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UPDATE
Week ending 21 November 2004

+++ X-43 Scramjet sets new speed record +++ Europe reaches the Moon +++ Boeing offers 777 freighter +++ Rockwell Collins completes successful demonstration of VDL Mode 3 +++ Lufthansa opens VIP terminal +++ Swiss achieves quarterly profit +++ PW6000 certified +++ News in brief +++

X-43 Scramjet sets new speed record
Mach 10 mit Scramjet

NASA's X-43A research vehicle screamed into the record books again Tuesday, demonstrating an air-breathing engine can fly at nearly 10 times the speed of sound. Preliminary data from the scramjet-powered research vehicle show its revolutionary engine worked successfully at nearly Mach 9.8, or 7,000 mph, as it flew at about 110,000 feet. The high-risk, high-payoff flight, originally scheduled for Nov. 15, took place in restricted airspace over the Pacific Ocean northwest of Los Angeles. The flight was the last and fastest of three unpiloted flight tests in NASA's Hyper-X Program. The program's purpose is to explore an alternative to rocket power for space access vehicles.
"This flight is a key milestone and a major step toward the future possibilities for producing boosters for sending large and critical payloads into space in a reliable, safe, inexpensive manner," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "These developments will also help us advance the Vision for Space Exploration, while helping to advance commercial aviation technology," Administrator O'Keefe said. Supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjets) promise more airplane-like operations for increased affordability, flexibility and safety in ultra high-speed flights within the atmosphere and for the first stage to Earth orbit. The scramjet advantage is once it is accelerated to about Mach 4 by a conventional jet engine or booster rocket, it can fly at hypersonic speeds, possibly as fast as Mach 15, without carrying heavy oxygen tanks, as rockets must.
The flight was postponed by one day when repair of an instrumentation problem with the X-43A caused a delay. When the preflight checklist was resumed, not enough time remained to meet the FAA launch deadline of 7 p.m. EST. The X-43A, attached to its modified Pegasus rocket booster, took off from Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., tucked under the wing of the B-52B launch aircraft. The booster and X-43A were released from the B-52B at 40,000 feet and the booster's engine ignited, taking the X-43A to its intended altitude and speed. The X-43A then separated from the booster and accelerated on scramjet power to a brief flight at nearly Mach 10.

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Europe reaches the Moon
SMART-1 erreicht Mondumlaufbahn

ESA's SMART-1 is successfully making its first orbit of the Moon, a significant milestone for the first of Europe's Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology (SMART) spacecraft. A complex package of tests on new technologies was successfully performed during the cruise to the Moon, while the spacecraft was getting ready for the scientific investigations which will come next. These technologies pave the way for future planetary missions. SMART-1 reached its closest point to the lunar surface so far - its first 'perilune' – at an altitude of about 5000 kilometres at 18:48 Central European Time (CET) on 15 November. Just hours before that, at 06:24 CET, SMART-1's solar-electric propulsion system (or 'ion engine') was started up and is now being fired for the delicate manoeuvre that will stabilise the spacecraft in lunar orbit. During this crucial phase, the engine will run almost continuously for the next four days, and then for a series of shorter burns, allowing SMART-1 to reach its final operational orbit by making ever-decreasing loops around the Moon. By about mid-January, SMART-1 will be orbiting the Moon at altitudes between 300 kilometres (over the lunar south pole) and 3000 kilometres (over the lunar north pole), beginning its scientific observations.
The main purpose of the first part of the SMART-1 mission, concluding with the arrival at the Moon, was to demonstrate new spacecraft technologies. In particular, the solar-electric propulsion system was tested over a long spiralling trip to the Moon of more than 84 million kilometres. This is a distance comparable to an interplanetary cruise. For the first time ever, gravity-assist manoeuvres, which use the gravitational pull of the approaching Moon, were performed by an electrically-propelled spacecraft. The success of this test is important to the prospects for future interplanetary missions using ion engines. SMART-1 has demonstrated new techniques for eventually achieving autonomous spacecraft navigation. The OBAN experiment tested navigation software on ground computers to determine the exact position and velocity of the spacecraft using images of celestial objects taken by the AMIE camera on SMART-1 as references. Once used on board future spacecraft, the technique demonstrated by OBAN will allow spacecraft to know where they are in space and how fast they are moving, limiting the need for intervention by ground control teams.

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Boeing offers 777 freighter
Neuer Frachter von Boeing

Boeing is expanding its 777 commercial airplane family and now is offering a cargo model that will be the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter. Due to enter service in fourth quarter 2008, the new Boeing 777 Freighter is based on the technologically advanced 777-200LR (Longer Range), the world's longest-range commercial airplane. The 777 Freighter will fly farther than any other freighter and will provide more capacity than any twin-engine cargo airplane. "The efficiency, operating economics and range of the 777 are unsurpassed, and cargo carriers around the globe will now share in the value of the 777 family," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. "The 777 Freighter further strengthens our leadership position in the world cargo market."
The new freighter brings Boeing's 777 family to six models. Boeing selected the 777-200LR platform for the new Freighter because it offers the preferred mix of range and payload capabilities for cargo operators. The first 777-200LR will enter passenger service in 2006. Boeing is currently in discussions with several potential customers for the 777 Freighter and foresees a strong market demand for an efficient, long-range, high-capacity twin-engine freighter. The 777 Freighter will have a revenue payload capability of 222,000 pounds (101 metric tons) and will accommodate 27 standard pallets (125 x 96 inch; 244 x 318 cm) on its main deck and 10 in its lower cargo hold. It can fly 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 km) with a full payload and market-preferred cargo load density. Delivering the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, the 777 Freighter will meet QC2 noise standards for maximum accessibility to noise-sensitive airports.

