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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 2060.PDF
TECHNICAL: AIR TRANSPORT 747 auto-balance system certificated The US Federal Aviation Administration has certifi cated an electronic weight and balance measuring system (WBS) on the Boeing 747-400. The Honeywell Air Transport Systems division WBSs were installed ready for operation in the 747-400s recently delivered to KLM and Lufthansa. Certifica tion does not yet clear it as a primary system, but as a means of checking the standard weight and balance calculations. The system gives real-time readouts of aircraft weight and centre of gravity. KLM selected an optional cargo bay remote display for monitoring by loaders. Because actual (not estimated) aircraft weight is measured auto matically, departure delays caused by late passenger or cargo arrival can be minimised because cockpit paperwork and calcula tions are eliminated. The system automatically alerts the crew if loading limits are exceeded. Certification has cleared the WBS to an accuracy of ±1 per A digital weight and balance system is cleared for 747-400s cent, and the dual system is designed ultimately to be certifi cated as a primary means of dispatch to FAR Part 121 stan dards. Lufthansa hopes for Euro pean certification of its dual WBS as a primary dispatch system. In the meantime it is useful as a means of checking the accuracy of conventional loadsheets, and particularly for giving an accurate final readout on the CG position. The Honeywell WBS consists of landing-gear-mounted load sensors, a calibration module containing all gear parameter information, a digital computer unit, a pitch attitude sensor, a cockpit display, and an optional remote dedicated display unit. A dual system such as Luft hansa's includes two variable- reluctance sensors per wheel, or a total of 36 sensors. Air France, China Airlines, and French independent airline UTA have ordered the WBS for their 747-400s, and Alitalia and China Airlines for their McDonnell Douglas MD-lis. • Lotarev derivative for Tu-334 The Tupolev design bureau has chosen a derivative of the Lotarev D-36 turbofan engine as the powerplant for its new 100-seat airliner, the Tupolev Tu-334, due to enter service with Aeroflot in 1995. The derivative engine, desig nated D-436T, delivers 7-5 tonnes of thrust at take-off, 1 tonne more than the earlier engine, and improves on the D-36's cruise fuel-burn by almost 5 per cent, consuming 0-62kg/kg/h. Detailed data on the D-436T has not been released, but data available on the similar D-436K indicates that the engine has a turbine inlet temperature 100°K higher than of the D-36 at 1,550°K. The D-436K has a bypass ratio of 5-49, pressure ratio of 20-97, cruise thrust of 1-9 tonnes, dry mass of 1,250kg, and an inlet diameter of 1 • 37m. Use of the D-436T is an interim measure as Tupolev says that it will subsequently offer a propfan version- of the airliner. The D-36 powers Yak-42, Antonov An-72, and Antonov An-74 airliners. • NEWS IN BRIEF ALITALIA PICKS TCAS Alitalia has become the first European carrier to confirm its choice of traffic alert and colli sion avoidance system (TCAS) and secondary radar Mode S equipment, by placing orders with Honeywell's Air Transport Systems division. DURABLE PAINT PPG Industries claims to have developed a topcoat paint which will well outlast others available for aircraft liveries. Its Durethane paint can last up to ten years with only minimal loss of gloss and colour, whereas many aircraft are repainted every four years, PPG says. Durethane is also said to be resistant to normal aircraft operating fluids. TOUGH ACTUATORS Dowty Boulton Paul has patented a "ballistic-tolerant" actuator for use in battlefield aircraft. The device incorpo rates a plastic piston head which can be destroyed by gunfire leaving a second piston to continue operating. The company says that actuated blades on helicopters or other actuated surfaces normally jam in position if the actuator is struck. APU JOINT VENTURE Sundstrand and Labinal have agreed in principle to form a joint-venture company to develop, market, and service auxiliary power units for com mercial aircraft. Rockford, Illinois-based Sundstrand, and Paris-based Labinal will use each other's expertise. MD-80 windshear system cleared Honeywell's new windshear detection, alert, and guid ance system has been certificated by the US Federal Aviation Administration in the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series of air liners. MDC expects it to become standard equipment in that series from autumn next year. , "Previous systems," says MDC, referring to earlier US (rather than Airbus) windshear protec tion systems, "had the tech nology to warn pilots of a wind- shear situation. The new technology goes one step further, giving the pilot the option to choose an autopilot-controlled escape manoeuvre." The Honeywell windshear protection system is a stand alone unit, rather than one which relies on ground proximity warn ing system input. Its data sources are accelerometers and pilot/ static and angle-of-attack sensors, and it will give auto go-around if selected. Auto go-around is a desirable capacity because windshear arrives in three phases, which confuses pilots. The phenom enon consists of an air mass downburst which spreads near the ground, giving rapid changes in airspeed and vertical velocity on the approach. McDonnell Douglas' general manager product definition for the MD-80, James Phillips, says that the manufacturer will offer installation options: Visual and aural cockpit warnings and annunciations are available, and the autopilot coupling can be disabled to operate with only the alert and flight director guidance functions. fj FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 1 July 1989
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