The CS5000 Crane Scale is available in capacities of up to 500,000 lb. with an accuracy of 0.1%, making it possible to weigh major components such as engines or even an entire aircraft with one. The scale can transmit data up to a range of 500 ft., making remote readings routine. The scale can be used during engine removal/replacement to tell when the load has been transferred to the aircraft and while recovering aircraft with collapsed landing gear to ensure that crane capacities are not exceeded. Intercomp, 14465 23rd Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. 55447-3438.
In this year's Five-Year Outlook, the editors of AVIATION WEEK&SPACE TECHNOLOGY examine the prospects for a broad range of aerospace/defense markets. But the emphasis is on the commercial aircraft sector for one simple reason: it is the wellspring of life-sustaining business for thousands of companies, and it continues to suffer from one of the most punishing downturns on record.
The Laser-Blade ABR-25 System uses laser-guided machining technology for repairing turbine blades. It builds on the ASC System, which is used for machining turbine airseals and engine cases. The ABR-25 uses a laser to scan the turbine blade below the welded overlay that must be remachined, extrapolates data to determine proper five-axis tool paths and automatically downloads the program into the host machine's computer numerically control. SeamX, 486 Ellis St., Mountain View, Calif. 94043.
EXPECT MORE ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON TRAVEL AGENT commission caps following the American Society of Travel Agents' recent filing of a complaint against seven U.S. carriers. ASTA alleges American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA, USAir and United conspired to cap agent commissions. The society contends airline and travel agents were well aware of and had leaked news of the caps-to-be to ASTA--before the caps were announced and became official. Stay tuned as the travel agents seek relief in the Delaware federal court.
In 1995-97, airline traffic will rise steadily, but major U.S. carriers will be hard-pressed to show more than modest profits as they race against time and each other in a life-or-death struggle to reduce costs drastically. Increasing airport delays, the threat of recession, new taxes and rising fuel costs, however, could offset any financial gains. Except for USAir, TWA and Continental, major airlines will post improved earnings this year compared with 1994.
The 1994 BMD Technology Applications Report summarizes the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization's foremost technology transfer initiatives and highlights successful commercial spinoffs and 50 emerging technologies. Key points include optical spectroscopy that can achieve 96% accuracy in detecting breast cancer, holographic products that can improve the quality of flat-panel displays and fiber-optic communications and superconducting technology that improves cellular telephone performance.
C.L. (Neil) Hensel has been appointed senior vice president of Titan Corp., San Diego, Calif., and president/general manager of the Titan Systems (East) group. Hensel was senior vice president/general manager of the C3I Systems Div. of the Atlantic Research Corp. Professional Services Group.
In response to a plea for urgent action from the National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA has directed air traffic controllers to deny departing aircraft clearance to position and hold on runways being used for arrivals. The agency's action was spurred by a series of recommendations made by the safety board earlier this month, as part of its investigation into the cause of a runway incursion accident last November at St. Louis (AW&ST Nov. 28, 1994, p. 19).
FEDERAL EXPRESS EXPECTS TO OPEN ITS ASIAN HUB in Subic Bay July 1 with six flights a week from Anchorage through Tokyo and other Asian cities. It will rely on a combination of A310, MD-11 and DC-10 freighters to bring express documents and freight to the new hub. According to company officials, FedEx is seeing strong growth throughout the Asia/Pacific region and expects to add Myanmar (Burma) to its list of countries served late this spring. Its new service into China (AW&ST Mar. 6, p. 26) will connect 32 cities there into its network.
The seven astronauts on board Endeavour spent their first week in orbit fine-tuning a collection of ultraviolet astronomy instruments to study rarely explored aspects of the universe.
U.K. Ministry of Defense has decided to procure 22 Westland/Agusta EH101 utility helicopters and 14 more Boeing Chinook HC Mk. 2s for additional medium support helicopters for the Royal Air Force. The total program cost is valued at 1.2 billion pounds ($1.9 billion), about 300 million pounds ($480 million) more than had the government opted for a single aircraft type. Westland's contract will be worth about 500 million pounds ($800 million), Boeing's will be less, and the remainder will be in other RAF costs.
BELGIAN POLICE ARE investigating the suicide, on Mar. 8, of Lt.-Gen. (Ret.) Jacques Lefebvre, a former Belgian air force chief of staff linked to a procurement corruption scandal. Belgian authorities are investigating allegations that Italian manufacturer Agusta in 1988 paid about $1.8 million in bribes to secure a Belgian army contract for 46 A109BA antitank/escort helicopters. NATO Secretary General Willy Claes, who was a member of the Belgian government when the A109BA contract was negotiated, has denied involvement in the scandal.
Global air cargo, propelled by burgeoning international trade, will expand about two percentage points faster than passenger traffic during each of the next five years. Increasing cargo capacity, however, will continue to hold down rates and erode yields. As a result, operators will be forced to lure customers with an ever-wider array of value-added distribution and logistics services.
The Hobart Whisper Power can produce 120 kva. to meet the ground power needs of modern transport aircraft. The Cummins 200-hp. engine that powers the unit can be started with the push of a button. A starter lock-out helps prevent flywheel damage. An in-line fuel pump helps reduce emissions from the engine, which burns Jet A fuel.
A LEAP KINETIC KILL test vehicle failed to hit its missile target launched from Wallops Island, Va., in a test Mar. 4. A Defense Dept. statement noted ``deviations from the expected interceptor flight path'' in the Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile test.
Japan is to continue development of its H-2 launch vehicle this week with its third mission, the launch of the country's first recoverable space platform and a U.S.-made communications satellite.
Asia's well-documented air service growth, particularly the use of new wide-body transports, will be a major factor in the long-term success of Boeing and Airbus. The region's impact on Douglas Aircraft is less clear because its sales there are diminishing.
In the next three years major U.S. airlines will earn only modest profits as they struggle to reduce costs, rebuild crippled balance sheets and combat growing numbers of aggressive, low-fare competitors. The airline industry will remain in a constant state of flux through 1995-97 as it attempts to complete a life-or-death metamorphosis of its financial and organizational structures and corporate philosophies.
Peter Muirhead has become production manager of Aviall Caledonian Engine Services, Prestwick, Scotland. John Horsburgh is director and general manager of CF6 services, and David Crews is general manager of CFM/Accessories/Test. Muirhead was a management consultant in the U.K. and U.S. Horsburgh worked in project and contract management, and Crews has been with Aviall Caledonian since 1982.
This line of yttrium oxide paints can help stop interactions between reactive materials at high temperature. The thermodynamically stable properties of ytrrium oxide make the paints ideal for crucible and mold coatings in applications involving highly reactive molten metals, and as a reaction barrier coating between other reactive materials. Other proven uses include high-temperature lubrication/release with superplastic forming, diffusion bonding and hot processing. The paints, available in liquid, aerosol or paste forms, can withstand temperatures of more than 1,900C.
Frederick Sine has been appointed vice president-engineering services and quality assurance for Intertrade, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was with UPS' Airline Div.
Cleveland M. Howie has been named director of marketing for the Nacelle Services Unit of Precision Standard. He was senior sales and marketing representative for AAR Engine Component Services.
While the Pentagon's top civilians are considering whether to ask Congress to seek a fifth round of military base closures, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Gen. John Shalikashvili, has said such a move is inevitable.
CAROL BOYD HALLETT will become president of the Air Transport Assn. of America Apr. 3, replacing James E. Landry, who announced his intention to retire last year. Hallett, a general aviation pilot, currently is trade adviser for a Washington-based law practice and was U.S. Customs Service Commissioner in the Bush Administration.
