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Week ending December 21, 1997
+++ Eurofighter MoU signed in Bonn +++ Crossair of Switzerland reveals new French subsidiary Crossair Europe +++ First Inspector mission fails +++ Dassault wins Mirage 2000 order from UAE +++ Boeing finally delivers first 737-700 +++ New alliance between Alitalia and KLM +++ First firm order for Airbus Corporate Jetliner +++ Bell 427 flies +++ Hubble witnesses the final blaze of glory of sun-like stars +++ News in Brief +++
Eurofighter MoU signed in Bonn
Regierungsvereinbarung für Eurofighter unterzeichnet
On Monday, December 22, the defence ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK will sign the long awaited Memoranda of Understanding No. 6 and 7, covering production investment and production of the EF2000 as well as the logistical aspects of the four-nation fighter programme. These MoUs will be the basis for contracts between the NETMA (NATO EF2000 and Tornado Development, Production and Logistics Management Agency) and industry. In the short term, these will be just outline agreements, but with a specific detail contract for the production investment. A total of 620 aircraft will be ordered, among them 180 for the German Luftwaffe. It will get its Eurofighters form 2002 to 2014.Meanwhile, Eurofigher prototype DA7 has begun weapons tests over the Italien range at Decimomannu (Sardinia). On December 15, an AIM-9 Sidewinder was fired, followed by an AMRAAM .
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Crossair of Switzerland reveals new French subsidiary Crossair Europe
Schweizer Carrier Crossair geht mit franzöischer Tochter an den Start
Swiss regional carrier Crossair announced a new French subsidiary named Crossair Europe. The new airline is to start services on March 29. At the beginning it will operate two Saab 340 turboprop aircraft, followed by a Boeing MD-83 aircraft which is expected to be transferred from Crossair's fleet in the autumn. Crossair Europe will be based in France near the Basel-Mulhouse airport with Crossair keeping 40 percent of the shares. It will start services from Basel-Mulhouse airport to Marseille, Milan and Venice. Other European destinations including Rome and cities in Hungary, Poland, Tchech Republic ans Slowenia are expected to follow soon. According to Crossair CEO Moritz Suter, Crossair Europe will reach break-even in two or three years at the latest. Crossair's move to create a subsidiary in France is regarded as a means to bypass the isolation of Switzerland which is not a member of the European Union and therefore still has to negotiate all traffic rights with surrounding countries. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
First Inspector mission fails
Erste Inspector-Mission endet mit Fehlschlag
The first mission of Inspector, a robotic camera system designed by Daimler-Benz Aerospace' Orbital Infrastructure Division for remote monitoring of the International Space Station ISS, has ended in failure. The robot was successfully put into space with a Progress capsule, but while approaching the Russian space station Mir only one circumflight of the capsule was possible before Inspector was steered into a further distance to Mir by Mir cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov. Inspector had immediately delivered first class pictures of the Progress capsule, Earth and the station, but the robot obviously had trouble to determine its correct position in space.
Engineers of Dasa are now looking for the cause of this mishap. Two reasons are rendered possible causes. Either the release into space damaged the calibrating star camera system or this camera system had developed an own malfunction. Project managers were astonished to see Earth on the first pictures taken by this camera that delivers the main reference data for the internal guidance system. The camera should have been looking at the stars first to determine its position.
On the second day of the 9 to 18 month mission Inspector was commanded by the Mir cosmonauts as well as the Bremen based NASA ground station without problems. It continued to send pictures to the ground as well as to the Mir station, but is drifting away from Mir at a rate of 20 kilometres per day.
