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aerokurier 4/1999
Ready for the millenium? In the editorial column of aerokurier 4/99 Volker K. Thomalla critizes the structure of today`s aero clubs. The survival in the competition against other leisure activities seems only possible if new ways are found. The modern aero club has to offer several activities on different levels. A modern aero club is a service provider for its members. Point landing on the oil rig There are more than 3000 oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. The main instrument that keep the logistics up are helicopters, mainly operated by the largest civil helicopter operator of the world: Petroleum Helicopters Inc. from Lafayette, Louisiana. The PHI fleet consists of almost 300 aircraft, 80 percent of which are used for the daily flights to and from the rigs. The helicopter fleet is supporting oil concerns such as Chevron, Shell or Exxon with food, medication and spare parts. The helicopters are also used for the weekly shuttle service to exchange the crews of the giant oil rigs. Cirrus SR20: Wind of Change There is a major competitor emerging to the traditional manufacturers of four-seat light aircraft. The Cirrus SR20 has been FAA certified for half a year now and the series production has begun at a low rate. Looking at the aircraft two years ago, we were a bit disappointed from the cockpit, the entire project being at its beginning state. There was a big gap between the aircraft’s appearance and its flying characteristics. Two months ago we flew the fourth prototype. Our opinion after the final touchdown: "A totally new aircraft." Cirrus SR20: Wind of Change, DA40-18: Diamond Star Just recently, the 180-hp version of the Austrian four-seater DA40 had its first flight. The aircraft is powered by the Textron Lycoming IO-360-M1A. Straubing, Germany based Mühlbauer is supplying the propeller. Our test flights showed that the combination of the two fit well together. Unfortunately, the aircraft’s manufacturer, Diamond Aircraft in Wiener Neustadt has lost valuable time by building two prototypes which do not have a very good market perspective: the Rotax 914 (115 hp) and Continental (125 hp) versions. This will delay the certification date. Diamond expects the VFR certification for the end of 1999 and the IFR approval for the spring of 2000. The aircraft is currently listed for 270000 Marks plus VAT. Heli-Expo’99 in Dallas The helicopter branch is looking reserved but optimistic into the next millennium. In spite of the losses due to the reduced oil pumping in the Gulf of Mexico, the economic crisis in Asia and the reduced orders for military customers, both helicopter manufacturers and operators see their niches. At the Heli-Expo’99 in Dallas, the twin-engine Bell 427 and Agusta’s A119 Koala gave their debut. The mock-ups of the EC-155 and the BA 609 in VIP configuration clearly showed where the market trend is going: to modern, efficient helicopters for the transport of persons and ambulance flights. These two applications will be the main share of the future market. Private Ryan: Californian Jewel Brad Larson is 84 and proud owner of a rare Ryan SCW-145. Only twelve of this aircraft were built. The Ryan is equipped with a seven-cylinder Warner radial engine which has 145 hp. The Ryan has a cruise speed of 112 kts. When new, the aicraft had a price tag of 6885 Dollars. Larson got hold of it by trading it for a Howard. He restored the SCW, restored it and flies it regularly since 51 years. aerokurier photographer Constantin Vormfeld saw met with Larson and his Ryan in Santa Paula, CA. Know how: Flying over water Due to the reliability of today’s aircraft engines, flying over water is nothing dramatic. Even the challenges in navigation are minimized since the introduction of satellite navigation. The proper flight planning is a critical factor for the safety of overwater flying. How it’s done and what kind of survival equipment is helpful – even for short hops over water – can be found in aerokurier 4/99. Training: Fit for Flying after the winter break For most private pilots the cold season is forcing them into a break. Not surprisingly, some of the flying abilities get somewhat rusty. Karl-Heinz Apel, airline pilot, flight instructor and check pilot, takes the aerokurier readers to a first flight into the new season. Self-briefing: Interpretation of satellite photos/part II There is some fundamental knowledge required before one can retrieve the full informational content of satellite and radar images in a self-briefing. This is part II of a fundamental training course. D4 Fascination