Capt. (ret.) John L. Kastien (not American Airlines) (Kent, Wash.)
There is no limit to the shameful greed demonstrated by then-American Airlines Chairman and CEO Donald J. Carty and his henchmen (AW&ST Apr. 28, p. 39). Their withdrawal from this money grab was not an act of contrition, altruism or anything resembling ethical conduct. Their epiphany occurred only after they were caught with their hands in the corporate cash register and the resulting humiliation was more than they and their board could stand. The entire cost reduction plan likely was doomed to failure.
David A. Fulghum (Washington), Robert Wall (Washington)
A large number of U.S. strike missions to suppress military activity in western Iraq were quietly launched from an airbase in eastern Jordan, despite that government's denial that U.S. forces there carried out offensive military operations against Iraq. Publicly, Jordan's leaders said they were not a party to the conflict and there was no activity from inside their country against Iraq. The U.S. presence was limited, they said, to several hundred troops, most of whom manned Patriot air defense missile batteries.
Barbara L. Barcon has been appointed vice president-planning and analysis for the Northrop Grumman Corp. of Los Angeles. She was vice president-finance and business for Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Redondo Beach, Calif.
Robert E. Brown has been named vice chairman of the board of Air Canada and is scheduled to be named chairman on May 13. He will succeed John Fraser, who is expected to retire later this year. Brown was president/CEO of Bombardier Inc. until December.
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates subsidiary MD Robotics has won a $1.58-million contract from the Canadian Space Agency to fulfill a CSA/NASA cooperative project for the NASA-led Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Editor-In-Chief David M. North (left) recently spent a day with the USAF 3D Flying Training Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga. (see p. 46). His visit included a flight in the T-6A with Capt. Patrick O'Brien (right). The 3D FTS is a part of the 479th Flying Training Group at Moody. North was able to fly the FlightSafety International Texan 2 simulator under the supervision of Lear Siegler Services instructor pilots. The 1.1-hr. actual flight was in the rear seat of the T-6A.
The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency has awarded Boeing a $190-million contract to build an Iron Bird testbed for the 747-400-based Airborne Laser. The testbed will be located at Edwards AFB and could be used to troubleshoot ABL, explore potential technology upgrades, and test laser modules for a later version of the boost phase intercept system, called Block 08. The contract could grow to $500 million and would run through April 2013.
The FAA has waived the minimum usage requirement for slots and slot exemptions at high-density traffic airports--John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Ronald Reagan Washington National--through Oct . 25. Under the current rule, the FAA may recall any slot not utilized at least 80% of the time over a 60-day period. The waiver is in response to requests from several carriers who, considering the Iraq situation's effect on industry, questioned the applicability of requirements.
Robert W. Baker, former vice chairman of American Airlines, died Apr. 20 from complications associated with lung cancer. He was 58. Baker joined the airline's marketing department in 1968 and worked in passenger and freight management before becoming vice president of American's Southern Div. late in 1977. From 1979-82, he held other key management positions in passenger sales and automation systems, and in 1985, became responsible for maintenance, engineering and flight operations planning and performance. In 1998, Baker was appointed vice chairman.
MAGNUM CUM LAUDE The first group of airline pilots who volunteered to carry guns in the cockpit just completed Transportation Security Administration firearms training. The pilots received 48 hr. of instruction in safe use of guns inflight, as well as defensive tactics that would deter a potential hijacker. They also learned about legal liability and safe transport of a weapon, and were issued .40-caliber semiautomatic pistols. The candidates were nominated by the Air Line Pilots Assn. and Coalition of Airline Pilots Assn.
UPPER-STAGE ENGINE PROGRESS Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion this month received a main fuel (hydrogen) turbopump from Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. for the development of its new RL60 engine. The RL60 has 90% of its components complete and is expected to begin full testing in September. The RL60 is a cryogenic upper-stage engine designed to produce 60,000-lb. thrust with a specific impulse of 465 sec. to meet the evolving needs of expendable launch requirements or human-rated missions.
Japan Airlines will use Rockwell Collins avionics in its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft: data links for CNS/ATM applications, high-speed data messaging, Acars, future air navigation systems, controller/pilot data links and GLU-920 multimode receiver.
