The turbine-powered helicopter population of the U.S., considered the world's largest civil helicopter market, continues to hover around the 6,200 mark, about the same as in 1993, according to statistics compiled by Eurocopter. Worldwide, however, civil registrations increased by about 20%. The appeal of single-engine versions remained strong in the U.S. during 1997, accounting for more than 85% of all new helicopter deliveries. Light twins took almost a 9% share and medium twins the remaining 6%, Eurocopter said.
A new spate of ground software development problems has forced NASA to delay the launch of its first Earth Observing System spacecraft, EOS AM-1, until at least the end of this year. The troubles have taken NASA by surprise because they do not involve the oft-criticized EOS science and data processing software that is more than two years behind schedule. Instead, they involve less-complex flight operations software being developed to command and monitor multiple EOS spacecraft.
Aeroflot Russian International Airlines is preparing to inaugurate its first Boeing 777 operations next month, a major milestone in an ambitious plan to upgrade its fleet and route structure and compete effectively on international routes. The Moscow-based carrier plans to carry no less than 4.5 million passengers this year, up from slightly more than 3.9 million in 1997, according to Victor Okulov, director general of the airline. By comparison, Russia's second-largest airline, Transaero, carried about 1.7 million passengers during the year.
The development of highly integrated systems to manage the operation of large platforms is emerging as a new core business for AlliedSignal Inc., which has practically made a crusade out of moving up the value chain in support of prime contractors. A vehicle management system (VMS) provides the integrated functionality and control necessary for flight, propulsion and all major subsystems.
3M Corp. is working with both Boeing and Lockheed Martin to develop appliques that could replace paint on the next-generation Joint Strike Fighter. The technologies developed for the JSF also could be used on both military and commercial aircraft of the present and future.
THE BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE Organization plans to delay intercept tests of competing exoatmospheric kill vehicles (EKVs) for its National Missile Defense program to allow for software modifications and more ground testing. An intercept test of a Boeing-designed EKV is expected to be pushed back to mid-November from August, while a Raytheon EKV will be tested in February or March 1999 instead of this November.
The single-mode BondMaster 1000 composite tester is a less-expensive, portable version of the multi-mode unit. The 1000 features customer-interchangeable displays to optimize visibility in all lighting conditions. The unit weighs 6 lb. and can operate on nickel-metal hydride or alkaline ``D'' cell batteries. Accessories are interchangeable with the ultrasonic Sonic 1000/1200 and eddy current Nortec 1000/2000. The unit has resonance, mechanical impedance analysis, pitch/catch and radio frequency modes. Staveley NDT Technologies Inc., Instruments Div., 421 N.
RLM SOFTWARE HAS ADDED CANADIAN IFR TRAFFIC to the radar-based flight data it offers. The company has been providing real-time data on IFR traffic in the U.S. to aviation-related organizations for more than five years. The FlightView tracking software relies on FAA/CAA radar data to provide real-time aircraft positions to customers' PCs over dedicated lines, via satellite or the Internet.
The Maxum Data Collector can measure airframe fastener cavity and assembly heights, storing the data electronically so it can be downloaded to a computer to produce statistical process control charts. The unit has two digital gauge ports and two other ports that allow users to connect Federal Products' Maxum Remote Transducers. An operator can hold all the tools required for data acquisition in one hand when integral plug or counter-sink gauges are mounted to the unit's handle. Quality Measurement Systems, 1675 N. Wayneport Road, Macedon, N.Y. 14502-0602.
Voters in California's Alameda County are scheduled to decide in June on plans to build a $130-million airport connector light-rail service to fast-growing Oakland International Airport. As envisioned, the 3.2-mi., mostly elevated line would allow riders on San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit system to travel between its Oakland Coliseum station and the airport at less than 10-min. intervals. The automated people mover service would replace a shuttle bus system that has less-frequent departures and takes up to 30 min. in peak traffic.
TechniFlite America Inc. officials expect the FAA to qualify its mobile, full-motion simulator system for use next week, clearing the trailer-borne device for use by Beech 1900 pilots. TechniFlite President Ken Hoffman said two regional airlines, Great Lakes Aviation Ltd. of Spencer, Iowa, and Commutair of Plattsburgh, N.Y., are expected to sign contracts with the startup company shortly after the Level B simulator manufactured by Training Devices Inc. is qualified.
