A new thermal spray process called High Velocity Combustion Wire Spray is designed to provide superior quality spray coating from a wire stock feed, rather than relying on powder. The system comprises the Model FS-3000G gun, a Model FS-3000C control console and a Model FS-3000W wire feeder. The 1/4-hp., push-style feeder reduces the number of parts in the gun and makes it lighter. The system can use a variety of fuels, including propane and propylene. The system is designed to provide higher deposition efficiencies and spray rates than powder spray processes.
The Model SOC-100 hemispherical directional reflectometer can characterize and exploit optical properties of materials. Applications include providing emittance data for thermal analysis-heat transfer and measuring polarized reflectance data of bulk and powdered materials. The device provides polarized, angular diffuse reflectance measurements for 10-80-deg. incidence angles. A moveable overhead mirror directs energy from the test subject and directs a collimated beam. Surface Optics Corp., 11555 Rancho Bernardo Road, San Diego, Calif. 92127-1441.
The FAA is not paying enough attention to human factors as it develops new air traffic control systems, according to a three-year study on the future of ATC by the National Research Council (NRC). The first thing to focus on in automation is improving the information presented to air traffic controllers for their decision making--specifically aids to resolve conflicts and maintain separation among aircraft, the NRC panel said.
ARIANE 5 PROGRAM MANAGERS have decided to install a second attitude control system (ACS) on launch vehicle 503 in order to correct a roll torque problem that caused flight 502 to place a dummy payload into an incorrect orbit. Mission 503 will be the second and final qualification flight for the heavy-lift booster.
The first four Globalstar spacecraft were launched Feb. 14 from Cape Canaveral on board a specialized version of the Boeing Delta 2 following eight days of weather delays caused by El Nino-generated weather patterns. The new Delta 7420-10 version used only four solid rocket boosters and an advanced composite shroud. The four spacecraft were ejected in two pairs off a Boeing dispenser mounted on the Delta second stage as the vehicle flew south of Australia a little more than an hour after launch.
The French government is close to finalizing the long-awaited plan to partly privatize state-owned Air France. But it intends to retain a controlling stake in the flag carrier. Despite Air France' need to invest about FF40 billion ($6.6 billion) in the next five years to acquire more aircraft and upgrade ground facilities, the government of Prime Minister Lionel Jospin does not intend to authorize the issue of additional capital shares.
Lufthansa German Airlines continues to consider the merits of forming a low-cost, low-fare subsidiary to operate domestic routes and serve European city-pairs. Members of Lufthansa's board of management, after reviewing the planned initiative, said last week that additional research still needs to be completed before the as-yet-unnamed new carrier is formed. It is tentatively expected to operate up to 14 aircraft, under a separate management and with its own flight crews.
Eleven years ago this week, an astronomer working at an observatory in Chile spotted a bright ``new'' star 167,000 light-years from Earth. What he actually was seeing were the death throes of an aging star--20 times the mass of our Sun--that blew itself apart in a supernova explosion, called 1987A. Now new images from the Hubble Space Telescope are providing a view of a stellar shock wave colliding with a gas ring encircling the supernova. The ring, which formed 20,000 years before the star exploded, is being bombarded by a wave of energy smashing in at 40-million mph.
This new 1/2-in. drive wrench requires only a 4 deg. arc, making it possible to turn nuts and bolts in tight conditions. The tool's 15-in. length allows a user to apply maximum torque, but it can still be hung easily from a tool belt. The tool is fashioned from 4140 alloy steel and is available in a black oxide finish. Wright Tool Co., P.O. Box 512, Barberton, Ohio 44203.
Texans in Congress say Boeing plans to scoop up major parts of the workforce and facilities at Kelly AFB that are being turned over to the City of San Antonio. USAF is giving up much of the base in a cost-cutting measure. The company plans to create the ``Boeing Aerospace Support Center'' by converting the facilities formerly dedicated to repair, painting and corrosion control of C-5 airlifters. It will be the cornerstone of Boeing's new strategy to become the country's biggest provider of military aircraft maintenance and commercial cargo modifications.
Avionics companies see a mixed picture in Asia, with some countries relatively unaffected by financial problems, and little drop in business expected in 1998. It's the 1999-2000 period that causes concern, when there may be no more ready buyers for canceled airliners, and when military procurements are delayed further. But most industry officials believe Asia will resume rapid growth after the slump. And China, Australia and Taiwan have suffered few effects.
