“Designs for Success” (AW&ST Nov. 1/8, p. 72) is the most significant article you have written in a long time. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (Darpa) goals are earthshaking for an industry that has clearly become out of sync with good development practice. The integrated circuit (IC) and automobile technologies are interesting to look at, but production of ICs focuses on size reduction and for cars focuses on automation, neither of which are likely in airplanes.
As hard as Boeing tries, the airframe manufacturer seems unable to get as close to the perfect airplane factory as it would like. Its managers keep thinking of ways to improve what they created only a few years before.
The two X-34 reusable launch vehicle technology testbeds, kept in storage at Edwards AFB, Calif., since the program was canceled in 2001, were moved to nearby Mojave Air and Space Port on Nov. 16.
Despite strong traffic growth rates in China, domestic and foreign regional aircraft-makers may have to wait a while longer before enjoying the order boom the providers of larger aircraft are already seeing. While Airbus can show that China accounts for more than 20% of its total production, some regional aircraft producers have been unable to make sales in China. ATR has not sold an aircraft in China since the 1990s, and it has been at least seven years since Bombardier sold a commercial aircraft in China.
As the global aircraft industry warily watches Comac’s progress in developing the C919 narrowbody airliner, new data suggests that the designers are not achieving the low weights expected of an advanced new design. And while Comac is promising a 10% reduction in direct operating costs, the first batch of orders reveal that Chinese state airlines are even more reluctant to buy the aircraft than expected.
Preliminary findings of an investigation into a malfunction on the Pentagon’s newest communications satellite, worth more than $2 billion, indicate that an onboard engine failure was an anomaly and not the result of a design failure. This is clearing the way for the second of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites to be slated for launch as early as March 2012.
What’s the real meaning of “long term” for the aviation community? Let’s say 2050 and beyond, keeping in mind the slow pace needed to forge new technologies and transform innovative ideas into mature systems. Frequently, confusion and misunderstandings roil the waters of progress, especially when scientists and engineering teams confront financial officers.
The political ground may have shifted dramatically in the U.S., but policy and budget outcomes in the next Congress may be more uncertain than they have been due to divisions across the political spectrum—between the two chambers and even within both major parties.
Chinese spacecraft builder CAST intends to develop a large satellite bus matched to the throw weight of the Long March 5 rocket under development by sibling company CALT. Aimed squarely at the most active part of the communications satellite market, the bus will have a mass of 6.5-7 tons, be able to carry a payload of 1.2 -1.5 tons and generate 15-20 kw. of electrical power. The design life will be 15 years and the designation DFH-5, says CAST President Yang Baohua.
Founded: 1980 Ownership: Part of privately held Aim Group Employees: 500-plus Revenues: $65 million Business: Composite specialists, primarily in aircraft interiors—ceilings, sidewalls, stowage, crew rest areas, environmental control ducting and seat surrounds. It also produces other non-structural composite products, such as cargo access doors.
Star Alliance’s expansion into Latin America has been boosted by the addition of both Avianca-TACA and Copa Airlines, a minor coup that will give the airline group access to large swathes of Latin America and the Caribbean and add 46 destinations to a comprehensive network when the two operators are integrated in mid-2012. In addition to the new hubs these two will provide in Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama, Star will have nine members at Miami International Airport.
Airbus is about to finally make serious inroads into the Japanese airline market with low-fare carrier Skymark’s plans to order up to six A380s. The airline says it will take four A380s on firm order with options for another two. The first four aircraft are to be delivered in 2014 and 2015. Airbus confirms that it is in final negotiations with Skymark about an order, but is not prepared to reveal when the deal might be announced.
By positioning FedEx and UPS cargo aircraft in the crosshairs, terrorists have put the spotlight on a vulnerability in air transport and showcased another method of concealment using a plastic explosive that is hard to detect.
Dave Walsh has been appointed country manager for Ireland at Travelport . A former Galileo employee, Walsh rejoins Travelport with more than 17 years of travel industry and business services experience, including positions with Ryanair, Allied Management Systems and BMI in Ireland.
Founded: 1945 as Western Model Works; incorporated as Aero-Plastics in 1958. Ownership: Mike Hammer, began at company as a machinist. Employees: 43 Revenues: $6.5 million Business: Contract manufacturer for precision machining and injection molding.
A Raytheon/Boeing team conducted the first flight test of an Alliant Techsystems developmental motor for the team’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) design, and officials say it performed as expected.
This time, it’s personal. I’m not talking about grudge match here, or a vendetta. I’m talking about how airlines are going to be pricing, selling and marketing their seats and services to customers. A big move is afoot among airlines for much more sophisticated database-driven marketing.
Founded: 1940 Ownership: Third-generation family company, Hugh LaBossier, president Employees: 125 Revenues: n/a Business: Precision tooling and fabrication shop with design and engineering capabilities.
70 Delta Air Lines is giving its Boeing 767-300ERs major interior upgrades, with lie-flat seats in business class and a new on-demand entertainment system in all areas. Delta is investing more than $2 billion in aircraft, technology, and customer products and services following its surprisingly smooth integration with Northwest Airlines. Delta is doing so, however, without any short-term plans for new aircraft orders as it focuses on reducing debt, “de-risking” its balance sheet, enhancing fleet flexibility, and diversifying its network and revenue streams.
Boeing’s 787 program is facing more pressure on its flight-test schedule after the temporary grounding of the test fleet and with deliveries for several early customers delayed yet again.
An agreement to purchase 15 Bombardier Q400 turboprops has established SpiceJet as the most aggressive among India’s budget carriers in pursuit of the country’s fast-growing regional routes.
Andy Nativi (Vandenberg AFB, Calif.), Michael A. Taverna (Paris)
Italian military officials are talking to several allied nations about using data from Italy’s Cosmo-SkyMed radar satellite constellation, following launch of the final spacecraft.
Founded: 1993 Ownership: Peter and John Janicki Employees: 450 Revenues: $50 million Business: Specialist in very large-scale, precision composite structures, including carbon-fiber, fiberglass and metals. The company engineers and manufactures tools, tool molds, prototypes, jigs, cauls, fixtures and parts.
