U
P
D
A
T
E
Home | UPDATE | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Inside | Datafiles

UPDATE 
Week ending January 30, 2000
+++ Ariane launches Galaxy XR +++ Lufthansa traffic rise in 1999 +++ Dasa builds first Eurofighter mid fuselage +++ Lockheed Martin restructuring begins +++ Helicopter forecast released +++ Boeing 737 over 100 million flight hours +++ US attacks European hushkit noise rules +++ Sikorsky gets S-92 orders +++ News in brief +++

Ariane launches Galaxy XR
Hughes-Satellit mit Ariane 4 gestartet

Galaxy XR, a high-power HS 601HP spacecraft built for PanAmSat Corp. by Hughes Space and Communications Co. (HSC), was successfully launched on January 24 on board an Ariane 42L rocket. Galaxy XR is the first of five launches of Hughes-built satellites scheduled this year for PanAmSat. HSC is a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp., and PanAmSat is 81 percent owned by Hughes. Liftoff of Galaxy XR was at 10:04 p.m. from the Guiana Space Center. The spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle approximately 20 minutes later. Satellite tracking stations in Daan Mogot, Indonesia, and Fillmore, Calif., received signals from the satellite about 42 minutes after launch, indicating systems are operating normally. Over the next two weeks, controllers will fire the spacecraft's liquid apogee motor to circularize Galaxy XR in geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the equator. Then they will begin in-orbit tests to ensure that the 24 Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders operate properly. Galaxy XR will be located at 123 degrees West longitude, the fifth satellite in PanAmSat's Galaxy cable neighborhood. It is expected to go into service in March 2000.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Lufthansa traffic rise in 1999
Mehr Passagiere für Lufthansa

The airlines in the Lufthansa Group again enhanced their performance in the 1999 business year. Passenger numbers rose by 8.2 per cent to close to 44 million. Of the total, Lufthansa German Airlines carried 38.9 million passengers (+7.8%) and the regional Lufthansa CityLine 4.9 million (+10.3%). Almost all the 13.7 capacity increase in terms of seat-kilometres was sold in the marketplace, so that the seat occupancy rate of 72.6 per cent was down only slightly (-0.4 percentage points) on the high level of the previous year. In the Asia/Pacific traffic region, the seat load factor increased to 77.8 per cent (+2.0 percentage points). Despite an almost 20 per cent increase in capacity, it reached a seat load factor of 78.3 per cent (-2.4 percentage points) in America which was the highest of any traffic region
Developments in the airfreight business were equally gratifying. Lufthansa Cargo increased utilisation of its services by 1.6 percentage points to 68.4 per cent, thanks to targeted adaptation of its capacities - laying on more flights to Asia to meet demand. Freight volumes transported were up by 25 per cent on the year-earlier level to 1,745,300 tonnes.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Dasa builds first Eurofighter mid fuselage
Eurofighter-Mittelrumpf bei Dasa komplettiert

The Augsburg based plant of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace' Military Aircraft Unit delivered the first Eurofighter center fuselage section of the series production run. This section will now be equipped at the Dasa Military Aircraft facility in Manching and is scheduled for delivery to BAE Systems at Warton for the start of final assembly of the world's most advanced multi-role combat aircraft later this summer. Out of the four nations participating in the Eurofighter Program, Dasa Military Aircraft is the single resource to cary out the manufacturing of the center fuselage sections for all series production Eurofighter aircraft. "We are very proud to hand over this section right on time, exactly as we planned in 1997," comments Erwin Obermeier, Member of the Exec Committee of the Military Aircraft Business Unit and Director Series Production Programs Eurofighter/Training Aircraft. Obermeier pointed out that the first series production Eurofighter will fly in mid 2001 and that the program will enjoy many more highlights this year. In addition to the start of final assembly in the partner nations, the series production will be accelerated so that by the end of 2000 approximately 25 aircraft will be in various stages of assembly. The software development for both the flight control system and the avionics system of the first aircraft shall be completed this year, on schedule to meet the delivery requirements of Eurofighter air force customer groups.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Lockheed Martin restructuring begins
Umstrukturierungen und Entlassungen bei Lockheed Martin

