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UPDATE 
Week ending March 4, 2001
+++ X-31 flies again +++ ESA promotes technology to make our skies safer +++ EFW receives approvals for A310-300 conversion program +++ MTU acquires U.S. manufacturing site +++ EUTELSAT awards e-BIRD to Boeing +++ NASA kills X-33 and X-34 +++ News in brief +++

X-31 flies again
VECTOR-Programm läuft an

The legendary experimental aircraft X-31, able to fly unsurpassed extreme flight maneuvers thanks to its three-dimensional thrust-vector control, is flying again. On Saturday, February 24, 2001, the maiden flight for the new test phase of the U.S.-German VECTOR program took place at the U.S. Naval Aviation Flight Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland. Commander Vivan Ragusa was at the controls during the 40-minute functional test flight, during which the X-31 was flown up to 400 knots and at a 30 degree angle of attack. Prior to the first VECTOR flight, several taxi trials had been performed in February.
The VECTOR program objectives are to explore extreme short take-off and -landing capabilities by using integrated thrust-vectoring control. VECTOR stands for Vectoring ESTOL - Extremely Short Take-Off and Landing - Control Tailless Operation Research. The record-breaking maneuverability and agility of the X-31 was already demonstrated in the first half of the Nineties with the Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability (EFM) program, which was the first and only international X-Program in history. The VECTOR program is jointly conducted by the U.S. partners U.S. Navy and Boeing, and the German partners Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB), the German Air Force's Test Center (WTD) 61, Manching, EADS Military Aircraft, and the Institute for Flight Systems Technologies of the German Aerospace Research Agency (DLR) in Brunswick, Lower Saxony.
After the X-31 experimental aircraft had been transferred to 'Pax River' last year, the joint team brought the aircraft back to flight status after a five year storage period. After completion of the functional check flights the X-31 will be modified to conduct the VECTOR flight demonstrations. Amongst these new systems is the Advanced Flush Air Data System AADS, developed by EADS Military Aircraft and Nord-Micro, the flight control software designed for ESTOL applications, and a combined inertial/differential GPS platform for extremely high precision landing approaches. The new components enable the VECTOR demonstrator aircraft to conduct approaches to the runway at high angles of attack up to 40 degrees at a low speed of around 100 knots.

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ESA promotes technology to make our skies safer
Neue Technologie für die Flugsicherheit

The European Space Agency and a consortium of European companies led by Alcatel of France are embarking on a satellite project worth 4.5 million Euro that will help bring advanced safety communications to our congested skies. The Satellite Data Link System (SDLS) is a satellite-based radio communication system, which under feasibility studies operating since 1994, has proved itself as a reliable and viable complement to existing terrestrial systems. It is now under further development with practical demonstrations planned for the second half of 2002.
The rapid increase of air traffic over the last ten years has highlighted the need for improved communications and put 'safety critical' procedures at the top of the agenda. The new system, which can use both data and voice transmission, and links cockpit crews in the air and Air Traffic Management (ATM) on the ground, is dedicated to safer air/ground communications. To meet the future capacity for both air/ground data and voice communication in high-density airspace, such as Western Europe, measures are already being implemented to increase the capacity of the terrestrial VHF systems. However, with high growth forecasts in already dense areas of traffic, these measures alone will not be sufficient. "The development of a communications system using satellite technology is a very attractive proposition since it also provides a service in areas where terrestrial systems cannot be deployed," said ESA's SDLS Project Manager, Claude Loisy.

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EFW receives approvals for A310-300 conversion program
A310-Frachterumrüstung zugelassen

After the successful performance of the maiden flight of the first converted A310-300 freighter aircraft at the end of January, Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has obtained the necessary approvals for the A310-300 passenger to freighter conversion program. Both the STC (Supplemental Type Certificate), issued by the US-American FAA (Federal Aviation Authority), and the EMZ (Ergaenzende Musterzulassung), handed out by the German LBA (Luftfahrt Bundesamt), certify the freighter conversion solution that is installed at EFW's Dresden facility. The issue of both approvals took place on schedule.
EFW's parent company EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) has designed this conversion solution. The approved A310-300 freighter conversion program consist of a 100 % OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) solution and uses a maximum number of common parts from the corresponding Airbus freighter production, which gives the operator all the reliability and safety of a serial production aircraft. The A310-300 converted freighter carry up to 40 tons over a range of 3360 nm. The excellent performance capabilities of this converted widebody aircraft, in conjunction with economic efficiency and high interlining potential, ideally covers the demands of mid-size cargo operations as well as matching ranges of medium to long haul services worldwide.

