Flight International articles from May 2003

Flight International archives from May 2003

Briefing.
May 20, 2003... New Hellfire strikes first in Iraq MISSILES US Marine Corps Bell AH-1W SuperCobras in Iraq made first use of a new version of the Hellfire laser-guided air-to-surface missile - the AGM-114N metal augmented charge Hellfire - with a...

Air Transport Graham Warwick / Washington DC; USA moves ahead on airliner defence; Missile protection development contracts to be awarded.
May 20, 2003... The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a programme to develop systems to protect commercial aircraft from terrorist attack by shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile systems. Northrop Grumman and Israel's Rafael will be...

Air Transport ; Boeing urges Hawaiian shake-up.(Brief Article)
May 20, 2003... Boeing Capital (BCC) is expected to repeat a request for a US bankruptcy court to appoint a trustee to oversee troubled Chapter 11 carrier Hawaiian Airlines after the Honolulu-based judge left the door open for further talks between the...

Business; Russian fighter builder plans UK share offering to raise cash.(Brief Article)
May 20, 2003... Russian fighter manufacturer Irkut is planning an initial public offering (IPO)on the London stock exchange next year as part of plans to raise $200 million. The company, which builds the Sukhoi Su-27/30 multirole fighter, will raise up to...

DEFENCEPaul Lewis / Washington DC & Graham Warwick / Quantico ; Rivals exchange blows in VXX helicopter battle; Sparks fly as Sikorsky suggests US101 team's machine falls short of requirements.
May 20, 2003... The opening shots have been fired in the battle to win the US Marine Corps' VXX presidential helicopter competition, with the newly expanded AgustaWestland, Bell and Lockheed Martin US101 team refuting suggestions from rival Sikorsky that their...

negotiations CHRISTINA MACKENZIE / MILAN; AgustaWestland in discussions for bigger share in BAAC.(Brief Article)
May 20, 2003... AgustaWestland is in negotiations with Bell about a move to increase the European company's stake in the Bell Agusta Aerospace (BAAC) joint ventureto 50% in an attempt to better reflect the workshare between the two participants as the...

Development First subassembly for A380.(Airbus wing box completed)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Airbus is due to deliver the first A380 centre wing box from its manufacturing facility in Nantes, France, by 20 August, making it the first large subassembly to be completed for flight test aircraft 001. The largely composite centre box...

Probe Close call shows GPS need - CAA; Authority reacts to incident in which British Mediterranean Airways flight to Addis Ababa avoided ridge by 50ft.
May 27, 2003... After a serious incident in which a British Mediterranean AirwaysAirbus A320 missed a mountain ridge by just over 50ft (15m) descending into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has warned airlines that aircraft should be...

Simulation ; Alsim targets US market.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... French flight simulator manufacturer Alsim is aiming at the US market this year, following success in Europe with its Bombardier Dash 8 and ATR 42 simulators. The Nantes-based company last year delivered an AL 300 MCC (multi-crew...

in brief.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Boeing order Turkmenistan Airlines has ordered two more Boeing 717-200s to add to the three it already operates on domestic and regional services. The $78 million deal, signed with Boeing earlier this month in Turkmenistan's capital...

June launch for 747-400SF.(Boeing Special Freighter)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Boeing says it aims to launch its 747-400 Special Freighter programme in June, with a late-2005 entry-into-service date. The manufacturer has been in talks with potential launch customers and has responsibility for product development and...

Growth; Dragonair plans five-year freighter fleet expansion ; Hong Kong carrier is looking to add aircraft after reporting huge increase in cargo traffic.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Dragonair is planning to triple the size of its Boeing 747 freighter fleet over the next five years as it battles with the drop in passenger demand due to the knock-on effects of SARS. The Hong Kong carrier moved into dedicated freighter...

Liberalisation; Low-cost carriers seek delay on EC review.(European Commission decision on deregulation)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... The European Commission has extended its deadline for air transport policy amendments until the middle of next month, following last-minute interest from low-cost carriers. The EC has received "several" requests for a delay in its review of air...

