FLUG REVUE update: Week ending September 8, 2002

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UPDATE
Week ending September 8, 2002

+++ Air Berlin enters low-cost market +++ Fleet order for Grob G 120 +++ Sofia telescope arrives in USA +++ Saab delivers first JAS 39C +++ News in brief +++

Air Berlin enters low-cost market
Billigflugangebote von Air Berlin

From September 30, Air Berlin will offer low-cost flights from seven German airports. Daily connections to London, Mailand, Barcelona und Wien are planned, said Joachim Hunold on in Berlin. Super-low fares of up to ten Euros will not be offered, but the prices will start at 39 Euros, he announced. Bookings will be possible through travel agents and not just call centers or the internet. Air Berlin has 1450 workers and is most known for its Mallorca shuttle services from Germany, operating an all Boeing 737 fleet.
Meanwhile, Germanwings, an Eurowings subsidiary, announced details of its low cost operations due to start on 27 October from Cologne/Bonn airport. Prices will start from 29 Euros, it was said, with a maximum of 50 to 60 per cent of „establishes airline rates“. In a first step Germanwings will offer flights to Barcelona, Berlin, London (Stansted), Madrid, Mailand (Malpensa), Nizza, Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Rome, Wien und Zürich. Some of the routes will be flown a few times per day. Germanwings will operate a fleet of five A320s but more could follow.

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Fleet Order for Grob G 120
Grob-Trainer für Israel

The Haifa-based company Elbit Systems Ltd. has placed an order with Grob Aerospace for a fleet of aircraft of type G 120A-I. Under a contract with the Israeli Air Force they will be used for the screening and basic training of pilots. This is the first time that a private company in Israel has received an order as part of an operator project (PFI-project- privately financed intitiative) to procure and operate aircraft for the Israeli armed forces. They will be operated and maintained by an Elbit subsidiary. Grob will deliver the first aircraft end of September 2002. The decision to buy from Grob was preceded by intensive checks of the plane's flight characteristics by Israeli Air Force test pilots. This order will keep the Grob-Werke Aerospace Division busy for more than a year. Meanwhile negotiations are under way with other serious potential customers for G 120 and G 115 trainers as well as for possible development and joint projects. Development of the four-seater turboprop G 140, first presented to the public last year, is now continuing full blast.

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Sofia telescope arrives in USA
Neues fliegendes Teleskop macht Fortschritte

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the largest airborne observatory in the world, received a key component when its telescope assembly arrived in Waco, Texas, completing a 7,000-mile journey from Germany. Developed by DLR, the German Aerospace Center, located in Bonn, the 98.4-inch (2.5- meter)-diameter telescope has spent the past five-and-a-half years being designed and built. MAN Technologies AG, Mainz and Augsburg, Germany, built the telescope, and its optics were supplied by Kayser-Threde Corp., Munich, Germany. Several other sub-contractors located in Europe also helped fabricate the complex telescope. "We're very excited to be taking delivery of the world's largest airborne telescope, provided by our German partners," said NASA SOFIA project manager Chris Wiltsee of NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "They've done a first-rate job in its development and should be very proud of their accomplishment. We're looking forward to working closely with them to complete this magnificent observatory."
Owing to their size, the telescope's three largest components were transported aboard a huge Airbus Beluga cargo aircraft. The biggest of the components, the suspension assembly that provides the telescope's center support structure, weighs approximately 25,000 pounds and measures some15 feet in diameter in its shipping fixture. The primary mirror assembly weighs approximately 4,500 pounds and the metering structure, which holds the telescope's secondary mirror assembly, weighs approximately 2,000 pounds. Workers will first store the telescope assembly's components in a large hangar and separate them into "kits" for installation and integration into the aircraft. Over the course of the next nine months, engineers and technicians from L-3 Communications Integrated Systems in Waco, with help from German contractors, will carefully install the telescope assembly into its new home aboard the SOFIA, a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. Installation is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2003, followed by a series of ground tests conducted at L-3 Communication's Waco flight-test facility until the late fall of 2003. Flight tests will follow in Waco until spring of 2004.

