Flight International articles from August 2004

Flight International archives from August 2004

Varig and TAM go different ways.(merge)
August 1, 2004... Merger now seems to be the last thing on the agenda at Brazil's two biggest airlines. Apart from their domestic codeshare, TAM and Varig seem intent on planning separate futures. It is hard to reconcile this with statements six months ago,...

In brief.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... TSA allows private screeners The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow airports to seek permission to use private, non-federal passenger screeners. Mandated by Congress, the "opt-out" would take effect in spring or...

In brief.
August 1, 2004... Sol Air changes its name Sol Air has become AeroHonduras as part of a strategic realignment with its new 40% owner, Venezuela's Aeropostal. AeroHonduras is expanding its Central American network to feed Miami traffic through Honduras....

Worldspan puts off public offering.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Worldspan has postponed a $677 million initial public offering (IPO) of its common stock, citing market conditions. The global distribution system (GDS) company says it will "continue to evaluate market conditions and may proceed with a public...

AirBlue starts services in Pakistan.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... A new carrier is seeking to shake up Pakistan's domestic market with what it claims is an in-flight product superior to those of existing operators and the country's first application of electronic ticketing. AirBlue started operations in the...

Hong Kong courts new carriers.(Hong Kong International Airport)
August 1, 2004... Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is to offer steep discounts on landing charges to airlines launching services to new destinations as it prepares to face intense competition from the new airport at Guangzhou in southern China. The...

In brief.(All Nippon Airways Company Ltd. partners with Singapore Airlines Ltd.)
August 1, 2004... Star partners share codes Star Alliance carriers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have agreed to codeshare on passenger flights between Japan and Singapore. SIA will add its code to ANA's seven weekly flights between...

Pacific islands resist privatisation.(airlines)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Pacific island governments show no signs of heeding an aviation study that concludes they should stop owning their flag carriers. The Australian-funded study, due out in August, will conclude that government ownership of 20 Pacific island...

Changing planes.(Bombardier Inc.)
August 1, 2004... Proposals for a new aircraft family unveiled by Bombardier at the Farnborough airshow have helped spark the debate about the shape of things to come at the bottom end of the mainline fleet where regionals meet with low-cost and major carriers...

BAA and Ryanair lock horns over bill.(cases)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Ryanair and UK airport operator BAA are locked in a wrangle over airport charging at London Stansted airport that has seen the two file law suits against each other. Ryanair filed a suit against BAA alleging monopoly abuse of a dominant...

Alitalia secures cash bridge.(Alitalia Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The European Commission (EC) has given the go-ahead for Alitalia's state-backed bridging loan, but with conditions attached. With its cash reserves running out fast, lobbying in Brussels by Alitalia and the Italian government helped the carrier...

MyTravel axes Boeing fleet.(MyTravel Airways)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Struggling UK tour operator MyTravel Group is to axe the entire Boeing fleet of its MyTravel Airways charter arm as it seeks to emerge from its precarious financial position. The group will withdraw five Boeing 757-200s, three 767-300ERs...

In brief.
August 1, 2004... Stelios quells buy back talk EasyJet founder and 41% shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has sought to dampen speculation that he may take the company private following a drop in the carrier's share price. In an open letter, he says that "all...

In brief.(SkyEurope Airlines)(Thomas Cook)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... SkyEurope raises equity East European budget operator SkyEurope Airlines has secured e10 million ($12.2 million) in capital from institutional investors. The equity forms part of a planned e50 million capital raising programme. Condor...

In brief.(Gulf Air and Egyptair)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Middle East co-operation Gulf Air and Egyptair have agreed a strategic alliance that will see the carriers operating joint services to leading tourist destinations in Egypt and codesharing on services between Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Oman...

Bilateral problems hit SAS plans.
August 1, 2004... SAS Group's plans to increase its shareholdings in airBaltic and Estonian Air have been put on hold because of their potential effect on bilateral agreements with Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. SAS, which holds a 47.2% stake in airBaltic and...

Lessor Boullioun up for sale again.(Boullioun Aviation Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Seattle-based operating lessor Boullioun Aviation Services is being offered for sale by WestLB in what should lead to the third ownership change in six years. The German bank has been hurt by its investment in Boullioun, which saw the...

