The FAA is offering an online Human Factors Awareness Course. Initially developed for the agency's system acquisitions support staff, the goal of the 10-module course is to promote an understanding of human factors in system design development and implementation. Joan Baulerlein, director of aviation research and development, points out that safety and capacity improvements are dependent on building a national aviation system that's technically sophisticated as well as "human-centered." An awareness of the role of human factors offers benefits throughout industry.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Dennis C. Moran, who has been director of information operations, networks and space in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, has been named vice director for command, control, communications and computer systems for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He will be succeeded by Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Foley, who has been director of United States Central Command, MacDill AFB, Fla. Moran succeeds USN Rear Adm. Nancy E.
Europe has taken the first step toward bringing Argentina into the Galileo satellite navigation system. The European Commission last week asked the EU Council to authorize the beginning of formal negotiations with Argentina to become a partner in Galileo. Argentina made an official request to join Galileo following bilateral talks in December and informal talks at the EU-Latin American summit in May 2004. Mexico, Brazil and Chile are discussing doing the same. Also interested in Galileo, the EC says, are India, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Malaysia and Australia.
An Advanced Training Systems International TA-4 makes contact with a variable-speed refueling drogue during recent tests with a U.S. Air Force MC-130 Combat Talon II. The system is designed for air-to-air refueling of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Twelve test sorties were flown by ATSI pilots to characterize the drogue's operating characteristics. The drogue and refueling program is managed by USAF's Special Operations Forces Systems Group at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The first Airbus A380 was slated to be handed over to the manufacturer's flight test department late last week--an indication that the mega-transport's maiden flight could occur in the next 10 days. Engine ground tests will be followed by system verifications and taxi runs at increasing speeds on Toulouse Blagnac Airport's main runway. Although Airbus officials declined to comment on timing of the first flight, A380 serial No. MSN01 is expected to be in the air by May.
When Precision Conversions began work on transforming three Boeing 757-200 passenger aircraft into freighters, company officials never would have imagined the schedule slipping so far that they would end up having to buy one of the airplanes to assuage their customer.
The new XTAR-EUR X-band communications satellite will be demonstrated for the U.S. military soon, now that it has completed checkout in orbit. Spain's defense ministry will be first to use the satellite, which is operated by a joint venture of Loral Space & Communications and Spain's Hisdesat public/private communications satellite consortium. Known as XTAR LLC, the Rockville, Md.-based venture plans to lease eight 72-MHz. X-band transponders on Spain's planned Spainsat once it is orbited toward year's end.
The Cessna Citation CJ2+ (Model 525A) prototype business jet made its first flight Apr. 2 in Wichita, Kan. Test pilots Don Alexander and Jon Cooper flew the airplane for more than 2 hr. checking basic handling qualities, systems operation and engine operating characteristics. The CJ2+, which will replace the CJ2, is powered by two Williams FJ44-3A-24 engines equipped with dual-channel, Full Authority Digital Engine Controls, and will feature advanced Collins Pro Line 21 avionics.
Opening Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) once again to general aviation operations is not just an idea whose time has come. It is one that is long overdue.
Michael A. Taverna (Paris and Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany)
A pioneering German-Russian mission, set to begin testing this week on the International Space Station, aims to demonstrate the ability of robots to perform in-orbit servicing and repair tasks, saving valuable astronaut time and permitting work on satellites where manned intervention is not possible.
Robert Wall (Paris), Michael A. Taverna (Salon de Provence, France)
The French defense ministry is in the early stages of defining an unmanned aircraft project for the navy and army that could spark a fierce competition between rival drone makers. The French military procurement agency (DGA) is expected to issue a request for proposals this month for a vertical takeoff/landing UAV system (VTUAV). It follows a preliminary round of information requests last year intended to eliminate "noncredible" candidates.
NATO could take an important step toward building a ballistic missile defense shield later this month when the acquisition chiefs of member countries meet and discuss efforts on various alliance initiatives. High on the agenda for the purchasing representatives will be ironing out details for a new NATO effort to field a system by 2010 that would integrate the missile defenses of different alliance members into one system. The goal is to ensure protection of deployed NATO forces against theater ballistic missiles.
