February 29, 1988

View Full Issue Table of Contents

AIR TRANSPORT

McDonnell Douglas Begins Demonstrating Uhb Aircraft

LONG BEACH, CALIF. McDonnell Douglas is showing its ultrahigh bypass ratio engine (UHB) demonstrator aircraft to prospective customers, and a flight with this AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY editor on board shows that the low noise levels of the company’s MD-80 transport have been met or bettered.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM10 min

COMMERCIAL SPACE SERVICES

U. S. Space Platform Firms Aim for 1991 Service Start

WASHINGTON Space Industries, Inc., and Spacehab, Inc., contenders to become the centerpiece of the new Reagan commercial space initiative, face a crucial period in the coming months. Both firms must close deals with their respective investors and start constructing hardware this summer if they are to begin space operations on schedule in the early 1990s.

By THERESA M. FOLEY10 min

AVIATION WEEK PILOT REPORT

Aerobatic Enaer T-35 Offers Basic to Advanced Flight Training

VERO BEACH, FLA. The Enaer T-35 Pillan’s economical operation and functional design are enhanced by aerobatic capabilities, a fighter-oriented cockpit and the ability to conduct basic, intermediate and instrument flight training.

By EDWARD H. PHILLIPS10 min

AVIONICS

Boeing Designs Advanced Avionics Into Latest 737, 747 Derivatives

SEATTLE Boeing is incorporating advanced avionics concepts, display formats and systems into derivative transport aircraft, such as the 737-400 and 747-400, taking advantage of extensive work already completed or in progress for the 7J7 and other future models.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT6 min

FISCAL 1989 AEROSPACE BUDGETS

Anti-deficit Law May Foil Planned Defense Budget Increases in 1990s

WASHINGTON The Defense Dept. is planning on five straight years of spending growth beginning in Fiscal 1990 to recover from the current four-year slump, but this will collide head-on with the large deficit reductions mandated by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law.

By PAUL MANN6 min

PLANETARY EXPLORATION

Soviets Study Mars Return Vehicle, Mission to Saturn

WASHINGTON The Soviet Union is assessing a major expansion of its unmanned Mars balloon/rover mission planned for 1994, including the addition of two return vehicles that would be fired out of Martian orbit back toward Earth. The vehicles would be retrieved by the Mir space station or Soviet ground forces in an early dress rehearsal for return of Martian samples on a later flight.

By CRAIG COVAULT5 min

SPACE COMMERCE ’88

Soviets, Chinese Book Western Commercial Microgravity Payloads

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND Western countries have signed up for a series of microgravity missions on Soviet and Chinese spacecraft as they seek alternative flight opportunities while the NASA space shuttle remains out of service. The latest contracts include: Massachusetts-based Payload Systems, Inc.’s agreement with the Soviets for experiments to be performed on board the Mir manned space station.

BUSINESS FLYING

Faa Seeks Expanded Use of Mode C Equipment in Controlled Airspace

WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration is receiving widespread negative reaction to its proposal for increased use of Mode C altitude reporting equipment in controlled airspace. Under the agency’s plan, all aircraft flying in controlled airspace at 6,000 ft. above ground level and higher would be required to carry Mode C equipment, as would aircraft within 40 naut. mi. of an airport served by approach control radar.

By EDWARD H. PHILLIPS5 min

SPACE COMMERCE ’88

Teledyne Develops Target Drone Designed to Survive Laser Tests

SAN DIEGO Aground-launched target drone configured with a special sensor array has been developed for evaluations of high-energy lasers, such as the Navy’s mid-infrared advanced chemical laser (MIRACL) without destroying the target vehicle.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT4 min

February 221988

March 71988

February 29, 1988

February 29, 1988