iscover
The Night Attack F/A-18D (pictured) is tasked with all weather ground attack/strike and has a mission dedicated rear cockpit with two farge colour multifunction displays with no flight controls. The cockpits are NVG compatible and the aircraft commonly carries FLIR and laser designator pods. The F/A-18D Night Attack replaced the A-6 in USMC service, while Malaysia has ordered eight for strike. Meanwhile Thailand is keen to order the F/A-18C but has tied any purchase to getting clearance to buy the AIM-120 Amraam, something that the US Congress has so far prohibited.
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Boeing Boosts Production
Boeing will increase the production rates of its airliners from the fourth quarter of 1996 in order to recover from delivery delays caused by the recent 10-week strike. The new rates will be: 737 increasing from seven to 8.5 per month; 747 from two to 3.5 per month; 757 planned reduction from four to three per month delayed to September instead of June; 767 3.5 to four per month; and 777 from 3.5 to five per month in early 1997. Boeing has also asked many of its suppliers to reduce production temporarily so as to minimise the inventory buildup of incoming parts and materials. During the strike, the majority of suppliers continued regular production and a substantial inventory of components accumulated at Boeing.
Vietnam Flight Inspections
AirServices Australia (ASA) has begun providing flight inspection services to Vietnam following the signing of a contract last November. Using the ASA Flying Unit’s Fokker F28, the work involves flight inspection of the navigational aids in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Qui Nhon, Phu Cat and Tan Son Nhut.
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Trent Wins Two Hour Etops
Europe’s Joint Airworthiness Authority (JAA) has granted 120-minute ETOPS approval for the Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine which powers the Airbus A330 twinjet. Approval followed the completion of a 3000-hour ground test of an engine at Rolls-Royce’s Derby facility. The engine was stripped, examined and declared to be in excellent condition. ETOPS approval is also based on engines having achieved satisfactory service experience and the demonstration of improving levels of reliability. Launch customer for the Trent 700-powered A330, Cathay Pacific, will now be able to operate the aircraft on overwater routes between Hong Kong and Australia.
Airbus Turnover Increases
Airbus Industrie’s 1995 turnover of $US9.6bn was the highest achieved during the consortium’s 25-year existence and $US1.1bn (or 18%) greater than the previous year. Deliveries of 124 aircraft were made to 30 customers and comprised 49 A330/340s, 56 A320/321s and 19 A300/310s. Airbus received 106 new orders in 1995, worth $US7bn, from 23 customers. Orders were placed for 81 A319/320/321s, 19 A330/340s and six A300/310s. By the end of the year, Airbus had an order backlog of 578 aircraft worth $US46.4bn. Overall, the company has sold 1935 aircraft to 122 customers with 1357 delivered.
Ge Capitals Massive Boeing Order
Aircraft leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has placed a massive order with Boeing for up to 259 777s and 737s worth more than $US4bn. Firm orders have been placed for five 777s, 20 current-generation 737-300/400/500s and 82 new-generation 737-600/700/800s. A further 76 new-generation 737s have been optioned and the agreement enables GECAS to purchase an additional 76 examples of that aircraft. All the 737s will be powered by CFM56 engines and the 777s by GE90s, both powerplants coming from the stable of GECAS’s parent company, General Electric. It is expected that GECAS will take delivery of the aircraft at a rate of about two per month from late 1996. The company normally places about 200 airliners with customers each year.
Round The World By Gps
The first round-the-world flight conducted solely by GPS navigation has been claimed by Evergreen International, reports Danielle Doney. The 747, which departed New York’s Kennedy Airport in December, used three Trimble TNL-8100 GPS receivers to perform the flight to Spain, Italy, the Middle East, Hong Kong and Anchorage. Evergreen says it will introduce the Trimble GPS equipment to its 12 747s over the coming year.
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