Air Algerie has ordered 10 next-generation Boeing 737s in a deal valued at $460 million. The sale consists of seven 162-passenger -800 versions and three 108-seat -600 models.
Negotiations for new labor contracts in this time of record-high U.S. airline profits are complicated, difficult and increasingly emotionally charged. Recent agreements signal an end to many of labor's work rule concessions and offer substantial pay increases. There are no guarantees in this tough, new environment that the rank-and-file union members, eager to share more in the profits, will ratify the proposed contracts.
Dassault Falcon Jet and Executive Jet Aviation intend to expand the use of Dassault Falcon 2000 twinjets in EJA's NetJets fractional ownership program.
Ed R. Ahrens has become senior vice president-aircraft services of the Atlantic Aviation Corp., Wilmington, Del. He was vice president/general manager of Garrett Aviation Services, Springfield, Ill.
An independent panel is warning that the U.S. is more vulnerable to a ballistic missile attack than intelligence estimates have suggested, and concludes the nation could have little warning before operational deployment of threatening missiles.
Legislation to reauthorize the FAA and its programs for four years cleared the Senate Commerce Committee last week with a variety of controversial provisions, including one to add flights and remove some restrictions at four slot-constrained airports in the U.S.
Boeing is examining aerodynamic and thrust improvements for better airfield performance as it seeks launch customers for the 777-200X/300X aircraft. Its goal is to reduce takeoff field length from ``just over 12,000 ft. to under 11,000 ft.,'' according to John Monroe, 777X derivatives deputy program manager. Aerodynamic upgrade candidates include reducing drag by improving span loading--increasing load at the tips by altering the outboard aileron into a gapped flaperon--and lowering the inboard load by reducing the angle of the aft slotted flap element.
Icelandair is making plans to integrate two stretched Boeing 757-300 transports into its small fleet beginning in 2001. Double-digit growth on international routes, however, may force the carrier to accelerate deliveries by one year.
Investigators believe two software errors and an improper command led to a loss of contact with the NASA/European Space Agency Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (Soho) spacecraft on June 24. Recovery efforts are underway. An error in a preprogrammed command sequence resulted in an incorrect gyroscope reading, sending the spacecraft into a Emergency Sun Reacquisition (ESR) mode. A separate command sequence lacked code to activate a gyro needed for control when the spacecraft entered the ESR mode.
The U.S. Army's Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center in Huntsville, Ala., is studying the low-cost upgrade of standard 2.75-in. rockets into precision weapons for use against light targets such as shelters. As envisioned, one or two of the improved rockets are estimated to be able to destroy a target now requiring between 30-40 2.75-in. rockets. Under the Low-Cost Precision Kill (LCPK) technology demonstration program, both strapdown semi-active laser and ``scatterrider'' seekers are being evaluated.
Boeing is experiencing climbing parts shortages on its 747-400 line as it struggles with a production rate increase from four to five aircraft per month and a higher ratio of freighter versions.
Nikkiso Co. of Tokyo has been awarded a 10-billion-yen ($71-million) contract from Hispano-Suiza to assemble and deliver carbon-fiber reinforced plastic cascades for engine reversers for the Airbus A340-500/600. Nikkiso makes the cascades for CFM International CFM56 engines for the Boeing 737.
Early in the next century, a major avionics transition from analog to digital VHF radios will be required for aircraft operating in the U.S. First to be affected will be aircraft flying above 24,000 ft. (FL 240). They will have to be equipped for digital voice communication by 2005 in the first segment of a three-part transition to Next-Generation Air/Ground Communications (Nexcom). Tactical military aircraft equipped with UHF probably will be exempt, since the agency intends to maintain UHF communication to support the Defense Dept.
The Kosovo Liberation Army wants to acquire sophisticated weapons to force Serbia to grant independence to the province. A U.S. intelligence official said the KLA has been relying on heavy machine guns, mortars and small arms. Now, those insurgents are ``trying to get other gear, like anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.'' Anti-tank missiles appear to be a priority. Arms have come mainly from Albania and Western European sources, but so far neither anti-tank nor anti-air missiles appear to have made their way into KLA hands, the official added.
The National Reconnaissance Office has tapped a TRW-led team to build a technology demonstration satellite to test high-data-rate laser communications between geosynchronous orbit and the ground. The primary aim of the Geosynchronous Lightweight Technology Experiment (GeoLITE) spacecraft will be to learn more about how atmospheric conditions such as clouds interfere with laser pulses. Such knowledge could help the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) devise ways around the problem, paving the way for huge advances in communications data rates.
Ramona Ann Ardaiz, founder with her husband of the Aero Tech Flight School in Alaska, is scheduled to receive the 1998 Katherine Wright Memorial Award from the National Aeronautic Assn. and the Ninety-Nines Inc. The award is presented to a woman for contributions to the advancement of aviation and space flight.
TechniFlite of Englewood, Colo., soon plans to begin training Beech 1900 pilots in its mobile training facility, which includes a full-motion simulator and 12-place classroom. The company received FAA Part 142 approval for its facility, which is housed in a tractor-trailer rig, on June 30. The first two classes will be trained at the facility, but later on the system will travel from one customer location to another. TechniFlite has been negotiating with Great Lakes Aviation Ltd. of Spencer, Iowa, as a likely launch customer (AW&ST Apr. 20, p. 71).
The European aerospace industry's profitability is being restored, in the wake of strong commercial sales, solid exports and enhanced competitiveness. ``After significantly downsizing in the early 1990s, the European industry returned to its `peak performance' level in 1997,'' according to Peter Fichtmueller. He is secretary general of the Brussels-based AECMA European aerospace industries association.
Gulfstream Aerospace reported second-quarter revenues of $557 million--a 6.5% increase from $522.9 million in the same period last year. Net income increased 122% to $55.6 million from $25 million. The company delivered eight Gulfstream 4SPs and seven Gulfstream 5s. At the end of the quarter, it had orders for 102 airplanes. However, the company is experiencing delays in completing and delivering both the G4SP and G5 jets to customers.
Lockheed Martin Federal Systems has won a $30-million contract from Northrop Grumman Electronic Sensors and Systems for 62 AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometers to be integrated into the U.K.'s Westland Apache helicopter.
THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION has developed a comprehensive plan to help nations address potential problems for worldwide air traffic services caused by the year 2000 computer problems. ICAO has developed a dedicated action group with members from key air transport organizations and the International Air Transport Assn., which already has an extensive Y2K program. The focus is on raising awareness, assessing progress, supporting efforts and encouraging contingency plans. ICAO plans to be on the Internet in August, but does not have a Web site yet.
Steven B. Zaidman has been named FAA associate administrator for research and acquisition, succeeding George Donohue. Zaidman had been acting deputy in the associate administrator's office and director of the Office of System Architecture and Investment Analysis. Steve Brown has been named deputy to the associate administrator for air traffic services. He has been president of the National Aeronautics Assn. James H. Washington, deputy director of air traffic services, has been promoted to director of air traffic system requirements.
Michael A. Mayer has been promoted to senior vice president from vice president-sales, marketing and purchasing, and Edward C. Randall to senior vice president from vice president-finance and administration, of the Avatar Alliance in Atlanta. Charles H. Postel has been named vice president-sales and material support. He was vice president-sales for Hydraulic Aircraft Specialist of Miami.
