NCsoft's prodigal son has returned, and with him the hopes and dreams of the future of gaming. Well that might be a smidge melodramatic, but fans of the company's games certainly have a good reason to celebrate today as former Lineage II artist Juno Jeong has come back to the fold.
Jeong signed back on with NCsoft as of yesterday to be the art director of an unknown MMO project. This is a marked step up from his previous role in the company as a member of the character production team, and those who know Jeong's art style are already expressing excitement with his current role. Following his stint on Lineage II, Jeong worked for several other game companies including Gravity, NHN, and Npluto.
While speculation is swirling over the exact nature of the project to which he's been assigned, the most common assumptions are either that he's working on another Lineage or Aion title.
2011年12月14日星期三
Painting stirs imagination
Unsigned art created by a small South Tampa company with an unassuming name graces many area homes, restaurants and local schools as well as the Glazer Children's Museum and Central Florida's newest theme park, Legoland.
Splat Paint creations prove the small staff does much more than paint some neat work — all without splat.
Detailed murals, custom artistic finishes, decorative metal work, hand-embossed tiles, Venetian plaster, concrete sculptures, gold-leafing and more are on the company's creative palette.
"That's why we've been lucky in this economy — we do everything," said Jeff Monsein, founder of the South Tampa-based company.
Splat Paint works with the Tampa Bay area's major architects, builders, and landscapers; but in the past the creative team has worked in South Florida, Maryland, California, even Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
That Mexican project consumed three weeks and posed unique problems that arose early in the journey.
Unknown to Monsein, Transportation Security Administration agents at Tampa International Airport confiscated all the liquid tints he packed in a trunk of art supplies for the job south of the border.
The loss of the tinting for glaze in the 10-bedroom vacation mansion of a Tampa client left little choice but to seek higher-priced substitutes in the Mexican coastal resort.
"I'm using my best Spanglish possible to try and negotiate with the locals to get enough materials to get the job done," said Monsein, finally able to laugh at the perplexing predicament six years ago.
Most jobs are closer to Monsein's New Suburb Beautiful studio. The company created murals in the media center, cafeteria and teachers' lounge at South Tampa's Woodrow Wilson Middle School and did all murals at Glazer Children's Museum.
The team used 20,000 small pieces of tile to create a 7-foot-high pirate mosaic outside the museum entrance, part of the nonprofit artLOUD project to place more sculpture downtown. Splat's interactive colorful mosaic is designed so visitors can pose behind it — their faces poking through the appropriate openings atop the swashbucklers' bodies.
At Tampa General Hospital, Splat Paint's unique mural in the Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit depicts children seemingly swimming along the 20-foot diameter ceiling.
"We painted the ceiling as if you were looking up through the ocean and saw children floating and playing in the water," Monsein said.
The mural extends to the floor via a large pillar painted like a tubular aquarium with a coral reef, colorful fish and more swimming children. The image of a curious young observer on the outside looking in completes the aquatic design.
Months before Legoland's October opening, the Splat team was working on an arcade building at the Polk County theme park, where they applied colored cement to create a look of old plaster and exposed wood.
"It was a really difficult job," working all day in full sun for two weeks, said Monsein. Additionally, the team was required to wear long pants, safety vests and hardhats in the 95-degree heat. "It was miserable."
Monsein was not always a suffering artist. For two decades he owned and operated employment agencies and trade schools in Tampa, all in the auto/diesel mechanics and truck-driver training field. When he sold the businesses he was retired — briefly. In 1990, he likes to say, he "traded diesels for easels," informing his wife, "I'm going to start painting."
He launched the one-man company by distributing door-hanger ads to 100 houses in his New Suburb Beautiful neighborhood. It triggered some jobs. "I had to learn very quickly," he concedes. "I had no art education whatsoever, but I'm pretty crazy about reading and practicing" constantly until able to do whatever the job requires, he said.
To help with the growing workload, two school-trained artists joined Monsein a half-dozen years ago, Kristen Alatorre and Timothy Innamorato. Other local artists help with large projects. Most jobs, including the third philanthropic project Splat recently completed at Alpha House Tampa, begin with the proposed design superimposed on a photo of the area where the design or mural will be painted. "It pretty much shows what you're going to get," Monsein said.
Usually the client has a theme in mind, "and we come up with a creative plan. Most of our clients give us some poetic license to create," Monsein said.
For the Alpha House patio walls, the team proposed a tropical theme and, following approval of a design of hibiscus and tropical leaves, created stencils to facilitate applying those images in colors selected by the client.
"We don't have a particular style," Monsein said. For example, a western-theme mural requested by a client will be unique, unrecognizable as a Splat Paint creation, he said.
The company itself was somewhat anonymous in its early days.
"Originally, there was no name, but I used the Splat logo," Monsein said. "My last name is totally not memorable," so he didn't want to identify the company that way. "Splat is really easy to spell and it's really memorable," he said.
