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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 3130.PDF
BUSINESS AND GENERAL AVIATION CERTIFICATION Sierra Eagle II set for R\A certification Sierra Industries' FJ44 Eagle II, a Cessna Citation I light busi ness jet re-engined with Williams-Rolls FJ44 turbofans, is scheduled for certification next month. Final US Federal Aviation Administration flight testing is under way and work has started on the first three customer air craft, says the Texas-based Citation modification specialist. Sierra is known for its Eagle and Longwing performance- enhancement programmes for the Citation I. The Eagle modification increases the maximum take-off weight and range of the 500 and 501SP models. The Eagle II conversion takes the modified aircraft and replaces the 2,200lb-thrust (9.8kN) Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1As with 2,400lb-thrust FJ44-2As, resulting in a 35% reduction in fuel consumption at altitude, says sales manager John Jones. While the Eagle modification increases the Citation's range from 1,850km (1,000nm) to 2,780km, the FJ44 Eagle II upgrade adds another 925km, says Jones. In addition to replacing the engines and nacelles, the modification also involves the installation of new pylons, elec trical system and "plumbing", Jones adds. SEARCH AND RESCUE JUSTIN WASTNAGE/ LONDON Bristow Helicopters picks up $Om contract for SAR trials One-year trial in the North Sea for oil giant BP believed to be the first of its kind Bristow Helicopters has won a con tract to provide an airborne search and rescue (SAR) service for North Sea oil rigs. The one-year trial for British Petroleum (BP) is believed to be the first of its kind, with oil rig SAR ser vices currently provided by ships. It could lead to contracts for dozens of helicopters across Europe's oil exploration area in the North Sea. Bristow will operate a new modi fied Eurocopter AS3322 Super Puma on the $10 million contract from the beginning of next year. Although based in Aberdeen, Scotland, the helicopter will oper ate between BP's 40 North Sea rigs and platforms. Bristow's UK general manager Brian Cavan says that the contract will give the company "the ability to demonstrate its considerable search and rescue experience". The trial is part of the oil com pany's SAR service improvements under Project Jigsaw. The scheme, which has proved controversial in northern Scotland, could lead to a massive increase in the deploy ment of SAR helicopters across the sector. SAR services are currently provided by a standby emergency boat located within a 1km (0.5nm) radius of each oil or gas installation to respond to incidents including personnel overboard and heli copter accidents. Contract will let Bristow demonstrate its "considerable SAR experience" Vessel operators have voiced con cern over the effectiveness of using helicopters for such missions, citing their inability to operate in thick oil smoke and the medical complica tions associated with winching peo ple with back injuries. The trial stems from a safety review last year which recom mended increased use of heli copters for SAR. BP says that depending on the outcome of the trial, to be carried out by its employees and the UK's Health and Safety Executive in early 2003, the project could lead to a contract for around 15 helicopters to cover its 25 manned rigs. Other operators are likely to fol low suit and the managing director of Shell Aircraft, Brian Humphries, says his company is "watching the trials with interest". There are 60 installations in the UK sector of the North Sea with around 15 more in the Norwegian sector. There is likely to be a maxi mum of one helicopter between two installations, to be used in con junction with stand-by vessels. A.O.G!! Need an urgent charte chapman freeborn group of companies Any Height, Any Weight, Any Freight....Any Where 30 11-17 SEPTEMBER 2001 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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