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Week ending February 7, 1999
+++ Transporter offers received by European countries +++ Boeing/BAe offer C-17 to UK +++ Swissair buys into AOM French Airlines +++ Edelweiss starts fleet rollover with delivery of first A320 +++ SOHO revitalised for the second time +++ Space mirror experiment in orbit failed +++ "Wings" alliance to be founded this summer +++ Two new terminals for Chicago O'Hare +++ News in brief +++
Transporter offers received by European countries
Angebote für FLA und An-70 liegen vor
By the deadline of January 29, the European nations seeking a new military transport have recieved the expected bids from competing manufacturers in Europe, the USA and Ukraine. These are:- Airbus Military Company, now established as a SAS (Societe par Actions Simplifié) in France, is proposing its A400M, for nearly a decade known as the FLA (Future Large Aircraft). According to French sources, the very comprehensive offer for the 288 aircraft programme has a price tag of 150 billion Francs (25,85 billion US-Dollars. It foresees a first flight in 2004 and service entry less than two years later. Technically, the bid features the so called Solution 86, the most recent refinement of the A400M design. As yet, there has been no engine selection, which is now promised for the first half of the year, with BMW Rolls-Royce, Snecma/Fiat/MTU and Pratt & Whitney Canada in the running. The AMC bid went to all seven FLA nations.
- Antonov of the Ukraine has proposed a westernised version of its An-70 to France, Germany, Spain and Italy. After Dasa has shown no willingness to team-up with the Ukrainian company and its Russian partners, it seems that some second-tier suppliers could get involved in the bid to ensure credibility on western markets.
- France, UK, Belgium and Spain have also received offers from Lockheed Martin for the C-130J Hercules.
- Finally, the Boeing C-17 also features in proposals sbmitted to the ministries of defense of Belgium, France, Spain and the United Kingdom in response to a request for proposal for the Future Transport Aircraft.
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Boeing/BAe offer C-17 to UK
C-17 Globemaster-Angebot für die RAF
On January29, 1999, Boeing and British Aerospace submitted a joint proposal to the United Kingdom Ministry Of Defense in response to an invitation to tender for the United Kingdom Short Term Strategic Airlift requirement (STSA). The joint response, which details the team's solution to meet the United Kingdom's need for short-term strategic airlift, includes four C-17s, training and support options. A decision is expected early next year. The Boeing Company and British Aerospace believe their proposal will fully meet all of the requirements for the STSA and will offer the best value for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The procurement model being proposed will establish a new benchmark in government-industry cooperation. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Swissair buys into AOM French Airlines
Swissair steigt bei AOM ein
The Consortium de Realization, a company established to sell off the non-performing assets of the state owned bank Credit Lyonnais, has sold AOM airline to Swissair, holding group Marine-Wendel and investment fund Groupe Alpha for an undisclosed amount. The deal will result in Swissair acquiring 49% of AOM and the remaining 51% being divided between the other two companies. AOM is already a Swissair partner. Its main base is Paris-Orly. 26 aircraft are operated by a staff of 2400. turnover in 1998 was 4,4 billion Francs, 13 per cent more than in 1997.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Edelweiss starts fleet rollover with delivery of first A320
A320 für Edelweiss
On February 4, Edelweiss took delivery of its first Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft today in Toulouse, becoming a new operator of the world's fastest selling single-aisle aircraft family. Two additional A320s are scheduled to arrive at the carrier's Zurich base by mid-1999. The Swiss charter airline is going through a complete fleet rollover program, replacing all its MD-80 aircraft by Airbus Industrie's popular A320s. Edelweiss, part of the Kuoni Travel Group, will operate the A320s from Switzerland to popular holiday destinations around the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Canary Islands. "These three aircraft will set new standards for the environmental friendliness of our fleet and the comfort of Edelweiss Air passengers. The acquisition is part of the continuous implementation of Edelweiss Air's strategy to clearly differentiate itself form other Swiss and European charter airlines", said Hans Lerch, Chairman of the Board of Edelweiss Air and Executive Vice-President of the Kuoni Group, the airline's majority shareholder. To date, the Airbus Industrie A320 Family has booked 1,923 orders form 83 customers. 930 A319s, A320s and A321s have been delivered and are flying with 83 operators worldwide. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