Splat Paint creations prove the small staff does much more than paint some neat work — all without splat.
Detailed murals, custom artistic finishes, decorative metal work, hand-embossed tiles, Venetian plaster, concrete sculptures, gold-leafing and more are on the company's creative palette.
"That's why we've been lucky in this economy — we do everything," said Jeff Monsein, founder of the South Tampa-based company.
Splat Paint works with the Tampa Bay area's major architects, builders, and landscapers; but in the past the creative team has worked in South Florida, Maryland, California, even Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
That Mexican project consumed three weeks and posed unique problems that arose early in the journey.
Unknown to Monsein, Transportation Security Administration agents at Tampa International Airport confiscated all the liquid tints he packed in a trunk of art supplies for the job south of the border.
The loss of the tinting for glaze in the 10-bedroom vacation mansion of a Tampa client left little choice but to seek higher-priced substitutes in the Mexican coastal resort.
"I'm using my best Spanglish possible to try and negotiate with the locals to get enough materials to get the job done," said Monsein, finally able to laugh at the perplexing predicament six years ago.
Most jobs are closer to Monsein's New Suburb Beautiful studio. The company created murals in the media center, cafeteria and teachers' lounge at South Tampa's Woodrow Wilson Middle School and did all murals at Glazer Children's Museum.
The team used 20,000 small pieces of tile to create a 7-foot-high pirate mosaic outside the museum entrance, part of the nonprofit artLOUD project to place more sculpture downtown. Splat's interactive colorful mosaic is designed so visitors can pose behind it — their faces poking through the appropriate openings atop the swashbucklers' bodies.
At Tampa General Hospital, Splat Paint's unique mural in the Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit depicts children seemingly swimming along the 20-foot diameter ceiling.
"We painted the ceiling as if you were looking up through the ocean and saw children floating and playing in the water," Monsein said.
The mural extends to the floor via a large pillar painted like a tubular aquarium with a coral reef, colorful fish and more swimming children. The image of a curious young observer on the outside looking in completes the aquatic design.
Months before Legoland's October opening, the Splat team was working on an arcade building at the Polk County theme park, where they applied colored cement to create a look of old plaster and exposed wood.
"It was a really difficult job," working all day in full sun for two weeks, said Monsein. Additionally, the team was required to wear long pants, safety vests and hardhats in the 95-degree heat. "It was miserable."
Monsein was not always a suffering artist. For two decades he owned and operated employment agencies and trade schools in Tampa, all in the auto/diesel mechanics and truck-driver training field. When he sold the businesses he was retired — briefly. In 1990, he likes to say, he "traded diesels for easels," informing his wife, "I'm going to start painting."
He launched the one-man company by distributing door-hanger ads to 100 houses in his New Suburb Beautiful neighborhood. It triggered some jobs. "I had to learn very quickly," he concedes. "I had no art education whatsoever, but I'm pretty crazy about reading and practicing" constantly until able to do whatever the job requires, he said.
To help with the growing workload, two school-trained artists joined Monsein a half-dozen years ago, Kristen Alatorre and Timothy Innamorato. Other local artists help with large projects. Most jobs, including the third philanthropic project Splat recently completed at Alpha House Tampa, begin with the proposed design superimposed on a photo of the area where the design or mural will be painted. "It pretty much shows what you're going to get," Monsein said.
Usually the client has a theme in mind, "and we come up with a creative plan. Most of our clients give us some poetic license to create," Monsein said.
For the Alpha House patio walls, the team proposed a tropical theme and, following approval of a design of hibiscus and tropical leaves, created stencils to facilitate applying those images in colors selected by the client.
"We don't have a particular style," Monsein said. For example, a western-theme mural requested by a client will be unique, unrecognizable as a Splat Paint creation, he said.
The company itself was somewhat anonymous in its early days.
"Originally, there was no name, but I used the Splat logo," Monsein said. "My last name is totally not memorable," so he didn't want to identify the company that way. "Splat is really easy to spell and it's really memorable," he said.
2011年11月10日星期四
New Garden State Plaza Manager Has Jersey Roots
Deborah Mattes has managed four malls for Westfield, most of them in the Chicago area.
But none of them compare to her fifth mall, the Garden State Plaza, Westfield's largest U.S. shopping center, where Mattes was named senior general manager in September.
Mattes says she's ready for the challenge, and is even looking forward to Black Friday, when shoppers from miles away make a pilgrimage to Paramus to start their Christmas shopping.
"I'm looking forward to that energy and seeing the holiday season kick off that way," Mattes said.
Her move to New Jersey is in some ways a return home. Though Mattes grew up in the Chicago area, she was born in the Garden State and has some family in the area.
She's still getting used to the traffic, but the October snow was probably a familiar sight.
Her leadership isn't the only change at the Garden State Plaza. Mattes said the mall is sprucing up in advance of the holiday season, with new furniture and plantings.
