The FAA is calling for detailed inspections to detect cracks in engine support fittings on Boeing 727s that could result in separation of the Nos. 1 and 3 engines from the aircraft.
The SB Series comprises seven models of spring-set, electrically released motor brakes designed for integration into step and servo motors. Holding torque ranges of 10-1,200 lb.-in. are available with diameters of 1.8-7.25 in. The brakes feature a low backlash rotor-to-stator design with a hub that minimizes motor inertia. The motors can operate at temperatures of up to 356F (180C). Standard coil voltages are 24 and 90 v. d.c. API Deltran, American Precision Industries, 45 Hazelwood Drive, Amherst, N.Y. 14228.
Biotechnology expertise is spreading rapidly, and tens of thousands of individuals are being trained every year in techniques that could be used to make biological weapons (BW), according to a new study. Common biological agents include anthrax, cholera, typhus, yellow fever and small pox, but genetic engineering can produce entirely new organisms by splicing DNA from deadly bacteria into other microbes, said the analysis by nonpartisan Business Executives for National Security.
The cash-conscious European Space Agency has negotiated barter agreements with the U.S. and Japan for the launch of two of its major space projects. In return, ESA will build additional hardware for the international space station and provide satellite capacity to allow Japan to complete an experimental data relay network.
LPS Tapmatic No. 1 Gold Cutting Fluid is qualified to Boeing Specification BAC 5008, allowing the company's subcontractors to use it as an alternative to trichloroethane-based cutting fluids for tapping, drilling, reaming and threading aerospace metals. The fluid reduces friction and eliminates chip welding. In its new, aerosol form, the fluid uses a CO2 propellant to provide a pinpoint stream. LPS Laboratories Inc., 4647 Hugh Howell Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084.
Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries is ready to begin licensed assembly of General Electric's 29,000-lb.-thrust-class F110-129 engine for the Mitsubishi F-2 close air support fighter. The Japanese government has approved a long-term procurement of 130 single-engine F-2s for the air force, but the extent of the engine buy has not been determined. All four of the prototype FS-X aircraft for the F-2 program are powered by F110 engines.
Ramesh Agarwal has been named executive director of the Wichita (Kan.) State University National Institute for Aviation Research. He was Bloomfield distinguished professor of aerospace engineering.
The CRS-1 is a clean room shoe that reduces accumulation and shedding of particulate matter but has the look and feel of an athletic shoe. It offers greater comfort and support than the more bulky overboot typically worn in such environments. The new shoe, designed for semiconductor manufacturing areas, meets Class 1 clean room standards and has a nonskid sole. It controls electrostatic buildup and is available in 28 sizes and two widths. Lehigh Safety Shoe Co., 1100 E. Main St., Endicott, N.Y. 13760-5298.
Vincent Puccia, R. Mark Hutchinson and Jane Phifer have become vice presidents for cargo marketing, passenger marketing and corporate finance, respectively, for American International Airways, Ypsilanti, Mich. Puccia was director of cargo marketing for Northwest Airlines. Hutchinson was vice president-sales and marketing of Rich International Airways, and Phifer vice president-business finance for Comerica Bank.
THE NATIONAL AERONAUTIC ASSN. has awarded the Robert J. Collier Trophy to Cessna Aircraft Co. for development of the Citation 10 business jet. Cessna was chosen for designing, testing, certifying and placing into service the Citation 10. The NAA cited the aircraft's cruising speed of Mach .92 as one reason for the award. Citation 10 deliveries began in 1996.
The FTS Series aviation fuel transfer system is designed for safely transferring both jet fuel and avgas to and from aircraft. The system uses an air-operated diaphragm pump to transfer fuel at up to 15 gal./min. The air source can be any standard air hose like those used for powering pneumatic tools. The system requires about 15 cu. ft./min. of air. An optional pump can allow transfer rates of 70 gal./min. The trailer-mounted device uses a single valve and hose for transferring fuel.
A TEAM OF Aviation Week&Space Technology editors has received a certificate of merit for best news coverage in the 1997 Jessie H. Neal Editorial Achievement Awards sponsored by American Business Press. The magazine was recognized for coverage of the TWA Flight 800 tragedy as a breaking news event, starting with the first report prepared within 24 hr. of the crash.