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MTU acquires U.S. manufacturing site
Expansion in den USA

MTU Aero Engines, a DaimlerChrysler affiliate, has acquired Caval, a Newington-based company near Hartford, Conn., from Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp. Dr. Klaus Steffens, MTU Aero Engines' president and CEO, noted: "MTU is forging ahead with its growth strategy, expanding now also into the manufacturing area. The primary rationale behind this move is our desire to get closer to our customers and partners." To be dubbed MTU Aero Engine Components, MTU's latest acquisition has some 180 employees and $30 million in annual sales. It specializes in the production of turbine disks for various engine programs. No change is intended to its present manufacturing activities. Caval and MTU Aero Engines are no strangers to each other, the U.S. manufacturer having supplied rotor disks to the Munich, Germany-based engine manufacturer for a number of years.
MTU Aero Engine Components is the fourth in a string of companies MTU has been adding to it global network ofmaintenance and, lately, manufacturing locations. In spring 2000, MTU Aero Engine Design was started in Hartford, Conn., and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai in China. Last fall, Sao Paolo-based MTU Maintenance do Brasil joined the MTU ranks.

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EUTELSAT awards e-BIRD to Boeing
Boeing-Satellit für EUTELSAT

On February 28, EUTELSAT signed a contract at its Paris headquarters with Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSS) for fast delivery of e-BIRD, a new satellite optimized for IP access networks with satellite return link capabilities. Due for launch in the second quarter of 2002, e-BIRD(TM) will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 25.5 degrees East and will provide 20 active Ku-band transponders connected to four spot beams over the European region. Breaking with traditional design, the satellite's payload has been designed to accommodate the essentially asymmetric nature of Internet access. The satellite will have a contracted service life of 10 years and is a spin-stabilized Boeing 376 HP. "The rapid procurement of e-BIRD supports EUTELSAT's strategy to be an active player in fully interactive satellite networks where we believe there are tremendous opportunities for growth,'' said EUTELSAT Director General Giuliano Berretta. "We are very pleased to have concluded our first contract with Boeing Satellite Systems and to be breaking new ground with a skillfully designed satellite that is optimized for broadband access.''

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NASA kills X-33 and X-34
Keine weiteren Gelder für X-Programme

NASA has selected a number of companies to enter into competitive negotiations for the Space Launch Initiative (SLI). As defined in the President's budget blueprint for the Agency, the Space Launch Initiative provides commercial industry with the opportunity to meet NASA's future launch needs, including human access to space, with new launch vehicles that promise to dramatically reduce cost and improve safety and reliability. The primary focus of the Space Launch Initiative is on technology development for concepts that would be able to launch payloads for NASA, commercial and military missions and be able to fly crew to and from the International Space Station. Satellite delivery and future International Space Station support are the primary set of requirements for the new system and would include elements like crew transfer vehicles, reusable launch vehicles and orbital transfer systems. NASA also announced it will not add Space Launch Initiative funds to the X-33 or X-34 programs. As a result, the current X-33 program will come to completion when the cooperative agreement between NASA and Lockheed Martin expires on March 31, unless Lockheed Martin chooses to go forward with the program with its own funds. NASA is in the process of ending its X-34 contract with Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, VA.
Continuation of both programs had depended upon their successfully competing for Space Launch Initiative funding under a NASA Research Announcement that will lead to award of some $900 million over the next two-and-a-half years. That solicitation was issued in October 2000, and industry proposals submitted in December 2000. Contract awards could be awarded as early as April, but none of those negotiations will include X-33 or X-34. NASA determined that the benefits to be derived from flight testing these X-vehicles did not warrant the magnitude of government investment required and that SLI funds should be applied to higher priority needs.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

