Mark S. Long has become CFO of XOJET , San Carlos, Calif. He was a managing director at Skyworks Capital and had been vice president-finance of Northwest Airlines.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory are using a supercomputer developed to evaluate the performance of nuclear weapons without actually testing them to simulate the ignition sequence when a white dwarf star explodes as a supernova.
The United Arab Emirates wants to develop an indigenous business jet as part of an effort to leverage the region’s growing appetite for executive aviation products and services. The initiative would be part of the UAE’s push to diversify its economy.
The United Arab Emirates has embraced a conservative systems-acquisition approach to avoid development surprises and is focusing its latest round of purchases on proven systems. The country’s air force was stung by development problems on the F-16E Block 60, which was delivered even though some of the electronics subsystems were not up to par. Northrop Grumman expects to deliver another software installment next year to finally cure shortfalls in the F-16’s electronic support measures system.
I finished reading your articles on innovation (Oct. 26/Nov. 2) with an unsatisfied feeling. Retired Lockheed Martin Skunk Works President Sherman Mullin’s excellent letter found the words I could not (AW&ST Nov. 9, p. 10). I wonder what he has to say about problems with retaining capable engineers. Too many of the articles written about that issue reflect the views of human resources executives and bean counters who see engineers as just numbers that they label “resources.”
The price of oil has climbed above or near the level that countries such as Venezuela and others need to increase their defense budgets, according to Dennis Blair, director of national intelligence. The global economic debacle has suppressed some potential U.S. adversaries but that effect could be short-lived. For the U.S., Blair says technological possibilities and challenges are multiplying exponentially and budgets will probably grow more slowly.
FlightSafety International will build a new airline Learning Center in Johannesburg, with training scheduled to begin in March 2010. The first simulators to be installed will center on training pilots and maintenance technicians flying the Hawker Beechcraft Model 1900 and Bombardier Dash 8-100 and Q300 airline transports. Plans call for FlightSafety to provide flight and systems simulators, and SIM Aero Training of France will manage the facility and maintain equipment.
Former FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey (see photo) has been named to the board of directors of United Airlines parent UAL Corp. She is chairman of the Meridiam Investment Fund.
Last week’s ATC snafu puts the congressional spotlight on the issue of outsourcing by the FAA. The problem—which caused hundreds of flight delays and cancellations—was traced to the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) system. FTI has been installed and is operated by Harris Corp. House aviation subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) says the incident “needs to be thoroughly reviewed [and] brings up several questions that the FAA needs to address.” Among these are whether the agency’s oversight of Harris is adequate.
Europe’s ExoMars lander/rover/orbiter combination moved a step closer to development last week when the European Space Agency’s Program Board for Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration passed current planning for the missions along to the ESA council meeting in December. David Southwood, ESA’s director of science and robotic exploration, says, “We’ve crossed one more bridge in preparing for the council meeting in about a month’s time, where we will finally get the subscription for the new funds.”
Workers are installing a mobile gantry for the Soyuz launcher at the new Soyuz launch pad being constructed at the Kourou, French Guiana, spaceport. The gantry will give Arianespace a medium-lift launch capability. Installation has been stalled for months because of manufacturing delays affecting Russian suppliers. This situation contributed to slipping the date of the first flight by more than a year and forcing some payloads—notably four sets of Globalstar 2 satellites—to be shifted to the Soyuz pad at Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Malev Hungarian Airlines is seeking urgently needed debt relief and a new shareholder base as it presses forward with a three-year plan to return to profitability.
Thales Alenia Space says it has completed the in-orbit acceptance review of the Indonesian Palapa D1 telecom satellite, which was left stranded by a Long March CZ-3B failure on Aug. 30, and is now ready for full operation. Thales Alenia says Palapa D1, positioned at 113 E. Long., is expected to remain in service at least 10.5 years.
First flight of the Sukhoi T-50 prototype to meet the air force’s PAK FA fighter requirement is slipping into 2010. The plan had been for a first flight this year, but industry sources now suggest it will occur in 2010. Three T-50 airframes have been completed, including a static test item, which has been delivered to Moscow. PAK FA is intended as a replacement for the Sukhoi Su-27. It could enter initial service in 2015.
