Endevco's new Model 2272 is a piezoelectric accelerometer designed to measure vibration at temperature extremes. A self-generating unit that requires no external power source for operation, the unit is hermetically sealed for use in harsh environments. Its unique sensing elements offer an unusually flat temperature response over an extensive range. Low-temperature applications include cryogenic equipment and processes, and the accelerometer can also be used for high-temperature vibration measurements. Endevco, 30700 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 92675.
The new digital controlled XDC 6-kw. Series for test and measurement is designed for applications that require high power in a relatively small package, including R&D, production test, ATE, OEM and magnet charging. The XDC Series provides 20% more power than existing 5 kw. supplies in the market at a comparable price, according to the company. In addition to digital control, an embedded controller makes the XDC a ``smart'' programmable DC supply. The XDC Series is designed for both rack-mounted system and bench-top use.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa are trimming their networks to deal with the global economic slowdown and diminishing passenger demand. KLM will cut overall capacity by 3% in the upcoming winter timetable and reduce frequencies on some key long-haul routes. Lufthansa, currently one of the best performing European airlines, will slow its planned growth to 3% per year from 7% and withdraw from several long-haul routes.
Victor Jaime Manrique and Jorge Delgado have been appointed senior safety oversight consultants based, respectively, in Lima, Peru, and Montevideo, Uruguay, for Miami-based Aviation Management Services.
A ballooning budget deficit may make it impossible for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to increase government support for the aerospace and defense industry, as he has promised to do. Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti's bombshell last month that the government deficit was likely to reach 1.9% of gross domestic product, and perhaps zoom as high as 2.6%--perilously close to the 3% stability pact ceiling for euro-participating nations--is putting pressure on Berlusconi to pare back government spending.
Seamus O'Brien has become director of marketing for engine and fuel products and Greg Reese business manager in the Northwest U.S. for Crane Aerospace, Lynn- wood, Wash. O'Brien was head of sales and marketing for subsidiary Lear Romec. Reese was a regional sales manager for subsidiary Interpoint.
Don Crisp, chairman of the Panama City-Bay County (Fla.) International Airport Authority, has been named a Captain of American Aviation by the George Washington University Aviation Institute. The award recognizes local leaders in aviation safety and infrastructure development. Crisp was cited for his work in ``developing a plan for moving one of America's most constrained commercial airports to a new location where it would potentially be one of the nation's best examples of new airport development.''
Yves Bonnet has been elected commissioner general of the Paris air show. He succeeds Edmond Marchegay, who is chairman/CEO of Intertechnique. Bonnet is vice chairman of the Snecma group.
CDC SYSTEMS UK HAS SELECTED Rockwell Collins to supply the embedded and handheld military Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment for the U.K. Ministry of Defense's Bowman program, the British Army's next-generation tactical communications system. The $86-million program will include more than 37,000 GPS receivers for aircraft, vehicles and ships. Collins will commence delivery of its new third-generation precision lightweight GPS receiver (PLGR)-III and Miniature PLGR engine in early 2002.
CAE has been selected to build the Eurofighter Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA) for Eurofighter Simulation Systems under a contract valued at C$40 million. ASTA will support both the introduction and future training needs of the Eurofighter Typhoon in four nations--Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. CAE will develop and deliver synthetic environment simulation for 27 training devices including full-mission simulators, cockpit trainers and interactive pilot stations.
Business aircraft passengers can get secure inflight links to their company's e-mail and intranet with inflightonline's Secure Wings system (www.inflightonline.com). It makes a virtual private network connection to e-mail systems like Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes in a ``behind the firewall'' manner, as if the user were wired to the inside of his company. Several computers, including personal digital assistants, can use one link simultaneously, and Secure Wings works at rates as low as 2,400 bits/sec., as might be found on a transoceanic Inmarsat satellite.
