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UPDATE 
Week ending March 7, 1999
+++ BDLI: International Competitiveness of German aerospace industry endangered +++ First Ariane flight of the year +++ Airbus loss in 1998 +++ DSS completes first Cluster satellite +++ Boeing closes helicopter company sale to RDM +++ Mir cosmonauts return +++ SAir Group reveals 1998 annual results +++ Another balloon attempt fails +++ United Technologies acquires Sundstrand +++ Orbital Ships first X-34 to NASA +++ ICAO adopts new emissions and noise standards +++ News in brief +++

BDLI: International Competitiveness of German aerospace industry endangered
German aerospace industry complains lack of support

"Despite a double-digit increase in sales and an enormous improvement in competitiveness, a sustained upswing in the German aerospace industry is being put at risk", Dr Hans Eberhard Birke, Managing Director of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) warned at the association's annual press conference. The reduction in central government participation in the second national aviation research program and cuts in the space budget pose a threat to the aerospace industry in Germany, believes Dr Birke. Lack of political and financial support means that the continuation and development of engineering projects is being put at risk. If central government fails to continue the same level of support for the aviation research program, many research programs involving numerous small and medium-sized aviation companies will grind to a halt. According to Hans Eberhard Birke, any increase in the share of research finance borne by industry beyond the current level is simply unrealistic especially for equipment and component suppliers.
Given the double-digit growth in sales figures for 1997 the BDLI believes there can be no doubt about the renewed competitiveness of the German aerospace industry in the fiercely competitive marketplace. Company sales increased by around 25 percent to nearly DM 20 billion. The Managing Director of the BDLI stated that this "clearly indicates that the German aerospace industry has excellent prospects, provided that the political conditions are right". Apart from the favorable exchange rate between the DM and the US dollar, the main reason for positive developments in sales was the sharp rise in air traffic and the resulting high order levels for civil aircraft.
Decisions to go ahead with purchasing the European fighter aircraft Eurofighter created a more stable planning environment for the participating companies in the military sector. Advances in productivity have generally speaking brought about a sustained improvement in the competitiveness of the German aerospace industry. Sales growth in civil aviation was particularly impressive at 42.2 percent, while orders in military aircraft construction experienced a decline of 5.6 percent. The equipment industry represented in the BDLI was able to benefit from the positive overall development and increased sales by 12 percent. Space saw growth of 48.7 percent, offsetting the slump in sales experienced in 1996. The aeroengine industry notched up an increase in sales of 40.3 percent and the materials industry increased sales by 27.3 percent.
A further increase in sales of 15 percent is predicted for the civil sector in 1998 as a result of a rise in demand and faster delivery times. A consolidation of sales is predicted for 1999. The positive development in sales has not had an effect on jobs during the financial year 97/98. Although employment in civil aviation increased by 11.9 percent, jobs in the military sector shrank by 19.7 percent.
In the meantime, Dr. Gustav Humbert has been elected the new BDLI-President. Dr. Humbert is managing director of the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH (Hamburg) and a board member of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (München). He succeeds Dr. Wolfgang Piller, who has left Dasa recently.

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First Ariane flight of the year
Erster Flug der Ariane 1999

On February 26, 1999, Arianespace successfully launched two telecommunications satellites: Arabsat 3A for the Arab League, and Skynet 4E for the British Ministry of Defence. Liftoff from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana took place on Friday, February 26, 1999 at 22H44 GMT (5:44 pm in Washington, DC, 7:44 pm local time in Kourou, and 11:44 pm in Paris). Flight 116 was carried out by an Ariane 44L, the version of the European launcher with four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters. It used the 85th out of 116 Ariane 4 launchers ordered to date from the European space industry.
Arabsat 3A is the fifth satellite entrusted to Arianespace by the Arab League. Program prime contractor Alcatel Space assembled, integrated and tested the satellite at Toulouse and Cannes. Weighing 2,708 kg (5,958 lb) at liftoff, Arabsat 3A is equipped with 20 active Ku-band transponders and offers 6,400 W of power. It will be located at 26* East, and provide direct TV broadcasting, telephony, fax and data transmission services to an area extending from southern Europe to the traditional Arabsat coverage zone.
Skynet 4E, built by Matra Marconi Space in Stevenage, UK, is the third satellite launched by Ariane for the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). Weighing 1,490 kg (3,278 lb) at liftoff, it is equipped with four SHF and two UHF transponders, and has 2,000 W of power. Skynet 4E will provide strategic and tactical communications services for the British armed forces.

