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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 2062.PDF
TECHNICAL: GENERAL Robin re-engines ATL French light aircraft manu facturer Robin has re-engined its ATL light trainer with the proven Limbach L.2000 engine. Based on the Volkswagen Beetle car engine, the Limbach's dual- ignition unit replaces the single- magneto JPX engine used in previous ATL production. The engine develops 70 b.h.p. at 3,000 r.p.m. and drives a l-55m-diameter MT propeller. Cruise speed is claimed to be 90kt with a climb rate of 590ft/min. A 70 litre fuel capac ity gives the Limbach-powered ATL a 540 n.m. range, running on premium fuel. Claimed take off roll is 195m with a 13,000ft ceiling. Robin has delivered 130 JPX-powered ATLs, the majority to French flying clubs. Company founder Pierre Robin, who sold out last year to construction and shipping conglomerate Compagnie Financiere Chauf- foux Investissements (CFCI), heads R&D, having stepped down from company manage ment. CFCI also owns French glider manufacturer Centrair and has an interest in Reims Aviation. Robin is collaborating with Renault on development of an aero engine based on the unit used in the Renault 25 car. The 180 h.p. engine will have elec tronic ignition, fuel injection, and a Porsche reduction gear. Robin has fitted a number of aircraft with the Porsche PFM.3200 engine. An improved version of the DR.400 Regent is now available. The Regent NGL (Nouvel Gener ation Large) is a DR. 253 with a new forward-sliding canopy, wider cockpit, and instrument panel providing 100mm more elbow room, 60mm greater head room, and increased baggage volume in the rear cabin. It is fitted with electric rudder trim operated by a stick-mounted toggle switch. • Aero Boero aims at USA Argentine light-aircraft builder Aero Boero has applied for US certification of a trio of train ing and utility piston-singles. Aero Boero, which has sold 260 of the aircraft in South Amer ica, is to offer the AB.180—the most powerful of the three designs sharing the same basic airframe—at less than $80,000, with IFR avionics as a $2,000 option. The firm, located at Morteros in Argentina's Cordoba region, is also seeking European sales. The two less powerful aircraft in the trio are the AB.115 and AB.150. All have Lycoming engines and are offered with agri cultural spraying equipment. They resemble the Piper Cub but are metal-skinned and accom modate three persons. Peruvian customers are to buy 200 Aero Boero aircraft over the next four years, assembling the aircraft from kits, says Aero Boero vice-president Cesar Boero. Brazil has ordered 400, and Aero Boero is increasing production from six to ten a month. • Aero Boero is boosting output to ten a month •~» ;'*95S 0 0 :u Spin clearance clears the way for more power Grob wins G.115 spin approval Grob has achieved West German LBA spinning approval for its glass-reinforced- plastic G.115 trainer. Some 88 examples of the basic 115 h.p. model have been delivered. The move clears the way for the introduction next year of the 160 h.p. Lycoming engine, followed by a 180 h.p. aerobatic Sport-Aero model with a constant-speed propeller. Con trol columns will replace the present control yoke. Grob hopes that the type will be chosen by the Italian Aero Club, which is looking for 150 basic trainers for its network of flying clubs. The G.115 is competing with the Aviolight P.66D, the Socata TB.9, the Piper Cadet, the Gyroflug Speed Canard, and the Robin B.3000. Eight G.115s are flying in Australia, and Grob hopes that Qantas' interest in an aerobatic basic trainer will lead to orders. The airframe's resistance to heat has been well proven. One aircraft is already based with the Dubai Aero Club. Overall operating cost is all important, says Grob sales manager Konrad Lewald. "The G.115 has the long-term advan tage of low maintenance costs, thanks to its construction. An annual airframe inspection takes just eight man-hours, and over a 500h cycle hourly costs are just DM100 [$50] an hour." One example of the type's simplicity is the low cost of replacing land ing gear legs in the event of damage. A main gear leg costs just DM220 [$112]. Nine G.115s are based in the UK, and British distributor Soaring Oxford has had a G.115 demonstrator on loan to interested clubs. • TBM considers next design The Franco-American con sortium developing the TBM. 700 turboprop single must consider its next model very soon, says president Pierre Gautier. "We must very quickly begin pre-design studies—perhaps this year," he tells Flight. Further international collaboration is a must, he says, acknowledging that Valmet is keeping in touch with developments. (The Finnish manufacturer joined the TBM.700 programme last year, but subsequently pulled out after agreeing that a third party complicated development.) Gautier says that the next project could be a twin, and cites Valmet and Aeritalia as the sort of companies which could become involved. "International co-operation is a must," says Gautier. "I am trying to expand in Europe as Airbus has done in airliner manufacturing." He would like to expand into North America, and emphasises Canadian possibilities. "My . goal is to welcome others as a first stage to further co-operation in general aviation." • 20 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 1 July 1989
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