The U.S. airline industry, already struggling prior to last week's devastating terrorist bombings in New York and Washington, probably faces even greater financial distress in the calamity's aftermath.
Carolyn Griner, vice president/general manager of Washington-based Spacehab's Huntsville (Ala.) Operations and program manager for the Microgravity Alliance, has received a 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Aerospace. Griner was honored for accomplishments before retiring earlier this year after 36 years with NASA. She is a former deputy director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
FLIGHT OPTIONS, A FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP OPERATOR, has signed a contract with Rockwell Collins Aviation Services for service and support of avionics in its fleet of 88 used airplanes. Under the five-year agreement, Rockwell Collins will provide spares at multiple bases, logistics management, maintenance and repair, and support. Known as Dispatch 100, the service guarantees availability and features a flight-hour-based invoice.
After the Administration and Congress have beefed up airport and airline security, they will have to face the unpleasant but undeniable fact that terrorism has made the U.S. commercial aviation system less efficient and more expensive. Tighter security will slow down operations and increase the time it takes travelers to get from one place to another, but at greater cost because more security usually costs more money. The Air Transport Assn. already warns that dealing with sophisticated terrorists is ``beyond our abilities and responsibilities.''
Landa has introduced a skid-mounted, hot-water pressure washer with features such as an extra narrow frame. There are seven models of the MHP series that are gasoline-powered and heated by oil/diesel fuel. Cleaning power ranges from 3.5-4.2 gal. per minute in water flow and 2,000-3,500 psi. of pressure. All are powered by Honda (11-20 hp.) or Vanguard (16 hp.) engines. The MHP models are housed in a narrow skid frame measuring less than 25 in. wide so they fit through a doorway. A side panel provides protection to components and is easy to remove using thumbscrews.
Wayne H. Goodman has been promoted to principal director of EELV launch verification from systems director in the office of the corporate chief architect-engineer of The Aerospace Corp. of Los Angeles.
Tim Archer has been appointed senior vice president, Brent Henman vice president-strategic programs and outsourcing, Robert Williams vice president-product distribution and James Towle director of sales for powerplant systems, all for Superior Air Parts Inc. of Dallas. Archer was vice president-sales and marketing, Henman director of sales for the Business Aircraft Support Group and Williams director of the Manufacturing Business Unit. Towle was director of sales for Van Bortel Engine Sales.
European airlines are shuddering from the seismic aftershocks of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Beyond disrupted operations, stranded passengers and major losses in revenues, an anxious public--coupled with a bleak economic forecast--could further erode European carriers' fragile financial status and precipitate a downturn for the European airline industry.
Air Canada has received a 16-year, $285-million contract for the maintenance and repair of components for Atlantic Coast Airlines' fleet of Canadair Regional Jets. The work will be performed at the carrier's Dorval Maintenance Center in Montreal.
In sharp contrast with most European carriers' economic concerns and disappointing financial results, Air France continues to grow and achieve superior profits. During the first quarter of the 2001-02 fiscal year, the French flag carrier's revenues increased a healthy 12.5% to 3.37 billion euros ($3.03 billion) and net profit rose 9.5% to $175.5 million. Average passenger load factor was a high 79% and yields increased 0.3% (2% on long-range routes). Air France executives stressed that such enviable results stem from pragmatism and efficiency.
BAE Systems reported earnings for the first half-year in line with its expectations. The company achieved a profit of $810 million (up 9% over last year) on sales of $9.2 billion. The orderbook reached $66 billion, a 10% increase. Net debt increased 15% to $1.52 billion, with a total debt to market capitalization of about 10%.
A GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP. GIV-SP FLEW NONSTOP from Bedford, Mass., to Moscow last month, covering 3,895 naut. mi. in 8 hr. 23 min. The company plans to apply for two world speed records in category C1.K for airplanes weighing 55,116-77,162 lb., and in the unlimited weight class. The airplane departed Bedford carrying four passengers and a crew of three, reaching a maximum cruise speed for the flight of Mach 0.80 before landing at Vnukovo Airport. Gulfstream flew the business jet to Russia for participation in the Moscow air show.
Greg Epps has been appointed regional manager for Europe and North America for Qatar Airways. Jake Warren, Joe Luciano and Ed Hunter have been named vice presidents for the Western, Midwest and Eastern U.S., respectively.
William E. Kassling has been named to the board of directors of the Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland. He is chairman of the Wabtec Corp., which was the Westinghouse Air Brake Co.
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a new, streamlined licensing system to police exports of dual-use (military and civilian) high-technology commodities but House action is uncertain. The Bush Administration is lobbying the Republican-led House to adopt the Senate's update of the Export Administration Act, which expedites licensing procedures to help U.S. export sectors like aerospace compete overseas (AW&ST Jan. 29, p. 30).
Heli-Tube spirally cut Teflon cable wrap is designed for bundling and protecting cables and hoses from damage that can be caused by sparks, flames and abrasion. Featuring seven sizes from 1/16-11/2 in. in diameter, this nonflammable Teflon cable wrap and abrasion protector applies like tape without tools onto bundles up to 10 in. in diameter. Used in applications where a fire would be catastrophic, the cable wrap is UL recognized and meets a variety of key military and ASTM specifications. It is chemically inert and operates from -450 to +500F. M.M.
Clarex AR (anti-reflective) nonglare optical quality acrylic sheets prevent the reflection of light on display panels. They enhance the clarity of letters, numbers and images on a variety of displays used in avionics and industrial instruments, barcode scanners, computers and other equipment. The cast optical quality acrylic material's nonglare feature is achieved by a very fine etching on the surface that reduces light reflection.
Paul J. (Page) Hoeper and Maurice P. Ranc have been appointed to the board of directors of the AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md. Hoeper is a former assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. Ranc is retired vice president/general manager of AAI Engineering and Maintenance Services.
Monday-morning quarterbacks find the ATC system did all it could during the hijackings. Controllers assume an emergency is underway when an aircraft deviates from its flight plan, its transponder stops working and the pilot doesn't answer radio calls. They expect the plane to divert to a closer field, and try to help by clearing other traffic out of the path. In some situations, says a retired FAA official, controllers also alert the FBI and Norad.
Philippe Bertertottiere (see photo) has been appointed to the Arianespace executive committee in charge of strategic planning. He was commercial director.
GE Americom has named Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems to build GE-10/11/18 for distribution of premium cable television programming to the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. All three satellites will be A2100s carrying 24 C-band transponders. GE-10 will replace the Lockheed Martin-built Satcom C-3 at 135 deg. W. Long., and GE-11 will replace Satcom C-4 at 131 deg. West. GE-18 will be a ground spare. The launches have not been set, but are to begin in the first quarter of 2004.
The terror attacks unleashed a continuity-of-government plan rooted in the Cold War that sent President Bush on an airborne odyssey until it was clear the threat to U.S. ``National Command Authority'' had eased. Bush's movements were dictated by worst-case contingency planning that started in the 1950s when Soviet nuclear attack was considered the gravest threat to the U.S. The President bailed out of an appearance in Sarasota, Fla., and headed east over the Atlantic in Air Force One.
This thermal spray masking tape withstands heavy-duty grit blasting, protection from overspraying/splash and resists intense heat and abrasion. The two-ply/double-duty tape saves cost and time by eliminating a second taping operation when multiple layers are needed. High-temperature silicon adhesive provides heat resistance, high adhesion and ease of removal without adhesive residue. They are used for HVOF, metal or ceramic plasma spraying and grit blasting. The company is offering free samples of its plasma flame spray masking tapes.
