All aerospace news – Page 1784

  • News

    Safety surprises

    1999-07-28T00:00:00Z

    A relatively safe first half of 1999 included some landmark events in airline flight safety David Learmount/LONDON An airline industry-feared rise in air transport accidents is not happening. A marked flight safety improvement has occurred in the first half of this year, compared with the same period last year, despite ...

  • News

    Taking on the dollar

    1999-07-21T12:43:00Z

    Jack Sellsby/LONDON When the euro was introduced at the start of this year, it became a huge source of new currency financing almost overnight, although the airlines were not the quickest of the corporates to take advantage. But like any other industry on the lookout for fresh, plentiful finance ...

  • News

    Control freaks

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    It often takes a crisis to unite an industry and push participants into much-needed action. A crisis is exactly what Europe's air traffic control system is facing this summer, and Eurocontrol, Europe's air navigation organisation, freely admits it. The signs are already there. Last summer's system performance was poor, ...

  • News

    777 operators object to GE as sole supplier

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    A growing number of Boeing 777 operators are signalling displeasure over the selection of General Electric as the sole source powerplant supplier for the 777X, as potential launch customers receive offers of the ultra-long-range derivative. United Airlines has made its disapproval known by unveiling an order for more Pratt ...

  • News

    Eurocontrol delays steps to taking regulatory powers

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Emma Kelly/BRUSSELS Eurocontrol's Council has delayed until October a decision on whether to approve plans to consider granting the air navigation organisation regulatory powers to force member states to make urgent air traffic management (ATM) improvements. The move comes as Europe's air traffic control (ATC) system is facing a summer ...

  • News

    LanPeru hovers as AeroPeru searches for cash

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    LanPeru seeks to expand rapidly its new domestic operation, with international services to Miami and the surrounding region on its agenda. The airline could face delay, however, as AeroPeru, the bankrupt national carrier that is LanPeru's direct competitor, is given another 60-day extension by creditors to find financial backers. ...

  • News

    Boeing is considering 'shrunk' 767-400ER for long range role

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Guy Norris/SEATTLE Boeing is considering a possible shrink of the 767-400ER as an alternative to meeting the long range requirement of the proposed 767-300ERX with discrete upgrades from the stretched twin-aisle development. The move would be a subtle but distinct change in direction for the 767 programme and ...

  • News

    Atlantic seeks to end limit on regionals jets

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) is pressing United Airlines for unlimited use of regional jets under 50 seats as it places a conditional order with Fairchild Aerospace for up to 110 328/428JETs to replace British Aerospace Jetstream 32 and Jetstream 41 turboprops. The United Express carrier wants to phase out ...

  • News

    Star Alliance pursues French and German rail options

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Julian Moxon/PARIS French railway company SNCF is considering a move that could see it become the first "non-airline" member of the Star Alliance - although it has not yet dismissed alternative options which could see it do a "train/plane" deal with a single airline, or open its route network ...

  • News

    IAI snaps up Airborne 767 freighter contract

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    The Bedek division of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) has won a contract from Airborne Express for cargo conversions on at least 11 Boeing 767-200s. Airborne is acquiring 22 passenger General Electric CF6-powered 767-200s from All Nippon Airways for its cargo fleet, with the initial conversions being carried out by ...

  • News

    Airports

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Aeroports de Paris, the operator of Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, has signed a partnership agreement with Chateauroux-Deols Airport to study the potential of the latter to handle increased freight traffic. Chateauroux-Deols is located in the Paris area and offers a 24h operation. Passenger numbers at London Luton Airport ...

  • News

    Final A3XX decisions loom for Airbus

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Julian Moxon/TOULOUSE Airbus Industrie is to take decisions on the final assembly site and technology content of the A3XX in November in preparation for a possible commercial campaign from next January. The European consortium will decide which technologies to use in the 550-seat aircraft to achieve the desired 15% reduction ...

  • News

    US AOPA warns on safety after Loran delays

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    The US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has warned that general aviation safety will be seriously undermined by any further delay in the decision on the continuation of the Loran-C navigation system and any plans to bring forward the shut down of Loran-C transmitters in the USA. AOPA ...

  • News

    UK ambulance service expands

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    The National Association of Air Ambulance Services (NAAAS) is extending its operational coverage within the UK and has issued a tender for two new helicopters to cover two key regions. "The minimum requirement will be for twin-engined helicopters with the ability to transport two patients and two attendants as well ...

  • News

    Landing gear deals clear BFGoodrich/Coltec merger

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    BFGoodrich and Coltec Industries completed their $2.2 billion merger on 12 July, after agreements were reached with AlliedSignal and Crane to preserve competition in the US landing system industry. The agreements ended lawsuits which had blocked the deal, but left the "strategic and economic fundamentals of the merger completely ...

  • News

    Teledesic finalises Internet deal

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Teledesic has signed a launch contract with Lockheed Martin and concluded a system agreement with Motorola for its global, broadband Internet-in-the-sky satellite communications network. Teledesic's contract with Lockheed Martin calls for the lift-off of three Proton M and three Atlas V launches, carrying multiple Teledesic satellites per mission, with ...

  • News

    Solar array joints delivered

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space has delivered to International Space Station prime contractor Boeing the solar array rotary joints and the second of two thermal radiator rotary joints for the station. The 3m (10ft)-diameter solar array joints are "the largest mechanisms ever designed to operate in a space environment", says ...

  • News

    Shuttle could fly until 2030

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    NASA predicts that its Space Shuttle could still be flying up to 2030 unless the US Government helps to fund new reusable launch vehicle projects. The Space Shuttle programme's four orbiters are a quarter of the way through their lifetimes, says Richard Stephens, vice-president and general manager ...

  • News

    Spain joins Argentina for Cesar project

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Spain and Argentina are working together on the Cesar satellite, planned for launch in 2003. Cesar, which will be developed by Spain's Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA) and Argentina's space agency CONAE, will transmit 5m (16ft)-resolution images of the earth. A launcher for the 400kg (880lb) spacecraft has ...

  • News

    Boeing tackles winglet erosion in MD-11 modification package

    1999-07-21T00:00:00Z

    Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES Boeing plans to complete work by the end of the year on improvements to tackle long-standing operational problems on the MD-11. They include new coatings to prevent excessive erosion to the winglets, modifications to stop skin cracks and changes to system fittings and valves to prevent ...