SOHO revitalised for the second time
SOHO ein zweites Mal zum Leben erweckt
For the second time in six months, engineers have revitalised ESA's orbiting solar observatory SOHO, and have also set a space record. The spacecraft went into a self-protection mode (called Emergency Sun Reacquisition - or ESR) on 21 December, when the last of its three gyroscopes failed. Having lost a fundamental orientation system, SOHO continually fired onboard jets to keep its sensors pointed toward the sun. To stop the rapid depletion of hydrazine fuel, over the last month, engineers at ESA and Matra Marconi Space have designed a software program to enable the spacecraft to resume science operations without gyroscopes as from 2 February. The satellite is now reprogrammed to ignore faulty information from the gyroscopes and to use new software sent up by ground controllers. This is the first time that a spacecraft equipped with gyroscopes has carried on working without them. Last summer engineers had already regained control of the observatory after it lost orientation and vanished in space. SOHO was launched in December 1995. After three years of operations, ESA and NASA are now expecting the mission to continue until 2003. The extension will allow SOHO to observe intense solar activity when the number of sunspots reaches a maximum around mid-2000.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Space mirror experiment in orbit failed
Spiegel-Experiment im Orbit fehlgeschlagen
Two Russian cosmonauts failed on 4 February in an ambitious attempt to reflect the sun's light and illuminate dark corners of Earth from space because two efforts to open a giant mirror were unsuccessful. The 25-metre (82-foot) Mylar mirror, which became entangled with an antenna during the first attempt to open it, was left hanging limply by the side of a Progress supply ship that had earlier undocked from the Mir space station. Space officials, contemplating the latest setback to Russia's cash-starved space programme, said they would decide by Friday whether to continue their efforts before the Progress is abandoned to burn up as it re-enters the atmosphere. The experiment was intended to show whether such mirrors can light up the Russian north or other areas with dark winters. Gennady Padalka and Sergei Avdeyev, the two cosmonauts on Mir, sent a command to Progress in the first attempt to unfold the mirror. But its fabric became tangled up with one of the supply ship's antennae and did not open. The cosmonauts switched the Progress to manual control. But attempts to use centrifugal force to put the craft in a spin and open the flag failed. Sceptics say the experiment is a hare-brained scheme doomed to fail. But the designers say a series of mirrors or one giant mirror could harness the sun to overcome darkness and even help boost agriculture by lengthening the day. Russian space officials had hoped a light spot of between six and eight km (four to five miles) in diameter would be visible in parts of Europe and in Canada.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
"Wings" alliance to be founded this summer
Neue Konkurrenz für OneWorld und die Star Alliance
A group of airlines, including U.S. carriers Northwest Airlines and Continental, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines of the Netherlands, is negotiating a broad alliance to be called "Wings," an industry source said. The alliance, expected to be announced by the end of this summer, will become the third such global affiliation in the industry. The carriers under such a global alliance cooperate in code-sharing, frequent flyer program reciprocity, accessibility to each others airport lounges, and other actions to create seamless travel. Other airlines expected to participate in the Wings alliance include Air France, Japan Air System, Italy's Alitalia, Air China, and Alaska Airlines, the source said. Wings will follow the "Star Alliance," which connects such airlines as U.S. carrier United Airlines, Germany's Lufthansa, Japan's All Nippon Airways, and the "OneWorld" group which includes American Airlines and British Airways. Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
Two new terminals for Chicago O'Hare
Der größte Airport der Welt wächst weiter
