Aircraft

16.07.2010 2:00

Evidence continues to elude TWA Flight 800 investigators

TWO WEEKS AFTER the crash of Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 800, there was still no firm evidence to support the prevailing theory that the Boeing 747-100 was brought down by a bomb. By 1 August, 184 of the 230 victims, but less than 5% of the wreckage, had been recovered from the sea off Long Island. Based on radar data and the pattern of wreckage about 35m (115ft) down in water, investigators believe that the nose of the 747 separated from the rest of the aircraft, which remained mostly intact for 10-11s, until it was engulfed by a fireball. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

Spitting fire with a fighter flying in memory of her husband

A remarkable woman is at the controls of the two-seat Supermarine Spitfire Mk1XT that will be showing off its legendary qualities during the Farnborough ‘96 flying display. Carolyn Grace vowed to learn to fly the historic Second World War fighter after her husband, who had restored the aircraft, died in a car crash in 1988. Carolyn is the first woman in the world to own her own Spitfire and fly it in displays. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

The right direction

David Learmount/London Airline-accident figures for the first six months of 1997 will encourage the commercial air-transport industry, because the trends now show a gradual flight-safety improvement in absolute terms. The fear has been that public perception of airline safety will be damaged by the numbers of accidents if these rise as the size of the industry increases. So, if the 1997 figures so far were to represent the start of a consistent downward trend, reflecting a more rapidly reducing risk, the industry could congratulate itself on being on course towards a long-sought objective. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

C-27J Spartan makes maiden flight

Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) made the first flight of the Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100-powered C-27J on 25 September from Alenia's Caselle plant near Turin. It lasted 1h 32min. The flight was three weeks later than scheduled. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

Early warning 728JET is revealed

PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC Fairchild Dornier wants to team with Northrop Grumman to offer special mission aircraft based on its regional jet family Fairchild Dornier has unveiled an airborne early warning and control (AEWC) variant of the 728JET regional airliner which it is proposing to develop in conjunction with Northrop Grumman as the first in a series of special mission aircraft (SMA) now under study. Northrop Grumman has been in discussions with Fairchild Dornier to use of the 728JET as a future AEWC platform for more than a year and the two companies are hoping to sign a memorandum of understanding. The airframe manufacturer, in the meantime, has decided to unveil the concept for the first time at this month's Paris air show. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano - Amazon warrior

Embraer designed the EMB-314 Super Tucano to meet unique Brazilian requirements, but hopes to find a wider market for the powerful turboprop as an advanced trainer/light attack aircraft Due to its location and size Brazil has some unique and demanding defence requirements. The largest country in South America, it shares 11,000km (6,800 miles) of borders with seven countries. While Brazil's south is modern and industrialised, the same cannot be said of its north. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Dassault Falcon 900EX -Easy does it

Dassault's EASy flightdeck, being introduced first on the Falcon 900EX, provides an intuitive interface with advanced flight management technology Dassault's Falcon 900EX is perhaps the premier large business jet on the market. A derivative of the Falcon 900C, the 900EX added range and reliability to an already capable aircraft. This month Dassault will certificate its newest model, the 900EX EASy. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 - Bridging the gap

Externally, the most striking feature of the Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 is the two shoulder-mounted conformal fuel tanks. The removable tanks add about 1,360kg (3,000lb) of internal fuel, while increasing empty weight by 450kg, but with little adverse impact on flying qualities. Otherwise, the aircraft closely resembles the latest Block 50/52 F-16s. [Read more]