An International Civil Aviation Organization effort to curb runway incursions on a global scale is gaining momentum as the FAA puts the finishing touches on a computer-based model that will allow all incidents to be classified in terms of severity (A, B, C or D) automatically.
Inspired by effective cost-cutting drives at airline passenger divisions, air cargo executives are seeking ways to enhance revenues and reduce costs. They are turning to new technology for help, and this tightly managed sector appears to be verging on a new era.
The second Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) lot of H-1 helicopter upgrades for the U.S. Marine Corps was approved last week under a modified award of $104 million to Bell Helicopter Textron. The first LRIP lot of six aircraft are in production and work on a second lot of four UH-1Ys and AH-1Zs began last week at the company's facilities in Fort Worth and Amarillo, Tex. The helos are slated for delivery in 2007, and by 2014 the Marines would have 100 UH-1Ys and 180 AH-1Zs. The H-1 flight-test program has accumulated more than 2,755 hr.
PREMIER AIRCRAFT OF EAST ALTON, ILL., AND HONEYWELL have completed integration tests of a nacelle and new engine nozzle for the Dassault Falcon 50 business jet. Designated as the Falcon 50-4 upgrade program, modifications would include installation of the nozzle on the jet's three TFE-731-4 engines that are projected to give the airplane increased performance under high-hot takeoff conditions, more payload, a higher rate of climb and more thrust for faster cruise speeds, compared with the original Falcon 50.
One of Japan's original discount carriers, Skymark Airlines, will downsize from six Boeing 767s to 14 737-800s over the next five years as it branches out to more regional services. Skymark, which leases all its aircraft, will receive its first six -800s by 2007. It expects to cut operational costs in half by shifting to the single-aisle 737s.
Operators of certain Boeing aircraft may face a bill that totals $399 million to replace insulation blankets the FAA says could propagate fires. Prompted by reports of ground and inflight fires, the FAA on Apr. 4 issued a proposed airworthiness directive that calls for removal or modification of blankets covered with all variants of a polyethylene teraphthalate (PET) coating called Orcon Orcofilm AN-26 from all pressurized parts of aircraft.
The Dutch aerospace industry and Airbus have inked a multi-year partnering arrangement on research and technology development. It covers several technologies with the aim of finding applications for them on the A380 and A350.
Saab CEO Ake Svensson is warning shareholders that the downturn in Sweden's defense budget will take a toll on the company and could have more far-reaching implications. "The current lack of decisiveness in defense orders is creating major problems for us and our ability to maintain competencies and key employees. I also believe it will create problems for Sweden. The defense industry is an important technology engine in Swedish society. And if the engine sputters, so will society," he said last week at the company's annual general meeting.
THE GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE G350 BUSINESS JET has been validated by the European Aviation Safety Agency. The FAA certified the twin-engine jet in November 2004. Gulfstream officials expect the first airplane to enter service in the third quarter. The G350 can fly 3,800 naut. mi. nonstop and carry up to 16 passengers. Gulfstream's arch rival, Bombardier Aerospace, has sold two Global 5000 business jets to customers in Central and South America.
Boeing reports delivering 70 commercial aircraft in the first quarter, down from 76 in 2004. The decline is mainly attributable to decreasing deliveries for 747s and 757s. Only three 747s were delivered during the first quarter this year compared to five last year; only one 757 was delivered this year, compared to four last year. The last of the 757s is to be delivered by the end of April. As usual, Boeing's 737 line led the delivery list with 54 aircraft (55 last year). The 777 had eight deliveries in both years. Boeing reports taking 63 orders during the first quarter.
Human spaceflight is set to move another step beyond the Columbia disaster this week, when the crew trained to receive the space shuttle Discovery on its return-to-flight mission lifts off for the International Space Station in a three-seat Russian Soyuz.
Eleven years after it was founded with great fanfare by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co., commercial satellite imagery company Space Imaging has retained Banc of America Securities to help it find a buyer. The move comes after the Denver-based company was beaten out by competitors OrbImage and DigitalGlobe for two Pentagon contracts worth a total of $1 billion.
