Boeing has begun evaluating fire-suppression systems for its P-8A multi-mission maritime aircraft's dray bays, which are adjacent to fuel tanks and contain electrical and hydraulic lines, environmental control systems and engine-bleed air lines. The studies will evolve into a live-fire test program. Testing will be begin in April at China Lake, Calif., and continue through 2009. Full-scale live fire tests are scheduled for 2012.
Lufthansa Technik has developed a support program to help operators of Boeing 737 classic series jets transition to the new Maintenance Steering Group (MSG-3) initiative. MSG-3 replaces previous inspections, such as "C" and "D" checks, with maintenance intervals based on how the airplane is used. As a result, maintenance work is reduced and could cut costs by up to 30% and allow more revenue flight time. Southwest Airlines is using the program as part of a project between the low-cost carrier's engineering and maintenance departments to develop new MSG-3-based programs.
USN Vice Adm. Henry G. Ulrich, 3rd, has been nominated for promotion to admiral and assignment as commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and commander of Joint Forces Command Headquarters, Naples, Italy. He has been commander of the Naples-based Sixth Fleet. Rear Adm. (lower half) Joseph F. Kilkenny has been named commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, Norfolk, Va. He has been special assistant for human capital strategy in the Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, also in Norfolk. USNR Capts. Julius S. Caesar and Garland P.
The advice I have for the U.S. when it comes to large aircraft subsidies is: "If you can't beat them join them, and do it fast." Providing aircraft manufacturers with low-interest loans ("subsidies") should be an allowed practice in order to spur development of new and innovative commercial aircraft that can benefit everyone. Spending all this energy and effort to have the Airbus financial model of aircraft development thrown out is counterproductive.
Congress' first-ever homeland security authorization bill clears the House Homeland Security Committee without the $3-per-trip airline passenger security fee increase requested by the Bush administration. Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration seeks the fee hike to offset more of its airline passenger and baggage screening costs. But members of Congress--especially those from rural states dependent on air transportation, like Alaska's Republican Sen. Ted Stevens--say the fee hike targets their constituents unfairly.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is expanding its reach to new markets, after Saudi Arabian Airlines placed an order for 15 Embraer 170s. The order is the first for regional jets in the Middle East. The aircraft will be delivered beginning in December.
Mike Fatig has become vice president-business development in the Defense and Space Systems Div. of EMS Technologies Inc. of Atlanta. He was director of sales for Honeywell's space digital electronics, guidance and navigation, and pointing and momentum-control systems.
Kwatsi Alibaruho is one of nine new flight directors at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. He was group lead of the Space Station Life Support Systems Group.
The four-week old anti-Japanese demonstrations in China have prompted 5,500 Japanese passengers on Japan Airlines flights and 5,000 on All Nippon Airways flights to cancel their reservations. Most are tourists who opted for trips to Taiwan or Southeast Asia.
Global passenger growth reached 9.4% in the first quarter of 2005 with load factors of 73.7%, according to the International Air Transport Assn. And load factors in North America were even higher, at 81%. But IATA Director General/CEO Giovanni Bisignani says with oil selling in the range of $50 per barrel, airlines "are a long way from profitability." Capacity expansion did not keep pace with traffic growth during the quarter, which is why load factors climbed. The fuel bill for the world's airlines rose to $63 billion from $44 billion in 2003.
The next three years are critical for the Airborne Laser program, as prime contractor Boeing prepares to install the multimegawatt-class laser components onto a modified 747-400 freighter and flight test the boost-phase missile defense technology.
The A380 is likely to be back in the air this week following an auspicious inaugural flight Apr. 27, with the test program expected to rapidly gain momentum.
The Missile Defense Agency is feverishly developing an array of technologies to intercept missiles headed for the U.S., although the Bush administration appears to have backed off of its grandiose plans to quickly pronounce the high-profile, ground-based, U.S. missile defense shield operational.
As Airbus glows with the first flight success of its impressively big A380, the fuel-efficiency and technology campaigns Boeing has mounted for its mid-sized jet families are scoring impressive sales. Most attention is paid to the differences in size between their new widebody aircraft. Airbus has concentrated its development money on a 555-seat double-decker to serve the world's major hub airports. Boeing says the future is in bypassing congested hubs with long-range, point-to-point mid-sized jets.
All Nippon Airways reported $11.6 billion in revenue for fiscal 2004 with a consolidated net profit of $245 million, second-best in its history. The returns represent a 6.2% yearly improvement in revenue and 9% in profits. International traffic hit an all-time high of $1.9 billion, up 19%, making the ANA's first profit on international operations since it began offering them in 1986. Domestic revenue showed a 2.2% increase. Capacity rose 2.3%.
Electronics company Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), owned by the Indian government, recorded a more than $99-million profit after tax on an asset turnover of $750 million for the financial year ending March 2005. Defense earnings accounted for 85% of the turnover.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is going ahead with plans to deploy its new and improved computerized air passenger screening system in August, despite a critical congressional report. Justin Oberman, head of the passenger identification system project, known as Secure Flight, says the first two U.S. airlines to participate will be selected "in the next several days." One will have experience submitting passenger names from overseas flights to U.S. Customs officials. The other will fly only domestic runs.
Winston Mahabir has become director of market intelligence for Garrett Piedmont Hawthorne/Associated, Tempe, Ariz. He was director of international marketing strategies for Gulfstream Aerospace and a marketing consultant to the Avocet Light Aircraft Group.
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The Air Force will beef up its reconnaissance forces in the Pacific Ocean by basing a squadron of Global Hawk UAVs in Guam by 2008-09, says Gen. Paul Hester, chief of Pacific Air Forces. The Global Hawks will be modified with a maritime surveillance package for monitoring ship traffic through key choke points like the Malacca Strait near Singapore. Hester says the U.S. is getting worried about China's move to develop an over-the-horizon reconnaissance capability--to see the movement of ships and aircraft up to 1,000 mi.
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NASA will delay the shuttle Discovery's launch to no earlier than about July 13 and roll the orbiter back to the Vehicle Assembly Building sometime this month, where it will likely be restacked on the external tank and solid rocket boosters originally planned for Atlantis' return-to-flight mission. That will enable NASA to fly the Discovery mission with an external tank more easily equipped with oxygen feed line bellows heaters to counter ice debris problems (AW&ST Apr. 25, p. 49).
Erik Dahmen has been appointed Amsterdam-based managing director for Europe and the Middle East for BCI Aircraft Leasing Inc. He was commercial director of Oasis Leasing in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
