UNITED STATES Editor-In-Chief: David M. North [email protected] Managing Editor: James R. Asker [email protected] Assistant Managing Editors: Stanley W. Kandebo--Technology [email protected] Michael Stearns--Production [email protected] Senior Editors: Craig Covault [email protected], David Hughes [email protected] NEW YORK 2 Penn Plaza, Fifth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10121 Phone: +1 (212) 904-2000, Fax: +1 (212) 904-6068
VETO THREAT II For the civil sector, OMB waved the veto flag at a provision in the House FAA reauthorization bill that would prohibit shifting air traffic control functions from FAA employees to the private sector. This lent an in-your-face flavor to Senate adoption of similar provisions in a floor amendment to its version of the bill--the OMB warned the Senate about a veto on June 12, the day of the vote. Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) opposed the amendment, but the Senate approved it anyway, 56-41.
Ian Douglas Smith, deputy general manager/senior scientist of the Pulse Science Div. of the San Diego-based Titan Corp., has received the first award from the Global Energy Prize International Committee. He was cited for "giving birth to a new direction in the subject of energy through fundamental research and development in the field of powerful pulse energy that has led to unique pulse energy systems and equipment being designed and used around the globe."
Industry consolidation, potentially through mergers or acquisitions, may reduce the number of big U.S. hub-and-spoke airlines from six to four or five within five years, Delta Air Lines CEO Leo Mullin said June 19 in a speech in Washington. This would enable the surviving carriers to rationalize their hubs and reduce excess capacity, he said. Low-cost point-to-point airlines still would prosper, but hub carriers would remain essential to the aviation system, he said.
Denver International Airport will dedicate a 16,000-ft.-long, extra-wide runway this month, giving the mile-high airfield claim to the longest runway in the U.S. It also will further improve the flow of air traffic at what has been called the nation's most efficient airport, as measured by annual delays.
Robert Stangarone has been named vice president-marketing and public affairs of the Safire Aircraft Co., Opa-Locka, Fla. He was managing director of Broadgate Consultants Inc. of New York and had been vice president-corporate communications for Fairchild Dornier.
Peter Riley has become vice president-supply chain and William Ellis vice president-six sigma and transformation for Textron Inc., Providence, R.I. Edward Orzetti, who was vice president-enterprise excellence, has become president of Textron's Fluid Handling Products and Power Transmission businesses. Riley was vice president-integrated supply chain for Honeywell's Engines, Systems and Services group, while Ellis was vice president-six sigma for Textron Fastening Systems.
DONE DEAL Bell Helicopter Textron and 1,900 production and maintenance employees, represented by United Aerospace Workers Local 218, have reached agreement on a three-year contract. The pact includes adjustments for cost of living that will be implemented on a quarterly basis, and a ratification bonus of $1,700 to be paid this month. A wage increase of 2% will become effective in June 2005, according to Bell.
In addition to reporting breaking news, Aviation Week & Space Technology's editorial team covering the 45th Paris air show last week scrutinized signs of recovery in the aerospace industry, a topic that dominated discussions. Editor-In-Chief David M. North (left, top photo) led the editorial team, assisted by European Bureau Chief Pierre Sparaco (top, right). Also reporting were (from top): European Editor Michael A. Taverna, Assistant Managing Editor Stanley W. Kandebo, Art Director Robert P.
The U.S. Senate has approved the four-year FAA reauthorization bill to fund agency programs from 2004-06. The Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act includes appropriations for airport and airway improve- ments and preserves the Essential Air Service program, which ensures air service to small communities. It also provides for $100 million in aid to general aviation businesses.
EADS and Sukhoi have agreed to tentatively explore possible cooperation in the defense arena. A comparatively near-term possibility could see French-developed missiles such as Mica, or Magic, offered on Sukhoi combat aircraft for export markets. EADS is a shareholder in European missile manufacturer MBDA.
The Pentagon is forming a Defense Safety Oversight Council, according to Aerospace Daily. Its goal is to cut Defense Dept. aviation accidents and other mishaps in half.
