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Report that GPA Group, Ltd.'s 308-aircraft order has restructured the airline equipment acquisition process for all segments of the industry. Short-term operating leases relieve airlines of enormous purchase prices and provide flexibility, while manufacturers benefit from big orders. Recent orders and changes they brought; Risks and concerns.

NASA scientists and engineers at Johnson Space Center, Houston, Tex., and Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif., have engaged in parallel efforts to design a future space suit for use in the space station. Evaluation tests of the AX-5, anall-hard metal suit, and the Zero Prebreathe Suit (ZPS) Mk. 3, using both hard and soft elements, begin this month. Either can be chosen, or a hybrid may be produced, using elements from each suit.

China's leaders are showing they have the necessary will and resources to reshape and modernize the nation's aviation industry. It emerged from the repression of the Cultural Revolution just over a decade ago, and now is trying to replace outdated techniques and systems with Western high technology. The national policy to deemphasize the military is putting major attention on civil projects. China will eventually become a world market competitor.

States both Boeing and McDonnell Douglas are adjusting their production to accommodate the 1991 slump in standard-body transport orders and both see the beginning of a recovery this year. Cancellation of firm orders for transports, delayed ordersand options; Projected orders and deliveries for both companies; Demand due to aircraft retirements; Gradual shift to wide-body transports, fueled by the Pacific Rim; Douglas' MD-12; Studies of new aircraft.

Presents a report on the Pacific Rim's growing airport capacity, focusing on major international airports in the northwestern part of this continent seeking to capitalize on the explosive growth of Pacific Rim air traffic. While San Francisco struggles to stay even with burgeoning traffic, other airports are concentrating in specialized areas. Oakland, Alaska, San Jose, Portland; Planned expansion at San Francisco; Competition for cargo; Funding and costs.

Presents an `Aviation Week' report on Boeing Co.'s plans for a new or derivative large aircraft capable of carrying 650 passengers for use on the Pacific Rim market. A number of major customers are interested in a follow-on to the 747-400, and Boeing is focusing on development plans for three versions that would carry 20-50 percent more passengers than 747-400s. Options being studied; Stretched and double-decker concepts; Desire for range.

Examines the development of the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group's 777 transport. It's the closest airplane yet to a `paperless' design, done almost entirely on computers. Boeing is also implementing its version of total quality management, called continuous quality improvement (CQI), as well as corporate and technological changes.

Examines the current pressures United States airframe makers are facing, despite a huge order backlog and an optimistic market outlook. Discusses industry predictions for short- and long-term sales. Deliveries; Orders; Cancellations; Financial;Impact.

Discusses the market projections of major United States commercial airframe manufacturers. They and their global counterparts are minimizing the impact of near-term market disruptions and focusing on meeting the huge demand they foresee over the next 15 years. Short-term uncertainties; Optimistic scenarios; Future market characteristics; Long-term market approaches.

Opinion. Traces the 50 year history of the NASA-Ames Research Center in California, and the technological advances that have been developed and nurtured at the facility.

Examines a Boeing-United Airlines joint venture agreement, allowing United an expanded role in the development of the new Boeing 777 family of transport aircraft.

Discusses the record number of air transport order and swollen backlogs, the commercial airframe manufacturers' inability to turn the orders into profits because of labor disruptions, management problems and competitive pricing pressures. Delivery positions; New aircraft development and costs; Orders and problems.

Discusses the many years of continued heavy demand United States airframe manufacturers expect for their products and the challenges the industry faces in meeting the strong demand. Challenges; Larger aircraft; Facilities changes; Business mix.

Discusses a recent conference of Pacific Rim government and defense industry officials who discussed cooperation in the thawing of the Cold War, and found the best way to tap into the growing Pacific Rim defense market is through cooperative programs with those nations, although not an easy task. Joint programs and lessons; Technology transfer; Growing economic strength.

Opinion. Discusses the worldwide air traffic surge and how the world's three manufacturers of large commercial aircraft, Boeing, Airbus Industrie, and McDonnell Douglas, are prospering, with more than $160 billion worth of aircraft on order.

Discusses the intense building and planning efforts needed to keep the world air transport system from being strangled by airport congestion. Major problem areas; Funding and facility charges; New airport needs; French, Japanese, and Asia-Pacific problems and needs.

Discusses the series of challenges the world's airline industry faces over the aging aircraft issue. Consequences of aircraft scrutiny; Concerns; Aging Aircraft Task Force; FAA mandates.

Talks about the conservative approaches Boeing and McDonnell Douglas are taking to major new initiatives in the near future, while positioning themselves to feed a huge, long-term demand. Market progress; 1988 sales; New derivatives; Program delays.