On January 27, Lockheed Martin announced actions to streamline its Aeronautical Systems and Space Systems business areas in a move to improve business operations by reducing general and administrative costs, speed decision-making processes and focus resources on program execution. These actions are expected to generate $200 million in annual savings and result in a reduction of more than 2800 employees. Effective immediately, the Aeronautical Systems business area will consolidate its organization and operations into a focused one-company structure named the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company headquartered in Ft. Worth, Texas. The organization will be led by Dain Hancock, a Lockheed Martin Corporate Executive Vice President. Within this one-company structure, the Palmdale, California site will remain engaged in advanced development initiatives. The workforce reduction will total 2500. These actions are expected to come in approximately equal measure from the company's three primary sites in Georgia, California and Texas. In a similar fashion, the Space Systems business area will integrate its organization and operations by establishing a new Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Denver, Colorado. This company will be led by Albert Smith, Lockheed Martin Corporate Executive Vice President. Denver Operations President and General Manager Tom Marsh will join Smith in this new office as his deputy.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Helicopter forecast released
Markt für 9000 Hubschrauber bis 2009

The number of turbine powered civil and military helicopter deliveries from now until the end of 2009 is expected to reach 9,036 units according to the annual industry ten-year forecast released by Rolls-Royce. The market split is expected to be 60 per cent civil helicopters (5,403) and 40 per cent military helicopters (3,633). Turbine singles will lead the civil market with 56 per cent of total worldwide deliveries, followed by light twins at 20 per cent. Civil deliveries are expected to peak around 579 units in 2001, and then decline to approximately 530 airframes per year thereafter. "The civil market continues to be supported by new model introductions and a strong economy", said Richard Huckle, Vice President - Customer Operations, Helicopters, for Rolls-Royce. "Increased travel requirements, coupled with airport and airspace congestion, may also result in an increase in the number of corporate operators." Nearly half of all military deliveries will be heavy multi-engine rotorcraft, followed by attack helicopters at 28 per cent. Total deliveries during the first half of the forecast period are expected to climb, then decrease slightly.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Boeing 737 over 100 million flight hours
Flugstundenrekord für die Boeing 737

The Boeing 737, the world's most widely used jetliner, has become the first jetliner in history to soar beyond 100 million flight hours The overwhelming market success of the Boeing 737 is one of the ironies of aerospace history. When the program was launched in 1965, the 737's prospects looked questionable. Competitors were two years ahead of the 737, with 300 orders between them. The 737 had to compete for product-development budget and engineering talent with several other major programs in development - the 747, a "stretched" 727, the C5 transport and the supersonic transport. But compete it did, leading to the most successful jetliner program of all time. Customers worldwide have placed orders for nearly 4,500 Boeing 737s - including 1,360 of the new Next-Generation 737s.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


US attacks European hushkit noise rules
Auseindandersetzung um Lärmgrenzen

On January 25, aviation US industry groups joined forces to announce their support for U.S. government plans to file a formal legal complaint against the European Union decision to limit use of commercial jets with "hushkit" mufflers on their engines. The Air Transport Association (ATA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aerospace Industries of America (AIA) and the Cargo Airline Association (CAA) urged the State Department to take action promptly to enable the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to consider this issue as soon as possible. The European Union's regulation would prevent older jets fitted with hushkits from flying into European airports. These aircraft are fully compliant with the international noise standards established by ICAO, and agreed to by all member states.
ATA President and CEO, Carol Hallett, applauded the U.S. government decision to act, adding, "in making decisions about the types of planes that can fly into and out of Europe, the E.U. is placing unfair restrictions on the U.S. aviation industry. U.S. planes already meet noise standards set by ICAO. We continue to work hard to lessen the impact of aircraft noise. This illegal regulation must be withdrawn in order to restore faith in the international system of standards established by ICAO."

