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aerokurier 3/2004
 Editorial
Facelift / Feature Unique biplane / Pilot
Report Diamond DA42 TwinStar / Magazine SMA
SR305-230 diesel engine, Schönhagen in the ascendant, In the
cockpit with Michael Garvens, Diamond Aircraft Industries
/ Travel Baltic
summer
/
Flying Cessna 140 / Practice Landing
flaps, Information flood in the cockpit, Accident analysis:
unsuccessful IFR attempt
/ Ultralight
CTSW: less wing, more fun, Correct maintenance of the
Rotax 912, Part 2, Pioneer 200 poised for takeoff in Germany
/ Gliding Barron-Hilton
Cup 2002/03, The intelligent Aircraft electrical system Part 2, Gariep
Dam Gliding Camp, Goe 3 Minimoa, Prepared for the very worst case,
Tactics for fast x-country flying / Special
Flight Training Paths to the PPL, Flying training on vacation,
School or club?, How much does training cost?, Aviator licenses,
Flying school survey, Flying school survey, Expert’s quiz: win a
valuable prize
EDITORIAL
Facelift
The editorial and graphics teams have given aerokurier
a modernising facelift,
with the best pages of the magazine retained, however.
This
restyling takes on board and implements the suggestions you have sent
in to us in the form of letters and e-mails.
I
would like to take this opportunity to thank all our readers for their
loyalty.
Once
again, according to figures prepared by the organisation which audits
media circulation figures in Germany, aerokurier had the highest
circulation of any magazine for general aviation, airsports and
business aviation in Germany in the last quarter of 2003 (IV/2003).
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FEATURE
Unique biplane
A Pitts is a lot of things: a competitor, something to speed up your
heart rate, a fun machine, a meditation device.
The
only thing it never is is boring.
“The
Master himself”, as Curtis Pitts is known amongst his fans (no irony
intended), was almost 80 when a Russian Vedeneyev radial engine from a
Sukhoi fell into his hands in 1994.
The
Master designed a suitable two-seater biplane around it, named the Pitts
Model 12, as it was his twelfth design.
Model
12 has the typical Pitts outline, even if its shape is dictated by the
powerful nine-cylinder radial engine.
At the same time, at 400hp, it is the most powerful and biggest of all
the Pitts, and no doubt it is for this reason that it also bears the
nickname of “Pitts Monster”.
The German pilot Hans-Günter
Vosseler is currently flying the only Pitts Monster in Europe.
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PILOT REPORT
Diamond DA42 TwinStar
At Diamond Aircraft in Wiener Neustadt, flight testing of the diesel
twin-engined DA42 is approaching completion. The four-seater from
Austro Control is expected to have been certificated by the Berlin Air
Show in the spring. The second prototype, OE-VDA, has meanwhile
accumulated around 200 flying hours.
The first TwinStar is currently being upgraded to
Lycoming engines of type IO-360. This is Diamond’s way of bracing
itself for the not yet quite “diesel-ready” US market. This
version will also be offered for classic twin training. Anyone who
learns to fly a two-engined plane on the diesel version of the DA42
will receive “only” one type rating. However, this does not
entitle one to fly other small twins. For that, one has to obtain a
type rating for twin-engined piston aircraft. This requires that the
pilot has mastered the somewhat antiquated technique of using the gas,
prop and mixer levers. As you will know, the diesel version of the
TwinStar has dispensed with such a “forest of levers”. All you
need to fly the plane is two throttles. In this month’s aerokurier
you can find out what else the DA42 has to offer.
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MAGAZINE
SMA
SR305-230 diesel engine
The French diesel engine manufacturer SMA has recently opened a new
production facility in Bourges, 200km to the south of Paris,
which
will be capable of producing up to five SR305-230 engines per week.
Since
last autumn, the powerplant has been officially approved for
installation in the Cessna 182.
However,
conversion to the 230hp turbo direct injection engine does not come
cheap: including conversion and acceptance flight, you can expect to
pay €92,000 plus taxes.
During
our visit to Bourges we had the opportunity to acquaint ourselves with
the company’s own Cessna on a short flight.
Schönhagen
in the ascendant
As the most frequented airfield in eastern Germany, Schönhagen offers
attractive location possibilities for companies in the aerospace and
related sectors and has developed a pilot-friendly service: anyone
practising landings in EDAZ pays only half the landing fee, which in
any case is very competitive.