The mall is redoing the pedestrian crosswalks from the outer ring road to the interior of the mall lot and is working to reroute the ring road to improve traffic flow. The mall also added floor space on the upper level, and customers can expect improved lighting both inside and outside.
The Planning Board recently approved a new parking guidance system for one of the mall's parking decks that will tell customers where and how much parking is available within.
Mattes said that despite the slow economy the mall is making its way back to the highs of 2007, when the mall made a reported $358.6 million in retail sales on the year, according to Westfield's annual reports. That number dipped to $308.5 million in 2009, but climbed back to $344.1 million last year.
The mall has seen an increase in spending from luxury customers and gotten more visitors from New York City, just 8 miles away, Mattes said.
Mattes said she tries to cultivate relationships with each store manager in the mall, communicating about any issues and working together on marketing strategies. The collaboration helps drive sales and traffic, she said.
The Garden State Plaza has a broad appeal that made it less vulnerable to the downturn than other businesses, Mattes said.
"You really have enough of an offering that appeals to everybody," she said.
The Garden State Plaza is about to increase those offerings with several new stores like C Wonder, a women's fashion accessory boutique; Aroma Espresso Bar, an Israel-based chain; Skagen Design, a designer of high-end watches; Naanoosh Mediterranean Grill, a fast-casual restaurant; and many others.
"I'm really excited," Mattes said. "It's a big honor to be running the Garden State Plaza, so I'm just thrilled that Westfield chose me to do that."
But none of them compare to her fifth mall, the Garden State Plaza, Westfield's largest U.S. shopping center, where Mattes was named senior general manager in September.
Mattes says she's ready for the challenge, and is even looking forward to Black Friday, when shoppers from miles away make a pilgrimage to Paramus to start their Christmas shopping.
"I'm looking forward to that energy and seeing the holiday season kick off that way," Mattes said.
Her move to New Jersey is in some ways a return home. Though Mattes grew up in the Chicago area, she was born in the Garden State and has some family in the area.
She's still getting used to the traffic, but the October snow was probably a familiar sight.
Her leadership isn't the only change at the Garden State Plaza. Mattes said the mall is sprucing up in advance of the holiday season, with new furniture and plantings.
The mall is redoing the pedestrian crosswalks from the outer ring road to the interior of the mall lot and is working to reroute the ring road to improve traffic flow. The mall also added floor space on the upper level, and customers can expect improved lighting both inside and outside.
The Planning Board recently approved a new parking guidance system for one of the mall's parking decks that will tell customers where and how much parking is available within.
Mattes said that despite the slow economy the mall is making its way back to the highs of 2007, when the mall made a reported $358.6 million in retail sales on the year, according to Westfield's annual reports. That number dipped to $308.5 million in 2009, but climbed back to $344.1 million last year.
The mall has seen an increase in spending from luxury customers and gotten more visitors from New York City, just 8 miles away, Mattes said.
Mattes said she tries to cultivate relationships with each store manager in the mall, communicating about any issues and working together on marketing strategies. The collaboration helps drive sales and traffic, she said.
The Garden State Plaza has a broad appeal that made it less vulnerable to the downturn than other businesses, Mattes said.
"You really have enough of an offering that appeals to everybody," she said.
The Garden State Plaza is about to increase those offerings with several new stores like C Wonder, a women's fashion accessory boutique; Aroma Espresso Bar, an Israel-based chain; Skagen Design, a designer of high-end watches; Naanoosh Mediterranean Grill, a fast-casual restaurant; and many others.
"I'm really excited," Mattes said. "It's a big honor to be running the Garden State Plaza, so I'm just thrilled that Westfield chose me to do that."
2011年11月1日星期二
EPA Planning Approach to improve water quality in U.S. cities.
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a commitment to using an integrated planning process to help local governments dealing with difficult financial conditions identify opportunities to achieve clean water by controlling and managing releases of wastewater and stormwater runoff more efficiently and cost effectively. The integrated planning process, outlined in a guidance memo to EPA's regional offices from EPA's Office of Water and Office of Enforcement and Compliance, will help municipalities prioritize infrastructure investments to address the most serious water quality issues and provide flexibility to use innovative, cost-effective stormwater and wastewater management solutions.
"EPA is firmly committed to helping local governments identify opportunities to achieve clean water using a comprehensive integrated planning approach," EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe said. "An integrated approach allows communities to prioritize their investments to address the most serious water issues first and provides flexibility to use innovative, cost-effective storm- and wastewater management solutions - including green infrastructure."
Aging sewer systems, not designed to handle heavy rain and snowfall in addition to handling the wastewater from growing populations and local industries, can overflow, releasing untreated sewage into waterways, onto city streets or into the basements of homes. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces, including paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants. Overflows and stormwater can carry a variety of harmful pollutants, including bacteria, metals and nutrients that threaten communities' water quality and can contribute to disease outbreaks, beach and shellfish bed closings, flooding, and fishing or swimming advisories.
