New Metroliner: Swearingen has released details of the Metro 3, an upgraded version of the successful Metro 2, which is in widespread commuter service in Australia. The new model features more powerful Garrett AiResearch turboprops utilising four-bladed props in place of the three-blade units of the Metro 2. This content is available exclusively to Australian

Singapore SST Goes as BA Belt Tightens: British Airways, in conjunction with Singapore Airlines withdrew their London to Singapore Concorde service on November 1. Load factors for the route were a disappointing 40 per cent this year as against 57 per cent for 1979 operations. The London to Bahrain service has also been scuttled. Concorde

Part One Composites The most significant types of material to gain wider application in the 1970s are fibre/epoxy composites. They are becoming and will become one of the most important materials involved in high performance aircraft technology. The development of many new configurations, such as forward swept wing (FSW) aircraft, relies wholly on materials of

SAAB-Fairchild 340 One of the most noticeable market proliferations at this year’s Farnborough Air Show was the emergence of the “mature” commuter airliner. This booming class was initially given new life with the Metroliners and Bandeirantes of recent years. Now, due largely to US-inspired deregulation, the basic commuters are growing into true airliners in the