U 
P 
D 
A 
T 
E
Home | UPDATE | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles

UPDATE 
Week ending July 12, 1998
+++ Brussels rules on airline alliances +++ Lufthansa Cargo receives its first two MD-11s +++ Second Lockheed MartinF-22 Raptor flies +++ US Airways orders Airbus A330-300 +++ Efforts to recover SOHO spacecraft continue +++ European ministers outline position on aerospace restructuring +++ Hong Kongs new airport opened +++ First Flight for Rolls-Royce-powered A330-200 +++ Japan launches first Mars mission +++ BR715 engine for Boeing 717-200 passes fan-blade-off test +++ Tubsat M launched by Russian submarine +++ DFS sees positive trends, will reduce charges +++ Successful first rendezvous-docking experiment of Japan's ETS-VII satellite +++ News in Brief +++

Brussels rules on airline alliances
EU-Beschluß zu Luftfahrtallianzen

On July 8, the European Commission officially announced its long awaited and extremely controversial proposals for the conditions it wants to apply before approving US-European airline alliances. The demands were pretty much in line with what was expected, namely that
  • British Airways and American Airlines need to cede 267 weekly take-off and landing slots, mostly and London-Heathrow
  • Lufthansa and United need to relinquish 108 slots, mostly at Frankfurt.
Reactions were quite moderate from BA/American, while Lufthansa was furious, threatening legal action if these proposals become law.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Lufthansa Cargo receives its first two MD-11s
MD-11-Frachter an Lufthansa Cargo geliefert

On July 1, a ceremony in Frankfurt marked the arrival of the first two MD-11Fs for Lufthansa Cargo AG. The trijet freighters will play a major role in supporting Lufthansa Cargo's new time-definite booking, delivery and tracking services by providing high reliability and flexibility to the carrier's operations. With worldwide air cargo needs expected to double by 2005, the eight all-freight MD-11 will complement Lufthansa Cargo's existing fleet of 11 Boeing 747-200Fs. The MD-11F can carry up to 89,325 kilograms (196,928 pounds) in gross payload and up to 440 cubic meters (15,530 cubic feet) of palletized cargo. Its lower compartments can hold an additional 158 cubic meters (5,566 cubic feet) of container and bulk cargo. Powered by three General Electric engines, the MD-11Fs have a design range of 6,770 kilometers (3,658 nautical miles; 4,210 statute miles). Lufthansa Cargo will take delivery of the six remaining MD-11 freighters by the end of 1999 and has options for three others to be delivered in 2000.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Second Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor flies
Erstflug des zweiten F-22-Prototypen

The second Lockheed Martin-Boeing F-22 Raptor flew for the first time June 29, 11 days ahead of schedule. F-22 Chief Test Pilot Paul Metz flew the aircraft from Dobbins Air Reserve Base here, lifting off the runway at 140 knots with the aircraft's two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines at military power (full power without afterburner). The Raptor flew to an altitude of 20,000 feet at speeds as high as 250 knots (280 mph). Metz performed flying qualities maneuvers during the flight, including bank-to-bank rolls, flight at varied engine settings, and landing gear retraction and extension. He flew in formation with the chase F-16 and found the second Raptor was responsive and rock-solid. The flight lasted one hour and six minutes.
The contractor team was able to substantially reduce the labor hours required to assemble the second F-22, and there were significantly fewer open items required to prepare the aircraft for flight after completion of final assembly. After a number of test flights from Marietta, the F-22 will fly to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards. There, this second F-22 will join the first F-22 Raptor in flight tests.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


US Airways orders Airbus A330-300
Erfolg für Airbus: A330-300 für US Airways

On July 2, US Airways has ordered up to 30 Airbus Industrie A330-300 widebody aircraft to substantially expand its fleet for international service. The order will include seven firm aircraft orders, seven orders to be reconfirmed and 16 options. Under the agreement the first A330 will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 1999 and six others in the year 2000. Orders to be reconfirmed cover aircraft for delivery in 2001.
"The Airbus A330, with its exceptional passenger appeal, coupled with our enhanced service, will allow US Airways to become the carrier of choice. Combined with the aircraft in the A320 single-aisle family that we introduce this year, US Airways will have the most modern fleet in the air within just a few years time," Chairman Wolf said. "With the A330, we will be able to introduce three-class service on our transatlantic routes, add much-needed passenger capacity and expand space for cargo, all in an aircraft that is highly efficient to operate and consistent in cockpit design with our new A320 domestic fleet," Wolf said. US Airways currently serves Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London (Gatwick), Madrid, Munich, Paris and Rome and has applications pending to serve Milan and London (Heathrow) and to expand Paris service. Potential future European destinations include Athens, Brussels, Manchester and Zurich. US Airways said it will continue to use its current fleet of 12 Boeing 767-200 aircraft in international service in the near term and then use the aircraft on longer-haul domestic routes.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Efforts to recover SOHO spacecraft continue
Bemühungen zur Rettung SOHOs werden fortgesetzt