SOUTHWEST 737-700S EARN WINGLETS Southwest Airlines has given Boeing and Aviation Partners Inc., which co-produce the blended wingtips for the 737-700/800 and Boeing Business Jets, their biggest retrofit order and their first production line order for the 737-700 (see artist's concept). Southwest has ordered 169 shipsets for installations to begin in October. At the nominal price of $725,000 each, the order would be worth $122.5 million, although discounts will apply. The 8-ft. winglets add about 5 ft. to the aircraft's wingspan and 115 naut. mi. to its range.
Correction: The caption for a photo of the ISS' Node 2 arriving at Kennedy Space Center incorrectly identified the node as Europe's Columbus module (AW&ST June 16, p. 182). Columbus has not been delivered to KSC.
Asian Aerospace has confirmed a new site for its biennial air show, 3 km. (2 mi.) from the present site at Singapore's Changi Airport. The new site, whose selection is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, will offer 95% more static display area, 80% more covered exhibit space and 44% more land, Asian Aerospace President Ed Ng Ee Peng said last week. The decision to make the move was motivated by expiration of the current airport lease next year. Space is already 85% booked for next year's show, which will feature special areas for UAVs and security.
The U.S. Air Force has decided not to court-martial two Illinois Air National Guard F-16 pilots for a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan on Apr. 17, 2002, that killed four Canadian soldiers and injured eight others. The Canadian troops were on a night training exercise involving live fire, but the F-16 pilots were not aware of this and a 500-lb. bomb was dropped. Maj. Harry Schmidt, who dropped the bomb, was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, eight counts of assault and dereliction of duty. His flight lead, Maj.
AFFORDABLE FLYING Officials of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. (EAA) expect the FAA to finalize the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft rule by late this summer. The new regulation would "lower the barriers to recreational flying" by offering training and experience requirements appropriate to the type of flying desired, along with realistic medical standards and a variety of options for aircraft, according to EAA. Pilots would have to obtain a minimum of 20 hr.
Richard Skovgaard, director of the FlightSafety Academy at Vero Beach, Fla., is one of three members of the school's staff to win awards recently. Skovgaard received the National Air Transportation Assn.'s Excellence in Training Award for "contributions to safety, professionalism, leadership and excellence in the field of pilot training." Laurance Wakefield, the academy's director of training, has won the 2003 Flight Instructor of the Year Award from the FAA Orlando (Fla.) Flight Standards District Office.
We almost lost three more astronauts in early May with the reentry and landing of the Russian Soyuz--8-9g, broken parachute cords, 285 mi. off target, loss of radio contact, etc. (AW&ST May 12, p. 34).
SEEING STARS Six additional terminal radar approach control sites are scheduled to receive the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (Stars) during Fiscal 2003-04: Boston, Miami, Milwaukee, Port Columbus (Ohio), San Antonio and Seattle/Tacoma (AW&ST June 16, p. 82). Four sites already are using Stars, including Philadelphia, where it was commissioned officially on June 9.
MBDA has unveiled a revised configuration of the Meteor rocket/ramjet air-to-air missile now in the initial stage of development for six European nations. The latest design showed modified air intakes and the removal of fixed fins mounted onto the fore of the two intakes. The tail fins have also been reduced. The Meteor is expected to enter service with the British Royal Air Force around 2011-12.
Airbus executives believe the lower end of their product range should enable them to defend against attempts by regional jet manufacturers to gain customers among low-cost carriers. "Most of the time, we have more ideas than resources--the lower end of the market is not one of our priorities," Gerard Blanc, Airbus' senior vice president for programs, said.
SARS CONTROL Severe acute respiratory syndrome is under control, according to medical experts attending last week's World Health Organization SARS meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Improved detection and infection control methods have led to a sharp decline in the number of reported cases in recent weeks, according to the health organization. As a result of that decline, WHO last week lifted its travel warning for Taiwan.
Erin Hatch (see photo) has become legislative liaison for civil and commercial space government relations for the Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., Boulder, Colo. She was a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and had been a space and technology policy analyst at the Congressional Research Service.
