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BRITISH Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Airbus Division has announced a multi‐year partnership with Mentor Graphics' Context Division. The company selected Context's technical publishing and documentation management system for producing and revising maintenance documentation for Concorde, Airbus and BAC 1–11 aircraft.

AIR skates manufactured by Hovair Systems Limited are being employed by British Aerospace to allow precise movement of Airbus A320 wings along the production line at the companies Filton plant.

Reviews the evolution of British Aerospace’s wing production facilities at Chester and Filton in the UK and on the design of the wings for the Airbus series of aircraft, from the first set of wings designed for the A300 in 1971 through to the A340‐500 and 600 and the A3XX. Reports on the design of the completely new wing for the A320 which was the first to incorporate fly‐by‐wire and other technologies. Discusses the design of load alleviation for defined manoeuvre and gust cases and the impact of a change in the airworthiness design case requirements on the design of the wing for the A321 and subsequent aircraft. Finally, the article examines the fully automated parts store at the British Aerospace Wing Centre at Filton.

Considers how far the aerospace industry has travelled on the long journey towards lean and agile manufacturing. Starts by comparing the industry with a well‐established model of a lean and in some cases agile manufacturing system already well established in the automotive manufacturing industry. Makes some attempts to overcome the difference in output volume of the two industries. Asks whether lean manufacturing can be applied to the aerospace industry. Draws on observations made both by academics and during visits to aerospace supply companies. Evidence is put forward as to deployment of lean practices in the industry and why lean manufacturing must be deployed throughout the industry. Focuses on the tentative steps towards the first phases of agile manufacturing, through Lean production, in an industry that produces a high technology leading‐edge product using outdated manufacturing systems.

This is an impression of the Paris Salon de l'Aeronautique drawn from visits during the first three days: a more detailed report on the exhibits and the flying displays, together with “An Engineer's Impression of the Paris Air Show” will appear in our next issue.

BAe Airbus has studied the application of the maintenance free operating period (MFOP) concept to Airbus aircraft in order to meet a growing demand for autonomous operation. This concept can apply to both civil and military aircraft and, most recently, has resulted in Airbus Military Company including the MFOP as part of its formal proposal for a new military transport aircraft. The paper concludes that it is difficult to predict the progress in further improving the levels of MFOP achievement, but that the final solution is likely to be a “pick and mix” of techniques, technologies and disciplines integrated under a “supportability” banner.

Aurora Flight Sciences and NASA is conducting a flight readiness review of the company's Perseus A drone.

GE Aircraft Engines and Southern Aero Corporation of Ozark, Alabama, have agreed to develop a T700‐powered UH‐1 Huey demonstrator and to fly the high‐performance aircraft early next year.