Yesteryear

10 Years Ago
The ninth Nimitz Class aircraft carrier, the USS *Ronald Reagan** (CVN 76), was christened by the former president’s wife, Nancy Reagan, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, Virginia on March 4. Failing health prevented the attendance of the former US president. It was the first carrier to be named after a living US President.

Roll-out of the first Airbus Industrie A340-600 took place on March 23 at a ceremony at Toulouse. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 500s and seating 380 in three classes, the -600 version will have a range of 13,900km. Firm orders are held for 127 A340-500/600s.