This detector monitors fumes from aviation gas and jet fuel to warn of possible explosive levels in hangars, engine bays and overhaul shops. The detector senses when fuel fume concentrations present a danger of explosion, then can automatically turn on exhaust fans, or flood the area with outside air. It can also trigger warning lights and horns to evacuate employees from the area. The detector features twin factory-tuned infrared sensors that "see" through fuel fumes and smoke, as well as aerosol vapors and oily mists.
Canada's two leading aerospace/aviation concerns--Bombardier Inc. and Air Canada--will remain under considerable pressure as they restructure and firm up their finances. Bombardier is in the early stages of a major recapitalization program, while Air Canada is operating under bankruptcy court protection (AW&ST Apr. 7, pp. 18 and 58).
Your Mar. 17 editorial incorrectly claimed that President Bush is "a former Air Force Reserve fighter pilot." He dodged the Vietnam War draft by having his father get a billet for him in the Texas Air National Guard, where he failed to make more than 50% of his required musters and often flew with a safety pilot. That kind of record would have had anyone without connections kicked out of the ANG. This braindead draft-dodging coward has dragged America into a war crime for which he and his team should be prosecuted.
Prof. J. Barry Andrews has become chairman of the Materials Science and Engineering Dept. within the School of Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
In the run-up to the battle for Baghdad, U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter pilots have been able to hone their urban combat skills in recent skirmishes, exercising new tactics and employing new tools that could prove critical in providing air support in the heavily populated capital city.
Northrop Grumman researchers have revealed an unmanned strike and reconnaissance aircraft concept--designed to fly from U.S. Navy aircraft carriers--with what appears to be about double the wingspan of a demonstrator that flew six weeks ago. Barring the Navy's release of requirements for its unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), however, nobody knows for sure what the aircraft's dimensions, payload, range or powerplant will be.
This line of mounted cotton wheels for seat track cleaning removes dirt, gum and soda from inside surfaces of seat tracks, using a single tool, eliminating the need to replace the tracks. The wheels are made from multiple layers of non-woven cotton fiber and abrasive grains that are pressed and bonded into mounted wheels profiled to match interior surfaces of tracks. Maintenance personnel can clean the inside of a track using a standard grinder with a 0.4-in. mandrel.
U.S. and foreign airlines have met the U.S. government's Apr. 9 deadline for installing reinforced cockpit doors in slightly more than 10,000 transport aircraft, but the airlines and government disagree on how much this cost. FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey said costs totaled $250 million while Air Transport Assn. CEO James C. May estimates it will come to $325 million.
To execute one of the most dramatic air operations of the war against Iraq, the Pentagon called on some of its most sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools. The rescue of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch from a hospital in Nasiriyah involved elements from each service and was planned and executed in only a few hours. "Emotions were running pretty high, especially knowing [from television footage] how they treated our POWs," said a pilot involved in the raid.
The company offers rebuild services for all makes and models of machine tool spindles, whether foreign or domestic, belt-driven, geared or motorized. There are three services centers in the U.S.--Ohio, Michigan and Georgia--that provide rebuild services for all makes of spindles: Chiron, Fadal, Hitachi Seki, Mori Seiki, Okuma, Toyoda, Daewoo, Brothers, Makino, Niigata and Ewag. All rebuilds are run off to original specifications, with each spindle signature electronically measured and recorded for future reference.
Fiat has picked the bid team of Carlyle Group and Finmeccanica to negotiate purchase of its aerospace arm, FiatAvio. Carlyle added state-owned Finmeccanica in the final stage of the bid process to make its tender more palatable to the Italian government, which insisted on having a local industrial partner. Earlier government insistence on obtaining an equal equity share for an Italian partner had scuttled a joint bid by Finmeccanica and Snecma, but this time Rome agreed to a minority holding--a decision roundly criticized by opposition parties.
COST-EFFICIENT TITANIUM? Titanium Metals Corp. has been selected by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to receive $12.3 million in government funding over the next four years to lead a program to commercialize the "FFC Cambridge Process." This method, developed by Derek Fray and others at the University of Cambridge, represents a potential breakthrough technology in the process of extracting titanium from titanium-bearing ores.
John M. Bingham has been appointed vice president-sales of Cirrus Design, Duluth, Minn. He was vice president-Americas of Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars.
