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UPDATE 
Week ending March 8, 1998
+++ European airline delays worsen +++ Bell to acquire Boeing's 500/600 helicopters +++ Arianespace flight 106 lofts HOT BIRD 4 into orbit +++ Maersk first in Europe to take 737-700 +++ Big chances for Eurokot, says Khrunichev +++ Lockheed /Northrop merger approved by shareholders +++ Embraer sells 20 ERJ-135 aircrafts to Business Express +++ Fluid water on Jupiter moon Europa? +++ Lunar Prospector finds evidence of ice at the Moon's poles +++ News in Brief +++

European airline delays worsen
Wieder mehr Verspätungen in Europa

European airlines saw their punctuality decline in 1997, for the fourth successive year, the AEA (Association of European Airlines) has revealed. On intra-European flights, 19,5 per cent of departures were delayed more than 15 minutes. This brings the industry back to virtually the level experienced in the crisis years of 1988-90. Over the year, the Summer peak travel months were the most affected.
In keeping with recent years, just over 60 per cent of delays were recorded by the airlines as infrastructure-related, i.e. having their origin with airport and air traffic control authorities. This proportion rose to 65 per cent in the second and third quarters. Said AEA Secretary-General Karl-Heinz Neumeister: " The ATC administrarions will tell you that, through the 90s, there have been a concerted effort at the political level to rationalise European airspace.... evidently they have failed to deliver".

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Bell to acquire Boeing's 500/600 helicopters
Boeings Leichthubschrauber gehen an Bell

On February 25, the Board of Directors of Bell mother company Textron Inc. approved the company's plan to acquire a substantial portion of the commercial helicopter business of Boeing, further strengthening Bell Helicopter Textron's leadership position in the commercial vertical flight industry. Terms of the transaction, which is subject to satisfactory due diligence and government approvals, were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the proposed sale, Bell Helicopter Textron will acquire the Boeing MD 500 and MD 600 series product lines, assuming responsibility for the manufacture, marketing and service/support of these single engine, turbine-powered light helicopters. The agreement also includes spare parts and support for Boeing's twin-engine MD Explorer helicopter, even though Bell will not purchase the 900 line. This transaction, which gives Bell the widest range of commercial products of any helicopter manufacturer in the world, is consistent with Textron's strategy to acquire businesses that strengthen existing core operations. "This acquisition brings over 700 new customers and a large in-service fleet of more than 3,000 helicopters to Bell. We look forward to welcoming these new customers to our global network of service centers. They can expect a seamless transition from Boeing to Bell," said Bell Helicopter Textron President and Chief Executive Officer Terry Stinson.

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Arianespace flight 106 lofts HOT BIRD 4 into orbit
HOT BIRD 4 erfolgreich mit Ariane 4 gestartet

On 27 February, 1998, at 22.38 GMT an Ariane 4 successfully started from the Arianespace launch site in French Guiana, taking the HOT BIRD 4 satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit. The rocket used for Arianespace flight 106 was an Ariane 42P with 2 solid strap-on boosters. Flight 106 was the 76th Ariane 4 launch and the 8th in the 42P configuration. HOT BIRD 4 is EUTELSAT's fifth television satellite. The satellite is supposed to go into service in March, delivering digital and analogue television and radio channels, as well as, multimedia services to Europe and the Middle East.

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Maersk first in Europe to take 737-700
Erste 737-700 in Europa geht an Mearsk

On March 3, Maersk Air, a major regional airline in Scandinavia, became the first European airline to take delivery of a Boeing Next-Generation 737-700. The 737-700 is the 53rd 737 delivered to the airline since 1976. "We're pleased with our choice for the Next-Generation 737 because it will set new and higher standards for reductions in noise and emissions. This is the most environmentally friendly airplane in its class today and will be for some time to come. It will be very much welcomed in the communities where we fly. The fact that Maersk Air will be flying a more efficient airplane will benefit both our customers and competition, " said Maersk Air President Flemming Knudsen.

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Big chances for Eurokot, says Khrunichev
Eurokot hat große Marktchancen

The Khrunichev space centre is very optimistic on the market for its Rokot launcher, which it sells through a joint venture with Dasa in Bremen. The first commercial launch of the Rokot rocket is to plan for early 1999 to deliver into orbit two E-sat satellites of American companies Ecostar and DBS Industries. In six subsequent months, two more rockets will be launched to bring into orbit four E-sat satellites. Russia has drawn up six accords on booked launches of six Australian-made satellites Kitcom on three Rokot boosters, and of 40 Iridium satellites on 20 Rokots. These contracts were signed by the Russian-German venture Eurokot with Australia's Kitcom and the U.S.' Motorola corporations. Satellite-carrying Rokots will be launched from Russia's northern space port Plesetsk. Daimler Benz invests 35 million dollars in reconstruction of the launcher for Rokots.The Eurokot venture plans six Rokot launches annually and a total of 45 commercial launches in 1998-2010.