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Rockwell Collins completes successful demonstration of VDL Mode 3
VHF Digitalfunk zugelassen

The first commercial passenger aircraft to use the Federal Aviation Administration's Next Generation Communications VHF Data Link (VDL) Mode 3 digital voice communications was certified October 17, 2004, opening the way for more efficient voice and data communications between air traffic controllers and pilots. The aircraft is equipped with Rockwell Collins VHF radio and communications management unit. During the certification test flight from Atlanta, GA to Atlantic City, NJ, the pilots in the Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 used the new digital voice communications system to exchange messages with ground controllers and with FAA engineers located at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Comments from the pilots were that “voice reception was very clear” and “voice quality was much better than analog”.
This historic event of the first operational use of digital voice communications for commercial aircraft was a joint effort between the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), avionics manufacturers Rockwell Collins and Gables Engineering, and Delta Air Lines. It was the final phase of a three year program by Rockwell Collins to develop the first of a series of avionics equipment for the FAA's new digital VHF communications system. The Rockwell Collins' VHF-2100 VHF Communications Transceiver and the Gables Engineering G7424-302 Radio Tuning Panel used in the flight is the first Technical Standard Order (TSO) equipment to be certified for VDL Mode 3 operation. Designed to replace the existing analog technology radio communications system, the FAA's new NEXCOM VDL Mode 3 digital system will provide the increased voice and data communications capacity needed for air traffic growth. In addition to improved voice communications, NEXCOM VDL Mode 3 will also contain a high security digital data link connection. Messages to and from an aircraft and the FAA ground controllers can be viewed directly on a cockpit video display, eliminating any misunderstandings of the controller's instructions or pilots requests.

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Lufthansa opens VIP terminal
Frankfurt mit exklusiver Passagierabfertigung

Lufthansa will offer its First Class passengers a new dimension in travel as of December 1, 2004. The exclusive service starts on the ground in Frankfurt, in the newly-built First Class terminal or in the new First Class lounges. In the premium travel segment, Lufthansa is setting new international standards. Concierge services, limousine-transfer direct to the aircraft, an exclusive ambience with gourmet catering and personal attention for guests from arrival at the airport right through to take-off are the special features of the service with which Lufthansa makes travel even more comfortable for its First Class guests. Lufthansa will help its First Class passengers departing from Frankfurt with the usual procedures when arriving at the airport, from parking the car to check-in, security controls and customs, in order to save time and make their journey more hassle-free.
"Customers should have more time for more important things. First Class guests who spend many days in the month aboard an aircraft and at airports expect to be able to decide for themselves how they spend their time. We would like to create an environment similar to that of a journey by private jet. Top service for top customers. That is our claim for the First Class terminal and the First Class lounges at the airport," said the Chairman of Lufthansa's Executive Board, Wolfgang Mayrhuber.
In the First Class terminal, in an area of more than 19,000 square feet, Lufthansa First Class guests can make better use of their time before take-off. A personal assistant is at the passenger's disposal throughout his entire stay. The guest has the choice of how he or she would like to spend the time until takeoff: separate rooms, individual offices complete with telephone, notebook connection and office materials offer the possibility of working in absolute privacy. The guest can relax in luxuriously-furnished rooms, complete with modern and spacious bathrooms with shower and bathtub to provide much-needed refreshment before or after a long journey. On comfortable sofas, armchairs and relaxation chairs guests can make themselves comfortable in the lounge area, watch TV or select from the extensive range of newspapers and magazines. There is also the possibility of watching individual films, listening to music or surfing the Internet using wireless LAN. In the First Class terminal's restaurant, the chefs prepare seasonal dishes before the eyes of the guest. A separate Cigar Lounge with snacks and drinks is also available for smokers. Guests in the new First Class Terminal will no longer have to walk to the gate. They will be picked up in good time before take-off and chauffeur-driven in a Mercedes S-Class or Porsche Cayenne directly to the aircraft. "With the First Class terminals and lounges we are offering a new service dimension for our best and most loyal customers -- a further sign of Lufthansa's customer orientation," according to Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales of Lufthansa.

