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Aviation History
1998
1998 - 0019.PDF
CtENSNAL AVIATION Sikorsky sees S-76 fractional- ownership market emerging GRAHAM WARWICK/WASHINGTON DC SIKORSKY BELIEVES that at least one fractional-ownership programme using its S-76 heli copter will be launched in early 1998. Interest in helicopter frac tional-ownership "has exploded", says director, commercial pro grammes, Mike Moran, and the company is talking to "several" potential operators. Richard Santulli, chairman of Executive Jet Aviation (EJA), says that he has been approached for advice by Sikorsky's parent compa ny, United Technologies (UTC). EJA operates the successful Xetjets business-jet fractional-ownership programme, but is "...not interest ed in the S-76," Santulli stresses. "UTC officials said they would like to speak to me to see if frac tional ownership makes any sense. We will meet in January," he adds. "They have asked for my advice on what they should do. People have come to them to try to do a frac tional programme," he says. Moran indicates that Sikorsky has received approaches from enti ties interested in helicopter frac tional-ownership - "a couple in the USA and a couple in Europe". The manufacturer is interested, he says. Any fractional-ownership pro gramme would have to be regional, rather than national, because of the helicopter's relatively limited range and speed. The north-east USA, close to Sikorsky's factor)' and a region where some corporate S-76s are already based, is a likely candidate location. "I am not a formal advisor," cau tions Santulli, who has doubts aboutan S-76 fractional-ownership programme, citing the cost of the helicopter. "Sikorsky makes an ex pensive helicopter. That's hard for such a regional market," he says. J Revived Luscombe 8F production heads east KATE SARSFIELD/LONDON TWO US companies have agreed to resume the manu facture of the Luscombe 8 light aircraft, 36 years after production of the piston single was halted. Renaissance Aircraft of Monk- ton, Maryland, will build the air craft for US certification, while the Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation (DLAHF) will allow access to the original Luscombe 8F which is on display in their muse um in Phoenix, Arizona. As part of the licensing agreement, the Foundation will also provide com ponents and parts. Renaissance has linked with Canadian light-aircraft manufac turer Zenair and Czech Aircraft Works of the Czech Republic. Zenair will assemble the first four aircraft and provide training for Czech Aircraft Works' engineers. Manufacture will then be trans ferred to the Czech company. The US company is also looking for investors to fund the pro gramme and claims to have re ceived "a great deal of interest from a number of private individuals". The 8F was conceived by Luscombe in 1931, and by the time Silvair ceased production in 1961,around 7,500 aircraft had been built. "It was a very successful aircraft- Cessna copied the design with their 120 and 140 series," says DLAHF president Doug Combs. "There are more than 2,500 air craft flying today," he adds. The Luscombe 8F will be aimed at training companies and private buyers. "Given the current lack of reasonably priced certified two- seat aircraft and the age of the existing fleet, we think the aircraft will be generally well received," says Renaissance. The aircraft will be priced at between $50,000 and $70,000 and will be powered by either a Textron Lycoming 0-320 or Czech-built 1 lOkW (145hp) HP Walter M-32. "With the Lycoming, the aircraft will be capable of speeds of 125kt [235km/h], and with the Walter, around 105kt," says Combs. 3 CMC completes preliminaries for Leopard business jet CHICHESTER MILES Con sultants (CMC) has complet ed preliminary flight trials of its Leopard /our-seat business jet. The Williams FJX-1-powered aircraft, conceived in 1982, was tested for its handling and perfor mance capabilities at speeds of around 260kt (485km/h). The air craft was first flown in 1988 with Noel Penny curbojets, but has never gone into production. The current flight-test pro gramme is scheduled to resume on CMC will accelerate its Leopard test programme 8 January, when CMC will attempt to expand the flight envelope to speeds of up to 430kt and altitudes of up to 35,000ft (10,600m). CMC plans to replace the current engines with more-powerful Williams FJX-2 turbofans, expected to be flown in 2000. • NEWS IN BRIEF • KUWAITI BUYS A319CJ Kuwaiti conglomerate Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi has become the first announced customer for the Airbus Corporate Jetliner. Powered by International Aero Engines V2527s, the A319CJ will be configured to carry 30 passengers. • EMS S-76C+ DELIVERED AirEvac of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has taken delivery of the first Sikorsky S-76C+ configured for emergency-medical-ser vice missions, which it oper ates on behalf on Hillcrest HealthCare System. The S-76C+ can carry two patient litters, or one litter and five medical attendants. • AIR METHODS FLIES FLAG Air Methods has signed a three-year contract to pro vide helicopter medical-tran sport services for Arizona's Flagstaff Medical Center. Services will begin in February with a Bell 206L-3, until replaced by a 407, with a second helicopter available when needed. • SIGNATURE EXPANDS Signature Flight Support has purchased Anchorage Air Center, at Alaska's Anchor age International Airport, to expand its chain of fixed-base operations, already the largest in the USA. • LANCAIR BOOKS 150TH Lancair says that orders for its Columbia 300 piston-single have passed 150. US certi fication of the four-seat air craft is scheduled for April, with first deliveries beginning in the second half of 1998. • CHALLENGER DEBUT The Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet has made its Australian debut. The Can adian company displayed the twin-engined aircraft to major corporations and gov ernment agencies during a ten-day Australian tour. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 7 - 13 January 1998 17
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