To better protect water quality, EPA will work with local governments to review the Clean Water Act requirements that each municipality must comply with and look for opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions developed to meet those obligations. This integrated approach will identify efficiencies where more than one water quality issue can be addressed by the same solution and where competing requirements may exist, including how to best make capital investments and meet operation and maintenance requirements.
Integrated planning approaches can also have other benefits, like leading to the identification of innovative, sustainable solutions that improve water quality and enhance community vitality. Green infrastructure, such as green roofs, rain gardens, planter boxes, and permeable pavement, is an example of an integrated solution that can reduce, capture, and treat stormwater runoff at its source before it can reach the sewer system. Green infrastructure provides a cost effective way to reduce overflows and add green space in communities.
"EPA is firmly committed to helping local governments identify opportunities to achieve clean water using a comprehensive integrated planning approach," EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe said. "An integrated approach allows communities to prioritize their investments to address the most serious water issues first and provides flexibility to use innovative, cost-effective storm- and wastewater management solutions - including green infrastructure."
Aging sewer systems, not designed to handle heavy rain and snowfall in addition to handling the wastewater from growing populations and local industries, can overflow, releasing untreated sewage into waterways, onto city streets or into the basements of homes. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces, including paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants. Overflows and stormwater can carry a variety of harmful pollutants, including bacteria, metals and nutrients that threaten communities' water quality and can contribute to disease outbreaks, beach and shellfish bed closings, flooding, and fishing or swimming advisories.
To better protect water quality, EPA will work with local governments to review the Clean Water Act requirements that each municipality must comply with and look for opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of solutions developed to meet those obligations. This integrated approach will identify efficiencies where more than one water quality issue can be addressed by the same solution and where competing requirements may exist, including how to best make capital investments and meet operation and maintenance requirements.
Integrated planning approaches can also have other benefits, like leading to the identification of innovative, sustainable solutions that improve water quality and enhance community vitality. Green infrastructure, such as green roofs, rain gardens, planter boxes, and permeable pavement, is an example of an integrated solution that can reduce, capture, and treat stormwater runoff at its source before it can reach the sewer system. Green infrastructure provides a cost effective way to reduce overflows and add green space in communities.
2011年10月10日星期一
MotionX GPS Drive is Top-Notch Auto and Pedestrian Navigation App
GPS navigation systems are expensive and have become more of a commodity than an essential tool for driving. However, that’s not to say drivers don’t need them from time to time. And if they do, MotionX GPS Drive is the one they want.
Developed specifically for the iPhone, the navigation app turns the handset into more than just a point A to point B system. It turns it into a “Hey, what else is out there and I’d like to be told when I’m at the doorstep…” feature rich navigation master.When MotionX GPS Drive is launched the user is prompted to agree with the end user license agreement, similar to any GPS device, stating that the app should not be configured while driving. Phew, glad the legal jargon is out of the way. Now, onto the good stuff. Oh wait, there is another prompt. This time asking to be added to MotionX’s database just incase there is a device change.
Now? Nope, there is then another prompt to download live voice guidance with spoken street names. The download is free for the first 30 days and at the end of the service there is no automatic charge.
Beyond the prompts there is a beautiful layout of navigation functions that make traveling near and far a breeze. Quick POI’s (point of interest) such as dinning, airport, medical and more are easily accessible on the front screen and are situated around a sleek black colored interface. One tap and search results bring up the closest POI for that specific category.
One of the most useful features is the map view option that overlays the search results with the surrounding area and shows which direction the user is pointed in. It even has a Facebook Checkin shortcut, which came in handy several times.
Along with the normal find this place and go to it function is a bonus music option that allows the MotionX GPS Drive app to pull up the iTunes music library for some background traveling tunes. Very useful. Another bonus feature is an actual magnetic compass for exploring latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading and strength of the GPS signal. It also includes save this, email or save as a parking spot quick keys.
MotionX GPS Drive is probably more feature packed than some of the top of the line GPS navigation systems and it beats them in function, not to mention price by $200. These reasons combined with live traffic flow maps and multi-stop routing make it the only GPS system required for driving or walking.
Developed specifically for the iPhone, the navigation app turns the handset into more than just a point A to point B system. It turns it into a “Hey, what else is out there and I’d like to be told when I’m at the doorstep…” feature rich navigation master.When MotionX GPS Drive is launched the user is prompted to agree with the end user license agreement, similar to any GPS device, stating that the app should not be configured while driving. Phew, glad the legal jargon is out of the way. Now, onto the good stuff. Oh wait, there is another prompt. This time asking to be added to MotionX’s database just incase there is a device change.
Now? Nope, there is then another prompt to download live voice guidance with spoken street names. The download is free for the first 30 days and at the end of the service there is no automatic charge.
