AIRBUS CUTS A320 OUTPUT AND FREEZES A330/A340
As a "precautionary measure" Airbus is cutting by two aircraft a month its production rate for A320-family jets, a shift that will come into effect from October. The airframer is also backtracking on plans to increase widebody A330 and A340 production, opting instead to freeze the rate at 8.5 a month. Airbus says it still aims for deliveries "similar" to last year's total of 483 aircraft.
AUSTRALIA PUTS CARIBOU OUT TO PASTURE
The Royal Australian Air Force's 13 de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou tactical light transport aircraft will be retired this year instead of by 2013 due to serviceability issues involving corrosion, fatigue, obsolescence and asbestos components. The Caribou has been in RAAF service since 1964. Five Beechcraft King Air 300s will be leased to replace the aircraft as they are progressively retired.
VODOCHODY LINES UP FOR SWIDNIK PRIVATISATION
Czech airframer Aero Vodochody is the only remaining strategic investor discussing privatisation of Polish helicopter maker PZL Swidnik. Previously interested bidders included AgustaWestland, which markets the NH90 in Poland, and China's AVIC II, which will license production of the Swidnik's W-3 Sokol.
WRONG TRIM DOOMED B-52 IN GUAM CRASH
US Air Force investigators have determined that a Boeing B-52's incorrectly positioned horizontal stabiliser trim led the bomber to crash north-west of Guam on 21 July last year, killing all six crew. The inquiry could not, however, establish why the trim was improperly set at 4.5-5° nose-down.
IRAN CRASH BLOW TO ANTONOV AN-140
Unconfirmed reports indicate an aircraft that crashed in central Iran on 15 February, apparently with several deaths, was an Antonov An-140 turboprop licence-built in Isfahan by HESA. If correct, the loss would be the third fatal An-140 crash.
UK 'WILL SUPPORT' SATELLITE LAUNCH PROJECT
The UK government will support the development of an air-launched micro satellite-carrying rocket proposed by Surrey Satellite Technology, says a British National Space Centre official contacted by Flight International. Surrey Satellite believes a composite two-stage rocket launched from Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft could put 200kg (440lb) into low Earth orbit.
DO NOT LET UK LOSE AEROSPACE EDGE: AIR LEAGUE
UK aviation industry bosses were last week urged to support efforts to attract young people to flying. Speaking at an event to mark the centenary of the founding of the Air League, league president and Marshall of Cambridge boss Michael Marshall said the organisation would extend its long-running flying scholarships scheme.
NORTH SEA HELICOPTER CRASH PROBE
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating a helicopter crash in the North Sea on 18 February. The two crew and 16 oil workers were rescued after the Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma operated by Bond Offshore ditched into the sea 200km (108nm) east of Aberdeen en route to a BP oil production platform. Visibility was poor at the time of the crash, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Source: Flight International
