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Week ending March 23, 1997
+++ Second NH90 flies +++ Fairchild Dornier introduces 328-Jet-Concept +++ Last Eurofighter prototype flies +++ New Facts about the Airbus A3XX +++ Airbus Military Company with FLA Offers +++ Lufthansa CityLine hands over last turboprop +++ European Commission investigates Boeing/McDonnell Douglas merger +++ AT 2000 trainer: Dasa cooperates with Hyundai +++ AI(R) jet-project presented to airlines +++ Delta and Boeing agree on fleet scheme +++ News in brief +++
Second NH90 flies
Erstflug des zweiten NH90
On March 19, the second prototype of the NH Industries NH90 took off for the first time at Marignane. The trial started at 6.15 pm, and for 30 minutes experimental test pilot Philippe Boutry, test engineers Denis Trivier and Jean-Claude Rabany put the helicopter through a series of maneuvres. PT2 is fitted with a fly-by-wire system and will be dedicated to the development of the flight controls. In the meantime, PT1 has ammassed over 100 hours in the air, reaching speeds of 190 kts and up to 20000 ft altitude. The Ground Test Vehicle achieved a total of 300 running test hours. Assembly of PT3 is about to start, with modules for PT4 and PT5 under construction.
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Fairchild Dornier introduces 328-Jet-Concept
328 mit Turbofan-Antrieb vorgestellt
Service entry in March 1999, that is the design goal for Fairchild Dornier's new ambitious project, a turbofan-version of the commuter airliner 328. Launched on February 5th, for the first time a 32+seat-class jet can economically serve the regional aircraft market, believes the new-formed company. Enhanced productivity from jet speed combined with the fuel efficiency of an advanced, low-weight Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 306B turbofan (6050 lbs of thrust each) will, said chairman Carl Albert during a presentation at the company's German headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen (Munich), enable the new jet to achieve operating costs equal to or less than turboprops on 200 to 250 nm trips.These economic reasons combined with field performance to handle airfields that now are only accessible by turboprops, would make the 328Jet the first "true" regional jet. The unique design features of the high speed 328-turboprop-version, will, due to Albert, allow conversion to a pure jet with minimal change. Simply put, substituting the trubofans for the PW119 truboprop engine with the same pylon installation postion on the wing. Further manufacturing economies are to be derived from producing the turbofan and turboprop concurrently on the same production line. With five month advanced notice, a specific aircraft can be designated either jet or turboprop.
Fairchild Dornier anticipates a market for more than 450 units of their new product in airline and corporate configurations over the next 15 years. The 328Jet will be priced at 10,15 Mio. US-Dollars (1997).
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Last Eurofighter prototype flies
Eurofighter Prototyp DA4 in der Luft
On March 14, the seventh and last of the Eurofighter 2000 development aircraft took to the skies at Warton in the UK. DA4, the second two-seater, was airborne for one hour and 20 minutes, with British Aerospace chief test pilot Derek Reeh at the controls. The flight included some handling and radar work and reched an altitude of up to 25000 feet. DA4 is powered by the Eurojet EJ200 enignes and is equipped with the new ECR90 radar. Its role will be to develop, in conjunction with the DA6 assembled in Spain, two-seat handling performance and, with DA5 in Germany, undertake radar development and avionic integration work. All seven EF2000s have now flown for nearly exactly 300 hours, split up as follows
- DA1: 84 flights, 84:47 hrs
- DA2: 150 flights, 116:45 hrs
- DA3: 82 flights, 76:01 hrs
- DA4: 1 flight, 1:20 hrs
- DA5: 5 flights, 5:47 hrs
- DA6: 13 flights, 12:45 hrs
- DA7: 3 flights, 2:26 hrs
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New Facts about the Airbus A3XX
Neue Daten zur A3XX
Jürgen Thomas, head of Airbus' Large Aircraft Division, annouced at a conventuion of the German Aerospace Press Club in Toulouse that everything is on line for the new A3XX family of giant aircraft. Development cost of about $8 billion are to be shared by new risc sharing partners by 40 per cent. Saab will take five per cent, Alenia wants 8 to 10 per cent. Agreements have been reached with Fokker Aviation, Belairbus and Finavitec. The government in Seoul is ready to spend money in this venture, a Singapore based company also is interested. A percentage of 10 to 15 per cent for Far East pertners is a probable solution. Talks with North American companies, namely Lockheed Martin, are also under way and will reach a final stage very soon. 10 to 15 per cent are at stake. With Rolls-Royce a memorandum has alreeady been signed regarding the Trent 900 as a baseline concept for powering the new 550 to 650 seaters. Talks with the US Engine Alliance (GE Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney) will lead to an agreement in April, Thomas said.