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite



Sikorsky gets S-92 orders
Erste Bestellungen für Sikorsky S-92

On January 24, Sikorsky announced a letter of intent from Cougar Helicopters pointing to the first sales of new S-92 transport helicopters. Offshore oil operator Cougar signed a deposit agreement with Sikorsky for up to five of the new 19-seaters. The Cougar machines would be used in support of offshore operations based in Eastern Canada, in both St. John's, Newfoundland and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Cougar is currently under contract for transportation of oil workers to the offshore Hibernia field, driving the S-92's primary demand. "Cougar makes an ideal launch customer for us," said Tommy Thomason, Sikorsky's Vice President of Civil Helicopter Programs. "They are extremely professional and innovative. Further, they will put the aircraft to the test with very high utilization, actual icing conditions, and a requirement for the high service levels we have designed in. Sikorsky and our other customers will benefit greatly from the S-92's entry into service with Cougar." Cougar deliveries will be in 2002 and 2003, spanning the first two production lots. Further new S-92 order announcements will follow shortly.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

British Airways has introduced a new "upgraded" economy class as part of a 600 million package of passenger improvements over the next two years. The new class, effectively making some BA planes into four-class aircraft, will give economy passengers more comfort and facilities including more legroom. The other improvements include a totally refurbished Concorde, revamped first-class cabins and improved facilities in business class, which will include the first fully-flat beds. "The 600 million investment we are making will ensure that we are the best in the world," said British Airways chief executive Bob Ayling. The upgraded economy section will be called World Traveller Plus. It includes wider seats and will be used on some long haul flights using Boeing 777 and Boeing 747 aircraft. People in these seats will be allowed to double the amount of hand luggage they can take on flights, get seat-back entertainment and the opportunity to earn extra Air Miles.BA said that the upgraded economy seats would cost about 20% on top of the normal fare and that about 15% of economy seats on Boeing 777s would be taken out to accommodate the new class of seating.
+++
The European Space Agency is contributing to the world's biggest field campaign to measure ozone amounts and changes over the Arctic. The aim of this international campaign is to obtain a better understanding of the low ozone values observed over the Arctic region during recent winter/spring seasons and their possible link to long-term ozone depletion over Europe. Under cooperation arrangements among the Institutes of Environmental Physics (IUP) at the Universities of Bremen and Heidelberg respectively, the Remote Sensing Data Centre at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR/DFD), the Dutch Space Research Organisation (SRON), the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), and the European Space Agency (ESA), scientists are being provided with GOME data such as total ozone columns, ozone profiles, nitrogen dioxide, bromine monoxide, and chlorine dioxide maps in near real time for the coordination of field experiments in regions of interest.
+++
Air Transport World Magazine selected Frankfurt-based Deutsche Lufthansa AG as its Airline of the Year for 2000. The editors praised Lufthansa for excelling in a tough competitive environment. ATW Editor-in-Chief J.A. Donoghue stated: "Lufthansa's success is driven by an abundance of management expertise and a clear vision of the future." This is the second time in five years that Lufthansa has garnered the top award. Other award winners include Comair of Cincinnati, Ohio, which was selected as ATW's Regional Airline of the Year. "Comair is what other Regional airlines aspire to be," the magazine said. "This Delta Connection carrier has become the most consistently profitable and continually growing Regional airline worldwide." Singapore Airlines received the Passenger Service Award.
+++
Rolls-Royce has introduced its most powerful aero engine, the Trent 895, into service with British Airways. The first passenger flight, a Boeing 777, flew from London's Heathrow airport to Newark, New Jersey. British Airways has selected the Trent 895, which is capable of delivering 95,000lbs of thrust, to power a total of 16 firm and 16 option Boeing 777-200 extended range twinjets. John Cheffins, Managing Director - Airlines, Rolls-Royce, said: "We are very pleased to see the Trent take off under the wing of British Airways.
+++
