Sept. 12—A&D Finance Europe. London. Sept. 14-15—Airlines/MRO/Aircraft and Engine Lessors: “The Tricky Triangle.” Dublin. Sept. 26—Aircraft Composite Repair Management Forum. Madrid. Sept. 27-29—MRO Europe 2011. Madrid. Sept. 28—MRO Military Europe. Madrid. Oct. 12-13—Fifth Edition of Lean Six Sigma for MRO Forum. San Francisco. Oct. 20-21—MRO IT Conference and Showcase. Chicago. Oct. 24-26—A&D Programs. Phoenix. Nov. 2-3—Engine MRO Forum. Istanbul.
Aug. 12—Aeropodium's Third Annual Business Aviation in Latin America Summit. Congonhas Airport, Sao Paulo. Also, Sept. 8-9—Second Annual European Corporate Aviation Summit. Swedish Air Force Museum, Linkoping. See www.aeropodium.com Aug. 13-17—American Association of Airport Executives' 53rd Annual Northeast Chapter Conference. Sheraton Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center Hotel. Call +1 (609) 641-3833 or see www.necconference.org
The commercial-aircraft industry is pretty proud of its record of improving fuel efficiency over time. The rate has slowed somewhat in recent years, but the reduction in fuel burn is claimed to be running at about 1% each year. However, that improvement comes not in small annual installments, but in large step-changes every couple of decades as new aircraft types are introduced. That is why Boeing's decision to follow Airbus in re-engining its narrowbody family is so significant.
Is aviation on a leash? It could be, if the industry does not meet “grand challenges” to its long-term growth. These include developing fuel-efficient aircraft, commercializing low-carbon fuels, enabling flexible airspace, and creating breakthroughs in electric propulsion and low-cost space access. Developing quiet supersonics, as illustrated by this Lockheed Martin low-boom concept, is another challenge. For more on the concepts featured in this special report that begins on page 44, visit Aviation Week's technology blog Leading Edge, at aviationweek.com/leadingedge
“Private Mica” (AW&ST June 27, p. 51), regarding Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) wanting to privatize the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), illustrates two aphorisms: Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it; and, ideology trumps common sense—at least, more often than we'd like. Wasn't the TSA created as a government body because the private security system that was operating at our airports on Sept. 11, 2001, let the hijackers through without a careful check, leading to the conclusion that the government had better do the government's business?
I agree with the majority of the premises in “Open Season” (AW&ST June 27, p. 60). Open architectures are mostly a good thing. Much of my career was as a software engineer in technologies defined by industry standards. The standards-driven model usually does deliver better results to customers than a narrowly proprietary approach, but caution is warranted.
As someone involved with NASA at a senior level, I am troubled by the path our space plan is on, “Spacecraft Slowdown” (AW&ST May 30, p. 30). After a massive investment in the International Space Station, we must now pay Russia $63 million per seat for ISS crew transport. This is risky: Prices could skyrocket; U.S. access could be halted during world political crises; Soyuz could be grounded for technical reasons; ISS could need repairs, but our inability to access, repair and re-boost it would result in its loss, like Skylab.
Having served in towers I can appreciate why controllers, especially those on graveyard shifts, fall asleep—sheer boredom. Until there is a cure for boredom, controllers will continue to fall asleep on the job. Flemington, N.J.
Senior Space Editor Frank Morring, Jr.'s “Atlantis Launch Opens KSC For New Business” brought out the ironists. Gaetano Marano writes: Tourists will come to the space center to see relics of when NASA was able to build and launch the Saturn V to go to the Moon . . . perhaps also the center can be used for crocodile hunting . . . bird watching . . . .Vegas-style casinos.
Kudos to Web Editor Sean Meade, and of course to all of you who help make Ares so lively and topical. It was named a 'Top 10 Defense Blog' by Defense IQ, who lauded it as: “A seminal defense technology blog that [provides] the latest updates on global air forces, ordnance . . . etc. Ares is . . . an essential read for any military professionals operating in the aerospace field.”
The Business Aviation Now Blog got some buzz related to BCA's Senior Editor Fred George's “Fighter Pilot Wanna-Be Buzzes Mountain Bikers” and accompanying video. mikeskaggs writes: Why [assume it's] an Albatross based in San Diego? I could have been a transient aircraft. mwil chimes in:
Paul Galleberg has been appointed VP-legal affairs and John McDonald VP-corporate communications at US Airways. Galleberg was general counsel, chief operating officer and principal at Berylian Capital. McDonald was director of operations and hub communications at United Airlines.
James L. Klein (see photo) has joined TriQuint Semiconductor, Hillsboro, Ore., and Richardson, Texas, as VP and general manager of its defense and aerospace business. He comes from Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems division.
Daniel G. Clare has been named president of General Dynamics' Jet Aviation in Zurich. He was a VP of General Dynamics and succeeds Peter G. Edwards, who has left the company.
Daniel G. Clare has been named president of General Dynamics' Jet Aviation in Zurich. He was a VP of General Dynamics and succeeds Peter G. Edwards, who has left the company.
Eric Lugger (see photo) has become director-safety at Landmark Aviation in Houston. A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, he was corporate safety manager for an air ambulance operator with more than 300 aircraft.
Franz Gilbert (see photo) has been named director of human resources technologies at Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Savannah, Ga. He was regional VP at RiseSmart.com and had been a director at Affiliated Computer Services and Hewitt Associates.
Igor Y. Ozar has been appointed board chairman of Moscow-based JSC Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. He was director general of corporate finance and CEO of the Sukhoi Design Bureau.
Erin Moseley is the new senior VP-government relations for BAE Systems, Arlington, Va., succeeding Bob Fitch, who plans to retire. Moseley was special adviser to the deputy director for the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Paul Falkler has been named VP/general manager and Michael Reiners director of cybercrime analysis and investigations for BAE Systems' Information Technology & Cybersecurity. Falkler was VP/general manager for cybersecurity solutions. Reiners worked for the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Erin Moseley is the new senior VP-government relations for BAE Systems, Arlington, Va., succeeding Bob Fitch, who plans to retire. Moseley was special adviser to the deputy director for the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Paul Falkler has been named VP/general manager and Michael Reiners director of cybercrime analysis and investigations for BAE Systems' Information Technology & Cybersecurity. Falkler was VP/general manager for cybersecurity solutions. Reiners worked for the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Dale Luddeke (see photo) has been named chief growth officer for TASC, Chantilly, Va. He was executive VP-corporate business development at CACI International.
Matt Eaton has joined AAR Corp. as VP-sales and marketing for the MRO segment, succeeding Chris Jessup, who has been promoted to senior VP-sales and marketing.