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Swiss achieves quarterly profit
Besseres Ergebnis für Swiss

Swiss International Air Lines (Group) achieved a profit from operating activities (EBIT) of CHF 20 million for the third quarter of 2004 – the three-month period which is traditionally the strongest of the year. The result compares to a loss from operating activities (before restructuring costs) of CHF 62 million for the prior-year period. SWISS posted a profit from operating activities of CHF 1 million for the first nine months of 2004 (or a loss of CHF 67 million excluding the one time effect from the settlement of a legal case in the second quarter). By comparison, SWISS recorded a loss (before restructuring costs) from operating activities of CHF 408 million for the first nine months of 2003. The dramatic increase in fuel prices added approximately CHF 64 million to SWISS's operating expenses in the first nine months of 2004, and was thus a key factor for the delay in the SWISS turnaround process. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to CHF 361 million on September 30, 2004, without taking into account the additional funds from the new credit facility.
SWISS generated consolidated income from operating activities of CHF 927 million in the third quarter of 2004, compared to CHF 1 076 million for the same period last year. The company recorded a profit from operating activities (EBIT) of CHF 20 million for the period, which compares to a loss from operating activities (before restructuring costs) of CHF 62 million for the prior-year period. For the first nine months of 2004 SWISS posted consolidated income from operating activities of CHF 2 695 million (2003: CHF 3 174 million) and an EBIT of CHF 1 million. Without taking into account the income from the settlement of a legal case in the second quarter, the company would however have posted a loss from operating activities of CHF 67 million for the first nine months of the year. In the comparable period of 2003 the loss from operating activities was CHF 408 million (before restructuring costs), or CHF 613 million respectively (after restructuring costs).
“Showing the first operating profit of CHF 20 million for the third quarter confirms our strategy.” says Christoph Franz, President and Chief Executive Officer. “SWISS still positions itself as a network carrier with strong intercontinental services centred on its Zurich hub. The result for the – traditionally strongest – third quarter is, despite the operating profit, below our expectations. In addition to unachieved savings in maintenance, record high fuel price levels burden with CHF 35 million our third-quarter results. SWISS is still in a position in which we must further significantly reduce our costs and consistently exploit all revenue earnings potential.”
Cash and cash equivalents amounted to CHF 361 million on September 30, 2004, not taking into account the additional cash funds deriving from the recently closed credit facility. The balance sheet also showed fixed-term deposits of a further CHF 5 million. Cash and cash equivalents had stood at CHF 353 million (plus CHF 5 million in fixed-term deposits) at the end of June 2004; and SWISS had held cash and cash equivalents of CHF 503 million at the end of 2003. SWISS closed a definitive credit agreement with an international banking syndicate for a CHF 325 million secured credit facility at the end of October 2004. Of this, net additional liquidity of CHF 180 million will be directly available. The remaining CHF 145 million will initially serve as security on obligations currently held by SWISS. Once these obligations, which arise from certain aircraft lease agreements, have been met, the credit amount available to SWISS within the overall credit facility will be gradually increased, to CHF 290 million in June 2005 and to the full CHF 325 million in the course of 2006. The credit agreement has been concluded for a three-year period.

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PW6000 certified
FAA-Zulassung für PW6000

Pratt & Whitney successfully completed U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAR 33 certification testing on the company's PW6000 engine last month, earning FAR 33 status on Nov. 11. During the FAR 33 certification test program, the engine completed more than 10 demanding engine certification tests and concluded these tests ahead of schedule last month. The engine performed flawlessly, demonstrating the durability of the PW6000 design. "This is a tremendous accomplishment and an important step for the PW6000 program," said Steve Heath, vice president of Commercial Engine Programs. "We are well positioned to earn JAR 25 certification on the Airbus A318 in October 2005," he said. The PW6000, with a thrust range of 18,000 to 24,000 pounds, is targeted for new 100-passenger-sized aircraft. It features a number of new technologies enabling low cost of operation. A prominent design feature is the overall reduction in compressor and turbine stages that contributes substantially to lower maintenance and ownership costs. It is fully compliant with the more stringent noise and emissions standards expected to be in place in 2006.

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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

