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aerokurier 2/97
Fight back Plans of the state government of Bavaria created an outrage of the Bavarian aero clubs and of the German Aero Club at the end of 1996. Kurt Faltlhauser, the head of the state chancellery, had announced plans in a national German newspaper to scrutinize the 386 governmental support programs, including the procurements of large equipment for the various sports divisions. Only 26 of the programs remained untouched. The support of large equipment for the golf, sailing (an Olympic sport) and airsport departments was canceled completely. Up until today the state government of Bavaria did not explain the reasons for these measures. No inquiries by the clubs and associations were answered. However, it looks like the weakest were picked, the ones where the least amount of resistance was to be expected. In the INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS pages, among other topics, you can read about: The Texas based manufacturer Mooney Aircraft celebrated the roll-out of the 100th Ovation in mid December. In his speech, company head Bing T. Lantis pointed out that the 280 hp single-engine aircraft is one of the most successful models in the manufacturers history. The Russian aviation administration, which was called Federal Aviation Services (FAS) following the break down of the Soviet Union, has now been renamed Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA), the same name that the US aviation administration is carrying. The Russian inspectors were trained by the American FAA. British Airways plans to equip all of its fleet with active Noise Guard headsets from the German manufacturer Sennheiser. The Japanese industry giant Toyota has received the FAA’s production certification for its 360 hp FV2400-2TC eight-cylinder aircraft engine which is based on the Lexus engine. Cirrus SR20: Treat for the flying community? Two prototypes of the new four-seater SR20 are taking part in the current flight test phase, both together having spent already more than 800 hours in the air. Just recently, aerokurier had the opportunity to take aircraft number 1 for a flight. Cirrus Design is close to realizing all of the promised performance data. A cruising speed of 160 kts TAS at 75 % power has already been achieved. Currently the ballistic rescue system is being tested in practice. Many hours are spent to optimize the aircraft’s flying characteristics. Prototype number 2 is already fitted with the spin-resistant wings. All together, the new development leaves a good impression. The 200 hp aircraft has a spacious cabin with two large doors facilitating the aircraft entry. It is not difficult to get accustomed to the sidestick-controls. The SR20 will be first presented in Germany during the AERO in Friedrichshafen. The Elde, Netherlands, based General Enterprises is the general representation in Europe for the $145.000 aircraft, also taking care of the different type certifications. Enstrom 480: Good grades for the small helicopter from Michigan The Enstrom 480 is the youngest family member of the Minominee, Michigan, based helicopter manufacturer. After 40 years of producing light piston-engine helicopters, it is also the company’s first turbine helicopter. The Enstrom 480 has a spacious cabin which can be set up in three different configurations, either as a passenger version with five seats, as a training version with three seats and dual controls, or as a freight version. Eduard Kus had the opportunity to evaluate the Enstrom 480’s qualities in flight. He issued good grades to the helicopter, especially pointing out the 480’s good autorotation characteristics. The future has begun The increasing demand for business aircraft is accompanied by a busy development work of the avionics and equipment manufacturers. Honeywell presented its new Primus Epic avionics at the NBAA in November of 1996. The new avionics generation is designed to fit in a broad scale of aircraft, ranging from twin-engine turboprop aircraft to regional airliners. Launch customer Raytheon Aircraft plans to put the system into the new Hawker Horizon business jet. Rockwell Collins with its ProLine 21 avionics, being a little farther ahead in the development work, seems to be the strongest competition to the new Honeywell product. Lowrance Avionics presented its Airmap GPS, a handheld GPS with moving map, that has already been successfully introduced into the market. The Canadian engine manufacturer Orenda Aerospace expects a good market potential for its new aircraft piston engines (500 to 750 hp), especially as a cost effective replacement for turbine engines. Williams International is currently negotiating with NASA concerning the joint development of an affordable and light turbofan in the 700 lbs thrust class for General Aviation aircraft. Drawing the course on the computer screen The capabilities of the Kaufhold Flugnavigation’s MASTER-KURS flight planning program have been significantly enhanced. The system’s DOS surface allows to draw IFR as well as VFR flight plans on the computer screen. Safety served with charm Lufthansa CityLine finished off the 100th flight attendant course just before the end of 1996. Each year, approximately 100 flight attendants are being trained at the airline’s own training center based