Air Transport News.

British aviation lost two great men in the last week. Peter Masefield and James Gilbert, both known on a personal basis by your editor, both superb raconteurs, fine writers and good company. Sir Peter Masefield (91) listed the Bristol Aeroplane Company, BEA and BAA amongst his achievements. He was a pilot, more in the tradition of the self-taught, a worker in the diplomatic field, but not necessary a diplomat in the wider sense, and a great source of knowledge. James Gilbert (70), "Mr. general aviation", editor for 30 years of the magazine Pilot and in his case an outstanding flyer. Each wrote some fine books. Masefield "To Ride the Storm" about the R101 airship disaster in 1930 and Gilbert the delightful "The World's Worst Aircraft". Gilbert's book did cover the R101 and also the pre-Masefield Bristol Brabazon. One wonders if they ever discussed it. We shall never know. Feb 19, 2006

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise 

The day before the opening of Asian Aerospace in Singapore, the Gulf Emirate of Dubai has announced government backing for a new investment vehicle to channel US$15bn into creating a global aerospace manufacturing and services corporation. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), the new corporate entity, will become the holding company for six operational subsidiaries involved in manufacturing and services across 14 industry segments. Newly named chairman of DAE, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, is president of the Department of Civil Aviation Dubai and chairman of Emirates. In a statement he said that DAE would form strategic alliances with leading aerospace operators as it progressively steps up its bid to become a significant presence in the global industry. The claim is that within ten years, DAE will become an integral part of world aerospace and a leading player. The activities of DAE include aircraft leasing. Emirates has commitments for 41 Airbus A380. It is interesting to compare Dubai and Singapore in population terms and size. Dubai has around one million inhabitants and covers some 3885 sq. km, much of it desert, whilst the densely populated Singapore is the home to 4.35m in just 683 sq. km. Feb 19, 2006