Bombardier Aerospace has made further inroads to the Japanese airline industry with the sale of two 50-passenger CRJ200 Series regional jets to Japan Airlines' domestic route carrier, J-Air. J-Air, a new customer for Bombardier in Japan, holds options on an additional three CRJ aircraft. JAL is the country's largest airline. J-Air, its wholly-owned subsidiary, is based in Hiroshima and provides domestic services in southwest Japan. J-Air currently operates five 19-seat turboprops that have become too small because of growing load factors on the airline's route system. The CRJ will give J-Air more efficient, high-speed aircraft to provide additional frequencies for more profit potential. J-Air will use its CRJ200 aircraft to serve routes where passenger load factors do not meet the capacity of its larger jet aircraft. As well, J-Air will open new routes with its CRJ200 Series aircraft.
+++
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., participated in a data recovery mission for one of the largest meteor events of the past 10 years. One of Dryden's Airborne Sciences ER-2 aircraft flew to the Yukon Territoryof northwestern Canada on January 21, 2000, in an effort to collectatmospheric samples of a very large meteor that exploded at an altitude of25 kilometers (15.6 miles) on January 18, 2000. The region, near the townof Carcross, is predominantly unpopulated.Samples of the debris cloud and vapor trail were gathered at an altitude of65,000 feet with an instrument called the Aerosol Particulate Sampler(APS). The APS is a system of two small five-inch by four-inch paddles thatdeploy simultaneously from the ER-2's left wingtip. The paddles havesilicone oil on them that, when exposed to the airstream for a sufficientamount of time, collect particles from the stratosphere. Then the paddlesare withdrawn into hermetic enclosures to avoid contamination during theaircraft's return to Dryden. The paddles will be removed and sent to NASA'sJohnson Space Center in Houston, Texas for analysis.
+++
One of NASA's high-flying ER-2 aircraft, a civilian variant of Lockheed's U-2, completed its first science flight through Russian airspace today in support of the largest international ozone field experiment to date over the Arctic.The six-hour flight passed southwest of Moscow and was closely coordinated with Russian observers. Based at NASA Dryden's Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, the single-seat aircraft carried instruments to collect data for NASA's SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE). SOLVE is managed by the Upper Atmosphere Research Program of NASA's Office of Earth Science.Scientists are hoping the ER-2's stratospheric measurements will help thembetter understand the complicated chemistry involved with ozone loss. NASAis working with the European Commission-sponsored Third European
Stratospheric Experiment on Ozone (THESEO) 2000. Research teams includescientists from NASA, Europe, Russia, Japan and Canada.
+++
A new attempt to attain elusive supersonic laminar flow over large sections of wings has produced remarkable results at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. NASA and industry investigators using the Supersonic Natural Laminar Flow (SS-NLF) Experiment flew an advanced wing design that maintained laminar flow in excess of 80 percent over a three-foot by four-foot test article without the aid of active devices such as blower motors or suction gloves. Laminar flow over the test wing was based solely on the design of the wing. The experiment was flown on Dryden's F-15B Aerodynamic Research Testbed aircraft, attached vertically to the aircraft's centerline pylon. The F-15B flew the experimental wing at speeds of nearly Mach 2 and altitudes up to 45,000 feet. Four flights were accomplished. Reno Aeronautical Corporation, with support from Directed Technologies, has been leading the effort to demonstrate this technology. NASA's Langley Research Center also supported this effort. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has supported vehicle applications studies of the technologies.
+++
Lufthansa CityLine is Europe's first airline to achieve certification according to EMAS, the European guidelines for environmental audits. This applies to all company operations at all locations in Cologne, Hamburg and Munich. "Air traffic on European routes will continue to grow significantly, so as Europe's leadingregional carrier we feel a special obligation to make outstanding efforts in environmentalcare," explained CityLine CEO Karl-Heinz Köpfle. Today during a ceremony at the Cologne/Bonn airport, he accepted the audit certificate from the management of the Cologne Chamber of Commerce. Following Lufthansa Technik, CityLine is the second Lufthansa Group company to receive the EMAS certificate.
+++
Air Bosna, the national carrier of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has signed a contract covering the purchase of two Airbus Industrie single-aisle A319s plus two options. Delivery of the firmly ordered aircraft is scheduled for 2003. Powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines, Air Bosna's A319s will each accommodate up to 132 passengers in a two-class configuration.
+++
French-Italian ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) placed a total of 82 aircraft during 1999 with 32 operators. Out of this total 30 were sales for new aircraft, whereas 52 were second-hand aircraft. For the new generation 500 Series, 14 ATR 42-500 and 16 ATR 72-500 were ordered by 11 airlines, 8 European airlines renewed their confidence in the ATR by increasing their fleets with a total of 24 aircraft. Germany's Eurowings added another 5 ATR 42-500 to its fleet. With more than 8 million flight hours accumulated, ATR has proven its maturity with airlines around the world. Total fleet dispatch reliability exceeds 99%, reaching 99,5% for the -500 family. To date, 593 ATRs have been delivered to nearly 100 airlines around the world.