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Dassault wins Mirage order from UAE
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate kaufen Mirage 2000-9
The United Arab Emirates have announced that they will buy 30 Dassault Mirage 2000-9 fighters worth two billion US-Dollars. The deal, under which Dassault will also upgrade the UAEs existing fleet of 33 Mirage 2000s, came during a visit to Abu Dhabi by President Jacques Chirac, who said it mean 15000 jobs for five years in France. It was rumoured for some time and is an important boost for the manufacturer, which should reach a turnover of 21 billion Francs in 1997, up more than 60 per cent. Dassault is also competing for a much bigger order for 80 next-generation fighters from the UAE, but here the Rafale faces competition from the F-16 and the Eurofighter EF2000. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Boeing finally delivers first 737-700
Erste 737-700 an Southwest übergeben
On December 18, Southwest Airlines became the world's first airline to take delivery of a Next-Generation Boeing 737-700. During a brief ceremony at Boeing Field, Southwest representatives took delivery of the aircraft. The airline launched the Next-Generation 737 program in November 1993 with an order for 63 737-700s. "Boeing has been fortunate to have Southwest as a successful business partner over the past 26 years, and we wish them continued success with their Next-Generation 737s," Ron Woodard said. Southwest's fleet of 258 jetliners consists entirely of Boeing 737s. The first 737-700 delivery follows a three-year effort to achieve U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. More than 20000 engineering laboratory and airplane tests were completed before certification was awarded last month.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
New alliance between Alitalia and KLM
Alitalia und KLM starten Allianz
Alitalia and KLM announce their intention to enter into a strategic commercial alliance for both passenger and cargo air services. As expressed in the MoU between the partners, the alliance will be developed through a multi-hub system based at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Malpensa Airport, Milan and Fiumicino Airport, Rome. The Alliance will be based on long-term commercial agreements and will not involve any equity participation. In the course of the coming years Alitalia and KLM expect the Alliance to generate significant financial as well as consumer benefits. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
First firm order for Airbus Corporate Jetliner
Airbus verkauft ersten Busniess Jet
The Kuwaiti Conglomerate Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi has signed a contract for the purchase of an Airbus Corporate Jetliner, becoming the first announced customer for the aircraft. The A319CJ, a custom-fitted version of the single-aisle A319, was launched in June of 1997. The M.A. Al Kharafi's A319CJ will be powered by International Aero Engines' (IAE) V2527 engines. In the configuration selected by the Conglomerate, the aircraft will seat up to 30 passengers with a mixed layout for VIPs and guests. The A319CJ offers the widest and tallest cabin of any corporate aircraft, in service or planned. The plane also offers an impressive range along with excellent short field performance, a winning combination for exceptional operational flexibility. Since its launch, the A319CJ has obtained seven other commitments from customers in Europe, North America and Asia.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Bell 427 makes first flight
Erstflug der Bell 427
On the afternoon of December 11, the Bell 427 light twin made its first flight, which lasted just four minutes. It took place at the Mirabel production facility in Quebec. Transport Canada certification on the 427 is planned for December 1998, with FAA certifiaction and production deliveries following in January 1999. The Bell 427 seats eight people in its totally new fuselage. Power comes form two 600 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206D turboshafts. Samsung Aerospace of Korea is the sole-source manufacturer of cabins and tailbooms. the dynamics are built at Fort Worth, with final assembly at Mirabel.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Hubble witnesses the final blaze of glory of sun-like stars
Hubble Bilder entdecken das Ende von Sonnen
In a new NASA press release, the agency reports about Hubble's ability to detect the end of a sun-like star. A dazzling collection of detailed views released by several teams of astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope reveals surprisingly intricate glowing patterns spun into space by aging stars: pinwheels, lawn sprinkler style jets, elegant goblet shapes, and even some that look like a rocket engine's exhaust. "These eerie fireworks offer a preview of the final stage of our own Sun's life," says Bruce Balick of the University of Washington in Seattle. More than simply a stellar "light-show", these outbursts provide a way for heavier elements - predominantly carbon - cooked in the star's core, to be ejected into interstellar space as raw material for successive generations of stars, planets and, potentially, life. The astronomers say the incandescent sculptures are forcing a re-thinking of stellar evolution. In particular, the patterns may be woven by an aging star's interaction with unseen companions: planets, brown dwarfs, or smaller stars.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The French Ministry of the Interior's "Securité Civile" has selected a dedicated version of the Eurocopter BK 117 with which to gradually replace its fleet of helicopters. The order for 32 of the BKs follows an international call for tenders and should be ratified shortly. Deliveries will begin in the second half of 1999. For the special needs of the customer, the BK 117 will get Arriel 1E2 engines and the Avionique Nouvelle in the cockpit.+++
Eurocopter has now sold its 100th EC 135, just 18 months after the light twin has received its German LBA certification. Customers in 17 countries (including USA; Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and UAE) are on the order list. The brisk demand has led the manufacturer to increase output from the Donauwörth factory to 50 helicopters next year.
