Newsdesk – Commercial Aviation

UPS Growing Fast

The world’s largest package distribution company, United Parcel Service (UPS) has returned record growth and revenue figures in 1994. Worldwide delivery volume exceeded three billion parcels and documents last year, a daily average of 11.5 million items. International air volume rose by 35% while overall revenue increased from 1993’s $US18bn to$US20bn. The Australian market contributed to the company’s growth with a 48% increase in volume, while the Asia-Pacific region showed overall growth of 29%. UPS will open a new 1100m2 operations centre in Melbourne this year, the $15m investment creating about 30 new jobs. UPS expects that the new centre will increase its share of the Australian inbound/outbound parcel distribution business by 20% in the first year of operation.

Airliner Market Gaining Strength

The market for new airliners is beginning to improve after several years in the relative doldrums following the boom period of the late 1980s. Although analysts don’t expect the same very high level of ordering, steady passenger growth, the replacement of older aircraft and noise regulations are expected to contribute to a gradual buildup of activity which should see the new airliner market strong again by the end of the decade. The ordering spree of the late 1980s resulted in a general overcapacity problem and that in combination with overall recession saw the market all but disappear for a while. The world’s airlines ordered more than 1600 aircraft in 1989 but by 1993 that had reduced to 357 accompanied by 325 cancellations for a net gain of only 32. 1994’s orders were down to 321 with 161 cancellations for a net gain of 160. It is predicted that this year will see about 400 orders placed and 100 cancellations recorded and that the market will revive in 1996. Some analysts suggest the industry can absorb about 600 aircraft of over 100 seats capacity each year at the moment. More innovative financing will play a greater role in future airliner acquisitions with leasing becoming more important as airlines look to minimise cashflow problems and to introduce greater flexibility to their fleet procurement and deployment programmes.

Airline Fatalities Stable

Figures released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) show that the incidence of fatal scheduled airline accidents in 1994 was not very different to the previous year. There were 28 such accidents in 1994, down from 34 in 1993, while the number of passenger deaths increased slightly from 936 to 941. The passenger fatalities rate per 100 million passenger kilometres flown remained the same at 0.05. Non scheduled operators had a much worse record with 54 accidents accounting for 251 fatalities in 1994. Airline security statistics also changed little in 1994, 31 incidents of unlawful interference being reported in which 25 people were killed and 52 injured. Four perpetrators were also killed. In an attempt to reduce the incidence of controlled flight into terrain accidents, ICAO has introduced new standards for the carriage of Ground Proximity Warning Systems by commercial operators. From 1999, all aircraft used in both international commercial and general aviation operations with a maximum takeoff weight greater than 5700kg (12,566lb) or capable of seating more than nine passengers will have to carry GPWS equipment. The current requirement covers aircraft brought into service after June 1979 with a maximum weight of over 15,000kg (33,070lb) or more than 30 seats.

Aircraft Photos And News Captions

The first EMB-145 50 seat regional airliner is due to make its first flight during the course of this issue. The prototype is pictured during final assembly after wing mating. The much delayed EMB-145 is Embraer’s most ambitious aircraft project to date, and a 13 month certification programme should see the first production examples delivered to Flight West mid next year. (Embraer)

Final assembly of the first Airbus A319 is nearing completion at the Daimler-Benz (formerly Deutsche) Aerospace Airbus plant in Hamburg. The A319 is due to make its first flight this September, with first deliveries due to commence in April 1996. (Airbus)

The 777 became the second airliner in the world to receive simultaneous certification from the European JAA and US FAA, on April 19. (Airbus received simultaneous certification for the A330 in October 1993.) The first 777 delivery, to United, was due to take place in mid May, and Boeing was confident that by that time it would have received early ETOPS clearance for the big twin. To date seven 777s have been used in the certification effort, between them accumulating 3300 flight test hours, while when certification tasks for the 777 are completed with certification of the RR Trent powered version in March 1996, the test fleet will have amassed 6700 hours. The first Boeing 777 with Trents should have officially rolled out by the time these words are read. The aircraft (pictured) will be the first 777 for Cathay Pacific and is due to make its maiden flight in late May. It will be delivered to Cathay after 777/Trent 800 certification tasks are complete, in March 1996.

