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Aviation History
1979
1979 - 2821.PDF
FLICHT International, 4 August 1979 307 X.114 ground-effect aeroplane tested NEW retractable hydrofoils have been added to the Rhein Flugzeugbau X.114 ground-effect aeroplane, the wing-tip floats have been shortened and the wheeled undercarriage removed as another one-month trial begins at the German Navy marine research laboratory on the Baltic. The new trials will further investigate take-off, landing, turning and obstacle- clearance performance. Possible roles are still search-and-rescue, anti-sub marine warfare and river policing work. The craft could be adapted to launch sea-skimming missiles. The X.114 is powered by a 200 h.p. Lycoming piston engine driving a shrouded propeller and can fly like an aeroplane at heights up to 18,000ft. Its usual mode is to skim at 60 m.p.h. in the ground cushion, for which it needs only 60 h.p. and can stay air borne for 20hr. Maximum skimming speed is 90 m.p.h. The hydrofoils make the take-off more rapid, especially in rough water. Rhein Flugzeugbau is looking at the civil market, and has plans for a vehicle large enough to house pas sengers in the thick delta wing. ESA orders third maritime satellite THE European Space Agency (ESA) has ordered a third maritime com munications satellite (Marecs) from the Mesh consortium, led by British Aerospace Dynamics (Stevenage). A derivative of the European communi cations satellite, Marecs is designed to provide ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore links. The space agency has proposed the use of the Marecs to the multi national organisation, Inmarsat. If Inmarsat decides to accept ESA's offer, a contract between the two parties will follow—replacing the pre vious arrangement in which Interim Eutelsat was a "middleman." ESA has ordered Marecs C—an integral part of its proposal to Inmarsat—to have the craft available without delay. Marecs C is worth about $27 million. ESA has also begun construction of a Pacific Ocean ground station for use with Marecs. The first satellite, Marecs A, is due to be launched by Ariane next year. New Tu-144 engines reported TUPOLEV Tu-144 services between Moscow and Khabarovsk, (Flight, July 21 page 157) are being flown by a re-engined version of the Russian supersonic transport, according to Soviet reports. Radio Moscow's English language African service has quoted the Soviet deputy minister of civil aviation as saying that the air craft is now fitted with a new engine "which is "50 per cent more economical, permitting it to cover much longer distances." The minister also said that the SST is now "in regular service" between Moscow and Khabarovsk, a great- circle distance of some 3,700 miles, as opposed to earlier reports of "test- flights". This compares with the 1,750- mile Moscow-Alma Ata service which was abandoned last year. It is not clear whether the new service is flown non-stop, but if it is then there has been a dramatic improvement in fuel consumption and payload/range per formance. This would indeed suggest Taking shape on the Lockheed assembly line at Palmdale is Pan American's first TriStar 500. Pan Am has ordered 12 Dash 500s for delivery beginning in February 1980 that a new engine has replaced the original Kusnetsov NK-144 1:1 bypass ratio afterburning turbofan, which re quired 50 per cent continuous reheat to maintain cruise speed. A power- plant akin to the Concorde's Olympus may have been developed by the Russians offering increased propul sive efficiency at Mach 2 • 0 cruise. Airports are legally liable for birdstrikes BRITISH airport owners will now be much more liable for birdstrike damages, following last week's High Court judgement in London in which Norwich City and Norfolk County Councils are held responsible for a 1973 Falcon 20 crash at Norwich Airport. Giving judgement for Fred Olsen Air Transport, Mr Justice Tudor Evans says that the airport authorities were entirely to blame for the forced land ing in which the Falcon was written off, fortunately without fatalities. There were six passengers and a crew of two. Damages will be assessed at a later hearing; the operator claimed £500,000. The accident occurred on the rainy evening of December 12, 1973, when a large flock of seagulls was hit by the aircraft during take-off, causing engine failure. The airport's "inade quate inspection system and hap hazard and lax attitude to bird control were entirely to blame for the forced landing," finds the judge. • The action was mainly a contest between insurers, those covering the airport (Norwich Union) and those covering the Norwegian operator (represented by Mr N. Richardson of Norton Rose Botterell and Roche) whose counsel, Messrs Peter Scott and Tim Walker, were advised by Sir Ivor Broom, former CAA controller of air traffic services. Thermo-Skyships fail to get support THERMO-SKYSHIPS has failed to raise the £6-4 million necessary for full-scale development of an airship to operate services across the English Channel (Flight, July 7). There has been a lack of backing from financial institutions.
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