Manufacturing; KnAAPO spreads wings for Sukhoi-led RRJ production; India's HAL may join programme as risk-sharing partner to make tailplane and fin.(Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aircraft Production Organisation)(Russian Regional Jet)(Hindustan Aeronautics)
May 27, 2003... Russia's Komsomolsk-na-Amure Aircraft Production Organisation (KnAAPO) will produce the wing for the Sukhoi/Ilyushin/Yakovlev/Boeing Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) as a risk-sharing partner. Empennage production has been offered to India's...

start-up; Argentinian airline set to step into LAPA's shoes.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Five days before handing over to newly elected Argentinian president Nestor Kirchener, incumbent Eduardo Duhalde signed a decree creating a new carrier in Argentina to employ the routes and staff of grounded LAPA. The new airline will be a...

Start-up; Mekong falls victim to SARS fears.(Mekong Airlines of Cambodia stops service)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Cambodia's Mekong Airlines has suspended services after less than four months of operations due to weak demand caused by SARS-related travel fears. The airline launched domestic and international operations with a single Boeing 737-500...

launch; Middle Eastern no-frills takes off.(MenaJet)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... MenaJet, the Middle East's first no-frills airline, will start operations from Sharjah International airport in December using two 162-seat Airbus A320s. The company, capitalised at $50 million, is a 50:50 venture between Bahrain-based...

Investigation; Maintenance problems led to Air Midwest crash.
May 27, 2003... Maintenance and loading problems were the primary factors in the 8 January crash of an Air Midwest Raytheon Beech 1900D in Charlotte, North Carolina. At last week's public hearing, US National Transportation Safety Board investigators focused...

start-up; Air China to target VIPs with business jet division; Carrier will start operations with leased Gulfstream IV and add second type by year-end.
May 27, 2003... Air China plans to launch a corporate jet operation in July with a leased Gulfstream IV and add a second business aircraft type by year-end. The carrier will become the fourth airline in mainland China to operate business aircraft, joining...

Reshuffle; Jet Aviation makes more managerial changes.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Thomas Hirschmann has resigned as chief executive of Jet Aviation after more than 29 years with the family-owned company. No reason has been given. Hirschmann is replaced in the interim by former chief operating officer Heinz Kohli. The...

avionics; Bombardier launches EVS certification; Flight tests start as Canadian manufacturer sets sights on system approval on Global Express in early 2005.(enhanced vision system)
May 27, 2003... Bombardier has begun flight tests aimed at gaining certification of an enhanced vision system (EVS) on the Global Express long-range business jet in the first quarter of 2005. Aerodynamic flight testing of a prototype installation is under way...

in brief.
May 27, 2003... Fixed Bases sold BBAGroup is to add Midcoast Aviation's St Louis, Missouri, fixed-based operation to the Signature Flight Support chain. Emery Air will buy Raytheon's Rockford, Illinois, FBO. MIDCOAST approval Midcoast Aviation...

accident; SJ30-2 in barrel roll before crash.(Sino-Swearingen flight test of protoype)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Sino-Swearingen's first prototype SJ30-2 crashed on the second in a series of flutter certification flight tests, but the aircraft appeared to remain intact all the way to the ground, says the US National Transportation Safety Board. The crash,...

economies Jackson Flores / Rio de Janeiro; Alianza Summa cuts deep to make $32.4 million savings; After Avianca's US affiliate enters Chapter 11, alliance cuts capacity, sheds routes and staff.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Alianza Summa, the corporate umbrella of Colombian airlines Avianca, ACES Colombia and SAM, is implementing measures aimed at restructuring the three carriers' alliance and improving its financial health after Avianca's US-based affiliate filed...

appointment ; New boss for Boeing France.(Yves Galland)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Yves Galland, a former French minister, has been appointed president of Boeing France to help the US manufacturer win business in the country. He has been tasked with ensuring that French industry is more involved in Boeing programmes. Tom...

navigation Alexander Campbell / London; ESA urges movement on Galileo ; But European Space Agency says that despite dispute over funding, satellite programme is a good test for co-operation.
May 27, 2003... Europe's troubled Galileo satellite navigation project could yet serve as a "good model" for future joint space programmes despite continuing international squabbles overits funding, says European Space Agency (ESA) director-general Antonio...

restructuring Alexander Campbell / Stockholm; SAS questions its long-haul future.(Scandinavian Airlines)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Strong competition is putting the future of the Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) long-haul operation in doubt, says the airline's new chief operating officer Soren Belin. "It is a tricky question whether long-haul will be a sustainable business,"...

