October 31, 1960

October 31, 1960

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Oscillating-electron Ion Engine Tested

By Michael Yaffee11 min

SAFETY

Fuel Starvation Causes C-54 to Crash

AIR TRANSPORT

Baker Traces History of Capital Troubles

By L. L. Doty9 min

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7273
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Oscillating-electron Ion Engine Tested

E. Hartford, Conn.—United Aircraft Corp. has entered the fast-growing electrical rocket propulsion field with an unusual oscillating-electron bombardment ion source that produces a high-velocity, electrically neutral plasma beam.

By Michael Yaffee11 min

100101
SAFETY

Fuel Starvation Causes C-54 to Crash

At approximately 2105 EDT., Oct. 15, 1959, a U.S. Overseas Airlines C-54G, N 4000A. a cargo flight, was ditched in a small lake, caught fire, and sank in 10 ft. of water approximately eight minutes after takeoff from the U. S. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida.
3637
AIR TRANSPORT

Baker Traces History of Capital Troubles

By L. L. Doty9 min

8485
MISSILE ENGINEERING

Icbm Base Program Regaining Lost Time

Washington—Intercontinental ballistic missile site activation program appears to be regaining lost time after suffering growing pains which hit the Air Force, Army, Defense Department, missile contractors, construction firms and labor unions.

By Larry Booda8 min

5253
AVIONICS

Ge Tests Air-ground Data Link for Sac

Lynchburg, Va.—A digital communication system, intended to improve the speed and security of Strategic Air Command’s ground-air communications with its far-flung bombers and tankers, began its evaluation tests here this month. System was developed by General Electric’s Communication Products Department here.

By Philip J. Klass8 min

3839
AIR TRANSPORT

State Regulation Threat Worries Airlines

Washington—Current legal battles between Bonanza and Frontier Airlines and the states of Nevada and Nebraska are being followed with concern by many airlines, which fear that judicial support of these states’ regulatory moves could encourage other states to enforce a complex of intrastate airline regulations which have lain dormant for many years.

By Robert H. Cook7 min

4041
AIR TRANSPORT

Cab Reports to Congress on Electra Crash

Washington—No evidence of a structural failure that would have caused the crash of an Eastern Air Lines Lockheed Electra in Boston harbor Oct. 4 has been found, the Civil Aeronautics Board said in a progress report to Congress. CAB did report, however, that there is evidence of a “foreign object strike” on the No. 1 engine air scoop prior to impact, and this engine appeared to have been shut down and its propeller feathered before impact.

By Ford Eastman6 min

8081
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Dyna-soar Flight Tests Will Involve Major Geophysical Experiments

Los Angeles—Dyna-Soar is expected to serve as a testbed for geophysical experiments during its flight-test program, Capt. F. R. Anderton of USAF Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, told the Society of Experimental Test Pilots here. Anderton, an aeronautical research engineer in the Manned Spacecraft Engineering Office of the Flight Test Center, said geophysical experiments have been proposed to determine upper atmosphere density, pressure, temperature and composition as well as meteorite and geomagnetic measurements.

By William S. Reed6 min

114115

Letters

Just read your editorial “Pity the Poor Passenger” (AW Oct. 3) after returning from a West Coast trip via jet, as my aircraft was down for maintenance. I’ll add “Amen” to what you report— you describe an average “707” domestic flight as well as foreign schedules.
2829
SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Ion Engine Flight Tests Planned for 1963

By Edward H. Kolcum5 min

October 241960 November 71960