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UPDATE 
Week ending March 21, 1999
+++ Breitling balloon completes world tour +++ Three European companies present their concepts for future launchers +++ Westland and Agusta merger signed +++ Austrian Airlines improves 1998 result +++ Düsseldorf International laid foundation stone of "Airport 2000 plus" +++ AFCENT welcomes new NATO members +++ Lunar Prospector data support idea that collision split Earth and Moon +++ News in brief +++

Breitling balloon completes world tour
Erste Weltumrundung im Ballon geschafft

Saturday, March 20, at 10.54 am German time, the Breitling Orbiter 3 has crossed the 9th longitude west and thus completed the first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe by hot air balloon. Pilots Brian Jones of Britain and Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland could hardly believe their luck after a yourney of 19 days, 1 hour and 49 minutes. They had covered over 42000 kilometres, after speeding accross the Atlantic at 160 km/h at an altitude of around 10000 metres. Much of the credit goes to the ground crew, which was able to put the balloon into the necessary jetstreams to make headway. After completing their goal, the two pilots continued the flight towards a touchdown in Egypt. It was not possible to come close to the pyramids, but the touchdown was rather sothwest in the desert at 7:00 am on Sunday morning. This flight is one of the greatest achievements ever in aviation.

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Three European companies present their concepts for future launchers
Drei europäische Firmen präsentieren Konzepte für neue Trägersysteme

At the occasion of the International Symposium of Atmospheric Reentry Vehicles and Systems in Arcachon, France, three European aerospace companies have presented their own concepts for the development of experimental vehicles to evaluate the technological feasibility for future launch vehicles. Germany's Dasa announced a DM50 million investment into an European Experimental Test Vehicle EXTV as a pathfinder for a reusable launch vehicle. The French aicraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation presented the VEHRA concept (Vehicule Experimental Hypersonique Réutilisable Aéroporté) which would be air-launched on the back of the Airbus Zero-g A300 airliner. Dassault estimates a financial requirement for approximately Euro 300 million to realize this project, including the necessary modifications of the Zero-g aircraft. Aérospatiale, France, announced details about a stepwise approach via a small 7-meter length experimental spaceplane, designated ARES, to the full scale THEMIS atmospheric reentry demonstrator. THEMIS would have a dry mass of 22 tons, a length of approximately 27 meters and a wingspan of 14 meters.

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Westland and Agusta merger signed
Fusion von Agusta und Westland bestätigt

Nearly a year after first announcing their intention to form a joint venture and starting exclusive negotiations, GKN of the UK and Finmeccanica of Italy have signed a so called Heads of Agreement on the formation of a 50:50 company which brings together their respective helicopter activities - GKN Westland Helicopters and Agusta. GKN and Finmeccanica are now commencing detailed due diligence with a view to entering into definitive agreements as soon as practicable. Completion of the transaction will be subject to certain regulatory approvals.
The board of the joint venture will be composed of an equal number of GKN and Finmeccanica representatives. David Wright, an Executive Director of GKN and Managing Director of its Aerospace portfolio, will be the first Chairman. Amedeo Caporaletti, currently President and Chief Executive of Agusta, will be the first Chief Executive. Richard Case, currently Chief Executive of GKN Westland Helicopters, will be the first Managing Director.
It is intended that the joint venture will encompass: GKN Westland Helicopters, the transmissions business of GKN Westland Aerospace and GKN's 50% interest in Aviation Training International Limited, the joint venture with Boeing of the US to provide training support to the British Army's Apache fleet. The Agusta helicopter business, including its transmissions and structures businesses, Agusta's share of the joint venture for the NH90 programme and Agusta's share of the joint venture with Bell Helicopter Textron of the US, which includes the BA609 tilt rotor aircraft. The GKN and Finmeccanica assets will be contributed on a broadly debt and cash free basis.