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Saab delivers first JAS 39C
Neue Gripen-Version ausgeliefert

At a ceremony in Linköping, Saab handed over the first JAS 39C Gripen to Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). This latest JAS 39C version adds a host of new capabilities to the Gripen, and is almost identical to the aircraft intended for export. Åke Svensson, Chairman of the JAS Industry Group and Managing Director of Saab Aerospace, handed over aircraft 39.208 to Birgitta Böhlin, Director General of the Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV). The ceremony was followed by an air display for about 300 specially invited guests. "The introduction of the JAS 39C shows that Sweden is on the absolute cutting edge of technology. In addition, we have undertaken a cost-effective development effort that has benefited both the Swedish and export Gripen programmes. This is a milestone in the history of the Gripen," said Åke Svensson, in his address.
In addition to in-flight refueling and onboard oxygen generators, the latest version of the Gripen has large screen, full color displays in the cockpit, a strengthened wing structure, the ability to carry new types of pylons and new software in its computers. This combination of advanced technology and increased capabilities, brings a step change in the operational effectiveness of the aircraft over a wide range of missions.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

Austrian defence minister Herbert Scheibner and Austrian Airlines Group boss Vagn Soerensen signed a framework agreement for intensive cooperation, aiming to fully use the resources of both organisations. Main fields are pilot selection and basic training, specific training for international transport operations as well as courses for maintenance and operations personnel. This will especially include the Bundesfachschule für Flugtechnik. Austrian will also take on military pilots for line ops.
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Ryanair announced details of its 2002 Winter Schedule, which will see over 7 million low fare seats on offer from London to Europe. The airline also announced a new twice-daily service from London Stansted to Strasbourg. Ryanair currently flies to seven destinations in France and will carry almost one million passengers between France and the UK this year. Ryanair will be competing head to head with Air France on this new route offering fares that are 70% cheaper than the “rip-off” flag carrier.
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RUAG Aerospace, Switzerland, will establish a center to service the products of Life Support, a business unit of the Northrop Grumman's Component Technologies sector. RUAG will primarily service Life Support's On-Board-Oxygen-Generating-Systems (OBOGS) and regulators. The Life Support product service center at RUAG Aerospace will offer customers on the European and Asian continents a full range of service and repair options. The agreement will pave the way for future opportunities to develop OBOGS upgrades and retro-fits for military and commercial aircraft. The center is expected to begin operations soon after the U.S. State Department completes clearance of a Technical Assistance Agreement.
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EADS is going to invest in Belgium. According to company's information from Thursday, EADS has now officially taken over the former plant of Siemens NV (Belgium) in Oostkamp near Brügge. On the occasion of the welcome ceremony in Oostkamp, the CEO and President of EADS Systems & Defence Electronics (S&DE), Stefan Zoller, turned directly to the 250 employees: “We are happy to welcome the employees of Oostkamp in the big EADS family and to see our company now also in Belgium at home.” Representatives of the Belgian government, armed forces and industry attended the ceremony. The take over of the Oostkamp facility had been agreed by Siemens and EADS in July, taking effect retroactively as of January 1. “This means to strengthen consequently the capabili-ties of our defence sector in the frame of our global strategic alignment”, Zoller underscored. For him the take over of the Oostkamp site is a clear signal of EADS to Belgium. “EADS is a partner of Belgium, its armed forces and its industry. As to the A 400 M transport aircraft, to civil airbus programs and to other projects we have been working together successfully since years. This we want to intensify. Belgium is an important market for EADS, but also a relevant home location. I can see out-standing perspectives for cooperation. With our industrial en-gagement we also strive for a long termed partnership with our Belgian customers. Therefore we are ready to invest.”
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The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Tucson is in the business of aircraft storage and regeneration plus aircraft parts reclamation for various agencies, including the U.S. military and its allies. Recently, AMARC technicians have assumed a slightly different role by taking on the renovation of seven German F-4F Phantom II aircraft that flew in from across the Atlantic Ocean en route to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Although the German air force owns the aircraft, while at Holloman the U.S. Air Force will lease them and place them under the operational control of the 49th Fighter Wing's 20th Fighter Squadron. Under the terms of a foreign military sales contract, the 20th FS trains German aircrews in the F-4F, using both German and American instructors. The Germans have been doing F-4 training at Holloman AFB for more than a decade in what officials describe as a "highly successful program," said 1st Lt. Yvonne Lucson, deputy chief of the 49th FW public affairs office. "However, this is the first time an American agency has been so heavily involved in a major modification and renovation of (German) aircraft." The F-4Fs that flew in from Germany are perfectly functional as operational aircraft, said Tom Reser, the 20th FS site manager. "However, the aircraft are now going to be used as trainers, with joint (American and German) aircrews flying in American airspace and, for standardization purposes, that means they will require some additional technology that wasn't previously installed," said Reser.
