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Aviation History
1988
1988 - 1018.PDF
WORLD NEWS Boeing studies 767 re-wing SEATTLE Boeing is designing a new, bigger wing for its 767 wide- body twin, to extend its range. It will be coupled with the existing -200 and -300 fuselage sizes, plus a proposed stretched "-400". The re- winged 767 could enter airline service in 1993 at the earliest, reports Graham Warwick. Using the existing wing, a stretched 767 could be avail able in 1991. The aircraft would be lengthened a minimum of 21ft, and a maximum of 26ft, to increase three-class seating capacity by 35 to 50 passengers. The exact stretch will be decided by the end of this year, says Boeing. The stretched "-400" would stay within the 407,0001b maximum gross weight of the heaviest 767, the 210-seat, 6.200 n.m.-range -300ER, and therefore within the 63,0001b thrust capability of the exist ing engines—a key require ment, says Boeing. The stretch will entail a reduction in range, however. Re-winging the 767 would also allow range to be extended while staying within the thrust capability of exist ing engines. Boeing would like to extend the range of the -300 to 7,500 n.m., for example. The new wing would have one third more area, 40ft more span, and an improved aero foil section. Definition should be complete by the end of this year. A new wing, and a further 8ft to 9ft fuselage stretch beyond the "-400", would enable the 767 to compete directly with the Airbus A330, although Boeing is doubtful that a market exists for such an aircraft. However the company sees a "fairly strong" market for the re-winged 767 in -200, -300, and proposed "-400" versions. The existing wing would continue to be available. Boeing officials revealed their plans after setting a new world distance record in the 767's weight class, flying a high-gross-weight 767-200ER 8,727 miles (14,044km) non stop from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Powered by General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans, the aircraft was one of two delivered to launch-customer Air Mauritius on April 18. The record is intended to underline the potential of the 767 for twin-jet extended- range operations. About 55 per cent of 767s, and all aircraft of the type sold in the past two years, have been extended-range versions, says Boeing. With a maximum gross weight of 387,0001b, the latest 767-200ER can carry 175 passengers for 6,800 n.m. The Air Mauritius aircraft carry 202 passengers in a three- class layout, and will be able to fly non-stop from Mauritius to London—a 13hr flight. The Air Mauritius 767 delivery flight (with 39 people on board) established a Class C-lq record for great-circle distance of 8,727 miles (7,583 n.m.) at an average speed of 853km/hr (460kt), and a city- to-city record from Halifax to Port Louis, Mauritius, of 16hr 27min 25sec. The 767 took off for the sector (which had never been flown before) at a weight of 158,400kg, with 73 tonnes of fuel aboard. It landed with 7 tonnes remaining—enough for 2hr of flying. Goshawk makes maiden flight LONG BEACH The McDonnell Douglas/ British Aerospace T-45A Goshawk made its maiden flight from Long Beach on April 16. Project pilot Fred Hamilton, who took the Goshawk to 8,000ft and 320kt, says "The T-45 handled very much like the Hawk, just as we had expected. It's an agile little aircraft, it leaped into the air, it really wanted to fly. It's a grand aircraft, a great aircraft. Hamilton added that the first flight was shortened because of an intermittent erratic fuel quantity indi cation. On the second flight, which will take place this week, the Goshawk will be delivered to Yuma, where further testing will take place, (see page 9). USA considers multi-year Apache WASHINGTON D.C. ~ The US Department of Defence and Congress are considering continued pro duction of the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter AH-64 Apache under a multi-year procurement scheme. William Brown, president of MDH, says, "We have discussed an option to procure Apaches at a minimum economic rate of 72 per year for Fiscal Years 1990-1992, which would result in a 10 per cent cost saving to the Army. This would also increase total Apache pro duction to nearly 900". Last week the US Army submitted its programme objective memorandum for FY1990-94 to the Office of the Secretary of Defence (OSD). The House Armed Services Committee (HASC), acting on the FY89 budget, increased advanced procurement funds from $36 million to $92 million to start multi-year procurement if OSD approves it. Brown says "It appears that the multi-year procurement has strong support both in Congress and with a number of key defence officials. We have demonstrated that it would result in at least 10 per cent savings, compared with annual contracts, provided a minimum economic rate of production is maintained." Present Army planning provides for a minimum of 863 Apaches and a maximum of "more than 1,000". "A decision to produce 1,000 or more Apaches at economic rates could extend production to 1996," says Brown. To date, Congress has approved 603 up to FY88. F.28 survives sudden decompression CHARLESTON A Piedmont Fokker F.28 and all on board survived without injury following an uncon- tained engine failure which caused sudden decompression at 31,000ft. According to reports, the captain and his crew carried out textbook emergency descent procedures "and are to be congratulated", Fokker says. The aircraft was en route Charlotte-Columbus when, according to initial investigations, the low- pressure turbine disc of the starboard Rolls-Royce Spey engine failed and broke through both the engine casing and the aircraft fuse lage in the vicinity of the rear galley. The aircraft carried out an emergency landing at Charleston. Drug board abandons shootdown proposal WASHINGTON DC. The US National Drug Policy Board has dropped its pro posal that law-enforcement agents be allowed to shoot at general-aviation aircraft suspected of being used to smuggle drugs. In a letter to the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a body which fiercely opposed the idea, NDPB chairman Edwin Meese acknowledges that such an action would violate US law. "The Policy Board has determined that current law and technology would preclude the use of lethal force, except in cases of self- defence," Meese says. Instead, Meese is backing the new procedures, regula tions, and rules to assist law- enforcement officers. Light aircraft used to smuggle illegal drugs into the USA have evaded agencies such as the US Coast Guard, which operates a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and heli copters. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 23 April 1988
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