Engineers are continuing efforts to reestablish contact with the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft using NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN). Contact with SOHO was lost on 25 June (European time) during maintenance operations. A team of experts from ESA and Matra Marconi Space, prime contractor for the SOHO spacecraft, gathered at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Geenbelt, MD, to assist the NASA Flight Operations Team in assessing the situation and analyzing the spacecraft status should contact be re-established. Engineers ar concentrating on gaining full understanding of the events which led to the loss of signal information which might help them devise procedures which may recover contact with SOHO. Commands are being sent to SOHO about once per minute through DSN's 34-meter antennas instructing the spacecraft to activate its transmitters. Based on the last telemetry data received from SOHO, engineers said it appears most likely that the spacecraft is slowly spinning in such a way that its solar arrays, which generate power, either do no face the Sun or do not receive adequate sunlight to generate power. It appears that SOHO's solar panels may be exposed to an increasing amount of sunlight each day as it orbits the Sun. If this assumption is correct, within a few weeks enough sunlight might be hitting the solar panels to generate power to charge its batteries. The incident will be the subject of a joint ESA/NASA inquiry board.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


European ministers outline position on aerospace restructuring
Regierungsposition zur europäischen Restrukturierung wird konkreter

For the first time, all the co-ordinating ministers for aerospace of not just France, Germany, and United Kingdom but Italy, Spain and Sweden as well have met. After the talks in Paris on July 9, an eight page joint declaration was issued "defining the political framework within which companies can take their next steps for restructuring in the European aerospace and defence industries". Among the points covered are:
  • The aerospace industry is and will remain of strategic importance in economic and political terms. The governments are backing the cration of a company which will take full advantage of the dual-use character of military and civil aerospace applications, this being a fundamental requirement for the future entity to truly consolidae its industrial and financial structure.
  • There should be no direct government influence on the management of a future european company. Industry is responsible for determining the structure of teh future integrated company. The governments wish that the company remains a European enterprise which will strengthen Europe and the countries involved both economically and politically and does not come under the control of third parties without government approval. The disposal of specified, particularly defence related, strategic assets should be the subject of government approval
  • The future company will still need to have acces to governments support which should continue to be in line with the international undertakings inforce in the matter.
  • With regard to the different systems of export assistance including export credit insurance, the partner governments shall investigate the possibilities for harmonisation.
  • The EU Code of Conduct on Defence Exports, adopted on 8th June 1998, will form the basis for the harmonisation of differing export rules.
  • The governments invite the companies of the six countries to respond to the latest proposals, and to report progress on the outstanding industrial questions which are relevant to these issues no later than October 1998. Also, the ministers look forward for new progress in the Airbus SCE discussions and call upon industry to ensure that the new Airbus company is fully in plac by the target date in 1999.
Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite

Hong Kongs new airport opened
Flughafen Chep Lap Kok eröffnet

The new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok greeted its first commercial flight, a Cathay Pacific's Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet from New York, at 6:20 a.m. Monday, July 6, 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Almost one hour later at 7:18 a.m., another Cathay Pacific's airliner, Airbus A330, took off from Chek Lap Kok for Manila to become the first flight departing from the new airport.
"It's incredible, it's a fantastic project," said Andrew Little, a young Briton who felt so lucky to be the first passenger touching down at the new airport. Little and his wife, Rhina, were warmly greeted by Hong Kong's Administrative Secretary Anson Chan, Financial Secretary Donald Tsang and Chairman of the Airport Authority (AA) Wong Po-yan at the airport. The couple received No. 1 and No. 2 of the certificates issued by the AA to the passengers using the airport on its first day of commercial operation, and a commemorative book as a lasting reminder of their arrival.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


First Flight for Rolls-Royce-powered A330-200
A330-200 fliegt erstmals mit Tent-Triebwerken

