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aerokurier 3/97
Reform of the air traffic law: Dangerous and unsuitable The new draft of the German air traffic law is probably the most explosive bill that the bureaucrats in Bonn have ever come up with against aviation. Following the final report on the Birgen Air crash, the German Ministry of Transport (BMV) sees the need to increase air traffic safety. However, the draft shows several almost unbelievable changes to the current air traffic laws. Among other subjects, the new regulations would require operators/pilots to get an approval for flights, which are scheduled to transport goods or persons, when the aircraft used has either more than four seats or is to be flown in accordance with instrument fight rules. Should these new regulations pass the parliament, they will force entire company flight operations and private IFR traffic to receive administrative approval. This draft is not only unsuitable in increasing flight safety but, is also dangerous. In the INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS pages, among other topics, you can read about Visitors of the AERO ’97 in Friedrichshafen who are planning to travel with their own aircraft must receive prior permission by the airport authorities. Inquiries should only be done via telephone. The lines will be open from April 17 to April 27, 1997 (++49 (0) 7541-284124 or -284125). The American engine manufacturer Teledyne Continental Motors received a NASA contract to lead a development team of engine, propeller and airframe manufacturers in developing a new light engine for General Aviation. The Continental Supercharged Diesel 283 will be a two-cycle diesel engine with direct injection which will be able to burn jet fuel. The French aerospace concern Aérospatiale and the French car manufacturer Renault will also develop and build a new generation of piston engines for General Aviation aircraft. The engines will be four-cylinder diesel engines, generating from 180 to 300 hp. Chicago’s city airport Meigs Field will be reopened. An agreement between the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago ensures the airport operation at least for the next five years. The director of an Italian aircraft parts dealer admitted in court to having counterfeited and sold Pratt & Whitney engine parts on the American market. The parts have been located and have already been taken out of the stocks of airlines and maintenance shops. Piper Seneca V: Unnoticed Piper has held the development work for the newest Version of the Seneca light twin-engine a well kept secret for two years. Just recently, the Florida based manufacturer presented the Seneca V to the public. The main changes as compared to the preceding Seneca IV are the new TCM L/TSIO-360 KB engines which are generating their full power up to a much higher altitude than the engines used in the Seneca IV. Along with this, the ICAO chapter 10 noise emission level is remarkable. The aircraft is emitting 76 dB(A) during take-off at a MTOW of 1999 kg. Also new is the approval for flights in known icing conditions. BFGoodrich is supplying the deicing system. Two major changes were made to the inside of the cabin: For one, all electrical switches are now centrally located in an overhead panel and, second, the aircraft is now equipped with new engine instruments. Also, a computer-controlled multi-function display was added, allowing the pilot to precisely set the power. Well equipped, the Seneca V will cost approximately $660.000 in Germany. Instrument knowledge through interactive computer based training A new interactive computer based training program about GPS satellite navigation is now being offered by aerosoft in Paderborn. The lessons are well structured and are aided by many interesting graphics. Cooperation instead of confrontation The German Airline Pilot’s Association and parts of the German Air Navigation Services are requesting the implementation of an airspace C above the control zone of the airport Münster/Osnabrück. Several near-misses have supposedly occurred in the vicinity of the airport, the responsible aircraft often not being in radio contact with the airport’s control tower. The author of the article appeals to all pilots to use on-board means, such as radio and transponder, as much as possible to avoid incidents and to perhaps delay the implementation of the more restrictive airspace structure. 700 insurance policies invalid? A warning by BAV, a federal authority responsible for insurances, is generating some disturbances in the flying community. The validity of approximately 700 insurance policies which have been signed with the Panama based New England International Surety Inc. (NEIS) through a German insurance broker in Hamburg is at stake. Obviously, NEIS does not have legal ground to sell insurances within Germany. BAV recommends not to extend existing NEIC insurance policies or to sign new contracts. Pitch up: Increasing demand for helicopters The helicopter manufacturers have reason for optimism. The order logs are full again. Although customers in Europe are a little more hesitant in buying new aircraft, the US market is booming. The exhibitors at this year’s Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California, in the beginning of February were correspondingly optimistic. A mock-up of Bell Boeing’s 609, the first civil tilt-rotor aircraft that will enter series production, was presented to the public for the first time. ATC practise: The right and safe way through the Frankfurt control zone Find out about the best and safest way to cross the Frankfurt control zone according to VFR. Radio discipline