Beyond the prompts there is a beautiful layout of navigation functions that make traveling near and far a breeze. Quick POI’s (point of interest) such as dinning, airport, medical and more are easily accessible on the front screen and are situated around a sleek black colored interface. One tap and search results bring up the closest POI for that specific category.
One of the most useful features is the map view option that overlays the search results with the surrounding area and shows which direction the user is pointed in. It even has a Facebook Checkin shortcut, which came in handy several times.
Along with the normal find this place and go to it function is a bonus music option that allows the MotionX GPS Drive app to pull up the iTunes music library for some background traveling tunes. Very useful. Another bonus feature is an actual magnetic compass for exploring latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading and strength of the GPS signal. It also includes save this, email or save as a parking spot quick keys.
MotionX GPS Drive is probably more feature packed than some of the top of the line GPS navigation systems and it beats them in function, not to mention price by $200. These reasons combined with live traffic flow maps and multi-stop routing make it the only GPS system required for driving or walking.
2011年9月20日星期二
Cambridge Airport 24/7 for Olympics as business booms
As one of only five civilian airports with a 24/7 capability Cambridge Airport has the capacity to accept aircraft throughout the day and permit the airport to take up to 30 per cent of regional slot controlled airport traffic during the early morning and late evenings.
Cambridge already boasts an established 24/7 operating capability with no noise restrictions and this status was recognised by Airport Co-ordination Limited (ACL), which manages the slot allocationsystem . ACL has created a booking system , which has now gone live, introduced to ensure UK airport capacity meets the expected increase in demand.
The airport recently announced an initiative to attract business aviation operators to the airport throughout next summer. The scheme offers charter operators, government fleets and private owners the opportunity to pre-purchase guaranteedparking slots with a one time fee that also includes all landing and take off costs.
Richard Knight, Airport manager at Cambridge said: “The 24/7 capacity, combined with our special events offering, gives our customers exceptional flexibility, particularly as we have a generous allocation of early morning and late evening slots. With hotels fully booked and events running into the evening, a day trip to the Olympics becomes a viable option.”
The airport reports significant growth in business since the start of 2011 when it implemented its new commercial strategy. The new dedicated airport management team, led by airport director Archie Garden has grown its business aviation movements year on year by 15 per cent, fuel sales are up by 37 per cent and it has seen a jump inparking fee revenue of 90 per cent. Instrument approach training flights have also grown – now currently showing a five per cent rise year on year.
Currently operators and private owners are driving the new business movements and many charters are originating in France and Germany. A growth in air ambulance flights with patients heading to renowned local hospitals, Addenbrooke’s which recently opened a new trauma unit, and Papworth has also been seen.
It is anticipated that within the first 18 months of operation the Airport will have added another 100 jobs to the area through the addition of companies like the Pilot Training Company and other various aviation brokers and managed aircraft companies that are in the pipeline to move to Cambridge.
Training figures are expected to continue to rise following the anticipated implementation of the new GPSsystem by year end. The new instrument guidance system will offer additional training capability and will allow adjustment to the Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs) enabling the same high approach angle descent as London City Airport.
Once the GPS is installed Cambridge will be one of the few airports which can readily accept training flights for these specific requirements. The airport has already spoken to a number of companies keen to make use of the new capability.
Pilot Training College (PTC) chose Cambridge Airport as the location for its new professional flight training academy in June and in preparation for their inaugural training courses two simulator rooms are being constructed at the airport.
The rooms will accommodate a new Boeing 737 simulator and an FNPTII procedures trainer. Along with state of the art classrooms PTC will utilise the simulators to support pilot training for the likes of Flybe, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Air Astana.
Cambridge already boasts an established 24/7 operating capability with no noise restrictions and this status was recognised by Airport Co-ordination Limited (ACL), which manages the slot allocation
The airport recently announced an initiative to attract business aviation operators to the airport throughout next summer. The scheme offers charter operators, government fleets and private owners the opportunity to pre-purchase guaranteed
Richard Knight, Airport manager at Cambridge said: “The 24/7 capacity, combined with our special events offering, gives our customers exceptional flexibility, particularly as we have a generous allocation of early morning and late evening slots. With hotels fully booked and events running into the evening, a day trip to the Olympics becomes a viable option.”
The airport reports significant growth in business since the start of 2011 when it implemented its new commercial strategy. The new dedicated airport management team, led by airport director Archie Garden has grown its business aviation movements year on year by 15 per cent, fuel sales are up by 37 per cent and it has seen a jump in
Currently operators and private owners are driving the new business movements and many charters are originating in France and Germany. A growth in air ambulance flights with patients heading to renowned local hospitals, Addenbrooke’s which recently opened a new trauma unit, and Papworth has also been seen.
