January 6, 1958

January 6, 1958

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SAFETY

Collision Emphasizes Visual Limitations

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

How Computers Speed Preliminary Design

By Robert F. Mawhinney18 min

MANAGEMENT

French Triple Helicopter Strength in War

By Robert E. Farrell12 min

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9697
SAFETY

Collision Emphasizes Visual Limitations

At approximately 1118,1. Jan. 31, 1957, a Douglas-owned-and-operated DC-7B, N 8210H, and a USAF owned-and-Northropoperated F-89J, 52-1870A, collided at 25,000 ft.2 over the San Gabriel Mountains about three miles northwest of Sunland, Calif.
6465
AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

How Computers Speed Preliminary Design

Synthesization is the term applied to an automatic computing machine process used in the preliminary design of an airplane. By this process the broad preliminary design problem of sizing an airplane to meet a certain set of requirements can be completed in a matter of minutes.

By Robert F. Mawhinney18 min

2627
MANAGEMENT

French Triple Helicopter Strength in War

Algiers—Helicopters are the most important combat vehicles to French forces engaged in the Algerian campaign and the French have tripled the number in use in the last year. The French were operating 270 helicopters throughout Algeria—compared to 90 when AVIATION WEEK first toured the region a year ago (AW Sept. 17, p. 28)—and the buildup isn’t over yet.

By Robert E. Farrell12 min

3031
MANAGEMENT

New Congress to Prod Defense Effort

Washington—Second session of the 85th Congress which convenes tomorrow will quickly prod the Administration to move faster and further to try to match and surpass Russian scientific and military achievements. Most congressmen feel that the postSputnik steps taken—and contemplated —by the Administration thus far have been only piece-meal moves made to remedy a few glaring inadequacies.

By Katherine Johnsen8 min

5051
MISSILE ENGINEERING

Ford Subsidiary Speeds Space Study

Glendale, Calif.—Anticipating the tremendous amount of exacting studies and development required to extend frontiers rapidly in the impending space travel era, Aeronutronic Systems, Inc. is funneling accelerated technical efforts into conception and detail design of devices for these areas: • General space research and Earth satellites.

By Irving Stone8 min

7677
AVIONICS

Quality of Papers Sinks, Engineers Say

New York—Quality of technical papers read at avionic conventions is declining, judging from remarks written by engineers who responded to an AVIATION WEEK survey. Many ideas for improving the usefulness of technical conventions as a medium for interchanging scientific information were revealed by the survey.

By Philip J. Klass7 min

5657
MISSILE ENGINEERING

Scientists Study Mach 7 Ramjet Theory

Ann Arbor, Mich—Mach 7 ramjets working on the detonation combustion principle may be a further step in the development of air-breathing engines before rocket and other non-air-breathing propulsive schemes completely dominate hypersonic flight.

By Robert H. Cushman7 min

4243
AIR TRANSPORT

Airlines Rap U. S. Stand in French Talks

Washington—Negotiations for a new air transport agreement between the U.S. and France are forcing airlines and the State Department farther apart over administration of U.S. civil air transport policy. Some of the more outspoken airline representatives in Washington say they already have abandoned hope that the State Department “will accept its responsibilities as guardians of U. S. air rights as intended by Congress.”
9091
EQUIPMENT

Rb-58 Photo System Uses TV Viewer

New York—First photographic reconnaissance system to be designed and built under the weapon system concept has been developed for Convair’s supersonic RB-58 Hustler by Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp. as major subcontractor.

By George L. Christian5 min

2425
MANAGEMENT

Washington Roundup

Grim assessment of the government’s failure to grasp the significance of the world military situation came last week from Dr Isador I. Rabi, who is chairman of the President’s Science Advisory Committee and was an advisor to the committee that prepared the Gaither Report on U.S. preparedness (AW Dec. 2, p. 28).

By Washington staff4 min

December 301957 January 131958