November 18, 1968

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Aeronautical Engineering

British Carbon Applications Drive Impeded By Fiber Cost

Farnborough-British graphitic carbon fibers for composite materials appear to be fulfilling their original promise, but their high cost is inhibiting experimental applications, particularly in large aerospace structures. One structural engineer here at the Royal Aeronautical Establishment (RAE), where the fibers were developed, blames demand from U.S. companies as a major factor in keeping prices high, upwards of $500/lb. for some forms, despite some recent cuts by the fiber producers.

By Warren C. Wetmore18 min

120

Space Technology

Soyuz Series Aims for Orbital Platform

Soviet Union’s next manned, near-earth space flight will be aimed at construction of a manned orbital platform (MOP) out of two Soyuz spacecraft. As many as six crew members may man the first MOP, although three is a more likely number (AW&ST Mar. 18, p. 155).

By Donald C. Winston7 min

Avionics

Sst Instrument Studies Stress Versatility

Philadelphia—Boeing studies of cockpit instrument displays for its supersonic transport are stressing information versatility and improved accuracy in keeping with increased piloting demands. In addition to meeting specific requirements related to the supersonic transport, officials at the Federal Aviation Administration who are monitoring Boeing’s company-funded work also are hopeful that any advances could be utilized for a general improvement of instrumentation in all types of commercial transports.

By Harold D. Watkins6 min

Air Transport

Food Service System Tested on Dc-10

Long Beach, Calif.—Major test of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 underfloor galley food service system (AW&ST Aug. 19, p. 40) passed smoothly recently when 250 persons seated in the full-scale DC-10 wooden cabin mockup were served beverages and hot meals in 69 min.

By C. M. Plattner6 min

118

Management

Study Analyzes Negro Hiring in Industry

Employment of Negroes in the aerospace industry is considerably smaller proportionately than in some other major industries like automobiles, a university researcher concludes, but the ratios of Negro skilled personnel are relatively high.

128

Business Flying

Deliveries of Bushmaster Set Next Year

Gardena, Calif.—Production of an initial lot of 10 Bushmaster 2000 modernized Ford Trimotor aircraft began last month at Aircraft Hydro-Forming, Inc. First deliveries are slated for the fall of 1969. The decision to manufacture the Bushmaster was made on the basis of interest shown by potential customers following Federal Aviation Administration certification of the aircraft Oct. 8 to carry cargo.

November 111968

November 251968

November 18, 1968

November 18, 1968