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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 3297.PDF
TECHNICAL: GENERAL AVIATION Schweizer delays 330 helicopter certification Schvteizer slips the 330 in favour of the original 300C Schweizer has delayed certifi cation of the 330 turbine helicopter until late next year, citing a mounting workload on other projects. The US company, which was expecting to begin deliveries in the first quarter of next year, says that its first turbine-powered helicopter will be ready later than planned because of efforts to boost output of the piston- engined 300C helicopter and 237A observation aircraft. Increased subcontracting work load is also blamed. The prototype 330 has flown for fewer than lOOh since late January, after having flown some 200h in the previous seven months. Schweizer co-president Les Schweizer says that 330 tests have proceeded without difficulty and production preparations are continuing. The new helicopter uses the dynamics of the 300C but a new, wider fuselage and powerplant. Customers seem unconcerned by the delay. "We will probably wait," says Dean Shealy, presi- Lacadre joins in Avtek 400A FAA certification effort Avtek has reached agreement with Californian engineering company Lacadre to complete US certification of the Avtek 400A tandem-wing, all- composite, business turboprop. Lacadre will design and install systems in prototype airframes to be built by Avtek, as well as managing the certifi cation effort. Four prototypes are being built by Avtek, two of which will fly. They are to have more than 160 changes from the "proof-of- concept" aircraft which has flown 150h over five years. The changes include a 76cm fuselage stretch, increasing cabin volume by 28 per cent, and an increased maximum take-off weight of 3,000kg. Lacadre, which employs six ex-Avtek staff including chief engineer Neils Anderson, was chosen to avoid taking on staff at Avtek as the aircraft moves from development to production. Construction of a factory begins next month at the W K Kellogg Regional Airport, Battle Creek, Michigan. The state's venture capital fund will provide $12-5 million if Avtek can raise the same amount through a private placement due shortly. Avtek manager Fred Hazlett says that earlier delays in funding the 400A have allowed the company to benefit from the recent devel opment of better composite materials. The $2 million business aircraft is expected to have a range of more than 3,700km. A pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-3 pusher turboprops is to provide power. • dent of Crescent Airways, which ordered the first five 330 helicop ters for delivery during 1990. Shealy plans to use the helicopter for tuna fish spotting. The 330 is offered at half the price of a Bell JetRanger and is claimed to cost one-third less to operate. There has been speculation, however, that delays in the US Army issuing a request for proposals on the SCAT (Single Contractor Aviator Training) programme, which would lead to a major order of helicopters, have contributed to the hold-up. Schweizer has always maintained that the 330 would be produced whether or not its planned tender for the US Army contract was successful. D 100-seat heli copter on hold Alarge-capacity passenger heli copter will not be required until well into the next century, according to Sikorsky Aircraft. The US helicopter manu facturer has just completed a market study for a 75/100-seater, but says that it will be econo mically sustainable only "several years beyond" its original end of the century target date. Sikorsky nevertheless reports rapidly growing demand for heli copter shuttle services. The manufacturer surveyed 50 authorities in aviation, urban transport, government, airlines, and financial agencies, and found a consensus among regulators and airlines that helicopters offer an attractive solution to growing airport congestion problems. It claims that helicopters could sig nificantly improve airport capac ity with shuttle operations. • I THE WORLD'S AIR FORCES HAVE MANY COMMON TARGETS BUT ONLY ONE... _ AlRTARGET* ! Air Target Sweden AB Box 10188 S-100 55 Stockholm SWEDEN Phone: (46) 8-6679900 Telex: 15025 airtgt s Telefax: (46) 8 662 96 74 I FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 28 October 1989 17
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