All news – Page 6808
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News
China reveals upgraded variant of PL5 missile
Douglas Barrie/LONDON China has unveiled an upgraded variant of its PL5 infra-red guided short range air-to-air missile, the PL5E, which it is offering for export. The main difference from the previously seen variant, the PL5B, is in the considerably improved seeker. The PL5B is not described as having an ...
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New Zealand flies first Seasprite
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) flew one of its four Kaman SH-2F Seasprite anti submarine warfare helicopters for the first time, from Hobsonville Airfield on 24 February. The SH-2Fs will be used to replace the RNZN's obsolete Westland Wasps until the arrival of SH-2G Super Seasprites now on ...
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Boeing tests RTM power on Apache
Boeing and prime contractor GKN Westland Helicopters are preparing to start ground tests of the first WAH-64D Apache attack helicopter development prototype for the British Army, having fitted Rolls-Royce Turboméca RTM322 engines in an existing Longbow Apache airframe at Boeing's Mesa, Arizona, helicopter plant. Andrew Walbridge, deputy chief designer ...
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Definitely maybe
Max Kingsley-Jones/SINGAPORE Airbus Industrie may have just allowed its A3XX high capacity airliner programme to slip by almost a year, but it remains committed to the initiative to provide a European alternative to Boeing's long term monopoly of the market. There are hurdles to cross during 1998, however, before Airbus ...
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Widening the franchise
Kevin O'Toole/LONDON When Cityflyer Express first signed up as a British Airways franchisee in the middle of 1993, it was something of an experiment for both carriers. Five years later the formula appears to be working. When BA hosts fifth anniversary celebrations in July, it will do so with nine ...
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Sentimental journey
Tim Furniss/LONDON Watching his fourth sunset of the day, sitting on the deck of the USS Noa recovery ship in the Atlantic Ocean after his splashdown on 20 February, 1962, US Marine Lt Col John Herschel Glenn yearned to return to orbit. On 7 November, 1998, Senator John Glenn, who ...
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Class war
Douglas Barrie/RAF LEUCHARS The target is a power station in the Hebrides, Scotland, with the aim being to disable its generating capability for four to six weeks. A strike force of Panavia Tornado GR1s is tasked with the mission - following devolution, relations between Scotland and England have ...
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Allison is on track for 'Super R' certification
Allison Engine hopes to certificate an ambitious upgrade for its Model 250-C20R Series II turboshaft engine in the third quarter of 1998, says the Rolls-Royce owned company. Allison says that the "Super R" project will provide up to a 20% increase in power and is aimed at improving performance for ...
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European pressure group will battle for business aviation
Kate Sarsfield/LONDON Four leading European general aviation associations have formed a pressure group to tackle the problem of airport access for business aircraft in Europe. Called the Business Aviation Fighting Force (BAFF), the organisation, which incorporates the European Business Aviation Association, the UK General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders ...
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Aerostructures wants risk share role in Bell Boeing 609
Aerostructures is negotiating to supply the fuselage of the Bell Boeing 609 civil tilt-rotor as a risk sharing partner. The Nashville, Tennessee-based company would take over the work from Boeing, which has transferred its stake in the venture to partner Bell Helicopter Textron. Bell is seeking risk sharing partners to ...
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Poland certificates Mielec's two seat Dromader
The Polish Civil Aviation Authority has granted type certification to the new two-seat version of the PZL-Mielec M18 Dromader agricultural and fire-fighting aircraft. The aircraft, designated the M18BS, first flew last November. Orders for two have already been received from local operator Aviation Agriculture Enterprise, which worked closely with ...
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Improved Katana is on the way
Graham Warwick/LONDON, ONTARIO Diamond Aircraft has begun production of a Teledyne Continental-powered version of its DA20 Katana two seater. The all-composite aircraft incorporates several improvements and can now accommodate an uprated version of the original Rotax 912 engine or the Continental, which is expected to increase the Katana's appeal ...
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PC-12 Centre
Pilatus Aircraft has named TSA Transairco a PC-12 centre. The Geneva Airport, Switzerland based company, which has been marketing the single engined aircraft in European and North African countries since January, is a fully owned subsidiary of Pilatus and will be responsible for maintenance, repair, technical support and sales of ...
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SMA flies new diesel engine for first time
Societe de Motorisations Aéronautiques' (SMA) four-cylinder MR250 diesel engine has been flown for the first time. The engine was fitted to a Socata TB20 Trinidad. SMA is a joint venture between the French light aircraft maker Socata and engine developer Renault Sport. The 50min trial of the 135kW (180hp) ...
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Helicopter DGPS trial progresses
A team of Honeywell, Sikorsky and Universal Avionics has completed the first phase of test flights to develop precision approach procedures for helicopters using differential global positioning system (DGPS) guidance. "We're very encouraged," says Sikorsky engineering test and project pilot Dave Wright. "Now we have a very good handle ...
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Thai decision made
The US Government has agreed to buy the eight Boeing F/A-18C/Ds that Thailand has ordered but can no longer afford because of its economic downturn. The aircraft are to be delivered to the US Marine Corps, but may yet be made available for resale to a third country. The deal ...
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Engine contest begins for A319 shrink
Guy Norris/LOS ANGELESEngine makers have started a three way fight to provide the powerplant for Airbus Industrie's proposed shortened 100-seat A319, amid growing indications that the consortium is searching for a sole source supplier. The Airbus study is one option being pursued by the European consortium as it seeks to ...
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Alitalia gears up for renewal of long haul fleet
Alitalia's board has approved the lease of three more Boeing 767s in what is understood to be an interim measure as the carrier develops a full blown competition for a long haul fleet renewal plan. The Airbus A330/ A340 and Boeing 777 families are in the contest. The airline ...
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Boeing makes cuts
Boeing plans to cut 8,200 jobs and eliminate 15% of its facilities as a result of the merger with McDonnell Douglas. Most of the job cuts come from the previously announced decision to end MD-80/90 production: 6,200 jobs will go at Douglas Products division in Long Beach, California, and 800 ...
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Control of Dassault Electronique will go to Thomson-CSF
Ian Sheppard/PARIS Further details have emerged of the French defence electronics restructuring, with Dassault Electronique confirming that it expects to become a fully owned subsidiary of Thomson-CSF. Board approvals for the move are expected to be made by the end of next month. Dassault Electronique general secretary François ...