The Transportation Security Administration has adopted procedures for enforcing its rules that for the most part simply mimic those of the FAA. A notable exception: because so much of what the TSA deals with, the agency says, is ``sensitive security information,'' public access to enforcement dockets will be limited to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. And in a provision that doesn't have an FAA counterpart, the TSA also will require everyone but accused violators and their representatives to submit FOIA requests for enforcement investigation reports.
WavCut is a set of two different multi-flute end mills, each utilizing a sinusoidal wave on the cutting edges to provide performance when semi-rough machining titanium and other hard materials. WavCut I is a tool for use on older machines with slower spindles and too little horsepower. It is also for jobs where improved productivity is hard to measure. WavCut II can improve productivity and tool life, and is designed to run at higher speeds and feeds.
In an initiative aimed at boosting commercial revenues, Snecma Moteurs is developing the SM146 turbofan, which could enter service in less than three years. Next-generation regional twinjets are targeted as the primary application for the 13,500-17,500-lb.-thrust SM146, according to Jean-Pierre Cojan, Snecma Moteurs' executive vice president for commercial engines. He cited China's ARJ21, developed by Avic 1, and the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ), jointly planned by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, Ilyushin Aviation Complex and Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
A real estate transaction is expected to help troubled Alitalia obtain much-needed cash. The Italian flag carrier plans to sell its corporate headquarters, located at Magliana near Rome's Fiumicino airport, to the Peabody Group for 152 million euros ($151 million) but retain office space through a long-term lease agreement. Alitalia officials are mulling sale of up to 80% of its charter subsidiary Eurofly to Volare, an independent group owned by entrepreneur Gino Zoccai.
An early separation signal from a processor on an Mu-3S2 caused the premature separation of an 11.5-meter (38-ft.) 1/10-scale supersonic transport prototype July 14, causing its destruction at Australia's Woomera test range (AW&ST July 22, p. 48). In a preliminary report, an investigation committee of Japan's National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) said it's unclear why the processor failed. But the errant signal was sent almost simultaneously with the Mu-3S2's ignition, prompting a launch pad explosion. Possibilities include software or mechanical failure.
General Electric expects to begin tests this week of the first CF34-10E powerplant, an 18,820-lb.-thrust engine planned for the 90-105-passenger Embraer 190/195 regional jet. The test program kicks off more than a year of trials and evaluations that should result in FAA certification of the powerplant in October 2003, GE officials said. This should be followed by service entry on a Swiss Embraer 195 in December 2004.
Honeywell has teamed with West Star Aviation to develop equipment to enable the Learjet 30 series aircraft to meet the Reduced Vertical Separation Minima mandate, which is scheduled to take effect by November 2004. The order will require jets flying from 29,000-41,000-ft. altitude to have equipment capable of measuring altitude more accurately so air traffic controllers can space aircraft at 1,000-ft. increments rather than the traditional 2,000-ft. spacing without increasing the risk of midair collision.
The ICP9000 radio dispatch console can control up to 12 conventional base radios, and can support multiple dispatcher locations. The unit is available in 4-, 8- or 12-channel configurations and is expandable. The console is field programmable. The operator can choose single or multiple channels over which to transmit and receive audio. The audio is routed to volume-controlled select and unselect speakers on the console.
To improve security and shipper profits in the ocean cargo world, Savi Technology of Sunnyvale, Calif., has formed an alliance with Greybox Logistic Services, one of the main providers of shipping containers. Savi makes a ``SmartSeal'' electronic security system for containers, including air freight containers, that monitors security and can issue an alert through a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on the box. The RFID tag can be monitored at various points in the cargo flow.
A U.S. Air Force Special Operations Forces MC-130H Combat Talon II crashed on Aug. 8 a few miles south of San Juan, Puerto Rico, killing all 10 crew and passengers. It is the eighth aircraft that Air Force special forces have lost this year, driving up the mishap rate to more than 18 Class A incidents per 100,000 flight hours. The MC-130H was flying in poor weather on a training mission from Naval Station Roosevelt Roads to Borinquen Air National Guard Base on the island's west coast.
Delta Air Lines named John Selvaggio, its senior vice president for airport customer service and a former CEO of Midway Airlines, to lead the development of a new low-price product to ``compete more aggressively with low-cost carriers.'' Drawing on Delta's market position in Florida and on the East Coast, its experience with Delta Express and ``the power of our fleet and technology investments,'' Selvaggio will ``begin work immediately on network, operations, marketing and human resource plans for the low-cost product.'' $end US Airways' Air Line Pilots Assn.