Financing should be no problem as according to Thomas "there is a big market out there. British Airways alone wants 70 aircraft, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines are also very eager to look at the A3XX. Federal Express urges the Airbus management to have a freighter version rewady as soon as possible. Introduction into service could be 2003, preliminary design freeze still in 1997.
At the same time discussions about the site of final assembly are under way. The Airbus manager are very tightlipped about this issue, regarding political and also financial implications. Still four possible sites are pooints of discussion: St. Nazaire, Sevilla, Rostock and Toulouse.
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Airbus Military Company with FLA Offers
Airbus Military Company bietet neue FLA-Alternativen
David Jennings, head of the AMC marketing for FLA, explained the newly established procedures for FLA procurement in Toulouse. Industry is aware that European governments need the FLA but have no money and therefore are not willing to contribute to the development costs. AMC as a consequence suggests that the governments accept to be treated like civilian customers. That would mean the Verzicht of a international programme structure, development and production agreed in a single contract, an observer role for the governments with performance of the arcraft guaruanteed by industry. Changes to quantities or withdrawal would incur heavy penalties.
AMC would run the programme, and also would be responsible for the workshare of involved companies. AMC would also be responsible for the equipment selection including engines and would be responsible for export sales. Industry would partially fund development and could recover investment through export sales. The benefits would be clear, Jennings said. Shorter lead times, lower prices, lesser hierarchies.
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Lufthansa CityLine hands over last turboprop
Lufthansa CityLine gibt letzten Turbprop ab
Leading German regional airline Lufthansa CityLine handed over the last of its former Fokker F.50 to Contact Air on March 19th. Contact Air now operates 11 F.50 within the Team Lufthansa concept on turboprop routes. The airplanes carry the blue Lufthansa fin with the European stars instead of the blue crane in yellow circle. Lufthansa CityLine now operates 28 Canadair RegionalJets and 16 Avro RJ85. Two new aircraft, one each type, will be entering its fleet until year's end. Further procurements are possible. Decisions will probably be made in summer. LufthansaCityLine eyes the recently launched Canadair Regional Jet 700 as well as the new AI(R) Jet. It will definitely stick to two types or familes F. Rausch, Lufthansa CityLine boss until end of March, said recently in Toulouse.
Rausch will be responsible for Product and Service in the new board structure of Lufthansa, effective April 1. For 1996 Lufthansa CityLine reports 3.1 million passengers and 99602 flights with 1.86 million passenger/miles sold. For 1997 the airline targets 3.74 million passengers and 118468 flights.
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European Commission investigates Boeing/McDonnell Douglas merger
Boeing/McDD wird von EU überprüft
On March 19 the European Commission decided to proceed to an in-depth investigation of the proposed merger between the Boeing Company and the McDonnell Douglas Corp. (MDC) and to initiate second phase proceedings under the European Union (EU) Merger Regulation. The operation which was notified to the Commission on Feb. 18, would lead to the creation of the largest aerospace company in the world.The Commission will, in particular, have to examine to what extent Boeing's leading position in the market for commercial jet aircraft could be strengthened through the proposed merger. With a market share of more than 60%, Boeing is by far the leading player in the overall world market for commercial jet aircraft of more than 100 seats. Following the proposed merger, there will be a further increase in Boeing's market share and only one remaining competitor, Airbus. Furthermore, the merger will lead to a large increase in Boeing's defense and space busiiness. The Commission now has a maximum of a further four months in which to reach a final decision. The decision to initiate proceedings does not prejudice the final outcome of the Commission's enquiry.
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AT 2000 trainer: Dasa cooperates with Hyundai
Dasa: Kooperation mit Hyundai beim AT 2000
Dasa has signed a cooperation agreement with South Korean manufacturer Hyundai relating to studies for a new advanced trainer/light strike aircraft. The AT 2000 project could be interesting for the South Korean air force, but there is a competing programme by Samsung/Lockheed Martin and still a chance that none of the proposals will be accepted as there is not enough money in the budgets. Parallel to its efforts in Asia, Dasa is also working with Denel Aviation in South Africa on the programme. In total, there could be a market for about 800 new adavanced trainers up to 2020, Dasa believes.
