November 14, 1983

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International Air Transport

New Turbofans Designed for Reduced Fuel Bum

New York—Large U. S. aircraft turbine engine manufacturers are preparing propfan technologies, new turbofan engines and versions of current engine lines to improve commercial aircraft performance and meet the reduced fuel burn needs of commercial transports being proposed for the late 1980s and early 1990s.

By Keith F. Mordoff11 min

International Air Transport

Europe Seeking New Long-haul Aircraft

Brussels—European airlines’ fleet plans for the remainder of the decade are concentrating on finding a new long-haul aircraft that is smaller than the Boeing 747, and on replacing twin-engine aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and the Boeing 737.

By Michael Feazel10 min

International Air Transport

Carriers Adopting Creative Financing

Washington—Airlines burdened with prolonged losses increasingly are turning to creative financing lease arrangements, buying used aircraft and issuing stock to limit cash outlays and raise capital. Airlines are trying various ways to raise funds to avoid taking on large debt obligations and related service payments to pay for fleet replacement programs and to meet operating cost requirements.

By Eugene Kozicharow9 min

174

International Air Transport

Boeing Gauges Evolving Aircraft Market

Renton, Wash.—Boeing Co. is juggling a number of commercial transport programs in an attempt to gauge a market that no longer is specifying a certain aircraft size as the next airline requirement. Near-term emergence of a 150-seat transport is no longer certain, despite the four years Boeing has devoted to studying its proposal—termed the 7-7—and the progress Airbus Industrie has made in hydraulic actuators (projecting from the test rig), connecting beams and pressure pads, such as those on the vertical fin. The circumferential and longitudinal stripes on the fuselage are areas over which the protective coating has been stripped to permit the inspection of rivets during the test. The horizontal stabilizer, wing trailing-edge flaps and landing gear were tested separately from the main test article. The flaps and stabilizer were tested for two lifetimes, the main landing gear for three, and the nose gear for five. pushing its A320 entry, according to Boeing officials.

By Richard G. O’Lone8 min

104

International Air Transport

Airlines Want to Postpone Noise Rules

Washington—Airlines are seeking to extend the Jan. 1, 1985, deadline when federal noise regulations will eliminate service of Boeing 707s and McDonnell Douglas DC-8s to U. S. destinations. Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91, subpart E, dictate that these noisier aircraft be either retired from active service or modified to comply with prescribed noise limits.

By David M. North7 min

100

International Air Transport

Multinational Funding May Support U. S. Export Sales

Washington—Multilateral government financing of U. S. aircraft exports could become common if high costs force American manufacturers to emulate Airbus Industrie and spread risk by sharing a greater portion of airframe construction with other countries.

By Paul Mann7 min

November 71983

November 211983

November 14, 1983

November 14, 1983