close to the Cologne/Bonn airport. The seven-week course includes nine days of emergency training. Take-off briefings for more safety If the engine quits during take-off there is no time to look up procedures in the operating handbook. A good take-off briefing before releasing the brakes can be a decision maker concerning a technical problem causing a human catastrophy. Pedagogics: Understanding human factors Before and during a flight, pilot’s should be focused primarily on the flight itself and put everything else aside. This is often not done due to very human reasons. Engine overwintering: Whomever rests, rusts Many aircraft are not flown during the winter season. If the engine is not conserved properly, it is subjected to rust and corrosion. We give you a short checklist to overwinter your aircraft engine. Aerodynamics: Don’t underestimate the acceleration forces Increasing the g-force also increases the stall speed. Not only during turning flight but also during other flight maneuvers. Accident analysis: Crash due to engine failure right after take-off Immediately after take-off the engine of a Dornier Do 27 quit. The pilot’s effort to return to the field in a tight turn failed. Four people died. Tecnam’s new P96 Golf aerokurier is exclusively publishing first photos of Tecnam’s new low-wing P96 Golf. Like the high-wing P92, the P96 will be first certified in the Ultralight category and later on also according to the JAR-VLA category. Many components are identical to those used on the P92. The P96 Golf will be first presented at the AERO in Friedrichshafen. Wild Thing enters flight test The high-wing Wild Thing was supposed to enter flight tests in January. The all-metal aircraft, which is built at the Aerostar plant in Romania, is the first aircraft in Germany to be equipped with the Australian Jabiru aircraft engine. New aircraft from Funk Two aircraft designed by Otto Funk are short of their first flights. The tandem-seat FK 11 is featuring a central fuselage engine with two propellers. The also new sports biplane FK 12 Comet, being of a more conventional design but with optimized aerodynamics, is supposed to first fly in March. Magic formula "triconic cap"? A new rescue system for speeds up to 220 km/h comes from Czechia. The USH 520 will supposedly enter the German market in the spring of this year. Fascinating Eastern Germany, Part 2 The second part of the aerokurier trip around Germany leads into the South-Eastern part of the new states. ASW 15 or Standard Cirrus? The costs to purchase a new glider can easily exceed the 100.000 DM tag. The used aircraft market in the Standard Class offers a lot of aircraft for less money. While some consider the ASW 15 as the Club Class aircraft with the best value for the money, others prefer the Standard Cirrus which is also the most used glider in Club Class competitions. We tell you the points to look for when considering the purchase of a used glider, especially one of these two models. No more cold feet thanks to Footwarmers Hotronic Deutschland is offering sturdy footwarmers for all kinds of outdoor activities. They are especially useful for glider pilots who spend long periods of time at high altitudes. Horten 2L in Berlin’s Technology Museum The German Technology Museum in Berlin has taken over the responsibility to restore four Horten all-wing aircraft for the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. As a first result, an almost completely restored Horten 2L was presented to the public for a short time at the end of last year. This particular aircraft will remain in Berlin as compensation for the restoration work. Open Class championship The aero club Ziemi Lubuskiej in Zielona Gora, which is organizing Poland’s Open Class championship (May 18 to June 1, 1997) on behalf of the Aero Club of Poland, is offering ideal conditions and a well suited infrastructure to assure a flawless competition with international participation. Commentary: Use the capabilities of the motor glider Hans-Werner Grosse is pleading for the appreciation of motor gliders as an enrichment of glider flying. In his point of view, efforts to force the integration of motor gliders during competitions doesn’t make much sense. He lays out the possible advantages of organizing special motor glider championships, allowing the usage of the engines for a certain amount of time. Along with other benefits this could eliminate today’s problem of flying in gaggles. New route calculator includes simulator for computer based training Peschges Variometer presented the new entry-level route calculator VP9 at the end of last year. The package includes a simulator program, that allows the user to become acquainted with the system at home before using the system in the aircraft. Flying camp in Zielona Gora Poland has a lot to offer for glider pilots: good to excellent thermal conditions, very little airspace restrictions, as well as, moderate prices. The glider pilots from Greven, Germany, had many good experiences during a flying camp at the airport of Zielona Gora. The local Aero club Ziemi Lubuskiej is a lively club with many motivated members. The club’s director is also very much engaged in supporting the understanding between Germany and Poland. |
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Last updated February 17, 1997