On 24June, the first Rolls-Royce-powered A330-200 aircraft made its first flight at 10.00 am local time in Toulouse, launching a flight test schedule that will culminate in type certification before the end of 1998.The flight, which lasted four hours and 30 minutes, was operated by Engineering Test Pilot Jacques Rosay in the left-hand seat, and Engineering Test Pilot Klaus Flade, acting as co- pilot. Flight test engineers were Jacky Joye and Jean-Marie Mathios. The flight path took the aircraft from Toulouse, south to the Pyrenees then along the Atlantic coast of France towards Normandy, before returning to Toulouse.
This flight was the first time the aircraft flew with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, which are currently certificated only on the A330-300 version of the aircraft. The A330-200 airframe was type certificated in 1998 and is already in commercial service. This test program will verify all aspects of the Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine's performance and includes exercises that measure cruise, climb and take-off performance, as well as stall characteristics. The program also will include requirements for autopilot and autoland certification and other system certification. More than 100 flight hours are scheduled for the program, which will involve approximately 50 flights. Emirates will take the first delivery of a Rolls-Royce powered aircraft in 1999.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Japan launches first Mars mission
Planet B-Sonde auf dem Weg zum Mars

Japan has launched its first spacecraft to leave the Earths orbit. The Planet B lifted off from Kagoshima Space Center, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on July 4 at 3:12 a.m. local time atop an M-5 rocket. The probe, nicknamed "Nozomi", Japanese for "Hope", will orbit Earth before heading towards Mars in December. It will begin orbiting Mars in October 1999 and it will study its upper atmosphere for about two years. Nozomi was developed by the Education Ministry's Institute of Space and Aerospace Science. The probe is carrying 14 scientific instruments developed by Japan, Canada, Germany, Sweden and the United States. With the launch of the spacecraft, Japan joins the United States and Russia as the only countries to have sent spaceships to Mars.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


BR715 engine for Boeing 717-200 passes fan-blade-off test
Fan-Sicherheitstest bestanden

The BMW Rolls-Royce BR715 engine, sole powerplant for the new Boeing 717-200 twinjet, has successfully completed its full engine fan-blade-off test. This was the last major test in preparation for international engine certification scheduled for September 1998. Prof. Dr. Guenter Kappler, Director of Engineering, said after the test: "This is an excellent test result which demonstrates the engineering competence of our team." During the test a single fan blade was released by an explosive device at its root at maximum fan rotational speed. The released fan blade was held by the containment system while the engine performed a controlled rundown with no loss of structural integrity. The test demonstrated the robustness of the BR715 engine.
The nine development engines in the BR715 programme have accumulated 1607 hours and 5314 cycles on testbeds in Germany and the UK. The next programme milestone, the shipping of two flight test engines, is scheduled for mid July. The engines mounted on the Boeing 717-200 during roll-out last month are being used for ground and taxi testing at Boeing's Douglas Products Division in Long Beach, California.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Tubsat M launched by Russian submarine
U-Boot-Start für Tubsat M

The DLR has expressed satisfaction with a successful launching of the German satellite Tubsat N with a ballistic missile from a Russian nuclear submarine of the Northern Fleet. According to the expert, this version of the launching "looks extremely interesting", since it helps to put satellites in near-earth orbits "simpler, quicker and more reliable". The centre backed the joint Russian-German project with funds, while its research support was shouldered by the aerospace research institute of the Berlin Technical University where the Tubsat N was developed. According to the head of the programme, Professor Udo Renner, the German satellite will be used in the interests of several civil projects. For instance it will be helpful in establishing communications with groups of explorers of the South and North poles.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


DFS sees positive trends, will reduce charges
Deutsche Flugsicherung mit guter Bilanz

The DFS (German Air Traffic Control Company), has presented good results for the fifth year operating as a state-owned company and is promising further cuts in en-route and terminal navigation charges as cost control measures and private entrerprise spirit bring better efficiencies. In 1997, the DFS has cut its fees by nine per cent.
The DFS is also pointing to its good record concerning safety and punctuality. Near misses in Germany decreased to only 15 in 1997, of which the DFS was responsible for only one. Delays are now down to 1,56 minutes in DFS airspace, the company claims.
Concerning financial data, turnover was growing only one per cent to 1,7 billion DM, mainly due to lower charges. Also, 90 million were earned from consulting and other ancilliary service, a sector which should grow in future. Operational profits were 155,7 million DM, but this will be mainly reumbursed to users. As it has not the task to make profits, the DFS managed a nice break even with a plus of 17,5 million DM. As traffic grows, the company is again hiring new personnell, with100 new jobs promised for each of the next few years.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Successful first rendezvous-docking experiment of Japan's ETS-VII satellite
Erstes Docking-Experiment mit Japans ETS-VII-Satelliten erfolgreich

On 7 July, the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) conducted a separation docking experiment flight from the Tsukuba Space Center using an American data relay satellite. It was the first rendezvous docking experiment of the Engineering Test Satellite ETS-VII, dubbed Orihime/Hikoboshi. During the experiment, the chaser satellite, pushed out Orihime, the target satellite, with the docking mechanism and separated from it up to a distance of 2 meters. During the rendezvous flight the distance between the two satellite components was kept constant. At the end of the experiment, Hikoboshi started approaching Orihime with a velocity of 1 centimeter per second and captured it with the docking mechanism. The automatic docking of an unmanned spacecraft was successfully completed 24 minutes after pushback. According to NASDA, the experiment success verified separation and docking technique of ETS-VII. In the second docking experiment the chaser and target satellite are planned to separate up to 500 meters. This experiment is under preparation and is scheduled for August 7, 1998.

