August 19, 1985

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SAFETY

Ntsb Omits Probable Cause of F-4c/beech Baron Midair

During the simulator intercept check conducted at Andrews AFB, it was noted that the overtake speed ring (a circular display on the outer perimeter of the F-4’s radarscope, which has a 10-20-deg. gap to indicate overtake when the radar is “locked on” to a target) on the intercept scope of the simulator randomly fluctuated by 30 to 40 kt. Overtake was difficult to read precisely since 30 deg. of clockwise movement of the ring gap is equal to 50 kt. overtake.

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Space Shuttle Astronauts Prepare for Leasat Repair in Orbit

Washington—Success of shuttle Mission 51-I’s attempt to repair the $85-million Hughes/Navy Leasat 3 satellite will depend upon the cockpit crew’s ability to precisely maneuver both the orbiter Discovery and its Canadian manipulator arm as space-suited astronauts work in the payload bay with the 7.5-ton satellite.

By Craig Covault16 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Air Force Aggressor Squadrons Move to Improve Combat Training

Nellis AFB, Nev.—Air Force aggressor squadrons at the USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center here are improving dissemination of intelligence information, planning aircraft upgrades and improving facilities to maintain the quality of teaching active, reserve and Guard pilots for combat against Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces.

By Keith F. Mordoff11 min

102

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Superalloy Ingot Refining Technique Lowers Rejections,boosts Performance

Paris—Electro-Metals Div. of Demetron, Inc., Vallejo, Calif., is using a process for refining superalloy ingot remelt stock for casting and forging of gas turbine engine parts that is reducing cast-part reject rates and promises to boost development of advanced engines with faster rotation speeds and elevated turbine inlet temperatures.

By Jay C. Lowndes10 min

Air Transport

Two Federal Agencies Support Hypersonic Transport Research

Washington—Two government bodies— Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy—are supporting development of a hypersonic transport, but the aerospace industry is keeping a low profile until a program and funding show up.

By Herbert J. Coleman6 min

116

BUSINESS FLYING

Netair Linking Charter Services Into National Air-taxi System

Washington—NetAir International Corp. is seeking to establish a national on-demand jet air-taxi service by linking executive charter services that will be marketed under one name, using a central toll-free reservations system and one standard of operation.

110

USAFE ELECTRONIC UPGRADE

European Distribution System Uses C-23as to Optimize Supplies

Zweibrucken AB, West Germany—The European Distribution System uses a fleet of 18 Short Brothers C-23A Sherpas to move supplies between U. S. Air Forces in Europe bases, and is expected to generate the equivalent of 300 more aircraft and 700 sorties in wartime through support of operational units.

By Michael Feazel5 min

August 121985

August 261985

August 19, 1985

August 19, 1985

Ntsb Omits Probable Cause of F-4c/beech Baron Midair