Potentially broader implications of the structural failure of an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 over the Hawaiian Islands on April 28 are being closely scrutinized by several government agencies. The airline has retired all four of its high-cycle Boeing 737 twin jets, and an industry-wide reevaluation of all issues related to aging commercial transports has been called for by one top official. Accident, recent developments, recommendations, and agency probes.

China's civil aviation industry is making sweeping changes in order to build a more workable airline system, badly needed the country's economic development. A decision was made to concentrate available funds on civil aviation programs, but change is coming slowly and the nation's demands continue to overwhelm the air transportation system. The breakup of China's Civil Aviation Administration is underway and reforms are being made.

China's airline service is steadily improving, especially on international flights, and major changes are under way in their civil aviation industry. Even so, flying their domestic routes presents a considerable challenge to most Westerners. They are struggling to modernize an antiquated air transport system. The biggest problem seems to be the lack of a reservation system with any degree of efficiency or credibility. Examples; Quality of service.

The Detroit crash of Northwest Airlines MD-82 which killed 155 people, along with a series of near-midair collisions, has subjected US air safety to renewed scrutiny. The preliminary investigation of the August 16 crash is centering on the performance of a veteran crew, and raises questions with the National Transportation Safety Board of human performance issues. Flight data recorder readings are being analyzed.

Boeing Co.'s decision to delay development of its 7J7 transport for up to 15 months has encouraged its worldwide competitors but does not appear to be a real setback to the advanced transport's prospects. The 7J7 is still in the fleet plans of its prime potential customers, though some may look at the McDonnell Douglas MD-91X and 92X. Boeing's decision has implications for General Electric which builds the bypass engine scheduled to power the 7J7.

Suggests that Cathay Pacific's commitment to acquire a varied fleet of Boeing 777 transports only emphasizes the flexibility planned for the twinjet family and represents the first indication of solid interest in a stretched model of the new transport. Three of the nine airlines that plan to acquire the 777 have designated the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 powerplant. Firm orders from the Hong Kong-based carrier; Technical details of the stretched version; Cathay's fleet.

Announces that Boeing Co. is leading an industry-wide effort to improve the training of pilots in rejected takeoff procedures with the goal of improving safety in much the same manner that development of the wind shear training aid drastically cut those types of accidents. Takeoff Safety Training Aid; Regulatory approach; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; `Classic case' of faulty RTO; New RTO regulations needed; More.

Presents a special report on the Pacific Rim's growing airport capacity focusing on new construction during China's eighth five-year plan (1991-95) at the 20 busiest airports in that country. The pace of construction is being fueled by rapid growth in China's civil airlines, with major upgrades and reconstruction in 1991 at Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian and Lhasa, Tibet. Major airport projects now underway; Five new airports in 1990; Funding and costs.

Presents a special report on the Pacific Rim's growing airport capacity, focusing on Australia's Federal Airports Corp., which plans to fund $2.2 billion worth of new airport facilities and upgrades over the next ten years. Government approval for Sydney's Kingston Smith Airport expansion given in November; 1989-90 revenues and assets for FAC; Benefits and costs of Sydney's new runway; Completion date; Identification of new airport sites.

Looks at the pressure Pan American World Airways' technical experts, led by Juan Trippe, put on airframe manufacturers as early as the 1930s, forcing the world airline industry to accept progressively more advanced commercial transports. Trippe and his crew pushed for long-range aircraft, and inspired Boeing to build the 314 Clipper four-engine flying boat and the 747. Contact between Pan Am and Boeing officials; Influence on the British-French Concorde.

Considers a report from the Washington law firm Arnold & Porter which outlines government support for US commercial manufacturers, totalling $12.2 billion from the Defense Dept., $17 billion from NASA and more than $3.5 billion in federal tax deferrals since 1976. Dorian Prince, head of the European Commission's high-technology section says those are conservative figures. Criticisms from US aerospace officials; Arthur D. Little study; Direct benefits to Airbus.

Describes how builders of new airports may be able to ease their impact on the environment much more easily than airports already in operation, because planners have the opportunity to `do things right the first time.' New airports in Denver, Vancouver and Munich; Water quality; Recycling and reclaiming glycol; Development of use requirements for deicing agents; Roadway configuration, barn owls and prairie dogs; Environmentalists and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Explores how the anticipated impact of Boeing's 5.6 million sq. ft. expansion of its Everett, Washington facility taught the company that environmental reviews must be designed into company schedules, as much a part of building transports as the design process. The expansion is expected to cost Boeing $50 million, most of it for road improvement. Satisfying Washington's State Environmental Policy Act; Addressing issues in extraordinary technical detail.

States Japan Airlines will place firm orders for 10 Boeing 777 twinjet transports and take options for an additional 10, in an order estimated at $1 billion. JAL has not selected an engine, but can choose among Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce powerplants, and has at least until next spring to notify Boeing. Delivery schedule for JAL's 777s; Technical aspects of the JAL-ordered 777s.