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Raytheon has realigned its government and defense organization to form seven businesses that are focused on customer satisfaction and positioning the company for growth. The new businesses were created by combining units of the former Electronic Systems (ES) and Command, Control, Communication and Information Systems (C3I). They will each be headed by leaders who report to Raytheon Company President William H. Swanson. "This new, leaner government and defense structure will enhance our alignment with customers," said Daniel P. Burnham, chairman and chief executive officer of Raytheon Company. "It also eliminates layers and cost and will enable us to move with greater speed and agility."
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British Airways took delivery of its 50th Airbus aircraft, an A320 with serial number 1829. The British airline's link with Airbus and the A320 Family extends back to 1989 when the London-based carrier received its first A320, the original model of Airbus' fastest selling single-aisle Family. In 1998 British Airways increased its A320 Family fleet by placing a firm order for 59 additional aircraft - 39 A319s and 20 A320s. In 1999 the British carrier became a launch customer for the A318, the most comfortable aircraft in the 100-seater market.
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Kuwait's ministry of defense has signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the U.S. Department of Defense for the purchase of 16 AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopters. With the signing of this agreement, Kuwait becomes the seventh international defense force to select the AH-64D and the eleventh Apache customer worldwide. Once the foreign military sales agreement is complete, the U.S. Army will contract with Boeing and other team Apache industry members on behalf of Kuwait for the aircraft and equipment. The total program, which is expected to approach $900 million, includes the acquisition of the Longbow fire control radar, ordnance-including Hellfire missiles-spare parts, training services and maintenance support. Production and delivery information for these aircraft-to be used by the Kuwait Air Force-has not been disclosed.
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In the future, NASA's fleet of robotic spacecraft might cruise among the planets like sailboats in space, or perhaps they will be propelled from planet to planet by advanced ion engines. NASA's Office of Space Science in Washington announced today that those technologies and other advanced propulsion ideas have been selected for development as part of a suite of in-space propulsion technologies. Development of these technologies will provide giant steps in capability for NASA to conduct future planetary missions, especially to the outer planets of Jupiter and beyond.
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Boeing has delivered the 90th C-17 transport aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. In a ceremony near the C-17 assembly plant in Long Beach, Calif., Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Airlift and Tanker Programs, presented the keys to the new C-17 Globemaster III to Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff. "In today's state of world affairs, the Air Force chief of staff's very presence here speaks volumes of the critical value the C-17 represents to our nation," said Chambers.
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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded Boeing a contract to design a fuel cell-based propulsion system for an ultra long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. The long-endurance UAV likely will fill a number of roles in future communication systems, as well as augment existing systems. "This UAV technology will enable a wide variety of commercial and military applications and is a great match of our company's capabilities and expertise," said Charlie Guthrie, Boeing Unmanned Systems director of rapid prototyping and advanced concepts. "We're taking advantage of the best of Boeing by integrating expertise from our Phantom Works, Integrated Defense Systems and Commercial Airplane groups to provide an affordable, total-system solution." During the project's first phase, the Unmanned Systems organization will lead a team to design the UAV's fuel cell-based propulsion system and complete risk-reduction studies. Boeing plans to incorporate currently available automotive fuel cell technology into the propulsion system.
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A joint delegation of the Czech government, Boeing, Boeing Ceska, Honeywell and AERO Vodochody visited India last week in order to meet with the Indian top government and Air Force officials to promote the sale of L 159 B. The Czech delegation was led by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Jiri Rusnok, who represented the interest of the Czech state which owns a 65 percent stake in AERO Vodochody. The Boeing company, owner of remaining 35 percent stake, was represented by its Vice president of Strategic Planning and Operations Bill Lawler and Mr. Thomas Ryan, President of Boeing Ceska. Mr. Steve Bradley, President of Honeywell and Antonin Jakubse, President of AERO Vodochody also participated. The representatives of both shareholders assured their Indian "partners" that the L-159 project had the full support of the Czech government, US government, as well as the Boeing and Honeywell companies. The delegation also expressed their readiness to provide a wide-ranging transfer of technologies and production to Indian aircraft and engine producer HAL.