Arresting Idea

New York’s three major airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark – are to have foam blocks installed in the overrun areas of their major runways over the next four years to test a ‘soft ground arresting system’ designed to bring aircraft to a safe halt if they leave the end of the runway. The US$4.5m experiment between the US FAA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will see the installation of a system of 76cm (30in) high blocks at the ends of the runways, spanning the full 46m (150ft) runway width. The blocks are designed to bring aircraft moving at speeds of up to 80 knots (148km/h) to a halt without inflicting any airframe damage. How the blocks are laid out (their number and spacing) is determined by the size of the overrun and types of aircraft in operation. The first system will be installed on JFK’s Runway 4R later this year followed by Runway 31R and then Runway 29 at Newark and Runways 22 and 33 at LaGuardia.

Germany And Korea Look At Regional Jet

Germany’s Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) and a consortium of South Korean companies are examining the possibility of developing a new 100-120 seat regional twinjet. The Korean consortium includes Samsung, Daewoo, Korean Air and Hyundai and an in service date for the new aircraft has been set at “around 2000”, a date which on the face of it seems optimistic because no workshare schedule has as yet been established nor has any definite timetable. The project is open to participation by other European manufacturers and is intended to capture a large share of the rapidly expanding Asian market. Some industry observers are suggesting the 100 seat regional airliner marketplace is already overcrowded with the availability of new and second hand Fokker 100s and BAe 146/Avroliners and the difficulty McDonnell Douglas is having in finding a launch customer for the MD-95 as proof.

Extended ETOPS For Saab 2000 Sought

Saab is seeking 90 minute extended range twin engined operations (ETOPS) approval for its 2000 regional turboprop so as to give customer Air Marshall Islands greater operational flexibility. The 2000 currently has 75 minute approval and it is with this that the first of Air Marshall Islands’ aircraft has been delivered. Extension to 90 minutes will enhance the Pacific carrier’s operational options. Saab is also planning other improvements to the 2000, among them offering a combi version capable of carrying 19 passengers and three tons of cargo, a low pressure tyre option for soft field operations and the installation of a head up display to give the aircraft Category 3 low visibility capability.

Fight For MD-95 Work

A heated battle is developing over who will perform final assembly work on the forthcoming McDonnell Douglas MD-95. MDC had previously announced that Dalfort Aviation of Dallas, Texas, had won the contract to assemble the MD-95 but that agreement has fallen through and the selection process reopened. The so-called Southern Californian ‘Red Team’ – which earlier this year was able to cut costs which enabled MD-11 fuselage production to remain at Douglas Aircraft’s Long Beach facility – has been attempting to win the MD-95 final assembly contract. The ‘Red Team’ comprises local union, government, utility and training organisation representatives and has been kept intact since its MD-11 success. It is putting together various economic incentives for the MD-95 including tax breaks, reduced labour costs, state supported training and reduced charges. The team points out other benefits for MD-95 final assembly being performed at Long Beach, the main one being that the work would be carried out on the same production line as the MD-80 and MD-90 taking advantage of current expertise and available tooling.

Primary Means Marconi GPS Approval

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Canadian Marconi the world’s first Primary Means Oceanic/Remote approval for one of its Global Positioning System (GPS) advanced airborne navigation systems. The approval means the Canadian Marconi CMA-900, using GPS as its sole long range navigation sensor, can be used for IFR operations outside areas of ground based navaid coverage. To qualify for the approval, the CMA-900 had to demonstrate it could meet the necessary levels of accuracy, integrity and availability. Performance features required by the FAA include the ability to track satellites down to five degrees above the horizon or lower, and the ability to detect and isolate faulty satellite signals before they can affect navigation accuracy. Dual installation of the equipment is required to provide redundancy. The approval initially covers installation in a Boeing 737-200 operated by Alaska Airlines and it represents a major step forward in establishing GPS as the standard future worldwide navigation system for airlines.