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Lockheed /Northrop merger approved by shareholders
Aktionäre stimmen Fusion zu

In separate meetings Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman shareholders voted to approve the $11.6 billion merger between the two companies, clearing the way for the deal to close by the end of March pending Justice Department approval. Northrop Grumman shareholders, meeting in Los Angeles, and their Lockheed Martin counterparts meeting in Orlando, both overwhelmingly approved the transaction that would make Northrop Grumman a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. The two companies disclosed their merger plans last July. Justice is expected to clear the merger within the next few weeks, sources said. Justice may, however, ask the combined companies to divest between $100 million and $300 million in operations that could pose antitrust problems, perhaps in electronic warfare and countermeasures market areas, sources added.

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Embraer sells 20 ERJ-135 aircrafts to Business Express
ERJ-135-Verkauf an Business Express

Embraer closed a deal to sell 20 ERJ-135 jets (37 seats) to Business Express airline (US), that has the option to acquire another 40 aircrafts. The firm deal is worth US$ 240 million, a figure that grows to US$ 810 million if included the option and replacement parts. The deal was announced at Asian Aerospace in Singapore.
Also at Singapore, Embraer announced firm orders for 20 new 30seat Brasilia turboprops plus 40 options from US regional airline SkyWest. It also said that the Brazilian regional Rio Sul, a Varig subsidiary, had ordered seven new Brasilias. Production of the EMB120 will be doubled from 12 in 1997 to 24 this year and 28 in 1999.

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Fluid water on Jupiter moon Europa?
Flüssiges Wasser auf Jupitermond Europa?

Together with NASA, scientists from the German Aerospace Center DLR at the Brown University in Providence, USA, have presented the newest pictures which the space probe Galileo has taken from Jupiter's moon Europa. The new data might support the assumption that there is fluid water underneath the icy surface of Europa. There is a possibility that Europa is still warm and active, and is holding a global water layer beneath its surface. Since fluid water is one of the essentials required for the development of life, the question whether there really is water on Europa goes beyond just the geological aspect. Galileo collected the new data when passing Europa in December of 1997. With a resolution of up to six meters, the pictures are much better than all former data collected by Voyager and Galileo itself. Pictures from the Pwyll crater, which were taken from different angles of view, were processed at the DLR's institute for planetary research. It was possible to generate a colour-coded terrain model of the crater area.

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Lunar Prospector finds evidence of ice at the Moon's poles
Lunar Prospector findet Anzeichen für Eis an den Mondpolen

According to initial scientific data returned by NASA's Lunar Prospector, which has been orbiting the Moon since 11 January, there is a high probability that water ice exists at both the north and south poles of the moon. According to NASA, the presence of water ice is strongly indicatedby data from the spacecraft's neutron spectrometer instrument. However, mission scientists cautioned that the Moon's water ice is not concentrated in polar ice sheets. Using models based on other Lunar Prospector data, the scientists predict that water ice is confined to the polar regions and exists at only 0,3 percent to 1 percent mixing ratio in combination with the Moon's rocky soil.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