With overall rating of 81 per cent, Lufthansa raised its flight punctuality appreciably in the course of last year. In every single month in 2000, the airline improved on its performance in 1999 and lay above the average of the Association of European Airlines (AEA), grouping European scheduled carriers. In November, it ranked Number Two with a punctuality rating of 83 per cent, seven percentage points better than the AEA average of 76 per cent. Lufthansa attained its biggest improvement at its major hub in Frankfurt, lifting punctuality by over 15 percentage points to 81 per cent. At its other hub in Munich, punctuality improved on a yearly average by eleven to 78 per cent. In comparison with its record at other major European airports, Lufthansa achieved its highest punctuality rating at its Frankfurt home airport even though Frankfurt has reached its capacity limit and Lufthansa aircraft were kept waiting in holding patterns for a total of 11,400 hours. Munich in an international comparison landed at Number Three. The improved punctuality of flight arrivals raised connection reliability for passengers to close to 98 per cent - an absolutely peak figure in international terms. In all, a third of all delay hours were saved in 2000. By taking holding patterns into account in flight time, Lufthansa ensured that transfer passengers were able to catch their flight connections and that beyond flights took off on time.
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Sten Daugaard is to succeed Peter Fankhauser as President & CEO of LTU. Daugaard (44) is currently head of the German-based airline's Finance & Controlling, and was formerly Corporate Treasurer of the SAirGroup. He assumes his new position with immediate effect. Peter Fankhauser, who initiated the demanding restructuring of LTU and has made good progress in its implementation, is leaving to assume a new executive position in the tour operating sector. The SAirGroup, which holds a 49.9% equity stake in LTU, will remain involved in the airline's ongoing restructuring.
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NASA scientists are working to determine why the maiden flight of a giant research balloon designed to fly around the world at the edge of space was cut short. After developing a leak, the test mission of the Ultra-Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) was terminated a little more than 4 hours into the flight. The large scientific balloon lifted off Sunday morning from Alice Springs, Australia. The ULDB reached an altitude of nearly 85,000 feet before the decision was made to bring the balloon and its payload down. The balloon and its scientific payload landed 132 miles west- southwest of the launch site. There were no injuries or damage to personal property. The payload landed upright and appears to be in excellent condition. The cause of the leak is not yet known and recovery operations are underway. The ULDB is the largest single-cell, fully sealed balloon ever flown. While the test flight was expected to last about two weeks, the ULDB is designed to support missions for up to 100 days. Balloons provide cost-effective platforms for near-space observations. The ULDB floats above 99 percent of the Earth's atmosphere and was carrying a 4,500 pound (2041.2 kilogram) payload. The pumpkin-shaped balloon is composed of a lightweight polyethylene film about the thickness of ordinary plastic food wrap.
+++
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company has been contracted by NATO to develop highly complex software systems for the planning of the NATO air effort. This contract for the delivery of IT systems for the future NATO Air Command and Control System ACCS has been received by Dornier GmbH, an affiliated company of EADS, as the company announced on Wednesday. The contract is worth a total of DM 35 million and will secure highly qualified jobs in the EADS Defence Electronics business unit, which has sites at Friedrichshafen, Ulm and Munich-Unterschleissheim. The basis for the development is provided by the Dornier mission planning system DIPLAS, which is in service with all wings of the German Air Force. Building on the experience gained in the recent past, the system is to be expanded in such a way that it allows the planning, command and control of large-scale multinational air efforts in close cooperation with the other services, i.e. army and navy. Among the tasks involved are the determination of flight routes which take exclusion zones and minimum flight altitudes into account, coordinate the sequence of takeoffs and landings and also ensure the separation from civil air traffic. To achieve this as well as the advance planning of available aircraft, repair times or fuel quantities, support is needed from the latest software provided by the EADS specialists in conjunction with the US American company Raytheon and the French company Thales.
+++
On March 2, ESA and the EC have set up a Joint Task Force to implement the European Strategy for Space endorsed by the European Research Council and by ESA's Council at Ministerial level in Brussels on 16 November 2000. The main objectives of the European Strategy for Space - jointly prepared by the EC and ESA - are (1) to strengthen the foundation for space activities in Europe, (2) to enhance scientific knowledge for a better understanding of our planet, the solar system and the Universe, and (3) to reap the benefits for markets and society through exploitation of technical space capabilities. The main missions of the Joint Task Force are to monitor the implementation of this strategy, to propose a framework enabling ESA to act as implementing agency with respect to EU policy on space, and to prepare a report on European space activities for submission to the EU and ESA Councils and the European Parliament by the end of 2001.