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Austrian Airlines improves 1998 result
Jahresergebnis 1998 von Austrian steigt um 150 Prozent

Austrian Airlines AG increased its 1998 result from ordinary business activities (EGT) to a preliminary 884 million Shilling (Euro 64.2 million), up from ATS 354 (Euro 25.7) million in the previous year. This represents an increase of 150 percent or 530 million Shilling (Euro 38.5 million). The operating revenue increased by almost ATS 2 billion (E 145.3 million) to a preliminary ATS 16.7 (E 1.2) billion, an increase of 13,3 percent. As reported the preliminary operating result was over the half billion Schilling threshold for the first time in the company's history. Cash Flow increased by approximately 46 percent to ATS 2.46 billion (E 179 million). Net-Investments reached ATS 4.35 billion (E 316 million). In 1998, Austrian Airlines Group had an average 5464 employees.

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Düsseldorf International laid foundation stone of "Airport 2000 plus"
Düsseldorf International legteGrundstein für den "Airport 2000 plus"

By laying the foundation stone of "Airport 2000 plus" on March 17th, Düsseldorf International started the biggest investment project in the company's history ever for 70 years, as an airport spokesman said. Among German airports, Düsseldorf International ranks number three, but by optimizing terminal capacity as well as security, functionality and service quality the company wants to get on top of the list as one the most modern European airports, explained Hans-Joachim Peters, Düsseldorf International's General Manager. With a total amount of approximately 665 millions DM, daily construction costs will run at one million DM until summer 2001. By the middle of 2001 the construction of the main terminals A and B, also gate B and one station of the cabin train that connects the airport railway station with the terminal is expected to be finished. The passenger capacity will rise from today's 15 million to 22 million per year, it is claimed.

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AFCENT welcomes new NATO members
Neue NATO-Staaten von AFCENT-Kommandeur begrüßt

Allied Air Forces Central Europe welcomed the newest members of the alliance by sending representatives to the events in Poland and the Czech Republic. AIRCENT Commander Gen. John P. Jumper, accompanied by an entourage of about 20 NATO military officials, traveled aboard a C-9 Nightingale to attend the ceremonies. The general, who also commands U.S. Air Forces in Europe from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, presented the NATO flag to military leaders from both countries -- a symbolic gesture welcoming the former adversaries into the alliance. As part of AIRCENT, both countries are now tied to NATO's central region European air defenses. Italian Maj. Gen. Angelo Arena, deputy commander of Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, Naples, Italy, attended a similar ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, the same day. Arena presented the NATO flag to Gen. Ferenc Vegh, commander of the Hungarian defense forces. The Hungarian forces are now integrated with NATO air defenses in the southern region.
"It's the NATO exercises that will provide full integration. Vigorous exercises will be scheduled so that all allied nations can participate and integration will come with time," Jumper declatred. NATO officially admitted Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic into the alliance during a signing ceremony March 12.

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Lunar Prospector data support idea that collision split Earth and Moon
Mond könnte durch Kollision der Erde mit Himmelskörper entstanden sein

Analysis of data from NASA's Lunar Prospector spacecraft has confirmed that the Moon has a small core, supporting the theory that the bulk of the Moon was ripped away from the early Earth when an object the size of Mars collided with the Earth. Scientists presented this result and other findings today in a series of papers at the 30th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, TX. Their data show that the lunar core contains less than four percent of the Moon's total mass, with the probable value being two percent or slightly less. This is very small when compared with the Earth, whose iron core contains approximately 30 percent of the planet's mass. Similarities in the mineral composition of the Earth and the Moon indicate that they share a common origin. However, if they had simply formed from the same cloud of rocks and dust, the Moon would have a core similar in proportion to the Earth's. A third theory suggests that the moon was captured fully intact by the Earth's gravity. Based on information first gathered during the Apollo era, scientists suggested that the Moon was formed when a Mars-sized body hit the Earth during its earliest history. Lunar Prospector conducted its primary mapping mission at an altitude of 63 miles (100 kilometers) for almost one year after its arrival in lunar orbit on Jan. 11, 1998. In December and January, the spacecraft's altitude was lowered to approximately 15 miles by 23 miles (24 kilometers by 37 kilometers). Analyses of data from the lower-altitude observations are expected to further improve scientific understanding of the origin, evolution and physical resources of the Moon.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