report Graham Warwick / Washington DC; GAO warns of weapon systems immaturity.
May 27, 2003... Most US weapon systems enter development and production with much less maturity than wider industry best practices would allow, according to a report by the US General Accounting Office (GAO). This causes technical problems, cost growth and...

low-cost carriers; Branson eyes Virgin Blue float.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson is considering a flotation of his Australian low-cost carrier Virgin Blue before the end of this year. The move comes after the airline reported a pre-tax profit for the year to 31 March of A$158 million...

exhibitions; US AIA wants fewer shows in Europe.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... US aerospace industry lobbying group the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is campaigning against holding an international air show every year in Europe, and predicts that attendance at the Farnborough and Paris air shows will drop...

people.(Francois Planaud, formerly Snecma programme director for Europrop International TP400, is named executive vice-president of CFM International; notes other personnel changes)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Francois Planaud, formerly Snecma programme director for the Europrop International TP400, has been named executive vice-president (VP) of CFM International, replacing Denis Vercherin, who will become senior VP of Hispano-Suiza. Roberto Macedo...

launches; Colombian start-ups move in.(Alianza Summa's management is worried about operating permits issued to start-up carriers Aerolineas Universal and Aerolineas Estelar)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Alianza Summa's management is particularly worried about the recently issued operating permits to two Bogota-based start-up carriers - Aerolineas Universal and Aerolineas Estelar. With operations scheduled to start in August, the latter will...

Saving space.(Commercial air transport industry is discussed)
May 27, 2003... The commercial launch industry both sides of the Atlantic is in a mess. But Europe could have more to lose if it does not get its act together Almost 80 years after Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-propellant rocket, and 35 years...

Attack helicopters Paul Lewis / Mesa; UAV control included in plan for phased Apache upgrade ; US Army envisages update of 232 rotorcraft as part of $1.3 billion modernisation.
May 27, 2003... Greater detailis emerging about the proposed $1.3 billion Block 3 modernisation of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow, with the US Army envisaging an iterative upgrade of 232 helicopters initially, over five annual purchases starting in 2008. ...

Avionics; Latest night-vision goggles reduce interference.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... ITTIndustries has begun deliveries to the USArmy of the latest-generation aviators' night-vision system (ANVIS). The AVS-6(V)3 ANVIS goggles are the first to use ITT's Gen 3 Pinnacle image-intensifier tube, improving resolution and reducing...

UPGRADE; Canada receives updated CF-18.(Boeing delivers first of 80 aircraft to be updated under Phase 1 of Canadian Forces' CF-18 Hornet modernisation project)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Boeing has delivered the first of 80 aircraft to be updated under Phase 1 of the Canadian Forces' C$880 million ($646 million) CF-18 Hornet modernisation project. Phase 1 involves installation of the Raytheon APG-73 radar, Have Quick...

contracts.(Lockheed Martin will provide 10 F-16C/D Block 50s to Chilean air force; notes other contracts)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Lockheed Martin has received a $279.9 million contract for 10 F-16C/D Block 50s for the Chilean air force, which signed a letter of acceptance for the deal in February. Saab Bofors Dynamics, the Swedish defence materiel administrationFMVandthe...

Co-operation ; EU studies rapid reaction force needs.(European Rapid Reaction Force is held back by military capability shortfalls)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... The European Union's military force was declared operational on 19 May across itsrange of assigned tasks - humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and peacemaking - but defence ministers have concededthat the European Rapid Reaction Force (ERRF)...

Licence production Brendan Sobie / Singapore; IHI backs GE's CF6 engine proposal.(Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries may make General Electric's CF6 engine in Japan as part of C-X transport project)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) may manufacture General Electric's CF6 engine in Japan as part of the C-X transport project. IHI is backing GE's CF6 proposal in a Japan Defence Agency (JDA) competition to select a C-X...

Procurement Paul Lewis /WashingtonDC & Stewart Penney / London; Helicopter makers await Norwegian SAR decision; Competition to fulfil the country's rotorcraft requirement may be reopened in June.(Norway will decide in June whether to reopen competition for search-and-rescue helicopters)
May 27, 2003... Manufacturers expect Norway to decide in June whether to reopen a competition for search-and-rescue (SAR)helicopters. Norway, along with Finland and Sweden, selected the NHIndustries NH90 in a joint deal in September 2001, with Oslo...

modifications; EADS rolls out upgraded P-3.(EADSCasa rolls out upgraded Lockheed Martin P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft for Spanish air force)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... EADSCasa has rolled out the first upgraded Lockheed Martin P-3B Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA)for the Spanish air force. The aircraft is due to fly in June with the first redelivery to the air force scheduled for next year. An additional...