+++
Boeing has been awarded a U.S. Navy contract to continue support for F/A-18 Hornet, F-14 Tomcat and SH-60 Seahawk aircraft at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, including those used by the renowned "Top Gun" school. Work under the seven-year contract, valued at more than $150 million, will take place at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev. Included in the contract is an option to support F-16 "adversary" aircraft that will be based at Fallon. Boeing Military Aerospace Support has provided comprehensive support for these aircraft through the Naval Tactical Air Warfare program since 1995.
+++
Starsem and its Russian partners announce the 1656th successful launch of the Soyuz from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Lift-off occurred Monday, February 26th at 13:09 p.m. Baikonur local time, 9:09 a.m. in Paris. The Progress vessel, which was the payload for this launch, was accurately placed on the target orbit. This second Soyuz launch in 2001 was the 60th consecutive successful launch in the Soyuz launch vehicle family. 8 of these 60 successes were manned flights. 8 additional Soyuz launches are planned during the year from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This sustained launch rate confirms the position of the Soyuz as one of the principal launch vehicles in the world. Further, this rate demonstrates the continuous production capacity of the Samara Space Center and the operational capacity of the Baikonur launch teams, under the authority of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency.The Starsem manifest currently includes contracted launches for Alcatel Space Industries (SkyBridge), the European Space Agency (Mars Express) and Eumetsat (Metop).
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Bombardier Aerospace announced that Cathay Pacific Airways, one of the world's most prestigious airlines, has placed one firm order and one option for the Learjet 45 business jet for use in its newly developed, advanced pilot training program. The aircraft will be operated and maintained by BAE Systems Flight Training (Australia) Pty. Limited, on behalf of Cathay Pacific Airways, at its flight school at Parafield near Adelaide in South Australia. BAE will use the aircraft to train pilots, to meet the airline's future fleet growth. Cathay Pacific will be responsible for recruiting new pilots.
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Boeing has received a contract worth $25.5 million to install a global positioning inertial navigation system (GINS) capability into the mission system and flight deck of the French Air Force's fleet of four E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft's altitude measurement system will be upgraded to meet near term requirements of the European Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) system for reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM). Work begins in July 2001 and will be completed in October 2002.
+++
IATA, together with BIDjet.com, Inc., has launched www.IATA.BIDJET.com, an internet based aircraft marketing and trading portal. This will provide the airline industry with a neutral and cost-effective means of buying, selling and leasing commercial aircraft. IATA.BIDjet.com is a service to manage every aspect of the transaction, from actively marketing or locating available aircraft to handling enquiries and managing the financial details. IATA Director General Pierre Jeanniot, said "IATA is a service organisation for the airline industry. IATA.BIDjet.com is an exciting addition to our service range. IATA's unique position within the industry will ensure that IATA.BIDjet.com is available to the widest possible pool of potential users among the airlines."
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After scanning the entire sky and capturing breathtaking and scientifically important images of galaxies, stars and other celestial objects, a pair of infrared telescopes has finished its survey work. For the past three and a half years, the twin telescopes of the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS), located in Arizona and Chile, have conducted the first high-resolution digital survey of the complete sky. The successful completion of observations marks a milestone in modern astronomy. For the next two years, data processing will continue for the 24 terabytes of archive data, which is enough to fill more than 2,000 hard drives on the average home computer. "These telescopes have given us the first detailed global view of our Milky Way galaxy and the galaxies that lie beyond," said Dr. Michael Skrutskie, of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2MASS principal investigator. "The resulting databases and source catalogues are a treasure trove which will be mined for discovery by scientists and the public alike for decades to come." The University of Massachusetts was responsible for the development and construction of the 2MASS telescopes and cameras and managed the collection of survey data.