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Airbus loss in 1998
Verluste für Airbus

According to a report following the BAe results, the Airbus consortium has "incurred an operating loss in 1998 of around 200 million US-Dollars. This was due to fiece proce competition with rival Boeing. Airbus did not comment on the figures but did say that it is looking to improve its competitive position through a possible arrangement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan and other companies to supply some parts for its aircraft. Airbus believes the deal could help its sales in Asia and also convince Mitsubishi absorb some of the risk in developing a 600-seat jumbo jet that Airbus wants to introduce in 2005. The European airplane manufacturer claims its current structure includes a fixed prices for parts, but with Boeing cutting the overall price of its planes, Airbus must match the cuts to sell airplanes and so faces losses.

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DSS completes first Cluster satellite
Erster Cluster-II-Satellite in Friedrichshafen komplettiert

The first satellite of the magnetosphere investigation project Cluster-II has been completed by Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH (DSS), a corporate unit of the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace group (Dasa, Munich). The four Cluster satellites, built on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) are to explore the interaction between the Sun and the Earth. The company already had the industrial leadership to develop and build the first Cluster quartet, which was destroyed during the failed maiden launch of the Ariane 5 booster on June 4, 1996. In mid-2000, two Cluster satellites are to be launched every four weeks on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Baikonur/Kazakhstan. The new Cluster fleet consists of three newly built satellites and a fourth one (Phoenix) which had been revised on the basis of the available structural model.
For the first time in the history of space exploration, Cluster will simultaneously employ four identical satellites. The cylindrical probes, having a diameter of 2.9 meters, are surrounded by solar cells which supply the necessary energy of 224 watts. When the spacecraft are orbited, two approximately five-meter long booms will be deployed, at the ends of which particularly sensitive measuring devices are arranged, which otherwise, would be disturbed by the probe. Only these booms require minor alterations in comparison with the original satellites, since the payload fairing of the Soyuz rockets is smaller than that of Ariane 5. Moreover, two dipole antennas - each one hundred meters in length - will be extended from each satellite to measure electric fields.

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Boeing closes helicopter company sale to RDM
RDM übernimmt Zivilhubschrauber von Boeing

Just before the Heli-Expo show in Dallas, Boeing and MD Helicopters Holding, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of RDM Holding, Inc., have completed an agreement on an asset purchase of the MD 500, MD 600N and MD Explorer series of light commercial helicopter product lines. The sale has been approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The price was not disclosed. MD Helicopters is operating initially from existing Boeing facilities at Mesa's Falcon Field Airport. The company said it would construct new local facilities at a later date. Boeing will provide technical and engineering support under contract to MD Helicopters. RDM, an industrial company with aerospace activities, also builds submarines and other defense vehicles. It is a subcontractor to Boeing for landing gear and fuselage assemblies for Apache helicopters.

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Mir cosmonauts return
Kosmonauten kehren von der Mir-Station zurück

On February 28, two cosmonauts returned safely from the Mir space station. Their Soyuz capsule landed in northern Kazakstan. Russian Gennady Padalka, the Mir's commander for the past six months, and Slovak Ivan Bella, who had been on the Mir for just under a week, were taken directly to Star City, the cosmonaut training center outside Moscow, where they were undergoing medical tests.
Their departure leaves three men aboard who may be the Mir's last crew. On board now are Russian commander Viktor Afanasyev and Frenchman Jean-Pierre Heignere, both of whom arrived on February 22, and Sergei Avdeyev, who has been on the Mir for six months. All three are expected to remain until August. Viktor Afanasyev, French astronaut Jean-Pierre Heignere and Slovak Ivan Bella lifted off successfully from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakstan on February 20, on the 13th mission to Mir.

