The savings in maintenance and airport charges of a papered-down A330-300 probably close that gap; but the new technology of the 737-9 and A321neo blows it wide open again.
I found the comments of U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Hostage in “Life Post-Cuts” (AW&ST Sept. 23, p. 31) in alignment with those of reader Thomas Parker in his letter in the Feedback section of the same issue (page 10).
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, ShelterBox USA Inc. President Emily Sperling and Team Rubicon co-founder William McNulty have joined the advisory council of Washington-based Airlink.
With advanced avionics and mission systems, the 1970s-era delta-winged fighter called Kfir could rank in the same class as contemporary “fourth-generation” fighter jets, say officials from manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The company can deliver up to 50 of the Mach 2+ Kfirs, configured to the newest Block 60 standard, using airframes retired from Israeli air force service in the 1990s, IAI officials report. These aircraft were mothballed in the southern Negev desert and are in good condition for refurbishment.
While the uncertainty of two years of budget cuts and stop-gap spending bills may still not seem tangible to the public, “sequestration” is creating “chaos” for defense contractors.
Hobbled by the government's partial shutdown, the National Transportation Safety Board is standing down, except for the most pressing cases. “The agency can engage in those activities necessary to address imminent threats to safety of human life or for the protection of property,” the board said Oct. 10. Though it is clear investigators would be recalled for a major transportation disaster, how the NTSB is defining other “imminent threats” is murkier.
This single-turboprop-powered utility/passenger aircraft first flew in December 1982. Through 2012, Cessna produced 2,214 Caravans of all types. Designed with the small-package delivery segment in mind, Caravan models currently in production include the 675 and the 208B Grand Caravan. Both are powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop engine rated at 675 shp. Also in production is the upgraded Grand Caravan EX model, featuring a more powerful PT6A-140 turboprop engine. The EX achieved certification in January 2013.
The TBM 850 is a single-engine, 4-6-passenger, turboprop-powered aircraft that replaced the TBM 700 in 2006. Power is provided by a single 850-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-66D engine, flat-rated to 850 shp. The aircraft has a range of 1,585 nm. Through 2012, production totaled 299 aircraft. Production of another 421 is forecast for 2013-22.
George Ullrich has become senior vice president-strategy development for Applied Research Associates Inc., Albuquerque, N.M. He has been chief technology officer of the Schafer Corp. and was senior vice president-advanced technology programs at the Science Applications International Corp.
The Y-12 series is another family of twin-turboprop aircraft. The Y-12-II is equipped with Western avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines flat-rated to 620 shp each. The Y-12-IV has winglets, a strengthened undercarriage and redesigned seating for 18-19 passengers. Another Y-12 version is the Y-12E, which is powered by 750-shp PT6A-135 engines. A total of 48 Y-12-II/-IV and Y-12E aircraft are forecast to be produced for the civil market in the coming 10 years. HAI is currently developing the Y-12F, which is substantially different from the earlier Y-12s.
This four-engine, medium/long-range, widebody commercial passenger and cargo transport aircraft first flew as the -300 in 1988 and was awarded certification in December 1992. It is powered by Aviadvigatel PS-90A1 engines rated 35,275 lb. thrust each. The stretched Il-96-400 is powered by uprated PS-90A1 engines. The Il-96-400 passenger version can seat 436 in a single-class configuration, 386 in two classes or 315 in a three-class layout. One Il-96-300 and four Il-96-400s are forecast for production in the 2013-22 period.
Launched in 2007, RUAG Aerospace's Do 228NG (Next Generation) is an updated version of Dornier's original Do 228. The aircraft is powered by 776-shp Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engines, and features other improvements such as a new glass cockpit, five-blade propellers and aerodynamic changes to the wing. The first RUAG-produced Do 228NGs were delivered to customers in 2010, with a total of eight to date.
Vanessa Hudson has been named senior executive vice president for the Americas for Qantas Airways. She succeeds Wally Mariani, who has retired. Hudson was executive manager for strategy and planning for Qantas Domestic.
Smarting from South Korea's decision to sideline Boeing's F-15 Silent Eagle and reopen bidding for a new fighter, the company is now strategizing to capture some—but not all—of a forthcoming buy. Boeing Defense, Space and Security President Dennis Muilenburg says the company is still investing in development of the Silent Eagle, which has conformal fuel tanks, a stealthy weapons bay, fly-by-wire controls and a digital electronic warfare system. Boeing remains in the game for Seoul's yet-to-be-revamped F-X Phase 3 competition.
USAF Maj. Gen. Steven L. Kwast has been appointed commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education/vice commander of Air University of the Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala. He has been director of the Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review in the Office of the Vice Chief of Staff at USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon. Maj. Gen. Samuel D. Cox has been nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and appointment as deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at USAF Headquarters.
This week, Aviation Week publishes two editions, both double issues. The cover at the far left features the first business aircraft to be developed in China—Avic subsidiary Caiga's Primus 150, an all-composite six-seater based on a U.S. kitplane design and powered by single 850-shp General Electric H85 turboprop. The aircraft is set to fly soon, but its market is uncertain as Chinese tastes continue to favor large business jets (page 58). Photo by Bobby Yip for Reuters via Newscom.
Three recent space-related articles speak volumes. The first two are in the same issue (AW&ST Sept. 30): “Launcher Leap” (page 22) followed by “What's Next” (page 24). Hot on the heels of this printing, the AviationWeek.com Space Channel (Oct. 3) offered “NASA's J-2X Engine To Be Mothballed After Testing.” The first article outlined China's plans for a more capable Moon rocket than the Saturn V; the second depicted China's planned Mir-class space station. And the third covered the U.S.'s human space exploration program.