vs. MCR01 They are the fastest of their class. But which one is better? We compared Dallach’s D4 Fascination and the French competitor MCR01 from DynAéro. Since this duel is one of the most thrilling, we sent a Formula King racing car into the race also. The FK99 car clearly won the sprint part of the race. Find out how Dallach’s Fascination and the MCR01 performed in the flying part of the test. A long wave in the North Once a year the lake by Ottsjö in Sweden is becoming a glider airfield. The Scandinavian glider pilots are meeting there to attend their annual wave flying camp. The ice of the lake is approximately one meter thick and is used the runway. To the High North for wave flying? That requires a new mind set since wave flying in Central Europe is mainly done in the Alps, in southern France, Italy and Austria. 26th World Gliding Championships in Bayreuth Only four months until the 26th World Gliding Championships take off in Bayreuth, Germany (31 July to 15 August). The registration deadline was March 31. According to the pre-registrations, the event is booked out already with no place left for back-up pilots. Will all of the countries really use their maximum allotment (maximum of five pilots)? Will certain nations drop out because they did not pay their FAI membership fees? The back-up pilots will have to wait until the beginning of April to find out. Flight computer VP6/7 and VP9: Better airspace graphics There are several new modifications for the 1999 models of Peschges’ VP6/7 and VP9 flight computers. Especially the graphical presentation of the airspace has improved significantly. The new lay-out will certainly facilitate the navigation in complex airspace structures. Restricted areas are now shown in full, making it more easy to keep oriented while zooming in. The presentation can be zoomed in and out via eight steps (maximum presented area: 250 kilometers). Currently the package includes the German airspace, an extension covering all of Europe is under development. 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.
Whomever plans to visit this year’s AERO in Friedrichshafen with his own aircraft is well advised to take a close look at the applicable regulations. Because of the expected high traffic volume there will be slot regulation (as in 1997). VFR approaches are only possible via the mandatory reporting points Illmensee (northwest of the field) and November. For the landing itself one should be familiar with his aircraft’s landing roll distance in order to be able to expeditely clear the runway after touch-down. The airport offers show visitors who come with by plane a service package including the landing and parking fees along with the entry fee to the show. Record number of exhibitors at the AERO ’99 The AERO ’99 is becoming the most important trade show for the General Aviation in Europe. More than 400 exhibitors from 26 countries have announced their presence, among them all of the leading manufacturers of ultralight aircraft. Also with a strong participation: the Business Aviation which is highlighting its pertainment to General Aviation. New Very Light Aircraft: Aquila A 210 revealed It is a small sensation. A newcomer from Brandenburg, Germany, is building an ultra-modern composite VLA. Before the aircraft is officially revealed at the AERO in Friedrichshafen, aerokurier exclusively presents the brand new Aquila A 210 which is promising a new performance level in its class. With its advance aerodynamics and a Rotax 100 engine the spacious training and travel two-seater can reportedly fly at 130 kts. A glass cockpit for light aircraft At the AERO, the Association of aerospace oriented companies (ALROUND) gives a view into the cockpit of the future. The glass cockpit of the Cessna 172 D-EMWF certainly is the most exciting result of an "Experimental program for a display cockpit with simulation and flight training device for light General Aviation aircraft" (in short: COSIMA). ALROUND has managed the project and will show at the AERO how the pilots working place of light aircraft might look in the future. Airspace Changes On March 25, the new sectionals for Germany have been published. Effective March 25, some changes in the airspace structure over Germany took place. The airspaces C over the airports of Bremen, Dresden and Leipzig were reclassified to airspace D, because of lack of traffic. The airspace C around the international airports of Frankfurt and Munich were reshaped, and a TMZ (transponder mandatory zone) in the Friedrichshafen area was introduced. Top of Page |
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Last updated April 9, 1998