31, 2011 - Discovery Air Innovations Inc. (DAI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc. and Hybrid Air Vehicles Limited (HAV) have entered into a commercial agreement which identifies DAI as the launch customer for HAV’s Commercial Heavy Lift program.
HAV is a pioneer and world leader in the design,
manufacture and support of innovative lighter-than-air
aircraft products, known as Hybrid Air Vehicles. Under the agreement, HAV grants DAI multiple aircraft delivery options and, subject to successful completion of final design and commercial terms, both companies anticipate conclusion of a definitive purchase agreement in 2012, followed by production and delivery of the first operational heavy lift hybrid air vehicles in 2014. |
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Founded in
2004, Discovery Air Inc. is a specialty aviation services
company operating across Canada and in select locations
internationally. With over 130 aircraft, it is one of the
largest air operators in Canada, employing more than 600 flight
crew, maintainers and support staff to deliver a variety of air
transport, maintenance and logistics solutions to its
government, airline and business customers.
DAI is in
the process of securing lead customers with a need for
heavy-lift capability to optimize their logistics solutions into
remote areas in the 2014 timeframe. The helium-filled hull
creates aerodynamic lift, which when combined with vectored
thrust engines enables vertical takeoff / landing (VTOL), as
well as precision hover.
The
hovercraft landing system, with “suck down” capability, allows
for multi-surface operation and load transfer on land, water,
ice and snow, while roll-on-roll-off cargo load capability
facilitates heavy load operations. The aircraft will carry a
payload of 50 tonnes delivering cargo point to point, without
the need for a runway. The ability to load, launch, and land
from gravel airstrips, water, snow or ice surfaces with no
preparation or specialist handling equipment saves time and
investment in infrastructure.
“Hybrid
Air Vehicles will dramatically improve existing supply chains
for large industrial projects in hard to reach places and enable
economic development where it was previously not viable”, said
Paul Bouchard, President of DAI. “We are extremely pleased to
partner with a company like Hybrid Air Vehicles to deliver this
revolutionary product to the market. HAV has re-examined the
basic principles behind lighter-than-air science and applied
modern technology and materials to this 100 year old concept.” |