It is anticipated that within the first 18 months of operation the Airport will have added another 100 jobs to the area through the addition of companies like the Pilot Training Company and other various aviation brokers and managed aircraft companies that are in the pipeline to move to Cambridge.
Training figures are expected to continue to rise following the anticipated implementation of the new GPS
Once the GPS is installed Cambridge will be one of the few airports which can readily accept training flights for these specific requirements. The airport has already spoken to a number of companies keen to make use of the new capability.
Pilot Training College (PTC) chose Cambridge Airport as the location for its new professional flight training academy in June and in preparation for their inaugural training courses two simulator rooms are being constructed at the airport.
The rooms will accommodate a new Boeing 737 simulator and an FNPTII procedures trainer. Along with state of the art classrooms PTC will utilise the simulators to support pilot training for the likes of Flybe, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Air Astana.
2011年6月20日星期一
Turkey develops domestic missile, rocket
Two Turkish state-run defense companies have reported major progress in what analysts view as crucial locally designed and developed missile and rocket programs.
Earlier in June, Tübitak Sage, the missile specialist operating under the state’s Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey, or TÜBİTAK, exhibited the country’s first domestic cruise missile during an air show in İzmir marking the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Air Force’s foundation.
The missile, which has a range of 180 kilometers, was designed and developed by Turkish engineers, including its software, company officials said. The program was launched in 2006.
The missile carries guided stand-off munitions, or SOM, and targets mobile and immobile land and naval targets. It features a mixed light metal, composite body, and a GPS guidance system.
In the future, the missile could replace similar imported SOM-based missiles installed on F-16 Block 40 and F-4E 2020 fighter aircraft, company officials said. Tübitak Sage plans its first deliveries to the Turkish military by the end of 2011.
The company also plans to certify the missile for future use on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightening II; Turkey is a member of a U.S.-led multinational consortium producing the F-35. It eventually plans to buy about 100 aircraft worth around $14 billion.
New rocket
In a parallel effort, state-run missile maker Roketsan launched a domestic rocket in May, testing the weapon on AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters. The 2.75-pound, semi-active, laser-guided rocket has a range of eight kilometers.
Roketsan officials have boasted about the rocket’s complete local design, development and engineering, as well as high accuracy, during field tests. The rocket, dubbed the Cirit (javelin in Turkish) has been designed to hit light armored targets.
The Cirit will be most extensively used on the T-129, the Turkish version of Italian AgustaWestland’s AW-129 Mangusta International attack helicopter. AgustaWestland, which won two contracts awarded in 2008 and 2010 totaling billions of dollars, is leading the manufacture of 60 T129s, whose deliveries should start next year.
Roketsan officials expect foreign demand for the Cirit once the company has met the Turkish military’s requirement, mainly for the T-129 program. The Cirit, which can carry two different warheads, could be installed on aerial and land platforms, they said.
One company official said design and development tests were completed in 2010 and that serial production would start this year. “This will mark the passing of a critical stage in our domestic rocket design and production ambitions.”
Analysts have said the indigenous missile and rocket programs are part of a broader policy to locally design, develop and produce various weapons systems, including helicopters, naval platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles and military satellites.
“It is by no means surprising that the Turkish government, among other systems, has ambitions to produce indigenous missiles and rockets,” an Ankara-based analyst said. “The policy was established to make advances in domestic missile technology and export equipment to foreign buyers in the future.”
Earlier in June, Tübitak Sage, the missile specialist operating under the state’s Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey, or TÜBİTAK, exhibited the country’s first domestic cruise missile during an air show in İzmir marking the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Air Force’s foundation.
The missile, which has a range of 180 kilometers, was designed and developed by Turkish engineers, including its software, company officials said. The program was launched in 2006.
The missile carries guided stand-off munitions, or SOM, and targets mobile and immobile land and naval targets. It features a mixed light metal, composite body, and a GPS guidance system.
In the future, the missile could replace similar imported SOM-based missiles installed on F-16 Block 40 and F-4E 2020 fighter aircraft, company officials said. Tübitak Sage plans its first deliveries to the Turkish military by the end of 2011.
The company also plans to certify the missile for future use on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightening II; Turkey is a member of a U.S.-led multinational consortium producing the F-35. It eventually plans to buy about 100 aircraft worth around $14 billion.
New rocket
In a parallel effort, state-run missile maker Roketsan launched a domestic rocket in May, testing the weapon on AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters. The 2.75-pound, semi-active, laser-guided rocket has a range of eight kilometers.
Roketsan officials have boasted about the rocket’s complete local design, development and engineering, as well as high accuracy, during field tests. The rocket, dubbed the Cirit (javelin in Turkish) has been designed to hit light armored targets.
The Cirit will be most extensively used on the T-129, the Turkish version of Italian AgustaWestland’s AW-129 Mangusta International attack helicopter. AgustaWestland, which won two contracts awarded in 2008 and 2010 totaling billions of dollars, is leading the manufacture of 60 T129s, whose deliveries should start next year.
