Sabena Belgian World Airlines' executives will submit a revised recovery plan to SAirGroup and the Belgian government in the next few weeks designed to staunch the carrier's massive losses. Last year, Sabena's deficit climbed to 325 million euros ($292 million) on $2.2 billion in revenues. Paradoxically, healthy traffic growth and a cost-effective fleet could not have prevented the outcome and appears to indicate an outdated strategy that no longer matches mid-size airlines and Europe's deregulated air transportation market.
Space leaders are attempting to refocus Europe's sputtering and fragmented reusable launch vehicle initiative as they grapple with some of the issues that forced the recent reevaluation of the U.S. RLV effort. ``The time is right for reappraisal of Europe's RLV program,'' said European Space Agency launcher director Jean-Jacques Dordain. ``U.S. experience has shown that these projects cannot be market driven. They must be driven wholly by government.''
Lufthansa is facing its first severe pilot strike ever, following the union's rejection of its latest offer. Lufthansa offered a 10-16% wage and bonus package, but the pilots want 35%. The union said it is considering spot strikes--perhaps during the busy Easter holiday season (AW&ST Apr. 2, p. 24).
Raytheon Electronic Systems has conducted a successful ``first light'' test of the Track Illumination Laser (TILL) for the Beam Control/Fire Control system for the U.S. Air Force's Airborne Laser (ABL) program. ``The `first light' test is significant because the TILL is the heart of the Beam Control/Fire Control system,'' said Lockheed Martin ABL Program Manager Paul Shattuck. ``This is brand-new technology and the test proves the design is valid.'' Raytheon is a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., which is building the BC/FC system.
Earle Williams, retired president/CEO of BDM International Inc., is one of five new members of the board of directors of Dimensions International Inc., Alexandria, Va. The other four are: Haley Barbour, former chairman of the Republican National Committee; former National League President Leonard S. Coleman, Jr.; former U.S. Army commander-in-chief Gen. (ret.) Crosbie Edgerton Saint; and Belle S. Wheelan, president of the Northern Virginia Community College.
CAE will build two Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and a Flight Training Device to train pilots flying the Learjet 60, Challenger 604 and Global Express built by Bombardier Aerospace. They will also upgrade an existing trainer to FFS status. The simulators are scheduled for delivery to a U.S.-based training center in mid-2002. In addition, Bombardier is scheduled to open a new customer training facility for its business jets at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport this week.
Access to France's defense market continues to be restricted, according to BAE Systems Chief Executive John Weston. ``There should be a change in France's military procurement policy, which should evolve toward a more open market.'' Although the British group is the leading defense exporter worldwide and the biggest defense company in Europe, its top executives are convinced BAE Systems remains underrepresented in the French forces' procurement spending. ``Although no short-term opportunities are in sight, we have the radar switched on,'' Weston noted.
B/E Aerospace Inc., whose common shares have more than tripled in value during the last 12 months, last week reported strong earnings per share (EPS) for the company's fourth quarter, which ended Feb. 24, as well as all of fiscal 2001. Management also confirmed their outlook for EPS growth of 40% in fiscal 2002 and next year, before an expected accounting rule change.
Northwest Airlines has contracted for the use of Megadata Corp.'s PASSUR flight tracking information service and its suite of data and software. The Northwest Systems Operations Center (SOC) in Minneapolis will utilize PASSUR (Passive Secondary Surveillance Radar), which provides radar coverage within a 150-mi. radius of the terminal area, updated every 5 sec. Currently, Delta, Continental, United and Air Canada utilize PASSUR. The system can be customized to include aircraft position and identification, estimated time of arrival, airport flow rates and runway usage.
The transition of executive power at Southwest Airlines in June is expected to be smooth, with few if any changes to the low-fare carrier's style of operation as it strives to minimize costs, pacify labor and expand service.
Tom Lewis (see photo) has become senior manager of the travel and ground handling services division of the Emirates Group, and thus heads operations at Dubai International Airport. He succeeds Dale Griffith, who has been promoted to director of Emirates Airport Services.
General Electric, Pratt&Whitney and Rolls-Royce each have their own proprietary agreement with Boeing Commercial Airplanes to investigate engines for the Mach 0.95 transport, but they are all awaiting basic definition of the airplane, such as its range, payload capacity and takeoff weight.
Several upgrades the U.S. Navy has made to its EP-3E signals intelligence-gathering aircraft may have been compromised by China's ability to examine the highly specialized aircraft that landed at a Chinese air base following a midair collision with an F-8 fighter. How much of an intelligence bonanza for China the capture of the EP-3 turns out to be depends largely on the amount of on-board information the 24 crewmembers were able to destroy.
General Dynamics Ordinance and Tactical Systems has won a $3-million contract for production of MXU 4 A/A jet engine starter cartridges for Royal Australian Air Force RF-111 aircraft.
Richard Knott wrote this article on the history of Naval Aviation for Aviation Week&Space Technology. Knott served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation machinist's mate, prior to attending college. He flew in a Martin P-5M Sqdn. after receiving his Navy wings. He later flew Lockheed P-3 Orions during a tour in Vietnam. He was editor of Naval Aviation News magazine and retired as a captain in 1986. His most recent book, A Heritage of Wings, was published by Naval Institute Press.
Naval Aviation's roles and missions are not likely to change by the time the military component celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2011, but the types of aircraft being flown and the weapons carried will be much different, providing the battle group with increased strike capability. This difference will not only be applicable to strike warfare from aircraft carriers, it will also be evident in how the U.S Navy carries out its antisubmarine, maritime patrol, pilot training and helicopter related missions.
Kamov has started the certification flight test program for the Ka-226A multipurpose helicopter. The Ministry of Public Safety has ordered five of the aircraft, which are equipped with twin Allison 250-C20R turboshaft engines and coaxial three-blade rotors. Certification is expected in autumn 2002.
Federal Express has signed a contract with Tennessee-based Messier-Bugatti to replace the steel brakes on 43 Airbus A310-200 aircraft with the company's A300-Sepcarb-Plus carbon brakes and wheels.
EADS officials are leaving the door open for Greece to join the Eurofighter program, even though the country has deferred a decision to acquire the aircraft.
Raytheon Aircraft Co. has received orders for 59 T-6A ``Texan II'' turboprop-powered trainers from the U.S. Air Force and Navy as part of the service's Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) program. Plans call for the Air Force to receive 454 airplanes and the Navy 328 by 2017. To date, the company has orders for 167 aircraft from the U.S. military. The T-6A is scheduled to enter service with the Air Force at Moody AFB, Ga., in June, and the Navy in 2003.
The Sino-American row over the aircraft collision above Hainan Island prefigures the controversy that U.S. reconnaissance flights might cause in any future deployment of Pentagon missile defenses in Asia.
Faced with daunting losses, and the prospect of more to come, SAirGroup may be forced to reduce its holdings in several major operating units, threatening their chances of survival.
