AlliedSignal's 331-600 auxiliary power unit (APU) has been selected by Airbus for the A340-500 and -600 growth versions in a deal worth more than $1 billion over the expected life of the programme. The new APU is based on the 331-500 developed for the Boeing 777 with a modified gearbox, load compressor and air inlet. The first engine will go to test in May 1999 and will enter service in 2002.
Charter alliance
Belgian charter airline Sobelair, Switzerland's Balair, Germany's LTU, Austria's Lauda Air and Air Europe of Italy are forming a charter alliance dubbed the European Leisure Group. The alliance's collaboration plans will see them standardising on equipment, such as the Boeing 767.
Electra damagedA badly damaged Lockheed L-188 Electra freighter (N285F) wet-leased to UK carrier Channel Express landed safely from a second approach at Shannon, Ireland on 3 March. The No 3 engine had detached, at least one other propeller was damaged, and there was propeller damage to the fuselage.
ERJ-145 explainedAircraft manufacturer Embraer has explained a bad weather heavy landing accident on 28 December, 1998, at Curitiba, Brazil, involving an Embraer RJ-145 of Brazilian regional Rio Sul. All 36 passengers and four crew survived although the fuselage broke just aft of the wing. Embraer says that, based on simulation of the gear and fuselage damage which occurred, the acceleration at touchdown was 11g. Embraer says the aircraft was descending at 1,800ft/min (9m/s) at impact.
Source: Flight International