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN

AlliedSignal has announced that the FAA has granted its XK516 radio the first type certification for a commercial production high-frequency airborne communications system capable of handling both voice and data messages. The certificationwas performed on a Lufthansa Boeing MD-11 freighter. Data communication will be required under the proposed new air trafic system called Free Flight. The XK515 was developed by AlliedSignal in association with Rohde & Schwarz.
+++
The Berlin Brandenburg Airport Holding company has decided to start negotiations with both remaining bidders for the construction of the new Schönefeld airport. A decision is expected in the autumn. The two consortia are Hochtief AirPort GmbH (with Flughafen Frankfurt, ABB Calor, Bankgesellschaft Berlin) and IVG Holding AG (with Flughafen Wien, Dresdner Bank, Commerzbank and Dorsch Consult).
+++
Raytheon Systems Company has received contract options worth $10.5 million from the BWB (German Federal Office for Defense Technology Procurement) for modification work on Breguet 1150 Atlantic Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) flown by the German Navy. A total of 16 aircraft will be modified over the next two years. Raytheon Systems Company's unit in Greenville, Texas, designed the new internal navigation system and outfitted the prototype aircraft with it. Each system includes dual Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, two Control Display Navigation Units, a new Air Data Computer, a GPS antenna and several interface boxes for connection to the existing aircraft autopilot, flight director system, and other onboard equipment. The new system uses the Honeywell H-764G Intertial Navigation System with embedded GPS receivers from Rockwell Collins. The new navigation system will replace equipment dating from the 1960s and 1970s. Under the series production phase, Raytheon will provide 16 navigation kits, 14 of which will be installed in Germany by a field team. The remaining two will be installed in the company's Greenville, Texas, facility.
+++
The Aermacchi MB-339FD has been selected as the first option by the Venezuelan Air Force for the purchase of a new advanced/lead-in fighter trainer. Subject to adequate financing in the 1998, 1999 and 2000 budgets, 24 aircraft should be bought.
+++
Boeing has received acontract by the U.S. Air Force to provide contractor logistics support for its KC-10 Extender tanker fleet. The contract has a total potential value of $1.5 billion over nine years. Work under this contract, let by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, will be managed and performed at the Boeing Aerospace Support Center at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
+++
AlliedSignal has begun deliveries of its new 131-9(A) APU for the Airbus A320. The Auxiliary Power Unit was built and tested at the Raunheim (Germany) facilities of the company. Ten airlines have choosen the new system, with order for more than 120 units so far.
+++
On July 3, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the immediate inspection of Boeing 737-700 and -800 series aircraft equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines for problems with the engine accessory gearbox. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) follows two June 26 inflight engine shutdowns. In both incidents, the accessory gearbox starter gearshaft failed due to inadequate fatigue capability caused by high stresses introduced during the manufacturing process. A lack of shotpeening, a manufacturing process that relieves stress and prevents fatigue cracks in the gearshaft hub, was the primary cause of the failures. CFM has modified the manufacturing process. Prior to further flight, the AD requires immediate inspection of the magnetic chip detector on the No. 2 engine on all Boeing 737-700 and -800 aircraft. The operator is required to remove and replace the starter gearshaft if the detector finds abnormal magnetic particles. The magnetic chip detector inspection takes a half-hour to complete and costs $30 per engine. A gearshaft replacement takes 12 hours to complete and costs approximately $9,575 for parts, $10,295 total per engine.
+++
The second Lockheed Martin/Boeing Tier III Minus DarkStar high altitude endurance unmanned air vehicle flew for the first time on June 30. The vehicle took off from the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., at 6:14 a.m. (PDT). During the 44-minute flight, the vehicle achieved an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet and completed pre-programmed basic flight maneuvers. The system successfully executed a fully autonomous flight from takeoff to landing utilizing the differential Global Positioning System. The flight test program, being conducted at National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards AFB, Calif., will evaluate basic system performance, including the high-resolution synthetic aperture radar and electro-optical payloads. At the completion of these tests, the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, will take over management of the system and prepare for participation in the U.S. Atlantic Command-sponsored military utility assessment in 1999.
+++
