Cathay Pacific, in an agreement with U.S. research and development firm Primex Technologies, plans to offer on-board Intranet and e-mail to passengers in all classes of services in its 56-aircraft fleet. The Primex Emport in-seat data system will allow passengers to link up with the services via laptop computers. The high-speed network cabin distribution system would allow more than 200 passengers to access data simultaneously. Empower, a power system for recharging notebooks and laptops, will also be available at each seat.
Curtiss-Wright has won a 10-year work order from Bell Helicopter Textron to provide computer-monitored shot-peening services on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey military aircraft and Bell Agusta 609.
The Road to Arnhem: A Screaming Eagle in Holland, by Donald R. Burgett, 1999. This title from the author of the Airborne classic Currahee! describes the less well-known actions of the U.S. 101st Airborne Div. during Operation Market Garden, Montgomery's ill-fated attempt to enter Germany in September 1944. This is a harrowing, first-person account by a participant told in a gritty, often graphic style, regarding combat in the largest airborne invasion in history. B&W illustrations. Presidio Press, 505B San Marin Drive, Suite 300, Novoto, Calif. 94945-1340.
Al Crellin has been promoted to senior vice president from vice president-customer service and William G. Bozin has become vice president-safety and regulatory compliance of US Airways. Bozin was senior director of safety for the Washington-based Air Transport Assn.
Quick-change cotton fiber abrasive discs feature added flexibility to follow the contours and radii of aluminum, composite, titanium and stainless steel structures without gouging. The discs are made from multiple layers of nonwoven cotton fiber impregnated with abrasive grains and bonded together. Revealing fresh abrasives as they grind, blend and finish, in one step, they feature added flexibility to let operators follow contoured surfaces without chatter. Available in 2-3-in.-dia.
Thomson-CSF's U.K. affiliate has agreed to acquire Quintec Associates Ltd., a British systems engineering consulting company specializing in naval and land-based C4 systems, simulation and public/private partnership activities. The acquisition is aimed at reinforcing Thomson's growing presence in the U.K., and in particular to boost its efforts to win the Royal Navy's Future Carrier competition, in which Thomson is allied with Lockheed Martin and other partners.
SpongeBlast is a new family of products comprised of sponge particles that release fast-acting abrasives or cleaning agents upon impact. They are designed to add speed and decrease dust in the removal of paint and other coatings and can also be used to accelerate major cleaning projects. SpongeBlast uses embedded abrasives inside soft, sponge particles, then releases them upon impact with a surface.
Lots of neat stuff for engineers is at www.GetFreeData.com, from Arianespace to Z-transforms, with Dilbert in between. . . . Software Technology Inc. has released version 4.0 of its OS/Comet program for satellite development, test, integration and operations. The new version includes improved archiving tools, drag-and-drop display building and command security. . . . Continental Airlines will manage its flight crew staffing and training with Caleb Technologies' ManpowerSolver system, which is to replace several existing systems by March 2001.
Allan Cook, group managing director for avionics at BAE Systems, has been appointed group managing director for programs, including Eurofighter. He succeeds Steve Mogford, who has been promoted to chief operating officer for programs and customer support. Chris Geoghegan, who was special adviser to Airbus Industrie President Noel Forgeard, has returned to BAE to succeed Cook. Julian Scopes has been named director of international sales and marketing support for the Gripen program. Alex Finlay will succeed Scopes as managing director for Central and Eastern Europe.
The working relationship for International Space Station training and operations is good and slowly getting better between NASA astronaut, flight control and engineering personnel based in Russia and their Russian space agency/contractor counterparts.
The French aerospace industry, government agencies and scientists are evaluating whether a new supersonic civil transport could be developed in the foreseeable future that could operate competitively and generate a viable return on investment. By midyear, the Comite d'Orientation sur le Supersonique (COS), a government-led task force, hopes to complete an analysis of technology readiness programs, feasibility studies and exploratory aircraft and engine concepts that could pave the way for a Concorde successor.