"After three years of firefighting, today we begin re-building the industry with four initiatives to simplify the business that will change the way people travel," said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Kicking off the air transport industry's first working conference dedicated to Simplifying the Business, Bisignani said "Using technology effectively, we will strengthen the industry with improved passenger service and reduced costs." The four core projects at the heart of the initiative are lead by a commitment to 100% electronic ticketing by the end of 2007. Three related projects further simplify the travel process: common use self service kiosks (CUSS) for check-in, bar-coded boarding passes and radio frequency identification for interline baggage management. All were agreed by a resolution at the June 2004 IATA AGM. In the wake of cumulative industry losses topping US$30 billion since 2001, cost reduction is a priority. In 2003, airlines reduced non-fuel unit costs by 2.5% and a further 3.0% reduction is expected for 2004. E-ticketing will save the industry US$3 billion annually in processing costs. RFID for interline baggage management promises improvements in handling accuracy in the range of 15%. Placed in the context of an industry that handles 1.5 billion bags per year, even with less than 1% of bags being mishandled, significant savings in service recovery costs are easily realized. Each check-in using a CUSS kiosk will save US$0.50 in processing costs. "Whether it is saving US$9 per each e-ticket, or US$100 for each bag that is not mishandled, each project contributes to industry savings and a better experience for our 1.6 billion annual passengers. This is a win-win proposition," said Bisignani. Individually, many airlines implemented parts of the simplifying programme. IATA's mission is to spread the benefits industry-wide with interline solutions. "For some, these solutions are already commonplace. But for others it is a complete revolution," said Bisignani. "We must all work together to ensure that the implementation is global and that every carrier is prepared."
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The Boeing Airborne Laser (ABL) team fired a laser beam for the first time using the flight laser modules in the ABL System Integration Lab at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Boeing is the team lead and system integrator for the ABL system under contract to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, and involves placing a megawatt-class, high-energy Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) on a Boeing 747-400F aircraft to detect, track and destroy ballistic missiles in the boost phase of flight. ABL can also pass information on launch site, target track and predicted impact point to other layers of the global ballistic missile defense system. "Today, we successfully demonstrated the critical element necessary for the ABL to enter the next phase of its testing," said Jim Evatt, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. "We're proud of the ABL team for overcoming the many first-of-a-kind obstacles to get to this point and look forward to the deployment of ABL." The lasing or "first light" event follows a series of chemical activation tests that occurred over the past year at Edwards AFB. The first light test simultaneously operated the laser's six COIL modules, optics and chemical supply system.
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The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has exercised its option to purchase additional Lockheed Martin Pantera advanced targeting pods (ATPs) with accompanying spares and support. Terms and quantities of the option were not disclosed. The RNoAF, Lockheed Martin's first customer to commit the PANTERA ATP to operational use, has been flying the pods in domestic and international training exercises since the first quarter of 2004. Lockheed Martin completed its first lot delivery of Pantera ATPs to Norway during August 2004.
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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) moved a major step forward with the opening of a state-of-the-art facility in Cullman, Ala., that will machine the observatory's optical components. Northrop Grumman Corporation is the prime contractor for JWST, leading the observatory's design and development team under contract to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The new facility, owned by Northrop Grumman team member Axsys Technologies Inc., houses advanced computer-aided manufacturing and metrology equipment that will shape JWST's optical components to a high degree of accuracy. The components consist of 18 hexagonal beryllium segments for JWST's primary mirror, measuring 1.3 meters from tip to tip, and other mirror substrates and support structures.
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On November 16, Raytheon officially presented U.S. Navy officials with the unitary/penetration variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW-C), the newest version of the successful unpowered air-to-ground weapon system. The first production delivery ceremony took place at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson. JSOW-C incorporates a Raytheon-developed uncooled, long-wave infrared seeker with automatic target acquisition algorithms, providing the Navy a launch-and-leave weapon with a long-range standoff precision strike capability. JSOW-C is the first U.S. weapon to incorporate the two stage broach blast fragmentation/penetration warhead, developed by the United Kingdom's BAE Systems. Thales provides the fuze. JSOW-C has a unique capability for a glide weapon in its ability to attack a hardened target in a near-horizontal mode.
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The Space Based Infrared System High (SBIRS High) team, led by Lockheed Martin, anounced the successful completion of the system's Signal Processing Assembly software critical design review (CDR) with payload provider Northrop Grumman. The Signal Processing Assembly (SPA) is a key payload component of SBIRS-High, the nation's next-generation missile warning system. Under contract to the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the SBIRS High prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., have developed a new hardware and software design that provides unprecedented signal processing capabilities for space infrared detection. The successful CDR demonstrates that the SPA flight software meets all critical design requirements and the SPA is ready for design implementation. This marks the second major achievement for the SBIRS High team this year. In August, the team delivered the first Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) payload to the Air Force. First delivery of the SPA will be with the infrared payload on the first SBIRS High GEO satellite, which is scheduled for launch in 2007.
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On Novemer 12, Embraer announced an order from Air Canada for 15 EMBRAER 175 airliners, plus options for an additional 15 aircraft, adding to its order placed earlier this year for 45 firm and options for 45 EMBRAER 190 aircraft. Deliveries of the EMBRAER 175s are set to begin in July 2005. At list price, the order for the 15 EMBRAER 175s is valued at US$ 420 million (CAD$ 507.86 million), with a potential value of US$ 840 million (CAD$ 1.016 billion) if all options are converted. With this formal purchase agreement, Air Canada becomes the first customer for the EMBRAER 175. Air Canada signed an agreement in September for 45 EMBRAER 190s, with options for 45 additional aircraft. Those aircraft will begin delivery in late 2005 following final certification, while Brazilian and U.S. certification of the EMBRAER 175 is expected by the end of this year.
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Multi-phase Mission Systems aperture testing is under way on a full-scale model of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at the Air Force Research Laboratories' Newport, N.Y., test facility. The model, manufactured by Advanced Technologies, Inc., of Newport News, Va., is being used to measure installed antenna pattern, gain and phase measurements for the F-35's Communication, Navigation & Identification (CNI) and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems. The aperture test program, a major Mission Systems development milestone, began on Oct. 1 with testing of the CNI system's upper L-Band antennas from Ball Aerospace. Early test results show the pre-production apertures meet or exceed pattern and gain requirements while installed in the F-35 model. Additional tests are evaluating the performance of the CNI system's Satellite Communications, Global Positioning System and UHF/VHF communications apertures. EW aperture testing will begin in 2005.
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Boeing announced the formation of a teaming partnership with Paris communications company Alcatel to provide satellite communication subsystems for Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS). The agreement builds on a strategy aimed at supplying satellite customers with unsurpassed quality and value. "Alcatel shares in our commitment to build the highest quality satellite systems at competitive prices, and deliver those systems on time," said Dave Ryan, vice president and general manager of Boeing Satellite Systems. "The reward for high-performing partners who share this vision will be longer-term partnerships that will provide our customers cost-effective satellite solutions from best-of-industry suppliers." The alliance incorporates collaboration on several key satellite projects that include the development of spacecraft that will provide digital audio radio. Pascale Sourisse, Chairman and CEO of Alcatel Space said, "The partnership between Boeing and Alcatel, two world leaders in satellite manufacturing, builds upon a six year relationship and will provide Boeing customers unrivaled access to the expertise of both companies."
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NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe appointed astronaut C. Michael Foale as Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Operations reporting to both NASA's Associate Administrators for Exploration Systems and Space Operations. Foale will advise the mission directorate senior leadership on immediate, near term opportunities to refocus and realign training, operations, engineering support and life sciences research towards accomplishing the Vision for Space
Exploration.

