BRITISH AEROSPACE IS SEEKING TO COORDINATE its leasing activities better through the creation of a new Asset Management Div. It combines BAe's Asset Management Organization, responsible for BAe 146 jet sales and leasing activities, with its U.S.-based JSX Capital Corp. subsidiary, which deals with used turboprop sales and leasing. Both were part of British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Ltd.
A New Jersey company has developed a luggage container using aluminum and laminate materials that, according to tests, can withstand the force of an explosion larger than the one that brought down Pan Am Flight 103.
EXPECT INTEGRATED SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS to become a major thrust in military and transport aircraft design and upgrades. The merging of several related aircraft systems into one package ``is the next opportunity to yield'' significant weight, acquisition and maintenance savings while improving reliability, according to a recent memo to suppliers from Boeing. The confidential document forecast production cost savings averaging $375,000 per transport with airline operating expense reduced by about $265,000 per transport per year.
The Model EE235 is a solid-state recorder for real-time storage of serial telemetry. Data are stored in nonvolatile flash memory. Configurations range from 32-896 megabytes. The EE235 comes in a ruggedized box suitable for use in aircraft and missiles. When configured with 224 megabytes of memory, the recorder measures 3.43 X 5.63 X 3.9 in. and weighs less than 4 lb. Data input is serial NRZ-L data and clock. The recorder may be powered down without losing data. Pacific Instruments, 215 Mason Circle, Concord, Calif. 94520.
Gary W. Hay has been appointed vice chairman, David G. Assard president/chief operating officer and Charles B. Johnson executive vice president-operations of the Cessna Aircraft Co., Wichita, Kan. Hay was executive vice president and Johnson senior vice president-operations. Assard was president of Textron Lycoming.
The VH2 Houillon Viscometer automatically determines the kinematic viscosity of lubricating oils, polymers and similar materials over a range of 3-2000 centistoke at 40C. The Houillon method requires a sample of less than 1 milliliter and an average e-flux time of 60 sec. The system also can accommodate two cleaning solvents and can test at two temperatures with one programmable bath. A personal computer linked to the system can monitor and control up to 16 capillary tubes simultaneously with multiple baths. ISL North America Inc., P.O. Box 1089, Stevensville, Md.
RESPONSE TIME FOR WATER RESCUES near airports continues to concern safety officials. A recent report by Flight Safety Foundation, Alexandria, Va., suggests a simple modification that could save lives: grading runway overrun areas to slope gradually into nearby water. This would help minimize damage to an overrunning aircraft's fuselage, which would float longer and aid rescue efforts. An undershooting aircraft could experience less damage compared with hitting existing sea walls and other obstructions.
Multicolor en-route and area charts are now available for Australia. The color-coding scheme is designed so pilots can quickly differentiate between essential and supportive information on navigation charts. The charts use a combination of black, blue, green, magenta and brown. Jeppesen, 55 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colo. 80112-5498.
New Romanian carrier DAC AIR has ordered eight Bombardier aircraft to operate domestic and regional services it is taking over from Tarom. The firm orders--for four de Havilland Dash 8 Series 300 and four Canadair Regional Jet Series 200 aircraft--are valued at about $140 million. DAC AIR also placed four additional orders, conditional on financing, and four options for each of the aircraft types, which would bring the total value of the contract to $425 million.
Sinda/Fluint Version 3.1 is a finite-difference, lumped-parameter tool for analyzing complex thermal and fluid systems like those found in the aerospace industry. The new version allows a user to direct the program to perform key calculations in double precision math, allowing Sinda/Fluint to distinguish changes as small as 2.0-13%. Variable flow paths also can be more easily modeled. The program is designed for use with Sinaps Version 2.2, a graphical user interface for developing Sinda/Fluint models and viewing results.
The Phoenix 1000HC hypoid cutting machine is designed for producing precision bevel and hypoid gears of up to 39 in. dia. The machine is particularly useful for contract gear producers who encounter a mix of batch sizes and designs. The 1000HC features computer numeric control in all six axes. The work head, sliding base, cast iron frame and roller-style linear bearings are designed to maximize stiffness and damping characteristics. Face hobbing of gears up to 24.17 in. nominal diameter with 5:1 ratios possible. The Gleason Works, 1000 University Ave., P.O.
Bailout funding provided by the Dutch government is expected to keep Fokker afloat for several weeks, giving the company more time to decide on a future course of action. Competitors as well as companies seeking external growth and access to new markets are indicating an interest in acquiring the ailing regional aircraft manufacturer.
