MCDONNELL DOUGLAS has received FAA certification for the MD Explorer and plans to deliver the first twin-turbine helicopter this week to Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. The company began work on the Explorer in 1988 and completed first flight of the eight-passenger helicopter about two years ago. Delivery to PHI is set for Dec. 16.
Navigator is an add-on module that will allow users of Analytical Graphics, Inc.'s Satellite Toolkit to compute orbital maneuvers. The commercial-off-the-shelf software runs on Unix workstations. Users will be able to shape orbits and trajectories through a click-and-drag interface or by entering numerical data. In addition, it will be possible to combine multiple maneuvers into complex scenarios while targeting such criteria as burn duration, fuel use and energy change. AGI and Computer Sciences Corp. are developing and marketing Navigator jointly.
AT THE LOW-COST END, SIMULATOR TECHNOLOGIES CORP. is modifying its STC-3000 generic flight training device, sold in Canada and Europe, with a full enclosure and software to meet the U.S. FAR Part 141 and 65 requirements. The simulator is designed for instrument training, from initial to advanced proficiency, single or twin engine, and sells for $60,000.
France's next manned mission to the Russian Mir space station will use an advanced Aerospatiale test facility to improve the knowledge of fluid behavior in microgravity conditions for use in materials processing and other applications.
JAPAN AND GERMANY have scheduled a Jan. 15 launch from Kagoshima of their $130-million recoverable Express capsule on board a Nissan M-3S-2 booster (AW&ST Nov. 14, p. 24). The 765-kg. (1,683-lb.) spacecraft is Russian-built, but will carry German and Japanese experiments, including one for space processing of a catalyst useful in oil refining. The spacecraft is to enter a 210 X 400-km. (130 X 248-mi.) orbit and be recovered by parachute five days later in Woomera, Australia.
Japanese accident investigators have criticized the pilot of a Japan Air System DC-9 for failing to anticipate the possibility of wind shear during a landing at Hanamaki Airport in 1993. The criticism was leveled by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee of the Ministry of Transport, which said the DC-9 captain should have been alerted to the possibility of wind shear by the presence of high and variable winds as the aircraft made its final approach.
The DH-7000 digital holography system is designed primarily for quality control of abradable seals in jet engines, but also can be used for nondestructive testing of bonds in metallic and composite structures. The system can find subsurface flaws in various types of bonded, brazed or coated materials in real-time. The inspection station uses a vibration isolation table, an electronic holography camera with built-in laser and a means of inducing stress via heat or vibration. The control console has a color monitor, image processor and video image printer.
An AV-8B Harrier equipped with inert wingtip-mounted Sidewinder missiles has begun flying the latest in a series of demonstrations aimed at validating advanced manufacturing tools, production techniques and VSTOL flight technologies under investigation at McDonnell Douglas.
A detection-delay feature in Honeywell's standard wind shear system denied pilots of USAir Flight 1016 prompt warning that might have led to a successful escape maneuver instead of a fatal accident, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
A classified conference this week will attempt to hammer out an efficient, less-confusing system for providing theater commanders with space-derived intelligence, weather, navigation, communications and missile-warning support.
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS has been notified that the U.S. Navy has rejected the company's protest regarding the award of Tomahawk cruise missile and development contracts to Hughes. The company said it has not yet determined whether it will file an appeal to the General Accounting Office. Hughes won the winner-take-all contest in September for the Navy's Tomahawk multiyear production and upgrade programs.
Consolidated Freightways, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif., has appointed Mark Nelson director of public relations. He was a corporate communications executive with Chevron Corp.
Republican lawmakers, who will soon control Congress, are hastening to outmaneuver the White House on defense spending increases. Two key Senate Republicans say the White House's decision to seek a $25-billion increase in spending over the next six years ``does not go far enough'' (AW&ST Dec. 5, p. 17). Citing readiness and modernization concerns, they are calling for a combination of further spending hikes and readjustments in priorities.