This easy-to-install sealing system features elements made from Disogrin 9250, a urethane known for durability, water resistance and sealing performance. The HBY Buffer Seal is engineered to withstand pressure spikes of up to 8,000 psi. The patented design prevents destructive pressure build-up between it and the secondary seal, thereby preventing premature failure. Accurate guidance is provided with guide bands available in a variety of materials and load-carrying capabilities. The system can operate at speeds of up to 100 ft./min.
Greece-based Sapo International, a car- and yacht-rental and real estate group, has ordered an Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner to begin ``luxury air travel'' services. It will be powered by International Aero Engines V2527 turbofans. Airbus is scheduled to deliver Sapo's green A319CJ to Ozark Aircraft Systems in November for cabin interior arrangements.
Raytheon Co. has decided to divest its Raytheon Engineers and Constructors unit after all. At one time, current management was adamant about holding onto the $2.6-billion operation because of its potential contribution to the corporation's cash flow. Now Raytheon has decided the business--a chronic problem area because of its high costs--no longer is ``central'' to the company's future. Management will explore several options, including a joint venture, spinning it off or selling it outright.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER AEROSPACE HAS FORMED a fully owned subsidiary, Ewation, to link its electronic warfare businesses, and established an alliance with Grintek System Technologies of Pretoria, South Africa, to market EW products. The joint product line--under the trademark MRCM (Monitoring, Reconnaissance and Counter Measures)--will make the two companies a leading force in signal intelligence systems, with a combined workforce of 500 employees and annual revenues of 125 million euros ($120 million).
JenaNet.Com is using two nets to diagnose jet engine problems. First is the Internet. Engine data taken a variety of ways --inflight, on-wing on the ground, or in a test cell--is submitted via the Web to JenaNet, where it is compared with a database built from all of JenaNet's customers, giving a broader experience base than a single company would have. And the comparisons are made via a neural network scheme that reports which engine modules need repair and the probable level of deterioration.
Bombardier Aerospace, coming off a year of solid growth, is planning to further expand its product support and aircraft completion network, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.
The ML-3500 can handle hard materials efficiently, allowing high-cost CNC machines to remain open for specific CNC-required applications. It is also six times faster than I.D. grinding and other honing processes, including older model Sunnen honing machines, and can be set up in half the time for increased production efficiencies. The ML-3500 allows users to rough and finish in one operation. Sunnen Products Co., 7910 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63143.
Malaysia Airlines hopes to complete its review of alliance options by the end of April. According to Chairman Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli, a decision will be announced in mid-May. Speaking at the Asean Business Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Tajudin said that Wings, the Qualifier Group and Oneworld were being considered. Malaysia Airlines has close ties with both KLM and Northwest in the Wings Alliance.
Stephen N. (Nick) Hoiles has been promoted to vice president/general manager of the Test&Calibration Instruments Div. of Ametek Inc., Paoli, Pa., from director of its calibration/monitoring unit.
Bill Wilhelmi (see photos) has been appointed managing director of training services, David Boggess director of training support and Kyle Drake quality leader, all of SimuFlite Training International Inc., Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Wilhelmi was director of marketing and business development. Boggess was manager of customer and client services for Lowe's Home Improvement.
Egypt has decided to buy the Humraam short-range air defense system that comprises a target detection radar, standard AIM-120 Amraam missiles and a Humvee-based launcher. Humraam would replace Egypt's older SA-6 surface-to-air missile system. The missile to be used is identical to Amraams fired from aircraft. The U.S. has conducted 23 test firings of the Humraam system with 21 successes. In addition, the U.S. and Egypt are discussing the sale of Patriot air defense batteries, but budget pressures have forced Cairo to delay the buy until 2006.
The electronic business-to-business marketplace AviationX has signed an agreement with Reed Elsevier's Business Information unit to provide customers market and industry data. AviationX so far has three user airlines, Mesaba, Express I and Chautauqua.
Pierre Roy has been appointed president of Majestic Aviation Services Inc., the Canadian affiliate of Las Vegas-based GF Haymore Inc. He has been a consultant since retiring in 1996 as director of regulatory affairs of Canadian International Airlines.