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Qatar Airways is becoming a new customer for both the A380 and the A330. Having decided to acquire two of Airbus' all-new very large airliner plus two options, Qatar Airways becomes the ninth customer for the highly successful aircraft. Qatar Airways also selected the A330, having decided to acquire five of the highly successful A330-200 plus three options. "We have built our airline on providing passengers with the very highest standards of service, and the new A330 and A380, with their unsurpassed cabin comfort, economy and reliability, will help us to remain a leader in this field," says Qatar Airways Chairman His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani. Both A380s will be delivered in the last quarter of 2007, giving the carrier the increased capacity that it will need by then on its most heavily travelled routes, as well as a 21st Century flagship with which to grow its business and modernise its fleet. Deliveries of the A330-200s will begin in April 2002. They will be used to replace A300-600Rs on Qatar Airways' flagship Doha-London route and other services to Europe and Asia, as well as to inaugurate new nonstop services to the Far East.
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In order to perform complementary checks on Ariane 5 launch vehicle, Arianespace has rescheduled the Flight 140 launch from the original March 2 target date. Liftoff of Flight 140 is now scheduled for Thursday, March 8, as early as possible in the launch window:
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The U.S. Air Force successfully launched a Titan IV-B rocket carrying a MILSTAR satellite from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., on Feb. 27. After three burns over a six-and-a-half-hour-period, the Centaur upper stage delivered the satellite to its intended orbit 22,300 miles above the equator. The Centaur and the satellite were under the control of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. "The satellite is performing as expected," said Col. Greg Miller, MILSTAR satellite program manager at Schriever. He added that after a 120-day checkout period the satellite will begin providing critical communications to U.S. military forces around the world.
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Aerospace history was made recently with the successful launch of a live missile from an unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force's Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program is evolving from a non lethal, reconnaissance asset, to an armed, highly accurate tank-killer. "Capping a three-part series of demonstration flight tests on Feb. 21, Predator successfully aimed and launched a 'live' Hellfire-C, laser-guided missile that struck an unmanned, stationary Army tank on the ground at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Airfield near Nellis AFB, Nev.," said Major Ray Pry, Predator program manager. Flown by a pilot and sensor-operator from the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group at Nellis, who were located in a nearby Ground Control Station, Predator launched the missile using line-of-sight communication, inflicting heavy damage to the tank," Pry said.
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BAE Systems announced preliminary results for 2000, with profit, before interest excluding exceptional items and goodwill amortisation, of 950 million Pounds (1999 proforma 1,115 million Pounds), an order book of 41 billion Pounds, earnings per share 19.2p, and dividend per share 8.5p A significant issue affecting the 2000 result was the major reassessment of the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft contract, which resulted in a charge before tax for the year of (pound)300 million. This had the effect of reducing diluted earnings per share from 25.8p to 19.2p. The underlying profit for the year was 1.25 bn Pounds, excluding exceptional items, goodwill amortisation and the Nimrod charge. Chief Executive John Weston added: "The integration has been a real success. We are, today, operating as one fully integrated company and achieving everything we set out to do in this regard. Looking ahead, BAE Systems is now a well-balanced company underpinned by a strong order book, strong balance sheet and excellent cash generation.''
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On February 28, Cathay Pacific Airways announced it has signed agreements to add seven additional aircraft to its operating fleet including three of Airbus Industrie's new ultra-long range A340-600s. The additions will increase the airline's operating fleet to 81 aircraft by the end of next year. This will help strengthen Cathay Pacific's network and its hub at Hong Kong International Airport. The additional aircraft are: three Airbus A340-600s for delivery in 2002/2003, three Airbus A340-300s for delivery in June, July and September 2001 one Airbus A330-300 for delivery in November 2001. The A340-600s will be leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) for an initial period of five years. The A340-300s will be leased from Boeing Aircraft Trading for a period of five years and will effectively replace three A340-300s Cathay Pacific currently leases from Air China. The A330-300 will be purchased directly from Airbus.
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On February 27, United Airlines announced that it is purchasing 15 new Airbus aircraft, seven A319s and eight A320s, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2003. These aircraft will replace the airline's aging Boeing 727-200 aircraft, which are scheduled to be retired by year-end 2003. This order is consistent with United's plans for slow domestic capacity growth. As of February 27, there are 103 Airbus aircraft in the United fleet, 35 A319s and 68 A320s. With the 74 previously announced firm orders and the current order of 15, United's total number of existing and ordered Airbus aircraft rises to 192.
