It's well known that commercial aircraft are considerable energy hogs, but United Airlines demonstrated jet fuel savings exceeding 1,400 gal (5,300 liters) on a recent transatlantic round-trip. The Boeing 777 was granted a flexible flight path, allowing pilots freedom to minimize resistance to headwinds and exploit favorable winds. No modifications to the aircraft were made and the pilots adhered strictly to all safety regulations. GPS technology allowing an aircraft to broadcast its own position via a transmitter to other aircraft will enable hypermiling implementation on a larger scale.

Pickering Interfaces' models 40-569 and 40-618 are the only solutions using the PXI platform that implement the key parts of the ARINC 608A switching requirements. The modules can also be supported in an LXI environment by using Pickering Interfaces 60-102 or 60-103 modular chassis to simplify control.

The FMCU™ Freedom of Movement Control Unit from Ultra Electronics Measurement Systems Inc. is a ruggedized, portable hand-held controller for military/aerospace applications. The lightweight, theater-proven design comes with or without the sunlight readable LCD and is ideal for control of unmanned systems, weapon systems, payloads, and critical ISR missions.

Severna Operations, Inc. has supplied precisioned plastic components to the aerospace industry for over 30 years. As an ISO 9001:2000 certified company and compliance to AS9100 in process, Severna Operations understands the critical aspects required to meet the standards of the aerospace industry. Contact Severna Operations for more information.

REALI-SLIM® thin-section bearings save space and weight without compromising performance. They provide high dynamic capacity in a compact size, with a cross-section that stays constant as the bore increases. Available in many sizes, cross-sections, and materials. Download Catalog 300, design software, and 3D CAD drawings at www.kaydonbearings.com.

Developed at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics in Berlin, Justin the space robot will be controlled by a human, and perhaps self-controlled in the future. His job is to service satellites. If they cannot be repaired, he will disassemble them in outer space and let the smaller parts and pieces burn up in the atmosphere.

Built to assemble complex aircraft structures, automated yet flexible robotic technology will be utilized to drill holes and fasten carbon-fiber wing covers of a lateral wing box. Airbus's structural tests will determine if Kuka's new robotic technology is appropriate for both current and future aircraft. The assembly solution is expected to boost production efficiency since it harnesses a horizontal build regimen.

The new display for Field Aviation of Canada's Dash 8 aircraft is designed to reduce maintenance and repair costs while improving reliability. The modernization initiative brings primary flight, navigation, and engine displays to the flight deck. Flat panel displays and synthetic vision systems will enhance operator safety and situational awareness.

Flight operators both in the U.S. and Europe are expected to benefit from a new in-flight tracking program. Whether used for business, commercial, or military flights, the near real-time tracking program provides users with unified data, which includes flight plan and weather services. Individual aircraft or groups of airplanes can be tracked by a call sign or by the airport at which the plane arrived or departed.

The aerospace industry is constantly soaring to new heights. And the ongoing thrust for added power and strength means increasingly harder metals. More challenging to tool…tougher on your machines. CIMTECH 320Z is an excellent lubricant in its class that provides superior tool life. For a complimentary product trial www.cimcool.com.

Fusite is a world leader in the design, development, and production of precision glass-to-metal hermetic seals. Fusite produces custom feedthroughs and connectors for demanding applications such as aerospace communication, process instrumentation, pressure, and temperature sensing, air-conditioning compressor terminals, and many more. RF/Microwave packaging solutions are offered under our Thunderline-Z brand.

Don't risk your next test with ordinary sensors.

Use PCB® low outgassing accelerometers and cables!

Exposure to the high vacuum of a space environment induces material outgas in ordinary accelerometers and cables. Contamination of nearby surfaces such as photo-optic devices could be the end result.

Learn more…

General Digital's Saber PanelMount Solar™ LCD monitor can be configured with an all-LED backlight providing 800+ nits of brightness and fully-dimmable night vision goggle-compatible capabilities. LEDs last longer, use less power, and tolerate shock and vibration better than CCFL backlights. This rugged unit easily passes MIL-STD-901D, Grade A and Class II Lightweight Shock requirements.

Nanotechnology is changing the way that many products are manufactured. Now, the U.S. Air Force is sponsoring a research project to develop wiring and shielding panels from carbon nanotubes for aerospace applications. Phase I of the project produced lightweight conductive wires from carbon nanotubes. CNTs are 25% to 50% lighter than copper cables and are inherently more resilient to corrosion and mechanical stresses. The objective of Phase II is to improve the electrostatic discharge properties and shielding properties of the materials.

Researchers have developed a metamaterial that absorbs virtually all light. Made of silver nanowires within 0.4 in. squares of aluminum oxide, the material's array-like structure imparts its unique properties. When roughened and hit with near-IR radiation, less than 1% of the radiation bounces off. Scientists expect the new black material will be used to make equipment invisible to radar.

Perhaps the X-51A Waverider out of Boeing Phantom Works will provide efficient access to space. Aerospace engineering & manufacturing reports that the experimental aircraft recently recorded what may be "the longest scramjet-powered flight ever." Because scramjets burn atmospheric oxygen, they do not need the large fuel tanks of rockets.

Visitors to GE's exhibit at the 2010 Farnborough Air Show might be forgiven if they momentarily thought they were in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. The reason — explained in this Aviation Week video — is that when it comes to high-tech aircraft engine maintenance, there's an App for that!

Cost-effective dBzSHIELD: MIL-SPEC ALTERNATIVE FOR EMI/RFI

•  Isolates signal and power cables from influencing or being influenced by other components and systems
•  Jacketed bronze or steel flexible core
•  Government/Defense/OEM/Industrial applications

In addition to a large selection of electronic products, Americor offers Stocking/Consignment programs, Kanban, Just-In-Time and specializes in custom designed solutions…

Northwire provides mil-spec and custom wire and cable guaranteed to exceed stringent quality and performance requirements in aerospace and aircraft applications. Resistant to chemicals, cut, temperature extremes, crush, impact, torsion bend, and more, cables are shipped in 5-days or less with no minimum order requirements. 1.877.210.9944, +1 715.294.2121, www.northwire.com/aero

The force sensing clevis pin/bolt, otherwise known as load pins, are unique in the way in which they offer precision force measurement by replacing existing shear pins, clevis bolts, and many other types of pinned joints for the aerospace industry. Learn more…

Analyze provides analytical services to identify the material compositions of original equipment aircraft parts and verify that sourced parts comply with the OEM material specifications. For more information, please see our aftermarket aircraft part identification case study.

Want more out of machining equipment? Try NC program optimization software, notes Modern Machine Shop. After importing a model and the corresponding machining program, the software analyzes how forces fluctuate during machining and automatically optimizes the feed rate. Bell Helicopter used the program to fine-tune production of a titanium forging for a transmission application.

Co-designed by GM and NASA engineers, Robonaut 2 (R2) will head to the International Space Station in September (view video). The robotic humanoid will work along side humans, using the same tools for assembly, construction, and scientific tasks. Future refinements will allow R2 to move around the station and perform dangerous and difficult tasks.

Reduce the Fuel Burn

Should pilots be allowed to take advantage of favorable winds to save fuel and energy?