An agreement between the Russian airline Sibir (Siberia) and Germany's Lufthansa will enable Siberian firms to send cargoes all over the world. The agreement envisions cargo deliveries from Siberia by the Russian airline to Lufthansa's terminals in Frankfurt and Hannover. They then will be re-loaded to German aircraft for transportation in any direction, using Lufthansa's world network of routes. In its tern, the German airline will fly cargoes with Sibir from Frankfurt and Hannover to Novosibirsk as a transit point for taking them beyond the Urals.
+++
Seven months after signing a Memorandum of Understanding, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Lufthansa German Airlines launched their strategic alliance by introducing codesharing on services between Singapore and Frankfurt, and between Frankfurt and New York. In the near future, codesharing cooperation will be extended, with SIA placing its code on a number of Lufthansa services between Frankfurt and destinations within Germany and throughout Europe, including some Eastern European cities. Similarly, Lufthansa plans to codeshare on SIA services between Singapore and destinations in Asia and Australasia. To further streamline both airlines' operations for the benefit of the passengers, Lufthansa will move its airport facilities from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 at Singapore Changi airport.
+++
Air France has signed a contract with Airbus Industrie for the purchase of up to 40 additional single-aisle A319s and A321s, including 20 firm and 20 options. The French airline chose the Airbus Industrie single aisle Family to replace its existing fleet of Boeing 737-200s as part of a comprehensive fleet-standardization programme, for its short to medium range European network. Like the rest of its Airbus Industrie single-aisle fleet, these new aircraft will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines. The A319s will seat 135 passengers and the A321s accommodate 190, while the existing A320s offer seats for 159 passengers in a typical Air France "European configuration." The newly ordered single-aisle aircraft will join the French carrier's fleet from next May 1999 with deliveries planned until January 2002.
+++
Patrick Gavin has been confirmed as the new president of Eurocopter. He replaces Jean-Francois Bigay from August 1. Bigay will move up to be vice-president for the aircraft sector of Aerospatiale. Gavin was member of the management board of AI(R).
+++
Airbus Industrie, through Aerospatiale, has chosen Sextant Avionique to supply the new new liquid crystal display (LCD) system for Airbus Industrie's A319/A320/A321 and A330/A340 families. The new system is based on six large new-generation active-matrix LCD panels. Offered as a forward fit or retrofit option on all above mentioned aircraft models, the new system will be standard equipment on the new A340-500/600 aircraft. The first A319 equipped with the system will be an A319 for US Airways, scheduled for delivery in mid-2000.
+++
Small regional airfields in the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia have counted 671000 passengers in 1997, an increase of 24,6 per cent over the previous year and nearly four times as much as in the early 90s. Aircraft movements were up ten per cent to 46900.
+++
Kyrgyzstan Airlines inaugurated on 3rd July its first A320 flight, between Frankfurt and Bishkek, becoming a new operatior of Airbus Industrie aircraft aas well as the first operator of the type in the CIS. The aircraft is leased from debis AirFinance B.V.
+++
On 30. September, the Frankfurt/Main airport will host the first hazardous freight conference to further the information exchange on the subject. New German and international rules will be discussed.
+++
SAS Commuter has increased its firm orders for the new de Havilland Dash 8Q Series 400 from 15 to 17 by placing a follow-on order for two of the 350-knot, 70- to 78-seat aircraft. SAS Commuter continues to hold options on an additional 18 Dash 8 aircraft. Value of the order is approximately $45 million U.S. Dollars
+++
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has announced that it has granted all 5,550 non-executive, full-time Gulfstream employees options to purchase 100 shares of the company's common stock to commemorate the sale of the 100th Gulfstream V - the world's first ultra-long range business aircraft. This option grant recognizes the hard work of Gulfstream's talented workforce and their contribution to the success of the Gulfstream V and the company. The options are priced at $43.00 per share, the closing price of the stock on June 25, 1998, the date Gulfstream's Board of Directors authorized the grant.
+++

Back to the top of the page / Zurück zum Anfang der Seite


Previous updates are still available:
Die News der letzten Wochen ist nach wie vor abrufbar:

*June 28, 1998 *June 21, 1998 *June 14, 1998 *June 7, 1998

*May 31, 1998 *May 24, 1998 *May 17, 1998 *May 10, 1998 *May 3, 1998

*April 26, 1998 *April 19, 1998 *April 5, 1998

*January to March 1998 *January to December 1997 *September to December 1996

Home | UPDATE | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles
Copyright 1998 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated July 10, 1998
FLUG REVUE, Ubierstr. 83, 53173 Bonn, Germany