+++
Bell Helicopter announced that the Bell 427 light twin received FAA certification in ceremonies conducted during the helicopter industry's annual Heli-Expo convention. FAA officials from the Southwest Region presented Bell President John Murphey with the certification. Transport Canada certification was on November 19, 1999. The first international customer to take delivery was Arthur B. Mascioli, Director of Viacao Cometa in Brazil. The first domestic delivery went to Carroll Suggs, Chairman and CEO of Petroleum Helicopters Inc. The PHI 427 will be the "lead the Fleet" aircraft. The extensive amount of information gleaned from the "lead the fleet" aircraft will be used to further develop and refine the performance and reliability of later versions of the 427. This serves to provide better customer support for other owners of the new light twin.
+++
The EC 155 B has just passed another major milestone in its development program and is now ready for operations with the most exacting customers. The EC 155 B has successfully completed all the flights and demonstrations required for single-pilot IFR certification by Airworthiness authorities. This is clearly a key step for the EC 155 as it demonstrates not only the full range of the helicopter's flying qualities and reduced cockpit workload but also its operational effectiveness with one pilot at the controls. And this single-pilot IFR certification being obtained just one year after the initial certification: yet further proof of the technical prowess of this helicopter, which has briskly moved through all its development phases.
+++
Fairchild Aerospace announced it signed a Letter of Intent with SolAir of Naples, Italy, for the purchase of two 328JETs and two 728JETs. SolAir, a new carrier, plans to begin operations in 2001 from Naples' Capodichino Airport with the 32-seat 328JET as an interim platform until the 728JETs are introduced to its fleet in 2003. SolAir will be the first airline in Italy to operate the 728JET.
+++
On January 20, the U.S. Air Force successfully launched the eleventh of 14 communications satellites, built by Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space, at 8:03 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla. The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III B8 spacecraft, the first of four remaining super high-frequency communications satellites to feature Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) upgrades, will provide improved, uninterrupted, secure voice and high-data rate communications to its Department of Defense (DoD) and national security users. Missiles & Space will supply three more of these satellites to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., over the next year.
+++
As MD Helicopters, (MDHI) celebrates its first year of business, it is looking ahead to a bright and busy future. In its first year, MDHI inked 50 firm sales and delivered 37 helicopters, including 19 MD Explorers, 7 MD 600Ns, 5 MD 520Ns, 4 MD 530Fs and 2 MD 500Es. MDHI plans to increase production to 64 aircraft in 2000 and 90 aircraft in 2001. "Our biggest challenge right now is keeping up with customer demand, especially for the MD Explorer," Schaeken said. "That's where we are focusing most of our energy."
+++
On January 29, he first production CH-60S helicopter made its initial flight before U.S. Navy and Sikorsky Aircraft officials. The aircraft entered a hover and completed basic airworthiness checks before transitioning to a forward flight regime. The CH-60S then completed a short flight demonstrating basic aircraft maneuverability and handling qualities before landing. After additional tests are completed at Sikorsky's Stratford plant, the aircraft will be headed to Naval Air Station at Patuxent River, Md., this spring to complete U.S. Navy Development and Operational Testing. The CH-60S represents the first newly designed rotary aircraft added to the U.S. Navy fleet since the HH-60H was introduced nearly a decade ago. It also marks a return of U.S. Navy production at Sikorsky. U.S. Navy H-60 deliveries came to a close in 1996 with the successful fulfillment of Navy Seahawk requirements.
+++

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen sind weiter abrufbar:

*January 23, 2000 *January 16, 2000 *January 9, 2000

*December 19, 1999 *December 12, 1999 *December 5, 1999

*November 28, 1999 *November 21, 1999 *November 14, 1999 *November 7, 1999

*October 31, 1999 *October 24, 1999 *October 17, 1999 *October 10, 1999 *October 3, 1999

*January to September 1999 *January to December 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

Home | UPDATE | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Inside | Datafiles
Copyright 2000 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated 31 January 2000
FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany