Mike Nilsson has been promoted to partner from associate at the Washington law firm of Harris Wiltshire and Grannis. He is a former legislative aide to U.S. Sen. John D. Rockefeller, 4th (D-W.Va.).
Robert Wall and Michael A. Taverna (Bordes, France)
Turbomeca is pressing ahead with a new technology effort aimed at developing a powerplant that would eventually replace its workhorse Arriel turboshaft. Although still selling strongly at a rate of more than 650 engines a year, Turbomeca suggests the time appears ripe to initiate an effort to replace the 600-900-shp. Arriel, the company's biggest selling model (AW&ST Dec. 5, 2005, p. 61). More than 6,000 units have been built since 1977; the latest version--the Arriel 2S2--was certified last year for the new Sikorsky S-76C++.
Thales has landed a $20-million contract to supply and support two Boeing 737-800 full-flight simulators for Shanghai Airlines. The new units, which will feature Thales's low-power-draw Em2k motion system, follow four others delivered to China during the past four years. The company also said it will open a regional headquarters in Singapore to build Asian business.
Unhappy about the extent of work its industry is garnering on the Joint Strike Fighter, Norway is considering pulling out of the Lockheed Martin-led program in the next few weeks.
The FAA's budget for Fiscal 2007, as proposed, puts pressure on capital accounts for the second year in a row, but it turns out that the current fiscal year, 2006, is being squeezed, too. Last year, when Congress restored most of the Bush administration's big cutbacks, it shaved $100 million from the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) request for operations, leaving $6.5 billion. When pay increases came in higher than expected, the response was "not just about cutting costs, but cutting services," ATO chief Russ Chew tells the Air Traffic Control Assn.
Let's take a break from transatlantic rivalries--those difficulties in establishing a solid two-way street between Europe and the U.S., political disputes and multiple misunderstandings--and focus for a moment on sentiments we hold in common. European admiration for U.S. aviation cannot be masked. This means we commiserate when American friends suffer bad news.
Australia is emerging as the most likely candidate to place the next order for the Boeing C-17, as the manufacturer cautions that countries interested in the aircraft need to indicate a firm intent by mid-year. The Royal Australian Air Force wants to purchase four C-17s, with the possible acquisition only recently considered by senior members of the government. Delivery would begin no later than 2008.
In India, where airlines have boosted their seat capacity tenfold in just three years and placed $13 billion in new jet orders last year alone, the country's rickety aviation infrastructure is splitting at the seams.
The Spectroline UV-400 Superflood ultraviolet lamp is an extremely powerful flood lamp, useful for fluorescent penetrant and magnetic particle, parts degreasing, and wash station inspections. Trace amounts of oils, greases and hydrocarbons fluoresce brightly and become clearly visible when exposed to the lamp's high-intensity UV-A (365nm) light, making it easy to spot very tiny flaws, according to the company. The lamp's 400-watt metal halide bulb provides a steady-state UV-A intensity of 6,500 microwatts/cm.--measured at 15 in. from the center of the lamp.
John W. Douglass, President and CEO (Aerospace Industries Assn., Arlington, Va.)
I applaud your editorial that sounded the alarm on the decline of NASA aeronautics funding (AW&ST Jan. 30, p. 66). However, I fear your warning will not rouse the policy makers responsible for one of the most dramatic program erosions in recent memory. The U.S. is surrendering its century-long leadership in aeronautics technology.
Australia's government has passed legislation giving the military more powers in responding to domestic terrorism. Local authorities will still have lead roles in responding, but the government wanted to specify how the military could support them.
Market Focus 16 Rockwell Collins stock on a tear, but can it sustain the pace? News Breaks 27 High-resolution cameras show extremely detailed layered rock on Mars 28 BAE begins flight testing UAV designed to disperse WolfPack sigint system 30 Pratt plans greater aftermarket work on CFM engines 31 General aviation manufacturers report record year in 2005 31 James Gilbert dies, former editor and publisher of Pilot World News & Analysis
David Bender (see photos) has been appointed president of the Electronics Group of Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Redmond, Wash. He was vice president-operations at the Aerojet General Corp. Tim King has been named Aerospace Group director of sales and marketing and Rick Lee as that group's Burbank, Calif.-based vice president-people and organization development. King was senior manager for modernization and upgrade solutions, while Lee was executive director of human resources for worldwide operations at Mattel Inc.
General Electric, which bought up a number of explosives detection and screening equipment manufacturers in recent years, is turning its attention toward the Registered Traveler program. GE Security of Bradenton, Fla., says it's making a strategic investment of up to $16 million in the operator of the nation's only Registered Traveler voluntary passenger screening program, Verified Identity Pass Inc. (VIP).
Departments 8-10 Correspondence 12-14 Who's Where 19 Industry Outlook 21 Airline Outlook 22 In Orbit 27-31 News Breaks 33 Washington Outlook 106-107 Classified 108 Contact Us 110A Aerospace Calendar
Valerie E. Richardson has been appointed vice president-strategic marketing and business development for the Americas for Leica Geosystems Inc., Norcross, Ga. She held a similar position at Invensys plc.
Thomas S. Hartwick (see photo) has been named to the board of directors of the Aculight Corp., Bothell, Wash. He has held senior management positions within TRW, Hughes Aircraft Co. and The Aerospace Corp., and has been a consultant to the Air Force Research Laboratory, New Focus Inc., Santa Barbara Infrared Inc., Boeing and TRW.
In reference to the letter by David S. Alberts, responding to B.S. Lambeth's Viewpoint concerning "Network-Centered Warfare" (AW&ST Feb. 6, p. 6), the need for effective and reliable information sharing--communication between all levels of mission command--is not a new subject.
The Embraer 170 has received certification from Brazilian and European aviation authorities to be used in Category-3a autoland operations with a runway visual range of merely 600 ft. or in adverse weather. The FAA's endorsement is expected soon.
Aeroflex has entered the SpaceWire market with the UT200SpWO2 protocol handler and UT200SpWPHY01 physical layer transceiver products. SpaceWire is a standard governing serial communication between satellite components. The self-managing protocol provides a high-speed, low-power serial interface while offering a simple user interface. The standard supports data rates of 2Mbps.-400Mbps. over 10 meters of cable. Originally developed by the European Space Community, SpaceWire combines IEEE-1355 with an LVDS physical layer.
Michael Mecham (San Francisco), Neelam Mathews (New Delhi)
Even as 2005 ended with Asian carriers splurging on orders, their acquisition plans for this year include more than 200 additional short- and long-haul aircraft. It seems the region, led by China and India, has an insatiable appetite for new aircraft. But, of course, the Asians can afford it. Studies by the International Air Transport Assn. put their combined profit in 2005 at $1.5 billion, compared with $1.3 billion in Europe, and a net loss of $10 billion in the U.S. IATA forecasts Asian profits of $2 billion in 2006.
Jim Gradoville (see photo) has become president of United Technologies International Operations-China. He was vice president-government relations for Motorola in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Gradoville succeeds Richard Latham, who has retired.
I read Edward H. Phillips' pilot report on the Bell 412EP with interest as a former 412/212 offshore pilot, having flown the aircraft in Qatar and Nigeria over several years (AW&ST Jan. 30, p. 56).