At the beginning of May a new charter carrier will start its operations in Germany: Transaer Cologne, the daughter of the Irish airline Transaer founded in 1991 by P.J. McGoldrick. Homebase of Transaer Cologne will be CGN, as announced. General managers of the company are Mal Corrigan (35) and Alexander Schmitz (39). As the airline reported the main interest of Transaer Cologne is to guarantee a proper service to the customers. Moreover, low air fares and attractive destinations should convince vacationers to fly with Transaer Cologne.
+++
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has completed its second round of sea trials three days ahead of schedule. Both of the F models, or two-seat versions of the aircraft, ferried from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman off the coast of Florida to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., March 14. Sea trials began March 3 as Lt. Cdr. Mike Wallace landed aboard the nation's newest aircraft carrier in the Navy's newest strike fighter. Wallace is one of three test pilots, two weapon system officers and two landing safety officers who were involved in testing all aspects of the Super Hornet's carrier suitability. During sea trials the Super Hornets were put through a series of rigorous carrier suitability tests that pushed the aircraft to limits far beyond those expected during normal operations. Tests conducted aboard the Truman include asymmetric weapons carriage, stores separation, single-engine landings, crosswind takeoffs and landings, and automatic carrier landing system approaches.
+++
On March 12, the U.S. Navy announced that Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems has been selected for the P-3 Orion Service Life Assessment Program (SLAP) Phase II and III. This contract involves full-scale fatigue testing of a P-3C, and teardown and analysis of the airframe after the test. This contract is a continuation of the Phase I contract for the P-3C SLAP. The results of phase I will be used to establish new benchmarks for the full-scale fatigue test of the Orion. A key member of the Lockheed Martin team is Northrop Grumman Commercial Aircraft Division, Dallas, Texas.
+++
The FAG Aircraft/Superprecision Bearings company is one of the development partners and suppliers for Sikorsky's new S-92 Helibus helicopter. According to FAG, it has developed a special bearing for the rotor-head of the 19-seat helicopter. The new Cronidur 30 steel was used, as it features high fatigue and corrosion tolerance. The two part bearing has a diameter of 75 centimeters.
+++
Jersey European Airways has confirmed it is to acquire 15 new aircraft from Bombardier Aerospace to enhance its network of regional service's across the UK and reinforce its developing partnership with Air France. Comprising of both jet and turboprop aircraft, the new $250 million contract provides phased replacement for jersey European's existing turboprop aircraft. Four of the new aircraft will be CRJ Series 200 50-seat jets, which continue to offer the low noise characteristics of the airline's existing fleet of BAe 146. In addition, Jersey European will be the UK launch customer for Bombardier's latest generation of large turboprops, the new 78-seat Dash 8-Q400 Series. A total of four Dash 8-Q400s will be added to the airline's fleet together with three 37-seat Dash 8-Q200s and four new 50-seat Dash 8-300s.
+++
A Rolls-Royce RB211 aero engine has set a new world reliability record of 35,000 hours and been given a clean "health check" to keep on flying. The record-breaking engine, which had earlier set a world best of 31000 hours without removal in May 1998, has completed over 9,600 take-off and landing cycles on routes linking Iceland with northern Europe and the United States. Rolls-Royce RB211 Project Director Mike Goulette said: "The -535E4 continues to prove its credentials as the world's most durable engine. This is a tremendous achievement and one in which Icelandair's fleet management has played a major part."
+++
The European Commission has confirmed that the proposed merger of France's Aerospatiale and Lagardere's Matra had been officially notified for regulatory approval in the European Union. The filing was made on March 11, triggering a routine one-month probe. The Commission may, however, extend the deadline by a further two weeks if it has concerns about reduced competition and the companies are ready to address them.
+++
