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aerokurier 3/2000 Total digital The Internet has changed the world like almost no other technology before. In a short period of time, it has even effected the language. On-line, Homepage and e-mail are words which have become an essential part of our language. The Internet is especially useful for small and medium enterprises, in that it allows them to present their products and act on the global market. Clubs and associations can also profit from the technology. For one, the Internet can be used as marketing and advertisement tool and, secondly, the Internet allows the flying clubs to offer an on-line reservation service for their members. The latter has the side-effect of a higher aircraft utilization. However, this does not conclude the opportunities of this medium. The Internet offers almost unlimited possibilities. To use them holds more chances than risks. Boomerang as production twin? Burt Rutan’s aircraft are never on the known ways of design. The Boomerang is the most unusual twin-engine aircraft although it has not been flown for over a year now. Burt Rutan’s model 202 is designed asymmetrical and is opposite to every imagination that one has about aircraft. In parallel to the motorized main fuselage, the aircraft has an outrigger with the second engine. Scaled Composites built the Boomerang prototype between 1993 and 1996. The first flight took place on June 19, 1996, and resulted in a crash. The left main gear collapsed during landing and the aircraft slid on the runway. Still, thanks to the aircraft’s composite design, the Boomerang was flying again after only 22 days. Ray Morrow, the former owner of the Salem, Oregon-based avionics supplier IIMorrow, recently founded Morrow Aircraft to bring the Boomerang on the market with a slightly enlarged fuselage. Currently, the company is trying to interest further investors to secure the project’s financial backing. Micco SP20: New start – new chances The FAA’s first type certification in 2000 went to an aircraft that was on the market for the first time 50 years ago. Back then, the two-seat low-wing design with a retractable main gear and steerable tail gear carried the designation Meyers MAC 145-A. Today’s version is called the SP20. It is powered by a more powerful engine and is equipped with modern avionics and also has undergone some aerodynamic modifications. SP stands for Sports Plane, the number 20 indicates the 200 hp. The tail-gear aircraft is being built at Micco Aircraft in Ft. Pierce, Florida. The company belongs to the Seminol tribe. We had a chance to fly the prototype just before it received its type certification. Heli Expo 2000 in Las Vegas Just looking at the turnover of the various companies, the helicopter branch is at a fairly high level which, according to the forecasts, will stay up there for the next years. Anyway, the mood at the Heli Expo 2000 in Las Vegas, the world’s largest helicopter trade show, was excellent. The manufacturers are very busy to cope with the demand for new aircraft. Along with increasing the production rates, they are improving the customer service. Avions Robin: What’s new in 2000? Dijon, France-based Avions Robin has continuously improved and developed its aircraft models in the past years. The year 2000 will be no exception from that. The DR500 Président will still be available in the future with a 200 hp engine with fuel injection and constant-speed propeller. However, the latter will now be a three-blade prop from Mühlbauer. This propeller significantly improves the noise emission, at the same time improving the climb performance and the cruise performance at power settings below 75 percent. Also the DR400 Regent and Remorqueur respectively will be available with a simple or the improved noise emission level. The silent version is powered by a new engine. This version’s Lycoming O-360A1P is also generating 180 hp. In combination with a new four-blade propeller from Mühlbauer, the Remorqueur stays eight dB(A) below the German (the most limiting) noise requirements. The Regent stays approximately ten dB(A) below the limitation. Both aircraft are equipped with the long and efficient Robin mufflers as a standard equipment. New from Aérospatiale Matra: Socata presents GT series The French aircraft manufacturer Socata has shaped its TB series, which has been in production for more than 20 years, for the new millennium. The first model, a TB20, received the French type certification on January 31, 2000. The other versions are to follow in short intervals. All new TBs will carry the designation GT (Generation Two). The most significant changes include the cabin roof. It is now made almost entirely out of carbon-fiber composites and Honeycomb. Also, the two doors are made of this material. The cabin now also has some more height. Aircraft registry in Germany The number of aircraft which are registered in Germany is decreasing. Still, General Aviation remains lively. The first look at the registration statistics of the German aviation authorities is clearly disappointing. There is a decrease in the number of registered aircraft in almost all of the General Aviation categories. However, is the number of aircraft operated in Germany really decreasing? A closer look reveal a different story. Hot homebuilts Fly-ins for pilots who built their aircraft themselves can be found everywhere in the world. However, an absolute rarity are drive-ins for people who built their own hot air balloon or airship. There is only one meeting of this kind and it takes place in Vermont. The event’s initiators, Brian and Louise Boland, are known in the branch to be the gurus when it comes to homebuilding a lighter-than-air vehicle. Years ago, Brian Boland bought a small airport. Since then, he is not only hosting the annual balloon meeting but is also organizing workshops in the frame of which the participants build their own balloons and airships. Flying days: The planning of flying diplays The flying season 2000 is coming up with many flying displays. We have asked the experienced test and display pilot Dieter Thomas which legal and planning items to look for when organizing a flying display. The author not only describes the minimum altitudes, visibilities, cloud bases and minimum separation to the spectators, he also gives tips how to shape the program and to practice the display. Among other activities, Dieter Thomas has been the flying display organizer of the Internationale Luftfahrtausstellung ILA since 1990. CVFR training: Not enough practice There are real deficiencies in the training for controlled visual flight (CVFR). Too often, the training is conducted under not enough realistic conditions. One reason is that the training basis often is too far away from Charly airspaces. Also, many of the instructor try to go the easy way. Charly airspace is often avoided during training with