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Aviation History
1993
1993 - 0181.PDF
LETTERS A multi-purpose A340 could be used in defence roles Euro industry fails in foresight SIR — I was horrified to read Mike Gaines' exclusive article concerning the possible pur chase of former Soviet Bloc aircraft by the Royal Air Force (Flight International, 23 Decem ber, 1992 - 5 January, 1993, P 4). My horror comes not from the article, nor from the prospect of buying defence ma terial from former enemies, but from the thought that the RAF is being forced to look in such directions to purchase its future equipment. What the article does is to highlight the seeming inability of Western Europe to meet its own defence requirements on what are basically unsophisti cated airframes. I have sug gested the use of the Airbus A340 as a possible multi purpose aircraft and, with it having received certification, now would be the perfect time for it to be evaluated as a Nimrod/Atlantic replacement. If the A340 is too large, then perhaps one of the smaller Air bus aircraft could be used — I only choose the A340 because it has four engines; if two will do, then use an A300 or A310. Whatever airframe is bought, the avionics could be supplied from the home market, so it does not become a case of buying a complete package. I do not blame the RAF for looking outside the UK for replacements and I do not doubt the capabilities of the Beriev Be-42. I just despair at the lack of preparedness of industry, which could have seen the RAF's requirements coming and been ready. As it is, jobs will probably be lost and overseas purchases made to meet needs which could, with a little foresight, have been met by Western European industry. C A DIXON Maidstone, Kent, UK Single-engine bias in the UK SIR — Just as twin-engine flights over water are now the norm, then single-engine flights in in strument meteorological condi tions (IMC) with passengers (Flight International, 20-26 Janu ary, P 8) will be accepted quickly by those authorities which are prepared to consider the "proven-in-service" reliabil ity of these aircraft. The UK Civil Aviation Au thority, by its actions and oppo sition to date, both within the UK and the Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA), has taken a firm "not-in-my-backyard" atti tude to single-engine IMC. Other, more enlightened author ities in Europe, and particularly the Scandinavian countries, however, have studied the facts and not relied upon their in grained archaic prejudices. It is not a question of if, but rather when it will happen, and the Treaty of Rome states clearly that there will be a level playing field lor all within the European Community. BOB CROWE Bob Crowe Aircraft Sales Cranfield Airport, Bedford, UK Bulldog crash story corrected SIR — In my recently published book, A Span of Wings, 1 as cribed erroneously the sad end of the restored Bristol Bulldog at the Farnborough air show in 1964 to Bristol's then chief test pilot, Godfrey Auty. Godfrey has asked me to put the record straight, which I am more than pleased to do. Godfrey did once crash the Bull dog when he applied the brakes too hard and tipped the aircraft onto its back, but this was at Turnhill in 1962. All was finally lost for the Bulldog when it was being flown by Ian Williamson, at Farnbor ough in 1964. The engine failed during a low-level loop and the subsequent crash was too destructive for restoration to be possible. Ian Williamson was in jured but made a full recovery. ARCHIBALD RUSSELL Bristol, UK Test form and engine needed SIR — Does anybody have a spare Aircraft Rating — Certifi cate of Test FCL form 150/C 270281 which I can beg or buy? I have only a couple of spaces left in my current licence and would rather continue with my old-style licence until it expires. T J RAWLINS 27 Kingsley Avenue Camherley GU15 2NB, UK SIR — I am on an introduction to aeronautical engineering course and I have the chance to work on a de Havilland Dove/ Devon (G-KOOL). I intend to return the aircraft to its former glory and I am looking for a Gipsy Queen Series 70 Mk3 engine, but will be happy with a Series 70 Mk2 or a Series 175. I would be most grateful for any donations which could be made, of the engines or of parts. J J SMITH do Aviation Department East Surrey College Gatton Point Redhill RH1 2JX, UK Flight International Conference - Landing and Approach Systems: What Happens After ILS? 25-26 March, Hotel Intercontinental, Ge neva, Switzerland. Contact: The Con ference Desk, First Europe Commu nications, 43-45 St John Street, Lon don EC1M 4AN, UK; tel: +44 (71) 490 3318; fax: +44 (71) 490 3319. WHATS ON Chartered Institute of Transport 8 Feb ruary7, Brancker Lecture, 17.15, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2, UK: Con tact: Leslie Aldridge; tel: +44 (71) 636 9952. 33rd Israel Annual Conference on Avia tion and Astronautics 24-25 February. Contact: Kenes, PO Box 50006, Tel Aviv 61500, Israel; tel: +972 (3) 517 4571; fax: +972 (3) 517 5674. HAI Heli-Expo '93 25-27 February, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida, USA. Contact: Linda Pe ters, Helicopter Association, 1619 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, USA; tel: +1 (800) HELI-XPO; fax: +1 (703) 683 0341. RAeS March 2 March, The Guiness Peat Aviation Lecture - R Branson, Virgin; 3 March, Fibre Optics in Guided Flight Conference; 3 March, 37th RJ Mitchell Lecture: B2, The Stealth Bomber - OC Boileau, Northrop, 18.30, Southampton Hall of Aviation; 10-11 March, Meeting the Demands of the Changing Design Environment Conference, Milton Keynes Conference Hotel, Milton Keynes; 10 March, Leisure Rides - J Vince, Hughes Rediffusion Simulation; 11 March, Sholto Douglas Lecture: Planning Airports for the Future - Sir John Egan, BAA, at Heathrow; 16 March, New Aviation Regulations for Rotorcraft Conference; 17 March, 38th Sir Roy Chadwick Lec ture: Management of Technology-based Products - j Parnaby, University of Manchester, 19.00, Manchester; 18 March, 25th JD North Lecture: The Boeing 777 - D Holt, Boeing Aircraft, 19.00, Pendeford, Wolverhampton; 21 March-3 April, Oxford Air Transport Course, St Anne's College, Oxford; 23 March, Aero Marine Group Lecture; 23 March, 14th Tizard Lecture: Air Lessons in the Gulf War - ACM Sir Patrick Hine, 17.30, Lecture Hall, East End of Civilian Staff Restaurant, near A&AEE North Gate, Boscombe Down Branch; 24 March, de Havilland Lecture, 17.30, BAe Regional Aircraft Restaurant, Hatfield; 24-26 March, Human Factors in Aircraft Accidents, RAeS/Psychavia, Oxford. Contact: The Conference Office, Royal Aeronautical Society, 4 Hamilton Place, London W1V 0BQ, UK; tel: +44 (71) 499 3515; fax: +44 (71) 499 6230. The opinions expressed in this page do not necessarily represent those of the Editor. Flight International cannot undertake to publish letters without name and address and reserves the right to select or edit letters. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 January - 2 February, 1993
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