Odds and Ends: More on EADS-BAE; surviving crashes

EADS-BAE: NOW that a few days have passed since the announcement BAE and EADS want to combine, here’s some more worldwide press:

Reuters: Government demands could make or break deal.

Interactive Investor: Merger will advance EADS military goals.

Mobile Press Register: Merger will advance Gulf Coast aerospace cluster.

London Daily Post: Defence worried about UK security.

International Business Times: US access key to merger.

Surviving crashes: A crash test of a Boeing 727 in Mexico drew snickers from some quarters, but the test concluded it’s safer to sit in the rear of the airplane than in the front. No kidding, and this is not new; this has been known in aviation for decades. But we actually like the response of Ted Baker, the founder and long-time CEO of National Airlines in the US (he sold out around 1961). When asked by a reporter where the safest place to sit in a plane in the event of a crash, the blunt Baker replied, “flat on your ass.” And you didn’t need a crash test to figure this one out.

Shrinking UAV market: Once thought to be one of the bright spots in a shrinking defense budget, Boeing now says the drone market will decline despite moves to increase civilian use.

7 Comments on “Odds and Ends: More on EADS-BAE; surviving crashes

  1. I remember well BAE was leaving a sinking ship back in 2006 when they sold their EADS share.

      • The 146 has a long and complicated history. It started out at Hatfield, a de Havilland factory; but since Hawker Siddeley had acquired them it was named the HS146. But when HS was integrated to BAe, production was eventually transferred to Woodford, which was actually a former Avro site, and thereafter became known as the Avro RJ. I imagine they will now have to transfer production to Toulouse and will call it the ATR146. 😉

  2. So if the deal is completed, what should be the name of the defense division of EADS?

  3. Normand, I like the 146 a lot specially if its 5 abreast & I don’t sit under the wing With hand luggage 😉 It has a powerfull short take off, is very quiet and is still the champion of London city, where that really matters.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtCVJKPJjgY

    Its days are gone. I wonder if Airbus will give up the segment below 150 seats now more efficient aircraft enter that segment. I can see them somehow secure a position in a program building on a lighter, slower, shorter ranged optimized platform spanning 110-165 seats up to two hours. Embraer didn’t want to fight A and B here, joining them might be a different story.

  4. It is really amazing to watch this ballet at high speed. We even have time to see the wind change direction! The acceleration actually brings new realism to the entire airport operation.

    Thanks, Normand

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