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7th Jun 2001, 15:26
from news.bbc.co.uk
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">New tyres are being unveiled as part of a range of safety measures to get the supersonic jet Concorde back into the skies.
The entire fleet of Concordes has been grounded since the Air France crash in Paris in July 2000, which killed 113 people.
Investigators believe the crash happened when a piece of metal on the runway punctured the plane's tyre.
It exploded, sending rubber debris hurtling against a fuel tank which ruptured, triggering a fire.
The new tyres, to be unveiled by manufacturer Michelin in Paris on Thursday, have been designed to be less likely to burst.
They are also believed to be made of new materials which will shatter into tiny fragments in the event of a blow-out, thus being less likely to cause damage.
The tyres have been tested in flight on an Air France Concorde.
Linings made of Kevlar - the material used to make bulletproof vests - have also been put inside the fuel tanks to strengthen them. These were fitted earlier this year and have been tested to see if they can survive heavy impacts.
Both Air France and British Airways - the only two companies who operate the plane - hope to resume their Concorde services in the autumn.
The return to service ultimately depends on the re-issue of a certificate of airworthiness by the Civil Aviation Authority and its French equivalent.
It is hoped the modifications will help the aircraft gain the certificate. </font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">New tyres are being unveiled as part of a range of safety measures to get the supersonic jet Concorde back into the skies.
The entire fleet of Concordes has been grounded since the Air France crash in Paris in July 2000, which killed 113 people.
Investigators believe the crash happened when a piece of metal on the runway punctured the plane's tyre.
It exploded, sending rubber debris hurtling against a fuel tank which ruptured, triggering a fire.
The new tyres, to be unveiled by manufacturer Michelin in Paris on Thursday, have been designed to be less likely to burst.
They are also believed to be made of new materials which will shatter into tiny fragments in the event of a blow-out, thus being less likely to cause damage.
The tyres have been tested in flight on an Air France Concorde.
Linings made of Kevlar - the material used to make bulletproof vests - have also been put inside the fuel tanks to strengthen them. These were fitted earlier this year and have been tested to see if they can survive heavy impacts.
Both Air France and British Airways - the only two companies who operate the plane - hope to resume their Concorde services in the autumn.
The return to service ultimately depends on the re-issue of a certificate of airworthiness by the Civil Aviation Authority and its French equivalent.
It is hoped the modifications will help the aircraft gain the certificate. </font>