This product can clean aircraft, both inside and out, without the need to wax separately. Wash Wax ALL cleans and waxes. The protective nonstick coating left behind prevents dirt and grime from adhering to surfaces. It is a water-based, petroleum-free formulation, safe to use on surfaces such as paint, plastic, leather, vinyl, bare metals, glass, porcelain, fiberglass, composites and rubber, according to the company. Just spray on and wipe dry. Aero Cosmetics, P.O. Box 460025, San Antonio, Tex. 78246.
In the wake of terrorist attacks in the U.S., officials of the National Business Aviation Assn. canceled the organization's 54th Annual Meeting and Convention. According to NBAA, the board of directors voted to postpone the event until a later time. In view of the national emergency, the association will ``redirect'' the resources of its membership ``toward national recovery and aid to the victims and their families'' affected by the attacks in New York and Washington.
United Airlines, British Midland and four European Star Alliance partners completed the trifecta of transatlantic antitrust immunity (ATI) applications before the U.S. Transportation Dept., all premised on negotiation of U.S. open skies agreements with the U.K. and France. ATI bids from Oneworld partners American Airlines and British Airways, and from Skyteam carriers Delta, Air France, Alitalia and CSA Czech Airlines, already were before the department and the AA-BA application is at the stage of trying to beat back a first challenge.
Finland and Norway have selected the multinational NH Industries NH-90, while Denmark has opted for the AgustaWestland EH-101 in their respective competitions for a maritime helicopter. Finland will buy 20 NH-90s, with deliveries to run from 2004 through 2008. The contract is worth more than $330 million. Norway will take 14 NH-90s, but details about its plans weren't immediately available. Copenhagen plans to take delivery of its 14 helicopters between 2004 and 2006. The cost of the Danish deal is pegged at $365 million.
Arabsat is preparing to issue requests for information for a fourth-generation spacecraft. The organization has two satellites at 26 deg. E. Long. and wants to develop the spot into a ``hotbird'' position, according to Said Al-Qahtani, a top official. However, plans for an initial public offering have been abandoned for now. ``Banks are lining up to invest [in Arabsat],'' Al-Qahtani said. ``Were an IPO to take place today, we would be valued at $1-1.5 billion.''
Close collaboration between Raytheon Aircraft Co. and FlightSafety International's simulator division has produced a Level C simulator that accurately replicates the Premier I's flight characteristics and systems operation. In preparation for my flight in the airplane, I spent more than an hour in the simulator at the Raytheon Aircraft Learning Center across the street from the Raytheon factory. My instructor for the session was Tom Sifford, a Premier I demonstration pilot and a member of Raytheon Aircraft's sales team based at Indianapolis.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems reports that the Advanced Extremely High Frequency military communications satellite program, valued at $2.5 billion when it was awarded a year ago, has passed preliminary design review (PDR) by the Milsatcom Joint Program Office. The Advanced EHF manufacturing team, which includes TRW Space and Electronics and Boeing Satellite Systems, is now focusing on PDRs for the ground and satellite segments that are to be conducted through mid-September. System level critical design reviews are set for July 2003 and first launch, for December 2005.
A Czech-made Let 410 turboprop crashed in the eastern Mexico state of Yucatan, Sept. 12, killing all 19 on board. Among the dead were 16 Seattle-area tourists taking a side trip to the Mayan ruins as part of a Caribbean cruise. The crash occurred in good weather after the aircraft departed the Chichen Itza Airport bound for Cozumel.
Pilots and air traffic control specialists agree that the terrorists who crashed hijacked aircraft into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon had to be experienced pilots who had received some training in the Boeing 757/767.
The FAA has finalized its analysis of compressed arrival procedures (Caps) for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, finding that vertical stacking of inbound aircraft can speed up arrivals from 4-20 min. The results are part of a broader two-year study called the Chicago Terminal Airspace Project designed to make arrivals more efficient and cut delays. Officials found that by staggering the usual single-file inbound stream with another stream 1,000 ft. above, faster traffic was able to leapfrog slower aircraft and get to the airport sooner.