Airlines believe a new liberalization commitment signed by seven countries and the European Commisson could play a major role in untangling the cross-border restrictions that are stifling the industry.
A lot of investors are kicking themselves for not having more faith in the ability of Ford Motor Co. CEO (and Boeing Co. alum) Alan Mulally to revive the auto giant. A year ago, a share of Ford stock could be had for as little as $1.01. Last week, it was approaching $9 a share. Buyers who have bet on a rebound in commercial aerospace stocks have also fared well, even though the industry’s tough times are certainly not over.
Growing demand for miniaturized inertial sensors for precision guidance, navigation and control is a key factor behind Goodrich’s decision to acquire U.K.-based Atlantic Inertial Systems in a deal worth $375 million. In addition to tiny inertial measurement units for use in precision-guided munitions and missiles, AIS produces digital terrain-reference navigation systems for aircraft. Both could prove to be key capabilities as military personnel strive to minimize collateral damage while operating safely in areas where GPS is denied by jamming or geography.
I take exception to Ed Stickel’s statement that “except for a few military aircraft and the dead-end Concorde, there has been no real innovation in aeronautics for 50 years . . .” (AW&ST Nov. 9, p. 11).
The Australian Defense Ministry has awarded Australian Aerospace and U.S. subcontractor Lockheed Martin $292 million to initiate a five-year life support program for the country’s 12 C-130J airlifters. Each C-130J will undergo a three-month maintenance period. Lockheed Martin is responsible for supply chain management, aircraft maintenance and engineering. StandardAero provides engine work.
NetJets had $531 million in pretax losses for the first three quarters of 2009, including $436 million in asset value write-downs and costs associated with downsizing, according to the latest filing by parent Berkshire Hathaway with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing says further downsizing will take place in the fourth quarter and more aircraft will be sold. However, when combined with recently announced layoffs of as many as 494 pilots, the company believes NetJets is “likely to operate at a modest profit in 2010,” assuming the U.S.
To complement big fleet orders placed in recent years, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is putting $750 million into improving cabin offerings and support for its fleet, as well as tools to help run the loss-generating carrier more efficiently. The package includes a contract with Lufthansa Technik to upgrade nine Airbus A340s and fit them with new first-class suites and inflight entertainment (IFE) hardware. The airline’s Boeing 777s will see their eco-class cabin upgraded under a contract with Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, which includes an IFE upgrade.
Manufacture of the first production-standard Sukhoi Su-35S fighters for the air force is now underway, with delivery to take place in 2010. The air force ordered 48 Su-35S fighters in August, with deliveries to be completed by 2015. Sukhoi will in 2010 also deliver the first four Su-34 strike aircraft as part of an order for 32. Five pre-series Su-34s have been provided to the air force. While eight each of the upgraded Su-27SM Flankers and Su-24M2 Fencers have been delivered this year, there are no Sukhoi upgrade contracts expected for 2010.
Michael Dill has been appointed director for continuous improvement for the Circor Aerospace Products Group , Corona, Calif. He was director of lubrication and heat management at Parker Hannifin.
The Air Transport Assn. (ATA) projects a 4% year-over-year decrease in passengers flying on U.S. airlines during this week’s Thanksgiving holiday, despite deep discounting during the past few months. ATA President and CEO James C. May says it is becoming increasingly important that the “economic headwinds facing the airlines and their customers are anything but behind us.” May cited the current unemployment rate that is hovering around 10% as a key factor affecting consumer buying decisions, including travel.
A commission created to recommend how to proceed with a special bond issue intended to stimulate the French economy says the issue should cover initiatives to develop greener and more fuel-efficient airplanes and helicopters. It also should include endeavors such as bridging the digital divide and smart-energy grids that could favor the space industry (AW&ST Nov. 9, p. 50). The panel recommends, however, against targeting traditional industries and infrastructure projects or undertaking initiatives of an operational nature.
