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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 0012.PDF
Leopard jet flies Chichester-Miles Consultants hopes for greater commercial interest in its Leopard light weight executive jet now that flight-testing is^under way. The prototype flew twice last month, initially at RAE Bedford, in the hands of Cranfield test pilot Angus McVitie. CMC's Ian Chichester-Miles expresses general satisfaction with the Leopard's handling and performance in the air. CMC has limited the aircraft to 130kt and a maximum altitude of 3,500ft. Testing of the 2,5501b prototype will establish handling for the production aircraft, which will be about 50 per cent heavier. The company will now turn to development of the definitive aircraft as testing continues. The production Leopard is intended to be fully pressurised, powered by larger Noel Penny NPT.754 engines, and to weigh in at just under 4,0001b. The Leopard prototype was tested from speeds as low as 75kt with maximum 41° flap. Minimum zero-flap speed was less than 90kt. Undercarriage cycling was proved on the Angus McVitie flew the Chichester-Miles Leopard prototype on its 27min first flight at RAE Bedford second flight. Chichester-Miles says that handling proved, as expected, to be "quite quick in response". He describes the aircraft as perfectly stable longitudinally and directionally, while spiral stability is said to be "acceptable". Since the Leop ard has "innovative" lateral control, using tailerons, Chichester-Miles is pleased to report conventional responses, which he says are not always the case with such systems. He will now seek financial funding to support development of the definitive aircraft and to establish production arrange ments for the business jet. The four-seat Leopard was launched in 1981, and detail design was performed by Wiltshire-based Designability. Thais unveil helicopter Thailand has unveiled its first indigenous helicopter, a small two-seater using US technology and intended to provide cheap transport for agricultural, forestry, and other surveillance uses. Called the E-Tan (Wasp), it has a maximum range of 270 miles and a cruising speed of about 108kt. The prototype was designed and built by Danai Hastanand, a Thai who now lives in Alaska, and his son, a former aero nautical instrument specialist with the USAF. The helicopter is being tested at Chulalong- korn University in Bangkok, and a first flight is due shortly. The E-Tan has an air-cooled, four-stroke, 160 h.p. engine. Danai estimates that it will climb at l,300ft/min and have a maximum operating altitude of 13,000ft. He estimates its pro duction cost at 1 million Baht ($40,000), using imported parts, or cheaper using locally made components P66D aims at aero clubs Aviolight, the Naples-based consortium which took over Partenavia's range of light aircraft, has re-engined the P.66 Delta single. Introduction of the Lycoming O-320-D2A offers better fuel consumption and increased time between overhauls, as well as improved hot-and-high performance. The wingtips have been modified and the airframe is said to meet US FAR 23 airworthiness standards. A full IFR instrument panel is planned for the P.66D, which is based on the P.66B Oscar 150. P.66 Delta performance includes a maximum speed of 132kt, 75 per-cent-power cruise speed of 124kt at 5,000ft, and a 47kt stall with flaps. Endurance at 75 per cent power is said to be more than five hours, Field performance is said to be a 1,440ft take-off run to 50ft and a slightly shorter landing run from the same height. The P.66 Delta has been re-engined with a Lycoming O-320-D2A powerplant by Aviolight, which has taken over production of the aircraft from Partenavia . — Australia leases Falcon 900s The Australian Government is to lease five Dassault-Breguet Falcon 900 business jets. They will be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force for trans porting Service chiefs and senior officials across the Australian continent. The FFr130 million ($22 million)-a-year lease over ten years was signed on December 22 by Hawker Pacific, the Australian agent for Dassault- Breguet's US subsidiary Falcon Jet, which is in charge of sales and support services in the Americas, Australasia, and the Far East. The Canberra Government decided to lease the Falcon 900s in preference to a direct purchase that, at one time during negotiations, included a pledge by Dassault to assist in selling the RAAF's mothballed Mirage III fighters on the secondhand market. Pakistan is interested in buying 60 of Australia's Mirage Ills, but the deal is still far off, and the Australian Government has decided to go ahead with the lease of the five Falcon 900s. Dassault clinched the deal in the face of tough competition from the Boeing 737-300, British Aerospace 146, and Canada's Challenger. Piper restarts Arrow deliveries The University of North Dakota has taken delivery of the first Piper Arrows to be sold since the single-engined trainer was reintroduced in October. Four have already been passed to the University out of an initial batch of 18, and further deliveries are planned, says Piper. The university also plans to buy Piper Cadets and twin-engined Seminoles for use in its Spectrum airline pilot training effort. Strong market demand prompted reintroduction of the Arrow and Turbo Arrow, claims Piper. 10 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 7 January 1989
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