In
the cockpit with Michael Garvens
Aviation runs like a leitmotif through the life of the 45-year-old
managing director of Cologne-Bonn airport. Having grown up just next door to a gliding site to the
south of Hamburg, Michael Garvens was confronted with aviation from an
early age.
His
ambition to land one day in the cockpit of a passenger aircraft did
not work out.
But
Garvens has been a private pilot for 26 years, and today he mainly
flies the Commander 114 and a Mooney Ovation.
Diamond
Aircraft Industries
The Austrian aircraft manufacturer recently commissioned a
state-of-the-art production facility in Wiener Neustadt, which boasts
almost 11,000 m2 of floorspace. The company is equipping itself for the future.
It
is planning to build not only the HK36 motor glider and the DA40
touring four-seater here, but also the four-seater TwinStar which,
like the DA40, will be offered in both diesel and avgas versions.
Production of the new single-engined D-Jet is also to be located in
Wiener Neustadt.
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FLYING
Cessna
140
The Cessna models 150/152 and 172 are probably the most widely known
single-engined aircraft in the world. However, their common ancestry has been largely
forgotten.
The
early Cessna models 120 and 148 are extremely rare and almost forgotten,
especially in Europe.
If one looks into their history, it is wonderful to research how the most
successful piston-engined aircraft family in the world took shape.
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PRACTICE
Landing
flaps
Wing flaps are an extremely useful aid on takeoff and landing, yet
considerable expertise is required to activate them.
Information
flood in the cockpit
To cope with the flood of information in cockpit, the brain can store
data for later retrieval when required.
This means that the pilot can concentrate on the essentials, but is able
to respond if this should become necessary.
A
lot of training, precise flight preparation, accurate planning and
foresight are required, however, to avoid the cockpit turning into a
“Psycho” cockpit.
Accident
analysis: unsuccessful IFR attempt
A few kilometres away from the threshold of runway 15 of
Hamburg-Fuhlsbütel airport, a PA-28 crashed into a paddock.
The
pilot had taken off in New Brandenburg, planning to fly to Hamburg by
night under VFR conditions.
But
shortly after takeoff he learned that the weather conditions had
deteriorated at Hamburg so that a VFR approach would not be possible.
Similar conditions prevailed at alternative airfields in North
Germany,
so
the pilot requested an instrument approach to Fuhlsbüttel even though
he did not have the necessary IFR rating.
His ILS approach ended in disaster.
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ULTRALIGHT
CTSW: less wing, more fun
With the CT ultralight, there is plenty of room for skis or
snowboard.
Travelling to the next ski area at 230km/h is the easiest thing in the
world.
In
short, the CT2K has long had a reputation for its sporting
accomplishments and roomy interior.
A
few weeks ago, a “short wing” version received its type rating.
78cm
less wingspan, down from 9.31m to 8.53m, and the resulting 0.82m²
reduction in wing area are expected to improve flying performance.
During
a flight from Mainz to Schwäbisch-Hall we had the opportunity to
examine the qualities of the latest CT offering at first hand.
Correct maintenance of the Rotax 912, Part 2
In the second part of our series, we cover carburettor
synchronisation, measurement of the differential pressure and the
final engine test run.
Pioneer 200 poised for takeoff in Germany
The Pioneer 200 is set to receive its LTF UL type rating with
472.5 kg MTOW.
The low-wing aircraft is a derivative of the Pioneer 300, built by
Italian aircraft manufacturer Alpi Aviation.
Unlike
its elder sister, the Pioneer 200 is targeted at price-conscious
pilots and schools.
The
aircraft is powered by an 80hp/59kW Rotax 912 and a rigid two-bladed
propeller.
Unlike
the Pioneer 300, its landing gear is non-retractable.
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GLIDING
The
intelligent Aircraft electrical system Part 2
When your battery approaches exhaustion in-flight and important
equipment starts failing, that is when it becomes only too apparent
how important it is to have a functioning power supply. Karl
H. Becker explains how with a little forethought an emergency can be
avoided.
Part
2 of the article describes the use of solar panels and the advantages
of a two-part aircraft electrical system.
Prepared for the very worst case
Flights in mountainous terrain require special care,
including preparations for an emergency.
