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aerokurier 2/1999
The German Aero Club is breaking up The problems are imminent. The airspace for sports flying is dwindling more and more. The regulations are growing both, in the air and on the ground. This should be reason enough to have a strong and capable representation for the airsport! So far, airsport had this voice in the form of the German Aero Club (DAeC). But for how much longer? Like never before, the Club is torn apart by internal discords. The DAeC state organizations of North-Rhine Westfalia and Bavaria will be ceasing their DAeC membership at the end of this year. The denouncement – while not being officially executed yet – already has some concrete effects. Those who will suffer are the individual members in the two states. Their qualification competitions in 1999 would have no meaning. The pilots loose their chance for participating in European and World championships, the sports licenses become invalid. What is the point in having such an association as the representation of airsport in Germany? Flying on boards Skysurfers are the extreme athletes among the parachuters. This young sport, mastered by only an elite group of specialists, is characterized by speed, perfect body control, elegance, and fantasy. We show you the fascination which motivates the skysurfers to their dance in the wind; a dance of 60 seconds which has become the meaning of life for many of them. Cessna 206H Stationair Following the C172R Skyhawk and the C182S Skylane, Cessna received FAA certification for the new Stationair 206H at the end of November, 1998. Compared to the older versions, the H model is showing some technical and comfort related modifications. The single-engine aircraft is not powered by the originally planned Lycoming IO-580 A1A. The six-cylinder engine was to generate its maximum power at a low 2500 rpm. However, the engine failed to pass a 500-hour endurance test. Cessna was forced to use the smaller displacement IO-540 AC1A. While this engine also generates 300 hp, it is turning at a higher 2700 rpm. This may result in noise problems for the German certification. With its three-blade Black Mac propeller, the aircraft has a good 988 ft/min climb rate. The Stationair models have always had a good versatility. This has not changed with the new model. Whomever wants to operate it in a freighter role can easily remove two or even four seats. While the payload is slightly less than earlier versions, it still leaves a good 633 kg. Dave Hidgon flew the new aircraft (listed for $290,000) in Kansas. Flying in the USA Who has never dreamt of this: Flying without airport opening restrictions, without landing fees and with reasonable charter prices. This is really something we can only dream of in Germany. In the USA, however, these desirable conditions are reality. Whomever plans a flying vacation in the US should be well prepared, including a familiarization with the most important regulations and brushing up one’s aviation English. aerokurier author Patrick Neelmeier has put together interesting tips for flying in the USA. Flight planning on the PC: Flight Planner 4.0 Intuitive flight planning with an electronically ICAO map on the personal computer: The Flight Planner 4.0 for Windows computers makes this possible. It allows to pick the turning points by just clicking with the mouse on the desired point on the map. The software takes care of calculating the courses, wind drift, and other relevant data. The program also generates a flight log and has an excellent interface to GPS receivers, such offering moving map functions. Hobby researchers: Flyers from ancient times? Have there been visitors from outer space? Maybe the Colombian "Flyer amulets" give a hint. Three hobby researchers from Northern Germany flew enlarged models of the barely hand size amulets. Pilot Report: EC 120B Colibri Maneuverable, fast and easy to fly: the five-seat EC 120B Colibri. Eurocopter has developed this helicopter together with two Asian partners (Catic from China and Singapore Aerospace), such setting light helicopters off into a new era. The compact Colibri is the product of the newest, innovative helicopter technology. aerokurier test pilot Eduard Kus has flown the Colibri. Pink Thunder An extraordinary woman with an exciting aircraft. This was also the topic of a TV station. The German Bärbel Abela and her Pink Thunder, a tuned-up Boeing Stearman, were the focus of a DSF feature. Until the team was able to get these fascinating shots, there were several obstacles to overcome, both on the technical and human side. The correct go-around Going around is not a shame, even though some pilot friends may think differently. The maneuver of taking the aircraft around should be practiced in an early stage of training and also repeated later in one’s flying career. aerokurier author Dr. Konrad Steininger tells us when and how to go around. Flying with guests For some pilots, flying becomes even more fascinating when being accompanied by friends and guests. For others, taking passengers along for compensation is a way to