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The article reports on the scheduled flight of Great Britain's Taranis unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator by 2010, with the French-led Neuron to follow in 2011. Both will use the same model of Rolls-Royce Adour engine--though ironically, propulsion is one area that is underfunded by both nations in terms of future development. Europe will conceivably be in a position to begin fielding operational UCAV toward the end of the next decade, but both programs already build on years of predominantly classified research and development.

Reveals that the Concord supersonic transport plane, although unique, meets normal rules applied to four-engine transports. Examination of possible cause of the crash of an Air France Concorde near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France; Takeoff performance; Engines; Piloting technique following engine failure.

This article reports that French aerospace industry representatives are trying to ensure government backing for engines, onboard systems and lower-tier subcontracts even as the dispute between the European Union (EU) and U.S. over assistance to airframers reaches heightened levels. The U.S. initiated the trade dispute last year when it went on the offensive against favorable loans from European governments to Airbus Industrie SA for aircraft development. At the World Trade Organization (WTO), a senior Mexican trade official, Mateo Diego-Fernandez, has been named to review both the U.S. and EU charges. Airbus and its major shareholders, European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. and BAE Systems PLC, on October 6 formally launched the Airbus A350, exactly a year after the U.S. initiated WTO proceedings.

The article reports that in its own industrial backyard, Airbus SAS will make its first air show presentation in Paris this week of its double-deck A380 and try to build momentum for the launch later this year of the A350, its answer to the sales threat posed by Boeing's mid-sized 787. Ironically, the company that invented large, long-haul air travel with the four-engine 747 isn't ready yet to commit to a stretched and re-engined upgrade of that airplane, the 747 Advanced, to siphon sales from the 555-seat A380. Boeing's marketing presentations will focus on the complementary nature of its two midsize twin-engine aircraft, the 200-300-seat 787 that is now under development and the 300-368-seat 777 family, that just passed its 10th anniversary in service.

Although a healthy company, Snecma SA exemplifies a vanishing species, European state-owned companies. The propulsion group's long-overdue privatization, however, is scheduled for the next few months on the condition that the Paris stock exchange adopts a more optimistic trend. In addition to Snecma's initial public offering, the French government is considering privatizing ADP Paris airports authority and abandoning its 32.6%-stake in the Thales defense electronics group. According to French industry officials, Snecma's privatization is expected to happen too late to facilitate the European aeroengine industry's long-delayed consolidation. A French cross-border restructuring plan recently vanished when Snecma's negotiations to acquire Avio from the Italian Fiat automotive group failed.

Rolls-Royce PLC is relying on naval and industrial versions of its Trent and RB211 aeroengine lines, until the commercial aerospace business recovers. Some relief is expected to come from the engine maintenance, repair and overhaul business, which accounted for roughly $2 billion in sales last year. Following a spurt of acquisitions, notably the purchase of Vickers in 1999, marine systems now represent 17% of group revenues and energy systems, 11%. In 2002, while both commercial engine and defense businesses declined, marine system revenues expanded to 984 million pounds from 827 million pounds a year earlier. In April 2003 Rolls formed a teaming arrangement with French naval shipyard DCN to jointly market the WR-21 and other marine propulsion systems in France, Great Britain and third-party markets.

The article reports on the development of Boeing Co.'s narrowbody jet for possible launch at the Paris air show in France. Boeing partners with Pratt & Whitney, CFM International, and Rolls-Royce to determine the appropriate engine options for the jet. Boeing vice-president Mike Bair notes the objective of the company which is to figure out a jet that could have 180-250 seats. However, Bair decides to build two aircraft families of Boeing 787 and 777.

Presents news briefs on the aircraft industry as of January 2005. Launch of the Airbus A380 aircraft in Toulouse, France; Air pact between the U.S. and India; Selection of the CFM56-5B engine by airline partners Air Berlin and Niki to power several of its new A320 aircraft.

Letters to the editor from the magazine's website are presented in response to the articles ""French UAVs: Who is Up, Who Is Down?" by Robert Wall, which looks at French unmanned aerial vehicles, and "American Sets Stage For NEO Power Battle," written by Guy Norris, on the use of V2500 engines in American Airlines' fleet of Airbus airplanes.

The article reports that France has been asked by the United Arab Emirates to study re-engining the Rafale fighter, as part of a proposed acquisition of the advanced combat aircraft. The upgrade would lead to the enhancement of the aircraft's hot-and-high capability and extension of its payload and range. The initiative would improve the engine by 20% compared with the basic M88 engine.

The article reports that the first V2500 SelectOne engine of International Aero Engines is poised to begin test and certification flight tests on the prototype Airbus A320 in Toulouse, France. The modification incorporates design changes to cut fuel consumption by 1%, increase time on wing by 20% and satisfy CAEP/6 nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions standards. It says that the entire package cannot be retrofitted although SelectOne is designed to operate seamlessly with standard V2500-A5 and upgraded engines.

