TI Group's Dowty unit has been selected to design and build primary flight control actuators for the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer, and will collaborate with BAE Systems and Teleavio of Italy. The M-346 is derived from the Aermacchi/Yakovlev 130 and is intended for training pilots of fourth-generation fighters such as the Eurofighter and Rafale (AW&ST July 31, p. 55).
Phillippe Choppin de Janvry has been appointed chairman and T. Grant John president of the Special Metals Corp., New Hartford, N.Y. De Janvry succeeds Robert D. Halverstadt, who has retired. De Janvry was CEO of Eramet International and counsellor to the chairman. John succeeds Donald R. Muzyka, who also has retired.
Is there a new mission for the National Reconnaissance Office? ``We are going to ask NRO to develop some new equipment for us,'' said Porter Goss, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee. ``We think some cutting-edge technology on hole punchers will be very useful,'' the Florida Republican quipped.
Sebastian Pinera has been named president of the board of directors of LanChile. He is a former senator in Chile and succeeds Jorge Awad, who will continue as a board member.
Air Force pilot shortages are not being ameliorated, so the Pentagon may offer increased bonuses and consider bumping up the current 10-year minimum service requirement. It was recently raised from eight years. Rostker, the Pentagon's personnel and readiness czar, says other ideas are being kicked around to help with the military's overall retention problem. Noncommissioned officer pay may be rejiggered, with an eye to rewarding achievement. Rostker argues that most NCOs now have college degrees, so they should not be paid as high school graduates.
Michael Chanatry has been appointed executive vice president/general manager of Middle River Aircraft Systems of Baltimore. He succeeds Ray Roquemore, who has retired. Chanatry was vice president-production operations.
The Franco-British team formed in August to devise modifications to Air France and British Airways Concordes is schedluded to meet in London on Dec. 15. The team is expected to review proposals to be jointly submitted by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. and BAE Systems, such as reinforcement of wing fuel tanks. EADS and BAE Systems are the successors of the companies that jointly developed Concorde in the 1960s. Last week's meeting was inconclusive, and no plan was drafted to reinstate the certificates of airworthiness.
A lack of support from key U.S. Air Force generals is impeding development of a military spaceplane, according to USAF space command and industry officials.
Cary Deacon has become president/ chief operating officer of SkyMall Inc. of Phoenix. He was head of marketing and sales for ValueVision International Inc.
Richard A. Warren has been named director of supply chain management for the Group Technologies Corp., Tampa, Fla. He was materials and purchasing manager for the Lear Corp.
Officials at Brussels South Charleroi Airport are actively promoting the facility's ample runway capacity and expect to attract more low-fare and cargo carriers. But local residents and environmentalists strongly oppose a plan to extend the runway, which would allow freighters to use the airport, especially at night. In an effort to placate the opposition, officials and local authorities plan to subsidize a soundproofing program involving as many as 12,000 homes.
Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, chairman of British Airways plc., has been elected chairman of the board of trustees of The Conference Board Inc. of New York. He succeeds C.R. Shoemate.
U.S. Marine Corp. Gen. (ret.) Anthony Zinni has been named distinguished senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He was commander-in-chief of the U.S. Central Command.
The Assn. of Asia Pacific Airlines says the region is on target to become the biggest generator of air traffic within the next 10-15 years. The AAPA's 18 members have produced a 13% increase in passengers and revenue passenger kilometers in the first three quarters of 2000. Load factors have averaged 78%, Director General Richard Stirland said. The nine-month period produced a 14% growth rate for freight with average load factors of 69%.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. (LMAC) and Korea Aerospace Industry (KAI) have signed a joint marketing agreement for the T-50 advanced trainer. Each company will lead marketing and development activities in their own countries, while activities in other countries will be co-managed by LMAC and KAI through T-50 International. The T-50 is a new designation for the supersonic KTX-2 advanced trainer. The South Korean air force plans to acquire at least 100 aircraft, with initial deliveries beginning in 2005.
KLM, Martinair and Kenya Airways plan to establish a cargo airline in Africa to take advantage of rapid freight growth there. The as-yet-unnamed joint venture company, to be based in Nairobi, is to be operational by January. The company will be 60% owned by Kenya Airways, in which KLM holds a 26% stake. KLM also owns a 50% share in Martinair, a small Dutch scheduled/charter operator.
Skip Feher has become vice president-marketing and business development of Airshow Inc., Tulsa, Okla. He was general manager for communications services. Russ Johnson has become senior director of business development and Prashant Panchal director of subscription services.
Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., director of the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institute of Washington, has been named vice president of The Planetary Society, Pasadena, Calif. He succeeds Laurel Wilkening, who is retiring from the board of directors.
The U.S. Marine Corps has selected BFGoodrich's Universal Fuel Quantity Tester to support its AV-8B Harrier program. BFG is expected to deliver 30 test- er and interface sets in early 2001.
Global Hawk--the U.S. Air Force's high-altitude, 34-hr.-endurance unmanned reconnaissance aircraft--may spawn ``Eurohawk'' and ``Gulfhawk,'' versions of the long-range vehicle tailored for foreign customers with specialized regional missions.
Penelope Longbottom (see photo) has formed Longbottom Communications LLC, Arlington, Va. She has been a public relations executive with the DirecTV unit of GM Hughes Electronics, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications and XM Satellite Radio.
