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Aviation History
1980
1980 - 2286.PDF
FLIGHT International, 23 August 1980 TAA resists A300 cancellation STATE-OWNED Trans-Australia Air lines says it will face an A$250 million (£122'2 million) breach of contract lawsuit if the Government forces it to cancel its order for four Airbus In dustrie A300s (see Air Transport, page 652). Deputy Prime Minister Douglas Anthony is expected to press the Australian cabinet to decide one way or the other by the end of the month, according to The Financial Australian. "He won't have a leg to stand on in any court action," says an airline spokesman. The proposed embargo' is an attempt to put pressure on the European Economic Community which, Anthony believes, is planning to "dump" excess Community sheep- meat produce on Australia's third- world markets. "We believe Mr Anthony is using the threat as a vote^winning ploy for the bush. Unfortunately we are hav ing to pay the price of his politick ing," the spokesman concludes. Anthony says that he is prepared to face any political reaction as the price of taking a "tough line" with Europe. Boeing to reduce production rate BOEING is to reduce its airliner- production rates from the figures pre viously announced for 1980 and 1981. Original estimates saw 322 aircraft being constructed in the current year, but this month's report of Boeing per formance in the first six months of 1980 includes new predictions: first- half 1980 production of 157 airliners will be followed by a further 148 units for a total of 305. Boeing foresees a 1981 total of 278 aircraft. Deliveries in the first half of 1980 comprised: two 707s, 62 727s, 45 737s and 39 747s. Production next year is predicted as: three 707s, 105 727s, 107 737s and 63 747s. The new plans work out at a production rate of 25J2 units a month, down from an original figure of 27; next year's rate is worth a little more than 23 a month. Some 227 aircraft sales are announced for the first half of 1980 against 148 for last year's similar period. Total value of those sales is put at $4,559 million, up from, $3,679 million last year; net profit was some $295 million against $228 million in 1979. Sales for the whole year are expected to reach $9,500 million, a figure which Boeing says is likely to be surpassed in 1981. Order backlog stands at $19,743 million, up from $16,132 million at the end of 1979. Boeing employment is expected to remain relatively stable over the next two years in contrast to earlier pre dictions that manpower growth would exceed levels currently reached. Nasa's Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft lands on USS Kitty Hawk. During sea trials the Stol aircraft has completed 37 touch-and-go landings and 16 full-stop landings with winds over the deck of 30kt. The aircraft has demonstrated a landing run of 300ft using brakes only —* J» • I. ** lilliin^MiT^HInr dtrnk T n i II i Jhjnr II ILTfi^i.JvlTr"*^! .-"•-5MT*K- ;.;••' .•<*>••• :••; :-;.':"i"" ..,.. •,.:..,. 651 Advanced Scout Helicopter postponed THE US Army has postponed the advanced scout helicopter (ASH), planned as a companion to the Hughes AH-64 attack helicopter. In stead, it has launched the Advanced Helicopter Improvement Programme to develop an interim ASH from exist ing Bell OH-58s, UH-ls or Hughes OH-6s. The modified scout will feature a mast-mounted sight and some form of laser designator and night-vision system. Development of the definitive ASH will be delayed until the late 1980s. Challenger certificated CANADAIB'S Challenger has been certificated after an eight-month de lay. The manufacturer says it is ready to deliver five Challengers now and then two to three a month, working up to a monthly maximum of seven by late 1981. Canadair claims 128 firm Challenger orders and 40 orders with deposits for the Challenger E stretched version. Current Challenger price with Avco Lycoming engines is $7 million for delivery in mid-1982 and $7-8 million with General Electric engines for de livery in the first half of 1983. Chal lenger E will cost $8-9 million for early 1984 delivery. These prices are subject to escalation. RHYS PROBERT RHYS PROBERT, director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment since 1973, has died at the age of 59 follow ing a short illness. Probert's career spanned almost 40 years of jet engine development and aerospace research. Early RAE work on gasi-turbine measurment was fol lowed by research at Power Jets and a short spell in the US on the Bumble Bee missile programme. Probert joined the National Gas Turbine Establishment in 1947, being appointed its deputy director ten years later. In 1963 he joined the Ministry of Aviation as director- general of scientific research (air), where he was associated with pro grammes and policy. He was chairman of the Defence Research Committee Working Party on helicopter research, and headed the joint management committee dur ing the early days of the first Anglo- French helicopter collaboration work which followed negotiations he had led. After being appointed RAE director in 1973, he was awarded the Royal Aeronautical Society gold medal in 1976. Probert was the 1979- 80 RAeS president.
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