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AI(R) jet-project presented to airlines
70-Sitzer wurde den Fluggesellschaften vorgestellt
On March 12/13, Aero International Regional has presented its plans for a new 70seat regional jet to 15 international airlines for the first time. The conference at Toulouse is a further stet towards full go-ahead, planned for mid-1997. Deliveries will then start in 2001. AI(R) is keen to include the wishes of important potential customers into the final specification of the aircraft. Therefore, further monthly meetings of working groups are planned.
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Delta and Boeing agree on fleet scheme
Exklusivvertrag zwischen Delta und Boeing
Delta Air Lines and Boeing on March 20 agreed on an exclusive 20-year aircraft fleet acquisition plan that supports the airline's strategy for aircraft replacement and fleet rationalization and creates the opportunity for disciplined internal growth. The understanding is subject to mutually acceptable definitive agreements with Boeing and aircraft engine manufacturers.The plan includes 106 firm aircraft orders through the year 2006 at a value of $6.7 billion, based on list price. The plan also includes 124 options and 414 rolling options for aircraft through 2018. Options are guaranteed delivery slots. Rolling options are a pool of aircraft delivery positions that replace options as the options expire or are exercised. This understanding includes firm base pricing on the firm, option and rolling option aircraft. Boeing will be the exclusive supplier of new aircraft for Delta through the 20-year life of this fleet acquisition plan, subject to specific conditions.
"This plan looks out 25 to 30 years and meets four fleet goals. First, we will retire older aircraft in our fleet. Second, we will simplify our fleet with fewer aircraft and engine types. Third, we will create the opportunity for disciplined and profitable internal growth as opportunities arise. And fourth, we will create another competitive advantage for Delta Airlines", said Delta Chairman Ron Allen.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
Bucking the trend of deteriorating cabin service standards on domestic US routes, United Airlines will introduce better meals in all classes of flights form New York Newark to west coast destinations. If this improvement catches on with passengers as indicated in recent surveys, further city pairs will benefit from improved cabin service.+++
Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik has signed a twelve-month long study contract concerning the development of a fly-by-wire system for the Tupolev Tu-204. Engine-maker Aviadvigatel will also be involved fo facilitate FADEC control of its PS-90 engine.
+++
On March 19, McDonnell Douglas delivered the first of eight F/A-18 Hornets to the Malaysian Royal Air Force at a ceremony in St. Louis. The eight two-seat D model Hornets will fulfill strike and interdiction missions as part of the Royal Malaysian Air Force modernization program. Initially, the aircraft will be used to meet training requirements. The first flight of a Malaysian F/A-18D occurred Feb. 1, 1997, at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. The flight lasted approximately 1.2 hours.
+++
McDonnell Douglas rolled out the first AH-64D Apache Longbow for the U.S. Army in dramatic fashion on March 24 at the company's helicopter facility in Mesa (Arizona).As lights blazed, a curtain was raised to unveil the AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-mission combat helicopter, which builds on the combat-proven capabilities of the AH-64A Apache. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems is remanufacturing the first 232 AH-64D Apache Longbows under a $1.9 billion, five-year, multi-year contract.
+++
Premier Li Peng, meeting with the President and CEO of Airbus Industry Group Jean Pierson in Beijing on March 20, expressed the hope that Airbus will continue to co-operate with China and compete in the Chinese aircraft market. Co-operation between China's aircraft industry and Airbus in production of the 100-seat passenger plane is underway and initial progress has been made, Li said, noting that this is good since the project benefits France and its European partners as well as China.
+++
Saab-BAe Gripen AB has opened a new office in Budapest, just a short distance from the Danube and the Hungarian Parliament. This will furhter enhance marketing activities of the JAS 39 fighter in the country.
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Previous updates are still available:
March 16, 1997
March 9, 1997
March 2, 1997
February 23, 1997
February 16, 1997
January 26, 1997
January 19, 1997
January 12, 1997
January 5, 1997
December 22, 1996
December 15, 1996
December 8, 1996
December 1, 1996
November 24, 1996
November 17, 1996
November 10, 1996
November 3, 1996
October 27, 1996
October 20, 1996
October 13, 1996
October 6, 1996
September 29, 1996
September 22, 1996
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Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated March 24, 1997