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley recently proposed a billion-dollar plan to construct two new terminals and two additional U.S. customs facilities at O'Hare International Airport, citing a need to better accommodate international travelers at the world's busiest airport. Daley said his plan would provide for "seamless travel" between international and domestic flights by establishing more customs checkpoints outside O'Hare's international terminal. The mayor's concept was supported by representatives of United Airlines, American Airlines and international carriers. The airlines said the plan would enhance international carrier alliances by allowing foreign carriers to share gates and terminals with domestic airlines, rather than having to use the one international terminal at O'Hare. The airlines also said 20 or more wider gates proposed in the plan were needed to accommodate new and larger aircraft. About 72.5 million travelers passed through O'Hare in 1998, according to the city's aviation department.Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite
NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
At the end of January, the four engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) V-22 Ospreys passed 1,000 flight hours while aircraft No. 10 continues flight tests aboard the USS Saipan off the Virginia coast. Each of the EMD airplanes has logged more than 200 flight hours. V-22 tiltrotor aircraft have flown more than 2,200 hours including full scale development testing. Sea trials using the production representative, or EMD V-22, began this month and will last until mid-February. A comprehensive operational evaluation begins in September 1999 and ends in May 2000.+++
Germany has now definitely prohibited the use of mobile phones on board of aircraft. Also, CD-players and laptop computers with CD-drives are banned. Only normal laptops may be used, but not during take-off and landing. Transgressions can be dealt with high fees and even two years in prison.
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Iraqi threats and coalition aircraft responses in both the northern and southern no-fly zones have continued at a busy pace. Recent news includes six incidents on Jan. 30. For example near Mosul in the north, at 3 p.m. Iraqi time, coalition aircraft were targeted by Iraqi radar while conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone. An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle responded in self-defense by launching an AGM-130 at the radar site. Also in self-defense, two F-15E's dropped two GBU-12 precision-guided munitions at the same radar site, on the actual missile launchers. A second incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. Iraqi time. A group of Air Force F-15E's acting in self-defense after being targeted, dropped two GBU-12 precision-guided munitions on an Iraqi Skyguard surface-to-air missile site. In a third incident at about the same time, F-15E's acting in self-defense dropped two GBU-12 precision-guided munitions on an anti-aircraft artillery system and its associated radar that threatened coalition aircraft. The fourth incident occurred close to 3:30 p.m. Iraqi time, when F-15E's acting in self-defense dropped GBU-12s on another anti-aircraft artillery site. In a fifth incident at about 4:30 p.m. Iraqi time, a Marine EA-6B Prowler fired a high-speed antiradiation missile in response to being targeted by a radar-guided anti-aircraft artillery system. Finally in the sixth incident a minute later, F-15E's responded defensively by dropping GBU-12s on a separate anti-aircraft artillery site.
At about 2:20 a.m. EST Jan. 31, coalition air forces flying an Operation Southern Watch mission struck two Iraqi military sites, one near Al Amarah and another near Talil, in response to Iraqi provocations. Two U.S. Navy F-14s, two FA-18s, one EA-6B, one U.S. Air Force F-16CJ and two British Royal Air Force GR-1 aircraft, operating from land and sea bases in the Southwest Asia region, responded by attacking these two sites. At about 3:20 p.m. EST, an Air Force F-16J Fighting Falcon, acting in self-defense, launched a high-speed antiradiation missile at a radar system north of Mosul. The radar system was active and posed a threat to the F-16J and coalition forces conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone in Iraq.
At about 3:45 p.m. Iraqi time Jan. 28, two F-15E Strike Eagle pilots conducting routine enforcement of the northern no-fly zone observed fire by an anti-aircraft artillery site north of Mosul. In self-defense, the two F-15E's dropped a total of three GBU-12s on the anti-aircraft artillery site.
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NATO implemented the Main Operating Base (MOB) Geilenkirchen with a digital simulcast radiocommunications network based on the Tetrapol technology. From March 99, the system will be used by all the agencies working on the base, in particular, military command, the Control Tower, the Fire Department, ambulances, medical teams, civil guards, transportation and maintenance squadrons. This contract, which is worth over 3 million German Marks, has been signed by NATO and the German Group Daimler Chrysler Aerospace, and consists of 200 handhelds, vehicle-mounted and fixed terminals, together with 2 dispatch positions: one for the Control Tower and one for the Fire Alarm Control Center.