and strict adherence to the controller’s orders are mandatory. Flight safety: Human factors in accidents The Australian Transport Safety Board has released details to 75 aircraft accidents with death casualties. Often, more than one reason led to the accident. However, the majority of the crashes were related to wrong decisions by the pilot. aerokurier action: Landing without fees Exclusively for aerokurier readers, many airports are omitting their landing fees. A good opportunity and motivation to brush up on the landing technique and a contribution to making flying and landing safer. No round circle: The traffic pattern The altitudes and ground tracks of the traffic patterns at German airports and air strips are mandatory. Still, a smooth flow and planning in the pattern is the best prerequisite for a safe landing. After the Eurofox comes the Eurostar After presenting the rather conventional Eurofox, Salem based Ikarusflug Bodensee recently surprised with announcing the all-metal low-wing Eurostar EV 97. The two-seater is a derivative of the French kit aircraft Pottier P 220 and is built by Evektor in Czechia. Ikarusflug Bodensee expects to receive type certification in 1997. The aircraft will be presented for the first time at the AERO in Friedrichshafen. A real low-budget aircraft The US kit aircraft manufacturer Loehle has sold approximately 150 kits of the ultralight single-seat Sport Parasol since 1991. The aircraft will supposedly receive German type certification in the summer of 1997. Allegedly, the aircraft can be finished for approximately DM20.000, making it a real low-budget aircraft. Comparison test: High altitude oxygen systems New electronic oxygen systems optimize the utilization of the oxygen supply during high altitude flights. As compared to simple continuos-flow apparatus, the oxygen consumption can be reduced to one fourth. The electronic systems adapt to the breathing frequency and, furthermore, only enrich that part of the air with oxygen which actually reaches the lungs of the pilot. The comparison test covers the performance of the fully-automatic EDS from High Mountain Soaring, which in Germany is sold by Büscher Flugversand, and the Flowtimer from Spiegelberg which must be manually tuned to the respective flight altitudes. Motorfalke SFL-25R certified for glider tows The French company lorAvia has received a glider tow certification for its modified Scheibe Falke SFL-25R. The SFL-25R is equipped with an 80 hp Limbach L 2400, a Hoffmann fixed-pitch propeller and a Tost tow hook, and also had to undergo some structural reinforcements. The SF-25 versions D (a derivative of the 25B) and C are suitable for lorAvia’s modification. The tow certification is limited to a total mass of the tow flight of close to 1000 kg, allowing to tow 500 kg gliders, even double-seaters. The modification costs approximately FF150.000. PPL-B is not enough for motor glider tow flights The German Minister of Transport now has decided which licences and ratings are required to tow gliders or motor gliders with motor gliders. Required is a PPL-A (engine aircraft) with a tow rating and, additionally, a PPL-C (motor gliders). Also, the tow pilot must have at least five hours experience on the type of motor glider which is to be used in the tow flight. aerokurier route prize: Win an intensive Alps flying course with Klaus Ohlmann The winner of the aerokurier route prize ’97 competition will be able to participate in a two-week intensive Alps flying training with Klaus Ohlmann who is operating the Quo Vadis International gliding company in Serres in Southern France. Ohlmann made headlines last year when he led a whole group of pilots participating in an intensive course to a one-thousand km flight. A short while later he accomplished a 1400-km out and return flight himself – a world best performance. The winner of the prize will be drawn in the editorial office of aerokurier at the end of October. Schleicher ASW 27 now certified Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau’s new Race Class aircraft ASW 27 received its type certification. For the first time, a glider was jointly certified by the German aviation administration LBA and the US FAA (concurrent certification). Some points required a considerable amount of alignment between the authorities, for example due to questions concerning the flutter characteristics. Still, the extra effort was worth it since both certifications have now been granted. The extra time was used by the manufacturer to optimize the performance of the ASW 27. The handling was fine-tuned according to the experiences with the pre-production aircraft, for example through reducing the rudder forces. Charter or buy To own a glider is not cheap. The only difference to chartering an aircraft is that it is always available. Whomever has concentrated his gliding activities on long weekends and vacations can fly for much less with chartered gliders. We give an overview describing the well-developed charter market in Germany and also highlight the points to look for when chartering a glider. including a comprehensive market survey: All helicopter operators, manufacturers and development companies, as well as, maintenance shops which are specialized on helicopters; a faultfinding article about air rescue operations with helicopters, a business which has developed into a highly competitive field with a variety of services and which is looking increasingly obscure; along with loads of information about the economical and safe operation of helicopters. |
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Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated February 17, 1997
