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Aviation History
1992
1992 - 0403.PDF
Gong series of microlights and the five-seat Chang-Gong 91 monoplane. In the longer term, all the manufacturers' goals are more ambitious, including outline plans, as described by DHI, to design, develop and manufacture an indigenous 70-passenger regional jet by 2000. "The whole thing will be built and produced within South Korea by the end of the decade," says Park. Although the plan remains somewhat vague, it is believed the concept could be ironed out by the Korean Aeronautical Research Institute and fol lowed through into production by a tri- company Korean consortium. DHI, which has invested some $150 million in its aerospace manufacturing ca pabilities since 1984, says that its regional transport hopes also to include "...collabo ration with a world-class manufacturer on a 30 to 50-passenger turboprop commuter". Therein lies the difficulty for DHI, however. "That's our big problem: we have no mar keting arrangements yet, although we are considering arrangements with European aerospace businesses," says Park. Even when international partners can be attracted, the product has to be right, and Korea's aerospace history is already marked with the experience of one aircraft that has failed to achieve significant sales in the region. Sammi Agusta Aerospace, a joint venture between Agusta and South Korean engineering industrial group Sammi, has had a licence to produce the SF.600TP Canguro (Kangaroo) since 1989 but, so far, has failed to attract orders in its appointed area, the Asian-Pacific rim. NEW HELICOPTER Park has also described plans to develop a medium-sized commercial helicopter for 12 passengers, saying: "It will be twin-engined, and we are looking for co-production with a manufacturer to share technology." DHI is thought to be close to signing a deal with an unnamed European manufacturer, but Park adds: "Bell and McDonnell Douglas Helicopter were not willing to provide technology." Traffic chaos plagues the RoK's' road system increasingly since the recent relaxa tion of car ownership regulations. Park believes this will be the key to getting the helicopter developed: "There will be a big demand by the mid-1990s." The aircraft will be of conventional design but with "carbon- carbon" blades. An initial production run of five a year is envisaged. An unusual rotary-wing product due from the DHI -factory is an agricultural unmanned air vehicle (UAV) in final design. The UAV will have a fertiliser or insecticide payload of 50kg and an endurance of 40-60min at a normal operating speed of around 5m/s. The rotary-engine-powered UAV will operate with counter-rotating blades and hover at heights between lm and 2m. Park estimates that a domestic market of 7,000 UAVs exists at "a ball-park price" of $100,000 per unit. He believes the RoK ministry of agriculture and fisheries will buy UAVs and lease them out to farmers who are suffering from acute labour short ages because of a migration of workers from the fields to urban Seoul. Set against all the hopes for the future is today's reality. "All three are losing money," says Park. "We can break even after two years, but we will have to wait for a while before we can stand on our own two feet." Samsung's Kim believes that outside influences will be critical. He says: "As we are in the beginning stages of the industry, it is up to them [other US and European aerospace companies] to choose us. McDon nell Douglas came to us and pretty soon others will. "We have potential financially, and we have a market. We will also reach a certain level of technology while we implement the KFP. Otherwise, how can we ask the customer to pay such a premium?" • Don't settle for an off-the-shetf leasing program, or worse, one developed for some one else. AGES Engine Sales & Leasing, a member of The AGES Group, L.P. Is a proven leader In all aspects of the engine marketplace Including management, financing, purchasing, leasing and exchange. We'll supply JT3, JTS, JT9, CF6, CFM56 and other engines when you need them. Our experts will develop a buy-or-tease program tailored to meet your specific requirements. You'll find no cookie cutters at AGES. Only customized engine support programs. THE AGES GROUP AGES Engine Sales & Leasing FLORIDA 645 Park of Commerce Way Boca Raton, Florida 33487 Telephone: 407-998-9330 FAX: 407-998-9334 Telex: 314821 SITA: FLLGDXD NEW YORK 770 Railroad Avenue West Babylon. New York 11704 Telephone: 516-587-3233 FAX: 516-587-0087 Telex: 968113 SITA: NYCGDXD CONNECTICUT: Tel: 203-686-1992 FAX: 203-686-1487 • CALIFORNIA: Tel: 310-568-1088 FAX: 310-568-8508 TEXAS: Tel: 903-454-1836 FAX: 903-454-1730 • AUSTRALIA: Tel: 61-3-8268322 FAX: 61-3-8264519 FRANCE: Tel: 33-37-987100 FAX 33-37-987078 • StNSAPORE: Tel: 65-225-3033 FAX: 65-223-1700 VANCOUVER: Tel: 604-276-2437 FAX: 604-276-2673 • WINNIPEG: Tel: 204-772-7840 FAX; 204-788-0380 UNITED KINGDOM: Tel: 44-252-733883 FAX: 44-252-733891 HT INTERNATIONAL 19 - 25 February, 1992
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