Technological progress abounds

Technological progress abounds

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia Air Show '96 is providing a first-hand
look at some of the world's most potential markets in an industry
that has one of the greatest growth rates in Asia.

Many foreign companies have come to the air show to showoff
their latest technological achievements.

One of the 220 companies displaying at the air show is
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI), which is presenting
its equipment and services related to air traffic control to the
Asia-Pacific region.

AEROTHAI has been providing air traffic control and its
related services for international aircraft flying over Thailand
for more than 47 years. Its engineers have acquired the technical
skills to manufacture air traffic equipment. This production was
initially aimed at serving AEROTHAI's operations in order to help
reduce costs for Thailand, a country which would otherwise have
to import this expensive equipment.

AEROTHAI, a nonprofit organization, has quality competitive
products at lower prices on the world market. As well as
conducting continual after-sales services, AEROTHAI also designs
specific equipment on request from buyers.

At the air show, AEROTHAI will exhibit its Automatic Message
Switching System, which is a computerized system for high-speed
exchange of flight information,. It will also show its Radar
Simulator, which is used for training air traffic controllers,
and its Aeronautical Telecommunication Network, which is the new
communication network recommended by the International Civil
Aviation Organization. The system utilizes digital communication
via satellite and computer network technology for developing
communications of air-traffic service.

Another company to exhibit is Boeing. Its latest aircraft, the
Boeing 777, will roll across the runway at the air show.

Harry Hopkins, in Flight International, says the Boeing 777 is
the largest twin-engined aircraft ever. It is Boeing's first fly-
by-wire aircraft, but it handles conventionally.

He says the Boeing 777 boast the most spacious airliner
cockpit yet. Boeing's philosophy on this new cockpit could be
called "need-to-show", he says. Meaning that the information a
pilot needs shows up on the screen at the right moment.

Its seating arrangements offers six-abreast in first class,
eight-abreast in business and either nine-abreast or 10-abreast
in economy. Rolls Royce, General Electric, and Pratt and Whitney
make the engines for the 777.

Dassault Aviation, of France, will also jet into the air show.
The Dassault Aviations Group's primary vocation is the design,
development, production, sale and maintenance of military
aircraft. It builds Falcon business jets and Falcon Multi-role
aircraft as well.

Dassault will feature the Rafale weapons system at its booth.
The high-performance weapons system considerably lightens the
pilot's workload with a innovative man-machine interface.

Right from the design, special attention has been paid to the
Rafale's survivability, robustness and low observability. The
Rafale's low observability is the result of extensive research
into geometric forms, materials and the integration of military
loads. The aircraft's self-protection system is fully internal
and integrated.

A multipurpose twin-jet combat aircraft, it is able to carry
out a variety of missions using the same engine configuration and
the same navigation and weapons systems, whether for air strikes
or for air superiority missions.

Dassault is also featuring the Mirage 2000-5. Built to carry
the latest weapons systems available, or those still under
development, it enjoys enhanced multimission capability. It is
designed for air defense and air superiority missions.

The two-seater version of the Mirage 2000-5 has the twofold
advantage of being adapted for training missions, while
preserving the operational capability of the single-seater
version.

The pilot interface fitted to the Mirage 2000-5 cockpit is
completely new.

Indonesian Air Show '96 is an excellent opportunity for
buyers to view the latest aircraft or find information on the
latest technological advancements. It will also enthrall
spectators from the moment they enter the grounds.