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Aviation History
1985
1985 - 0018.PDF
PRIVATE FLIGHT Microlights international PARIS The first Federation Aertonavtique International (F AI) W orldMicrolight Cham pionships (August 16-24) are to be held at Millau, in the South of France, writes Ann Welch. New types of world records are proposed for micro- lights, and a new definition has been recommended for the maximum weight limit of two- seat machines intended for training. Tasks will be primarily on navigation. One task will be to fly around as many turn points as the competitor can manage on 251it of fuel. If he is over- ambitious and fails to return to base because his tank is empty he scores zero. Another task will have a series of turn points along a set line from base. The winner will be the pilot who turns the most distant and returns home. There will be precision tasks for landings with or without power, but these will have a lower points value than the navigation tasks. The Championships will be flown in two classes: Open— with no restrictions other than the FAI definition of a micro- light; and Weightshift (trikes) —with no aerodynamic controls allowed. Single- or two-seaters may be entered in either class, with a maximum often aircraft per country. The following World Cham pionships are planned for Belgium in 1987, with a world open competition in South Africa a year from now. Other events in Europe will be the third "Round Belgium" rally—now almost a classic— on May 24-27, 1985. Before ' that, in March, West Germany will hold its Aero 85 at the Bodensee. The FAI European Championships will be held in Spain next year. The FAI's CIMA Commit tee, which looks after micro- light standards, proposes the introduction of two new types of world records for micro- lights. These will be different from the "aeroplane"-type records for distance and alti tude now available in FAI Category R. They are distance without power, and distance with limited fuel. In the former, the pilot must take-off and cross a start line at less than 1,000m height with his engine stopped. In the latter a maximum of lOlit of fuel may be carried and used as required. The record attempt starts with the take off, and the distance may be flown as free distance (to a declared goal), or out-and- return, or around a triangular course (which must be completed). These flights are similar to those for motor glider records. The idea of these new records is to encourage the design of low-weight and low- drag microlights, and to broaden pilot skills in the direction of using the energy in the air. Without such incen tives, design direction is likely to continue to follow the tradi tional aviation practice of increasing engine power. If accepted by FAI, the new record categories would be introduced on January 1,1986. The FAI definition of a microlight (150kg maximum empty weight with a wing area not less than W/10, and in no case less than 10m ) has been found difficult to meet in two- seat aerodynamic control microlights used for training. The problem has been to build the aircraft tough enough to withstand the workhorse rigours of a busy school. Training is not an FAI responsibility. It exists primarily for records, competi tions, and international pilot Socata hopes to see a strong US market for the TB21 proficiency standards; but an international meeting pro vides a useful forum to discuss training problems. Because of the 150kg weight limit several countries are making uni lateral decisions for an increase for two-seaters. This has the usual result that the decisions tend to be different. Since this is not satisfactory for either manufacturers or users, CIMA has recommen ded that the weight of two- seaters intended for training purposes be incresed by 25kg, so that their ruggedness can be improved. The wing area would not need to be increased, but it must not be less than 15m2. The extra weight allowance is solely to improve the tough ness of the aircraft and under carriage for its training role. It is hoped that such a recom mendation may help those countries which have not yet decided what increase they should allow to work to a common top empty weight of 175kg. The words "intended for training" have been used to allow other uses. Socata to attack US market TARBES ~ Socata, Aerospatiale's light aircraft division, is considering an attack on the US market, and may build a twin-engined aircraft. No further details are being released yet, but the manufacturer has deliv ered 20 TB20s in the USA, and the TB21 will be strongly promoted in that country. Socata's general policy is to push the overseas market. Some 40hr of flight-testing on the TB21 have been completed since the aircraft first flew at Tarbes on August 24. The aircraft is a turbocharged version of the TB20. Power is supplied by a 250 h.p. Avco Lycoming TO-540. French certification is due in March, with first deliveries expected in the spring. Japan holds balloon rally The first Japanese hot-air ballooning championships were held on the bed of the Kasegawa River in Saga Prefecture, Kyushu, just before Christmas. The four-day event attracted 23,000 spec tators and 32 Japanese balloonists. Some 11 foreign balloonists from nine countries attended the International Balloon Fiesta which ran concurrently. 16 FLIGHT International, 5 January 1985,
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