Canada's concerns about SARS' effect on its airline and tourism industries intensified last week when the World Health Organization (WHO) expanded its SARS global travel alert and warned against "postponing all but essential travel" to Beijing, China's Shanxi Province and Toronto.
Charles Somerville has become manager of the Mooney Product Services sector of the Mooney Airplane Co., Kerrville, Tex. He was finance manager. Rich Lueckenotte has been named controller and Dan Apel an advanced projects engineer for Mooney Airplane. Apel was a senior engineer for parent company Mooney Aerospace Group, Long Beach, Calif.
RESHUFFLE UNDERWAY Triumph Group Inc. has announced a major realignment of its operations, including the designation of its Metals Group as a discontinued operation at the end of last month. The company's Structures Group and Control Systems were combined, as were the Operational Components Group and the Gas Turbine Services Group. In addition, Triumph Aftermarket Services Group will be expanded to include two companies, Advanced Materials Technologies and Aerospace Technologies.
WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP 18 JetBlue orders 65 A320s, takes options for 50 more 19 SARS may delay Cathay Pa- cific's use of rights to China WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS 22 World's airlines face an even more elusive foe in SARS 24 European carriers increas- ingly worried about impact 26 Canadians call 'stay-home' advisory an 'overreaction' 28 IATA fears losses from SARS could top $10 billion 36 Row over engine threatens to further delay A400M
Low-cost carriers continue to play a key role in Airbus' aggressive quest for sustained sales, defying the long-lasting crisis that has endangered several mainline carriers. JetBlue Airways late last week signed a firm order for an additional 65 A320s and optioned another 50 aircraft.
Bombardier Aerospace said U.K-based FlyBE (formerly British European) has placed a firm order for 17 Q400 turboprops valued at $362 million, with options for 20 more. The deal is worth up to $818 million. Deliveries of the 78-seat aircraft are to begin this quarter.
SIA GROUNDS THREE A340S Capacity demand restraints have prompted Singapore Airlines to ground its three remaining Airbus A340-300s, which were due to be phased out at year-end. Its nine remaining A310s are to be phased out in June, five months ahead of schedule. SIA originally had 17 A340s and 23 A310s. The A340s were replaced by Boeing 777s; SIA is still searching for a midsize aircraft.
BAE Systems Platform Solutions has delivered the first Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth. The VMC will be installed for testing in the F-35 Vehicle Systems Integration Facility that simulates all systems of the airplane. The F-35 is designed to have three interconnected VMCs, each capable of managing digital flight control, hydraulic, fuel and electrical systems independent of the other two, providing triple redundancy.
After more than three months of negotiations to finalize Poland's purchase of 48 F-16 Block 52s from Lockheed Martin, the two parties signed an offset agreement that essentially closes the $3.5-billion deal. Under the terms, Lockheed Martin commits to more then $6 billion in offsets. The effects of the offsets should net Poland several billion dollars more in economic benefits, Lockheed Martin officials said.
The new U.S. owner of the 328JET program plans to focus on improving service for the existing fleet of 200 aircraft but could resume production of the twinjet in Germany as early as this summer. AvCraft Aviation CEO Ben Bartel said that since his company took control of the former Fairchild Dornier program five weeks ago, he has identified about 150 new prospects for the 328JET. He cited this as a testament to the aircraft's popularity despite the shutdown of production caused by the Fairchild Dornier bankruptcy.
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has selected BAE Systems to develop the laser guidance system for the U.S. Army's advanced precision kill weapon system Block I program, under a $26.7-million agreement.
HOW GOETH UNITED, GOETH DIA With Denver International Airport's future inextricably linked to United's, the Denver City Council Airport Commission has been giving some serious "what-to-do?" thought in the event of the airline's liquidation. Pullout of the airline, which accounts for 36% of the airport's traffic, would have deleterious side effects. The commission said its plan in the event of potential liquidation would aim to mitigate the impact of United's departure.
Thomas C. Kennedy has become senior vice president/controller of Northwest Airlines. He succeeds Hiram Cox, who is now chief financial officer of the Central Parking Corp. Kennedy has been appointed vice president-financial planning and analysis.