The Rebling 7007 quick disconnect socket for aviation batteries is designed to be rugged and reliable, and meets requirements of MS25182-2 and Mil-P-18148. Self-aligning sockets compensate for dimensional variations between batteries and any movement caused by structural loading. When tested at 1,100 amps for 1 min., the voltage drop measured across the mated quick disconnect and receptacle was less than 50 millivolts. It can be used with lead acid or nickel cadmium batteries. The plug can accommodate up to 000 wire. Rebling Plastics, 150 Franklin Drive, Warrington, Pa.
MSTI, THE PENTAGON'S Miniature Seeker Technology Integration test satellites, infringed on patents held by Standard Space Platforms Corp., the McLean, Va., company alleges in a suit filed in the U.S. Court of Claims. The suit names the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, the USAF Phillips Laboratory, NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Spectrum Astro, Inc., and says the infringement was caused by the manufacture and use of the MSTI 1, 2, 3 and 4 satellites.
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., of Ft. Worth has appointed P.D. Shabay (see photograph) senior vice president-operations. He was vice president-human resources and administration.
The RCS 9000 is designed to meet Mil-Std 810 for ruggedized computers able to operate in harsh military and aerospace environments. The computer has 13 full-length expansion slots. It is compatible with MS-DOS, Unix, Xenix and OS2. Hard drives are available in sizes ranging from 210 megabytes to 2.1 gigabytes. The all-aluminum housing can withstand heat, shock and vibration. Features include a detachable, built-in keyboard with optional trackball, rear hinged panels and environmental front panel to protect the drive bays and switches.
McDonnell Douglas Corp. has named Grace M. Robertson vice president/general manager of the MD-90 program of Douglas Aircraft Co., Long Beach, Calif. She was director of 747 and 767 derivatives at Boeing. Keith R. Hertzenberg has been promoted to vice president-advanced aircraft programs for McDonnell Douglas' New Aircraft and Missiles Products. He was division director of the company's V/STOL Research&Development Center.
The 402-181 Series SPDT Relay is designed for satellite communications systems in commercial aircraft. The single-pole, double throw switch meets environmental requirements of RTCA Document DO-160C and Arinc 741. The device features fail-safe, indicator circuitry and is available in 115 v. a.c. and 15 v. d.c. versions. Frequency range is from d.c. to 2 GHz. Voltage standing-wave ratio is a maximum 1.2:1. Insertion loss is 0.2 dB. maximum. Dow-Key Microwave Corp., 1667 Walter St., Ventura, Calif. 93003-0260.
Iberia said it will begin laying off employees and making plans to sell assets in a bid to avoid bankruptcy following the refusal of the pilots union to go along with a cost-cutting plan accepted by other employees. The pilots, who earn an average of 18-20 million pesetas ($137,400-152,670) a year, refused to accept a 15% pay cut and denounced the management viability plan as ineffectual and called for the removal of the airline's top officials (aw&st Dec. 5, p. 30).
EUROCONTROL WILL HALT ALL WORK on a proposed change in European en route air traffic control charges for 3-4 years. The decision came after the organization failed after dozens of meetings to win agreement on the controversial charging formula. The proposed change in Eurocontrol pricing was widely opposed by the regional airline and business aircraft sectors. The European Regional Airlines Assn. had argued that charges for turboprop aircraft could have risen by as much as 100% if the proposed changes were imposed.
THE FIRST MAJOR MEETING OF U.S. AND RUSSIAN air transport officials since last October's completion of the bilateral Russian air safety review will be held in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 9-11. Organized by Forest Hills, N.Y.-based Wall Street Business Management, Inc., the meeting will bring together top managers of the FAA and Russia's Air Transport Dept. with industry representatives. Agenda items include airline certification and standards, the role of civil aviation authorities in operations and safety, financing and airline strategic partnerships/alliances.
Goeken Group Corp., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., has named Phil Bakes (see photograph) chairman/president/chief executive officer of the group and its subsidiary, In-Flight Phone Corp. A former president of Continental and Eastern airlines and current director of In-Flight Phone, Bakes succeeds John D. Goeken, who has resigned as chairman/CEO.
Applied Dynamics International, Ann Arbor, Mich., has named John D. McIntosh chief executive officer. Currently president/chief operating officer, McIntosh succeeds G.F. Graber, who is retiring.