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Matra Marconi Space has signed an agreement with Digimed, a fully owned subsidiary of the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA) for creation of the Euro African Satellite Telecommunication (E.A.S.T.) Ltd. based in the UK. Matra Hautes Technologies and Nera of Norway have joined the industrial team in this effort to establish a geostationary communications satellite system for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The system is desigend to provide state of the art mobile telephony, fixed telephony and data serives in remote regions at competitive prices. The total cost of the program is estimated at $800 million.
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During December 19, Greek rescue crews are still searching for a Ukrainian airliner that vanished over northern Greece with 70 people on board. Heavy snow and low clouds in the rugged mountains hindered efforts to find the Russian-built Yakovlev-42 plane, which disappeared from radar screens late on Wednesday, December 17. The search for the airliner, flown by Ukrainian-Israeli Aerosweet Airlines, centred on a region near Katerini, about 50 km southwest of the city of Salonika and north of Mount Olympus of ancient Greek legend. The airline said the plane was carrying 62 passengers, mostly Greeks, and eight crew.
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Aérospatiale has suceeded to win the contract for the Spanish HISPASAT 1-C after competing with Hughes and Matra Marconi Space. The satellite is designed to provide digital telvision broadcasting and advanced telecommunication services for the Spanish language audivisual market on both sides of the Atlantic. Delvery of the satellite and ground stations will be in 23 months. The launch of HISPASAT 1-C is expected for the end of 1999. The satellite is a Spacebus 3000 type with a launch mass of approx. 2800 kg. The solar arrays will provide 6000 Watts of power to the payload of 24 high power Ku-Band channels. The lifetime of the satellite is 15 years. Major partners for Aérospatiale in this program are Alcatel Espace (France) and CASA and Alcatel Espacio of Spain.
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According to latest news, the co-pilot was the only survivor of a charter flight from Tajikistan that crashed in the desert on Monday, December 15, in the United Arab Emirates, killing 85 people. Sheik Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani, head of the Sharjah civil aviation department, said rescue teams had found the airliner's black box flight recorder, according to the Emirates official news agency. A Police source told the Tupolev Tu-154 exploded in midair. It went down near Sharjah, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. The plane was carrying 77 passengers and nine crew members. The flight originated in Khudzhand, Tajikistan, and crashed about eight miles from the Sharjah airport, the agency said.
+++
On December 18, Bombardier Services announced that it has entered into an agreement with Raytheon Aircraft for the procurement of 24 T-6A-1 aircraft as the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program's turboprop trainer. The first three aircraft will be delivered on 1 November 1999. The remaining aircraft will be delivered at a rate of 2 to 3 per month. These aircraft will be based at CFB Moose Jaw, in Saskatchewan, where the NFTC student training will commence in the spring of 2000. Raytheon Aircraft's T-6A-1 will be used to train pilots in Phase II of NFTC's flying training. Before announcing the swith to the T-6A, Bombardier was expected to buy Embraer Super Tucanos for the task.
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A SilkAir Boeing 737 with 106 people on board crashed in Indonesia's South Sumatra Province on December 19, local police and airline officials said. "It crashed at 4:30 p.m., but the fate of the passengers is not yet known," Sgt. Ceuk Muhammad of city police headquarters said. He said the crash occurred near the Musi River in the village of Makarti Jaya in Muba Regency, about 450 kilometers northwest of Jakarta. Officials of the Singaporean airline said the plane was carrying 106 people, but Palembang police said there were 104 people aboard, including crew members.
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After intensive deliberation and one-day delay, Israeli Airline EL AL on December 18 decided to buy five U.S.-built Boeing aircraft instead of the European-built Airbus in a deal worth 200 million U.S. dollars. The planes involved the Airbus 319 and 320 and the Boeing 737-700 and 737-800, are almost identical, but Airbus offered lower price and faster delivery. The U.S. government has reportedly pressured Israel to continue El Al's relationship with Boeing which has been its sole supplier for several years. The announcement issued by El Al's board of directors said El Al will buy five Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft for delivery in 1999.