Frederick D. Gregory has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be deputy NASA administrator. He was associate administrator for spaceflight and had been a space shuttle commander.
Powerful search engines that find great deals. Unheard of suppliers suddenly appearing. Quick-as-a-click mouse connections that put contractors in touch with their suppliers. Goodbye telephone, fax and snail mail. All were part of the Internet revolution that swept across the aerospace and defense industry in early 2000. So were visions of ``independent'' dot.comers transforming the industry's buying habits by freeing airlines, governments and suppliers from the icy grip of major manufacturers. But the winning strategy doesn't include the Lone Ranger.
The proposed A400M will finally have an engine if Airbus sticks to its plan to make a decision next month. The European airlifter is slated to be powered by four 10,000-13,000-shp. turboprops driving eight-blade composite propellers. The manufacturer is evaluating two rival proposals, and its choice will be ``based on best value for the money, driven by commercial considerations,'' Airbus Chief Executive Noel Forgeard asserted.
Michael T. Smith has been appointed to the board of directors of FLIR Systems Inc., Portland, Ore. He is retired chairman/CEO of the Hughes Electronics Corp.
U.S. platform prime contractors are growing increasingly confident that homeland security and defense represents a huge market opportunity, even though HSD requirements have yet to be fully defined. While there will be marked differences in their strategies, it's now clear that all four--Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon--are committed to aggressively pursuing HSD-related business. And the implication for lower-tier suppliers is profound.
The hydrogen propulsion system cracks that have grounded the space shuttle fleet have been traced to high-cycle metal fatigue. The cracks can be safely repaired for the near term, but raise questions about whether key orbiter hydrogen lines can sustain 20 more years of shuttle flight operations without a costly retrofit. To design and fabricate new hydrogen lines would be a complex process requiring 3-4 years, said Ron Dittemore, shuttle program manager. He has approved the resumption of flight operations pending completion of weld repairs to the existing cracks.
Margaret Geller, a researcher at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory of Cambridge, Mass., has won La Medaille de l'Adion for 2002 by l'Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur in Nice, France. She was recognized for ``contributions to the study of the structure and evolution of systems of galaxies.''
This line of ESNA aerospace locknuts with nonmetallic inserts is manufactured in a range of configurations. A red nylon is used as the locknut insert for applications up to 250F. DuPont's Vespel insert material may be used in applications up to 500F. Wrenchable nuts are available in hex and double hex styles, and may be ordered in sizes from No. 10 through 11/2-in. diameters. Anchor nuts are available in fixed and floating styles in sizes from No. 4 through 5/8-in. diameters. Barrel nuts are available from No. 10 through 11/2-in.
Mario Longhi Filho has been appointed president/CEO of Howmet Castings, Darien, Conn. He succeeds James R. Stanley, who is scheduled to retire on Jan. 1. Filho has been president of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products of Cleveland and a vice president of Alcoa Inc., parent company of both organizations. Succeeding Filho is Raymond B. Mitchell, who has been chief financial officer of Alcoa Europe in Geneva.
With 13 of the world's biggest airlines as its backers, the Aeroxchange electronic marketplace might seem like a shoo-in for on-line parts deals. But there aren't any shoo-ins in the airline business. Born two years ago as the world's biggest aerospace manufacturers were announcing their own electronic collaboration plans, Aeroxchange was formed with the perspective that airlines are airplane-driven and need their own Internet home.
General Dynamics Corp. Chairman/CEO Nicholas D. Chabraja has agreed to extend his employment contract with the company through the end of 2005. His current agreement ends on Dec. 31, 2002.
Designed for operation in harsh environments where long life and reliability are critical, the 6209 Series of aerospace quality potentiometers features materials and epoxies that can operate continuously from -65F to 300F. They meet MIL-PRF-39023B standards for vibration and shock. Body diameter is 0.875 in., bushing or servo mount. (Model in photo has a body length of 0.625 in.) Operational life is 50 million cycles (100 million revolutions) minimum. Pricing is approximately $50 each for quantities of more than 1,000.
The U.S. Navy Acquisition Review Board has confirmed that General Electric's proposed T58 engine reliability improvement program (ERIP) has met all requirements, clearing the way for contract negotiation and eventual procurement of the upgrade. The ERIP will convert existing T58-GE-16 engines to the -16A standard by adding an improved core module as well as increased temperature and corrosion-resistant materials and components for greater durability and life. Plans call for new cores to be produced at GE's Lynn, Mass., plant, and for existing U.S.