Air Canada edges to safety.(finance restructuring)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The pieces are falling in place for Air Canada to leave court-supervised restructuring by the end of September as it gains more labour concessions and a cash injection. By mid-July the last of nine unions ratified its part of a C$200...

Spain's Vueling takes off.(Vueling Airlines)
August 1, 2004... Vueling Airlines, the first operator to base itself in Barcelona, took to the air in July, with an ambitious target of profitability within six to 12 months. The carrier started operations with an Airbus A320 from Barcelona and Valencia to...

EC issues bilateral threat.(European Commission)
August 1, 2004... Repercussions of the failed EU-US aviation liberalisation talks now include legal action against some European Union (EU) states to compel them to renounce their bilateral pacts with the USA. The European Commission (EC) has decided to...

Hong Kong told to open up.
August 1, 2004... Hong Kong's government is facing increased pressure to agree a more liberal air services pact with China, as another locally based group seeks to launch passenger services to the mainland. Helicopter operator Heli Hong Kong is seeking to...

Aer Lingus privatisation moves ahead.(Aer Lingus Group PLC)
August 1, 2004... Management at Aer Lingus have signalled their interest in participating in a privatisation of the airline, putting pressure on Dublin to move the Irish flag carrier out of the state sector. The Aer Lingus management team has sought...

Kangaroo rivalry heats up.
August 1, 2004... The long-haul Kangaroo route between Australia and the UK is becoming more active, competitive and controversial, with Virgin Atlantic Airways winning approval for flights. Virgin Atlantic Airways has finally gained approval to extend its...

Southwest comes under cost scrutiny.(Southwest Airlines Co.)
August 1, 2004... Southwest Airlines avoided a highly public confrontation with labour by reaching a new flight attendant contract - but at a price that includes pay raises of 31% and the unexpected resignation of the airline's chief executive, Jim Parker. ...

India gets ready for flood of new budget operators.
August 1, 2004... Enticed by the success of India's first low-fare carrier, Air Deccan, and other new low-cost players in Asia, at least two more budget operators are being prepared for launch in India. Late in June, drinks giant UB Group was the first to...

Majors manoeuvre for more cost cuts.
August 1, 2004... As Delta Air Lines struggles to avoid going into bankruptcy, United Airlines strives to get out of it and US Airways tries to avoid a second trip into court protection. The mere fact that over one-third of US airline capacity is in such...

Europe's low-cost battle intensifies.
August 1, 2004... Competition within Europe's low-cost sector is set to increase as fast-growing carriers start to come face-to-face with each other on some routes. Europe's low-cost airlines have tended to avoid going head-to-head on city pairs so far, but...

Trusted travellers.
August 1, 2004... Biometrics are beginning to take the hassle out of travel for some frequent US travellers, but only on a limited basis for now The USA is slowly moving toward widespread use of biometrics for security, largely because Congress is pushing it...

renewal Nicholas Ionides / Singapore; ANA is first to firm up 7E7 orders; Japanese airline signs contract for 50 aircraft, with 30 units to be delivered as the short-range 7E7-3 model.(airlines)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) has become the first airline to firm up a commitment for Boeing's new 7E7 with a purchase agreement for 20 baseline 7E7-8s and 30 short-range 7E7-3s. The airline signed the contract in Seattle last week at a...

debut; Star twinjet rolls out.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The first of six Boeing 777-300ERs for All Nippon Airways was rolled out at Everett, Washington last week, painted in the Star Alliance livery. One aircraft will be delivered this year, two in 2005, two in 2006 and the last in 2007.

tender Vladimir Karnozov / Moscow; Aeroflot kicks off regional jet hunt; Russian, Ukrainian and Western manufacturers invited to bid for 50-aircraft requirement in 65- to 100-seat category.(airlines)
August 3, 2004... Aeroflot has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the acquisition of up to 50 regional jets for delivery from next year. The Russian flag carrier is seeking aircraft in the 65- to 100-seat category, and has issued the RFP to Russian,...

