AlliedSignal says its new -3D modification of 731 turbofans increases ITT by up to 36C in cruise and is expected to increase engine durability and reliability. The upgrade includes a new fourth-stage compressor disk and seal system, a new controlled-fit combustor, a more durable HP turbine nozzle assembly, a new HP turbine rotor, new first- second- and third-stage LP turbine rotors and new carbon seals. STCs covering Falcon 50s, Hawkers, IAI 1124s and Sabreliner 65/65As will be available soon; the Lockheed JetStar II will follow by year-end.
The engine for the Global Express and the Gulfstream V is meeting or exceeding its specific fuel consumption target of 0.65 at 35,000 feet and 0.80 Mach, said BMW/Rolls-Royce. The BR710 is scheduled for certification in August, and Bombardier is slated to get its first shipset this month. Engines flying on the G-V prototypes are ``near production specification,'' a spokeswoman said, adding that the engine is being fine-tuned as certification approaches.
Ground proximity warning systems that comply with new FAR Part 135 rules include GPWS units manufactured by Centaurus Systems of San Diego as well as the former Sundstrand units now built by AlliedSignal. A previous item said that the AlliedSignal GPWS was the only unit approved. Air taxi and commuter-airline turboprops with 10 or more passenger seats and previously equipped with ground-alert advisory systems are required to replace those units with TSOed GPWSes (B/CA, April, page 24).
Photograph: Production of four flight test aircraft for the Astra Galaxy program has been moved to Israel to keep the aircraft on track for first flight late this year. New technology comes to the fore with this year's emerging aircraft. Making their Handbook debut are the Raytheon Premier I, which heralds a new era for the folks at Beech, and the Bell/Boeing D600, a small civil tilt-rotor expected to get the go-ahead by the end of this year.
After a lengthy investigation, the NTSB concluded that flight restrictions on Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters have reduced accidents, and called on the FAA to make permanent the restrictions contained in Special FAR 73 (B/CA, September 1995, page 24). The Safety Board said Robinsons have lightweight, low-inertia rotor systems, and the aircraft are very sensitive to cyclic inputs, making them vulnerable to main rotor loss of control.
Kestrel Aircraft Company is developing a family of composite, cantilever high-wing singles. The first in the line, the 160-hp K-160, made its first flight on November 19, 1995, and certification was expected this spring.
Twelve Raytheon Aircraft Services FBO locations have been certificated under JAR Part 145. Companies approved under this Part are permitted to perform repairs and other maintenance on aircraft registered in the countries that operate under Europe's Joint Aviation Authority. Raytheon locations with JAR authority are located in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Texas.
Helijet Airways signed an agreement early in April to purchase Vancouver Helicopters. Both firms are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Helijet Airways operates scheduled service with Sikorsky S-76s, while Vancouver Helicopters operates 15 helicopters in contract and charter services throughout western Canada. At press time, the closing of the deal was awaiting approval by various government agencies.
The future of Raytheon Aircraft is taking shape in Wichita, where the company is assembling the first Premier I light business jet. The Premier I is the first aircraft to carry the Raytheon badge, and the design is expected to yield follow-on aircraft currently dubbed Premier II and Premier III.
Aeronautical Systems Corporation of Boulder, Colorado has launched an exploratory market study to determine interest in a supersonic business jet. A brochure highlighting an eight- to 10-passenger SST capable of cruising 3,400 nm at 1.8 Mach recently was circulated to flight departments. ASC's Randy Greene said that to be viable, the aircraft would have to be built by a manufacturer with supersonic experience. Other recent attempts to develop an SST business jet have failed (B/CA, November 1987, page 24).
Knowing the ground rules for the performance numbers, specifications and calculations shown in the 1996 Planning&Purchasing Handbook will enable you to get the most out of the charts. MANUFACTURER AND MODEL In some cases, the airplane manufacturer's name is abbreviated, but the company's full name and address can be found in the ``Airframe Suppliers Directory'' in the Handbook. The model name and the technical designation also are included in this group. B/CA EQUIPPED PRICE
Offshore Logistics, one of the world's largest helicopter operators, intends to buy up to 50 percent of Bristow Helicopters. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Offshore Logistics operates its own fleet of 145 helicopters and airplanes in addition to managing a similar number of aircraft for other parties. Bristow, based in Surrey, England, provides air support for oil exploration, training and rescue activities.
Depending on who you talk to, Business Express is looking for equity investors and/or an outright buyer to pull the carrier out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors. Management and its unsecured creditors committee, represented by airline consultant SH&E, say they have no intention of selling the carrier and are seeking in-house reorganization and have no intention of placing the company on the sale block.
On April 9, the employees of Alliance Engines, working with three outside investors, purchased this engine repair and overhaul business, which had been a joint venture of Duncan Aviation and K-C Aviation. Alliance, specializing in AlliedSignal engine service, was established near Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport in 1994 with the aim of expanding repair options and reducing downtime (B/CA, December 1994, page 66). Jim Spinder, previously the company's chief operating officer and chief financial officer, will serve as president of Alliance Engines.
On March 29, Sino Swearingen broke ground and started site preparation for its 180,000-square-foot SJ30 business jet assembly plant in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The ceremony came after several years of abortive attempts (and a previous ``ground breaking'' ceremony) to bring the SJ30 into production (B/CA, February 1995, page 16). The San Antonio-based company expects the plant to be built by mid 1997 in order to start customer deliveries in 1999.
Honeywell says it will appeal a jury award of $234 million to Litton Systems for alleged monopolization of a ring laser gyro inertial navigation system (INS). Honeywell believes the jury's findings are not supported by the ``facts and the law.'' On January 9, 1995, a judge nullified a $1.2-billion verdict returned by a different jury in August 1993 against Honeywell in another aspect of the lawsuit. In December 1995, arguments were heard on Litton's appeal of that judgment, and a decision is pending.
The General Accounting Office said an experimental program allowing certain states to administer Airport Improvement Program funds to smaller airports should be extended to other states beyond the current seven: Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin (B/CA, March 1993, page 26). According to the GAO, the states have streamlined the AIP approval processes, reduced paperwork and eliminated duplication. The program is due to expire later this year.
Certification of this $1.5-million, single-engine version of the venerable A109 is expected in mid 1997. A Pratt&Whitney Canada PT6B-37 will supply 1,002 shp for takeoff, and 872 shp maximum continuous power. The skid-equipped Koala has eight seats (including crew), or can be fitted with two stretchers for EMS work. Total interior volume is 175 cubic feet. Empty weight is 3,085 pounds, and maximum takeoff weight is 5,730 pounds, yielding a useful load of 2,645 pounds (or 2,910 with an external load).
FAA adopted a rule to authorize large and multiengine turbine-powered general aviation aircraft to use a single long-range navigation system (LRNS) instead of two for certain extended overwater operations. LRNS equipment includes INS, Omega/VLF, Loran-C and-when FAA-approved-a GPS or other satellite-based system (B/CA, December 1993, page 26). The single LRNS option only is allowed for operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and part of the western Atlantic.
Wilcox Electric of Kansas City, Missouri has assured the FAA it is addressing the agency's concerns about the company being able to meet performance and schedule criteria for the GPS approach enhancement program called the Wide Area Augmentation System. In late March, the FAA threatened to cancel the $475-million WAAS contract with Wilcox if it didn't take action to correct alleged development deficiencies.