The UK Government has set up a new Aerospace Committee made up of senior industry representatives. It will advise Ministers on issues of strategic importance to the industry, including competitiveness and restructurring. The new committee will be chaired by Colin Green, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Aerospace Group. Industry Minister John Battle said: "I am pleased to announce the formation of the new Aerospace Committee. It will bring together representatives from prime manufacturers and small suppliers with Government to discuss important issues of concern to industry.
+++
Fairchild Aerospace Corporation has announced the appointment of Robert Stangarone as vice president, corporate affairs. He will be responsible for media relations, financial and strategic communications and a range of issues involving internal and external corporate affairs.
+++
Swissair has confirmed its interest in acquiring a stake in Thai Airways International. The Thai government plans to sell at least 23 percent of Thai Airways some time this year. Thailand said on Monday that at least three big suitors -- Lufthansa, Qantas and Singapore Airlines -- had expressed interest in buying into Thai Airways.
+++
The 37th Airlift Squadron, operating at Ramstein AB with C-130 Hercules was participating in exercise Operation Lion Drop VII, a tactical mass exercise at at Grafenwoehr. In total 376 paratroopers and three 105 mm howitzers were delivered. The March 15 exercise tested the squadron's ability to airdrop troops and heavy equipment, and to conduct an aeromedical evacuation, working with 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron members, from a simulated combat environment. Aircrew evasion and escape and evacuation procedures were also tested on the ground at Grafenwoehr.
+++
Operation Northern Watch aircraft have struck in self-defense for two straight days, after being detected by Iraqi radar sites. The latest series of incidents occurred between about 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. Iraqi time March 15 when coalition aircraft detected Iraqi radar posing a threat to them. Responding in self-defense, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on several antiaircraft artillery sites northwest of Mosul. Almost 24 hours earlier, between 12:45 p.m. and 1:20 p.m. Iraqi time March 14, Northern Watch aircrews observed Iraqi antiaircraft artillery fire and detected Iraqi radar posing a threat to coalition aircraft. Responding in self-defense, Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12s on several antiaircraft artillery sites northwest and west of Mosul. Previously, US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles have dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and a Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler fired a high-speed antiradiation missile on several Iraqi antiaircraft artillery sites north and northwest of Mosul on March 12
+++
European Space Agency astronauts Claude Nicollier and Jean-Francois Clervoy will be part of a team of experienced astronauts that will be launched on the Space Shuttle in October of this year on an earlier than planned mission to service the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. Although Hubble is operating normally and continuing to conduct its scientific observations, its pointing system has begun to fail. Nicollier and three NASA astronauts, who had already been training for a Hubble servicing mission planned for June 2000, have been reassigned to this earlier mission (STS-103). Jean-Francois Clervoy and two other NASA astronauts will complete the STS-103 crew. The repairs and maintenance of the telescope will require many hours spent working outside the Shuttle and will make extensive use of the Shuttle's robotic arm.
+++
Patt & Whitney's most powerful engine, the 112-inch fan PW4000, has now achieved its first million hours of service on the Boeing 777, more flight time than its two competitors combined. The engine ranges in thrust from 74,000 pounds to 98,000 pounds with growth capability to over 100,000 pounds. It was the launch engine for the 777 in 1995 and the first commercial aircraft engine to achieve 180-minute Extended Twin Operations (ETOPS) certification from its first day of service. It is the only engine used on the 777 that has maintained full, uninterrupted ETOPS rating.
+++

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

*March 14, 1999 *March 7, 1999

*February 21, 1999 *February 14, 1999 *February 7, 1999

*January 31, 1999 *January 24, 1999 *January 17, 1999 *January 10, 1999

*December 20, 1998 *December 13, 1998 *December 6, 1998

*November 29, 1998 *November 22, 1998 *November 15, 1998 *November 8, 1998 *November 1, 1998

*October 25, 1998 *October 18, 1998

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

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Last updated March 21, 1999
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