The FAA has proposed an airworthiness directive that would require operators of General Electric CF34-10E engines to remove the main fuel pumps (P/Ns 2043M12P03 and P04) from service and install, by Apr. 30, a newly designed pump (P/N 2043M12P05) with a "more robust" fuel inlet strainer. The move is aimed at preventing inflight shutdowns caused by MFP malfunctions, and follows GE's determination that fuel strainer failure is caused by a strainer design problem.
While Midwest Airlines is in a quiet period mulling AirTran Holdings' takeover bid, a grassroots uprising is fighting to keep Midwest the "homegrown independent airline." Organizer Art Suarez says the effort is not anti-takeovers; rather, it's an opportunity for people to be "participants in their economic destiny" and fight for something good, the continued existence of Midwest.
Look for Japan and the U.S. to establish by September a strategic planning office in charge of drawing up medium- and long-range defense policies, now that Japan has upgraded its Defense Agency to a full-fledged government ministry (AW&ST Jan. 15, p. 409). Post-World War II pacifism overcame the idea of a ministry for 40 years, and the agency was run as a subordinate part of the cabinet with a budget that went through the prime minister's office instead of being submitted directly to the finance ministry.
This month Bell Helicopter Textron's Model 206 series celebrates 40 years in service. The single-engine, turbine-powered 206A helicopter was introduced in January 1967, and more than 4,800 206B JetRangers and 1,700 of the larger 206L LongRangers have been built. Bell has developed five generations of the Model 206 and is currently producing the 206B-3 JetRanger III at its facilities in Mirabel, Canada. The JetRanger fleet has accumulated more than 55 million flight hours in commercial and military service.
Thai Airways International will scrap ultra-long-haul Airbus A340-500 services to the U.S. as part of a route revamp that could also see it yield ground in Australia to rapidly expanding Emirates. The economic failure of the polar services to Los Angeles and New York casts renewed doubt over the attractiveness of the special A340 and Boeing 777 versions that can fly farther than other commercial aircraft but with fewer seats and correspondingly higher operating costs.
Bernhard Conrad has been appointed chief technology officer of Lufthansa Technik while continuing as senior vice president-design organization and innovation. Hans Schmitz has become senior vice president-VIP and executive jet solutions.
MARKET FOCUS Lower fuel prices, high load factors boost WestJet stock value 10 NEWS BREAKS EADS CASA delivers first HC-144A multi- mission transport to USCG 16 Italy is expected to join other countries in F-35 MOU by Jan. 31 18 South Korea likely to buy another 20 Boeing F-15K fighters 18 Cabin design for Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental takes shape 19 Italy awards Alcatel Alenia Space a con- tract to complete Sicral 1b milsatcom 20
British Royal Marines used two AgustaWestland WAH-64 attack helicopters as combat taxis in an attempt to rescue a colleague who had been shot during an operation in Afghanistan last week. Four marines were strapped to the stub-wings of two WAH-64s, two on each helicopter, while a third WAH-64 provided top cover.
I appreciated your editorial "Six Issues That Demand Action" and in particular the observation regarding NASA's plan to return to the Moon by 2020, which said the plan requires that NASA "move quickly, decisively and skillfully to develop the needed capabilities and identify those that would be best left to other nations." How timely, and how perspicacious of the editorial staff.
The U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is upgrading the imaging system of the large Hypervelocity Ballistic Range G facility with a special laser. The facility uses a two-stage, light-gas gun system to launch high-fidelity missile simulations at hypervelocity speeds while minimizing acceleration loads. The laser, which will assess the condition of a projectile during a specific stage of flight, incorporates a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser, a compact power supply, high-resolution digital camera and supporting hardware.
Field Aviation of Toronto has developed a cargo-door modification for the Bombardier Dash 8 that builds on the company's extensive experience upgrading this aircraft model. The new door, which can be operated in flight, is suitable for use on the types of special mission Dash 8s that Field has supplied to various customers in Europe and Asia. The door could be used by military parachutists and for cargo air drops, as well as by smoke jumpers to fight forest fires. And maritime patrol aircraft could drop life rafts to people in the water.