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Rolls-Royce announced that the Trent 8104 engine has exceeded 110,000lb thrust during initial test runs. According to Rolls-Royce, the Trent 8104 is proving new technologies which will benefit all new members of the Trent series Innovative features include the new "swept" fan blade, which introduces the fourth generation of advanced design. The advanced aerofoil design passes a greater airflow and delivers improvements in fuel efficiency. The "swept" blades are also stronger, increasing resistance to bird strike impact and runway debris.
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International Aero Engines AG (IAE) has announced the delivery of the first Phoenix Standard V2500-A1 engine to customer America West. The Phoenix Standard introduces V2500-A5 technology into the -A1 engine and offers customers significant operating benefits including product life improvement and the enhancement of the residual value to the engines. These benefits, among others, have been achieved by pinpointing particular technology, components or processes that can be easily incorporated into the Phoenix Standard.
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On 29 January, Olympic Airways took delivery of its first two A340-300s from Airbus Industrie in Toulouse, becoming a new operator of the four-engined, ultra long-range aircraft. Two additional A340s are scheduled to arrive at the carrier's Athens base in the second half of 1999. The A340s, which will replace Olympic Airways' aging 747-200s, will be deployed on the airline's intercontinental network to North America, Australia, the Far East and the South Africa.
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4000 soldiers from Germany will participate in exercise "Battle Griffin 99" in Norway, starting in mid-February. Among them are 2300 Luftwaffe personnell from JaboG 31 "Boelcke", JG 74 and air defence bataillion 3 from Oldenburg. Also Mariefliegergeschwader 2 and 3 are involved.
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AlliedSignal has been selected to provide auxiliary power unit (APU) maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Iberai Airlines'fleet of A340 aircraft. Work on the five year contract will be performed at the facility in Raunheim, Germany. It covers the model 331-350 APU, one of the core products handled at Raunheim near Frankfurt airport.
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The TTTE (Trinational Tornado Training Establishment) in Cottesmore will officially close down on March 31. A formal farewell parade will be held on February 24. In 19 years, around 3000 crewmembers from the UK, Germany and Italy were trained on the base, flying around 160000 hours. The end is due to the fact that equipemt standards between Tornados have diverged a lot since service introduction, so that training value has diminished. Also, the Luftwaffe for example is contentrating its Training in the USA.
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American Airlines has taken delivery of its 800th Boeing airplane - a 757-200. The milestone delivery underscores a strong, enduring relationship between the carrier and The Boeing Company. On Jan. 25, American Airlines celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first jet transcontinental service, which began with the Boeing 707. Over the years, American Airlines has operated jetliners ranging from the 707 in the late 1950s to today's full fleet of new aircraft, including the 777. To date, American Airlines has ordered 941 airplanes from Boeing.
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Worldwide repair and overhaul cover for Rolls-Royce AE3007 engines, powering Embraer RJ145,RJ135 and Citation X aircraft, is being expanded with the opening of a new European facility. The test and rework centre at Rolls-Royce, East Kilbride, Scotland, joins existing bases at Rolls-Royce Canada in Montreal and Motores Rolls-Royce in Sao Paulo, Brazil, all certified to handle the AE3007. The Rolls-Royce Repair and Overhaul network has 14 facilities providing global capacity for engine overhaul and component refurbishment. Its capability currently covers 30 Rolls-Royce engine types plus 18 from other manufacturers.
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Air Wisconsin has placed a follow-on order for five Canadair Regional Jet Series 200LR aircraft with Bombardier Aerospace increasing to nine the number of CRJ twinjets ordered for the carrier's United Express services from Denver, Colorado. The contract, valued at approximately $108 million U.S. ($165 million Cdn.), calls for deliveries to begin in the first quarter of 2000 and extend through October 2001. The contract also secures five additional CRJ options for Air Wisconsin.