J41 Product Development

British Aerospace subsidiary Jetstream Aircraft has announced a further series of performance improvements for its Jetstream 41 regional turboprop. Beginning next year, the standard aircraft will offer improved airfield performance resulting from an increase in power, lower stalling speeds and the introduction of a nine degrees flap setting, the latter approved for takeoff and also designed as an approach setting to improve weight/altitude/temperature (WAT) landing performance. These changes will give typical increases in takeoff weight of 140kg (308lb) from hot and high airfields and 320kg (705lb) from shorter runways in cooler conditions. Increases in landing weight of 590kg (1300lb) and up to 900kg (1984lb) in corresponding conditions will also result. In addition, ‘extra performance’ options will be offered for operations in even more demanding conditions. An optional water methanol system is under development which will give a further improvement in takeoff weight of 500kg (1100lb) in extreme hot and high conditions and a 35 degree landing flap setting will be available for enhanced landing performance on short runways. These features will be available for retrofit and have already been selected by South African operator SA Airlink for fitting to its aircraft.

Airshow Stays In Victoria

Despite fears that the biennial International Airshow and Aerospace Expo could go elsewhere due to smaller than expected public attendances at this year’s show at Avalon, the event will remain in Victoria until 1999. Organisers anticipated 250,000 people would visit the 1995 show but only 170,000 turned out. On the other side of the coin there was healthy industry participation with more than 40,000 trade visitors attending including 330 exhibitors from 23 countries, a substantial increase over 1992’s inaugural event. Dates for the 1997 and 1999 shows have yet to be set although an announcement regarding the former is thought to be imminent.

Let-Fairchild Joint Venture Dropped

The three years old agreement between Czech manufacturer Let Kunovice and the USA’s Fairchild to jointly develop and market the Let L 410/420, L 610 and Metro 23 families of turboprop aircraft has been terminated. The lengthy restructuring and privatisation of Let has been blamed for the ending of the venture which was to see the Czech aircraft fitted with Western avionics and other equipment and certificated to US FAA standards. The L 610 was to be re-engined with General Electric CT7 turboprops in place of the standard Motorlet M602s. Let had received options for 28 L 610s (16 with CT7s) but due to the programme’s delays, these orders have now gone to other manufacturers. Let is restructuring and refinancing to reduce its debts so as to be able to fund the launch of the 40 passenger L 610. The company is reported to be holding discussions about licence production with a Russian partner. It needs about $US17m to complete US certification of the L 610 (total development cost of which is put at about$US240m) which will come from a long term loan negotiated with a Czech bank. A debt-for-equity swap is being established to cover other unspecified debts.

PW150 For Dash 8-400

Bombardier Aerospace has selected the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150 to power its forthcoming de Havilland Dash 8-400 70 seat high speed regional turboprop. The PW150 is a new engine based on the configuration of the existing PW100 family, variants of which power the current Dash 8 models. It features increased engine core flow achieved with a new three stage, axial low pressure compressor together with additional turbine cooling and a high power, low speed reduction gearbox. The PW150 is scheduled to achieve certification and first production delivery in mid 1998.

Windshear Radar Operational

The Collins WXR-700WR Forward Looking Windshear (FLW) radar has completed its validation flight testing, clearing the way for Supplemental Type Certification flights aboard a UPS 757. The equipment is being described as a major advancement in windshear detection, and response to the system has been positive with seven customers already signing up for it. The radar warns flight crews of a potentially dangerous windshear event before they encounter it. The WXR-700WR is an updated version of the existing WXR-700 receiver/transmitter, modified to include the forward looking windshear capability. No changes are required to existing radar indicators, control panels or antenna pedestals although additional wiring is needed for the new windshear interfaces. Existing WXR-700s can be upgraded to the new standard.

More US Layoffs

US aerospace workers are facing a new series of job redundancies with Boeing and Raytheon negotiating early retirement deals for thousands of employees. Raytheon has offered to buy out the contracts of 2300 employees who are approaching retirement age as part of an overall programme to achieve savings of $US135m this year and to reduce its workforce by 9\% from the current level of 21,000. Raytheon plans to achieve annual savings of$US600m in the longer term and is considering moving its headquarters away from California if costs cannot be controlled. In addition to being involved in a large number of specialist defence projects, Raytheon builds Beech and Hawker aircraft. Further north, Boeing has introduced several significant redundancy plans over the last two years. It announced a plan to shed 28,000 jobs over two years at the start of 1993, although the actual number of jobs lost was 26,000. The manufacturer has recently offered a retirement incentive scheme to 13,000 workers as part of a plan to reduce its workforce by a further 7000. Boeing has told 6000 employees they could be laid off later this year. The company’s current employment level is 117,000, nearly 50,000 fewer than its 1989 peak.