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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0076.PDF
^6 FLIGHT International, 18 January i%] WORLD N E W 53 Trident in the Air SOON after noon on January 9—after days of waiting for the weather—the D.H.I21 Trident was able to go. Flown by John Cunningham and Peter Bugge with a crew of four (see picture on page 80), and watched by more than a thousand D.H. people,[including Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, it was airborne before reaching the 3,000ft mark on the 6,000ft Hatfield runway. To those accustomed to watching Comets taking off the quietness of the Rolls-Royce Speys was most noticeable. It did not sound as though full take-off power had been reached before the brakes were released and the aircraft was accelerating, at what seemed a very fast rate, down the runway. The nosewheel came up quickly and the pilot appeared to hold the aircraft down for a few seconds longer than would normally be necessary before the mainweels lifted off. Unstick speed was 130kt, take-off weight was 90,0001b, and there was fuel on board for about two-and-a-half hours. As the Trident climbed away two photo graphic aircraft, a Canberra and a Meteor, chased after it down the runway, and the three disappeared in close formation towards the north-east. Just over an hour later the word got around among the crowd that the Trident was returning. The new shape, with thin smoke-trails attached, was observed approaching. As planned, John Cunning ham did an overshoot with everything down, having been checking the right power setting for his final approach. Five or ten minutes later, at 1334hr, the Trident made a perfect touchdown, after an approach at 135kt, right on the thresh old of the runway. Landing run was a little more than 3,000ft; some reverse thrust, and not much brake, were applied. After the flight the pilot said he was "delighted." The aircraft had felt stable and firm about all axes. Engines and engine- response were excellent and the aircraft was "very nice to fly." Airbrake behaviour, using the inching control, was good. With linked spoilers aileron power was adequate. All trim-changes due to flap, undercarriage, airbrakes, leading-edge droop and engine power were checked; these proved small, easily held and easily retrimmed. Mr Cunningham said there was no doubt about the value of the flying-control system ground simulator on which many hours had been spent to get the feel of the aircraft. Response was "exactly what a transport should have." Altitude for most of the flight had been about 15,000ft. The aircraft had been checked through a speed range of 225kt, 250kt, and 275kt, and everything in it had been exercised. A simulated approach had been made at altitude. Three Tridents would participate in the 800-1,OOOhr flight test programme, due to be completes1 within 18 months. The second would flj in April or May. Asked about sales prospects, Sir Aubra Burke, deputy chairman of Hawker Sid; deley Aviation, said: "We didn't sell an; Comets until the first one had flowr People don't believe in brochures an; more." Mr H. G. Sturgeon, managmj director of de Havilland Aircraft, said thai five of BEA's 24 Tridents were in various stages of production, and sales enquiries to justify an additional production batch ol 25 had been received, though this had no: been laid down. Asked to comment or the Boeing 727, Mr Sturgeon said thai though the 727 was cast in the same mould the two aircraft were quite different: "Ours is of a size that will match airline needs more exactly than any other comim along in the next five years." Lord Dougte, chairman of BEA, said: "This is a grea: day for BEA. The Trident has a big edsi on any comparable airliner in sight." Gp Capt Wilcock We regret to record that Gp Capt C. A. B. Wilcock, OBI. AFC, AFRAes, RAF (Ret), MP for Derby ano North Derby since 1945 and chairman of Derby Aviation Ltd, died in hospital las Sunday at the age of 63. He was also chairman of Air Schools Ltd, the Londc? School of Flying, Derby Airways ane Derby Aero-surveys. During the First World War he served1 First of Nine Avro 748s for Aerolineas Argentinas was handed over a January 1I at Woodford airfield. The aircraft documents were presented b) Sir Harry Broadhurst, Avro managing director, to Brig Mirant Borde, tin airline's vice-president. Pictured here with a model of the 748 are (Iter, Mrs Monica Massey, of Aerolineas' London office, Brig Mirant Borde, Sil Harry Broadhurst and Dr Gonzalez, a director of Aerolineas Derby Appointments Mr A. F. Kelley (left) and Mr D. P. Huddie, whose new posts in the Rolls-Royce organization are referred to on page 110
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