keep flying. Whatever the reason might be, it is most important to look thoroughly at the liability and safety side. Karl-Heinz Apel, line pilot and author of the book "Motor flying practice", is comprehensively covering all aspects of this topic. He also covers the environmental aspect of guest flights. Safety: Alpine flying II In the first part of our small Alpine flying course, we looked at some of the basics. The February issue covers the practical flying aspects. We not only tell you how to prepare your flight through the Alps. You will also learn about the best tactics to fly through valleys. Our flight takes you from Kempten through Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Accident analysis: A good flight doesn’t always mean a good landing A private pilot and his passenger learned about how dramatic things can get when one is blinded by the low sun in final approach. Their aircraft crashed next to the runway in Schwenningen. Both, pilot and passenger, were lucky, surviving with only leg injuries. The accident could have been prevented if the pilot had made an early decision to go around and asked the controller to land in the opposite direction (which the weather and runway would have allowed). Pilot Report: Pelican Sport 450S The Pelican Sport 450S has set out to be a strong competition on the ultralight market, not only because of its powerful 100-hp Rotax 912S. The basic concept of the Canadian high-wing with composite fuselage and metal wings comes out of the eighties. However, the 450S Sport version is brand new and was developed specifically for the European market. Our test revealed that this candidate is an uncomplicated and efficient aircraft. Nevertheless, some details in the comfort could be improved. You can find some more information on the project on the Internet: www.drive-and-fly.de. Wild Thing now available in five different engine options Air-light is now offering its all-metal two-seater Wild Thing in five different engine versions. After the problems with the standard engine Jabiru 2200 (80 hp) are solved, the Haßfurth based company is now also offering the Rotax 912 and the Czechian built engine Verner SVS 1400, both delivering 80 hp also. The Midwest Hawks is the fourth option available. The geared rotary engine generates 105 hp. At the top of the performance, the aircraft is offered with the Jabiru 3300, making the Wild Thing the first ultralight aircraft with six-cylinder option. Puimoisson: 1000 kilometer with the ASW 20 Roland Stuck is the first pilot to have flown a 1000-kilometer from Puimoisson, located at the Southern edge of the French Alps. The manager of the world gliding championships 1997 can look back at 15 years of vacation experience in the Sea Alps. For 15 years, Stuck has spent his annual gliding vacation in Puimoisson. Not only because the airfield is located ideally at the beginning of the route but also because it is a nice place to live. It’s a quiet area with a nice view at the Serre de Montdenier and the Plateau of Valensole. For the family activities, the lake of Ste. Croix, Gorges du Verdon and Moustier are located nearby. In the evenings, one can enjoy the good food from Annie and Henri. The nights are comfortably cool. In short: if it’s not paradise, it comes very close at least. Puimoisson was Stuck’s basis for his 1000-kilometer triangle. In his report, Stuck covers all of the flight with all of its difficulties. Wave flying in Germany On 25 October, 1998, a Western weather situation allowed fantastic wave flights over south Hessen and north Baden, reaching up to FL 150. Luckily, the German air traffic control played along. Just from the airfield Heppenheim alone, five pilots managed the difficult ascent in the strong turbulence of the ridge thermal, continuing just on thermal flying to the Rhine. The friendly ATC controllers allowed climbs up to FL 150, surprising to quite a few pilots. They were either not dressed warm enough or the oxygen equipment was not operational. As Eberhard Lulay from the Aeroclub Bergstrasse reports, the ASK 16, with both seats occupied, was still climbing with 1 m/sec at FL 150. However, outside temperatures of minus 18 degrees Centigrade turned the cockpit into a freezer. Gliding from Bremen to the Rhine-Main airport Today some route gliding experiences from the fifties look like something out of another world. Gliding at the largest German airport – this goes beyond our belief. In the mid-fifties, gliders were allowed to land at international airports, the airspace around which today is largely closed to any gliding activity. In 1955, Peter von Kunowski flew with a Kranich III from Bremen to Frankfurt Rhine-Main – a "follow me" driver directed him to a landing on a free grass area! The real challenge was in covering the route. "Gliding center" Münster/Osnabrück The airport Münster/Osnabrück has international air traffic and gliding operations. This is possible by having two separated operating areas. Last year, there was an irritation among some professional pilots. An approaching Lufthansa 737 went around after the crew had spotted a glider (legally