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SAir Group reveals 1998 annual results
Gutes Swissair-Ergebnis für 1998

The SAir Group has posted a further set of encouraging results for its latest business year. Annual results for 1998 show a 6.4-per-cent increase in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), an 11.4-per-cent gain in net profit for the year and a 26.4-per-cent rise in cash flow, meeting all the objectives set when the group was restructured three years ago. The group's four operating divisions made varying contributions to these favourable overall results. A return on invested capital of 12 per cent was one of the prime goals set by the SAIRGROUP when it created its new corporate structure in 1996. In the second business year in its new corporate guise, this overall ROIC goal was achieved, though with varying contributions from division to division. Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) stood at CHF 700 million, a 6.4-per-cent improvement on the CHF 658 million of the previous year. ROIC rose accordingly to 12.8 per cent (compared to the 11.6 per cent recorded for 1997). Net group profit for the year totalled CHF 361 million, an 11.4-per-cent improvement on the CHF 324 million prior-year result. Cash flow rose 26.4 per cent to CHF 1 536 million (against CHF 1 215 million in 1997). Total operating revenue increased 7 per cent to CHF 11 297 million (compared to CHF 10 556 million in 1997), earnings per share stood at CHF 33.80 and cash flow per share amounted to CHF 144.

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Another balloon attempt fails
Weltumrundung im Ballon erneut gescheitert

Another attempt to circle the globe in a balloon has failed on March 7, when Andy Elson and Colin Prescot hat to ditch off the Japanese coast due to bad weather. They were immediately rescued by Japan Air Self Defence Force helicopters. The two balloonists had taken off from Spain on February 17 and thus has at least set a new record for duration and distance. They were flying over the Indian subcontinent and over Vietnam to avoid Chinese airspace.
In the meantime, the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon, with Bertrand Piccard and English copilot Brian Jones is making progress after taking off on March 1 from Switzerland. It drifted over the Mediterranean and Marocco in search for a southern jetstream.

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United Technologies acquires Sundstrand
Sundstrand wird von UTC geschluckt

In a further US mega-merger, United Technologies and Sundstrand have announced that UTC has agreed to acquire Sundstrand in a 50 percent cash and 50 percent stock merger transaction valued at approximately $4.3 billion. Sundstrand will be combined with UTC's Hamilton Standard division, forming one of the world's leading suppliers of high value added airframe components and sub-systems. The merged entity will be named Hamilton Sundstrand. George David, UTC's chairman and chief executive officer stated, "This acquisition reinforces our long stated strategy of augmenting UTC's world class aerospace and commercial franchises. Hamilton Sundstrand will have expanded aftermarket opportunities, improved economies of scale, and leveraged opportunities for top line growth."
"In the context of accelerating industry consolidation, we are confident that combining with United Technologies represents an outstanding opportunity for Sundstrand," said Robert H. Jenkins. "Over the past three years our management team has taken a number of strategic initiatives that have directly resulted in our superior profit margins and consistently excellent financial performance. However, with the rapidly changing nature of our industry, we firmly believe that United Technologies is an excellent strategic fit for Sundstrand as we will benefit from its lean manufacturing, quality, shared services, and purchasing programs and we have a highly similar culture and operating philosophy. In turn, Sundstrand will contribute its extensive customer support network, low cost systems integration expertise, and experienced management team to Hamilton Standard."

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Orbital Ships first X-34 to NASA
Erste X-34 an die NASA ausgeliefert

On February 22, Orbital Sciences has shipped the first X-34 vehicle from its assembly and integration facility in Dulles, Virginia to the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in California. Orbital is currently building two more X-34 Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology demonstrators that will be used later this year for the first approach and landing tests and then for 26 additional unpowered and powered flights for which NASA has contracted with Orbital. The total value of Orbital's X-34 contract with NASA now stands at approximately $85 million. At Dryden, the X-34 will be subjected to a series of ground and in-flight tests using Orbital's L-1011 carrier aircraft. A team of 15 Orbital engineers and technicians will operate and maintain the spaceplane during these tests. An objective of the X-34 program is to demonstrate that a reusable launch vehicle can be economically flown using a small ground support team.

