Volga-Dnepr tends to plan on a supersized scale—it transports oversized cargo, such as a 60-ton truck-mounted pump—and considers its mission to be building “air bridges” across the world.
There is a subtle sea change underway in the fight for the multibillion-dollar twin-aisle airliner market. According to Boeing, the battle for range is over and the battle for production rate is about to begin.
The article “Going Out on Top” (AW&ST July 2, p. 31) was attributed to the wrong author. Northern California Bureau Chief Michael Mecham was the writer.
Chinese state-controlled Comac and ABC Financial Leasing have announced an order for 45 C919s, bringing the claimed number to 280 for the 158-seat airliner. The actual number of aircraft that the lessor has ordered is unclear, however, because Comac has previously counted options as orders, and even some of the orders have not been binding, according to industry officials who have seen the documents. For the same reason, the number of aircraft that Comac is definitively contracted to deliver, if any, is fewer than 280.
The Farnborough air show has seen a lot of “firsts” over the decades, and the appearance of the first passenger-carrying suborbital commercial spacecraft at this year's event in the U.K. will mark another. A full-scale replica of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo is shown in an Aviation Week cover composite approaching the Farnborough airfield. The mockup will be on display, promoting the company's efforts to inaugurate passenger flights by the end of next year. A series of articles on the hot topics at Farnborough 2012 begins on p.
Embraer's foray into executive aviation is about to pass a significant milestone with the first flight of its Legacy 500 super midsize jet (above). Unlike the Legacy 600/650, which is derived from the ERJ 135 regional jet, the Legacy 500, and the Legacy 450, a shorter sibling also under development, are clean-sheet designs specifically intended for VIP service.
The commentary “Storm Over Weather Sats” by Air Force Gen. (ret,) Howell M. Estes, 3rd, (AW&ST June 25, p. 50) resonates with me. It is obvious why his opinions are not endorsed or sponsored by anyone in government or industry. But many of us in the aerospace industry share his outlook. In the past decade, we have seen a number of major programs where schedules were missed by years (not days or months) with cost overruns in the billions. The Airbus A380, Boeing 787, Airbus Military A400M and Lockheed Martin F-35 come to mind.
Keith Flail has been tapped as director of Military Program Office Operations at Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth. He was senior manager of business development for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
Operators of the G650, Gulfstream Aerospace's new 488 KTAS, 7,000-nm-range flagship, will first start flying their aircraft this summer, based upon flight-test program progress and operators' scheduled completion of initial G650 training at FlightSafety International in late August. Virtually all FAA-required certification flight tests had been completed in June except for 300 hr. of function and reliability flight-testing that is now in progress. This paves the way for FAA type certification in July or August, followed by entry into service in September, operators say.
The solution to England's inflight refueling problems for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35B on its new carriers is simple: work with Boeing to create a tanker version of the V-22. Torrance, Calif.
Senior Editor Graham Warwick's “More Bad News for Boeing's Unmanned A160” posting on the Ares defense blog received a spectrum of responses, including: CarpetCrawler noting: The U.S. Marines were early users of helicopters, forming their first helo squadron during the Korean War. With K-Max, the Marines once again lead the U.S. Army in rotary-wing aviation. Eric Palmer quoting: Richard P. Feynman (1918-88): “Reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.”
Pairog Kiatthunsamai (see photo) has been named CFO of the Bangkok-based Pacific Asia Travel Association. He was assistant VP-financial planning and analysis at Generali Insurance.
Picture a group of senior Boeing executives cutting the ribbon on a new 737 plant in France, surrounded by adoring local officials and lauded by the chamber of commerce. The flip side of that fanciful vision occurred July 2 in Mobile, Ala., when Airbus ceremoniously announced that it will invest more than $600 million to establish a U.S. final-assembly factory for A320s, starting in 2015. The new line, which will employ more than 1,000, will join A320 assembly plants in Hamburg, Toulouse and Tianjin.
Pedro Mercado (see photo) has become national sales manager for interior refurbishments at Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga. He was a service center supervisor for interior refurbishment at Gulfstream's Long Beach, Calif., facility.
Europe may still be playing catch-up with the U.S. when it comes to unmanned combat air vehicles, but in some respects European companies already have more riding on the long-term future of these endeavors than do their North American rivals.
USAF Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward has been assigned as chief of safety at USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon, and commander of the Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M. She has been special assistant to the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements at USAF Headquarters. Maj. Gen. Sharon K. Dunbar has been assigned as commander of Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Md. She has been director of force management policy/deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at USAF Headquarters. She will be succeeded by Brig.
Mike Clarke (see photo) has been appointed director of technical services at Rizon Jet, Doha, Qatar. He was sales and marketing director for sub-Sahara Africa at BBA Aviation.
The Royal Air Force is undergoing a sweeping overhaul of its fleet, with a raft of aircraft being phased out and new ones, such as the Air Seeker signals intelligence aircraft, F-35 fighter and Airbus Military A400M transport, coming into service through 2020.
Chris Maupin has become director of Zurich-based Jet Aviation's Houston Hobby Airport fixed-base operation. He was a fuel market analyst at Universal Weather and Aviation.
All eyes are on Airbus as it prepares the A350 for first flight, but the aircraft maker is putting at least as much attention on ensuring it can handle the steep production ramp-up due shortly afterward.
David Fulghum (Washington), Robert Wall (Washington)
The future of large aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) is undergoing a major change, with many older, tested designs shuffling toward retirement. Replacing them are penetrating manned and unmanned combat aircraft—including F-22, F-35 and unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) with enhanced, non-traditional ISR integrated with their attack capabilities. In addition, these designs will be linked with other stealth platforms on and under the sea and in space.
GKN Aerospace has sought for years to join forces with Volvo Aero. With the contract finally signed, GKN is emerging as a stronger supplier for engine manufacturers.
Don't tell Hawaiian Airlines that a sputtering global economy will slow demand for air travel. While other U.S. carriers are putting the brakes on expansion, Hawaiian is expanding capacity at double-digit rates and adding to its fleet of widebody jets—primarily with Airbus A330s, and A350s to follow starting in 2017. Hawaiian estimated capacity would grow 15.5-17.5% in the quarter that just ended, compared with a year earlier. The consistently profitable Honolulu-based carrier expects an average load factor of 84% for the quarter and has no plans to slow its growth.
Kevin Nolan (see photo) has been named European managing director for Wall Colmonoy, Pontardawe, Wales, succeeding Norman Allnatt, who has retired. Nolan was managing director of the Turbine Airfoils Division of the Doncasters Group.
