September 23, 1985

View Full Issue Table of Contents

BUSINESS FLYING

Advanced Technologies Promise Sales Boost for General Aviation Aircraft

Langley AFB, Va.—Advanced technology developed for general-aviation applications by aircraft manufacturers and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration promises to boost sales of new aircraft by attracting customers that currently can obtain optimum available performance by purchasing a used aircraft.

By Jay C. Lowndes16 min

SPECIAL REPORT: BUSINESS FLYING

New Concerns Hinder Efforts to Reverse Decline in Sales

Washington—Many of the problems that beset business flying a year ago such as air traffic control delays have largely disappeared, but new concerns that have emerged in their place will be focused on at this year’s National Business Aircraft Assn, convention in New Orleans.

By David M. North13 min

BUSINESS FLYING

Drop in U. S. Aircraft Exports Raises Concerns About Production Sector

Washington—U. S. exports of general aviation aircraft in the first half of 1985 fell short of imports, continuing a trend that began in 1981 and heightening concerns about the viability and competitiveness of the U. S. general aviation manufacturing sector.

By James K. Gordon10 min

BUSINESS FLYING

Analysts Predict Aircraft Leasing Will Not Supplant Ownership

Washington—Leases, especially shortterm ones, have become more common during general aviation's long slump, but ownership remains the preference in much of the market. Finance analysts interpret leasing's growth as a byplay to sales, not as a replacement for them and not as a result of the slump or a restructured market.

By Paul Mann10 min

126

BUSINESS FLYING

Helicopter Manufacturers Expect Continued Slow Market Growth

Los Angeles—Corporate helicopter market in the U. S. has achieved slow growth for the year thus far, but an anticipated stronger recovery for the market from the unit sales slump that began in 1980 has not been realized. While manufacturers do not expect any dramatic corporate sales improvements in the near term, most see a continuation of the slow growth pattern.

By Keith F. Mordoff8 min

120

BUSINESS FLYING

Modification Centers Expand Product Lines to Stem Economic Downturn

Los Angeles—Companies that modify existing business aircraft, install interiors and avionics on new aircraft and refurbish used aircraft have generally seen a decline in business over the last four years, but they have managed to avoid a recession as severe as that affecting the new aircraft manufacturers.

By Michael A. Dornheim7 min

TAC Modernization

Affordability to Take Priority in Usaf Advanced Fighter Design

Langley AFB, Va.—Cost of new combat aircraft for the U. S. Air Force's Tactical Air Command (TAC) has become the key concern of Air Force planners in their efforts to maintain a steady modernization of the command's aircraft assets during a period of increasing budget constraints.

By Robert R. Ropelewski7 min

Missile Engineering

Missile Destroyed in First Sdi Test at High-energy Laser Facility

White Sands Missile Range, N.M.— High-energy laser systems test facility (HELSTF) here reached full operational status Sept. 6 when a Titan 1 missile casing was destroyed on the ground in the first laser lethality test for the Strategic Defense Initiative.

By Michael A. Dornheim7 min

September 161985

September 301985

September 23, 1985

September 23, 1985