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Aviation History
1981
1981 - 0137.PDF
FLIGHT Internationa!, 17 January (981 111 Enstrom gains certification for F-28F and F-280F helicopters ENSTROM HELICOPTERS has an nounced certification of the 225 h.p. F-28F and F-280F helicopters, and pro duction has started. Both aircraft are powered by a single Lycoming TSIO- 360F1AD engine giving an initial climb rate of 1,450 ft/min and a maxi mum cruising speed of 112 m.p.h. Gross weight is 2,3501b, and useful load 8501b. A maximum external load of 1,0001b can be carried and maxi mum approved ceiling is 12,000ft. Range is 255 miles with an endurance of S^hr. Price for the F-28F is $128,000, and the F-280F costs $133,000. These two helicopters are the first new models to be introduced US agencies forecast zero GA growth THE US Aerospace Industries Associa tion (AIA) has forecast zero growth in the US general aviation manufac turing industry. Karl Harr, president of the AIA, says that about 12,000 new GA aircraft will be built in 1981, the same as last year. The value of this production is estimated at $2,650 mil lion, but may be higher if turboprop and jet sales remain strong. Ed Stimp- son, president of the US General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), agrees with the AIA produc tion estimate but says that sales should reach $3,000 million. GAMA is scheduled to release its official 1981 estimates as this issue appears. Purge your Allisons TWO incidents involving Bell 206s have brought to light a problem with the Allison 250C-20 engine which powers a number of helicopters in cluding the BO105, Agusta 109A, Hughes 500 and Aerospatiale Twin Squirrel. On May 9 last year a Bell 206B crashed near Brighton, Utah, during an emergency autorotation following an engine flameout. About two weeks later another Bell 206 owned by the same company suffered four flameouts and relights in one flight. Subsequent investigation showed that the fuel pump drain valve was leaking and Short finals . . . Beech has signed a lease/purchase agreement with the FAA for four F90s. The contract includes pilot training and is worth $6 million if the FAA leases the aircraft for five years before buying them. Earlier purchase would reduce the cost . . . Piper is offering financing for the purchase of Piper aircraft at an interest rate of 14 per cent. Up to 75 since Enstrom was taken over by the Bravo Corporation and an F model is likely to appear at the HAA conven tion in Anaheim (January 18-21). • Brantly-Hynes Helicopters has reached an agreement with another UK company with the intention of starting production in the UK. GARRETT AiResearch has contacted the US Federal Aviation Administra tion with a view to reconsideration of FAA's earlier certification denial for the ATF3-6 turbofan after the engine failed birdstrike tests (see this page for December 13). Garrett's alterna tive would be to derate the engine from the present 5,4401b to 5,3201b thrust. US Coast Guard officials say that this derating would probably not significantly affect the performance allowing air into the fuel system when the fuel boost pump was switched off. The air is then trapped in the pump filter, but eventually migrates to the engine causing flameout or loss of power. Any loose fitting or parti ally open valve can allow air into the system and the manufacturer, Detroit Diesel Allison, recommends that the system is purged in accordance with service letter CSL-1080, when it is opened for any reason. Short finals . . . per cent of the list price may be borrowed for any model except Cheyennes. The offer lasts till March 31 . . . Pilatus of Switzerland has appointed Pilatus Porter Canada at Toronto Island Airport as the PC-6 and PC-7 distributor for the country. Telephone [416] 364 7185 . . . Trade- winds Charters, a subsidiary of Singa- port Airlines, has signed an agree- Business AND LIGHT TRANSPORT [FyiKnr of the Falcon 20G Guardian which is powered by the ATF3-6, The thrust rating could be restored later when engine modifications have been de veloped. Garrett interrupted the 150hr block endurance test on the engine before Christmas due to a main shaft bear ing problem. Reworked bearings have been supplied to Garrett and a second 150hr test should be completed by now. IMTSB recommends compulsory shoulder harness IN a recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration, the US National Transportation Safety Board says that all GA aircraft should be fitted with shoulder harnesses on all seats where possible by the end of 1985. The NTSB says the shoulder harnesses should be fitted before the registration of any aircraft is trans ferred. The FAA technical standards for safety belts were last revised in 1950 and 1956, and regulations re quiring seat belts introduced in 1977 apply only to new aircraft and cover just the front seats. ment with McAlpine Aviation to offer executive jet services in Asia, Aus tralia and New Zealand. Tradewinds will be sales agent in Alaska. Garrett starts ATF3-6 birdstrike exemption appeal
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