May 29, 1961

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SAFETY

Structural Failure Cited in Electra Crash

A Braniff Airways Lockheed Electra, Model L 188A, N 9705C, broke up in flight and was further destroyed by ground impact and fire 3.19 miles east-southeast of Buffalo, Texas, on September 29, 1959, about 2309 CST. All occupants, 27 passengers, six crew members and one company employe, were killed.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Takeoff Distance Cut on Convair 880-M

San Diego, Calif.—Addition of high lift devices, a modified control system and slightly increased thrust enables the Convair 880-M (for modified) to operate at increased gross weights while requiring shorter takeoff distances. Effect of the high lift devices is to reduce stalling speed by about 10% with corresponding reductions in rotation and takeoff safety speeds.

By William S. Reed10 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

European Aircraft Industry Shows Post-war Resurgence at Paris Air Show

Paris—Resurgence of Europe's post-war aviation industry and its increasing ability to stand on its own in the design and production fields is reflected in the displays and exhibits of the 24th Paris International Air Show. Fourteen nations are represented at the show, including the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia, the two industrial powers of Eastern Europe, and over 90 different types of aircraft and helicopters are scheduled to take part in the flying demonstrations during the final two days of the show—June 3 and June 4. Of these, more than 60 were produced in Europe, although some are based upon United States designs, particularly in the helicopter field.

By Cecil Brownlow8 min

AIR TRANSPORT

Devaluation Spurs KLM Modernization

Amsterdam—KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, with almost 20% of its shares in U.S. hands, is confident that heavy emphasis on modernization—coupled with Los Angeles landing rights—will ensure continued profits until the transition to supersonic transports gets under way.

By David H. Hoffman8 min

AVIONICS

Ultra-high Speed Computer Investigated

Los Angeles—Techniques which may be employed in the ultra-high speed military computer systems that are going to be needed to process large volumes of data in relatively short periods of time were discussed here recently at the Western Joint Computer Conference.

By Barry Miller7 min

AVIONICS

Antenna Has Built-in Receiver Circuitry

Dayton, Ohio—Antenna for communications, telemetry and radar which has part of the radio receiver circuitry integrated into the antenna's structure, providing improved performance and reduced system size, was disclosed here during the recent National Aerospace Electronics Conference.

By Philip J. Klass6 min

MANAGEMENT

$9-billion, 5-year Space Increase Asked

Washington—President Kennedy in an unusual second State of the Union Message last week asked Congress and the American people to support a "dramatic" space program expected to cost an additional $9 billion over the next five years, and to approve other emergency defense and economic measures.

May 221961

June 51961

May 29, 1961

May 29, 1961