The article reports on the move of French engine maker Turbomeca to launch a broad push to update its product line and develop technologies for new turboshaft engines. The company recently launched a technology demonstrator to modernize its 600-shp. product offering, currently met by the Arrius, and is mulling a similar move in the 800-1,200-shp.-class, now filled by the TM 333. Turbomeca chief executive officer Emeric d'Arcimoles says the two projects aim to validate technologies that could spur a new engine to replace its existing engine.

The article reports on the agreement of Russia-based Ural Airlines to acquire seven Airbus A320s which transforms a preliminary order placed during an air show in Paris, France. It says that the aircraft will complement two leased A320s already in service. It states that no engine selection has been made under the agreement.

The article reports that airline company Snecma sees strong cost pressure for its new Silvercrest turbofan. Snecma has entered the first engine competition with its Silvercrest offering, but with no run-time on the powerplant, company executives are confident that even if success eludes them this time, there will be plenty of opportunities to prevail ahead. For the French engine maker, Silvercrest is an ambitious project to expand its product range.

This article reports that accident investigators of West Caribbean Airways' MD-82 are unearthing clues as they continue their mission to determine what caused an apparent dual-engine flameout that led to the deaths of 160 people. On August 16, a West Caribbean Airways MD-82 departed Panama City with eight crew and 152 passengers. About an hour later, the pilots reported problems with both JT8D-217A engines. The aircraft, bound for Fort de France Lamentin Airport, crashed into mountainous terrain at Machiques, Venezuela, about 400 mi. west of Caracas, killing all on board. At the time of impact, the aircraft's engines showed signs of high-speed compressor rotation, but the engine inlets, empennage and wing leading edges showed no sign of pre-impact damage.

This article presents information on the company Snecma Services. Established in 1999, Snecma Services oversees all product, customer support and MRO activities for Snecma S.A., the Paris, France-based commercial and military aircraft engine manufacturer. Snecma Services has operated company-owned MRO facilities, which include one outside of Paris that specializes in CFM International CFM56 and General Electric GE90 work. Another, located at Chatellerault, France, concentrates on CFM56 hot-section work and repair services on such military engines as the Rolls-Royce Tyne and Snecma M88 and L53. In addition to its company-owned service and repair facilities, Snecma Services has been expanding its MRO base through a series of joint-venture companies, mainly with its airline customers.

France's SMA is gearing up for full production and issuance of four additional aircraft certificates, following the recent opening of a new facility to assemble its diesel-cycle jet-fuel general aviation engine. SMA, jointly owned by Snecma, EADS and automaker Renault, delivered the first engine from a 5-million-euro greenfield plant in Bourges, in central France, on January 24, 2004. It expects to ramp up output from the current 20 engines per month to 30 by June, and to deliver 250 units by year-end. Production could reach 80 engines/month next year and 120-130 engines monthly — the limit of capacity — by 2006, company officials say.

The article reports on a business partnership between US conglomerate General Electric (GE) and French-owned Snecma in building airplane engines. The companies have had a mutually beneficial agreement since 1974 under the name of CFM International. Competition with airplane engine company Pratt & Whitney for the Boeing 737 jet engine contract is described along with a view of the corporate differences between France and the US.

Informs that French aircraft manufacturer Snecma is scheduled to begin delivery of production M88-2 engines to Dassault Aviation in December 1996. The engines to equip Rafale multi-role combat aircraft; Completion of the engine's certification program.

The article focuses on the first flight of Memorial Flight's reproduction of a 1918 Fokker D.VIIF at La Ferté Alais in Paris, France in May 2007. The building processes and materials from World War I have been respected. The project started in the mid-1990s when collector Jean Salis provided a 185 horsepower BMW IIIa powerplant.

This article profiles French engineer Louis Seguin and his aircraft rotary engine. Louis and his brother Laurent attended the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition, where they saw an engine with five cylinders arranged like the spokes of a wheel. It was based on a design in which the cylinders rotated, while the crankshaft remained stationary. Seguin bought a license for the design from Motoren Fabrik Oberursel. He established the Societe des Moteurs Gnome in 1905 and began designing a seven-cylinder rotary engine for airplanes. The Gnome Omega, which came out in 1908, weighed only 160 pounds and developed a horsepower of 50. It was shorter than liquid-cooled engines and the cylinder rotation aided cooling. Gnomes were expensive because they required careful machining and assembly. Each one cost as much as a medium-sized automobile. In total, over 1,700 Omegas were built and the engines powered airplanes that established 30 world records. The high power-to-weight-ratio engines had their problems. The rotary had limited growth potential partly because of large windage losses that arose from spinning the entire engine. They also had lubrication difficulties, produced a gyroscopic effect on the aircraft during tight maneuvers, and operated only about 20 hours between overhauls.

The author relates her experience when the scheduled flight of her family to France was delayed on Friday the 13th. She states that the flight attendant offered vouchers for alternative flights because a part of the airplane engine needed to be replaced. She recalls that they waited for the part to be installed and departed nine hours late. She mentions that her father also had a Friday the 13th experience in Italy.

