July 22, 1985

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AVIATION WEEK PILOT REPORT

Pilatus Upgrades Trainer Performance, Systems with Pc-9 Turboprop

Stans, Switzerland—Impressive flight Handling qualities, increased performance and new aircraft systems compared with its predecessor mark the Pilatus Aircraft, Ltd., PC-9, the second turboprop trainer offered by the Swiss manufacturer for the world basic through advanced pilot training market.

By David M. North17 min

170

AVIONICS

Manufacturers Seek to Reduce Size, Weight of Electronics

Paris—New marketing approaches by manufacturers of electronic equipment include replacing two or more components with one or decreasing component size to reduce the cost and to save space and weight. Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.’s Avionic Systems Div. plans to begin deliveries of its solid-state Micro-Aids aircraft integrated data system hardware to McDonnell Douglas in October for Scandinavian Airlines System MD-80 aircraft.

By Jay C. Lowndes15 min

142

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Lockheed Devoting Key Resources to Advanced Tactical Fighter

Los Angeles—Lockheed Corp. has made the Air Force advanced tactical fighter (ATF) program a chief target for new business, and has appointed LockheedCalifornia Co. president R. Richard Heppe to direct Lockheed’s ATF program. The corporation’s ATF effort will be coordinated by Lockheed-California’s Skunk Works advanced development projects organization, and by the Lockheed Advanced Aeronautics Co. formed last year as a research and development center.

By Michael A. Dornheim13 min

AEROSPACE IN CHINA

Chinese Rocket Test Center to Aid Large Engine Development

Beijing Rocket Test Center—China’s heavily guarded rocket engine test facility 30 mi. southwest of Beijing is preparing to participate in development of large new rocket engines, while continuing to improve the smaller ones used on China’s Titan-class CZ-2/3 booster/intercontinental ballistic missile.

By Craig Covault9 min

Air Transport

Southwest Expects Profit From Muse Air By Year’s End

Dallas—After four years of losses Muse Air could begin turning a profit by the end of the year as a subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, the new president of Muse believes. “I think that with some of the things we propose to do and with the assistance that Southwest is going to provide to us, we can turn that around fairly quickly,” William W. Franklin, president and chief executive officer, said.

By Carole A. Shifrin8 min

164

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Soviets Offer Materials Processing Technology for Licensed Export

Paris—Soviet Union’s Aviaexport conducted negotiations at the 36th Paris air show with potential customers for materials processing technology exhibited and offered for licensed export by the Soviet aviation industry ministry. Discussions on possible licensed export centered on ultrasonic treatment during casting of aluminum, extrusion of titanium and extrusion of steel to form longitudinal holes for hinge applications, according to Nickoli F. Anochkin, professor of metallurgy at the Soviet Institute of Light Alloys.

AEROSPACE IN CHINA

Chinese Developing Satellites for Earth Resources Exploration

Xian, China—The Chinese are developing satellite Earth-imaging systems designed to have capabilities similar to some of the those expected from the French Spot remote sensing satellite. A Chinese Earth resources image transmission satellite could be launched as early as 1988.

152

Aeronautical Engineering

Ge Expands Facility for Unducted Fan Engine

Mojave, Calif.—General Electric Aircraft Engine Business Group flight test operations organization has fabricated components and is making additions to its main facility here in support of the GE36 Unducted Fan (UDF) program. General Electric’s flight test center personnel, both at Mojave and Edwards AFB, Calif., also are supporting several other programs and the Mojave group has started to modify a Lockheed JetStar corporate jet aircraft to upgrade and equip it with two General Electric CF34 turbofans under a development program managed by American Aviation Industries (AW&ST May 27, p. 19).

By Keith F. Mordoff6 min

July 151985

July 291985

July 22, 1985

July 22, 1985