Aircraft development Stewart Penney /Stans ; PC-21 poised for next test phase; Swiss manufacturer addresses design issues and prepares to wrap up second set of trials with hot-weather flights.(Pilatus prepares for final elements of second phase of PC-21 flight-test programme; involves turboprop-powered trainer)
May 27, 2003... Pilatus is preparing for the final elements of the second phase of the PC-21 flight-test programme, with the next step in the four-part programmefor the turboprop-powered trainer to begin in July. Kevin Smith, Pilatus managing director...

Special operations; New FLIRs for US regiment.(FLIRSystems and Raytheon get contracts to supply next-generation electro-optical (EO) sensors for USArmy)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... FLIRSystems and Raytheon have won contracts to supply next-generation electro-optical (EO) sensors for the USArmy's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment special operations helicopters. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts...

Fighter procurement Brendan Sobie / Singapore; Malaysia shuns USA as it shops for military aircraft; Prime Minister's ire at Washington's actions in Iraq leads to openings for Brazil and Russia.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Malaysia is buying 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters and is eyeing four Embraer airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft as political conditions exclude US-built equipment. US manufacturers expect Malaysia's long-planned purchase of Boeing F/A-18F...

Precision strike ; Rivals team for NetFires.(Lockheed Martin and Raytheon partner to develop US Army's NetFires missile system)
May 27, 2003... Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have teamed to develop the US Army's NetFires missile system. Both companies' risk-reduction contracts will be rolled into the new NetFires limited liability company, which will pursue develop- ment and production...

Force restructuring Brendan Sobie / Singapore; US ally status will speed Philippines fleet upgrade ; But while Manila is pledged $1bn in defence aid, manufacturers rule out order boom.
May 27, 2003... The Philippines' elevation last week to non-NATO ally status with the USA will advance its long-delayed defence modernisation programme, but is not expected to lead to any big-ticket procurements. The Philippines air force expects to...

Cruise missiles ; Tomahawk test success.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Demonstration of a penetration warhead on the Raytheon Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile has been completed, with the second of two planned test flights. The missile was vertically launched from a ground stand and hit the target with precision...

business aviation; VIP protection in demand; murdo morrison / geneva.
May 27, 2003... Hours after terrorists tried to down an Israeli airliner with two SA-7 surface-to-air missiles near Mombasa airport last November, representatives of worried foreign heads of state began contacting Gulfstream's Savannah, Georgia, offices. "My...

out of; neutral.(Swedish air force)
May 27, 2003... Sweden is transforming its defence stance and wants to be capable of joining future coalition deployments. But there are challenges to operating with NATO forces Stewart Penney / Ronneby From 1 January 2004, Sweden plans to have the...

NAVIGATION Emma Kelly / Perth; Australia teams on low-cost ADS-B for general aviation; Successful trial could lead to national implementation, says air traffic services provider.
May 27, 2003... Airservices Australia has teamed with Australian manufacturerMicroair Avionics to design and develop low-cost automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) avionics for general aviation. The move is part of the air traffic service...

amphibians; Beriev poised to deliver first three Be-103s to Aerocorp.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Beriev plans to deliver the first three Be-103 six-seat amphibians to US distributor Aerocorp International in July, when the type is expected to gain UScertification. The Russian manufacturer applied to the USFederal Aviation Administration a...

in brief.
May 27, 2003... FAA OFFICE The USFederal Aviation Administration is to establish a programme office in Oklahoma City to oversee implementation of the sport pilot/light-sport aircraft final rule, expected in July. The rule will require the FAA to...

Air Transport Guy Norris / Los Angeles, Paul Lewis / Washington DC & nicholas ionides / singapore; ANA/JAL in frame to launch 7E7; Manufacturer in talks with Japanese airlines to place orders for short-range and long-range versions of the type.
May 27, 2003... Boeing is courting Japanese airlines with short-range (SR) and long- range (LR) versions of the 7E7 and stretched 7E7STR, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) emerging as leading potential launch candidates. The airlines...

business Karen Walker / Washington DC; Boeing offered $500m incentive for base choice.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Boeing is being offered $500 million in financial incentives if it makes Wichita, Kansas, a major development base for the proposed 7E7. The Kansas state governor last week signed legislation enabling the proposal. Wichita mayor Carlos...

