September 26, 1977

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Business Flying

Record Sales Build Hefty Backlog Into 1980

Dallas—Record sales have driven business aircraft backlogs to new highs and there is industry optimism that this strength will extend at least into 1980. Turbine-powered aircraft sales are showing unprecedented strength, with delivery rates marking greater gains over last year than they are for piston-powered aircraft.

By Erwin J. Bulban9 min

Business Flying

Canada's Rolls Pushing Overhaul Effort

Montreal—Major program to compete aggressively for corporate aircraft gas turbine engine overhaul and repair business is being launched this month by Rolls-Royce (Canada), Ltd., with a marketing effort directed at corporate jet operators throughout North America.

By Kenneth J. Stein8 min

Business Flying

Agricultural Aircraft Sales Rise Foreseen

Washington—Increasing worldwide sales during the past five months have convinced agricultural aircraft manufacturers that the earlier downward trend in sales has reversed itself and steady growth will continue next year. U.S. manufacturers of agricultural aircraft see an upswing in international as well as domestic sales, but at the same time non-U.S. manufacturers are making inroads into U.S. international markets.

By David M. North7 min

Business Flying

NASA Spurs Agricultural Aircraft Effort

Washington—National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with the recent completion of a first-phase study investigating the potential for technology advance to improve agricultural aviation, is ready to launch a program by which NASA technology can be utilized to improve the performance of current agricultural aircraft.

By Eugene Kozicharow7 min

Air Transport

Sabena Expanding Combi Quick Change

New York—Sabena Belgian World Airlines quick-change procedure for converting its Boeing 747-100 combination passenger-cargo transports from one configuration to another in less than 90 min. is not yet a year old, but the Belgian carrier already is studying plans to expand the system to include the Combi’s entire rear cargo area.

By Lee Dunkelberg6 min

Space Technology

U. S., Soviets to Discuss More Biosat Missions

Mt. View, Calif.—U. S. and Soviet scientists plan to meet this fall to discuss continuation of joint space biology missions —perhaps on the U. S. space shuttle—after two successful cooperative efforts utilizing Soviet spacecraft. National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists here are analyzing the results of the latest joint effort— Cosmos 936—which may help solve some of the medical mysteries related to longduration space flight (AW&ST Aug. 29, p. 20).

By Richard G. O’Lone6 min

Business Flying

Technology Sparks Helicopter Sales

Dallas—Civil helicopter deliveries have reversed the sharp dip of last year and are heading for a new high in 1977, with increasingly better years in view at least through 1980. Industry forecasters are predicting that U. S. rotary wing manufacturers will deliver 1,000 helicopters this year, a comeback from 1976’s 775 units valued at $305 million.

September 191977

October 31977

September 26, 1977

September 26, 1977