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Aviation History
1985
1985 - 0015.PDF
BUSINESS AVIATION W30 envelope expanded YEOVIL Westland Helicopters has announced CAA clearance for W30 100-60 operations at increased weight and in more severe hot/high conditions. The type is now approved to operate in temperatures up to 50°C, at 12,8001b maximum take-off weight up to 15,000ft. Westland says that this allows operators to carry the equivalent of two extra passengers under moderate conditions, and to use the full potential of the two Rolls-Royce Gem 60 engines which power the aircraft. The new clearance follows hot-weather testing in the Mojave Desert, California, and extensive ground running at Westland's Yeovil base. W30s have completed more than 10,000hr of operation with four operators. Saudi cash to produce Lear Fan LONDON Lear Fan private backers, led by members of the Saudi Royal Family, have agreed to inject an undisclosed amount of money into the project to see the aircraft into production. Last October, Lear Fan chairman Bob Burch estimated that between $50 million and $80 million would be required to do this. Dr Rhodes Boyson, the Northern Ireland Minister of State for Industry, said in the House of Commons that agreement in principle had been reached, and that the outstanding $9 million grant to be paid by the British Government would now go ahead. This money has been withheld while production financing arrangements were made. The Government will also continue to guarantee a $15 million bank loan. Dr Boyson says that the new deal decreases the Government's financial exposure and confirms Northern Ireland as the manufacturing base. Lear Fan has gained type inspection authorisation from the US Federal Aviation Administration. FLIGHT International, 5 January 1985 Ayres readies Laser 300 production SANTA ANA The Old Man's Aircraft Company (Omac) has flown the prototype Laser 300 from Reno, Nevada, to the Ayres plant in Albany, Georgia, where the next two prototypes will be built and volume production will start in about 18 month's time. Ayres will build the Laser 300 in the same plant in which it manufacturers its agricultural aircraft, the AT-301/302 Air Tractor and the AT400 Turbo Air Tractor. Omac tells Flight that it has 50 non-refundable deposits for the aircraft, and that the prototype has accumulated more than 200hr of test flying. Certification is expected in the middle of 1986. Modifications to the aircraft include the deletion of the wing leading edge root extensions. They were "doing nothing for us aerodynamically" says Omac, and were simply carrying fuel. This fuel is now carried in strakes on the wing, and the total capacity has gone up from 288 US gal to 300 US gal. Both main- and foreplanes are now fully tapered and of increased aspect ratio. Cabin height has been increased by 4in to 56in. Power is supplied by a Garrett TPE331-9 pusher engine flat-rated to 700 s.h.p., which is said to consume 35 US gal/hr while driving the aircraft at 275 m.p.h. at 25,000ft at the maximum take-off weight of 6,2001b. Operation from runways down to 2,000ft in length will be possible. Useful load is 3,1001b for cargo and 2,8951b with ten seats. SHORT FINALS New UK company Plymouth Executive Aviation has delivered its first aircraft, a Beech King Air 200, to the Fairoaks-based air taxi company, Gama Aviation. Plymouth Executive Aviation was formed in July last year, and specialises in Beech types. Managing director is Barry Pover, formerly of Eagle- Beechcraft, based at Ascot and Leavesden Airport. Falcon Jet Corporation has promoted Christopher Thompson to manager of Falcon 900 marketing. He will be responsible for co-ordinating the company's 90-city North American tour with the Falcon 900 mockup. Piper's Harvey Nay has been appointed to the newly- created position of director of product engineering. 13
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