Expansion; Air Nostrum eyes larger aircraft.(Airlines)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Air Nostrum is in talks with franchise partner Iberia on the potential need for larger aircraft. The talks follow the signing of a contract by the Spanish regional with Bombardier for 20 firm and 20 option 50-seat CRJ200s that gives the airline...

programmes; Antonov boosts commitments for the An-148.(aircraft industry)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Antonov has boosted commitments for its 80-seat An-148 regional jet to 30, having secured deals from leasing company Ilyushin-Finance and airline Volga-Dnepr. At last month's Farnborough air show Ilyushin-Finance signed a provisional...

Launch; Saab evolves 2000 for Darwin.(service introduction)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Swiss start-up Darwin Airline launched services last week, following approval to operate the Saab 2000 on the steep approach into Lugano airport. The airline's plans to start flying between Lugano and Geneva last year, succeeding Swiss...

engines Guy Norris / Los Angeles; CFMI details insertion plan for Tech 56.(aircraft engine industry)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... CFM International has clarified details of its Tech 56 technology insertion plan for the CFM56, saying the upgrade for the Airbus and Boeing narrowbody engines will be based on redesigns of existing components using Tech 56 advances, rather...

expansion; Etihad explains A380 purchase.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Etihad Airways points to expected demand on routes from its Abu Dhabi base to London and India to justify its surprise decision to order four Airbus A380s as part of its $7 billion deal for 24 Airbus widebodies placed at the Farnborough air...

systems Justin Wastnage / London; Goodrich to launch A380F landing-gear study.
August 3, 2004... US supplier Goodrich is set to launch a development study into landing-gear requirements for the Airbus A380-800 Freighter as it starts full testing on the gear for the initial passenger variant. Goodrich is providing the main landing gear...

strategY; Gulf Air links with Egyptair.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Gulf Air is forging a wide-ranging strategic pact with Egyptair, which will include codeshare operations, joint marketing and flight scheduling. Codesharing will begin in the next few months on routes from the three Gulf Air owner states of Abu...

capacity; MyTravel axes Boeings.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Troubled UK tour operator MyTravel Group will withdraw all its Boeing aircraft from service, with the loss of up to 540 jobs, in a bid to reduce costs. The five Boeing 757-200s and three 767-300ERs account for a third of MyTravel's fleet....

production Max Kingsley-Jones / London; Regional manufacturers suffer flat start to 2004; Regional jet orders fall and deliveries level off, although turboprop sales rise.(aircraft industry)
August 3, 2004... The regional manufacturers have experienced a flat start to 2004, with deliveries during the first six months on a par with the same period last year. Overall, net orders are down, although turboprop builders have seen their share improve. ...

open skies Nicholas Ionides / Singapore; USA agrees Indonesian pact and China accord.(air services agreement )
August 3, 2004... US transportation secretary Norman Mineta rounded off a visit to Asia last week by signing an Open Skies air services agreement with Indonesia and a new accord with China. The agreement with China was signed in Beijing on 24 July by Mineta...

programmes Nicholas Ionides / Singapore; ARJ21 orderbook climbs to 41 as Xiamen signs up; Commitments come as Chinese manufacturer pushes back entry into service to 2008.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The orderbook for the ARJ21-700 regional jet has been boosted beyond 40 aircraft, as China's Xiamen Airlines becomes the fourth carrier to commit to the locally built twinjet. Meanwhile, first deliveries have slipped from 2007 to 2008. ...

Revenues guy norris / LOS angeles; GE predicts best-ever engine result.(General Electric Co. Aircraft Div.)
August 3, 2004... After almost three years of continuous declines, General Electric expects record aircraft engine revenues of $12 billion for 2004, representing a dramatic return to the strong growth before 2001. Figures released to analysts during the...

co-operation Julian Moxon / London; Alliances start to shape future of missile defence ; Global threats bring transatlantic response from European and US manufacturers.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Major European and US ballistic-missile defence suppliers are setting up collaboative ventures as part of a process that could see major transatlantic alliances formed to answer the growing global requirement for ballistic-missile defence...

people.(aircraft industy appointments, ATRNorth America)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... nFormer ATRNorth America president John Moore has been appointed senior vice-president, commercial of the regional aircraft company. Moore joined the former AI(R) joint venture between ATR and the then British Aerospace, having previously been...

