The decision by San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to stop using private company workers as airport security screeners could have a ripple effect on the Transportation Security Administration's 45,000-member screener workforce, say officials. SFO, which employs more than 1,000 screeners, is the largest participant in a congressionally mandated pilot project to test whether private security companies do better at screening airline passengers than federal workers.
The first production Cessna Citation Mustang made its first flight on Aug. 29, one month ahead of schedule. The flight lasted 2 hr. Cessna officials say they have more than 230 orders for the Mustang and expect FAA certification in the fourth quarter of 2006.
erospace/defense contractors committed to paying more than lip service to attracting the best and brightest talent need to concentrate on two imperatives: technologically challenging jobs and a robust product-development pipeline. That's the message that comes through loud and clear in Aviation Week's second annual workplace survey, which represents nearly two-thirds of the U.S. aerospace/defense employment base.
The Canadian Forces chief of the Defense Staff has put his disaster assistance response team on alert and is planning to load a warship with disaster supplies such as generators, small boats, water purification systems and a helicopter in case the Pentagon responds to Canada's offer to help in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Gen. Rick Hiller says he has the backing of his government in providing any assistance the U.S. requests and he wants to appropriate units ready to go on a moment's notice.
EADS, Indra and Northrop Grumman are teaming to pursue the NATO active-layered theater ballistic missile defense program. Boeing leads a rival team with Finmeccanica and MBDA involvement. A NATO contract aimed at connecting missile defense equipment from various members is slated to be awarded in the second quarter of 2006.
Nathaniel Pieper has been named vice president-alliances for Northwest Airlines. Jim Friedel, who is president of NWA Cargo, also will be the airline's senior vice president-Pacific. Pieper, who was managing director of financial planning and analysis, succeeds Gary Fishman, who has retired.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army is conducting an unusual twin-spacecraft military reconnaissance operation that indicates additional capability by China's growing space program.
I am 345 days, 12 hr., 22 min. from Age 60, but who's counting? The time zones, dateline crossings, lousy hotel beds and food, and red-eye flights will not be missed. It's been a wonderful career, though. I'm lucky to have landed on my feet after two airline bankruptcies. Many friends have not been so blessed. And many just don't want to stop. That could be greed, or it could be love. Here's a shorter range idea than the one of my friend Fleet Smith (AW&ST Aug. 22/29, p. 8).
Capt. Al Spain wrote that the Age 60 Rule is old and outdated. He said U.S. pilots must undergo a "rigorous FAA medical exam." Spain wrote that other countries allow their pilots to fly until Age 65. Spain's belief that the Age 60 Rule needs to be repealed is not based on the best course of safety but on one of personal financial goals. A pilot's foremost objective is passenger safety, no matter what the cost.
Doug Lynch (see photo) has been appointed business development director for Symetrics Industries, Melbourne, Fla. He has been business development and marketing manager for FMC Technology's Military Programs.
QinetiQ is buying 90% of Verhaert Design and Development, Belgium's main space systems integrator. QinetiQ also holds an option to buy the remaining 10% of the renamed Verhaert Space, based in Antwerp.
U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Command (ASC) is wrapping up operational tests that will validate a new precision-weapon capability for the B-1B bomber, enhancing its close-air-support effectiveness. An integration program that began in December 2003 is adding the GBU-38 500-lb. Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) to the B-1B's list of employable weapons when fielded on bombers this fall. The program was initiated to minimize collateral damage during B-1B strikes, particularly in urban areas.
Twin NASA spacecraft set for launch as early as next April should give researchers their first views--in 3D, no less--of the massive solar storms known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) as they strike Earth.
Russia and India are slated to conduct a military exercise next month with an anti-terror focus--IndRo 2005. It is to be held in India, and will involve all military services, including Russian paratroopers. India and Moscow are considering making it an annual event.
As one long involved in aeronautical engineering, I am astounded that propellant tank insulation shedding continues to be a serious hazard to the shuttle vehicle. It appears that basic structural principles and design analysis continue to be ignored by the NASA project. During cryogenic propellant loading the metal tank will shrink dramatically, stressing the foam bonding to the tank skin. Cooldown also puts the foam insulation into compression, with potential buckling and localized debonding from the curved tank. This can happen on stand.
Two U.S. Air Force Thunderbird F-16s made contact during a performance at Chicago's Air & Water Show on Aug. 21, prompting the team's immediate landing. The No. 3 (right wing) and No. 4 (slot) aircraft touched during the Diamond formation's pass-in-review, causing part of a wingtip missile rail to break off one fighter. There were no injuries or significant damage. The contact was so minor that pilots initially attributed the bump to turbulence. Practice flights were resumed on Aug. 23.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is considering an overhaul of who it screens at airports and for what. With the confirmation of Edmund "Kip" Hawley as the agency's fourth chief in about as many years, TSA officials say the agency is considering a philosophical shift on who is subject to extra scrutiny before boarding commercial aircraft. The idea is to get beyond today's "checkpoint-centric" strategy because the economics of checking all passengers every time they board an airplane are not sustainable.
As he takes his space exploration plans to Capitol Hill this fall (see p. 31), NASA Administrator Michael Griffin will play to his audience with a pitch for U.S. "preeminence" in space. "We need to look at owning a spacefaring capability exactly the way we look at the requirement to own a navy," he says.
You can now register ONLINE for Aviation Week Events. Go to www.AviationNow.com/conferences or call Lydia Janow at +1 (212) 904-3225/+1 (800) 240-7645 ext. 5 (U.S. and Canada Only) Oct. 18-20--MRO Europe. Estrel Hotel & Convention Center, Berlin. Nov. 8-10--MRO Asia, Suntec City, Singapore. Nov. 14-16--A&D Programs & Productivity Conference, Phoenix. PARTNERSHIPS Oct. 10-12--HeliAsia. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok. Oct. 25-27--ARA '05. Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.
Embraer has received type certification for its Embraer 190 regional jet from Brazilian authorities. U.S. authorities are expected to follow as early as this week.
The Estonian government says it has asked MBDA and Raytheon to submit bids to provide the country's armed forces with new air defense equipment. The system would be used by the 1st Infantry Brigade. Estonia has identified helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft as the primary target set. The modernization program also aims at fielding equipment that is interoperable with western militaries. Procurement funds are secure for 2006-08, with first unit delivery expected in 2007. The government wants the equipment to be operationally ready in 2009.
Precision Castparts Corp., a leading supplier of metals used in aircraft engines, is winning kudos from investors for its $540-million deal to buy Special Metals Corp., the world's leading supplier of high-performance nickel-based alloys. The company's stock climbed more than 6% after it announced the acquisition on Aug. 26.
In a surprise move, the Pentagon will open up the field for a full competition of the second phase of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) effort, leaving Boeing to fight to maintain its grip on a program it won two years ago. The Pentagon's civilian leadership has opted to conduct a competition for the entire weapon--bomb body, round, navigation system, seeker and data link--rather than sticking with incumbent Boeing's bomb design and purchasing seekers and communications links. The leadership overruled this approach by the Air Force.