THE U.S. AND GERMANY HAVE FINALLY agreed to begin formal negotiations Feb. 22 on an open skies-type pact. And both hope to avoid long, drawn-out horse-trading. They aim to lift current restrictions on the number and frequency of flights for U.S. and German airlines and constraints on pricing and code-sharing. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena and Sen. Larry Pressler (R.-S.D.), who have been working in concert on U.S.-Germany aviation relations, expect an open skies agreement with Germany to be a catalyst for further liberalization in Europe.
Jerome B. Hilmes has been named president of the Applied Technology Div. of the Computer Sciences Corp., Falls Church, Va. He succeeds Gary P. Hobbs, who has resigned.
U.S. military and aerospace officials contend that tests of improved stealth technologies, which are already underway and showing success, could make warplanes virtually invisible to radar, infrared sensors and the human eye. The claim puts an interesting light on a call by top U.S. Air Force scientists for the Pentagon to push rapid development of a new generation of stealthy, unmanned combat aircraft.
The Jet Set Holder cradles a complete set of approach plates, allowing easy access to all of them without having to remove one from the book. In addition to saving time during late changes on approach, it also reduces wear on approach pages. The holder's design works with any top-bound book and provides slots for books fastened with ring binders. An adjustable strap included with the kit allows for quickly converting the Jet Set Holder to a lap holder. Bizapps Air Inc., 6 Governor Drive, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.
A $10.5-million restructuring charge reduced America West Airlines's fourth-quarter and 1995 net profits but the company posted record annual operating and pre-tax earnings.
2The SkyBlazer XL GPS navigator has a high-resolution screen with more than 20,000 pixels, resulting in a more detailed, sharper image with less clutter than earlier models, which had only 25% as many pixels. The moving map can be scaled or panned to view features in front, behind or to either side of the current position. The 14-oz. XL's Jeppesen data base can be updated from a personal computer. It lists information for Class B and C airports, as well as special use airspace, VORs and NDBs.
DEMILITARIZATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS and missiles appears to be a growth area. By a vote of 87-4, the U.S. Senate ratified the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia on Jan. 26. Presidents George Bush and Boris Yeltsin had signed the agreement (AW&ST June 22, 1992, p. 22). START 2 sets a ceiling of 3,000 to 3,500 warheads on each side. By itself, that would more than halve the two nations' stockpiles. But Defense Secretary William Perry says he foresees much deeper reductions, to the levels of hundreds of weapons, and bringing in other nuclear powers.
Acquisition reform is entering a vital new stage with a recent Pentagon directive authorizing defense contractors to establish a protocol for converting to performance standards and commercial practices from the world of ``milspec.'' Major companies see this as a clear opportunity, and most expect to respond quickly in coming months. But while this latest initiative could lead to substantial savings for many firms, it may be as risky as it is potentially rewarding because of possible product liability problems.
Norman Silverberg has been appointed vice president-contracts and administration for the Howmet Corp., Greenwich, Conn. He was vice president-marketing and corporate planning.
Growth in military and civilian applications makes the Asia/Pacific region a prime target for helicopter sales. Kaman Aerospace Co. moved an important notch up on the region's recognition scale late last year when its SH-G2 Seasprite was shortlisted for the Royal New Zealand Navy's Wasp replacement program to service frigates and off-shore patrol ships.
The Asian Aerospace exhibition in Singapore has a knack for offering solace to the aerospace industry in uncertain times. Over the past four years, manufacturers have come to the show with more optimism than they could muster in other regions. Results become more promising every day as Asia helps lead the industry out of a record-breaking slump.
Sydney F. Reames has been appointed vice president-marketing, John K. McCoy, Jr., after-market sales manager for aviation and Didier J. Jouffroy director of quality of the Industrial Battery Div. of Saft America Inc., Valdosta, Ga. Seames was director of sales and marketing for the Power Sources Div., and McCoy was corporate manager of marketing services. And, Jouffroy was industrialization and chemical plant manager.
Net earnings for the U.S. airline industry likely will top $2 billion for 1995, the best collective annual performance ever. The black ink will reverse five years of net losses totaling $13 billion and will best the previous record of $1.7 billion in 1988. In 1994, U.S. airlines as a group had a net loss of $278 million, according to the Air Transport Assn. (ATA), which represents most major U.S. carriers.