Dr. Hans Trautenberg has put together a guide for
himself and aerokurier as to what one should have at hand when
embarking on alpine flights.
If
an off-field landing goes wrong or a parachute landing is necessary in
the lowlands, it is comforting to know one will be landing in the
midst of civilisation. There will always be a nearby road
or village, so it should not be difficult to summon help.
Besides, it is highly improbable that the accident will not
have been witnessed, so help will quickly be on hand.
An accident in the mountains, on the other hand, is a quite
different kettle of fish. For this reason, one must make extra
and different preparations for such an eventuality.
Tactics
for getting fast
x-country flying
If one is going to fly as far as possible on a distance gliding
flight, speed is of the essence.
But what is the optimal speed? Does theory really explain everything?
In
any event, the successful examples of top pilots suggest otherwise.
Kai
Lindenberg, Barron-Hilton Cup winner 2002/03, explains the essentials.
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 FLIGHT TRAINING SPECIAL
Paths
to the PPL
Germany is not the only place where one can get one’s PPL.
There
are plenty of attractive possibilities abroad as well.
Anyone
who sees himself as a Serengeti pilot can earn his pilot’s brevet
under favourable conditions in South Africa or Namibia. Others may be attracted to go to Spain.
There
the first German flying schools have opened up local offices.
The
USA continues to offer many attractions.
In the land of “unbounded” possibilities, it is now possible to train
not just for the US licence but also for the new European JAR-FCL
licence.
We
provide useful tips and addresses.
Flying
training on vacation
The idea is seductive: combining flying training with a holiday.
Special
offers from flying schools situated in holiday locations make this
entirely feasible.
In
Germany itself, the selection is large enough for one to take a
“training holiday” in one’s preferred holiday region, whether on
the North Sea, in the foothills of the Alps or in the lakeland area of
Mecklenburg
School or club?
The decision to become a pilot has been made,
so
you are raring to go.
But
to where?
Club
or school?
Both
options have their advantages and disadvantages.
As
a general rule, before starting training, students should be clear in
their own mind about their personal objectives. If they want to get their licence quickly, have enough
money and little time, a flying school will probably take care of
their needs the best.
On
the other hand, someone who sees flying as a social activity, is not
in a hurry to get a licence and wants to have contact with other
pilots, will be better catered for in a club.
However, the old saying that schools are expensive but effective, whereas
clubs offer slower training for little outlay, does not always turn
out to be true.
How much does training cost?
“How much does a pilot’s licence cost?”
Most
pilots, when asked this question, will give an evasive, diplomatic
reply.
It
depends on the particular price model of the flying school or club,
and different pilots will need a different number of flying hours.
On
top of this, landing fees and the cost of the medical examination can
vary widely between different regions.
Unwelcome surprises can be avoided simply by getting out a pocket
calculator and comparing prices before embarking on any training.
Aviator
licenses
JAR-FCL, PPL, ATPL (A), licenses, ratings: for those new to flying,
the diversity of terms can be confusing.
The
question of which pilot’s license one should aim for depends
critically on a person’s perception of the flying career they wish
to pursue.
For
would-be pilots who want to earn money as pilots, there is no getting
around the Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) or Air Transport
Pilot’s Licence (ATPL).
On
the other hand, for pilots who want to fly an aircraft or helicopter
without any commercial background, a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL)
or airsports aircraft licence is quite sufficient.
Our report unravels the terms and provides an overview.
Flying
school survey
Our Flight Training SPECIAL provides a major survey of flying schools
in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the USA.
Expert’s
quiz: win a valuable prize
The big competition we are running in this month’s SPECIAL revolves
around the subject of flight training.
We shall be holding a draw to be shared amongst all entrants for
attractive prizes worth over €9,000. It is worth your while entering!
Whether
you are an old hand, beginner or novice, after reading the Flight Training SPECIAL, it should be
easy to answer the eight questions and find the prize-winning word.
First
prize: a professional flight simulation package from Elite Simulation
Solutions, second prize: Tutima pilot’s chronograph 1941, 3rd to 6th
prizes: Sennheiser headset HMEC 300, 7th prize: Sennheiser headset HMD
120, 8th to 12th prizes: Schuco aircraft model Boeing 737-700
“Hapag-Lloyd Express”.
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