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ICAO adopts new emissions and noise standards
Neue ICAO-Regeln für Abgase und Lärm

More stringent limits on aircraft engine exhaust emissions were adopted by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), based on a recommendation of its Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). The new limits relate to oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Emissions of NOx from aircraft engines have a direct impact on air quality, particularly in the vicinity of airports, and they contribute to the production of ozone, which is a greenhouse gas. ICAO engine emission standards were first established in 1980 in Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. In 1993, the original limits for NOx were reduced by 20 per cent, on an earlier recommendation by CAEP. The new limits represent a further reduction by an average of about 16 per cent and will be applicable to new engine designs after 2003. The Council also approved a CAEP recommendation for new noise limits for single engine, light propeller-driven aeroplanes that are lower than those in Annex 16, in order to ensure that the latest noise technology is used.
Concerning future developments expected on emissions, ICAO's initiatives are consistent with the December 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which recognized ICAO as the global instrument for developed countries to pursue the limitation or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

The total value of aircraft and related goods and services provided by Japan's aircraft industry in 1998 came to 977.3 billion yen, according to figures released by the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies. This represents a year-on-year gain of 4 percent and a new record high. Goods and services for the Defense Agency came to 534.2 billion yen, down 9 per cent or 54.3 billion yen from 1997. The decline was largely due to a 55-billion-yen drop in the value of parts provided. But exports grew 38 per cent to 347 billion yen, thanks to passenger-jet-related business with Boeing and others.
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LOT Polish Airlines and British Airways have entered into a code sharing agreement. LOT is apparently keen to join the Oneworld air alliance and its application for membership is currently under consideration by Oneworld partners. As part of the LOT/BA bilateral agreement flights between Poland and Britain will be increased by two to a total of 48 flights per week. Code sharing exists on three routes, between Gdansk and London-Gatwick, Krakow and Gatwick and Warsaw and Manchester. Code sharing will now also be offered on the London-Heathrow to Warsaw route.
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Cubic Defense Systems has delivered the first 10 units of its first production order of the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) to the Naval Air Systems Command. Ron Harris, GPWS program manager, said this is a delivery from a production order that calls for the company to deliver 36 units as part of a $1.47 million contract to produce GPWS units for the Navy's H-53 and H-56 helicopters. The remaining 26 units will be delivered within the next two months. Harris said that there is a negotiated option for Cubic Defense Systems to produce an additional 90 units, and potential follow-on orders for 400 additional units.
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Boeing successfully launched the three-ton Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) for the U.S. Air Force from Vandenberg AFB on February 23 at 2:29 a.m. PST. The same Delta II rocket carried two additional NASA-sponsored satellites -- the Orsted satellite for Denmark and the SUNSAT micro-satellite for South Africa. They represent the first payloads Boeing has launched for each country. "This landmark launch carried three distinct payloads for three continents," said Will Hampton, Boeing director of U.S. Air Force Delta Programs. "We are honored to be working with NASA, the U.S. Air Force and the countries of Denmark and South Africa on this important scientific launch," Hampton said. ARGOS will spend three years in space collecting valuable data on the Earth's global environment performing technology demonstrations for top- priority military space programs. The Orsted satellite is being delivered to a near sun-synchronous orbit, carrying a space payload that will be used to study the generation of Earth's magnetic and electrical fields. The SUNSAT micro-satellite will provide remote sensing and amateur radio communication. Built by the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, one of its primary missions includes the training of graduate students.