Bernard Bussieres has been named vice president-legal services/corporate secretary of Transat A.T. Inc. of Montreal. He was a senior partner in the law firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
China Southern Airlines Group is reporting a first-of-its-kind agreement with the nation's government-owned postal air carrier--China Post Airlines--that should raise the image of the Guangdong-based carrier even more as the nation's largest airline. The post office will put mail on board China Southern aircraft and integrate its computer systems for mail dispatch, tracking and inquiries with China Southern's infotech systems. CSA will cooperate with China Post Airlines on ground handling, cargo and staff training.
Benet J. Wilson has become director of corporate communications and community affairs of the Mesa Air Group. She was editor of the Washington-based newsletter Commuter/Regional Airline News.
The Fischerscope X-ray XUL provides fast and accurate noncontact coating thickness measurement, while nearly eliminating the need for calibrations standards. The XUL system is ideal for measuring the thickness of all electroplated coatings, as well as the thickness and composition of alloy coatings. The unit is a new design that incorporates proven inverted optics--both the X-ray tube and detector system are located beneath the measuring stage.
Advanced Technical Products Inc.'s Marion Composites division will supply fighter aircraft nose radomes for Milan's FIAR SPA. Deliveries will begin 2004.
Melanie Silosky, a junior majoring in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., has won a 2001 Society of Satellite Professionals International scholarship funded by Loral Skynet. She was cited for her project entitled ``Improved Mass Center Control for Satellite Fuel Tanks.''
Myanmar Airways International, seeking to attract new business, recently introduced a new livery and logo, the ``Pyinsa Rupa,'' the mythological bird of Myanmar. It also upgraded all inflight services and redesigned uniforms worn by cabin crew. In January, Singapore-based Region Air secured a 49% stake in MAI. The air charter and leasing company is providing MAI support in the areas of management, marketing and financial strategy. Airline executives say MAI's focus is on expansion in the regional market.
Boeing is considering shifting more tail work on its 777 to its Hawker de Havilland business unit in Australia. The unit, which includes the former AeroSpace Technologies of Australia, already makes the 777 composite rudders and elevators. It is now proposing to add more subcomponents of the aircraft's tail assembly to the Hawker de Havilland manifest. The proposal is the result of last year's decision to close down process assembly work at its Auburn factory near Seattle in favor of a consolidated assembly process.
A high-definition television camera and related equipment set for launch to the International Space Station this week on board the space shuttle Discovery will be the first commercial hardware orbited under a new NASA program. Its aim is to defray the cost of ISS operations by farming out some aspects to private business.
Chris Chiames has become managing director and Matt Triaca manager of the Aviation, Transportation and Tourism Group of Burson-Marsteller in Washington. Chiames was managing director of public relations for American Airlines, while Triaca was media relations manager of United Airlines.
The Jason 1 satellite has arrived at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., for final launch preparations leading to liftoff no earlier than Sept. 15. The French-built spacecraft is the follow-on to the Topex/Poseidon satellite, which has been making measurements of ocean surface topography for nearly a decade. The new satellite, a NASA/CNES joint project, will be launched on a Delta II booster.
PanAmSat Corp. and JSAT Corp. of Japan have set up a $100-million joint venture to sell C- and Ku-band satellite service from a single satellite at 127 deg. W. Long. The Boeing HS 601 spacecraft, planned for launch late next year, will carry 24 C-band transponders licensed by PanAmSat through the FCC, and 24 Ku-band transponders licensed in Japan. PanAmSat will use the C-band links to replace the Galaxy IX satellite in its U.S. cable arc, while JSAT will use the deal to push into the U.S. market for the first time.
A Swiss-German venture has developed a liquid-filled suit that allows pilots to function comfortably under the force of 9g. German MiG-29 pilots who wore the suit during mock-combat missions in Nevada say it offers protection at least comparable to USAF's Combat Edge anti-g suit, but has no sensors, pumps or connections to the aircraft.
USAF Maj. Gen. (ret.) H. Marshal Ward (see photo) has been appointed vice president-space systems operations of BAE Systems Information and Electronic Warfare Systems, Nashua, N.H. He was director of special programs in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics at the Pentagon.