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TAME Linea Aerea del Ecuador, the state-run Ecuadorian airline, and Embraer announced at a press conference in Quito the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the acquisition of seven EMBRAER 170/190 family aircraft. Under the agreement, TAME will acquire two EMBRAER 170 LR, configured for 70 passengers, and one EMBRAER 190, configured for 98 passengers. The other four aircraft are options. TAME, seen as a pivotal part of the government's efforts at Ecuadorian integration, is an example of dedication and efficiency, connecting several destinations within the national territory. TAME is currently renewing its fleet. Shortly, it expects to incorporate the EMBRAER 170 and EMBRAER 190.
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Delta AirElite Business Jets is enhancing its ability to respond to continued growth in charter and membership customers by adding a Learjet 31A and a Hawker 700A to its operating certificate. The Learjet 31A is based at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the Hawker 700A at the Lunken Airport in Cincinnati. Both aircraft will be operated under Delta AirElite's FAR Part 135 operating certificate. “We are experiencing increased demand due to the growth of our Fleet Charter and Fleet Membership programs," said Michael B. Green, president and chief executive officer of Delta AirElite Business Jets. "The addition of the Hawker brings a new aircraft type to our charter certificate, enabling us to offer one of the most diverse fleets of business jets in the industry. Adding another Lear 31A gives us additional capacity with an aircraft that is very popular with our customers."
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Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aerospace) and Boeing redelivered to Lufthansa Cargo AG (LCAG), the first of five MD-11 passenger aircraft converted into freighters at ST Aerospace's Paya Lebar facility. ST Aerospace is the aerospace arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering. The conversions are part of a fleet rollover by LCAG. These five MD-11s will replace the Boeing 747-200s in the LCAG fleet and also increase to a total of 19 MD-11s the carrier will operate. "Our plans to have a single-fleet-operation with MD-11 aircraft will help us compete more effectively in a very competitive market. The MD-11 freighters will provide higher reliability and flexibility to our operations, allowing us to respond to our customers' demands with even more flexibility and precision." said Jean-Peter JANSEN, Chairman, LCAG The first aircraft was inducted into ST Aerospace subsidiary, SASCO, in June 2004, following the signing of the modification services agreement with Boeing in November 2003. The entire conversion programme for the first aircraft - including the design undertaken by Boeing, and the conversion and maintenance performed by SASCO - was successfully completed ahead of schedule. The remaining four aircraft are currently undergoing conversion at SASCO, and the final aircraft is scheduled for redelivery in February 2005.
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The Engine Alliance GP7200 engine has reached a significant milestone on its path to certification for the Airbus A380 by successfully conducting the Federal Aviation Administration 'fan-blade-out test. During the test, performed at Pratt & Whitney facilities in East Hartford, Conn., one of the engine's 116-inch diameter fan blades was released from the fan hub by an explosive charge while the engine ran at maximum speed equivalent to more than 82,000 pounds of thrust. The GP7200 test engine demonstrated that it can contain the resulting damage and be safely shut down. "The GP7200 came through with flying colors," said Bruce Hughes, president of the Engine Alliance. "This test is one of the toughest an engine faces to obtain FAA certification and the GP7200 performed beautifully, demonstrating its robust design." The Engine Alliance currently has four engines in the GP7200 test program demonstrating operability, endurance and other key requirements for engine certification. The GP7200 will fly for the first time on the General Electric 747 flying testbed later this year and will make its first flight on the A380 in November 2005. Entry into service will be in October 2006 with Emirates.
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Goodrich's Singapore-based nacelle/thrust reverser maintenance, repair and overhaul operation has developed and implemented a supply chain management program with The Boeing Company to reduce turnaround time for Asian airline customers. Under the new program, Boeing will provide Goodrich with technical support/certification in servicing Boeing-designed and manufactured nacelle systems, as well as greater access to inventory that will be forward deployed in Singapore. This will allow Goodrich to reduce repair and overhaul turnaround times that will benefit airline customers in Singapore and the greater Asia region. Located adjacent to Singapore International Airport, the 230,000-square- foot RASA facility has full composite repair capabilities and the latest in state-of-the-art equipment and original equipment manufacturer tooling. RASA also features the largest autoclave of any maintenance repair and overhaul facility in the region. This autoclave is capable of accommodating both existing and new airliner platforms - including the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner.
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On November 17, US Airways announced that it will begin nonstop daily seasonal service to two new European destinations next summer, bringing customers convenient access to the art and magic of the Venetian canals and the unique architecture and Catalan culture of Barcelona. Additionally, US Airways will again offer seasonal service to Dublin, Glasgow and Shannon next summer, bringing the airline's European network to thirteen nonstop destinations. Philadelphia-Venice service will begin May 9, 2005, and Philadelphia- Barcelona service will begin on May 16, 2005. Nonstop service to Dublin, Glasgow and Shannon will resume on May 7, May 14, and May 8, respectively. All seasonal flights will operate on a daily, nonstop roundtrip schedule through Oct. 29, 2005, using 203-seat Boeing 767-200ER aircraft. Overall US Airways transatlantic frequency for summer 2005 will be unchanged from summer 2004.