Space-based hardware and services will expand their foothold in lucrative consumer markets over the next five years with a slew of projects that should generate billions of dollars in new revenues. While government spending on civil and military space is expected to decline or remain flat, the expansion of the commercial market--already growing at roughly 20% a year--shows no signs of abating. That means commercially-oriented space projects should continue to increase their already sizable share of the space market.
The DVR 300i is a panel-mounted digital voice recorder with integrated clock that serves as an electronic scratch pad for pilots. The unit automatically records all headset audio using a voice-activated microphone to eliminate dead air. Each time the center black button is pushed, it rewinds 5 sec. and plays back so pilots can verify instructions from air traffic controllers. Clearance, ATIS and other information can be recorded separately in a digital notepad that is not recorded over. A checklist mode can store up to 32 items.
Astronaut Shannon Lucid has received the Washington-based National Aviation Club's first Achievement Award in connection with setting the record last year for the longest duration in space by a U.S. astronaut and longest space flight by a woman.
Boeing and Airbus Industrie are setting the stage for what may be an even more intense competition through the turn of the century with plans for new aircraft models, blueprints for organizational change and visions of innovative business relationships with airline customers. Business arrangements between airframe manufacturers and major airline customers can be expected to shift dramatically in future years based on the collective need to reduce costs and improve the overall efficiency of the supplier-operator relationship.
A single-die extrusion process developed by Plymouth Extruded Shapes can be used for creating near-net extrusions of specially shaped titanium parts of up to 6 in. in diameter for aerospace applications. The process avoids the ``die wash'' or interior erosion that often occurs when dies are reused multiple times. The single-die process maintains tolerances and prevents surface imperfections such as scaling and pitting. While more expensive than aluminum, they saved weight and were more resistant to corrosion.
Robert C. Hooper, Jr., has been appointed vice president-sales and marketing, Marchea E. Malone corporate controller and Frank E. Gomer director of engineering, of Interactive Flight Technologies of Phoenix. Hooper was vice president-industry marketing and business development for Stratus Computer Inc. Malone was corporate controller for Buzzeo Inc., and Gomer product line manager for electronic display systems for Honeywell Air Transport Systems.
ATTEMPTS TO FIX the Russian Mir space station's two primary electrolysis oxygen generation systems failed last week (AW&ST Mar. 10, p. 17). The station's two cosmonauts and U.S. astronaut Jerry Linenger are now using a single lithium perchlorate ``candle'' system such as the one that caught fire Feb. 23 as their primary source of oxygen, although substantial bottled oxygen remains available for emergency situations. There is more than a month's supply of lithium canisters on board.
Russia's air force continues to slide, worn down by scarce funds, a rising accident rate and serious dropoffs in readiness, maintenance, materiel and flight training. At the same time, the Defense Ministry has ordered a major restructuring that might cost combat aviation its standing as an independent arm of Russia's military. A bigger air force budget is not in the cards, unless government tax collection and revenues improve dramatically--a dim prospect, according to Western analysts.
After years of struggling, there are finally more than just a few isolated bright spots on the horizon for aerospace. Today, most segments of the industry can see some areas of realistic growth potential.
PT/Products is a mid-range family of mechanical design tools for solid modeling. It is derived from the Pro/Engineer suite and is fully compatible with that high-end set of design tools. PT/Modeler is the core module of the new software. It is a three-dimensional, parametric system for part and assembly design, detailing and documentation. The package runs on the Microsoft Windows NT operating system and produces code in industry-standard data formats. Parametric Technology Corp., 128 Technology Drive, Waltham, Mass. 02154.
Paul DeHerrera has become director of North American marketing for the Universal Avionics Systems Corp., Tucson, Ariz. He was manager of OEM marketing for the U.S. and Canada.
The opening of a new 9,800-ft. runway extension at Haneda Airport in July should spell some relief in Japan's crowded skies, but the divvying up of 40 new takeoff and landing slots to incumbent and new-entrant carriers is coming at a price. The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has said the new slots will not be a vested interest for the carriers to which they are assigned. Instead, their allocation will be subject to a review in five years.