United has ordered another 30 Airbus aircraft, i.e. 20 A320s and 10 A319s. This brings to 111 the number of A320-family models the US airline has on firm contract. They are fitted wiht 126 seats (A319) or 144 seats (A320).
+++
Like every year, the safest flying units of the German forces have been presented with a safety certificate. The two best squadrons being rewarded with a trophy were teh Heersfliegerregiment 25 and the Heeresfliegerversuchsstaffel 910, which both had no crash for the last 19 years. Even better off is the Lufttranportgeschwader 63, which flew without accidents for the last 20 years. Combat units with excellent records are Jagdbombergeschwader 32 (12) and Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelke" (10).
+++
On February 21, Boeing has delivered iths 3000th 737, a -400 model, to Alaska Airlines. The landmark event occured 30 years after the first 737-100 entered commercial service with Lufthansa on February 10, 1968. With more than 3900 orders, the 737 is the best selling commercial jetliner of all time.
+++
Teledesic LLC has launched its first satellite into space, making public the launch only after it had taken place. The company, backed by Bill Gates and Craig McCaw, plans a network of 288 low-earth orbit satellites which will provide an "Internet in the Sky" wireless communications system. The launch was made by a Pegasus rocket, dropped from an L1011 airliner off Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. The satellite, named T1 for Teledesic 1, is an experimental satellite designed and built by an Orbital, Teledesic and Boeing team. It will be used to perform system trials and tests in preparation for the planned system, which is expected to be launched sometime in 2002.
+++
On March 6, the new Condor Berlin GmbH has officially started flying from Schönefeld airport. The new charter airline, which is set up to counter low-cost competition with Condors, has already recruited new stewardesses at mini wages and hired low-time pilots from within the Lufthansa concern, will operate three Airbus A320s at first. According to the company, investment is around 400 million DM, and 200 jobs will be created.
+++
Dr. Gustaf Humbert, managing director of the Dasa Airbus GmbH in Hamburg, will become a member of the Dasa management board, effective April 1. He replaces Dr. Dietrich Russell, who moves on to a top job at Airbus Industrie in Toulouse.
+++
Peter Zimmermann is the new works council leader at Dasa. He replaces Erwin Hillbrink.
+++
Maersk Air of Birmingham, England, has placed a follow-on order for two Canadair Regional Jet Series 200LR aircraft. The British Airways franchisee retains options on an additional 10 CRJ aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled for January and March 1999. Maersk Air's program to replace its older BAC 1-11 transports began late in 1997 when the carrier ordered three CRJ Series 200 aircraft.
+++
The three major fuselage sections of the first production V-22 Osprey were joined on February 27 at the Boeing facility in suburban Philadelphia. The V-22 tiltrotor is being developed by the team of Bell Helicopter Textron in Fort Worth, Texas, and Boeing in Philadelphia. The aircraft, Osprey No. 11, is the first of five aircraft in low rate initial production (LRIP) Lot I. Following operational testing by a joint service test team, it will go into the U.S. Marine Corp's tiltrotor training squadron (VMMT-204) at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, N.C.
+++
Debonair has announced a three times daily schedule between Mönchengladbach (near Dusseldorf) and Hamburg, starting on April 15. One way prices start at 159 DM.
+++
A Florida congressman is urging the U.S. Air Force allow foreign space launchers to fly from the military spaceports at Cape Canaveral, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Base, Calif. Rep. Dave Weldon, R-Fla., said the military would be unable to keep pace with growing commercial use of their launching sites without foreign launchers. At a conference on military space in Crystal City, Va., he said commercial space activities were rapidly dominating the military bases.
+++
The French Government has finally announced that it will sell off part of its holding in Air France. In a first step, 20 per cent will be offered to new investors. Among these, 10 per cent will go to the pilots in return for a decrease in salaries, and three per cent to other staff. Also, strategic partners are invited to take a stake.
+++
Germany's Dornier Satellitensysteme (DSS), a Dasa subsidiary, received a contract by the French-British space concern Matra-Marconi Space for supplying the entire payload module and two instruments for the METOP climate satellites.This first contract has a volume of DM120 million, the entire contract with DSS accounts for approximately DM700 million. The first three METOP satellites are scheduled for launch in 2003.
+++
The first extra-vehicular activity by the MIR-25 crew, which was scheduled for March 2, has been cancelled. The event had to be aborted after about an hour and a half when the crew was unable to open the secondary latch No. 1 on the outer Kvant 2 airlock hatch. In the process of trying the crew broke the only specialized wrench available onboard. A general purpose wrench was also bent. After finding another suitable wrench the balky bolt was finally loosened later that day. It is still unclear at this time when the EVA will be rescheduled. The next Progress launch is set for March 16b and will carry the appropriate equipment to accomplish repairs.
+++
Austrian Airlines and Turkish Airlines have concluded a memorandum of understanding to cooperate. Code-share flights are planned as well as coordinated sales activities.
+++
Deutsche BA will stop its flights on the Munich - Frankfurt route on 29. March after demand was behind expectations. The route was started only last November. On the other hand, the new summer timetable includes extended service on Cologne - Munich. Also, Deutsche BA will fly on Gatwick - Frankfurt and Gatwick - Rome on behalf of BA.
+++
Greece has ordered 750 Milan F-2 anti-tank missiles from Aerospatiale/LFK. This is the first batch in an expected 2000 missile contract.
+++
Aerospatiale has announced orders worth 80,3 billion francs in 1997, compared with 63,3 bilion the year before. Sales increased to 56,3 billion, 11 per cent more than in 1996. Net income excluding minority interests jumped 75 per cent, to 1,418 billion francs. Net debt was reduced by a further two billion francs.
+++
According to the German ATC company Deutsche Flugsicherung, there were just 15 near-misses last year.
+++
Matra BAe Dynamics has acieved the first export success for its new ASRAAM infrared air-to-air missile. The Royal Australian Air Force has choosen the UK offering for its F-18C/D modernisation.
+++


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Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen ist nach wie vor abrufbar:

*February 22, 1998 *February 15, 1998 *February 8, 1998 *February 1, 1998

*January 25, 1998 *January 18, 1998 *January 11, 1998

*January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

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Last updated March 6, 1998
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