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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0316.PDF
318 FLIGHT International, I March 1962 These two Czech-built L-200 Moravas are used by Aeroflot for air taxi operation. A substantial number of these aircraft ore believed to have been delivered to the Russian airline AIR COMMERCE . been operated at a utilization of lOhr 35min a day. In particular the GE CJ805-3B engines have given "magnificent service"—so much so, for example, that no spare engine has been positioned along the Far Eastern route. Only one engine shut-down has been necessary and this was due to a bird strike. Overhaul life of this engine is at present l,600hr; the CJ805-23B turbofan engines of the 990 are starting operations at l,400hr, with sampling every 800hr. The two 880Ms will be returned next month, the first on April 9 and the other at the end of the month. Delivery of the 990s began in January, and four are now in service. The fifth will be delivered in August and the two 990s being leased to SAS (identical in every respect except for exterior markings) are due for delivery this month. Swissair inaugurated some 990 services to Tel Aviv in February, and operations to South America began on February 25 with two weekly flights from Zurich to Buenos Aires via Dakar, Rio and (one flight only) Montevideo. On March 9, the 990s will start operating Swissair's Far Eastern services, Zurich - Karachi - Cal cutta/Bombay - Bangkok - Hong Kong/Manila - Tokyo at a thrice- weekly frequency. There will be ten weekly 990 flights to the Middle East and the type is operating a number of Swissair services between London and Geneva in addition to Caravelles. Conversion of Swissair crews to the 990 has been going on in Arlanda, where one aircraft has been flying at a rate of lOhr 45min a day and averaging between 30 and 40 landings daily. About 90 pilots are being trained; operating crew comprises two pilots, flight engineer, and, for the longer-haul routes, a navigator. Seating accommodation is for 24-first-class and 74 economy (five-abreast) in an attractive cabin, the keynote of which is bright colouring provided by chair top-covers. There are two exceptionally spacious galleys, one forward and one aft, and a small lounge is provided forward. Cabin noise level is exceptionally good. American Airlines currently taking delivery of 20 Convair 990s, the last five of which will be delivered modified, and will put them into service shortly. To Swissair, however, goes the honour of being the first to introduce the airliner which, when fixed, will be the fastest in service. POLITICS AND SUPERSONICS BRITAIN'S supersonic airliner programme appears to be advancing as fast as the state of the political art will allow. The Minister of Aviation, in accordance with the definition of politics as "the art of the possible," is continuing to pursue with his French colleagues negotiations for a financial and technical agreement that may result in a Mach 2.2 supersonic airliner programme jointly shared by the two countries. Perhaps, one day, the history of these discussions will be fully recorded; but at the moment no one concerned, politically or technically, is volunteering any information. It appears, however, that this much is probable, if not certain:— (1) Collaboration between the British Aircraft Corporation, Sud-Aviation and Marcel Dassault will result in the development of two aircraft similar aerodynamically and having common systems and engines; (2) One will be designed for medium-haul work and the other for nonstop North Atlantic operation; (3) The medium-haul aircraft, sacrificing range for higher pay- loads, would be developed in France; the transatlantic aircraft, sacrificing some payload for range, would be developed in Britain: (4) At the moment a likely choice for the powerplant (four for each version) is the Bristol Siddeley Olympus 593 of 28,8001b thrust. Bristol Siddeley would develop this engine with SNECMA; (5) Another contender for the powerplant is the Rolls-Royce RB. 169; unlike the Olympus, this engine is as yet only in the project stage. Pratt & Whitney also, with the JT-11 (J58) and a technical and commercial agreement with SNECMA, are obviously a power ful contender for the propulsion system. Seen at Rose Bay, Sydney, is Ansett Flying Boat Services' Sandringham 4, VH-BRC, about to depart on the 3£hr thrice-weekly scheduled service to Lord Howe Island
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