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The AOPA Air Safety Foundation said that preliminary statistics announced March 2 by the National Transportation Safety Board show that 1998 was the safest year yet for General Aviation in the United States. The estimated fatal accident rate of 1.35 accidents per 100,000 hours represents a 3.6% improvement from the revised 1997 rate of 1.40. There were 361 fatal General Aviation accidents during 26.8 million flight hours and an estimated 35 million non-airline, non-military flights for business, commercial, government, personal and training purposes in 1998. General Aviation's estimated total accident rate was also at a historic low -- 7.12 per 100,000 flight hours, a 2.3 per cent improvement from the previous year. Most areas of General Aviation flying showed improvement. Business flying accidents declined 8.2 per cent. The number of instructional flying accidents dropped 3 per cent. However, personal flying accidents increased 9.8 per cent to 1,234 in 1998. The number of mid-air collisions remained steady at 15, with 12 involving fatalities. The total number of accidents (1,907 versus 1,858 in 1997) and the number of fatal accidents (361 versus 356 in 1997) increased slightly in 1998. Because there was more flying activity, however, more meaningful accident rate comparisons showed improvement.
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Bombardier Aerospace delivered a record number of aircraft in its latest fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, while new orders continued to pour in at an unprecedented pace. Bombardier, the world's third-largest civil aircraft manufacturer, delivered a total 227 aircraft during the 1998-99 fiscal year, compared with 178 for the same period the previous year -- a sharp increase of 28 per cent. Deliveries of business aircraft were especially buoyant, rising to 113 from 89 the previous year. These included 10 ultra long-range Global Express business jets, 39 Challenger 604 aircraft, 30 Learjet 60 midsize jets, 13 all-new Learjet 45 and 21 Learjet 31A aircraft. Bombardier also delivered 102 commercial aircraft during the year, up from 88 aircraft in 1998-99. Included in the 102 airliners were 72 Canadair Regional Jet 50-passenger aircraft and 30 Dash 8 Q turboprop commuter planes. In addition, 12 Canadair 415 amphibious aircraft were delivered. Due to the success of its product line, Bombardier Aerospace received a record 248 firm orders for its various regional aircraft during fiscal 1998-99, up significantly from 151 orders the previous year. Of these, 223 were for the popular Canadair Regional Jet Series 100, 200 and 700. As at January 31, 1999, the firm order backlog for Canadair Regional Jet and Dash 8 Q regional aircraft stood at 323, up from 194 at the same time a year earlier.
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The Raytheon-built AGM-154A Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) was used in combat for the first time January 24, the company has reported. A U.S. Navy F/A-18 on routine "no-fly" zone patrol over the skies of Iraq launched the JSOW at an Iraqi air defense site, effectively taking it out of operation. No other operational details were disclosed. "Reports from the fleet indicate JSOW performed flawlessly," said C. Dale Reis, a Raytheon senior vice president and general manager of the Raytheon Systems Company's Defense Systems Segment, Tucson, Ariz. JSOW is an unpowered glide weapon designed to provide tactical strike aircraft and bombers with the ability to attack hostile targets from safe standoff distances, which provides for much improved aircraft survivability.
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On February 24, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Polish airline LOT announced the purchase contract of 12 ERJ-145 50-seat regional jets, of which six are firm orders and six options. Embraer won the order over its rival Bombardier. The contract is valued at approximately US$ 200 million and first delivery is scheduled for July 1999. According to Maurício Botelho, Embraer's President and CEO, "This represents a milestone for the company since it is the first time that Embraer has secured a contract for its 50-seat regional jet in one of the Eastern European countries. Far more than being the seventh European operator of the ERJ-145, this purchase contract provides Embraer with a solid foothold into a promising market." The sales order book of the ERJ-145 currently stands at 239 firm orders and 215 options from 16 customers in 10 countries.
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Raytheon Company has anounced that the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) has accepted two F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU) unit level trainers, the first such simulators to be used by a European air force. Both Raytheon-built simulators are being used for transition and continuation training of F-16 fighter pilots. The two high-fidelity F-16 trainers supplied by Raytheon are enabling RDAF pilots to hone their skills in normal, emergency and instrument procedures; electronic jamming and countermeasures; and all elements of air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. "The two F-16 unit level trainers delivered will satisfy Danish F-16 MLU pilot training requirements in all areas of the operational envelope, including conversion, basic tactics and more advanced tactics," said Henning Kibenich, the RDAF's F-16 MLU procurement engineer. "This capability is enhanced even further due to the simulators being networked via a local area network that follows distributed interactive simulation protocol."
