With an Australian basic trainer contest for 50 aircraft looming in 2008, "neighboring" Singapore's similar requirement is taking on an even greater significance. The Singapore competition is one of many regional trainer requirement acquisitions underway, including basic and advanced trainer needs. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will, in the comparatively near-term, select a supplier for basic needs, while looking for an advanced jet trainer further out.
An operational evaluation of the FAA's Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal system is to be conducted this spring at Long Beach/ Daugherty Field (Calif.) Airport's Runway 30. The R&D effort is aimed at the prevention of runway incursions. The automated system uses a signal on the runway to notify pilots when it is occupied or is otherwise unsafe to land. In the 2002 proof-of-concept system installed at Long Beach, flashing precision approach path indicator lights were used as the signal. Pilots will be notified of the start date of the evaluation.
Michael A. Taverna (Paris and Kourou, French Guiana)
Eutelsat is raising its forecast for the next 48 months and advancing purchase plans for a new Hot Bird satellite, following strong performance in the first half of its 2005-06 financial year.
The U.S. Navy is extending work with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin on the Persistent Unmanned Maritime Airborne Surveillance concept development effort. During the next seven months, the two teams are to refine unmanned system concepts for maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and identify costs and potential risks in a development project. The UAVs would be expected to work with manned airborne intelligence collectors.
BAE Systems expects to build on strong financial performance in 2005 and believes growth will be bolstered by new subsidiary United Defense, which will make its first full-year contribution, and a strong commercial market--the company holds 20% in Airbus.
After signaling for weeks that it would say "no," Australia has done just that to a bid by Singapore Airlines (SIA) to begin services to the U.S. from flag-carrier Qantas's stronghold in Sydney. "We could see little or no benefit to Australia in opening up the Pacific route," says Australian Transport Minister Warren Truss.
Patrick Bergin has been named managing director of Shannon (Ireland) Engine Support. He succeeds Roger Welaratne, who has become senior vice president/general manager of engine leasing for GE Commercial Aviation Services. Bergin was vice president-marketing for older aircraft for Gecas.
The space shuttle Discovery's return to the International Space Station for the second time since the Columbia accident will mark resumption of full staffing for the incomplete orbital facility. Although the start date remains uncertain (see p. 39), German astronaut Thomas Reiter is scheduled to join ISS Expedition 13 crewmates Pavel Vinogradov and Jeffrey Williams as a flight engineer when he arrives on the upcoming STS-121 shuttle mission.
Shirley W. Bridges has been appointed chief information officer of Delta Air Lines and president/CEO of Delta Technology. She was DT's chief operating officer and had been vice president-airline operations systems.
Organizers for the ILA air show in Berlin in May say they have registered the highest attendee interest for the event since its return to Berlin in 1992. Although still derided as a largely German get-together by rival air shows, ILA organizers, the Federal Assn. of the Aerospace Industry (BDLI) and Messe Berlin say representatives from more than 40 countries will be there, and that 1,000-plus exhibitors to date have signed up. Russia will have the largest foreign contingent.
Northrop Grumman Corp. has received a $17.8-million contract to continue work on its Structural Integrity Prognosis System (SIPS) for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The two-year follow-on to the initial two-year, $14.2-million effort awarded to its Integrated Systems sector will remain with the Advanced Capabilities Development team in Bethpage, N.Y.
David B. Collins has become president of the SeaSpace Corp., a subsidiary of The Allied Defense Group, Vienna, Va. He was director of administration for TieTek.
UNITED STATES Editor-In-Chief: Anthony L. Velocci, Jr. [email protected] Managing Editor: James R. Asker [email protected] Assistant Managing Editor: Michael Stearns [email protected] Senior Editors: Craig Covault [email protected], David Hughes [email protected] NEW YORK 2 Penn Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10121 Phone: +1 (212) 904-2000, Fax: +1 (212) 904-6068 Senior News Editor: Nora Titterington
German low-fare carrier DBA is taking a 60% stake in LTU, the large German travel operator, which has been suffering financial losses for years. DBA's move follows closely on the heels of a new investor--German entrepreneur Lutz Helmig--which was seen as a strong boost to growth plans (AW&ST Feb. 20, p. 46). But DBA's actions have not brought additional capital to LTU, so simmering questions over the latter's long-term viability have not been resolved.
Aircraft delays in Europe are getting worse, warns the Assn. of European Airlines. Delays grew by one percentage point to 21% of departures occurring more than 15 min. late. During the previous three years, the level was around 20%. London Heathrow rank- ed the worst among 27 rated airports, while Dusseldorf, Germany, was best.
Senior Military Editor David A. Fulghum was the only journalist in Australia to see Global Hawk Air Vehicle 3 (AV3) take off on the last leg of its final operational mission (see p. 28). When AV3 landed at Edwards AFB, Calif., Michael Pliskin was on hand to photograph the arrival. With more combat hours than any other American UAV, AV3 sports dozens of fuselage markings indicating missions over various countries. Most represent Afghani- stan and Iraq, but the kangaroo is for Australia and shrine gate marks AV3's first venture into Japanese airspace.
Roger Fones (see photo) has become a partner in the Washington law firm of Morrison & Foerster. He was chief of the Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section of the U.S. Justice Dept. Antitrust Div.
It's not surprising that Southwest Airlines, Boeing's most devoted 737 customer, approaches the idea of a successor to that most successful of all commercial jets with caution. "We built our business concept around that airplane," says Executive Vice President Mike Van de Ven, chief of operations for the Dallas-based carrier. It's also instructive to hear what he has to say about how this consistently profitable American carrier looks at a successor.
David Mortimer (see photo), who has been senior vice president of the Rings Div. of Firth Rixson, East Hartford, Conn., now also will be chief operating officer. Trevor Swales has been named vice president-Forgings Div. and will remain general manager of the Meadowhall and River Don forging operations. Philip Kirkham has been appointed vice president-Metals Div. He will remain managing director of the Superalloy and Enpar operations.
The German cabinet has approved the Fiscal 2006 defense budget plan, which calls for 23.9 billion euros ($28.4 billion) in total spending. This level should increase gradually to 24.3 billion euros next year and reach 24.9 billion euros in 2009. Investment spending is slated to increase to 7.2 billion euros by 2009 from 5.8 billion in 2005 and 6 billion euros requested for this year. Parliament still has to deliberate the spending request.
SES Global is insisting that adverse investor reaction to less optimistic 2006 performance forecasts--despite 2005 figures in line with analysts' expectations--is unjustified, and that the long-term outlook remains bright.
Air France Group will pursue its growth strategy in the summer travel season, expanding seat capacity by 5.6% compared with last year. The Group expects a 6% growth on the long-haul routes, including the addition of twice-weekly service from Amsterdam to a fifth China destination, Chengdu. The 6.3% growth on medium-haul services will focus mainly on Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.
Denver, home to three low-cost carriers, easily could become a killing field for a vulnerable airline. Reorganized United Airlines is adding capacity to its seats that pass through Denver International Airport each month. Frontier Airlines, a shining star of U.S. commercial aviation, is expanding with new Airbus aircraft. Then there's quietly aggressive Southwest Airlines, new at Denver since October, using its fuel price hedges to fullest advantage.
Bulgaria and Alenia Aeronautica are close to finalizing a 90-million-euro deal for five C-27J tactical transports. First delivery would take place in 2007, with the rest arriving at a rate of one aircraft per year. Bulgaria also will hold options for three more transports. The country will buy a basic configuration, with hopes to upgrade through additions such as self-protection equipment and inflight refueling.