the reasoning that single-engine aircraft are not liked to be seen there anyway. Additionally, the students are often not required to conduct the radio communication during the training flights. It is only natural that the required skills do not develop in this kind of training environment. Aerokurier author Karl-Heinz Apel reminds the flight instructors on their job. Meteorological trip planning: Two days in advance Out in the morning, back in the evening – a trip like that is relatively simply to manage in respect to the meteorological flight planning. However, what to do when trying to ensure the meteorological forecast for a return flight that is still a few days ahead, for example at the end of an extended weekend? The wish to get a good weather information several days in advance is only logical. Part I of this article explains the basics of a long-term weather forecast. Accident analysis: Go around exercise with fatal end Her private license was only four days old when a pilot wanted to acquaint herself with a new aircraft type. When going around during an approach into the airfield Schönhagen the TB10 did not gain sufficient altitude. The aircraft crashed into a forest behind the runway and caught fire immediately. The pilot died in the accident and her instructor died a few weeks later from the burns. According to witnesses, the aircraft has had problems with the engines beforehand. A business man had canceled his flight with this aircraft because of this condition at the morning of the accident day. The accident investigators conclusion is that the engine had not been overhauled correctly. Italian moments: Sky Arrow The Sky Arrow was certified in Germany in 1997 in both, the ultralight and the very light aircraft (VLA) categories. However, only now the manufacturer, "31" is seriously marketing the aircraft. "Siamo pronti" – we are ready, says Constantino Rosati, who smiles but is serious about the effort. The manager of the Initiative Industriali Italiane (short: "31") is attacking the European market. He wants to sell both versions of the aircraft. For homebuilders, he offers the kit version Sky Arrow 1450L. Alpine flying: With the ultralight into the high-mountains Flying with an ultralight into the high-mountains is not an every-day trip. Peter Schwarzbach from Düsseldorf took off for such a fascinating tour in the fall of last year. His recommendation: you have to try it too. Aosta in spring Microcosmos in big: Framed by large glaciers the Aosta valley in northern Italy holds its own world. Here is high-season when gliding is in winter break everywhere else. The season starts in February when the first fans come from the North into the valley. One of them is Claus-Dieter Zink. Every year he starts into his gliding season from the valley between Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Grand Paradiso and Monte Rosa. His description of this gliding center is a love letter to the high-mountains. Contacts in Aosta Aero Club Valle d’Aosta, I-11020 Saint Christophe (Aosta), phone: +39-0165-262424, Fax: +39-0165-26244252, email: aecaosta@aostanet.com, http://www.aecaosta.com Hotel Alp, Localita Aeroporto, I-11020 Saint Christophe (Aosta), phone: +39-0165-236900, Fax: +39-0165-239119. Barron Hilton Cup 98/99: The winners and their flights The winners of the Barron Hilton Cup 98/99 are fixed. With their personal best performances they have shown what was possible in the past two years. In the European ranking 98/99 of the worldwide cross-country competition "Barron Hilton Cup in partnership with DaimlerChrysler", in which the largest (highest points) triangle route is evaluated, only pilots from Germany and Austria can be found in the best three of the five classes. Günther Jacobs (Betzdorf), winner of the Open Class with an ASH 26e, and the winner in the Racing Class, Peter Flosbach (Wipperfürth, ASW 20) accomplished their BHC flights on Saturday, July 31, 1999. On the day before, Uli Gmelin (Bückeburg) with co-pilot Tobias Lewandowsky succeeded with their Duo Discus. The two winners from Austria, Eduard Supersberger (Micheldorf) and Dietmar Weingant (Kapfenberg) accomplished their winning flights on Sunday, July 18, 1999. Results Filser LX5000: Accelerator for the graphics In time for the season 2000, Filser has updated its route computer LX5000 with new features. The navigation graphics has become faster. Ralf Fischer was able to test out a pre-production version (6.1f) of the upgrade during the winter. His experiences give a first impression of the new capabilities of this route computer with integrated GPS. Rieti: Family trip and gliding Cross country flying training and vacation flying where European and World champions fly. This is possible at the Italian gliding center in Rieti. In three years, Rieti, which is located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Rome, will again be the location for the world gliding championships. Rieti hosted already the WGC in 1985 along with various European championships and the annual Coppa Internazionale del Mediterraneo. Furthermore, Rieti is an ideal place for a family vacation that includes gliding. This report describes the gliding possibilities and the touristic highlights. Contact: Aero Club Centrale di Volo a Vela, Alessandro Bruttini, Via C. Rosatelli 111, 02100 Rieti, Italy, phone: +39-0746-202138, Fax: +39-0746-203127, email: aeccvv@libero.it Flight training in Europe Flying to the limit during the vacation – this is not only possible in the USA. The expensive Dollar and the pending European license are making the flying training and flight hour accumulation in other European countries more and more attractive. For many pilots, America still is the dreamland of aviation. True: Good flying conditions on almost every day (at least in the southern states), relatively cheap charter rates and not to forget the American way of life attract many pilots. Still, whomever looks at the situation rationally, can not always agree to the above arguments. This reports shows the alternatives in Europe, in Spain, France and in Turkey. Number of pilots growing again The number of people who are getting a pilots’ license is increasing again. The certification authorities in the 16 German states currently list more than 39000 valid motor flight permissions. Also, more than 29000 gliding licenses are on record. Furthermore, there is a clear growth in the number of professional pilots: The number of valid Air Transport Pilots’ licenses increased for the first time beyond 9000 in 1999 (exactly 9045). Airlines all over Europe are currently looking for new pilots. Market survey Our comprehensive market survey includes an overview of flying schools (motor flying, gliding, ultralight and helicopter) in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia and the USA. Top of Page |
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Last updated February 20, 2000