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Magazine Issue

Aviation Week & Space Technology, November 9, 2015

Commercial Aviation

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Newly Rolled Out C919 Ready For Ground Testing

Nov 03, 2015
The first C919 is complete inside and is now ready for ground testing, says Comac.
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Terror Attack Or Tail Strike Damage Among Possible Metrojet Crash Causes

Nov 06, 2015
Conflicting reports painted two very different pictures of how Metrojet Flight 9268 crashed in the Sinai: damage from a previous tail strike, or a bomb planted by terrorists.
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Japanese LCCs Expand As New Player Emerges

Nov 03, 2015
Despite some early challenges and false starts, the Japanese low-cost sector is now firmly entrenched. AirAsia is reentering, and others are branching out into new markets.

First Take

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First Take, Nov. 9, 2015

Nov 06, 2015
COMMERCIAL AVIATION China’s first C919 airliner is ready for ground testing after being rolled out in Shanghai on Nov. 2, says manufacturer Comac. First flight is planned for 2016, but no date is given for entry into service of the 158-seat narrowbody. Deliveries were originally planned for 2016, but 2019-20 now appears likely (page 43).

Dubai Airshow 2015

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Analysis: Gulf Carriers Planned Growth Consistently, But Networks Overlap

Nov 06, 2015
OAG data indicate growth of Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways over the past five years has taken place on existing routes and with frequencies rather than only in new markets.
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Airbus Heads To Dubai Airshow With No Firm A380neo Plans

Nov 03, 2015
Despite some successes, the A380 faces an uncertain future, and the decision about moving forward with an A380neo will be a difficult one for Airbus.

Defense

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Rafale Fighters Make Inroads Against U.S. Makers

Nov 05, 2015
Dassault Aviation has asked its supplier base to increase production based on an anticipated tripling of output by late 2018—a response to sudden interest in the Rafale outside of France, somewhat of a gamble for the French manufacturer.
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Airbus Hopeful of Turning Around A400M Program

Nov 05, 2015
With a growing list of capabilities, Airbus says it is certain of export success for the A400M, although it needs to iron out details.
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Paris Frustrated With A400M Delays

Nov 05, 2015
France plans to compensate for A400M availability by moving up the acquisition of Airbus MRTT aerial refueling tankers. The air force is also weighing a plan to renovate part of its existing C-130H fleet and to purchase new or used C-130s to meet urgent operational needs for transport and refueling.
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Japan Chooses KC-46A, Airbus Prolongs A330 MRTT

Nov 05, 2015
A330 MRTTs will be available until at least 2025 as newly built aircraft, with the A330-200 staying in production for the purpose, says Airbus. This follows studies of an MRTT adaptation of the A330-200’s successor, the A330-800.
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Sources, Statements Point To LRS-B Details

Nov 05, 2015
We could tell you all about the LRS-B­—and a related secret prototype—but then we’d have to use a cliched quote from a mediocre 1980s movie.
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The Week In Defense Nov. 5-12, 2015

Nov 05, 2015
F-35A fires inflight; U.S. plans to sell guided-bomb kits to Turkey; report forecasts unmanned ground vehicle growth; Egypt finally receives F-16s.

Technology

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Optionally Piloted K-Max Offers Firefighting Flexibility

Nov 05, 2015
Lockheed Martin/Kaman unmanned K-Max shows off its ability to U.S. wildland firefighters by day and night, through smoke and other hazards.
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Europe’s Saritsu Project Demonstrates Morphing Wing

Nov 02, 2015
Saritsu project develops a wing that can tell you how it feels and what it wants you to do about it.
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The Week In Technology, Nov. 2-6, 2015

Nov 02, 2015
JAXA quiets sonic boom; Italy studies hybrid engine; ScanEagle UAV inspects railway; Darpa’s DyNamo boosts networks; Clean Sky 2 gains partners.

Business Aviation

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Technical Woes Further Delay Silvercrest Certification

Nov 06, 2015
Continued technical troubles with the Silvercrest engine in development at Safran’s Snecma motors division will further delay certification of the new powerplant by 12-18 months, shelving hopes for a first test flight of Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 5X business jet this year.

Space

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Independent Antares Review Could Affect Commercial Resupply Award

Nov 04, 2015
A determination on the second set of contract awards for commercial resupply missions to ISS, expected on Nov. 5, could be influenced by an independent agency review of the Oct. 28, 2014, engine failure on Orbital ATK’s Antares launch vehicle.

MRO

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Asia-Pacific MRO Market Challenged By Labor Shortage

Nov 06, 2015
Land constraints, customs bureaucracy and an acute shortage of skilled labor afflict the maintenance, repair and overhaul industry in the Asia-Pacific region, which is forecast to become the world’s largest in terms of fleet size and MRO market value.

Airline Intel

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Opinion: Bombardier Loser In Airbus Production Rate Decision

Nov 06, 2015
Three interrelated events are indicative of the state of commercial aviation: Airbus ramps up its production rate—likely followed by Boeing; Bombardier announces a $1 billion equity infusion by the Quebec government into the C Series program; and Comac rolls out the first C919 test aircraft in Shanghai.

Commander's Intent

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Opinion: Did Unique Requirements Swing Pentagon’s Bomber Decision?

Nov 05, 2015
Northrop Grumman undercut its rivals’ price to win the bomber contract, and the Pentagon’s requirements could have given it the chance to do so.

In Orbit

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Space Advocates Risk Losing Momentum Toward Mars

Nov 05, 2015
Wayne Hale, former shuttle program manager, tells deep-space exploration advocates: “There must be a revolution in how we get things done, financially and organizationally.”

Washington Outlook

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CRS-2 Delayed | Italy’s Armed UAVs | UAV Registration Drive

Nov 06, 2015
NASA delays its CRS-2 contract, again. Italy is in line to become the next nation with armed Reapers. The FAA scrambles to create a UAV registration system. And the Ex-Im bank bill nears final passage.

Viewpoint

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Opinion: How Canada’s Aerospace Industry Dodged A Bullet With C Series

Nov 04, 2015
The situation with Bombardier’s C Series could have been far worse.

Feedback

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Letters From Our Readers (Nov. 9, 2015)

Nov 06, 2015
Moon aspirations; staking claim to the Moon; exhaust depiction more artistic than accurate; Rhimes system may be too high-maintenance; unknowns about NTI; overcomplicating volcanic ash directives.

Who's Where

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New Positions, Promotions, Honors And Elections (Nov. 9, 2015)

Nov 06, 2015
Kirk Shireman (see photo) has been named manager of the International Space Station (ISS) program at NASA, Houston. He succeeds Michael Suffredini, who is leaving for private industry. Shireman was most recently deputy center director of the Johnson Space Center, and prior to that deputy ISS program manager from 2006-13.

Aerospace Calendar

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Future Aviation Week Events (Nov. 9, 2015)

Nov 06, 2015
Jan. 21-22, 2016—MRO Latin America. Lima, Peru. Feb. 3-4, 2016—MRO Middle East. Dubai. Feb. 15, 2016—ATW’s Airline Industry Achievement Awards. Singapore. March 3, 2016—Aviation Week Laureate Awards. Washington. March 7, 2016—SpeedNews 6th Annual Aerospace Raw Materials & Manufacturers Supply Chain Conference. Beverly Hills, California.
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Aerospace Calendar (Nov. 9, 2015)

Nov 06, 2015
Nov. 10-12—International Aviation Women’s Association 27th Annual Conference. Fairmont the Palm. Dubai. See iawa.org Nov. 17-18—APEX Technology Conference. Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Newport Beach, California. See connect.apex.aeroevents/event_details.asp?id=505136