Roketsan officials expect foreign demand for the Cirit once the company has met the Turkish military’s requirement, mainly for the T-129 program. The Cirit, which can carry two different warheads, could be installed on aerial and land platforms, they said.
One company official said design and development tests were completed in 2010 and that serial production would start this year. “This will mark the passing of a critical stage in our domestic rocket design and production ambitions.”
Analysts have said the indigenous missile and rocket programs are part of a broader policy to locally design, develop and produce various weapons systems, including helicopters, naval platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles and military satellites.
“It is by no means surprising that the Turkish government, among other systems, has ambitions to produce indigenous missiles and rockets,” an Ankara-based analyst said. “The policy was established to make advances in domestic missile technology and export equipment to foreign buyers in the future.”
2011年4月5日星期二
Mercedes' C-Class gets fresh face, fresh outlook
Don't brush off the obvious tweaks made to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan as simply a mid-life makeover -the German automaker has made some significant changes to its popular mid-sized sedan.
Aside from freshening the face and butt with current design tricks, there are new, more powerful and efficient engines under the hoods of several models, there's a new, more efficient seven-speed automatic transmission and the interior has been made over to create a more refined look and feel.
Exterior changes readily noticeable include an all-new front end with new active bi-xenon headlights and bright LED turn indicators. And you can add the 2012 C-Class to the growing list of cars adopting those cool LED daytime running lights. The sedan also gets a redesigned front fascia and a new aluminum hood to reduce weight.
The tail lights are also trendy LED units and there's a new rear fascia with an integrated diffuser.
A selection of new alloy wheel offerings cap the exterior revisions and range from the seven-twin-spoke 16-inch rims standard on the C250 up to the slick 19-inch multi-spoke gems available on the C63 AMG.
Inside, the luxurious cabin features soft leather surfaces and rich wood trim, such as burl walnut or dark ash, creating the feeling this car should be running with higher-priced models. If you're not partial to wood, aluminum accents are available, while the AMG gets carbon fibre trim in keeping with its high-performance flavour. The trio of round gauges centred cleanly in front of the driver includes a new colour centre display screen, while the centre stack gets a new look with revised air vents and aluminum control buttons.
The pop-up navigation screen on current models has been replaced with a new NTG 4.5 Telematics Generation unit, integrated into the dash, featuring a larger screen and improved graphics. The base unit has a 5.8-inch colour display plus CD/ USB/auxiliary input interface and Bluetooth connectivity. (Input ports for the USB and auxiliary input are now located in the centre console.) The available full navigation system displays on a seven-inch colour screen that has provision for DVD audio/video and an SD card slot. An optional media interface system that displays the cover art of the tunes you're playing can be ordered without having to spring for the nav system. Other technologies, previously reserved for higher-end Mercedes models, are now being shared with the C-Class as options, including a driver assist package with passive blind spot and lane keeping assist systems.
A parking guidance system is also available. An attention assist system is standard on all models.
The new C-Class Sedan will be offered in Canada in six variations, starting with the C250 rear-wheeldrive model and ramping up to the impressive C63 AMG sport sedan.
The C250 will also be available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheeldrive system; there's also a C300 and C350, both with all-wheel drive.
The C350 will be available in a rearwheel-drive configuration, but the rear-drive C300 has been dropped for 2012. All of these new models are slated for sale in July.
Although they share the same model designation, the C250 gets different engines, depending on its drive format. The rear-drive C250 gets a new direct injection, turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder, replacing the current V-6, while the 4Matic version retains the 228-horsepower, 3.0L V-6.
The new four, dubbed the M271, generates 201 hp at 5,500 r.p.m. and 229 pound-feet of torque starting at just 2,300 r.p.m. It's coupled to a seven-speed automatic. Mercedes says the rear-drive C250 will hit 100 kilometres an hour in 7.2 seconds, yet also delivers robust fuel economy. Official ratings have not yet been released.
Both C350 iterations have a new engine, too. The M276 is a 3.5L V-6 with direct injection, channelling its 302 hp (at 6,500 r.p.m.) and 273 lb.ft. of torque (starting at 3,500 r.p.m.) through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The new engine boosts horsepower by 34 ponies compared with the previous V-6, while torque has been bumped 15 lb.-ft. The new six is capable of pushing the C-Class to 100 km/h in six seconds flat while delivering a 10-per-cent improvement in fuel economy plus fewer CO2 emissions.
Changes to the C63 include the AMG-developed Speedshift MCT seven-speed transmission, which replaces the 7G-Tronic box. The new box, which is shared with the E63, includes a launch control system.
Of course, the lengthy list of standard features on all models can be augmented by extra-cost packages.
The base 250, for example, can be upgraded with a premium package that includes climate-controlled front seats and heated rear seats, plus a power trunk closing system and a rear-view camera.