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Boeing began testing its third block of software for the X-45A unmanned aircraft during flights on Oct. 21 and 28th at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Following a series of successful ground and taxi tests in August and September, the aircraft's Oct. 21 mission ensured the single-ship capabilities demonstrated in the previous software block functioned properly with the new software. The Oct. 28 flight was the first test of the unmanned system's capability to rapidly respond to a changing environment. The "Automated Dynamic Mission Replanning" function responded to a simulated "pop-up" ground threat during the flight by defining a revised route to avoid the threat, communicating it back to the pilot-operator, and following it after the pilot-operator concurred. After avoiding the pop-up threat, the X-45A resumed its primary route and continued on its direct attack mission.
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Primaris Airlines, the innovative all-first-class airline, is outfitting its fleet of aircraft with Iridium satellite telephones supplied by Blue Sky Network. Primaris Airlines installed the first Iridium system in April 2004 on a Boeing 757, which operates under charter for a special assignment press corps. The airline will complete two more installations before the end of the year, with five more expected by mid-2005. The Iridium communications suite consists of seven 9505 mobile phones, one of which is used for crew communications and the others for passengers. The cabin is wired with TNC connections in overhead panels next to the passenger lights and air vents. When a call needs to be made, one of the phones is simply plugged into the TNC.
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Goodrich has been selected by Rolls-Royce to supply an integrated sensor suite for the Trent 1000 engine, an engine option for the new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner. The Goodrich sensor suite includes 27 different products that will provide various critical measurements such as temperature, pressure, speed, flow, level and vibration. The contract is expected to generate over $150 million in original equipment and aftermarket sales through 2028. "Our performance on the Trent 900 sensor suite, which just completed certification, clearly helped us to become the preferred choice as the Trent 1000 sensor suite integrator," said Don Reynolds, Vice President of Goodrich Sensor Systems. "This award strengthens an already positive working relationship with Rolls-Royce. We take great pride in being part of the increasing total of Goodrich technology on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and the 7E7," he added.
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China Airlines and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company, announced that the two parties have reached a definitive agreement for bringing the power of the Internet and high-speed connectivity to travelers on China Airlines' North America flights during the initial service introduction phase. According to the agreement, the initial installation of the Connexion by Boeing SM real-time, high-speed Internet system aboard the CAL long-haul fleet of Boeing 747-400 aircraft will begin in the second quarter of 2005, with service availability shortly thereafter. The new Internet service will first be available on CAL's North America-bound flights to and from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anchorage and Vancouver, British Columbia. While financial terms were not disclosed, China Airlines is the sixth carrier in the world to sign a definitive agreement with Connexion by Boeing.
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Lockheed Martin's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile successfully intercepted two missile targets during Developmental Test/Operational Test-12 (DT/OT-12), the most complex flight test scenario to date for PAC-3. During the initial phase of the test, conducted at White Sands Missile Range, NM, six missiles were in the air simultaneously. In DT/OT-12, a total of four PAC-3 Missiles were ripple-fired against two separate targets: a Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT) modified to represent a short-range Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) and a medium velocity Storm Maneuvering Tactical Target Vehicle. The mission sequence was a two missile ripple-fire against the modified PAAT, closely followed by a two missile ripple-fire against the Storm target. Once the targets were intercepted and destroyed, the two remaining PAC-3s executed a preplanned self-destruct sequence.
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Boeing and representatives from about 70 airlines and financial institutions spent two days in Seattle this week discussing the all-new 7E7 Dreamliner airplane's progress as Boeing moves toward finalizing the airplane's configuration next year. In addition to meeting with customers in smaller, face-to-face sessions all year long, the 7E7 program hosted a cross-section of customers for the second consecutive year in a large-meeting setting. Called the Progress Summit II, the meeting featured open discussion about customer requirements, concepts for standardizing and simplifying the 7E7, and airplane financing. "As in the past on such airplanes as the 777, our customers' contributions to the process of defining the airplane have been essential to Boeing getting it right," said Boeing 7E7 Program Vice President, Sales, Marketing and In-Service Support John Feren. "The perspective and insight our customers have shared with us to help make the 7E7 the best value proposition is truly amazing." Finalizing the 7E7's configuration by mid-2005 is the next major milestone. After that, the first 7E7 enters production in 2006, with flight test during 2007 and certification, delivery and entry into service during 2008.
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December 10 has been set as the launch date for Arianespace Flight 165, which will use an Ariane 5 G vehicle to carry France's Helios IIA military observation payload and six supplemental small satellites. In a demonstration of Arianespace's operational flexibility, the company has targeted Flight 164 – the return-to-service mission for its heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA – in January 2005, allowing additional time for remaining actions to be completed for a final launch authorization.
