Show BUSINESS I and nd the STOCK MARKET by BABSON'S REPORTS INC Copyright B IOn FUTURE OF SUPERSONIC I TRANSPORT Most authorities within the industry still believe that the future of air travel will hinge to a a large extent on the supersonic transport despite the setback setback set set- back suffered as a result of the crash of the Soviet TU in Paris last month The recent history of SST in this country has been discouraging With with ecologists and environmentalists environmentalists' putting up a stiff battle basic research and development Thus far the opponents opponents have prevented progress progress here The only two SST prototypes to have havea a tryout thus far have been the French French- British Concorde and the USSR TU TU Before the tragedy in Paris which resulted re re- suited in the injury and death of quite a number of crew members and citizens citizens citi citi- zens of the town of Goussainville near the field prospects appeared relatively bright for both models While details were not entirely established established established es es- es- es it was in the cards for passenger passenger passenger pas pas- operations to start on both supersonic supersonic supersonic su su- su- su airliners in 1975 Insiders now admit that the accident will undoubtedly set the schedule farther into the future since it will be still some time before it It can be determined exactly what went wrong and caused the crash Concept Still Unaffected Proponents ProponentS' of the SST CONCEPT have been quick to point out that both the Concorde and the second and improved prototype of the TU logged a great many hours of successful flight without any trouble Also highlighted is the fact that the are designed for flying at supersonic speeds and the accident occurred during a show-off show act over the field at Le Bourget not only at low altitude attitude but also at slow speed There was little disagreement about this aspect of the situation although the gener general investigation investigation in in- continues French British French Concorde backers anticipate anticipate anti anti- that public will persist persist persist per per- for some time as a result of the TU TU crash but they are prepared to continue their plans for future SST transport transport trans trans- port despite the tremors President of the French member of the Concorde's manufacturing group stated stated stated sta sta- sta- sta ted that one accident cannot be expected expected ex ex- to hobble the future of one air aircraft aircraft aircraft air air- craft type He lie has been among the most dedicated supporters of supersonic travel travel tra tra- vel and is fully aware that fresh opposition opposition opposition op op- position will be stirred up because of the crash Making Use of the Delay SST insiders do not intend to waste the inevitable delay that lies lies- ahead The Russians realize that in their second prototype pro of the TU there were certain design changes that had not been sufficiently sufficiently suf suf- tested In operation prior to the crash Hence before the Soviets can consider undertaking passenger service they must try tryout out some sister craft and check all ail results At the same time makers of the will win likely incorporate into their new prototypes some of the alterations made by the USSR especially such economic advantages as increasing the passenger capacity This will be a reflection tion of the fact that the reluctance tance of airlines to order the new enormous ships of the sky has has- stemmed to a large degree from economic objections U U. U S. S Interest Stitt Ally Alive There are still many industrial and financial forces is this country watching the slow but continuing developments abroad that signal the eventual acceptance tance of the SST T in the aviation field It may be later rather than sooner because of the Le Bourget setback but fresh endeavors to get this Ws country involved involved involved in in- in the tho SST w will 1 definitely be seen The op opponents n are waiting in the w wings wings' for any such recurrence and they will not hesitate to try everything to block our participation But eventual success of the TU TU TU and the e Concorde would r certainly bring about a new campaign r for our involvement If U detente detent with the USSR continues as the Research De De Department i r of Babs Babson's ns n's p expects r t an adaptation of the TUr might even I i be made here with help from the Soviets Not a sure sure sur thing Using But possible le fI f I |