There's also a navigation package with several additional features and a sport package that adds AMG styling touches, sport suspension and 17-inch alloy rims.
The C300 can be upgraded with an entertainment bundle that adds Sirius satellite radio and an harman/ kardon Logic 7 surround-sound system, or a convenience package that adds memory settings for the power seats, a power-adjustable steering column and power lumbar support.
A nice added touch for the C350 is the premium rear seat package, which includes automatic threezone climate control and power rear window sunshade and roller blinds for the rear side windows -great features for a family car.
Aside from freshening the face and butt with current design tricks, there are new, more powerful and efficient engines under the hoods of several models, there's a new, more efficient seven-speed automatic transmission and the interior has been made over to create a more refined look and feel.
Exterior changes readily noticeable include an all-new front end with new active bi-xenon headlights and bright LED turn indicators. And you can add the 2012 C-Class to the growing list of cars adopting those cool LED daytime running lights. The sedan also gets a redesigned front fascia and a new aluminum hood to reduce weight.
The tail lights are also trendy LED units and there's a new rear fascia with an integrated diffuser.
A selection of new alloy wheel offerings cap the exterior revisions and range from the seven-twin-spoke 16-inch rims standard on the C250 up to the slick 19-inch multi-spoke gems available on the C63 AMG.
Inside, the luxurious cabin features soft leather surfaces and rich wood trim, such as burl walnut or dark ash, creating the feeling this car should be running with higher-priced models. If you're not partial to wood, aluminum accents are available, while the AMG gets carbon fibre trim in keeping with its high-performance flavour. The trio of round gauges centred cleanly in front of the driver includes a new colour centre display screen, while the centre stack gets a new look with revised air vents and aluminum control buttons.
The pop-up navigation screen on current models has been replaced with a new NTG 4.5 Telematics Generation unit, integrated into the dash, featuring a larger screen and improved graphics. The base unit has a 5.8-inch colour display plus CD/ USB/auxiliary input interface and Bluetooth connectivity. (Input ports for the USB and auxiliary input are now located in the centre console.) The available full navigation system displays on a seven-inch colour screen that has provision for DVD audio/video and an SD card slot. An optional media interface system that displays the cover art of the tunes you're playing can be ordered without having to spring for the nav system. Other technologies, previously reserved for higher-end Mercedes models, are now being shared with the C-Class as options, including a driver assist package with passive blind spot and lane keeping assist systems.
A parking guidance system is also available. An attention assist system is standard on all models.
The new C-Class Sedan will be offered in Canada in six variations, starting with the C250 rear-wheeldrive model and ramping up to the impressive C63 AMG sport sedan.
The C250 will also be available with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheeldrive system; there's also a C300 and C350, both with all-wheel drive.
The C350 will be available in a rearwheel-drive configuration, but the rear-drive C300 has been dropped for 2012. All of these new models are slated for sale in July.
Although they share the same model designation, the C250 gets different engines, depending on its drive format. The rear-drive C250 gets a new direct injection, turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder, replacing the current V-6, while the 4Matic version retains the 228-horsepower, 3.0L V-6.
The new four, dubbed the M271, generates 201 hp at 5,500 r.p.m. and 229 pound-feet of torque starting at just 2,300 r.p.m. It's coupled to a seven-speed automatic. Mercedes says the rear-drive C250 will hit 100 kilometres an hour in 7.2 seconds, yet also delivers robust fuel economy. Official ratings have not yet been released.
Both C350 iterations have a new engine, too. The M276 is a 3.5L V-6 with direct injection, channelling its 302 hp (at 6,500 r.p.m.) and 273 lb.ft. of torque (starting at 3,500 r.p.m.) through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The new engine boosts horsepower by 34 ponies compared with the previous V-6, while torque has been bumped 15 lb.-ft. The new six is capable of pushing the C-Class to 100 km/h in six seconds flat while delivering a 10-per-cent improvement in fuel economy plus fewer CO2 emissions.
Changes to the C63 include the AMG-developed Speedshift MCT seven-speed transmission, which replaces the 7G-Tronic box. The new box, which is shared with the E63, includes a launch control system.
Of course, the lengthy list of standard features on all models can be augmented by extra-cost packages.
The base 250, for example, can be upgraded with a premium package that includes climate-controlled front seats and heated rear seats, plus a power trunk closing system and a rear-view camera.
There's also a navigation package with several additional features and a sport package that adds AMG styling touches, sport suspension and 17-inch alloy rims.
The C300 can be upgraded with an entertainment bundle that adds Sirius satellite radio and an harman/ kardon Logic 7 surround-sound system, or a convenience package that adds memory settings for the power seats, a power-adjustable steering column and power lumbar support.
A nice added touch for the C350 is the premium rear seat package, which includes automatic threezone climate control and power rear window sunshade and roller blinds for the rear side windows -great features for a family car.
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