Boeing's second 787-9 test aircraft joined the development and certification effort for the stretched derivative program on Nov. 7. The aircraft will be used principally for systems and interior evaluation, and joins the first 787-9, which has accumulated 41 flights and more than 130 flight hours. Boeing, meanwhile, completed assembly of the first GE-powered 787-9, ZB021, on Oct. 31. This will be the third test aircraft and is undergoing engine runs and other ground evaluations at Everett, Wash., prior to joining the flight-test program.
I found Jens Flottau's “Growth Mode” (AW&ST Oct. 28, p. 39) on the Airbus A350-900's entry into service to be extraordinarily useful. I was seeking details on the production of specific test models and on the planned production rate and there it was. The discussion of the -800 and its customers, the plans for the -1000 and the growth of the projected market will also prove helpful.
The ATR series of turboprop-powered military transport aircraft are built by the ATR joint venture of EADS and Alenia Aermacchi and based on the popular commercial regional aircraft series. The latest civil versions are the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600. Both are powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines, rated 2,400-2,750 shp each. The ATR 42-500MP Surveyor is a maritime-patrol aircraft, certificated in 1995, that features improved hot/high performance, higher cruise speeds and an updated cabin interior. At max payload, it can fly up to 1,010 nm.
The Y-20 is a large, high-wing, four-engine transport that from a distance looks to be larger than an Airbus Military A400M but smaller than a Boeing C-17. Chinese media reported on the aircraft's first flight in January 2013. Photos of one of two prototypes indicate it is powered by Russian-made Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines, but it is likely that any production version will be powered by a more fuel-efficient, high-bypass turbofan, possibly the WS-20. Service entry is expected in 2017.
The AW149 is a slightly larger military transport variant of the AW139, powered by two 2,000-shp-class GE CT7-2E1 engines. An AW149 prototype, a converted risk-reduction aircraft that used AW139 dynamic components, conducted its maiden flight in November 2009; a second prototype followed in 2010. Armament options for the AW149 include 70- and 81-mm rocket launchers; 7.62-, 12.7- and 20-mm machine guns; and provision for air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles. No launch customer has been secured.
For any engineer or scientist, being part of a 'first' bolsters a career and for many, a lifelong pursuit. Such was the case for Brad Cheetham while an undergraduate student at The University at Buffalo/the State University of New York. Under the auspices of the school, he was an intern at Goddard Space Flight Center for a mission called Artemis.
As with many an engineering student, Linda Kuenzi is good at math and science. Both her parents are engineers. So engineering seemed the obvious path after high school. In fact, Aviation Week's 2013 Workforce Study found that 65% of engineering students choose their major based on their “respect for the profession”—most often because of a personal relationship with someone in the field.
The KT-1 is a turboprop-powered, two-seat military basic trainer, the first prototype of which initially flew in 1991. The first two KT-1 prototypes were powered by the 550-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop engine; subsequent aircraft are fitted with 950-shp PT6A-62 engines. KAI has also developed a forward-air-control version of the KT-1 called the KO-1, which is fitted with four hardpoints across its wing. KAI built approximately 157 units through 2012, including five flight-test aircraft.
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The Changhe Z-8 and AC313 are three-engine rotorcraft featuring a boat-hull shape, stub wings and capacity for up to 39 passengers or 27 fully equipped troops. In Chinese service, the helicopters are used in tactical transport, search-and-rescue and naval-combat roles. An initial Z-8 prototype first flew in 1985. Power for the original Z-8 came from three Changzhou WZ6 turboshafts producing 1,190 shp each.
The Y-7, MA60 and MA600 are twin-turboprop transport aircraft. Based on the Antonov An-24, the Y-7 was the initial type in the series and is no longer in production. Based on the Y7-200A model, the MA60 entered service in 2000, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J turboprops rated at 2,750 shp. The MA600 is the latest iteration and features reduced weight and a digital cockpit with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite. Deliveries of the MA600 began in 2011.
