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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 1316.PDF
GENERAL AVIATION Sloane leads R-22 distributors LONDON Sloane Helicopters, the Brit ish distributor of Robinson helicopters, reports that it is selling more new R-22 Betas than any other distributor. It has delivered nine new machines this year, and has a further nine on order. Sloane has the 700th R-22 Beta on order, and the latest sales will take the UK fleet to 60. Since 1981 worldwide deli veries of the R-22 have exceeded those of all other piston-powered types. The manufacturer has increased production rate to five a week (of which one is a remanu- factured machine) to meet demand. Last year Robinson shipped 90 helicopters, excluding 27 remanufactured examples, claiming 73 per cent of the US industry's output. In 1985 it accounted for 58 per cent of a slightly higher total. Its best year in terms of market share was 1984, when 93 Robinson R-22s represented 83 per cent of US shipments of piston- powered helicopters, accord ing to the manufacturer. The British Robinson R-22 fleet grew by 15 last year to 38. This made it the fifth most popular rotary-wing type in the UK fleet of almost 600 machines. Among lighter heli copters, the Enstrom F-28/ 280 fleet stood at 49 and the Bell 47 at 53. Sloane Helicopters manag ing director David George attributes the present boost in UK R-22 sales to aggressive marketing despite the other wise depressed market. CAA warns on airborne telephones LONDON The airborne use of portable radio telephones in con nection with cellular radio systems may cause inter ference with aircraft systems, warns the UK Civil Aviation Authority. "Air operators, pilots, flight crew, and all concerned with the operation of aircraft should be aware that use of such portable radio telephones is not permitted in aircraft." Such use contravenes both aircraft and telephone users' licence conditions, is not in accordance with national and international use of radio frequencies, and contravenes the Air Navigation Order, says the CAA. Alternative aircraft telephone systems are being discussed within the aircraft industry, and details are available from the CAA Airworthiness Division at Redhill. The CAA points out that portable radio telephones contain transmitters, some times relatively powerful, which can disrupt or degrade the cellular system of ground- base stations. Attempted use from aircraft could even cause the disconnection of other users. Maj Bob Card and Tony Clegg collect the Rhine Army Parachute Asso ciation's latest Turbine Islander at Bembridge, Isle of Wight Islander wins long-term loyalty BEMBRIDGE Pilatus Britten-Norman delivered a new BN.2T Turbine Islander to the Rhine Army Parachute Association on July 15. It is fitted with a sliding rear door and grab handle, designed to assist easy exit for parachutists. The aircraft was handed over to chief pilot Maj Robert Card and engineering manager Anthony Clegg, who ferried it from the manufacturer's Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, to the association's base at Lippspringe, near Dortmund in West Germany. Sloane Helicopters claims to sell more Robinson R-22s than any other distributor of the type The Association operates two Turbine Islanders, the latest delivery being a trade-in deal on a previous machine. Other recent deliveries include a piston-engined BN.2B Islander to Fresia- Luftverkehr (which plies between the North German base of Norddeich and the Fresian Islands), and a similar aircraft to Skargardsflyg, based on the island of Marienhann, for the Finnish operator's Aland Islands service. Malta receives first club aircraft VALLETTA Valletta Flying Club on Malta has received its first aircraft, a Cessna 172 leased from the UK. The club was established in October 1986. Club chairman Mark de Marco and operations manager Ray Micallef flew the 172 from Biggin Hill to Malta via France and Italy. A qualified flying instructor has been appointed at the club, where members previously had to use aircraft provided by colleagues. Members are said to include commercial pilots and civil aviation department officials. After training in Malta, prospective private pilots take their final test in the UK. 14 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 1 August 1987
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