Commercial Aircraft Sales

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The MD-95 will be a shortened member of the IAE 2500 powered MD-90 series, which in their initial versions will seat 150-170 passengers. At about the same size as the old DC-9-30, the MD-95 will accommodate around 120. The MD-95 will be assembled in the People’s Republic of China in conjunction with the MD-90 Trunkliner coproduction programme with that country.

PW4000 Exceeds Thrust Goal:

Pratt & Whitney’s high thrust turbofan for the Airbus A330 twin and other types has exceeded its target thrust during testing. The PW4168 will enter service in 1994 certified at 68,000lb thrust but has already achieved just under 70,000lb. On the A330, it will be initially rated at 64,000lb. Versions of the PW4000 offering up to 75,000lb thrust will follow, and ultimately the engine is expected to produce more than 100,000lb thrust. Seven airlines have selected the PW4168 for their A330s so far.

 McDonnell Douglas Looks to Taiwan:

In what must be regarded as a major – even revolutionary move, McDonnell Douglas is hoping to sell a 40% interest in its commercial aircraft subsidiary (still called the Douglas Aircraft Company) to Taiwan Aerospace.

Tentatively called Douglas Global, the new company will be better placed to seriously challenge Boeing’s overall market dominance and to counter Airbus Industrie, which is growing stronger by the year. Indeed, many industry observers feel the move is essential to the company’s long term viability.

There are numerous benefits for MDC including the probable provision of the launch capital needed for the proposed long range MD-12 trijet (planned as a serious challenger to the Boeing 747), cheaper labour (Taiwan’s workers cost only about 40% of their US equivalents) and direct access to the potentially lucrative Pacific Rim market.

Taiwan Aerospace’s 40% of Douglas is expected to cost $US2bn. It is proposed that the company will have the right to sell its shares to other investors and as a full partner will share in profits and participate in the development of new airliner projects. MDC will use about $US1. 5bn of the proceeds from the sale to reduce its heavy debt level, currently about $US2. 6bn. The final share-holding breakdown of Douglas Global Inc is McDonnell Douglas Corp 50. 1%. Taiwan Aerospace Corp 40% and other foreign entities 9. 9%.

The move has been both applauded and criticised in the USA, members of the latter group seeing a serious erosion of US dominance in yet another major industry along with problems for American parts and component suppliers who will have to reduce costs and improve quality to remain viable.

 GPA Joins Ages:

The world’s largest aircraft lessor, the Irish based GPA group has invested in the AGES Group, one of the most diverse companies in world aviation support but also one of the least known outside the industry.

The AGES Group’s activities include air/ ground equipment sales, engine sales, leas- ing and management, aviation accessories, computer parts and service, industrial turbines and aircraft sales and leasing. The deal with GPA will allow AGES to assume management responsibility for GPAs existing spares companies at Shannon and Seattle.

United Technologies Cuts:

The United Technologies Corporation, owners of Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney, has announced it will lay off 13,900 people following a fourth quarter 1991 loss of $US1. 22bn.

The company’s overall net loss in 1991 was $US1. 02bn compared with a profit of $US750. 6 million the previous year. Ther fourth quarter figure resulted from a $US1. 28bn pre-tax accounting charge for restructuring. The job losses represent 7% of UTC’s international workforce of 186,000. Some 100 of the company’s worldwide facili- ties will be closed or “consolidated’ as part of a programme aimed at cutting operating costs by $US1. 1bn annually by 1994.

Concorde Milestone:

What is for many still the greatest technical achievement in the history of aviation – Concorde – has achieved another milestone through its equally important and technically significant powerplant, the Rolls-Royce/SNECMA Olympus 593.

The engines recently recorded 400,000 supersonic flying hours out of a total of over 625,000. Of those, an incredible 320,000 hours have been logged at Mach 2. Between them, British Airways and Air France operate 13 Concordes on transatlantic routes (plus special worldwide charters in the case of BA) and intend flying them into the early years of the 21st century.

Air Traffic System Shortlist:

Two companies, Hughes Aircraft and Thomson Radar, have been shortlisted for The Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS) contract.

The two companies have begun negotiations with the Civil Aviation Authority and a contract with one of them will be signed in the middle of the year. Substantial local content and technology transfer to Australian companies will be part of the system which will consolidate all en route control for Australia into two major centres at Brisbane and Melbourne. Terminal Area Control Units at other major airports will also be re-equipped.

Oshkosh Tour Is Cheapest Ever

That’s right, our 1992 AA/Torii Tours OshkoshUSA aviation tour is our cheapest ever.

Research has shown the while generally interesting. New York was not considered a major highlight in previous tours. New York is also the most expensive port of call so this year we have bypassed the Big Apple to allow additional time in Florida, Seattle and Dayton. Areas where. some extra time can always be used to advantage.

The best news though is that by leaving out NY the tour comes in some $620 CHEAPER than it did last year. In fact, this is the cheapest of all our US tours and represents unsurpassed value considering the wide array of specialist aviation centres visited.

If you would like to enjoy the aviation holiday of a lifetime this July/August then call Torii Tours today on (02) 233 8500 for a full colour brochure and detailed itinerary. Also, as in previous years we have a comprehensive alternative itinerary for those who may wish to divert from things aeronautical from time to time.