Commonly used in search-and-rescue and offshore duties, the twin-engine, 15-passenger civil/commercial AW139 helicopter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines rated 1,679 shp each at takeoff. Originally named the AB139 when the AW139 was a joint venture of AgustaWestland and Bell, the name changed when Bell withdrew from the program. Approximately 550 AW139s were delivered through 2012. A total of 689 AW139s are slated for production between 2013 and 2022, mostly for civil customers.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries began development of the C-2 twin-engine tactical transport in 2001 as a replacement for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's C-1As and C-130Hs, with the first flight in January 2010. The C-2 is powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans rated at 52,500 lb. thrust each and has a maximum payload of 82,892 lb. Twenty-five C-1s are forecast for production from 2013 through 2022.
First flown as a prototype in 1982, the Ka-50 is a single-seat, twin-engine, contra-rotating coaxial-rotor attack helicopter. The Ka-52 is a side-by-side, twin-seat variant of the Ka-50. Power for the Ka-50 initially came from 2,200-shp Klimov TV3-117VMA engines. Although Ka-50 production stopped in 2009, the helicopter is still being marketed, but with the same 2,400-shp Klimov VK-2500 engine that powers the Ka-52. The Ka-52 remains in production. Through 2012, Kamov built approximately 18 Ka-50s and 28 Ka-52s.
First flight of the AW129 attack helicopter occurred in 1983. The Turkish army selected the AW129 in 2007 for a requirement for 51 attack helicopters, plus 41 options. Designated the T129, the Turkish version is powered by two LHTEC CTS800 turboshaft engines. Sixty-six AW129s and five T129s were built through 2012. Some 88 T129s are forecast for production in the 2013-22 period by Turkish Aerospace Industries.
An article in the Nov. 4 issue (page 10) incorrectly reported on features of the stealthy F-16 that Lockheed Martin has proposed to South Korea. It has a supersonic diverterless inlet, but no room for a weapons bay.
The L-39 family includes two-seat trainers and single-seat light-attack aircraft; all are single-engine-powered. The most recent version is the L-159 and although the aircraft is still available for order, no new ones have been produced since 2003. Power for the L-159 is provided by a 6,300-lb.-thrust ITEC (Honeywell/AIDC) F124-GA-100 turbofan engine. The maiden flight of the L-39 occurred in 1968, with the L-159 following with its first flight in 1997 and first delivery in 1999. About 2,800 of the nearly 3,000 aircraft produced remain in service worldwide.
Brian J. Sinnwell has been appointed deputy executive director of planning and engineering and Timothy N. Haizlip maintenance director for the Louisville (Ky.) Regional Airport Authority. Sinnwell succeeds Karen A. Scott, who has retired. Sinnwell was director of planning and facilities at the Lehigh Northampton (Pa.) Airport Authority. Haizlip held the same position for the Capital Region Airport Authority in Lansing, Mich. Lesa Seibert has been named to the board of directors. She is president of Xstreme Media in Louisville.
The UH-60/S-70 Black Hawk series is a family of single-main-rotor, twin-turbine, medium-lift military transport and utility helicopters. The latest version is the UH-60M, powered by two 2,215-shp GE T700-GE-701D turboshafts. The UH-60 family also includes the new S-70i model, which undergoes final assembly at Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec in Poland. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produces the Black Hawk under license in Japan. Through 2012, Sikorsky and Mitsubishi produced more than 3,110 Black Hawks.
The Mirage 2000 is a strike/reconnaissance aircraft. First flight occurred in 1978, with production running through 2007. Early aircraft of the type were powered by a Snecma M53-5 augmented turbofan (19,840 lb. thrust), while later aircraft were fitted with an M53-P2 augmented turbofan (21,385 lb. thrust). Single-seat interceptor and two-seat nuclear strike fighter variants were available. Some 607 Mirage 2000s were produced.
The W-3 Sokol is a medium, twin-engine multirole helicopter. Since its first flight in 1979, the Sokol has been built in a variety of variants, including the W-3RM search-and-rescue and W-3WA armed-combat versions. The W-3 is powered by two PZL-Rzeszow PZL-10W turboshafts rated at 900 shp each for takeoff. Through 2012, approximately 160 W-3s were built for military and civil customers and, from 2013 through 2022, another 49 W-3s are forecast be built.