The long-awaited maiden flight of the MFI multifunctional tactical fighter, also known as Project 1.42, is set for August, according to Mikhail Korzhuev, designer general of the MiG Aviation-Industrial complex (ANPK). The Russian defense ministry has allocated $2.5 million to prepare the aircraft, which has been hangared at the Zhukovsky flight test center, for the first flight. While production of the aircraft is not envisioned due to cost considerations, the technologies involved could be applied to the LFI lightweight strike/fighter which ANPK MiG is developing.
Terri M. Jones has become vice president-marketing and Jill Rosenjack manager of corporate communications for International Total Services of Cleveland.
U.S. Air Force planners are in the midst of deciding how they will replace the venerable U-2. Service officials want to begin phasing in replacements before the existing reconnaissance fleet reaches the end of its structural life. The follow-on aircraft, dubbed the U-X, is to provide multispectral collection capability, on demand, from anywhere in the world. During the next year, Air Force officials are expected to produce a U-X mission requirements statement that would be the first major step toward launching a program.
NTSB OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING calling on the FAA to order major inspections and modifications of 747 fuel tanks. Safety board investigators looking for the cause of the July 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 found evidence of chafing, squeezing and minute cracking of insulation that exposed the conductor in wiring from that 747-100 and four others. Investigators believe the damage would not have been found if the wiring had not first been removed from its associated clamps and probes.
Eutelsat has given the green light to start design and construction of the first three Metop polar orbiting weather satellites. The spacecraft are part of the Eumetsat Polar System, a planned network of Sunsynchronous satellites intended to allow Europe to participate in long-term monitoring of the world weather system. The initial satellites will be built by a team of European space contractors under the joint management of Eumetsat and the European Space Agency.
John H. Nicholson has become president of the Central Engineering subsidiary of Cade Industries, Okemos, Mich. He succeeds company founder Loren Swanson, who will continue as chairman.
TRACOR AEROSPACE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS will build 120 AN/ALQ-99 Band 9/10 transmitters for the Naval Air Systems Command to upgrade tactical jamming capabilities of U.S. Navy EA-6Bs under a new $60-million contract. The first improved version of the AN/ALQ-99 to be fielded since 1973, Band 9/10 transmitters will add frequency coverage and other advanced capabilities to thwart current threats. The award includes options for another 61 transmitters and spares, which could raise the contract value to $91 million, according to Tracor.
Oasis International Leasing Co. of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has purchased six Airbus A320-212 aircraft from Gulf Air for $195 million and is leasing them back to the carrier for periods of 4-6 years. The move is part of ailing Gulf Air's effort to restructure its large debt burden. British Aerospace has a 13% stake in Oasis International, which was established in May 1997 as a publicly quoted joint stock company. British Aerospace Asset Management manages the company under a technical services agreement.
Intelligent NC is designed to automate the manufacturing process by capturing the user's knowledge, applying and adapting it to new geometry to produce safe, efficient, high-quality toolpaths. The program combines the machining technologies of Automatic NC and Knowledge-Based Machining with Knowledge of Stock Remaining. After capturing the machining process for one part, it can be applied to other similar parts. The processes for many parts can then be combined into libraries. Cimatron Technologies, 3190 Harvester Road, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3N8.
The SitSleeper is an inflatable vinyl pillow that allows an aircraft passenger to rest his head and shoulders while in a sitting position. An adjustable belt fastens around the user's waist to hold the SitSleeper in place. The pillow can be inflated by mouth in about 2 min. and deflated in about 1 min. Fully inflated it measures 16 in. high in front, 12 in. high in back, 13 in. deep and 18 in. wide. It folds to about 16 X 9 X 2 in. Brex Inc., 211 Fourth St., W. Des Moines, Iowa 50265.
390 Ceramic Paper is a high-purity, alumina oxide insulation that is designed as a replacement for asbestos. The material can be cut with ordinary hand scissors and folded around sharp corners to form complex, free-standing shapes. It can withstand temperatures of up to 2500F, has high dielectric strength, low specific heat, low thermal conductivity and excellent resistance to corrosion and thermal shock. Cotronics Corp., 3379 Shore Pkwy., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11235.
Three Latin American airlines soon plan to finalize a combined order for Airbus Industrie transports valued at about $4 billion. LanChile Airlines, El Salvador's Taca International Airlines and Brazil's regional carrier Transportes Aereos Meridionais (TAM) jointly signed a letter of intent for 100 A320-family aircraft that are tentatively scheduled to enter service in 2000-05 to replace aging Boeing 737-200s. TAM in 1997 ordered five high-capacity A330 twinjets.