The article deals with the development of the Sukhoi Supersonic Jet SaM146 engine by French-Russian joint venture PowerJet. The company has just completed tests on the second of a series of eight samples of the engine which has largely been created over the past six years and which is due to undergo its first flight evaluation in the future.

Looks at some of the surprises brought by several engine makers during the June 2005 air show held in Paris, France. Bids to power the next generation Airbus A320 and Boeing 737; Leading-edge aviation propulsion program launched by CFM International; Attempts of Rolls-Royce to secure an engine agreement with Airbus.

Reports on the first flight of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered A380 prototype in Toulouse, France on April 27, 2005. Capacity of the aircraft; Features; Comments from an Airbus source on the flight.

The article discusses how the Air France Industries (AFI)-KLM Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) handles an aircraft on ground (AOG) problem due to a faulty engine. Head of engine customer services Didier Verte explains that some customers call their customer support manager while others contact the AOG desk. AFI-KLM E&M ships the engine to regular customers before it receives a signed lease contract and the insurance certificate.

In this article the author reflects upon the 2011 Paris Air Show which took place in France. The author discusses the new A320neo aircrafts displayed by Airbus SAS in the event and mentions the aircrafts which were sold by Boeing Co. during the event. The author reflects upon rivalry between the PurePower 1000 engine from the company Pratt & Whitney and the Leap-X engine from CFM International SA and forecasts upswing in the aviation business.

The article reports that Airbus SAS is poised to begin testing of the Pratt & Whitney Corp. PW1000G geared turbofan demonstrator engine on its A340-600 flying testbed in Toulouse, France. As reported, ground runs were undertaken in the beginning of October 2008 ahead of the first test flight, which is expected in October. The A340 will fly a two-month, 75h flight-test programme with the GTF engine replacing the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engine in the No 2 position.

This article focuses on the flight testing started by Eurocopter for the HAD version of its Tiger attack helicopter in Marignane, France. The Spanish army will receive deliveries of aircraft 5001 from Eurocopter. It has two MTR390-E engines. Other features of the aircraft are cited. Late 2010 is the target first delivery date for the aircraft in Spain.

The article highlights the results of the probe by France's Bureau of Accident Investigation regarding the cause of the Etihad Airways Airbus A340-600 accident in Toulouse, France. The agency found that engine tests of the A340-600 were not following Airbus's normal maintenance manual procedures. It also determined that the A340-600 was being held at standstill with the parking brake on and wheel chocks were not inserted under the aircraft at the time of the accident.

The article reports on the possibility of a bird strike which caused a Fokker 100 of Air France to overrun a runway at Pau airport in France. None of the passengers and crew on board were hurt in the accident. Initial evidence points to a bird ingestion by one of the Fokker's Rolls-Royce engines during take-off.

This article reports on a decision by France-based Snecma to partner with Italian aerospace propulsion specialist Avio to develop an all-new engine for business aircraft and smaller regional jets. Developed from the SM-X demonstrator program of Snecma, the engine is aimed at producing 8,500 to 10,500 pound thrust and will draw on SaM146 turbofan technology under development with NPO Saturn for the Sukhoi Superjet 100.

This article reports on the delivery of Engine Alliance GP7200 engines for Airbus A380 transports to Toulouse, France on September 28, 2005. The first four flight-test engines were delivered aboard a chartered Antonov An-124. The first GP7200 shipset is now being prepared for podding trials and pre-assembly build-up in Toulouse before being fitted to the initial Alliance-powered A380, aircraft number MSN009.

Presents statistics related to the development of the A400M aircraft. Date of launching of engine development; Number of aircraft to be delivered to countries, including Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain; Structure and capacity of the aircraft.

Reports on the 2004 plan of the French government to provide loans to fund the development of the Snecma/Rybinsk Motors-Saturn SaM146, an engine planned to power the Sukhoi/Boeing Russian Regional Jet. Support given by the Russian government to the engine development program; Schedule of the first flight of the jet plane.

Reports on the development of the uprated SR305 diesel engine by French general aviation engine manufacturer Société des Motorisations Aéronautiques (SMA). Statement issued by Miriam Dunn, SMA vice-president for customer services, regarding the company's interest in diesel; Features of the diesel engine; SMA airplanes that have pending approvals; Background on the deals made by SMA with other companies.

Reports on the launch of the LH-10 Ellipse two-seat kitplane from LH Aviation in France. Specifications of the engine; Load capacity of the aircraft.

Presents an update on the efforts of France's SMA to venture into the piston-engine aircraft market as of August 2003. Development of a 230 horsepower (hp) R305-230 and a 300 hp engine models by the company; Plan of SMA to increase its production; Details on an agreement between SMA and Aerodiesel Propulsion.

The article reports on the intention of aircraft supplies maker Hamilton Standard and France-based aircraft supplies maker Ratier-Figeac to have an American Federal Aviation Agency and French Direction Generale de I'Aviation Civile certifications for a line of lightweight, all-composite propeller systems for regional aircraft. The systems will be for 1,500 to 5,000 shaft horsepower engine applications, and will include an improved pitch control for accurate synchrophasing for increased cabin comfort.