and correct) on its base leg to the northern grass runway. The magazine of the German airline pilots association (Vereinigung Cockpit, VC-Info) published soon after a spectacular description of the go-around, saying that gliding activities should not be accepted at an international airport such as Münster/Osnabrück. Martin Söllinger, ATR captain for Eurowings, puts this VC article in the right place with an accurate report on the real situation and development in Münster/Osnabrück. World championships in Bayreuth without a control zone For the 26th World Gliding Championships from 30 July to 15 August, Bayreuth is becoming a pure gliding center. The regional airport’s control zone will be deleted for the competition. The pre-championships in the summer of 1998 had shown that airline traffic and gliding can be accomplished at one airport without major problems. For the WGC 98, Bayreuth’s control zone become a HX status. Further gliding news, for example concerning the European championships of the women and the German championships of the juniors, can be found under airSPORT and NEWS Gliding. Feature: From the joystick to the control wheel "You can’t land a 747 with a mouse-click". Not a few "professional" PC pilots have made this experience. A real flight simulation with full motion and close-to-real landscape presentation is very different to a joystick game. Pro Flight in cooperation with Lufthansa Flight Training in Bremen, Berlin, and Frankfurt is offering simulator courses in which everybody can evaluate his or her personal performance level. The main focus is on having a good time flying at FL zero. Our feature reports on the experience of two young PC pilots when flying in the simulator cockpit of the 747-200. The established: Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 Microsoft with its Flight Simulator has set the standards. For 16 years, PC pilots have used the Microsoft program to get airborne in the virtual airspace. Microsoft’s FS98 is the most successful flight simulator in the world. There are endless scenarios, aircraft and adventures, so called add-ons. Thanks to the open programming interface, specialists around the globe are developing such add-ons. There is not a week that does not have an add-on coming on the market, giving today’s Microsoft Simulator an almost unlimited number of possibilities. The complete: Sierra Pro Pilot 99 Sierra’s Pro Pilot is an interesting training platform for both, beginners and advanced pilots. It is the right address for whomever is mainly looking for learning to steer an aircraft, to expand one’s flying abilities or train in IMC. It is a compete flight simulator with six General Aviation aircraft, over 3500 airports (among them many German fields), ATC radio communications, flight planning, a co-pilot, GPS along with a comprehensive video-based flight school and a well-made small learning book about the basics of VFR and IFR flying. The entertainer: Flight Unlimited II "Flying without limits" is actually the wrong name for this simulation since the PC pilot can only fly in the San Francisco bay area. However, this background is impressively realistic. For the 1999 version III of Flight Unlimited, the flying area is supposed to be expanded to the area around Seattle. The options for IFR training are limited, an ADF is missing and so is the GPS system. However, with this kind of landscaping it would be a waste anyway to be looking inside the cockpit. The fun using this complete simulation is probably unlimited. The professional: B747-400 Precision Simulator The B747-400 Precision Simulator from Aerowinx is not a game at all. The simulator requires a high level of concentration, making its pilot having to work really hard. The name is its program: This simulator requires truly precise flying according to instruments of a modern glass cockpit with EFIS and a flight management computer. All user interfaces are close to the original and are accordingly complex. The simulator is a serious training platform even for professionals. ADD-ons: accessories for the FS98 There are several add-ons (scenarios and aircraft) available for the Microsoft FS 98. We present the most recent and remarkable add-ons to the FS 98. Never before have so many new add-ons come on the market as in the recent six months. Microsoft’s FS 98 has created an entire new supplying industry. Scenery: New Worlds A PC pilot who is not just using his PC simulator for procedure training wants to see interesting airports and landscapes. Additional scenarios are making such a simulator even more attractive. Whomever wants to fly mainly in German airspace has only a limited number of airfields available with the FS98. We present the newest scale of scenarios. Small helpers: the copilot and many extras The FS 98 has not only generated several aircraft collections along with many landscapes but, an increasing number of useful programs, many of which a real pilot can only dream of. There is, for example, a co-pilot who takes care of all the diligent tasks. |
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Last updated January 24, 1998