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Aviation History
1978
1978 - 0009.PDF
FLIGHT International, 7 January 1978 Business [FHOtlKfif' Astec completes Eagle tests AFTER 77hr of flight testing, the pro totype Astec Eagle has been laid up while production facilities are pre pared at Everett, Washington. The first production conversion is in hand and should be ready for ground tests by the end of this month; roll-out is planned for February 14. Once the production conversion has verified the data obtained from the prototype, Astec expects supplementary type certification to be granted quickly. Astec was founded in 1971 by two Boeing engineers, Jeff Dean and Mike Berry, to offer aerodynamic and engineering consultancy. After a series of systems projects had proved successful the company undertook during 1976 a study for a major air craft modification. The Citation was chosen because of its potential for cruising-speed improvement, but mar ket research showed that the real de mand was for improved range. A search started for a modification which would reduce drag and give increased fuel volume and it was soon found that the basic Citation wing design lost efficiency because of the position of the engine nacelles. Following the mathematical analy sis, the basic aircraft was flown for calibration, tests including tufting and performance measurement. Polyure- Atlantic Aviation has designed the twin- camera installation of this Argentinian Citation. Wild RC-IO vertical cameras are used in conjunction with a Wild NF-2 sight and the installation is faired in with a glass-fibre blister. Atlantic says that the effect on per formance is negligible thane foam and glass-fibre root cuffs, the outcome of this analysis, produced substantial improvements. The Astec Eagle can carry 8251b more fuel than the basic Citation from which it is derived, increasing its range with 30min reserve to 1,920 n.m. from 1,330 n.m. The modified aircraft can be certificated up to 41,000ft, at which it was found on test to cruise 15kt faster than the standard aircraft. Take-off field length is reduced by 615ft to 2,900ft at max gross weight, and the stalling speed at maximum landing weight drops from 88kt to 75kt. Further details are available from Advanced Systems Technology, 830 North Riverside Drive, Renton, Washington. Sumburgh's future reviewed BRITAIN'S Civil Aviation Authority has set up a working party to study the future of Sumburgh, northern most air base for the North Sea oil industry. CAA estimates, confirmed by the UK Offshore Operators Associa tion, suggest that the airport may have to handle nearly 600,000 passen gers from 57,000 aircraft movements in 1978. Such a figure would double the throughput and severely tax the limited passenger-terminal and air craft-parking facilities. Saturation by mid-1978 has been officially suggested. Because a large proportion of move ments involves passengers in transit to or from oil rigs, a separate terminal building has been proposed. Lack of space would force this away from the existing terminal area, across one run' way, and would generate surface- transport problems. The CAA says that there will have to be some re vision of schedules, or the parking areas, in particular, will not be able to cope; £500,000 has been allocated to provide more parking space. • During severe storms in mid- December, the Sumburgh runways were flooded for the first time since 1953. Water reached a depth of nine inches at the runway intersection and carried away some of the threshold lights at the eastern touchdown. Floats for first US Nomads ... WIPLINE of Minneapolis is to fit floats to the first two GAF Nomads to be delivered to the United States and will sponsor certification of an amphibious version. The first delivery has been made; the transpacific flight involved a sector of 2,390 miles, the longest yet flown by the aircraft. ... and Nomads for the Flying Doctor Service THE New South Wales section of Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Ser vice has begun negotiations for two Nomads to replace Beagle 206s operated from its Broken Hill base. The first aircraft—expected to cost A$470,000—is being considered for June delivery, but funds for the second aircraft are not yet assured. The service is to appeal to the general public and to Commonwealth and State governments for the necessary money. During 1977 aircraft from Broken Hill flew 216,742 miles and assisted 13,480 patients.
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