October 1, 1979

October 1, 1979

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Space Technology

Countdowns Revised for Space Shuttle

By Craig Covault

Advanced Materials

Single Crystal Technology Use Starting

By Jerry Mayfield

Business Flying

Demand for Aircraft Unabated

By David M. North

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5859
Space Technology

Countdowns Revised for Space Shuttle

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.—U. S. goal of a fully operational space transportation system is forcing a total revision of launch operations philosophy here with changes centered on widespread automation of checkout and countdown procedures that will save time, manpower and costs.

By Craig Covault

6869
Advanced Materials

Single Crystal Technology Use Starting

East Hartford, Conn.—Use of single crystal technology in the fabrication of turbine airfoils soon is expected to yield increased performance in jet engines. Several U. S. engine manufacturers are pursuing research into the technology, and some of the work is being done under contract to the Air Force, the Navy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

By Jerry Mayfield

1415
Business Flying

Demand for Aircraft Unabated

Corporate appetite for future programs unhampered at NBAA convention by energy or regulatory considerations

By David M. North

3637
Aviation Week Pilot Report

Fantrainer Exhibits Jet Characteristics

Moenchengladbach, Germany—Rhein-Flugzeugbau has incorporated into its new Fantrainer prototype many of the qualities necessary for initial pilot training as well as jet-like characteristics desirable for more advanced military students—qualities demonstrated during a 1½-hr. evaluation flight by this AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHOLOGY editor.

By Edward W. Bassett

8283
Business Flying

General Aviation Growth Spurs Engine Marketing

Engine manufacturers are enjoying strong sales as business and commuter aviation continues its healthy growth despite growing signs of a general economic slowdown. Order backlogs are high for current types, and engine manufacturers are launching new engines for the first time in several years.

By Warren C. Wetmore

2425
Air Transport

Republic Acts to Consolidate Route System

Industry watching first merger under deregulation closely as new carrier seeks coherence beyond end-to-end junction

By James Ott

2021
Management

House Unit Hits Weapons Concurrency

By David R. Griffiths

7677
Avionics

Interface Units Broaden Weather Radars

Airborne weather radar scopes, continuing to evolve as multifunction color display devices (AW&ST June 5, 1978, p. 40), take a big step toward new versatility this fall as major radar manufacturers introduce comprehensive navigation interface units.

By Kenneth J. Stein

4647
Management

Oil Seen Spurring Soviet Mideast Move

Washington—Soviet Union will face a critical petroleum shortage by 1982, which could prompt it to move into the Persian Gulf area to seize oil fields there, according to former Air Force Secretary Thomas C. Reed. Reed said Soviet oil production is expected to stagnate in the next year or two and bring on an economic crisis in Soviet bloc nations.
1617
Business Flying

Avionics Makers Focus On Monitor, Alert Units

Atlanta—Avionics manufacturers showing hardware at the National Business Aircraft Assn.’s 32nd annual meeting here are shifting their focus to systems for the next generation of corporate aircraft. Monitoring and alerting systems received a growing share of attention, along with strong emphasis on long-range navigation systems, many of which take advantage of newly developed display interfaces (see p. 77).

By Kenneth J. Stein

September 241979 October 81979