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On February 28, the SA316B 'Alouette 3' was celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first flight at Marignane, at the Sud-Aviation plant now known as Eurocopter. Boasting a wide cabin with 7 seats, the Alouette 3 was to reign supreme and unrivaled in its own market niche. Its novelty resided in the use of a Turbomeca Artouste 3 gas turbine that was greatly derated, i.e. that was utilized well below its nominal rated power of 880hp. Intended for high-altitude flight, it retained its full performance up to an altitude of 5000 meters and soon came to be called the 'St.Bernard of the air'. Its cabin was ideally suited to rescue and flying-ambulance operations. Later, under the designation SA319B, it was equipped with the Astazou 3, a less fuel-thirsty engine of identical power. The Alouette 3, production of which ended at Marignane in 1979, was to have 1437 units built, to which must be added nearly 500 built under licence in India and Romania.
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The German border guard (Bundesgrenzschutz) will formally take delivery of its first Eurocopter EC 155 light transport helicopers on March 16 at its Hangelar base near Bonn.
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German avionics company aerodata has sold its AeroNav navigation and mission-management system as a standard fit for the Eurocopter EC 155. The German border guard will be the first user, fitting the system to its 13 helicopters.
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NETMA, the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency, has recently made three new senior level appointments. General Chief Inspector Carmine Cianci has been appointed General Manager, while John Harford joins the agency as Director Commercial for the UK MoD. Brigadier Yago Fernandez de Bobadilla y Bufala takes up the appointment of Director Operations and engineering. He comes from the Spanish Air Force.
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A ceremony marking the delivery of the first Phantom aircraft, which was upgraded at Israel Aircraft Industries for the Turkish Air Force, was held at the Company's facilities in Lod on March 1. Moshe Keret, President of IAI said, " I am proud of the fact that the Turkish Government chose Israel Aircraft Industries to implement the F-4 Phantom and the F-5 upgrade programs for the Turkish Air Force. "I was amazed by the capabilities embodied by the integration of new, modern avionics systems within the old body of the Phantom aircraft," said test pilot Adi Benaya, at the end of the maiden flight of the Turkish Air Force's Phantom, which underwent an upgrade at Israel Aircraft Industries. The supersonic test flight, which took place on February 11, 1999, lasted 55 minutes. The first Turkish Air Force's Phantom aircraft arrived at Israel Aircraft Industries about two years ago. Structural repairs and reinforcement, replacement of all the electrical wiring, and installation of an improved avionics system, were among the work executed on the first aircraft. The value of the entire deal is $632 million. Israel Aircraft Industries will transfer a total of $160 million for work implemented by Israeli subcontractors.
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Eurocopter, Thomson Training & Simulation and COFRAS, a subsidiary of the Défense Conseil International group specialising in training and consultancy for militry operators, ate to set up a helicopter simulations facility. Subject to approval by teh European authorities, this facility, which is due to open in 2001, will be located in proximity to the Eurocopter plant at Marignane. It will be used initially to train pilots flying Super Puma/cougar Mk.1 and Mk.2, Dauphin family and EC 155 type helicopters. Tis facility, the biggest and most advanced in Europe, will be capable of accommodating around 1000 pilots a year who will log approximately 10000 simulation hours.
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The Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) team recently demonstrated operation of its STOVL propulsion system through modes representing vertical takeoff, to conventional, to vertical landing flight during testing at Pratt & Whitney facilities in West Palm Beach, Fla. A JSF119-611 developmental engine, designated FX662, accomplished two successful STOVL conversions on the evening of February 1 during operation coupled with a shaft-driven lift fan provided by Rolls-Royce. The conversions demonstrated operation of the propulsion system during the X-35's transition from conventional wing-borne operation to jet-borne (STOVL) flight. This is believed to be the first time a jet engine of such size has driven a clutch for STOVL operation in the history of aerospace propulsion.
