Two new state-of-the-art computer numerically controlled milling machines were installed at the AMW Cuyuna Engine Co., DBA 2 Stroke International engine manufacturing facility at Beaufort, S.C. An FH-4000 horizontal machining center (or horizontal mill) from the Mazak factory (Mazak Corp., Japan) in Florence, Ky., was just received and is being installed. A Haas Mini-Mill from Haas Automation in Oxnard, Calif., is already making parts for the company. 2 Stroke supplies engines worldwide and is now delivering diesel-fuel engines for a Marine Corps contract.
These custom-fabricated sapphire optics feature a surface hardness that is second only to diamond for abrasion resistance, according to Meller Optics. Optics from the company feature Moh 9 surface hardness and can be manufactured to specification as lenses from 0.5-4 in. O.D., windows up to 9 in. O.D., and domes with angles to 160 deg. and sizes up to 4 in. Available from 0.5-3.00 mm. thick, depending on diameter, they have surface finishes from 10-5 scratch-dig, surface figures to 1/8 wave, and lenses are offered in focal lengths from 10-100 mm. at 633 naut. mi.
The Defense Dept. has made it easier for its people to buy mySAP.com e-business software by establishing a blanket purchase agreement that streamlines acquisition. The Naval Air Systems Command has signed a 33,000-user order for mySAP supply-chain management and customer-relationship management software, following a pilot project where KPMG Consulting helped Navair implement SAP enterprise software.
Both left and right are blackballing President Bush on global security policy while he vacations in Texas. Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) lit in to the commander-in-chief's preoccupation with missile defense, noting acidly that ``it did not take a long-range missile to deliver lethal force to the USS Cole, to the World Trade Center, to our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, or to disperse sarin gas in the Tokyo subway.'' He accused the White House of abdicating instead of asserting U.S.
Groen Brothers Aviation is moving its corporate headquarters to Glendale, Ariz., from Salt Lake City, and plans to build a 200,000-sq. ft., $14-million facility to produce Hawk 4 gyroplanes. When completed late in 2002, the facility will be capable of producing up to four aircraft per day, according to the company. The Hawk 4, powered by a Rolls-Royce turboshaft engine, is aimed chiefly at law enforcement, aerial surveillance and agricultural application markets.
Airline unions are enjoying a renaissance after the streak of contracts that featured labor concessions. Only the most blatant union demands have been rejected in contract negotiations, so fearful are U.S. carriers of taking a strike. But labor costs are showing the consequences. In the first quarter, the labor price tag jumped 13% over the previous first quarter. According to an estimate by Air Transport Assn. chief economist David Swierenga, in 2000-02 the labor cost portion will rise $6 billion.
Stennis Space Center engineers completed a three-test series with twin Rocketdyne XRS-2200 linear aerospike engines, running the tandem setup for the planned 90 seconds at 85% power. Although the engines were built to power the terminated NASA/Lockheed Martin X-33 testbed, the three tests evaluated electromechanical actuator technology that may be used in a different second-generation launch vehicle (AW&ST July 30, p. 61).
Endevco's new Model 2272 is a piezoelectric accelerometer designed to measure vibration at temperature extremes. A self-generating unit that requires no external power source for operation, the unit is hermetically sealed for use in harsh environments. Its unique sensing elements offer an unusually flat temperature response over an extensive range. Low-temperature applications include cryogenic equipment and processes, and the accelerometer can also be used for high-temperature vibration measurements. Endevco, 30700 Rancho Viejo Road, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 92675.
The new digital controlled XDC 6-kw. Series for test and measurement is designed for applications that require high power in a relatively small package, including R&D, production test, ATE, OEM and magnet charging. The XDC Series provides 20% more power than existing 5 kw. supplies in the market at a comparable price, according to the company. In addition to digital control, an embedded controller makes the XDC a ``smart'' programmable DC supply. The XDC Series is designed for both rack-mounted system and bench-top use.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa are trimming their networks to deal with the global economic slowdown and diminishing passenger demand. KLM will cut overall capacity by 3% in the upcoming winter timetable and reduce frequencies on some key long-haul routes. Lufthansa, currently one of the best performing European airlines, will slow its planned growth to 3% per year from 7% and withdraw from several long-haul routes.
Victor Jaime Manrique and Jorge Delgado have been appointed senior safety oversight consultants based, respectively, in Lima, Peru, and Montevideo, Uruguay, for Miami-based Aviation Management Services.