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Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao and Flight Engineer Salizhan Sharipov are picking up the pace of scientific, maintenance and familiarization activities aboard the International Space Station. A highlight of the week's scientific activities was work with an advanced diagnostic method that could be important to medical care of future crewmembers on long spaceflights. It also could improve medical care in remote areas and emergency medical care on Earth. The crew devoted considerable time yesterday and today to the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM) experiment. The experiment looks at whether crewmembers can perform advanced ultrasound examinations after undergoing computer-based training. Data is sent as the scan is done in space to physicians on the ground, who use it in making a diagnosis. Crewmembers continued their regular exercise sessions and Station maintenance chores. Activities included replacement of smoke detectors in the Zarya module.
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NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) selected 70 proposals to support the research and technology goals and objectives of the Vision for Space Exploration. The total value of the work is more than $1 billion through fiscal year 2009. ESMD is responsible for creating capabilities, supporting research and technologies that will enable sustainable and affordable human and robotic exploration beyond low Earth orbit. "The innovative concepts and ideas set forth in these proposals will develop key technologies necessary to implement the Vision for Space Exploration," said Exploration Systems Directorate Associate Administrator Craig E. Steidle. The selection was made in response to a Broad Agency Announcement, one of several steps being taken by NASA to develop new partnerships with industry and academia. More than 3700 Notices of Intent were submitted to NASA, evaluated, and subjected to an integrated review across project areas. Submissions to the announcement follow a rigorous process to ensure timely and objective evaluation of their relevance, technical quality, cost, resources, planning, and socioeconomic merits. The field was narrowed from 485 full proposal submissions. The proposals support these Exploration Systems Research and Technology Programs: Advanced Space Technology, Technology Maturation, and Innovative Partnerships. Initially used by DOD to determine the necessities of an operational capability, the announcements are used by ESMD to encourage interaction with both academia and companies in pursuit of innovations that may have profound impact on NASA and the nation.
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The German Luftwaffe was involved in operations to evacuate foreigners from crisis-torn Ivory Coast An Airbus A310 was operating three shuttle flights between Abidjan and nearby Accra in Ghana on November 11 and 12, before flying back to Cologne Bonn on November 13 via Paris. .
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Ryanair announced four new daily routes from London Stansted to Brno (Czech Republic), Granada (Spain) Wroclow (Poland), and a new daily service from Gatwick to Knock (Ireland). In addition, Ryanair also announced increased frequency on its existing routes from London Stansted to Cork (from 3 to 4 x daily), Shannon (from 2 to 4 x daily) plus a second daily summer service to Nimes (France) from London.
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On 16 November, Ryanair celebrated carrying 10 million passengers in Germany and announced a fantastic 70,000 free seats sale (exc. taxes) from Dusseldorf Weeze Airport. Ryanair commenced flying to/from Germany in 1999 with just 1 route from Frankfurt Hahn to London Stansted. To date Ryanair successfully operates 39 international daily routes from 8 regional airports throughout Germany. Speaking in Dusseldorf Weeze Airport, Ryanair CEO, Michael O'Leary said: “In just 5 short years, Ryanair has grown to become Germany's No.1 low fares airline. Today we are celebrating carrying 10M passengers.”e started flying here to Dusseldorf Weeze in 2003, and this year we will carry over 300,000 passengers on our 5 international daily routes to/from Dusseldorf Weeze, saving consumers from the Dusseldorf region over Euro 30M off the fares charged by high fares airlines at Dusseldorf's “international” airport. However, Dusseldorf International Airport is desperately trying to prevent competition from Dusseldorf Weeze Airport and has gone so far as to prevent Weeze Airport from referring to “Dusseldorf” in its name, despite the fact that Weeze is officially designated by IATA as an airport serving the Dusseldorf region. This desperate act confirms the lengths that Dusseldorf International is willing to prevent competition and low fares for ordinary consumers in the region. We are confident Dusseldorf Weeze will succeed against Dusseldorf International's anti-competitive actions.”
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Built by EADS Astrium for Hispasat, the Amazonas satellite was launched from Baikonur on 5 August 2004. It has been deployed at 61 degrees West on the geostationary orbit and thoroughly tested at this location. The communications performance of its payload operating in C and Ku-bands is fully satisfactory. The Amazonas satellite carries 32 Ku-band and 19 C-band operating transponders, which commercially provide a global capacity of 63 equivalent transponders of 36 MHz. The technical configuration of Amazonas covers, with maximum power, the markets of Brazil and the rest of the American continent. Additionally, the Amazonas has transatlantic capacity allowing it to extend its coverage to Europe and North Africa, and complement the coverage of the current HISPASAT fleet of satellites, including the West coast of the United States.
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An F110-GE-129 engine in the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), being conducted jointly by General Electric Company and the U.S. Air Force (USAF) as part of the F110 Component Improvement Program, achieved a major milestone on October 15 when it successfully completed the Accelerated Mission Test (AMT). The test adhered to the most severe AMT 2003 endurance profile, which matches the current USAF flying profile as closely as possible. During a total of 1,148 hours of running time, the engine completed approximately 1,333 simulated sorties, including 4,639 total accumulated cycles (TACs) and 8,253 afterburner light-offs. No shop visits were required throughout the testing, and no issues were revealed by borescope inspection following the testing. The engine is scheduled for teardown for more exacting inspection.