AS THE AVIATION INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO ADOPT Internet Protocol (IP) technology for networking wireless communication on board commercial aircraft, network security is drawing increasing attention. Areas of concern for both air traffic control and business applications are data security and access control to prevent unauthorized use. After Sept. 11, 2001, the need to protect controller-to-pilot data link communication is getting a new look. Springfield, Va.-based Computer Networks& Software Inc.
International Space Station astronauts Kenneth Bowersox and Don Pettit carried out a 6 hr. 30 min. extravehicular activity Apr. 8 to reroute electrical cables and other tasks on the exterior of the station while cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin supported the operations from inside. One of the more important tasks was to reroute power cables for two of the station's critical control moment gyros, so that the pair could not be disabled by any single power disruption.
Robert P. Barker has been appointed president of Parker Aerospace, Irvine, Calif. He was vice president for the Flight Control and Hydraulic Systems Branch. Barker has been succeeded by Joel H. Benkie, who was general manager of Parker's Control Systems Div.-Military.
HISTORIC AIRCRAFT Looking at Israel's fighting in the West Bank cities and the latest U.S. experience in Iraq, both U.S. and Israeli officials contend that the day of the manned, attack helicopter is over. The Israelis predict Iraq will see the last extensive use of attack helicopters in a major conflict. Post-war analyses will doom further attack helicopter development, they say. Pentagon officials agree to the extent that attack helicopters will not be used as an independent maneuver force unsupported by fixed-wing aircraft and artillery.
Improper handling of oxy-fuel equipment and compressed gas cylinders can lead to injuries and property damage. Proper handling techniques are critical to achieving a safe workplace. This $29.99, 40-min. safety video, Oxy-Fuel Equipment Safety & Operations, discusses all aspects of oxy-fuel cutting, welding, brazing and heating safety. Topics include: gas cylinder handling; torch operation; and information regarding fuel gas characteristics, gas regulation and personal safety. A Spanish-language version will be available later this year.
The TH-10 long-range, IR surveillance camera system is ruggedized for demanding environmental conditions and meets Mil-Std-810E environmental protection standards. Its mechanical, electrical and software interface integrates with established tracking or surveillance systems. Designed for use where continuous IR imaging is needed, the unit features O-ring seals and a dry nitrogen-purged environment. The mid-format (320 X 256 pixels) or Phoenix large-format (640 X 512 pixels) camera may be specified. Remote control of camera and lens functions is standard.
Air France and British Airways' joint decision to stop operating Concorde is unprecedented. For the first time in history, the fastest commercial transport in existence is being phased out without a more advanced design waiting in the wings. The French flag carrier is slated to ground its five-aircraft supersonic fleet on May 31 while BA will continue London-New York flights to Oct. 31 before putting an end to 27 years of supersonic operations.
TKO2 is a rust preventive, cleaner and lubricant for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals in indoor and outdoor environments. The product: penetrates and spreads rapidly; has lubricating capabilities at low and high temperatures; contains no hazardous, volatile petroleum solvents; is biodegradable; contains no potentially carcinogenic barium compounds; meets Mil-L-63460 requirements as a rust preventive for small automatic rifles; will not stain steel, and can be wiped off.
Alenia Spazio has handed over a second pressurized interconnection module for the International Space Station Node 2. ASI accepted the module, known as Node 2, on behalf of ESA, which is supplying the structure to NASA under a barter arrangement. Intended to permit the connection of the European Columbus laboratory and the Japanese Kibo lab, Node 2 is to be installed on the ISS in 2004.
Correction: In a story in last week's issue about the initial F-117 attack on Saddam Hussein, the role of Lt. Col. Mathew McKeon, commander of the 8th Expeditionary Fighter Sqdn., was incorrectly stated (AW&ST Apr. 7, p.24). He did not fly the mission but did provide the interview for the two pilots who conducted the attack.
Northrop Grumman/Rafael LiteningII targeting pods carried by A-10s (under right wing in photo) have given the Warthog considerable flexibility and multiplied the aircraft's effectiveness during the war in Iraq, according to aircrews.
Air operations focused last week largely on the complexities of urban battle in Baghdad. The key to taking the city turned out to be "a combination of finesse air power and guys who hold the terrain," said Col. Jon Miclot, operations officer for the 3rd Marine Air Wing.