Results Andrew Doyle / London; Strong half supports bullish giants; Results from Boeing and EADS back upbeat civil aerospace predictions, but space continues to cause concern.
August 3, 2004... Boeing and EADS have underpinned their bullish predictions of a civil aerospace recovery with strong financial performances in the first half of 2004, but neither can foresee any recovery in the depressed commercial space sector. EADSwarns...

Strategy Graham Warwick / washington DC; BAE's Platform promises solutions as it strides to transatlantic goal.
August 3, 2004... Formed a year ago, BAE Systems' Platform Solutions sector is making progress towards its target of becoming a truly transatlantic business. That progress is paced by the ability of military customers in the UK and USA to see clear benefits from...

Acquisition; Finmeccanica seals GKN agreement.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Finmeccanica has signed a final agreement with GKN for the acquisition of the UK company's 50% stake in AgustaWestland. The g1.56 billion ($1.89 billion) deal remains conditional, on approval by GKN's shareholders and on achieving the...

BLOCK CHARTER Kate Sarsfield / London; Cessna's card plan gets off the ground ; Scheme offering first step to fractional ownership takes off.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... CitationShares, a joint venture between Cessna and TAG Aviation, has launched its pre-paid block charter programme Vector JetCard, nine months after its unveiling at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention (Flight...

AVIONICS; EFIS approved for Citation 501.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Chelton Flight Systems' Flight Logic Synthetic Vision electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) has received supplementary type certification for the Cessna Citation 501. The EFIS is a three-screen primary flight display with integrated...

production; Eclipse signs Compass.(Eclipse Aviation)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Eclipse Aviation has signed a long-term supplier contract with Compass Aerospace for structural components and subassemblies for its Eclipse 500 very light jet. The Albuquerque, New Mexico-based manufacturer awarded the contract,...

BLOCK CHARTER Evan Sweetman / London; JetPass option added.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Raytheon's fractional business-jet ownership programme Flight Options has launched its own block charter scheme JetPass, following a profitability study. JetPass is an addition to Flight Options' membership-based programme, splitting...

humanitarian aid; Rossair expands fleet for new relief contract.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... South African non-governmental mission specialist Rossair Contracts has expanded its fleet after winning a key contract in Kenya as it continues restructuring. The Johannesburg-based company has increased its fleet by seven aircraft to...

Next week.
August 3, 2004... EADS special/Top 100 Our special supplement takes an in-depth look at EADS as it marks its fourth birthday and shifts to the next stage in its gameplan - global growth and vying for Boeing's top spot in the market. Plus: the winners and...

demonstration CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON; First ASTOR Global Express clears aircraft handling trials ; Raytheon says radar-equipped business jet on course for delivery by the middle of 2005.(UK's first Sentinel R1 Airborne Stand-off Radar)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The UK's first Sentinel R1 Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR)aircraft successfully completed an initial series of six handling-qualities test flights from Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems' Greenville site in Texas last month. The modified...

rotorcraft; USMC talks to Bellon BA609 variant.(US Marine Corps)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Following a request from the US Marine Corps, Bell Helicopteris studying an armed rotorcraft concept based on the BA609 civil tiltrotor now under development under a joint venture with AgustaWestland. The aircraft would have the speed needed to...

in brief.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... BELL DELIVERS The Pakistani army last month took delivery of nine of 26 Bell 412EPutility helicopters to be acquired under a deal worth more than $230 million. The aircraft will be used for personnel transport, medical evacuation and...

procurement BRIAN DUNN / Montreal; Canada flies into selection storm; Ottawa's maritime helicopter choice could lead to court action as losing team complains about process.(Team Cormorant)
August 3, 2004... The selection of Sikorsky's H-92 to meet Canada's Maritime Helicopter Programme (MHP) requirement has prompted a controversy that could drag the selection process through the courts. The losing Team Cormorant is considering legal action,...

development; Italy launches navy's second aircraft carrier.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The Italian navy's second aircraft carrier was launched at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso shipyard near Genoa on 20 July and will enter outfitting before undergoing service trials in 2007. To embark an air wing of 18-20 aircraft, including Boeing...