Wood Dale, Ill.-based AAR has acquired almost all of the assets of Reebaire Aircraft Inc., a regional maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in Hot Springs, Ark. AAR officials say the acquisition will help AAR double its regional airline MRO business as well as expand its supply-chain operations. The new subsidiary will operate as AAR Aircraft Services at its current location.
EADS may ask shareholders to approve of a capital increase to bolster its balance sheet, according to Chief Financial Officer Hans-Peter Ring. A decision would likely be made in early April, ahead of the annual general assembly. The capital increase was the subject of internal debates among the shareholders late last year, when subsidiary Airbus asked for approval of the A350 launch. Sources close to the company said one way around a possible shareholder clash would be a capital increase in which none of the main shareholders participates.
Perhaps one answer to the question-- "Why do people go to school for two years to become an aviation mechanic and then go to work at the local Chevrolet garage rather than work in aviation?"--is in the following letter to the editor in your Mar. 11, 1992, issue.
Stork Fokker AESP will be responsible for the composite inboard flaps of Boeing's 747-8 airline transport. The company will design and build tooling and initially manufacture the flaps. It is the first major structural part Stork will build for Boeing's commercial airplane business, although Stork already performs similar work and has an extensive supplier relationship with Boeing on other commercial programs. The inboard flaps will be manufactured at Papendrecht and Hoogeveen in the Netherlands.
An oncoming missile is disabled by bursts of high-power microwaves emitted from the payload on an unmanned combat aircraft. BAE Systems is carving out its position as the developer of small, HPM weapons, and company artist Dave Jantausch shows an operational concept. One laser-triggered HPM weapons design can be built as part of the composite wing of an unmanned aircraft. The technology is being examined for air-to-air and surface-to-air missile defenses in the air, on board ships and on the ground (see p. 42).
Firm configuration of the 747-8 Intercontinental, the passenger version of the third-generation 747, will not be completed until later this year, but this full-scale mockup of the interior gives an idea of the direction Boeing is taking.
Letters 6-7 Who's Where 8 Industry Outlook 13 Airline Outlook 14 In Orbit 15 News Breaks 16-22 Washington Outlook 23 Close Up 51 Inside Avionics 54 Classified 55 Contact Us 56 Aerospace Calendar 57
TAT subsidiary Sabena Technics purchased EADS Barfield, the component repair and maintenance entity, as part of Sabena Technics efforts to expand in the U.S. Barfield has facilities in Miami, Phoenix and Louisville.
Embraer has chosen Elliott Aviation of Moline, Ill., as an authorized service facility for the Phenom 100 and 300 small cabin jets. Elliott will provide routine airframe, engine and avionics maintenance, inspections and repairs. Embraer is developing the Phenom series for the private and air taxi markets. The Phenom 100 is tentatively scheduled to enter service in mid-2008 followed by the larger Phenom 300 in mid-2009. The jets are priced at $2.85 million and 6.65 million, respectively.
Your editorial "Six Issues That Demand Action in 2007" (AW&ST Jan. 1, p. 66) is highly interesting. However, at least one point should be modified. In paragraph 2, you write: "The development of nuclear arms in Iran and North Korea, . . . which seems inevitable, will increase the already significant need for deterrence of and defenses against small nations with big weapons."
BVR SYSTEMS LTD. OF ISRAEL HAS RECEIVED A $1.1-MILLION contract from a European nation for its embedded virtual avionics (EVA) software. The software can run on a wide variety of mission computers and communicate with the aircraft's head-up and multifunction displays, air data computer and hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) system to simulate a variety of advanced airborne avionics, sensors and weapons systems.
China's new Fengyun 2D weather satellite is operating normally, a month after it was launched to geostationary orbit. It and its partner, Fengyun 2C, are intended to transmit pictures to the ground every half-hour. The authorities say the spacecraft will help forecast weather during for the Olympic Games in Beijing next year.
