The car came to a stop. The door flung open.
"Mom!"
Her daughter jumped into her arms, wrapping her legs around her. "Oh, Mom, I missed you!"
"Me too, honey," she said. "Me too."
Jim got out of the car, handed Casey the backpack. In the near darkness, she couldn't really see his face.
"Good night," he said to her.
"Good night, Jim," she said.
Her daughter took her hand. They started back inside. It was growing dark, and the air was cool. When she looked up, she saw the straight contrail of a passenger jet. It was so high, it was still in daylight, a thin white streak across the darkening sky.
5TH STORY of Level 1 printed in
FULL format
COPYRIGHT TELEGRAPH-STAR, INC.
HEADLINE: NORTON SELLS 50 WIDEBODY
JETS TO CHINA
TAILS TO BE MANUFACTURED IN SHANGHAI
CASH FLOW AIDS DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE
JET. UNION LEADERS CRITICIZE LOSS OF JOBS.
BYLINE: JACK ROGERS
BODY:
Norton Aircraft today announced an eight-billion-dollar sale of fifty N-22 widebody jets to the People's Republic of China. Norton President Harold Edgarton said the agreement signed yesterday in Beijing calls for delivery of the jets over the next four years. The agreement also offsets fabrication work to China, requiring the N-22 tails to be constructed in Shanghai.
The sale represents a coup for the beleaguered Burbank manufacturer, and a bitter defeat for Airbus, which had lobbied heavily, both in Beijing and Washington, for the sale. Edgarton said the fifty Chinese jets, combined with the further sale of twelve N-22s to Transpacific Airlines, will give Norton the cash flow it needs to continue development of the N-XX widebody, its hope for the twenty-first century.
News of the offset agreement produced anger in some quarters of the Burbank company. UAW Local 1214 President Don Brull criticized the offset agreement, noting, "We're losing thousands of jobs every year. Norton is exporting the jobs of American workers in order to make foreign sales. I don't think that's good for our future."
When asked about the alleged job loss, Edgarton stated that "offsets are a fact of life in our industry, and have been for many years. The fact is, if we don't make the agreement, Boeing or Airbus will. I think it is important to look to the future, and the new jobs that will be created by the N-XX widebody line."
Edgarton also noted that China had signed an option for thirty additional jets. The Shanghai factory will begin its work in January of next year.
News of the sale ends industry speculation that much-publicized recent incidents involving the N-22 might terminate the Chinese purchase. Edgarton noted, "The N-22 is a proven aircraft with an excellent safety record. I think the Chinese sale is a tribute to that record."
DOCUMENT ID; C\LEX 40\DL\NORTON
TRANSPACIFIC BUYS NORTON JETS
Transpacific Airlines, the Hong Kong-based carrier, today ordered twelve Norton N-22 widebody jets, giving further proof that the Asian market is the growth segment for the aircraft industry.
EXPERT WITNESS BITES HAND THAT DIDN'T FEED HIM
Controversial aviation expert Frederick "Fred" Barker sued Bradley King for failing to pay promised "holding fees" for his anticipated courtroom appearances. King could not be reached for comment.
AIRBUS CONSIDERS KOREAN PARTNERSHIP Songking Industries, the industrial conglomerate based in Seoul, has announced they are negotiating with Airbus Industrie of Toulouse to manufacture major subassembly components of the new A-340B stretch derivative. Recent speculation has centered on Songking's continuing efforts to establish an aerospace presence in world markets, now that long-rumored secret negotiations with Norton Aircraft in Burbank have apparently broken down.
SHENK TO BE HONORED AT HUMANITARIAN FETE
Richard Shenk, producer of "Newsline, " has been named Humanitarian Producer of the Year by the American Interfaith Council. The Council promotes "humane understanding among the peoples of the world" in contemporary media. Shenk, cited for his "outstanding life-long commitment to tolerance, " will be honored at a banquet on June 10 at the Waldorf Astoria. A star-studded industry audience is expected to turn out.
JAA CERTIFIES N-22 WIDEBODY The JAA today accepted certification of the Norton N-22 widebody commercial aircraft. A JAA spokesman said there was "no substance" to rumors that certification had been delayed for political reasons.
MARDER TAKES CONSULTING POST In a surprise move, John Marder, 46, has left Norton Aircraft to head The Aviation Institute, an aerospace consulting firm with close ties to European carriers. Marder assumes his new position effective immediately. Coworkers at Norton praised the departing Marder as "a leader of deep integrity."
U.S. JOBS EXPORTED-A DISTURBING TREND?
Responding to the recent sale of fifty Norton jets to China, William Campbell claimed that American aviation companies will export 250,000 jobs over the next five years. Since much of this export is financed by the Commerce Department's Ex-Im Bank, he says, "It's unconscionable. U.S. workers aren't paying taxes to have the government assist American companies to take away American jobs.* Campbell cites the Japanese corporate concern for their workers as strikingly different from the behavior of American multinationals.
RICHMAN ARRESTED IN SINGAPORE A youthful member of the Norton clan was arrested today by police in Singapore on charges of narcotics possession. Bob Richman, 28, is being held by authorities awaiting arraignment. If convicted under the nation's draconian drug laws, he faces the death penalty.
SINGLETON HEADS DIVISION Harold Edgarton today, named Katherine C. Singleton as the new head of Norton Aircraft's Media Relations Division. Singleton was formerly a vice-president for Quality Assurance at Norton, which is headquartered in Burbank.
MALONE TO JOIN "HARD COPY" STAFF Veteran news producer Jennifer Ma-lone, 29, ends four years with "Newsline" to join the staff of "Hard Copy," it was announced today. Malone 's departure was described as resulting from a contract dispute. Malone said, "'Hard Copy' is what's happening now, and I am just thrilled to be part of it."
AIRCRAFT INCIDENT REPORT
PRIVILEGED INFORMATION -FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
report No: IRT-96-42 today's date: 18 April
modeclass="underline" N-22 incident date: 08 April
operator: Transpacific fuselage No: 271
reported by: R. Rakoski, location: Pacific Oc
FSRHK
reference: a) AVN-SVC-08764/AAC
subject:
Reportedly during cruise flight a "Slats Disagree" warning appeared on the flight deck, and a member of the flight crew extended the slats in an attempt to clear the warning. Subsequently the aircraft experienced severe pitch oscillations and lost 6,000 feet altitude before control was returned to the autopilot. Four persons died, and fifty-six were injured.
1. The interior cabin sustained substantial damage.
2. The Number 2 IB slats proximity sensor was faulty.
3. The Number 2 slats locking pin was found to be non-PMA.
4. The Number 1 engine thruster panel was found to be non-PMA.
5. Several other non-PMA parts were identified for replacement
Review of human factors revealed the following:
1. Flight deck procedures require added carrier scrutiny.
2. Foreign repair procedures require added carrier scrutiny.
The aircraft is in the process of being repaired. Internal procedures are being reviewed by the carrier.
David Levine
Technical Integration
Product Support
Norton Aircraft Company
Burbank, CA