Published March 2002

Aerospace Briefs

Assembly begins on Boeing 747-400ER
Work began in February on the assembly of the Boeing Co.’s latest 747 model, the 747-400ER.

The new model will be capable of carrying more fuel, giving it either 500 miles more range or greater passenger- or cargo-hauling ability, said Bill Droppelman, who leads the marketing effort for Boeing’s 747 program.

In addition, the plane will have a number of incremental improvements to the cockpit and passenger cabin, he said.

The first plane is being built for Qantas, which ordered six of the longer-range jets in November 2000. Delivery begins late this year.

Boeing also will start building a freighter version of the 747-400ER this year to fill a five-plane order from International Lease Finance Corp. Air France also has ordered two.

Two other planes have been sold to an unidentified customer, Droppelman said.

Boeing to work with Italian company
on Sonic Cruiser
Italian company Alenia Aeronautica will take part in development of the Sonic Cruiser, the Boeing Co. announced recently. The arrangement is similar to recently announced deals with Japanese suppliers.

Boeing says it hopes to bring in experts from potential Sonic Cruiser partners early on in the design process. Alenia will work on structural materials for the new plane.

Alenia already provides parts for a number of Boeing planes, including 767s and 777s, and Alenia’s Aeronavali unit does modification and service work for Boeing’s military and commercial airplanes.

In-flight movie firm makes job cuts
In-flight entertainment systems manufacturer Matsushita Avionics Systems Corp. will lay off 5 percent of its work force by April 1, the company said.

About 65 jobs will be eliminated worldwide, with the cuts spread among MAS headquarters in Bothell, its engineering and administrative offices in California and its nearly 50 other field offices overseas.

Spokesman Ray Summers said he could not provide a breakdown of exactly how many employees were released from the Bothell site.

All employees who are released will receive a comprehensive assistance package.

MAS designs and manufactures in-flight entertainment systems for airlines. It is a subsidiary of Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.

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