Summarizes how technology was used to fight the Oct. 20 firestorm in the Oakland-Berkeley hills, Calif., which resulted in at least 22 deaths and the loss of more than 3,000 homes. The fire was fought using fixed-wing tankers and helicopters, mapped and photographed by aircraft from NASA-Ames Research Center and tracked by hand-held global position system receivers. Technical details of the aircraft used and video photos taken; Directing the aerial scene.

Describes Airshow Canada, the five-day trade show at Abbotsford, British Columbia, that attracted more than 12,000 professional visitors and 364 exhibitors. Czechoslovakia's Omnipol included a flying display of the AERO Vodochody L-39 jet trainer; Soviet exhibit included variants of the amphibious Beriev A-40; USAF/Lockheed F-117A a major attraction; Provincial and federal support for two additional biennial shows.

Describes the Alaska Airlines service to the Soviet Far East, the first scheduled service to the Soviet Union from the US West Coast, using two 136-passenger Boeing 727-200 trijets and achieving a 60 percent load factor. Financial status of Alaska Airlines; Interest in the service; Establishing facilities in the Soviet Union; Alaska's `target of opportunity' philosophy.

Details fourteen cases of commercial aircraft that have inadvertently flown through ash clouds from the recent Mt. Pinatubo eruptions and which resulted in damage severe enough to cause two engines on one aircraft to lose power and force the removal of ten powerplants from widebody transports. Seattle symposium in response to Alaska's Mt. Redoubt activity; Other developments surface.

Examines the efforts underway by United States and Soviet authorities to create a cooperative approach to developing airways and airports in the Soviet Far East. `Sister airport' relationships are being created, and some new US West Coast-Soviet flights are already in use.

Examines Garrett's plans to retain its dominance of the civil auxiliary power unit market, and how Boeing's choice of Garrett to provide the new Boeing 777 twinjet's APU fits into the plans. The Garrett APU must meet strict overwater requirements. Garrett will offer the same engine to McDonnell Douglas for the MD-12. It's called the GTCP331-500.

Looks at the data collected about Venus by the Galileo and Magellan spacecrafts. Significant achievements of spacecraft; Importance of data; Mapping images.

Details the agreement between Boeing and United Airlines, allowing United representatives to be involved in reviewing the design, production and procedures development of the new 777 wide-body transport. Past quality assurance problems; Service-ready aircraft; Passenger acceptance.

Looks at Boeing's recent launch of the 777 twin-engine, wide-body aircraft, the first of a new family of commercial transports. Design; Equipment; Cost; Orders.

Discusses the extensive changes Boeing Co. is making in the way it approaches development of the 767-X twinjet, leaning heavily now on new technology and more extensive predelivery testing. Primary features of new approach; Service readiness; New systems and data.

Covers the new relationships being forged between the world's major airframe manufacturers and their suppliers, in order to help assure a smoothly functioning industry in the face of intense demands. Backlogs; Long-term contracts; Partnerships; Challenges.

Describes the design and basic features of Boeing's 767-X transport configuration, which includes provision for a folding wing as a standard, but extra cost item. United Airlines is a strong contender as a launch customer for the new twinjet transport, officially designated the 777.

Covers the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Boeing and the Japanese firms of Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Fuji Heavy Industries to develop the 767-X twinjet transport. Japan will have a risk-sharing investment that could amount to8-10 percent of the total program, the greatest share Boeing has ever allowed to another entity.

Describes the problems Boeing Co. has experienced in developing the reliability of its new 747-400 transport, and the special unit Boeing has devoted to improving the dispatch reliability of the aircraft. Fleet size; Mechanical and electrical problems; Overloaded suppliers.

Summarizes the expansion plans and goals of San Jose International Airport, the second-largest airline passenger load facility in Northern California. Goals; Milestones; Carriers and equipment; Load factors.

Discusses testing done on a full-scale model of the E-7A short takeoff vertical landing (STOVL) model in NASA-Ames Research Center's low-speed wind tunnel complex, the world's largest test section. The tests of the General Dynamics supersonic fighter design demonstrated the viability of the ejector-lift/vectored-thrust concept.

Describes the Boeing Co.'s selected design for its new 767-X twinjet configuration, designated the 777, which is basically a new aircraft. The 777 may incorporate innovations like folding wingtips and fly-by-light controls, and is intended to compete with McDonnell Douglas' MD-11 trijet and Airbus Industrie's A330/A340 family.

Reports that the 57,000 striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at the Boeing Company are beginning to damage the local and national economies, and disrupt the plans of some airline customers as production schedules slip. Delivery delays and effects.