A ballooning budget deficit may make it impossible for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to increase government support for the aerospace and defense industry, as he has promised to do. Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti's bombshell last month that the government deficit was likely to reach 1.9% of gross domestic product, and perhaps zoom as high as 2.6%--perilously close to the 3% stability pact ceiling for euro-participating nations--is putting pressure on Berlusconi to pare back government spending.
Seamus O'Brien has become director of marketing for engine and fuel products and Greg Reese business manager in the Northwest U.S. for Crane Aerospace, Lynn- wood, Wash. O'Brien was head of sales and marketing for subsidiary Lear Romec. Reese was a regional sales manager for subsidiary Interpoint.
Don Crisp, chairman of the Panama City-Bay County (Fla.) International Airport Authority, has been named a Captain of American Aviation by the George Washington University Aviation Institute. The award recognizes local leaders in aviation safety and infrastructure development. Crisp was cited for his work in ``developing a plan for moving one of America's most constrained commercial airports to a new location where it would potentially be one of the nation's best examples of new airport development.''
Yves Bonnet has been elected commissioner general of the Paris air show. He succeeds Edmond Marchegay, who is chairman/CEO of Intertechnique. Bonnet is vice chairman of the Snecma group.
CDC SYSTEMS UK HAS SELECTED Rockwell Collins to supply the embedded and handheld military Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment for the U.K. Ministry of Defense's Bowman program, the British Army's next-generation tactical communications system. The $86-million program will include more than 37,000 GPS receivers for aircraft, vehicles and ships. Collins will commence delivery of its new third-generation precision lightweight GPS receiver (PLGR)-III and Miniature PLGR engine in early 2002.
CAE has been selected to build the Eurofighter Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA) for Eurofighter Simulation Systems under a contract valued at C$40 million. ASTA will support both the introduction and future training needs of the Eurofighter Typhoon in four nations--Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. CAE will develop and deliver synthetic environment simulation for 27 training devices including full-mission simulators, cockpit trainers and interactive pilot stations.
Business aircraft passengers can get secure inflight links to their company's e-mail and intranet with inflightonline's Secure Wings system (www.inflightonline.com). It makes a virtual private network connection to e-mail systems like Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes in a ``behind the firewall'' manner, as if the user were wired to the inside of his company. Several computers, including personal digital assistants, can use one link simultaneously, and Secure Wings works at rates as low as 2,400 bits/sec., as might be found on a transoceanic Inmarsat satellite.
Bernard Bussieres has been named vice president-legal services/corporate secretary of Transat A.T. Inc. of Montreal. He was a senior partner in the law firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
China Southern Airlines Group is reporting a first-of-its-kind agreement with the nation's government-owned postal air carrier--China Post Airlines--that should raise the image of the Guangdong-based carrier even more as the nation's largest airline. The post office will put mail on board China Southern aircraft and integrate its computer systems for mail dispatch, tracking and inquiries with China Southern's infotech systems. CSA will cooperate with China Post Airlines on ground handling, cargo and staff training.
Benet J. Wilson has become director of corporate communications and community affairs of the Mesa Air Group. She was editor of the Washington-based newsletter Commuter/Regional Airline News.
The Fischerscope X-ray XUL provides fast and accurate noncontact coating thickness measurement, while nearly eliminating the need for calibrations standards. The XUL system is ideal for measuring the thickness of all electroplated coatings, as well as the thickness and composition of alloy coatings. The unit is a new design that incorporates proven inverted optics--both the X-ray tube and detector system are located beneath the measuring stage.
Advanced Technical Products Inc.'s Marion Composites division will supply fighter aircraft nose radomes for Milan's FIAR SPA. Deliveries will begin 2004.
Melanie Silosky, a junior majoring in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., has won a 2001 Society of Satellite Professionals International scholarship funded by Loral Skynet. She was cited for her project entitled ``Improved Mass Center Control for Satellite Fuel Tanks.''
Myanmar Airways International, seeking to attract new business, recently introduced a new livery and logo, the ``Pyinsa Rupa,'' the mythological bird of Myanmar. It also upgraded all inflight services and redesigned uniforms worn by cabin crew. In January, Singapore-based Region Air secured a 49% stake in MAI. The air charter and leasing company is providing MAI support in the areas of management, marketing and financial strategy. Airline executives say MAI's focus is on expansion in the regional market.
