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Aviation History
2000
2000 - 0439.PDF
Boeing begins 70-seat 717 study GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES BOEING HAS BEGUN con cept studies of a 70-seat region al-jet variant of its 717 as part of wider family options based on the -200, -lOOXand -300X derivatives. It has also commissioned a broad- ranging study of the regional air line market to help guide its 717 development plan. The 70-seat study could herald a significant move by Boeing into the hotly contested booming regional- jet market and would be new terri tory for the manufacturer. "We have to go back to look at a 70- seater," confirms 717 programme chief project engineer and plat form leader, Thomas Croslin, who adds that the accompanying study is needed because "we are trying to understand the regional market". Although Boeing is aware of the potential pitfalls of shrinking air craft to meet niche requirements, it believes "development of a family- is also important", says Croslin. The current concept is based around a two-frame shrink of the proposed 717-100X, an 80-seater conceived as the MD-95-20, and the use of lighter Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans, in place of the BR715s used on the 717-200. The company believes its ag gressive cost-cutting efforts on the 717, aimed at achieving a 10% reduction by production of aircraft number 100, 20% by number 200 and 30% by the 300th aircraft, will make a shorter variant economical ly viable. Based on these projec tions, it believes it could match or beat competing products, such as Bombardier's CRJ900, which car ries a list price of $28-29 million. The regional market study, which will present conclusions and recommendations to Boeing be fore the middle of the year, co incides with the release of new funds to continue detailed configu ration studies of the proposed -100X and stretched -300X deriva tives. The work will include wind- tunnel studies on the closely cou pled -100X in particular. Less work is required for the stretched, 125- seat -300X, says Croslin, as this would be similar to the "well understood" McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50. The overall effort is aimed at securing an ultimate sales target of 1,500 717 "family" air craft, of which an estimated 1,000 would be-200s. News of the development em erged as TWA received its first 717-200 at Long Beach, Cali fornia. The airline is to take fifteen 717s this year as the first batch of 50 on firm order. TWA has options on 50 more. The airline plans to use die 717s on shorter routes as it gradually phases out 10 remaining 727-200s this year and 29 hushkitted DC-9s over die next four years. The DC-9 phase-out rate could speed up if the surge in fuel prices continues. 3 German association warns on defence THE German Aerospace In dustries Association (BDLI) has warned that budget cuts and tighter export controls are threat ening the future of the country's defence businesses. BDLI president Dr Gustav Humbert says the Berlin govern ment's decision to tighten export guidelines "puts Germany on a solo path and seriously handicaps the position of the German defence industry within European partnerships". DaimlerChrysler Aerospace is to merge with Aerospatiale Matra and CAS A later this year to form European Aeronautics Defense and Space. The German defence budget has shrunk since 1990 and contrac tors have seen revenues fall 51 % and shed 57% of their workforces during this time, Humbert claims. Humbert warns that the country risks losing core competencies in key areas "as has already occurred in guided missiles and communica tions and control systems". • Serge Dassault retires as chairman SERGE DASSAULT is to quit as chairman and chief executive of Dassault Aviation. His successor is Charles Edelstenne, the 62-year old accountant who is the com pany's executive vice-president of economic and financial affairs and chairman and chief executive of Dassault Systemes. Serge Dassault, 75 on 4 April, was compelled to stand down by a clause in the com pany's constitution which says that nobody over 75 can hold a position at Dassault. After he retires, Edcl- stenne says Dassault will "act as an adviser" - a position at one time occupied by Serge's father, Marcel. Serge Das sault continues to head Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault, the family's holding company, which controls 49.9% of Dassault Aviation, a position which will give him continuing extensive influ ence. Aerospatiale Matra Age holds 45.76%, and the remaining 4.34% is traded publicly. Bruno Revellin-Ealco/. becomes vice-chairman, moving up from his position as vice-president of engi neering, technology, research and co-operation. The changes are expected to lead to a management clause forces Dassault to step down restructure in early April. Dassault Aviation posted sales of Frl8.9billion(S2.8billion)inl999, down 6.3% on the previous year. The civil side, primarily business jets, accounted for 68% of income and military 32%. Net income last year was Frl. 14 billion, down from Frl.35 billion. • Jet fighter rival Saab saw military aerospace sales rise 18% to SKr5.38 billion (S626 million) in 1999, aided by the inclusion of avionics activi ties. Although Gripen sales also increased, high develop ment costs for the export ver sion sawr divisional operating profit fall 17% to SKr523 million, the only reversal across the group. Space sec- l tor sales rose 11%, but those | in commercial aircraft, being * wound down, fell by 11%. I The latter cut its losses to J SKr2 million. Group income < was up 10% and operating profit up 26%. • TWA received the first of at least 50 711-200s last week aul FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 22 - 28 February 2000 5
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