UPGRADE Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; Weapons firing problem interrupts AH-1Z tests.(Bell Aerospace Textron)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Hot rocket exhaust ingested into engines curtails exercise after power surge The US Navy has halted the final phase of weapons testing with the Bell AH-1Z Super Cobra while it studies whether to introduce a firing envelope restriction...

early warning; Pakistan set.(pakistan is planning to purchase Turboprop airplanes equipped with Erieye airborne early warning radar)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... to buy Erieye Pakistan is believed to be close to signing a deal with Swedish industry to acquire a number of Saab 2000 turboprops equipped with Ericsson Microwave Systems' Erieye airborne early warning (AEW)radar. President Pervez...

Unmanned systems; USAF seeks armed long-range UAVs.(United States Air Force)(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The US Air Force is exploring the possibility of developing an extremely long-range armed unmanned air vehicle for deployment within three years. The USAf will borrow heavily from available technology, writes Stephen Trimble. A list of...

Fighters VLADIMIR KARNOZOV / MOSCOW; India rejects single-seat Su-30MKI idea; Rival MiG-29 bid from RSK receives warmer response as New Delhi looks to acquire 125 fighters for the air force.(India Air Force)(NPK Irkut)(Sukhoi Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... India has rejected a joint proposal by Sukhoi and NPK Irkut to develop a single-seat, reduced-weight version of the Su-30MKI multirole fighter, says Sukhoi general director Mikhail Pogosyan. The concept had been offered in response to a request...

missiles Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; JASSM's future in doubt after new test failures; US Congress again attacks stand-off weapon's reliability following technical problems.(Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile)
August 3, 2004... Glitches are again threatening the future of the stealthy Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), prompting a new showdown with Congress and a renewed US Air Force focus on manufacturing improvements. USAF...

Helicopters; NH90 wins first Middle East customer as Oman signs for aircraft.(NH Industries)(Omani air force)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Europe's NH Industries has secured its first Middle Eastern customer for the NH90, with Oman last week signing a contract for 20 aircraft to be delivered in the tactical transport helicopter configuration. To be in service with the Omani...

unmanned systems Peter La Franchi / CANBERRA; Raytheon plans MALE.(Raytheon Missile Systems)(medium-altitude long-endurance)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Raytheon Missile Systems has emerged as a potential player in the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle sector, announcing plans for an expendable system to provide "more affordable persistence" than designs such as General...

surveillance GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC; TCAR closes in on major milestone.(Transatlantic Cooperative Airborne Radar)(Alliance Ground Surveillance system)(Northrop Grumman Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The task of combining European and US technology to produce a battlefield surveillance system for NATO is expected to be declared feasible by the six nations behind the Transatlantic Cooperative Airborne Radar (TCAR) programme. The imminent...

engine; Europrop finishes TP400 review.(Europrop International GmbH)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Europrop International (EPI) completed the preliminary design review of the Airbus Military A400M's TP400-D6 turboprop engine last month, clearing the way for detailed design and certification testing. First ground tests of the 11,000shp...

BACK TO; BASICS.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... "Workmanlike" was perhaps the best way to describe this year's Farnborough. Behind the flurry of order announcements, while Airbus and Boeing executives exchanged verbal salvos on large-aircraft subsidies, the talk was of the future of the show...

Straight & Level roger.bacon@flightinternational.com.
August 3, 2004... Gotcha! Ron Regional: "I wish to complain in the strongest possible terms about something we saw about us on your online service." Budgie Online: "I see. What exactly was wrong and when did we do it?" Regional: "Oh...I'm not too...

