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Aviation History
1984
1984 - 0970.PDF
WORLD NEWS CFM56-5 decision imminent PARIS CFM International is about to decide whether to go ahead with the CFM56-5, which it says would be six or seven per cent more fuel efficient than the engine it now offers on the Airbus A320, the CFM56-4. The go-ahead depends on the outcome of discussions now being held with Air France and Air Inter, each of which have ordered CFM56-powered A320s, and with Airbus Industrie. The -5 variant is more expensive than the -4, but would halve the fuel burn gap with the International Aero Engines V.2500, bringing it to within seven per cent of the new, five-nation turbofan. If approved, the CFM56-5 could be slotted into the -4 timescale without difficulty. The -4 is due for its first full engine test in mid-1985, and would be certificated in 1988. The improved performance is the result of a completely new turbine package, which CFM has been developing for around three years. Both low- and high-pressure turbines are re-bladed, benefitting from advances in three- dimensional aerodynamics. CFM says that the changes will probably mean that the CFM56-5 is more reliable than the -4, since the new turbines will be more effi cient, and will therefore run cooler. PAH-2 moves ahead HANOVER A memorandum of under standing launching devel opment of the Franco- German PAH-2 combat helicopter was to be signed on May 28 at a summit meeting between Germany's Chancel lor Kohl and France's Presi dent Mitterrand. MBB and Aerospatiale are collaborating on the project, and plans to create a joint 1482 helicopter company are ''almost a reality", says Dr H. A. Vogels, chairman of MBB. Although initial collaboration will be on production of a combat helicopter to meet French and German Army requirements, future plans include expansion into the civil helicopter market. Each company will build two prototypes, the first flying by 1988. The German Army requires 212 PAH-2 anti-tank helicopters to enter service from 1992. The French Army requires 75 HAP anti-helicopter machines starting in 1991, and 120 HAC anti-tank heli copters from 1995. Britain continues to discuss possible involvement in PAH- 2, but has yet to decide on its future requirements. Other options include Agusta's A.129, Westland's improved Lynx 3, a new LCH light combat helicopter, or involvement in the US Army's LHX light helicopter programme. Hughes to fly composite helicopter CULVER CITY Hughes Helicopters will flight-test a crashworthy all- composite helicopter next year. The composite airframe will be based on that of the Model 500E single- turbine light helicopter. Crashworthiness will be achieved by sharing impact energy absorption between the landing gear, fuselage, and crew seats. The 24-month project, funded entirely on indepen dent research and devel opment money, is aimed at the US Army's LHX light helicopter requirement. Some subcomponents have already been built and tested to generate confidence in the completed article. Composite airframe programmes are under way at all four US helicopter manu facturers. Bell and Sikorsky are working on the US Army- funded Acap advanced com posite airframe programme, with helicopters to fly this month. Boeing Vertol is working on the private- venture Model 360 tandem- rotor composite-airframe technology demonstrator, to fly late this year or in 1985. Experience from this will be applied to the Bell/Boeing JVX tilt-rotor, which will be 58 per cent composite weight. Learjet reports loss WICHITA Gates Learjet has reported a $1-7 million loss for the first quarter of 1984, the same loss as reported for the same period last year. Sales are up from $65-9 million to $69-3 million. Company president B. S. Stillwell says "our industry continues to lag behind other sectors of the economy in the current recov ery. However we anticipate improvement in the second half. Stillwell says that the slow start in civil aricraft deliveries at Learjet will be offset by deliveries to the US Air force, which will lease 80 35As. According to Learjet, the eight business jet manu facturers delivered 277 aircraft in 1983 and forecasts call for shipment of 300 this year. US, Peru end air services WASHINGTON D.C. After months of negotiation with Peru, the United States has suspended the operating permits of the country's three carriers, Aero Peru, Aero- naves del Peru, and Faucett Aviation. Peru has responded by withdrawing the licences of Eastern Air Lines and cargo operator Challenge Air Transport of Miami. Announcing its decision the US Civil Aeronautics board ruled that: "There are mate rial deficiencies in the reci procity that Peru affords US carriers and permits would be extended beyond this week only if the deficiencies were corrected." The air route agreement between the US and Peru expired on November 11 (see Flight, February 4, page 313). Sir Stanley Hooker Sir Stanley Hooker, the man responsible for much of Rolls- Royce's wartime and post-war aero-engine success, has died, aged 67. Stanley George Hooker joined Rolls-Royce in 1938, where he played a key part in development of the two-stage super-charger that was the key to the Merlin's phenom enal high-altitude perform ance. In 1941, Sir Stanley became the chief engineer at Barnoldswick, charged with the development of the Whit tle W2B, Nene, and Derwent turbojets. He later joined the Bristol Aeroplane company, becoming a director in 1959 and, after the Bristol/Rolls- Royce merger, technical direc tor of Rolls-Royce's aero engine division. During this time the Proteus, Orpheus, Olympus, and Pegasus en gines emerged under his leadership. Sir Stanley was knighted in 1974 and his book Not much of an Engineer (Airlife) has just been published. He will be remem bered as a man of great character, who was deeply involved in the propulsion of two unique aircraft, Concorde and Harrier. Helicopter survival Problems relating to military helicopter survival will be examined at this year's International Heli- meet Symposium held in association with the Inter national Air show at Middle Wallop and spon sored by Sikorsky. The symposium will be at the Bulford Study Centre near Amesbury on July 5. Admission is free, but by invitation only. If you have not yet been invited by the Director Army Air Corps, and you consider that your company or organisation is involved in any aspect of helicopter manufacture or operations and could con tribute to a discussion on helicopter survival, please contact Lt Col George McMeekin, IAS 84, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hants. Tel: Andover 62121. FLIGHT International, 2 June 1984 *
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