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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 2798.PDF
IN BRIEF CL160 SUPPORT GKN Engage, part of the UK's GKN Aerospace Services, is supporting development of the CargoLifter CL160 freight- carrying airship. A GKN team is on site at CargoLifter's assembly facility in Briesen- Brand, Germany, to integrate the General Electric T700 turboshafts and transmission into the 160t-payload airship's propulsion system. Production of the prototype CL160 is scheduled to begin later this year, with certification planned in late 2003. BAHRAIN BELL HAS has completed a Bell 427 light twin-turbine helicopter for the Bahrain public security force. The aircraft is equipped with provisions for a three-axis autopilot developed by HAS and French supplier Sfim and scheduled for certification by the year-end. The 427 autopilot is available with either a Honeywell or Meggitt glass cockpit, says Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania-based HAS. UN CONTRACT The United Nations Transitional Administration East Timor (UNTAET) has awarded CHC Helicopters (Australia) a follow- on contract to continue helicopter support provided since May 1999. The one-year contract, with an option for one further year, covers two EurocopterAS332L1 Super Pumas for utility airlift and a Bell 212 for aeromedical evacuation and search-and-res- cue. All the helicopters will be based in Dili. BUSINESS AND GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC Electric-powered light aircraft set for Florida show take-off FASTec to modify all-composite two-seater DynAero kitplane to electric power Plans to fly an electric-powered light aircraft at next year's Sun 'n' Fun show in Florida have been unveiled by an educational foun dation that hopes to use the project to stimulate student interest in the technology. American Ghiles Aircraft has donated a DynAero Lafayette 3 kitplane for modifica tion to electric power. The Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology Education (FASTec) plans to modify the all- composite two-seater in three phases. In the first phase, the pis ton engine will be replaced with a 40kW (65hp) electric motor, pow ered by 150kg (3301b) of advanced lithium-ion batteries mounted in the wing and fuselage. The Selectria motor can produce over lOOkW for short periods, enough power for take-off, says Worcester, Massachusetts-based FASTec. SAFT batteries will provide 21kWh of total energy, says execu tive director Jim Dunn, enough to provide 160km (100 miles) range at a cruise speed of 70-75kt (130- 135km/h) with a single pilot. In the second phase, one-third of the batteries will be removed and replaced with a 12kW hydro gen fuel cell. Batteries will be retained to provide a surge capabil ity for take-off, while the fuel cell will provide sufficient power for the cruise and a 400km range. The aircraft is scheduled to fly in this configuration in August 2002. Also in the second phase, an Extreme motor glider donated by Diamond Aircraft will be converted to hybrid gasoline and electric power, combining a small piston engine for take-off with a fuel-cell electric motor for silent propulsion once in flight. In the third phase, a more pow erful fuel cell will be installed in the Lafayette, providing enough power for take-off, climb and cruise with an 800km range, says Dunn. Sufficient batteries will be retained to provide initial acceleration and 100km reserve capability in case the fuel cell fails or has to be turned off for safety reasons, says Dunn. The aircraft is scheduled to fly in this configuration in August 2004. Fuel cells work by generating hydrogen then combining it with oxygen to produce electricity. The advanced fuel cells FASTec plans to use are already under development for NASA's Helios electric-powered ultra-long-endurance unmanned air vehicle. FASTec is seeking more sponsors for the project. AIRSHIPS Airship developer wins backing A small US company developing a low-cost airship for aerial advertis ing has won its first "significant" outside investment. VentureNet Capital Group has taken an equity position in Temecula, California- based SkyMedia Airships under a deal to provide the fledgling firm with management and marketing services. SkyMedia was established to develop a lighter-than-air craft that is less expensive to manufacture and operate than conventional helium-filled airships. The com pany's design uses hot air, but with a system of air jets that, when the envelope is sealed and pressurised, allows the craft to operate like a conventional airship. The airship is deflated for road transport between advertising assignments in a custom-built trailer. SkyMedia says it takes a ground crew of three to inflate and launch the single-pilot airship. The craft features a digital projection system which use's the airship's envelope as the screen. SkyMedia has built and flown a 20m (65ft)-long prototype and plans to fly the first full-size, 42m- long airship early next year. HELICOPTERS Offshore operator is latest potential customer for Sikorsky S-92 Sikorsky has secured another prospective commercial customer for its S-9219-seat helicopter. Offshore operator Era Aviation has placed deposits on three aircraft to serve large oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico. Sikorsky says Era has requested the first delivery slots available in 2003. Canadian offshore operator Cougar Helicopter signed a deposit agree ment for the first S-92, with options for up to four more. Sikorsky then secured similar deals with Vancouver-based scheduled helicopter airline Helijet, Norway's Aircontactgruppen and Finland's Copterline. So far, the company has agreements covering 18 commercial S-92s. The S-92 is currently scheduled for certification late next year, with deliveries beginning in early 2003. 22 14-20 AUGUST 2001 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.fliqhtinternational.com
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