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Coalition forces enforcing the southern no-fly zone continued to respond to threats by Iraki anti-aircraft assents. More than 40 targets have been attacked, according to the latest U.S. Central Command statement. Recent incidents included British Royal Air Force GR-1 Tornado aircraft, which struck an Iraqi military radar site at about 8:15 a.m. EST March 4 about 15 miles south of Al Basrah near Ash Shuaybah. The US and British forces recently got "greater flexibility to attack those systems which place them in jeopardy," the US secretary of defense said. William S. Cohen's remarks at the Pentagon in early March came just hours after Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped more than 30 2,000-pound and 500-pound laser-guided bombs on Iraqi communications, radio relay and anti-aircraft artillery sites.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is conducting a wind tunnel test of a full-scale replica of the historic 1903 Wright Flyer this month to learn more about its stability, control and handling characteristics. During the two-week test, which began March 1 and runs through the 14th, project engineers will study the replica's stability, control and handling at speeds up to 30 mph. Tests are being conducted here at NASA's Ames Research Center in the world's largest wind tunnel. Test results will be used to compile a historically accurate aerodynamic database of the Wright Flyer.
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A contract for delivery of 12 new L-39C jet trainers was signed by Aero vodochody in Sanaa. The Yemen air forces will become the 30th customer for the jet trainer. The contract incudes spares parts, logistics and training.
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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), flag carrier for The Netherlands, took delivery of its first Boeing 737-800 and ordered nine more airplanes. The newly delivered airplane is the first of 17 Next-Generation 737s KLM has ordered to expand its European network. KLM named its new 737-800 "Swan," after the carrier's new logo. The order is for five 737-800s and four 747-400s. In addition, KLM announced plans to lease a 767-300ER (Extended Range) from International Lease Finance Corporation.
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On February 24, the first AirTran Airways 717-200 made its initial flight today from the Long Beach Municipal Airport, and it will now join the Boeing 717 flight test and certification program. Painted in the distinctive AirTran colors and with a complete airline interior, the 717 lifted off the runway at 2:54 p.m. (PST) and returned one hour later. At the controls were Capts. Pat O'Donnell and Randy Wyatt, with flight conductor Linda Chism and engineers Mark Mehren and Bob Williams. AirTran has ordered 50 of the 100-seat twinjets and holds options for 50 more. The airline is scheduled to receive its first 717 at the end of this summer and seven others by the end of the year. AirTran will receive 12 airplanes in 2000, 12 in 2001 and 18 in 2002.
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The first group of AH-64A Apache maintainers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has completed its training on the AH-64D Apache. Seven maintainers completed their hands-on training program this month at The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz., home of the AH-64D Apache. The maintainers began their classes in mid-January. Six AH-64A pilots from The Netherlands began training Jan. 25 and will complete training in March. These are the first international pilots and maintainers to be trained on the next-generation AH-64D. They are from the RNLAF's 302 Squadron.
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On February 22, 1999, the first Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) takes off from Boeing Field on its initial flight with winglets. Although this is the first BBJ to be flown with winglets, Boeing used a 737-800 as a testbed for BBJ winglets last summer. Once the winglets are certified, they will be offered as a post-delivery installation feature on all BBJs. The winglets are being tested as a possible range-performance enhancement for the BBJ.
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Iberworld, a subsidiary of major Spanish tourist operator Grupo Viajes Iberia, became a new Airbus Industrie customer when the Palma de Malloroa-based charter carrier, signed a contract for two A320s plus two options. Iberworld, which already operates a fleet of four leased A320s on holiday routes to the Balearic and Canary Islands, from Northern and Central Europe, will start taking delivery of the two new, directly purchased single-aisle aircraft at the end of 2001.
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Montreal-based Air Transat has launched the first phase of its fleet renewal program with the delivery of the first two A330-200s from Airbus Industrie. Both aircraft are being leased from ILFC and the second is to be delivered this spring. It is also the 15th A330 to be delivered to ILFC, out of a total commitment for 45 A330 aircraft by the Los Angeles-based lessor. Air Transat is the sixth carrier to operate the A330-200, of which 14 have been delivered to date.