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US Aerospace Industries Association President John W. Douglass says that environmental issues are being used to gain competitive advantage in the European Union. A proposed "non-addition rule" targets certain hushkitted and re-engined aircraft. It would adversely affect U.S. manufacturers and non-European operators and lessors while benefiting European businesses. AIA argues that the new regulation would bring about engines that would not significantly decrease noise, but increase the emission of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides. Furthermore, the proposed rule discriminates against U.S. manufacturers and air carriers. Most importantly, according to Douglass, this European-only action is being taken against the advice of the international community. Given the international character of aviation, emission standards should be set by a single body-The U.N.'s International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection.
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Development of Bombardier's all-new Continental business jet, the company's entry in the super midsize market segment, is progressing on schedule. In the latest move, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has been selected as an important supplier in the program and will provide the entire wing section. Unveiled at the 1998 NBAA convention, the Continental is Bombardier's all-new offering in the emerging and important super midsize business jet segment.
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The demonstrator aircraft of the Yakovlev/Aermacchi AEM/Yak-130 trainer programme completed successfully on Janaura 31 a second series of test flights in Italy. The campaign was aimed at expansion of the low-speed, high angle-of-attack envelope as well as testing improvements to the aerodynamic configuration and fly-bylwire control laws. The Yak-130 will now return to Russia for maintenance period and to be evaluated by the Russian Air Force at Actubinsk and Armavir flight test centers.
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Mimicking a Space Shuttle launch profile, an F-15B research aircraft based at NASA Dryden flew a series of missions to evaluate the dynamic response characteristics of the new insulation material. The Shuttle External Tank Experiment involved six research flights over a two-week period by Dryden's F-15B in partnership with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., and the Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans, La.
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NASA plans to fly an unmanned airplane on Mars by 2005. NASA Administrator, Daniel Goldin, presented the project as part of the agency's future micro-mission program. According to NASA, the 200-kilogram airplane will unfold its wings after a parachute descent through most of the atmosphere, followed by a pre-programmed flight over the Mars surface. NASA has budgeted approximately $50 million for 2000. Goldin says the mission is possible: "It is a major challenge; flying through Mars' atmosphere is like flying at 40 kilometers altitude on Earth.""Another problem will be the strong winds and dust storms on the Red Planet. NASA plans the mission for 2003 at the earliest. That date would be 100 years after the world's first official motor flight on 17. December 1903 by the Wright brothers.
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Air Canada says a 13-day pilot strike in September slashed its operating income by about $250 million, leading to a net loss of $20 million in the quarter ended Dec. 31 and an overall loss for the year. In 1997's fourth quarter, the airline had posted a $94-million profit. For all of 1998, Air Canada lost $16 million, compared with a $427-million profit in 1997. "I am pleased by the strong rebound in revenue, market share and passenger yields achieved in the fourth quarter," president and chief executive Lamar Durrett said in a release. "But the year brought many challenges -- including the ice storm in Eastern Canada, Nav Canada labour issues, unfavourable currency fluctuations and, together with growth in operating expenses and the impact of the pilot strike, resulted in disappointing year-end results." Durrett said the focus in 1999 is to pursue revenue growth while cutting costs. "Our objective is to bring Air Canada's operating profit margins up to U.S. industry competitive levels, currently in the 10 per cent range," he said. The company reported: Operating income of $144 million for the year and a net loss of 120 cents a share. Despite the pilot strike, passenger revenues for the year increased by $444 million or 10 per cent. Other revenues declined $66 million or 10 per cent mainly due to sale of a subsidiary and lower third-party maintenance revenues. Operating expenses rose $584 million or 11 per cent.
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India is interested in buying up to 100 ATR regional airliners and also get involved in the production of the turboprops. This was reported during the visit of French transport minister Jean Claude Gayssot in the country. A definite contract is expected by May.
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Munich airport handled 19,3 million passengers in 1998, an increase of 8 per cent and thus double the growth rate experienced by other German airports. Higher seat load factors meant that movements went up only four per cent to 262000.
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