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The ERJ 145 XR, the extra long-range version of the highly successful ERJ 145 regional jet family, today was granted its airworthiness type certificate by the CTA-Centro Técnico Aeroespacial (Aerospace Technical Center). Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for the aircraft is expected soon and will open up the way for the aircraft to begin commercial operation in the United States. ERJ 145 XR development work started in February 2000 and the first flight of this new version took place on 27 June 2001. During its flight test program, the ERJ 145 XR logged around 400 flight test hours. The flight test campaign was carried out at Embraer's new Gavião Peixoto facility, which has a 16,404 ft (5,000 meter) long runway, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Embraer held a ceremony to celebrate the production of the first forward plug machined frame for the Embraer 195, the first part for this new 108-passenger commercial jet. The event symbolized the beginning of the entry into production of the new aircraft, the largest of the Embraer 170/190 commercial jet family, which also includes the Embraer 170, Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 models seating 70, 78 and 98 passengers respectively. The “first cut” took place at the company's headquarters in São José dos Campos in the presence of Embraer's Industrial Vice President, Satoshi Yokota, and other top company executives. Barely two years ago, the “first cut” for the first model of the company's new family of commercial jets, the Embraer 170, occurred on July 14, 2000, with rollout taking place about 15 months later. The Embraer 170 is currently performing flight tests in Brazil and will enter service next year.
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Piston-engined and turboprop-powered general aviation aircraft deliveries have fallen off over the past 18 months, victims of both a stagnant economy and operating restrictions in the wake of last September 11. A new Forecast International/DMS study, “The World Market for General Aviation/Utility Aircraft 2002-2011,” projects shipments of just over 1,650 aircraft in 2002, with annual output rising to nearly 2,100 in 2006. Production will decline steadily thereafter, with projected deliveries of 1,700 in 2011. The forecast estimates shipments of 15,262 pistons and 3,731 turboprops valued at $11 billion during the 2002-2011 time-frame. The long-term prognosis remains positive for the turboprops. Recent changes in operating regulations have increased the use of single-engine turboprops in a number of commercial applications, and turboprop shipments will rise in the second half of this decade. “The outlook for the turboprops would be brighter yet were it not for the growing popularity of fractional ownership programs employing turbofan-powered corporate jets,” said Forecast International aviation analyst Bill Dane. “The turboprops could also be squeezed somewhat in the coming years as a new generation of small, low-cost business jets such as the Eclipse 500 makes an appearance.”
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United Airlines is the latest - and largest -- customer of The Boeing Company's Portable Maintenance Aid (PMA), a powerful software tool that helps airlines improve airplane dispatch reliability. The Chicago-based carrier will use the software to support maintenance control activity for its fleet of more than 400 Boeing airplanes. PMA software is a digitized library of key technical information contained in a few compact discs. Boeing developed the software in the mid-1990s and began marketing it four years ago to Boeing and McDonnell Douglas fleet operators. Boeing also produces a version for operators of Fokker aircraft.
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GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) has been awarded a fixed-price $15 million contract for the delivery of 30 T58-GE-16A helicopter engine conversion kits. Installation of the new configuration will help extend the service life of the United States Marine Corps' (USMC) fleet of Boeing CH-46E helicopters to 2015. The Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract is part of the United States Navy's Engine Reliability Improvement Program (ERIP) to convert 300 T58-GE-16 engines powering USMC CH-46E helicopters to a -16A model configuration.
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Portugal will seek at least 6.5 million euros (dollars) in compensation from Franco-German consortium Eurocopter for delays in the fulfilment of an order for nine military helicopters, Defence Minister Paulo Portas said. "Time is money and the delivery delays have led to a significant loss of money," Portas said during a speech in parliament to justify Lisbon's decision to cancel its 34-million-euro order for the military helicopters. "As a result, we want compensation (from Eurocopter) of no less than 6.5 million euros," he added.
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The Expedition Five crew work included a materials science experiment and a robotic arm checkout. Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson completed a sample run for the Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules, or SUBSA, experiment. SUBSA is one of the station's first materials science experiments. Commander Valery Korzun and Whitson performed the checkout of the robot arm, Canadarm2. The arm will be used in the installation of the S1 (S-One) Truss when STS-112 visits the station. Meanwhile, Flight Engineer Sergei Korzun conducted an inspection of the Zvezda Service Module's interior hull.
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The Association of European Airlines has added LOT and SN Brussels Airlines to its members, which now count 30.
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