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Sabena Belgian World Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus Industrie single-aisle aircraft. The aircraft, an A321, was delivered from the Airbus Industrie delivery center in Hamburg-Finkenwerder, Germany. The Brussels-based carrier has 26 A319s, five A320s and three A321s on firm order, totaling 34 Airbus Industrie single-aisle aircraft -- the biggest aircraft order in Sabena's history. The A320 Family aircraft for Sabena will be powered by CFM56 engines from CFM International. The Sabena single-aisle aircraft from Airbus Industrie are fitted with convertible seats, allowing flexible cabin layouts -- permitting the number of seats in Business and Economy Class to be adjusted depending on demand. The Belgian airline can cover the market segment of 132 to 188 seats with the A319s, A320s and A321s in a single-class layout.
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Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket successfully launched the Wide-Field Infrared Explorer satellite (WIRE) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in a mission that was carried out Thursday evening, March 4, from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. The WIRE mission was the first launch of the Pegasus rocket in 1999 following two consecutive years of flawless performance, during which time the Pegasus rocket has had 11 consecutive successful missions. The WIRE mission also represented the 26th launch in the innovative air-launched rocket program's history, a depth of experience far greater than any other small launch vehicle. On Thursday, the WIRE mission originated from VAFB, when the company's "Stargazer" L-1011 carrier aircraft took off at approximately 5:55 p.m. (PST). The aircraft flew about 100 nautical miles off the California coast at an altitude of 39,000 feet to a predetermined launch point over the Pacific Ocean. After being released from its carrier aircraft at 6:57 p.m. (PST), the Pegasus rocket ignited its first stage motor after a planned five-second free fall. Following an approximate 9-minute flight, Pegasus accurately delivered the 561-pound (254-kilogram) WIRE satellite into its targeted polar orbit approximately 340 miles (540 kilometers) above the Earth, inclined at 97.5 degrees to the equator. Preliminary information indicates that the main operating systems of the satellite are performing as expected.
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SR Technics (Swissair) recently selected an Aerospatiale test solution based on the new generation ATEC Series 6 to maintain its A330 fleet's avionics. The Swiss company, which already uses an ATEC 5000 for its A310 avionics maintenance, renewed its confidence in Aerospatiale's test solutions. The installation of the ATEC Series 6 in Zürich is planned for March 1999. This new sale reinforces the world-wide leadership of Aerospatiale's new generation Automatic Test Equipment in the airline avionics test market with 29 ATEC Series 6 sold to date since its entry on the market in 1993.
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In a surprise verdict, Capt. Richard Ashby, who had hit a ski lift cable in Italy last February, kiling 20 people in a gondola, has been acquitte of all charges that he flew recklessly. The decision by a US Marine Cops military court has provoked outrage in Italy. According to the defense, the map provided to the plane was not showing the ski lift and that the radar altimeter was not working properly so that Ashby misjudged its height in a low altitude trainding mission through valleys.
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Dasa has begun the assembly of Eurofighter mid-fuselage sections at its Augsburg plant. Highly complex milled bulckheads were mated to the composite air inlets.
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Dasa has signed a "strategic alliance" with Hellenic Aerospace Industreis. First projects are concerning support services and employee training, but deeper relations, especially in the context of a Eurofighter buy by Greece could evolve,
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According to the German statistics office, there were 62,5 million passengers at German airports in 1998, a 5,2 per cent rise over the previous year. The best growth rates were on flights within the EU (plus seven per cent), while travel to Africa and Australia/Oceania was in decline. Air freigt also dipped 3,9 per cent to 1,9 million tonnes.
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Berliner Spezialflug has been merged with Piper Generalvertretung Deutschland AG in Calden near Kassel. This was necessary after cumulative losses of six million DM in the last seven years.
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Vienna aiport has reported record results fo 1998, with a turnover of 619,3 million DM and a profit of 101 million DM. There were 10,6 million passengers, arise of 9,3 per cent.
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