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BAE Systems has delivered the first production CAPTOR radar to the Eurofighter assembly plant at Warton in Lancashire. It is the first of 147 in the first tranche of production. The delivery, on time and to specification, marks the successful completion of the development programme, led by BAE Systems' Sensor Systems Division at Crewe Toll in Edinburgh, as prime contractor of the Euroradar consortium. Euroradar comprises partners from the four nations in the Eurofighter programme, BAE Systems in Edinburgh, EADS in Germany, FIAR in Italy and INDRA in Spain. Sensor Systems is currently populating its new #30m engineering facility at Crewe Toll, which has transformed the radar production area into one of the world's most modern and advanced. CAPTOR project director, David Graham, said: "Today we have delivered a thoroughly mature product. CAPTOR has been extensively tested in the laboratory, in flight tests using our own aircraft flying from Edinburgh and in Eurofighter itself. Our unique test facilities allow us to analyse and understand the radar's performance in the minutest detail. CAPTOR is performing beyond its specification and has been demonstrated to three potential export nations, in the air."
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The aircraft carrier São Paulo left Brest for Rio de Janeiro on 1 February 2001 following refurbishment work by DCN. The French Navy sold the vessel to its Brazilian counterpart under a contract signed in September 2000. Following the official hand-over to the Brazilian Navy on 15 November 2000, DCN's Brest facility began overhauling the vessel's propulsion system, catapults and arresting gear under a contract between the Brazilian Navy and DCN International signed in October 2000. All tasks were completed on time and to the client's satisfaction. Sea trials undertaken on 25 and 26 January 2001 confirmed the vessel's capabilities. This overhaul work confirms DCN's commitment to through-life support activities for the French Navy and friendly navies worldwide.
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On February 26, Eurockot Launch Services, Germany, and its Russian parent company Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, announced the first success of their joint marketing activities in Russia. This follows the signing of a contract between the Intersputnik company and Khrunichev for the manufacture and in-orbit delivery of the two Intersputnik-M1 and -M2 communication satellites to be launched into geostationary orbits in 2003 using the Rockot launch vehicle. The satellites will be based on the newly developed Khrunichev Yacht Spacecraft Bus. Both Eurockot and Khrunichev expect a growing demand for launches of GEO spacecraft using Rockot. These two launches will be conducted from the Rockot facilities at Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Astrium, the German parent company of Eurockot, had invested approx. US$ 35M into the launch site facilities of Plesetsk which underwent an extensive modernisation and extension to cater for commercial customers. The successful Commercial Demonstration Flight in May 2000 and subsequent commissioning of all facilities and the launch vehicle itsself, proves the ability of this German-Russian partnership to offer competitive and reliable launch services to LEO and GEO-satellite operators.
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The short-takeoff/vertical- landing (STOVL) version of the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the X-35B, has powered up its revolutionary propulsion system on a specially designed "hover pit'' -- the first step in the STOVL portion of the aircraft's flight-test program. "Running our propulsion system in the aircraft -- spooling up the engine, engaging the shaft-driven lift fan and commanding the vectoring nozzles -- is a big step toward validating our STOVL solution,'' said Tom Burbage, executive vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin JSF program. "We've operated this propulsion system very successfully on the test stand. Now we get to see how the airplane itself manages the interaction of the lift fan, three-bearing swivel duct and roll posts -- the system's main components.''
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Many years of talks and negotiation between the French company Air France Industries (AFI) and Diehl Avionik could be brought to a successful conclusion. After Iberia (Spain) and GAM-Aero (Abu Dhabi), now the largest French Aviation Company adds to the list of customers relying on the expert services of Diehl Avionik Toulouse for the repair of major subsystems and components. Diehl Avionik thus proved most successful on a highly competitive market demonstrating its competence both as an equipment manufacturer and a repairspecialist. The contract covers the entire Air France Airbus fleet and the Airbus units of Air France customers, presently about 200 aircraft.
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Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen sind weiter abrufbar:

*February 25, 2001 *February 18, 2001 *February 4, 2001

*January 28, 2001 *January 21, 2001 *January 14, 2001 *January 7, 2001

*December 24, 2000 *December 17, 2000 *December 10, 2000 *December 3, 2000

*November 26, 2000 *November 19, 2000 *November 12, 2000 *November 5, 2000

*October 29, 2000 *October 15, 2000 *October 8, 2000 *October 1, 2000

*September 24, 2000 *September 17, 2000 *September 10, 2000 *September 3, 2000

*January to August 2000 *January to December 1999 *January to December 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

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