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Aviation History
1986
1986 - 0365.PDF
ANAHEIM HAI REPORT Robinson rides the crest of the wave The depressed state of new helicopter sales has augured well for manufacturers of "low-cost" light machines. Frank Robinson is delighted with sales performance of the R-22, having just secured a sale of six Beta models to Shimano of Japan. Shimano's first two aircraft sailed for Osaka last month and the rest will be delivered at a rate of two per month. Robinson announces that due to an upswing in sales there will be no price hike for 1986 aircraft. Prices have actually been reduced for a wide range of on-board avionics and Seattle-based Classic Helicopter has won FAA approval for a sling hook, which will be sold for $2,700. The kit is aimed at training pilots to carry exter nally slung loads, and the hook is limited to 4001b with a maximum speed of 75kt. The manufacturer says that he has not been badly hit by the recession, the trough having bottomed out in 1982. Since then sales have in creased steadily, with export and domestic sales evenly split. Production is running at ten per month and is about to increase to 12 per month, with a one-month backlog. The new Beta model features a power increase from 124 h.p. to 132 h.p., larger instrument panel with space for an artificial horizon and directional gyro, and a redesigned heater system to reduce fogging. Three float-equipped Mari ners have been sold, after a two-year FAA certification programme. Robinson hopes to have CAA certification soon and says that UK sales are the best in Europe. Australia, New Zealand, and Japan have also been prime territories. He cites the ruggedness of the Lycoming O-320 as one reason for the type's popu larity, important for an aircraft which is being increasingly used by tuna fishing boats for fish recon naissance. Robinson's R22 Mariner is gaining popularity with the tuna fishing industry MBB claims EMS lead MBB delivered 14 BK.117s for the US Emergency Medi cal Service (EMS) market last year. This tripled the number of EMS BK.117s and the company claims that the type is the most desirable EMS aircraft available. The BK.117, developed jointly with Japan's Kawasaki, features double rear doors and a spacious cabin, which makes it attractive to medical crews working under pressure. West Germany has long been accus tomed to using helicopters in the emergency medical role, and the company claims that 25,000 missions have been flown by its aircraft in West Germany alone. MBB president "Wes" Moore announces that David Smith, formerly with Offshore Logistics and Sikorsky, has been appointed executive vice-president and general manager from March 1. Flight understands that Smith will become company president, following Moore's retirement later this year. Moore will continue as a company direc tor. MBB sees the growing need for EMS machines as its main US market. Moore says that MBB has now won 58 per cent of the US twin-engined EMS business. Awareness of the full potential of helicopters is growing, he says, and he points out that the number of EMS programmes has increased from 132 to 200 in the last decade. The BO105 has been long established in the offshore role (the company's best customer being Alaska/Gulf offshore operator ERA, which operates 24). Moore points out that 23 new EMS programmes were started in the USA during 1985. To meet this growing demand, MBB is confident that the BK.117 will appeal to medical teams that require increased cabin space for their medical equipment and personnel. US Jet Aviation has now purchased three additional BK.117s, which brings its BK.117 fleet to seven, making it the world's largest operator of the type. The company was the first US BK.117 operator and now runs EMS programmes in Washington D.C., Charlottesville, and Jacksonville, and is about to start two new programmes in Cleveland and Erie, Pennsyl vania. The new aircraft will be equipped with the Swiss light weight Bucher EMS system, featuring an aluminium floor with mountings for litters and seats, two ferno stretchers, seating for two intensive-care nurses, and a specialised instrument wall with ceiling cabinets. To underline its commit ment to the helicopter's humanitarian role, MBB has awarded its annual Golden Hour Award to Bill Helmig of Rocky Mountain Helicopters in Provo, Utah, for rescuing two people from drowning. Agusta grabs larger slice of smaller cake Despite the political shock waves in Britain of the West- land affair, there was a deter mined show of solidarity between Westland and part ner Agusta with both compa nies sharing a common stand at the convention. Agusta president Enrico Striano was keen that news of the A.109's sales success should take precedence over the inevitable public interest in the British Government's embarrass ment. The A. 109 has been selling well in the US civil market, with 24 orders last year. Market share has increased by more than 10 percentage points to 22-7 per cent, says Agusta. While Striano is en couraged by this, he points out that it is a larger share of a smaller cake. The A. 109 is the only Agusta product sold in the USA. There are 75 in the country, and warranty terms have been extended to 2,000hr. Striano sees no prospects for an immediate market upturn, but he says that obso lescence will eventually force operators to re-equip. He is still looking to sell up to 150 aircraft per year, and hopes eventually to build up to 250 per year, "but it will not be for a couple of years", he says. Meanwhile, Striano, like his competitors, stresses customer support, including a computer-aided maintenance programme which enables the customer to maintain the A. 109 for $250/hr for parts and a further $100/hr for labour. The company is making a determined bid to market the SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TP turboprop aerobatic trainer and the Caproni C.22J light twin-jet trainer. Veteran industry executive and record-breaking pilot R. F. "Fritz" Harvey has moved from Allison to become vice-president marketing with Agusta, with responsibility for North and Central America. Discussions are being held with Allison to equip the A.109 "widebody" with a new engine. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 15 February 1986 21
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