SKUNKWORKS IN COMPOSITES BREAKTHROUGH
The US Air Force Research Laboratory and Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works claimed a breakthrough in aircraft manufacturing technology on 2 June with the successful demonstration flight of the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft. The ACCA - a modified Dornier 328Jet with its fuselage aft of the crew station and the vertical tail replaced with new structuremade of advanced composite materials fabricated using out-of-autoclave curing - demonstrates a new concept that cuts the structural componentand fastener count by 90%, saysLockheed Martin advanced system development vice-president Frank Mauro.
CIRRUS RECALLS WORKERS, RAMPS UP PRODUCTION
Cirrus is recalling 55 workers to increase production of single-engined piston aircraft from six to eight a month following an upsurge in demand in late February and March. Vice-president Todd Simmons says: "We have indications that point to more favourable things in the second half of the year."
NTSB INVESTIGATES CHARLOTTE NEAR-MISS
The US National Transportation Safety Board isinvestigating how a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 and a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop came within 3m (10ft) of each other at Charlotte Douglas International on 29 May in clear weather. Controllers were alerted to a potential collision by the airport's ASDE-X ground surveillance system and cancelled the regional jet's take-off clearance.
AEROSVITPUTS AN-148 INTO DOMESTIC SERVICE
Ukrainian carrier AeroSvit has carried out its first passenger service with the Antonov An-148 regional twinjet, operating between Kiev and Kharkov in a 68-seat configuration. AeroSvit says it will "consider" using the aircraft on international routes "after the settlement of all legal and technical issues". The An-148 can carry up to 85 passengers. A 99-seatAn-158 is in development.
RYANAIR FORECASTS PROFIT IF FUEL STAYS STABLE
Irish budget carrier Ryanair made a pre-tax loss of €180 million ($254 million) for its year to the end of March, after earning €439 million last year. Revenue was up 8% to €2.94 billion, but the carrier had to write down of €222 million in its investment in Aer Lingus. This year Ryanair expects to save €450 million in fuel costs if oil prices stay around current levels. Rising yield expectations are also feeding a forecast after-tax profit of €200-300 million.
WEAK ECONOMY PUTS PRESSURE ON BOMBARDIER
Earnings before interest and taxes nearly halved at Bombardier Aerospace to $110 million as revenue dipped 9% to $2.2 billion for its first quarter to 30 April. Deliveries totalled 75 aircraft, including 43 business jets, compared to 87 last time, including 58 business jets.
RUAG EXPANDS SPACE TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS
Swiss aerospace technology group Ruag is to acquire composite payload fairings maker Oerlikon Space for an undisclosed sum. The move follows Ruag's acquisitions of Saab Space and Austrian Aerospace in 2008. All 380 employees of Oerlikon based in Switzerland will transfer to Ruag after closing of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval.
Source: Flight International