The TBL-200 is a towbarless tractor that can accommodate aircraft with a nose wheel weight of up to 25 metric tons. It can serve aircraft ranging in size from a Fokker 70 to a fully loaded Boeing 767. The tractor is powered by a 125-bhp. Deutz water-cooled diesel engine driving through a conventional ZF powershift transmission and Kessler double reduction, heavy-duty drive/steer axle. Douglas Equipment Ltd., Village Road, Arle, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 0AB, England.
USAF Air Combat Command is evaluating a Combined Generator/Air Conditioner ground support unit developed by Phoenix-based AlliedSignal Aerospace. If successful, the combined system would eliminate the need for 1.3 C-141 transports during fighter squadron deployment. The modification consists of a new air-cycle module designed to be attached to the top of the existing A/M32A-60A gas turbine ground generator. It adds 4 in. in height and 350 lb. to the generator cart but eliminates the need for the 1,300-lb. air conditioning cart, according to Charlie Back, program manager.
United Airlines will be expanding its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport this spring, boosting daily departures from 73 to 117 in existing markets in April and May. Atlantic Coast Airlines also operates 230 daily flights from Dulles as a United Express partner. MetroJet, the low-fare subsidiary of US Airways, also is expanding service at Dulles and will have 31 daily departures to nine cities in April. MetroJet, which began services in June 1998, will operate 184 departures in April to 21 cities.
Uzbekistan's National Aviation Co. concluded a $16-million contract with the Frankfurt Airport Co. covering a variety of handling equipment for Tashkent's airport. The investment will be funded by Germany's Kreditanstadt fuer Wiederaufbau.
The German government plans to use its leadership position in the European Commission for the first half of next year to push through a tax on aviation fuel. However, Germany will not attempt to impose a new tax on a unilateral basis, as the Green Party demanded, but will instead try to achieve an international agreement to remove existing fuel tax exemptions.
How much the Senate's impeachment trial of the President will disrupt the regular budget process is pure guesswork. In an atmosphere of extraordinary uncertainty about the outcome, the fate of routine defense and aerospace funding bills depends heavily on how long the trial lasts, also a giant question mark. Optimists note that congressional staff can begin work as soon as the President's budget is submitted, now set for Feb. 1, and some committee hearings certainly could proceed. But veteran analyst Norman J.
Finland's Patria Finavitec has acquired Nash Svenska from the British Nash Group. Nash Svenska owns Ostermans Aero, Sweden's leading helicopter maintenance operator.
The U.S. National Science Foundation's LC-130 that was lodged in a snow-covered crevasse (right) at a remote site in Antarctica has been pulled out, repaired and flown to the main U.S. base, McMurdo Station.
Japan is apt to join in the Navy Theater-Wide missile defense program. The Tokyo government recently asked its parliament for approval. The cooperation would focus on developing a lightweight nose-cone and advanced propulsion for the Standard Missile SM-3 interceptor, an advanced kinetic energy warhead, and sensor technology for the radar and missile, Navy officials said. Japan's involvement could speed development of the U.S. system, now scheduled to enter service in 2010. The Navy already has a plan to fund the cooperative program.
The PTF1 is a lightweight, rolling emission microscope that can pinpoint the site of a chip-level failure. Windows NT-based image processing software allows real-time image filtering and manipulation. It has an insertion mode for test heads and a look-down mode for packaged devices. It can make an emission image of a failure site in about 10 min. Zoom optics cover a range with one lens change from 0.8x to 1,500x with push-button parfocal resolution. Hypervision Inc., 4660 Fremont Blvd., Suite 415, Fremont, Calif. 94538.
The BTA Brake Glove was developed to protect expensive carbon brakes during installation, removal and shipping. Carbon brakes offer weight savings and maximum stopping power, but are also subject to dings, nicks and scrapes that can render them unusable. The Brake Glove can be installed in 10 sec. It features a three-key groove to keep carbon rotor key alignments, while also minimizing stator lateral movement. The glove weighs 8 lb., is tear resistant and is not penetrated by hydraulic fluids. Bill Thomas Associates Inc., 7405 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, Calif. 91406.
The Score 740 is a PowerPC 740e-based, full-featured single-board computer developed for mission critical applications in the military and severe environment markets. The computer has a larger-than-standard area for custom PMC modules, providing 1.75 times the normal width. The 740e microprocessor has a speed of 266 MHz., while the single-board computer offers 128 megabytes of dynamic random access memory. Vista Controls Corp., 27825 Fremont Court, Santa Clarita, Calif. 91355.