Air transport; FAA passes IAI 767 work.(Federal Aviation Administration)(Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Bedek division has received a US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification for its Boeing 767-200 passenger-to-freighter conversion. Approval follows Israeli civil aviation authority...

airventure Kate Sarsfield / Oshkosh; Light-sport wait is likely.(light-sport aircraft)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Certification and service entry of the first dedicated light-sport aircraft in the USA is not expected for about six months, despite the recent adoption of new sport pilot rules. Speaking at its annual AirVenture air show in Oshkosh,...

awards; Flight journalists honoured.
August 3, 2004... Two Flight International writers have won Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards. Guy Norris (above left) took the Royal Aeronautical Society propulsion award for "Pulse Power" (17-23 June 2003), from Keith Mans. Justin Wastnage (below left)...

Business; European engine groups grow.(Rolls-Royce PLC)(Snecma group )(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Europe's biggest engine manufacturing groups have both recorded first-half sales growth, with Rolls-Royce figures up 16% and the Snecma group recording a rise of 8.1%. Both companies released figures for the six-month period to June last week....

Air Transport Nicholas Ionides / Singapore; Thai includes A380s in fleet expansion plan.(Thai Airways International Ltd.)(Airbus S.A.S.)(Boeing Co.)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Thai Airways International is set to order six Airbus A380s and eight other widebodies from Airbus and Boeing after the carrier's board approved a major fleet expansion. Board approval for the 14-aircraft fleet expansion was secured on 28...

Air Transport Erik Huey / Washington DC; NTSB urges cockpit cameras.(National Transportation Safety Board)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has renewed its call for mandatory video cameras in commercial aircraft cockpits, despite fierce resistance from pilots unions. During hearings last week at the agency's headquarters in...

Defence evan Sweetman / London; A310 tanker passes milestone.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The Airbus A310 MRTT has completed its first "wet" in-flight refuelling tests. A total of 2,000 litres (530USgal) of fuel were transferred to a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and a Panavia Tornado through two wing-mounted refuelling pods on the A310...

Defence ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV; Arrow destroys Scud-B target in US ballistic-missile test.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... Israel's Arrow anti-tactical ballistic-missile system scored a direct hit when it was launched for the first time to intercept a real Scud-B missile. The test was conducted on 29 July at the NAS Point Mugu range in California. The...

Defence Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; USAF C-130J policy under attack; Air force's alternative financing approach brings new criticism as Department of Defense urges halt to upgrades.(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The US Department of Defense's inspector general (IG) has targeted the Lockheed Martin C-130J programme as it expands its criticism of the US Air Force's use of commercial acquisition procedures. An IG report posted on 23 July urges the...

Defence Guy Norris / Los Angeles; Engine team looks for life outside JSF ; GE and R-R aim to find other applications for F136 turbofan.(Joint Strike Fighter)(GE Aircraft Engines)(Rolls-Royce North America Inc.)
August 3, 2004... The General Electric/Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team has declared its intention to seek new combat aircraft applications for the F136 turbofan beyond the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), for which it was created. Although...

Defence Stephen Trimble / Washington DC; Northrop seeks to front USNH90 bid; Company set to team with Eurocopter for PRV programme.(Northrop Grumman Corp.)(Eurocopter Canada Ltd.)
August 3, 2004... Northrop Grumman intends to team with Eurocopter to contend for a major US Air Force contract with the NH90 medium-lift helicopter, according to sources. The proposed team would challenge the Sikorsky S-92 and the Lockheed...

Defence Alan George / London; Seekers poised to go on patrol over Iraq.(Seabird Aviation Jordan L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
August 3, 2004... The new Iraqi air force has taken delivery of two Seeker observation and surveillance aircraft from Jordan's Seabird Aviation. To be based in the Gulf port city of Basra, the aircraft will be used to patrol main supply routes, pipelines and...

Spaceflight Stephen Trimble / Washington DC & Tim Furniss / London; Rutan confident of September success ; As Scaled Composites prepares to bid for the X-Prize, US Congress debate rages over definition of "suborbital vehicle".(Scaled Composites Inc.)
August 3, 2004... Scaled Composites intends to bid for the $10 million Ansari X Prize in late September by launching two manned suborbital spaceflights within a two-week period. But a debate still rages in the US Congress over how to regulate a space...

Briefing.
August 3, 2004... We are not offering free flights to Florida warning UK readers have contacted us to say they have been offered free flights to Florida in a telephone promotion by a company calling itself "Flight International". We would like to make clear...