The Inspecta-VU PV-1 hand-held, high-resolution flexible borescopic system for visual inspections, at $995, is small enough to fit in a toolbox but is completely self-contained. The illuminator and a rechargeable battery are built into the handle for more than 1-hr. use on a single charge. A U.S. compatible charger is furnished unless specified otherwise. The PV-l's image quality results from a high-resolution fiber-optic image bundle and the kind of magnification system found in an optical microscope.
The company will provide thrust reverser relay control boxes to Boeing for DC-10, MD-10, KC-10 and KDC-10 aircraft. The FAA-mandated boxes, which provide wing engine thrust reverse lock-out, are based on a Boeing design used on all 700 series aircraft. The assembly comprises several Leach components, including relays, time delays, relay sockets, a grounding block assembly and a wire harness--all installed in a modular aluminum box. The manufacturing facility at which the company manufactures these boxes is certificated as an FAA Repair Station and is ISO-9001 approved.
The U.S. airline industry, already struggling prior to last week's devastating terrorist bombings in New York and Washington, probably faces even greater financial distress in the calamity's aftermath.
Carolyn Griner, vice president/general manager of Washington-based Spacehab's Huntsville (Ala.) Operations and program manager for the Microgravity Alliance, has received a 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Aerospace. Griner was honored for accomplishments before retiring earlier this year after 36 years with NASA. She is a former deputy director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
FLIGHT OPTIONS, A FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP OPERATOR, has signed a contract with Rockwell Collins Aviation Services for service and support of avionics in its fleet of 88 used airplanes. Under the five-year agreement, Rockwell Collins will provide spares at multiple bases, logistics management, maintenance and repair, and support. Known as Dispatch 100, the service guarantees availability and features a flight-hour-based invoice.
After the Administration and Congress have beefed up airport and airline security, they will have to face the unpleasant but undeniable fact that terrorism has made the U.S. commercial aviation system less efficient and more expensive. Tighter security will slow down operations and increase the time it takes travelers to get from one place to another, but at greater cost because more security usually costs more money. The Air Transport Assn. already warns that dealing with sophisticated terrorists is ``beyond our abilities and responsibilities.''
Landa has introduced a skid-mounted, hot-water pressure washer with features such as an extra narrow frame. There are seven models of the MHP series that are gasoline-powered and heated by oil/diesel fuel. Cleaning power ranges from 3.5-4.2 gal. per minute in water flow and 2,000-3,500 psi. of pressure. All are powered by Honda (11-20 hp.) or Vanguard (16 hp.) engines. The MHP models are housed in a narrow skid frame measuring less than 25 in. wide so they fit through a doorway. A side panel provides protection to components and is easy to remove using thumbscrews.
Wayne H. Goodman has been promoted to principal director of EELV launch verification from systems director in the office of the corporate chief architect-engineer of The Aerospace Corp. of Los Angeles.
Tim Archer has been appointed senior vice president, Brent Henman vice president-strategic programs and outsourcing, Robert Williams vice president-product distribution and James Towle director of sales for powerplant systems, all for Superior Air Parts Inc. of Dallas. Archer was vice president-sales and marketing, Henman director of sales for the Business Aircraft Support Group and Williams director of the Manufacturing Business Unit. Towle was director of sales for Van Bortel Engine Sales.
European airlines are shuddering from the seismic aftershocks of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Beyond disrupted operations, stranded passengers and major losses in revenues, an anxious public--coupled with a bleak economic forecast--could further erode European carriers' fragile financial status and precipitate a downturn for the European airline industry.
Air Canada has received a 16-year, $285-million contract for the maintenance and repair of components for Atlantic Coast Airlines' fleet of Canadair Regional Jets. The work will be performed at the carrier's Dorval Maintenance Center in Montreal.
In sharp contrast with most European carriers' economic concerns and disappointing financial results, Air France continues to grow and achieve superior profits. During the first quarter of the 2001-02 fiscal year, the French flag carrier's revenues increased a healthy 12.5% to 3.37 billion euros ($3.03 billion) and net profit rose 9.5% to $175.5 million. Average passenger load factor was a high 79% and yields increased 0.3% (2% on long-range routes). Air France executives stressed that such enviable results stem from pragmatism and efficiency.