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John J. Dupont, President and CEO of American Utilicraft Corporation, and Luke Butler, Chief Executive Officer of Global Air Group, of Brisbane Australia, after 5 months of negotiations have reached final agreements for the purchase of 100 FF-1080 Freight Feeder Aircraft and executed the Aircraft Purchase Agreement earlier this week. The Aircraft Purchase Agreement's estimated value is approximately $1.2 Billion including the support, spares, and training packages, and calls for progress payments for the construction of the production aircraft to begin upon "First Flight" of the FF-1080 Prototype Aircraft, slated for mid November 2005. The production FF-1080 settled upon by both Companies, will be the -300 version, which will accommodate the growing international freight feed market, and Global Air Group's Europe and Africa B-747 freight operations. The FF-1080-300 is a slightly larger version of AMUC's -200 developmental design.
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Mexico City based airline Mexicana has taken delivery of the first of 10 A318s, becoming the first operator of the type in Latin America. These aircraft will be operated under a lease agreement with GECAS. Powered by CFM International CFM56-5Bs engines, the aircraft is equipped with a spacious and comfortable two-class configuration seating 100 passengers. Mexicana already operates a fleet of 40 Airbus aircraft, including 15 A319s and 25 A320s. The new A318 will be operated on the airline's domestic network an also on routes to the USA, Canada and South America.
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Boeing is part of a NASA-led team of university and industry partners developing a preliminary design for the Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT), with components that will move long a structural beam in space like railway cars on a track. Boeing is contributing its technology in several areas. The company is exploring options for integration and test of this observatory (including an option for in-space assembly and test), providing technology road mapping for the team and exploring how existing technologies developed for the International Space Station might be used to move optical elements along the SPIRIT structure. SPIRIT will consist of an array of telescopes on a structure at least 30 m in length and will provide views of planet, star and galaxy formation in unprecedented detail while examining the atmospheric chemistry of giant planets around other stars. The telescopes will combine their images using interferometry techniques to achieve image resolution a hundred-fold better than that of NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. SPIRIT will examine the universe in far infrared and sub-millimeter wavelengths of light.
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Pilots of European low-fare carrier easyJet have begun their flight training with CAE now that two new CAE-built Airbus A320 full-flight simulators have been granted JAR STD Level 1A (Level-D) qualification by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority. Earlier this year, CAE had won a contract to train easyJet's pilots on the Airbus A320 family of aircraft for a minimum of seven years. The two simulators are qualified to Airbus standard 1.3.2, the latest standards for the Airbus A320. As announced during Farnborough 2004, the simulators will eventually be housed in CAE's new civil aviation training centre in London, which is slated for a fall 2006 opening. In the meantime, easyJet pilots are training at CAE's Burgess Hill facility.
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Following a recommendation from French civil aviation authority DGAC, CAE SimuFlite's technical training has been granted Part 147 approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). All aspects of the program, including the CAE SimuFlite facility in Dallas, the training process and the curriculum, have been approved. Although the Gulfstream V, Gulfstream IV and Falcon 2000 maintenance training programs were the first to achieve EASA Part 147 B1 approval, other maintenance programs offered by CAE SimuFlite are expected to follow suit shortly. CAE SimuFlite currently offers maintenance training programs for more than 25 different aircraft types.
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From 1 December onwards, the 'most frequent' flyers will benefit from exclusive services & privileges of the very highest standard. As part of its Miles & More programme with Lufthansa, Austrian has now established the HON Circle in an effort to reward the 'most frequent' of its frequent flyer passengers. In the past, the Miles & More frequent flyer programme has differentiated between Base Members, Frequent Travellers and Senators, with top clients in the latter category receiving a wide range of extra benefits and services in addition to bonus mileage. Now, with the launch of the new HON Circle programme, Austrian is offering a small and highly select group of Senator members extraordinary services and comforts designed to create a relaxed travel experience of the very highest standard. All Miles & More participants who earn at least 600,000 miles (status miles flown with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Air Dolomiti, AirOne or United Airlines) within two calendar years qualify to become HON Circle members. Of the approximately 350,000 Miles & More participants in Austria, just 150 people will benefit from this very special new status.
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SWISS is to offer a broader range of services from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg from the start of the 2005 summer schedules. Valencia and Palma de Mallorca join the Basel-based network; and seasonal flights will also be offered to Corsica, Sardinia and Naples from June to September. Service to London (City) Airport will also be increased. SWISS is convinced that Basel's “TriRhena” catchment area (comprising Northwest Switzerland, Alsace and Southwest Baden-Württemberg) holds sizeable business potential, and intends to further develop its current market position. To do so, SWISS will be selectively expanding its present range of services from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg to offer customers an attractive network that is tailored as closely as possible to their air travel needs. The services will be operated with a fleet of nine Saab 2000 aircraft. The expanded network will come into effect with the new summer schedules at the end of March 2005. The changes will see SWISS expand its services between Basel and Spain with the addition of two new destinations: Palma de Mallorca, the popular tourist destination, which will receive five weekly services; and Valencia, the venue for the next America's Cup, which will be served four times a week.
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