TAP has delivered a €57-million net profit in 2009, recovering from a €209-million loss the year before. Reduced fuel costs and other measures helped TAP offset the €283-million drop in revenue last year from 2008 levels. Fuel savings alone were enough to offset the revenue decline, the airline says, but capacity cuts and other steps helped generate a further €201 million in savings.
Problems contributing to the failure of a U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) flight trial are raising questions about testing conditions as well as quality control of components of the system.
April 22-23—FltOps.com Global Pilot Career Conference & Job Fair. Marriott Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel. See www.fltops.com/jobs April 25-27—Reed Exhibitions’ Middle East Airport Expo 2010. Dubai World Trade Center. Call +97 (12) 409-0403 or see www.theairportshow.com April 26-29—Institute for Defense and Government Advancement’s UAV Summit “Achieving Maximum Unmanned Capabilities.” Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner Hotel. Vienna, Va. Call +1 (800) 882-8684, fax +1 (646) 378-6025 or see www.uavevent.com
Airline a-la-carte pricing experts say carriers will closely follow consumer reaction to the new carry-on baggage fee being implemented by U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines, and one of them says some Latin American carriers are among the likeliest candidates to follow suit.
The Air Combat Command is beginning to define what might follow the so-called fifth-generation fighters, such as the F-22. “We’ve stood up a sixth-gen fighter office here, and we’re starting to figure out what the attributes should be,” says USAF Maj. Gen Tom Andersen, the command’s director of requirements. “Survivability will be huge, so how do you do that— with speed, stealth or some combination?
William F. Ballhaus, Jr., retired president/CEO of The Aerospace Corp., has been elected chairman of the Colorado Springs-based Space Foundation ’s board of directors for a two-year term. He succeeds USAF Gen. (ret.) Thomas S. Moorman, former commander of Air Force Space Command and retired partner in Booz Allen Hamilton, who was named a director emeritus. Elected vice chairman was Martin C. Faga, former president/CEO of the Mitre Corp. and former director of the National Reconnaissance Office. Secretary is Barbara Barrett, former U.S. ambassador to Finland.
Michael Gallagher’s letter suggests canceling the F-35 and starting on the sixth-generation aircraft program, which will somehow come in under budget. What makes him think the next large aircraft program will come in on budget? (Now-retired Lockheed Martin CEO Norman) Augustine’s Laws highlighted that problem 30 years ago.
Michael Mecham’s article “Slicker SLC-6” (AW&ST March 22, p. 54) provides a good overview of the recent modifications to Vandenberg AFB’s Space Launch Complex-6 that are required for Delta IV Heavy launch support. However, his descriptive material on the launch vehicle needs clarification because of confusion caused by his use of “engine” instead of “stage” or “booster.” Here is the correct terminology:
Michael Bruno (Washington), Bettina H. Chavanne (Washington), Bill Sweetman (Washington)
The Obama administration’s Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) represents a significant shift toward nuclear nonproliferation, counterterrorism and even a stronger emphasis on conventional deterrence. And it raises the threshold for consideration of the use and role of nuclear weapons.
I am pleased that the Sierra Nevada Corp. has won a major Space Act contract for its Dream Chaser commercial crew vehicle concept (AW&ST Feb. 22, p. 53) under the Commercial Crew Development program. In fact, it was the largest of five awards, at $20 million.
Leonardo Pereira, who as chief financial officer of Brazil-based GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes , has headed finance, controls and investor relations, will also oversee the technology, business development and strategic planning departments. Ricardo Khauaja has become vice president-customers, employees and management. He was head of management and personnel.
Kate Gebo has become vice president of corporate real estate for United Airlines parent UAL Corp. She succeeds Ajay Singh, who has been named vice president-business management in information technology. Singh, in turn, follows Praveen Sharma, who has become managing director of Mileage Plus finance, strategy and information technology. Gebo was managing director of procurement.
Airplane designer. Test pilot. Technology leader. Program manager. Any one of these job titles would distinguish an aerospace professional and earn the enduring respect of peers. Richard W. Taylor, however, played all four of these roles in the course of his 45-year career at the Boeing Co.
Dick Johnson (see photo) has been named vice president/chief scientist and Tim Farley (see photo) vice president-engineering of the Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. , Savannah, Ga. Farley, who was director of project engineering, succeeds Johnson. Dan Nale (see photo) has become vice president of the Advanced Aircraft Programs Department. He was vice president for Mid-Cabin Programs and has been succeeded by Stan Dixon (see photo), who was the sector’s director.
Boeing wasted no time ramping up production rates on its 777 and 747 programs after Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh said there was “a very good chance” it would do so (AW&ST March 22, p. 43). Interestingly, Albaugh said it would happen in April. Instead, Boeing acted on March 19, two days after he spoke. There has been speculation the manufacturer might accelerate 737 production, which sits at 31 per month. But, so far, no word on that. The company told analysts the pickup in 777 build rates is being driven by increased demand in cargo and Asia-Pacific markets.
Europe’s air transport sector is headed for increased legal and labor turmoil as financial difficulties push airlines and employees to become even more adversarial. The fault lines run beyond the traditional divide between airline management and labor—carriers are also striking out against each other and cohesion within unions is fraying. The situation in Europe is particularly tense, with the economy still mired in the doldrums and fears of a deepening recession ever present.
At a U.S. Air Force Association symposium, senior officers look up at a big screen as the newest security threat flashes up. Instead of a stealthy aircraft, hypersonic weapon or spacecraft, everyone in the room stares into the unreadable eyes of a Chinese teenager.
The multinational Medium-Extended Air Defense System (Meads) is suffering from lackluster backing from its U.S. Army champion, but it may be able to survive due to the Pentagon’s strong desire to publicly prove it supports international programs.
Steven J. Smidler has been named senior vice president/chief operating officer of the Kaman Industrial Technologies Corp. , Bloomfield, Conn. He was executive vice president of the Lenze Americas Corp.
Triumph Group Inc.’s move to acquire Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. from Carlyle Group for $1.4 billion in stock and cash is certainly bold. The transaction, which is expected to close in July, would propel Triumph up the aerospace supply chain in one big step, bolstering its core aircraft systems and aftermarket services business with a major aerostructures provider for the Boeing 747-8, 777 and C-17, and Airbus A320 and A340.
London’s effort to bolster its space ambitions with the April 1 creation of the U.K. Space Agency (UKSA) is being limited at the outset by a lack of further funding to provide for a meaningful increase in program activity. Government and industry officials supportive of a larger U.K. role in space remain hopeful, though, that the shortcomings of the newly launched initiative will be rectified once electoral politics settle. The creation of the agency, and the government’s recognition, if belated, are also welcomed by the sector.
Stefan Hansen has been appointed CEO/chairman of the executive board of Lufthansa Systems AG , effective July 1. He will succeed Wolfgang F.W. Gohde, who has resigned. Hansen has been director of enterprise technology at Vodafone Deutschland and was head of Lufthansa Systems Network GmbH.
A second Gulfstream G250 super mid-size business jet joined the flight-test program on March 24 at Israel Aerospace Industries in Tel Aviv. The first aircraft has logged more than 70 hr. since flying in December. The 1,300-hr. flight-test program will involve three aircraft, and is on track for certification and first delivery in 2011, says Gulfstream.
