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Aviation History
1992
1992 - 0518.PDF
ASIAN AEROSPACE K-8 makes international debut The K-8 primary jet trainer, developed jointly by China National Aero-Technology Im port and Export agency (CATIC) and Pakistan Aeronau tical Complex (PAC) could enter service with the Chinese air force in 1993, according to CATIC. The K-8 made its debut out side China at the show, although an engine-control problem is be lieved to have been the cause of the aircraft not flying in the flight practice the day before the show opened. The aircraft — powered by a Garrett TFE731-2A turbofan — is equipped with a Rockwell- Collins electronic flight in strumentation system, with two displays in the front and two in the rear cockpit. Martin-Baker is providing the Mk.lOL ejection seats for the aircraft. CATIC envisages that the K-8 would be used to provide final training for Chinese air force pilots for the Shenyang F-5 at tack aircraft, and intermediate training for pilots converting to the F-7 and F-8 fighters. The K-8 trainer also has a secondary combat role, and is fitted with four underwing hardpoints that can carry a mix of bombs, unguided rockets and air-to-air missiles. While the joint development is understood to have gone rela- Tfie K-8 could enter service with the Chinese air force in 1993 tively smoothly, considerable discussion is said to have cen tred on the method of access to the engine. One industry official on the programme says that, while the Chinese wanted the engine to be installed via a tail clamshell sec tion, PAC wanted access through the bottom rear section of the aircaft. In the event, the PAC view prevailed. Three K-8 prototypes are in volved in the flight-test pro gramme, with a fourth providing a ground test-rig. • Shenyang Aircraft is consider ing developing a variant of the F-8II twinjet fighter for the ex port market. The aircraft would be equipped with an upgraded variant of the Chinese WP13A turbojet, the WP13B, providing a 6% increase in static thrust. The company is also consider ing fitting the aircraft with a pulse-Doppler radar and mili tary-standard 1553 databus, plus one head-up and two head-down displays. Leading-edge flaps, an air-to- air refuelling capability and in creased external load are options also being examined. Launch of the export variant of the aircraft is dependent on receiving a firm order, with the aircraft being made available around four years after develop ment is started. • MDC to unveil integral training plan McDonnell Douglas (MDC) is expected to unveil a plan, by the end of March, to establish new, straight-through training for pilots, mechanics and civil-aviation support serv ices. The company has already begun building at a US location. For the first time, says MDC, pilot and engineering graduates will be able to qualify with UK Civil Aviation Authority and US Federal Aviation Administra tion approvals. A consortium of colleges and universities has been involved, developing the programme for McDonnell Douglas Commer cial Training by integrating all of MDC's technical resources into the concept. The programme, beginning at pre-screening level, will be able to produce a line-checked co pilot, qualified with cockpit re source management and other airline-specific training. Increased use of simulation in primary flight training will apply "networked" modular simulators, with visuals and widi cockpits reconfigurable for several types, a system which is now under development for MDC by Georgia University. Training courses offered by MDC will be "modular", to meet client-carrier require ments, and basic training will cost about $55,000, with air transport pilot's licence and type conversion typically an other $25,000. Over 100 pilot trainees are enrolled already and will begin training in August 1992, with mechanic training starting in January 1993. Initial capacity will be for about 300 pilot trainees annu ally, 100 mechanics and 150 in support services such as air traffic control and airport management. D Japan orders Canadair's Global Express Canadair's Japanese agent C Itoh has placed a provi sional order for five of the com pany's project Global Express long-range corporate jets. The orders — accompanied by $250,000 refundable deposits — take the total number of com mitments for the $25 million aircraft into "double digits", according to Challenger division president Bryan Moss. The company says that it has almost completed the provi sional design phase and that it intends to firm up the specifica tion in the next 12 months, leading to a formal launch inside 18 months. Moss says Canadair has re ceived proposals on engines for the Global Express from several manufacturers in the past few weeks: engines offered to the company for the project include the proposed Pratt & Whitney/ MTU RTF180 regional turbofan. • Canadair says that flight test ing of its Regional Jet is proceeding satisfactorily: the three aircraft now in the pro gramme have accumulated some 600h of flying time and the third aircraft has passed a cold-start test at Frobisher Bay in northern Canada. The next three Regional Jets are now in final assembly, with the first delivery due to Lufthansa Cityline (ex DLT) in September. • The flotation documents re leased by Canadair rival Gulfstream, the US business-jet manufacturer which is seeking a stock-exchange listing, reveal that the company took orders for 31 Gulfstream IVs and deliv ered 29 in 1991. It also delivered seven "new again" refurbished Gils and GUIs. Over 50% of the GIV deliveries were to first-time Gulfstream operators, the com pany says. • Gulfstream says that the three-month market survey being conducted by research company SRI into the market prospects for its proposed GV, GXT and SSBJ supersonic busi ness jet will be completed later this month. • 12 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 4 - 10 March, 1992
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