Critical airfield signs that have been damaged can now be replaced on an emergency basis, versus the traditional 6-9 week lead time usually required. The Lumacurve modular sign will be shipped the same week it is ordered, which reduces the liability of airport operators. Standard Signs Inc., 3190 E. 65th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44127.
Austrian Airlines late last month ordered six additional 150-seat Airbus A320s and one 184-seat A321. The seven aircraft are valued at about $342 million.
The FAA has just released a plan for implementing the key missing element in the air traffic management systems of the future--controller to pilot data links for en route communication.
No country has been hit harder by the Asian recession than South Korea, but sales of six aircraft (with eight more pending) and re-leasing of 16 others helped Korean Airlines end 1998 on a positive note. Although it has not announced projected revenues for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, it projects 250 billion won (208.3 million) in profits. The carrier was in the red for the previous 2 years, including a nearly 400-billion won loss in 1997. It is awaiting guarantees from the U.S. Export-Import Bank for a $530-million purchase of new Boeing aircraft.
Fairlines, a French business-class-only startup carrier formed last year, ceased operations after failing to acquire a significant share on France's highly competitive domestic route system. On 60-min. trips, passengers focus on frequency/punctuality rather than upgraded inflight service, according to one industry observer.
Starting on Mar. 1, Frontier Airlines will bring its heavy maintenance work in-house, countering a trend by smaller airlines to outsource aircraft C and D checks. The carrier will perform its own C checks in a hangar leased from Continental at Denver International Airport. About 105 personnel are being hired, and a new $500,000 investment will buy more tooling, equipment and parts. President Sam Addoms said in-house maintenance will save Frontier more than $1 million per year.
Greece's government has selected Ericsson's Erieye airborne early warning and control system to equip the Hellenic air force's four EMB-145 twinjets. The AEW EMB-145 system is jointly developed by Embraer, Ericsson and Thomson-CSF. Greece's NATO-interoperable aircraft are valued at about $500 million.
The WMUX-V6-(2/4) is an F-16 Weapons Bus Interface for the VMEbus. Developed for embedded avionics applications, it uses an advanced bus interface architecture to provide concurrent and independent operation of a central interface unit, as many as 15 remote interface units and dual-function bus monitoring. On-board firmware is stored in flash memory. The board is available in commercial and ruggedized versions. It was developed primarily for such ground-based applications as maintenance and simulation. SBS Technologies Inc., 2400 Louisiana Blvd. NE No.
The AI-Shuttle System and AI-Amplifier comprise an inflight entertainment system designed for the general aviation market. The AI-Shuttle is a multi-disk CD system. Its controller mounts on the instrument panel, while the changer mounts in the baggage compartment or under a seat. The amplifier drives cabin speakers, allowing headphone-free listening. The system is available in 14 and 24-volt versions with 6 or 12-disk changers. It has a 150-disk title memory. Avionics Innovations, 24560 Montecito Road, Ramona, Calif. 92065.
The H-200 TrimBeam is an adjustment tool that incorporates a high-intensity Xenon bulb to light small electronic components in a tight environment. It includes two sizes of tool tips and vision aid lenses in red and blue-green for light-sensitive applications. Bourns Inc., 1200 Columbia Ave., Riverside, Calif. 92507.
The Parat C 15-min. emergency escape hood is designed to provide time for an adult or child to make a safe egress in emergency conditions. The hood is made from flame retardant materials and incorporates a filter that is designed to provide protection from carbon monoxide, smoke particles and toxic gases for at least 15 min. A cotton/elastic neck band can be slipped on even over eyeglasses. Draeger Safety Inc., 101 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15275.
Malaysia Airlines is to shed 6,000 staff and trim unprofitable domestic and international routes after the government accepted the economic reality that change is needed regardless of the short-term political consequences. The axing of 27% of the workforce and unprofitable routes should allow the carrier to focus on a series of promising routes, particularly to Europe, Australia and the U.S.
Surviving Your Most Feared Emergencies is a video that reviews when a pilot should declare an emergency and describes procedures that are common to all emergencies. It also addresses situations such as engine failure both on takeoff and en route, fires, stalls and spins, and getting lost. The video offers easily remembered tips and techniques that professional pilots use to cope with stressful situations. King Schools, 3840 Calle Fortunada, San Diego, Calif. 93123.
