Big New Twin: Boeing 777
AFTER TWENTY years as king of the really huge airliners, Boeing's immense 747 is finally about to get some real competition-from Boeing. The twin-engined 777 has just gotten the official goahead for production, thanks to United Air Lines, whose reputation for foresight in going out on a limb for new designs dates back to the mid 1930s when it pioneered the Douglas DC-3. With an order for 34 of the high-tech 777s, which will look like an enlarged 767, plus options for 34 more (as well as 30 plus 30 of the latest version of the 747), United has placed a $22 billion order, the largest in history by a commercial firm. Additional orders for the 777s are possible from British Airways, Delta Airlines, Cathay Pacific and at least one Japanese airline, now that United has opened the door.
CBA-23: New in the Sky
COFFEE and vanishing rain forests. Rio's glorious beaches and carnivale. If you're like most people, those are the images that crowd your mind when you think of Brazil. It certainly isn't a country that's readily associated with airplanes. Yet with limited fanfare Brazil is becoming one of the world's major builders of ultramodern, locally designed aircraft, particularly commuter airliners and military trainers. Like many other countries, Brazil is incapable of supporting a complete aircraft industry.
New in the Sky: Pond Racer
IN THE PAST, comparing a mighty Unlimited class racer with a cute little Formula One involved an exaggerated study in contrasts: The big one achieved twice the speed with 10 to 20 times the cubic inches and 15 to 20 times the horsepower, since it weighed 15 to 20 times as much. Then the Pond Racer came along and blew all the old standards out the window. Named for warbird collector Bob Pond, who has financed it from the outset, this high-tech, twin-boom work of art from the brain of the amazing Burt Rutan is expected to fly twice as fast as a Formula One, yet is only a little larger. The secret is its two 193-cu.-in. Nissan VG30 V-6 alcohol-fueled engines, a type commonly used in IMSA Grand Touring Prototype race cars. Although they're slightly smaller than the single engine in a midget racer, the twin Nissans pack a wallop. They'll provide 15 times as much horsepower as a Formula One engine.
New in the Sky: Albatross
CERTAIN categories of flying machines hold on to a loyal band of supporters long after most people have consigned them to the dumpster-or the history books. Lighter-than-air craft-especially giant dirigibles-make up one such group; roadable airplanes are another. Despite their obvious shortcomings and poor safety records, both are repeatedly resurrected by people who remain convinced that, once a few minor problems are gotten out of the way, these slightly eccentric designs are sure to open a glorious new era in aviation.
New in the Sky: SSBJ
HERE IT IS AT LAST! Just what you've always wanted! Forget about that clown down the street who thinks his Japanese subcompact is a Ferarri. Step right up and plunk down your deposit for an S-21G, the world's first supersonic business jet!
