Hi, the following is some of the news and developments in the
technical field of aviation during the last 4 to 5 months:
- Maiden flights and roll-outs:
  Boeing 777-300, F-22 Raptor, Learjet 45 (final version),
  Suchoi S-32/S-37 (looks like an enlarged Su-27 with canards,
    forward swept wings and smaller elevators),
  Sikorsky CH-60, DeHavilland Dash 8-400, Bell 427
- The University of Darmstadt and VDO developed a LCD flight display that
  superimposes the usual indicators (attitude, alititude, speed, compass)
  of the primary and navigation display onto a schematic 3D-terrain and
  top down view of the surrounding area. Heights above the flight
  altitude are colored red. Data of the terrain is obtained from
  different sources, a single provider is envisioned. The system is
  expected to reduce controlled flight into terrain incidences.
- NASA approved development of the X-33 testbed of a STS follow-on.
  The aerospike propulsion system has been successfully tested on a
  SR-71.
- Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and 3M are testing plastic-films that some day
  may replace the usual paintwork of aircrafts. Those films may prove
  lighter, more durable, better in corrosive protection and easier to
  replace after wearing out than paint.
- Russian Avionics integrated French avionics with LCD-displays into
  a MiG-29 fighter.
- British Aerospace successfully tested a Pilkington helmet mounted
  sight to pinpoint radar or missiles with head movements on a Hawk 200.
  A similar system has been tested by Sextant Avionique for the
  Dassault Rafale.
- Eurocopter initiated a research into future helicopter technologies:
  Improved air conditioning, Laser-radar and synthetic aperture radar
  for safe operations under low visibility, low noise main and tail
  rotors and advanced efficient main rotors.
- Who knows the Cri-Cri, world's smallest twin engine aircraft?
  Captain Yves Duval replaced the piston engines with two Walles jet
  engines to create the world's smallest twin jet! MTOW is 170 kg
  (370 lbs), max speed 220 km/h (137 mph). Each jet engine weighs
  just 3 kg (6.5 lbs) and develops 140 N thrust at more than 100000 rpm
  with an incredible noise.
Uwe
--- CrossPoint v3.02 R
---------------