Briefing.(includes multiple articles)
May 27, 2003... Pentagon gives Osprey all clear approval The Pentagon's Defence Acquisition Board (DAB) has given the the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey a clean bill of health after being satisfied that renewed testing over the past year had addressed a number...

Air Transport; EC treaty talks likely.(with USA)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... The UK transport department expects EU transport ministers to give the green light for the EC to negotiate aviation treaties with the USA at their 6 June meeting in Luxembourg. The move would lead to the scrapping of the bilateral treaties that...

GENERAL AVIATION Justin Wastnage / Marseilles; Eurocopter may power up EC155 to boost sales.
May 27, 2003... Eurocopter has completed studies of a higher-powered version of the EC155 B1 enhanced Dauphin to rival the long-awaited Bell Agusta Aerospace AB139 medium twin helicopter. The Franco-German manufacturer has carried out detailed engineering...

a380 progress Murdo Morrison / Hamburg; Airbus foresees 120 orders for ultra-large airliner by year-end.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Airbus is confident of hitting the 120-order mark for the A380 by the end of the year, says programme vice-president Charles Champion. Speaking at the official opening of Airbus's A380 major component assembly hall in Hamburg last week, he said...

Air Transport Paul Lewis / Washington DC; Emirates plans Paris shopping trip; Carrier set to announce massive order at air show for mix of Airbus A380s, A340-600s and Boeing 777-300ERs.
May 27, 2003... Emirates plans to announce a massive new order at the Paris air show in June for up to 69 additional long-range widebodies including Airbus A380-800s, high gross weight (HGW) A340-600s and Boeing 777-300ERs. The purchases will form part of...

SPACE flight TIM FURNISS / LONDON; Europe's industry faces crisis.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... As the European Space Agency (ESA) planned for an emergency council meeting on 27 May, the European Parliament called on member states to "wake up to the unprecedented crisis" threatening the future of the European Union's space industry. Key...

DEFENCE; Raytheon wins USAF decoy deal.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Raytheon has won an $88 million USAir Force contract to develop the miniature air-launched decoy (MALD), which will be fired from strike aircraft to confuse enemy air defences. The decision is a blow for Northrop Grumman, which built the...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
May 27, 2003... air transport Economics and the A380 Detailed Airbus A380 cabin overviews show a typical configuration for 555 passengers and only one area available as an optional passenger facility, but I recall numerous advertisements since the...

avionics; Hazard avoidance system set for Mesaba service.(Mesaba Airlines, Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems )(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... The first Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) combined terrain and traffic collision avoidance system (T2CAS) to be used commercially is expected to be fitted to a BAE Systems Avro RJ85 of Northwest regional partner Mesaba...

powerplants; Order bulge powers CF34 production.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... General Electric expects to produce more than 500 CF34 engines in 2003, around double the number for 2001 and the highest single-year tally since the regional jet engine programme began in 1992. The high production rate builds from the...

SHOW REPORT; RAA 2003.(USRegional Airline Association)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... The USRegional Airline Association staged its annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona, on 19-21 May with representatives from 54 different member carriers. There was an upbeat feeling at the gathering as a result of the relaxation in scope clause...

In brief.(SkyWest joint venture with Continental)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Joint venture SkyWest is setting up a joint turboprop operation with Continental based around a Houston, Texas, hub. The 50:50 venture will involve setting up a fleet of "between 10 and 12" Embraer EMB-120s, shared with Continental. "They...

markets; Pendulum swings to turboprops; Need for much lower-cost air transport and slowdown in small regional jet sales set to boost the market.
May 27, 2003... Bombardier and Saab both claim to be seeing a renewed interest in regional turboprops fuelled by the need for much lower-cost air transport on niche lower-yield and short-haul routes. The large-scale retirement of older 19- to 30-seat aircraft...

fleet development; Embraer 190 poised to fill US Airways capacity hole ; Carrier may scrap turboprops as it looks to plug gap between mainline and regional fleet.
May 27, 2003... US Airways is looking at the stretched Embraer 190/195 regional jet to plug the seat capacity gap between its planned new MidAtlantic Airlines-operated fleet of smaller 170/175s and the bottom end of the mainline Airbus A320 fleet created by...

