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Aviation History
1996
1996 - 3119.PDF
NBA* SHOW RSPORT FedEx launches Ayres Loadmaster A GRICULTURAL-aircraft maker Ayres of Albany, Geor gia, has launched its Loadmaster LM200 cargo aircraft with an order for 50 from FedEx. The parcel car rier also has options for 200 addi tional aircraft over 15 years from first delivery in December 1999. The single-pilot Loadmaster LM200 is powered by two LHTEC CTP800 turboshaft engines driving a single propeller through a common gearbox. It is an all-new aircraft, although the wing is based on that of Ayres' Thrush "cropduster". The LM200 is de signed to carry a 3,400kg payload, or three FedEx LD3 containers. A 30-month certification pro gramme is expected to start in mid- 1997, with the first flight planned for the end of 1998. FedEx vice- president supplemental air opera tions, Mark Blair, says: "This air craft complements our feeder net work... it is a natural fit between the Fred Ayres models his latest development Cessna Caravan and the Fokker F2 7, with the added benefit that the freight can be containerised". Ayres president Fred Ayres says that, beyond the FedEx deal, he expects to see interest in the aircraft coming from emerging countries looking for a low-cost maritime- patrol aircraft or firebomber. "We have not started talking to other customers yet," he says, "but the world is our market." FedEx plans to use the LM200 initially in USA operations, al though it would introduce the air craft into Europe if rules governing single-turboprop regulations were to be relaxed. • Visionaire kicks off Vantage testing VISIONAIRE HAS BEGUN flight-testing its single-eng- ined Vantage business jet with a first flight on 16 November at Scaled Composites in Mojave, California. Test pilot and director of operations at Scaled Com posites, Doug Shane, says that the aircraft was taken to 10,000ft (3,200m) and ".. .performed as well as we all were confident it would". Phase one of me $50 million test and certification programme in volves 40 flights of the proof-of- concept vehicle: phase two, which starts in mid-1997, will see the introduction of four more aircraft. US certification is expected in the final quarter of 1998, by which time six aircraft will be ready for deliv ery. VisionAire plans to take pro duction to 115ayearby2003. Visionaire flew its Vantage for the first time on 16 November Jim Rice, chairman and chief executive of VisionAire, says that the company has 52 firm, "non- cancellable" orders for the $1.65 million aircraft. Composite struc tures for the Vantage will be pro duced at a new Scaled Composites factory at Montrose, Colorado. Burt Rutan, president of Scaled Composites, says that the move to Colorado will give a 12% operat ing advantage over the firm's high er-cost base in Mojave, California. VisionAire showed a Vantage ca bin mock-up. Also on display was a mock-up of Century Aerospace's $1.85 million Century Jet single- engined business jet. The Albuque- que, NewMexico, firm is aiming for first flight "within about a year". • NEWS IN BRIEF • DUAL PAC CHANGES Soloy has renamed its twin- turbine, single-propeller con version of the Cessna Cara van, the "Pathfinder 21", and has increased die gross weight to 5,700kg to offer additional payload. The revisions have delayed production by 12 months, with US approval now expected in May 1998. • SABREUNER EXTENSION Illinois-based Avtech is offer ing to extend the life of the 300-500 Rockwell Sabreliner business jets still flying by 5,000h—an increase of 50% —for about $45,000. The fee covers a detailed inspection for corrosion and does not include any repair work. The first customer is Florida- based Dialysis Laboratories. • PC-12 SIMULATOR Pilatus Aircraft of Switz erland and Simcom Inter national have agreed to develop a simulator for the PC-12 single-engined turbo prop. The Level 6 flight- training device will be pro duced from actual aircraft parts and will feature a full 180° wrap-around visual sys tem. It will be operated by Simcom at its Orlando, Flo- ida, training centre. • DORMER AMBULANCE A Fairchild Dornier 328 has been delivered to Austria's Tyrolean Air Ambulance, configured with seats and stretchers, a 19-seat corpo rate/VIP interior ,or a 31- passenger layout. The com pany sees a corporate market for its planned 328 turbofan- powered derivative. Universal Avionics offers fivefold improved GPS/Glonass system A NEW satellite-navigation system, promising a fivefold improvement in accuracy, has been unveiled by Universal Avionics. The GNSS-2400 uses the US global-positioning system (GPS) and its Russian equivalent, the Glonass. The working prototype was proven during a flight from Switzerland to Florida, and demon strated at the show. The initial tests show that, by using the Russian and US systems, position is typically within 16m (50ft) of me truth, compared to die 100m for GPS alone. This is achieved by having access to 48 satellites on 24 channels which, Universal claims, will provide 100% availability and continuity of service for oceanic, enronte, termi nal and non-precision approaches. According to Universal presi dent Hubert Naimer, the develop ment is a breakthrough. "The worldwide aviation community has been concerned about the exclu sive control of GPS maintained by the US'Department of Defense", he says. US certification is expected by mid-1997 and the new units will cost around $2 5,000. • FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 November - 3 December 1996 11
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