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Aviation History
1975
1975 - 0906.PDF
812 FLIGHT International. 22 May 1975 British Airways wants more RB.211s British Airways is very interested in Lockheed's L-1011-250 long-range TriStar with the RB.211-524 engine, as well as in similarly powered 747s. A go-ahead for the latter is not ex pected before Boeing's May 30 dead line or indeed before the British referendum on membership of the European Economic Community on June 5, in which Mr Anthony Wedg wood Benn, the British Secretary of State for Industry, is playing a major role. However, Mr Stephen Wheat- croft, the airline's managing director. is "hopeful that we shall get the Government go-ahead within weeks and that Boeing will agree to continue with the project in the meantime." Apparently the British Government is willing to relax its condition that firm orders from two airlines must be received before development can pro ceed for service in spring 1977. All Nippon Airways has a known interest in the aircraft, which would have a LEADLINES Invicta: up for sale Pan Am : Iranian deal near Beech 18: owners resist grounding Maritime Harrier: UK gives go- ahead Sweden : new attack aircraft IS-28B: first UK air test 815 816 823 824 825 835 ; *•*. five per cent better range than the standard 747. British Airways would like to introduce the TriStar-250 as a VC10/707 replacement around 1979. • Air France is increasingly in terested in a joint London - Paris shuttle service with British Airways, according to Mr John Norton, general manager Western Europe of the British airline. Services could start in just over a year from now. Conflict in Eurocontrol The member states of Eurocontrol, the organisation originally established in 1960 to co-ordinate European upper- airspace traffic, are now in disagree ment over whether it should take over the lower airspace as well. Britain, France and Ireland wish to continue with the present arrange ment of national control, while West Germany, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg are in favour of strengthening the organisation by a take-over of lower airspace control, according to M Marcel Mart, the Luxembourg Transport Minister. The Dutch Transport Minister, Tjerk Westerterp, has as a result been appointed to sound out the various national Governments on the future of Eurocontrol. Part-nationalisation for Ferranti The British Government is to inject £15 million into Ferranti following a request for assistance from the com pany in August 1974, and subsequent tripartite negotiations (see Flight, , • • •*" it ' 8|| IP i ; ^*-' •«',r •-..., tt-<r,; March 13, page 387). This was announced in the House of Commons on May 14 by Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn. In his statement Mr Benn recognised Ferranti's "valuable tech nical capabilities" and its position as an exporter and an employer of labour, particularly in Scotland. The tripartite discussions (between the Government, management and the unions) were described by Mr Benn as "constructive." The £15 million state investment is to be made up of four million ordinary shares at £1-50 each, and 2-7 million non-voting shares at £1 each. This will give the Government 60 per cent of the votes and 62 '2 per cent of the equity. The Government is also to sub scribe £6 • 3 million in the form of loan stock. Mr Benn also said that changes in management would improve the com pany's prospects. There had earlier been speculation that some members of the de Ferranti family might be dis placed from the board, but two new, Government - recommended board members are to be appointed, as are a new chief executive and finance director, while Messrs Basil and Sebastian de Ferranti will retain their present positions. Although the new deal does not totally nationalise Ferranti—earlier press reports had speculated on a 75 per cent Government holding—Mr Benn says that the 50 per cent stake "is more than enough to give the Government effective control over the company." Chairman Sebastian de Ferranti says that the settlement "is a satisfactory deal, fairly arrived at, which gives us everything to look for ward to." According to Mr Benn, the com pany's financial problems stem from the loss-making Transformer Division in Lancashire, but no decision will be made to dispose of the division with out Government approval. Concluding his statement, Mr Benn said that the Government "will encourage the development of industrial democracy" within Ferranti. The company has recently announced several major contracts and will in addition be manufacturing the radar for the Maritime Harrier. The first two Boeing 747SPs are seen at Everett before the roll-out of the first aircraft (beyond) which was expected last Monday; the lowered fin root and simple flaps are noteworthy. The second aircraft (foreground) will be completed in July. An analysis of the latest 747 variant, with cutaway drawing, begins on page 818
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