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Olympic Airways has signed a contract for the purchase of two ultra-long range four-engined A340-300s, plus two options. This comes in addition to the two Airbus aircraft of the same type that the Greek flag carrier ordered in August 1997. Olympic Airways' A340-300s will be powered by four CFM56-5C engines from CFM International. Following the arrival of the first A340 in Olympic's fleet, during the third quarter of 1998, the recently ordered aircraft will be delivered in 1999. By the year 2000, the airline plans to operate a fleet of six A340s.
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Air Macau has placed its first direct purchase order, following the signature of a contract with Airbus for one A321-200. Scheduled for delivery in November 1998, the plane will be the longest range version of the A321 currently available and will be fitted with the latest satellite-based navigation and communications systems. The aircraft will expand the airline's regional operations and will join an existing all-Airbus fleet of leased aircraft, which includes four A321s and two A320s.
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Virgin Atlantic has signed a firm order for eight A340-600s, and taken options on another eight, all powered by Rolls Royce Trent 500 engines. This first firm order for the A340-600 follows the British carrier's commitment to the new aircraft in August of this year, and comes just days after the official launch by Airbus of the program which also includes the A340-500. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2002. The A340-600 is a stretched version of the A340. The four-engined widebody will be able to fly 380 passengers in a three-class layout up to 7,300 nautical miles.
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On December 16, Germany and Ukraine signed a framework accord aimed at intensifying bilateral cooperation in defense technology. The agreement was signed in Bonn during a meeting between visiting Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksandr Kusmuk and his German counterpart, Volker Ruehe. The first concrete step to implement the agreement could be possible cooperation by the European Airbus Industry consortium, Ukraine and Russia to jointly develop and manufacture a large military transport aircraft, dubbed the Future Transport Aircraft, the German defense ministry said in a statement. The first feasibility talks on the project would be held within the next few days, the statement added.
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On December 18, Raytheon announced completion of the takeover of Hughes Defense. At the same time, it said it has formed the Raytheon Systems Company, which will be headquartered at Washington DC. This new unit will integrate Hughes, Raytheon Electronic Systems, Raytheon TI Systems and Raytheon E-Systems, thus becoming one of the worlds leading players in defence electonics. The Huhges deal, which was first announced in January 1997, is valued at 9,5 billion US-Dollars.
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As predicted earlier in the year, Saab has now officially decided to stop making its 340 and 2000 turboprop regional airliners after the backlog of 40 orders is cleared in mid-1999. It blamed the decision, announced on December 15, on rising costs and over-capacity in the market, where turboprops have faced intense competition from regional jets like Canadair's CRJ or the Embraer EMB-145. Saab had incurred losses of 1 billion Skr per year on its civil venture and will now concentrate on its JAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighter and try to get subcontract work. 300 jobs will be lost at Linköping, and restructuring charges are put at 4 billion Skr, it was said.
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UK regional airline CityFlyer Express has ordered an RJ100 jet from AI(R). The aircraft will be delivered in May 1998 for use on routes operated under a British Airways franchise agreement.
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Eurocopter Deutschland will achieve a turnover of about 750 million DM in 1997, 20 million more than the year before. There will still be a loss, and so the management has urged for furhter cost cutting, especially in the civil product sector. Workforce will be around 2800 at the end of the year, and in 1998 this will rise to close to 3000 to cope with a good order situation. Eurocopter as a whole will have a turnover of 3,3 million DM this year, corresponding to the delivery of over 210 helicopters.
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Swissair has decided to order the new A340-600 and has signed a letter of intent with the manufacturer covering nine machines. At the same time, the carrier has ordered sic more A330-200s and another A321.
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Previous updates are still available:
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December 14, 1997
December 7, 1997
November 30, 1997
November 23, 1997
November 16, 1997
November 9, 1997
November 2, 1997
October 26, 1997
October 19, 1997
October 12, 1997
October 5, 1997
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Last updated December 19, 1997
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