feeders; Partners wary of United jet supply.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Air Wisconsin and SkyWest Airlines remain guarded about placing additional regional jets with the United Express network until the bankrupt carrier reaffirms its contracts with the partner carriers and clarifies its ability and willingness to...

satellites ; Atlas V lifts Greek star into orbit.(communications satellite)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... International Launch Services (ILS) launched a Lockheed Martin Atlas V booster from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 13 May, carrying the Hellas-Sat communications satellite for the eponymous Greek-Cypriot consortium. The Astrium-built craft...

space mission; China presses on despite SARS.(first manned spaceflight)
May 27, 2003... The SARS virus in China will not delay launch of the nation's first manned spaceflight later this year, according to space programme officials. Preparation of the Shen Zhou 5 spacecraft and its Long March 2F launcher are proceeding at China...

boosters; Eurockot plans June launch for Rokot/Briz.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Eurockot Launch Services is preparing a modified Russian Rokot booster with a restartable Briz M upper stage for a launch from Plesetsk, on 30 June carrying eight micro- and nano-satellites. The Rokot,on its first sun-synchronous mission, will...

in brief.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... orbiter changes NASA and contractors are recommending changes to the design, inspection and processing of Space Shuttle orbiters. These include improved bonding of thermal protection system tiles and reviewing the way wing leading-edge...

launch vehicles TIM FURNISS / LONDON ; Arianespace sets date for Ariane 5 ECA to fly again; First stage engine will be redesigned following nozzle failure on launcher's maiden mission.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... A dedicated qualification flight of the Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle has been scheduled for March 2004. This will follow a redesign of the Vulcain 2 first-stage engine after the failure of the nozzle on the maiden flight of the uprated Ariane 5...

Simulation; ETC centrifuge simulator spins up for combat.(Environmental Tectonics Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Environmental Tectonics (ETC) has unveiled its centrifuge-based TFS 400 tactical flight simulator, the first ground-based simulator capable of authentically simulating high-gtactical manoeuvring. The TFS 400 combines ETC's motion system...

Morphing Graham Warwick / Washington DC; Raytheon cruise dashes and loiters.(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Raytheon is working on adaptive wing technology that would allow a cruise missile to dash to its target at high speed, loiter to see if it has been destroyed and, if so, move on to another target. A prototype will be windtunnel-tested in 2005...

development Graham warwick / washington DC; RASCAL offers low-cost launches; Mach 4 aircraft will use mass injection pre-compressor cooling system to boost thrust for climb out of atmosphere.(Scaled Composites Inc. develops aircraft for Space Launch)
May 27, 2003... Scaled Composites is working on a Mach 4 aircraft capable of leaving the atmosphere and launching a low-cost rocket. The Burt Rutan-led company is designing the aircraft for Space Launch, the company awarded a US Defense Advanced Research...

Cabin Equipment ; Air-cushion comfort.(Lantal Textiles develops inflatable seat)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Swiss seat supplier Lantal Textiles has developed an inflatable aircraft seat which it claims is more comfortable and much lighter than normal seats. The Langenthal-based company has substituted air cushions for the usual rubber foam seat...

primed for; combat.(military aircraft development)
May 27, 2003... There may be fewer orders about, but manufacturers continue to develop new military aircraft. From Aermacchi to Yakovlev, we list what is available Stewart Penney / London Perhaps the most surprising thing about the military aircraft...

countering; the threat.(airlines consider anti-missile systems)
May 27, 2003... Israel is developing anti-missile systems for airliners. The USA is moving in the same direction, but the rest of the world is unconvinced the threat is real enough ARIE EGOZI / TEL AVIV & GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC Convinced the...

CERTIFICATION kate sarsfield / london; Pilatus fumes at JAA's single-engine dithering.(Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities)(Brief Article)
May 27, 2003... Pilatus Aircraft says the delay by Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities in adopting commercial operations for single engine turboprop aircraft operating in instrument flight rules conditions (SEIFR) is destroying the single-engine aircraft...

Straight & Level roger.bacon@flightinternational.com.(Editorial)
May 27, 2003... Testing...testing (sort of) Splendid! You are still awake out there after all. My cunning ruse with the throwaway "Scimitar" caption certainly got a few of you going (Straight & Level, 20-26 May). Thanks to Nephews "Mad" Dan Eccles,...