April 13, 1959

View Full Issue Table of Contents

SAFETY

Pilot Misread Altimeter in Viscount Crash

The accident occurred during an unscheduled flight from London to Prestwick where the aircraft was to pick up passengers for BOAC under a charter arrangement and fly them to London. The aircraft had taken off at 2042 hr.1 from London Airport, had cruised on the airways at 18,500 ft. and had commenced the descent to Prestwick with an initial clearance to 8,500 ft.

MISSILE ENGINEERING

Speed Marks Jupiter Development

Huntsville, Ala.—Jupiter intermediate range ballistic missile weapon system was brought into existence in less than one year. Although the missile itself was ordered into development in the fall of 1955, work on the present ground support equipment did not begin officially until Jan. 2, 1958.

By Evert Clark14 min

EQUIPMENT

Chamber Simulates Space Environment

Dayton, Ohio—Universal test chamber to simulate all environmental factors from 75,000 ft. out through interplanetary space is a new development goal of the Air Force. Next October, Ohio State University is scheduled to complete a yearlong study for Wright Air Development Center on planetary and interplanetary environments and methods of simulation.

By Michael Yaffee9 min

MANAGEMENT

Power Warns Sac Ability ‘deteriorating’

Washington—Principal U. S. deterrent to nuclear war—the massive retaliation capability of the Strategic Air Command—is rapidly "deteriorating,” SAC commander Gen. Thomas S. Power, warned Congress in executive testimony released last Week.

By Ford Eastman9 min

128

FINANCIAL

Fairchild Girds to Recoup F-27 Loss

Fairchild Engine & Airplane Corp.’s net loss of $17,435,761 in 1958 reflects a decision on the part of the company’s new management to take its financial “bath” now on the F-27 Friendship-turbine transport program to clear the way for profits on the program later.

By William H. Gregory8 min

134

AVIONICS

Bell Tests Obstacle-information Radar

Ft. Worth—Bell Helicopter Corp. is testing a new terrain clearance and ground mapping radar here which fills a gap in helicopter instrument flight capability by providing obstacle information for operations close to the ground. The radar was developed for the Army-Navy Instrument Program (AW Nov. 4, 1957, p. 96) by Bendix-Pacific Division of Bendix Aviation Corp.

By Craig Lewis7 min

170

SAFETY

Letters

After reading the account of the recent Electra accident and your editorial on “The Cost of False Economy” (AW Feb. 9, p. 21), the point should be stressed in the Electra accident that could be greatly improved with additional funds is the method and accuracy of weather reporting.

112

BUSINESS FLYING

Usaf Clubs Boost Lightplane Markets

Rapid growth of aero clubs in the U. S. Air Force, encouraged by enthusiastic support from high echelons, not only is providing an important morale-building factor for service personnel, but also has developed into an important market for the business aircraft industry.

By Erwin J. Bulban6 min

April 61959

April 201959

April 13, 1959

April 13, 1959