The Target-Pro Portable Particle Counter is designed to allow proactive monitoring of aerospace hydraulic fluid cleanliness. Such monitoring can help maintainers identify problems before they become serious. The Target-Pro system is designed so users can precisely measure the size and amount of contaminants in 140 sec., avoiding the delays that are inherent in laboratory testing. The system weighs 20 lb. and operates on either 12 volts DC or 115 volts AC. Vickers Inc., 3000 Strayer, Maumee, Ohio 43537.
David A. Savner has been named senior vice president-law of General Dynamics. He will become secretary on June 1, following the scheduled retirement of Paul A. Hesse. Savner was cochairman of the corporate department at the Chicago law firm of Jenner and Block. Gen. George A. Joulwan (USA, Ret.) has been appointed to the board of directors.
The Model 08-2029-0000 and Model 08-2030-0000 engine stands are designed for use with the Pratt&Whitney PW545A and PW530A, as well as the AE-3007-C. The new stands use all-steel, welded construction, have oil drip pans and heavy-duty casters with locks. New, lightweight engine slings also are available for the new powerplants. Tronair, S. 1740 Eber Road, Holland, Ohio 43528.
The Mini-TAN test kit can be used to monitor the health of aircraft turbine lubricants and hydraulic fluids. The kit measures the total acid number of a fluid sample of as little as 20 ml. The level of acidity is revealed by a prominent color change in the sample. The test is performed in inexpensive 40 ml. test vials that can be reused or discarded. Pilots or ground personnel with no chemical background can perform the test with minimal training. Airborne Analytical Labs, P.O. Box 518, East Hanover, N.J. 07936.
Boeing has become the target of some of the sharpest, most severe criticism from Wall Street in recent memory. The source of analysts' frustration: management's apparent inability to accurately assess the difficulties associated with producing the next-generation 737. Such problems, along with intense pressure to sell new models for less than what Boeing had hoped, led the company to recently declare a first-quarter pre-tax charge of $350 million on the program. That's substantially greater than what Wall Street had expected.
Barry Controls Aerospace has delivered more than 100 shipsets of its Active Tuned Mass Absorber (ATMA), which reduces cabin noise by as much as 20 dB. on DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft, according to Dennis Staver, the Burbank, Calif., company's vice president of sales and marketing.
British charter airline Britannia Airways is talking with Australian transport and tourism officials about the feasibility of basing some of its aircraft in Australia to offer discount airfares during the summer months.
In an effort to rationalize operations and address mounting safety concerns, Taiwan's EVA Air is merging its regional subsidiaries and will no longer fly domestic routes. As of July 1, Great China Airlines, Taiwan Airways and UNI Air will operate as UNI Air on Taiwanese routes, while EVA Air will build up its international offerings, particularly transpacific routes, in cooperation with Continental Airlines.
Later this month, Bell Helicopter Textron and the U.S. Navy will initiate a stringent, two-year test of the V-22 to determine if the aircraft's structure can achieve a design life of 10,000 hr., the equivalent of 20 years of flying.
The French government, in the wake of domestic consolidation initiatives, will abandon its controlling majority in the Thomson-CSF defense electronics group. The ``world-class player's'' doors will be wide open to strategic alliances and partnerships with other European companies, according to French officials.
SABENA BELGIAN WORLD AIRLINES and Virgin Express plan to inaugurate on May 17 a Brussels-Stansted route they will operate under a code-sharing agreement. The two carriers jointly operate 13 flights per day linking Brussels, Heathrow and Gatwick.
Deborah Roche Lee has been appointed vice president-international operations and Scott Seligman director of public relations, both in Washington, for the United Technologies Corp. Lee was assistant Defense secretary for reserve affairs, and Seligman was senior vice president/ director of public affairs in China for Burson-Marsteller.
MANAGEMENT OF U.S. AIR FORCE fighter and bomber programs is going to see major changes. Lt. Gen. George Muellner, the Air Force's top acquisition official, is expected to retire in August. He pushed JSF from a concept to a program and also moved the E-8 Joint-STARS ground surveillance aircraft into operational use during Desert Storm. Possible replacements include Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish, commander of electronic systems center, and Maj. Gen. Ronald Marcotte, J-5 (plans and policy) for U.S. Strategic Command, who was the first B-2 wing commander. Maj. Gen.
