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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 1122.PDF
FIDAE 2002 DIESEL ENGINES SMA signs up South American partners French diesel aero engine devel oper Societe de Motorisations Aeronautiques (SMA) has signed a series of partners in Argentina and Brazil in prepara tion for the retrofit of the SR-305 engine in general aviation air craft throughout South America. The four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine runs on Jet A1 turbine fuel rather than aviation gasoline (avgas) and has been developed by SMA partners EADS, Renault Sport and Snecma. Jet fuel is typically more readily available than traditional 10O-octane low lead (100LL) avgas. The engine received European Joint Airworthiness Authorities certification in April last year and is undergoing US Federal Aviation Administration clearance. The engine has been selected by Maule Air to power the M-7 and the Cirrus for the SR21, and in trials has been experimentally fitted to a Cessna 182 and an EADS Socata TB-20 Trinidad. Latin American partners now include Brazil-based Planestate Aircraft and Nacional Aero Taxi, as well as Argentina's Latin d'Aviation. Planestate will pro vide line maintenance and install retrofit kits, while support ser vices will be offered by the other partners. SMA, which is also negotiat ing with potential US-based partners, eventually plans to pro duce up to 2,000 engines a year, 70% of which will be for retrofit and forward fit in North America. The engine, which generates 170kW (230hp) take-off power at 2,200rpm, weighs 180kg (400lb) and consumes 0.21 kg/h/kW (0.35lb/h/shp) of fuel. Together with a time between overhaul target of 3,000h, this low fuel consumption is expected to reduce direct oper ating costs by up to 40% compared to current pistons, according to SMA. FIGHTER PROCUREMENT Brazil seeks revised bids to speed up F-X fighter buy Government wants to seal a deal for new aircraft before presidential elections in October Brazil has asked the fighter manu facturers competing in its F-X requirement to submit revised ten ders ahead of a planned final selec tion set for early June. Financial constraints have scaled back the planned purchase to 12 fighters, undermining hopes of local produc tion of the winning aircraft. The Brazilian air force has been asked by the national defence coun cil to present its recommendations by 28 May in a bid to award a con tract before presidential elections in October and avoid a decision slip ping to next year. After initial sub missions last October and meetings with the manufacturers, the air force has further refined its require ments and asked for updated responses by 3 May. This is expected to be followed by a round of final offers on 20 May and the submission of the air force's rec ommendations shortly after. Brazil has reduced its planned initial pur chase to 12 fighters, having asked for pricing on 24 aircraft but finding its $700 million FX budget insufficient. Contenders have been narrowed to the Dassault Mirage 20O0BR, Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Saab/ BAE Systems Gripen and Sukhoi Su- 30MK. Brazil has specified 100% off set, with at least 20°/) direct and much linked to aerospace work. Embraer continues to lead Dassault's effort, but the reduced size of the planned purchase has made local assembly unviable. Sukhoi has teamed with Avibras and Saab/BAE Systems with Varig for logistical sup port. Lockheed Martin says it has similar non-exclusive support agree ments with Brazilian companies. Brazil is considering offers of fight ers to bridge the gap between next year's retirement of its Dassault Mirage Ills and the projected 2005 F- X service entry date. The Nether lands, with Lockheed Martin, is look ing for a buyer for up to 19 F-16A/Bs, while Israel Aircraft Industries is understood to have offered 12 Kfirs. REGIONAL JETS Embraer flies production ERJ-145XR Development testing of the extended range Embraer ERJ-145XR will move into the second and final phase following the maiden flight of the first production standard air craft, due last week as Flight International went to press. At the same time detailed design work on the Embraer 195 has started with the recent completion of the joint definition phase (JDP). Embraer plans to use the initial production ERJ-145XR to complete flight testing ahead of US Federal Aviation Administration type certifi cation planned for September. The aircraft will be used for high-speed, flutter, systems, powerplant and fuel, auxiliary power unit and inte gration tests. Continental Express has ordered 104 of the 1,100km- (2,000nm) range jets, with options on another 100. So far 60% of scheduled flight testing has been completed since the first flight last June of a modified ERJ-145ER. The aircraft has been used for per formance, flying qualities and anti- ice system testing. The XR has a reinforced fuselage for increased Flight testing of the baseline 170 is continuing to gather momentum operating weight, uprated Rolls- Royce AE3007A1E engines, winglets and an auxiliary fuel tank in the wing-fuselage fairing. JDP completion clears the way for detailed design of the 195 to start, with 95 digital mock-up models ready for detailing. At the same time, 85% of the interface drawings between Embraer and its 170/190 programme risk-sharing partners are now in place, with 15% defined but not agreed. The programme has clocked up almost l,000h of subsonic and transonic windtunnel testing. Flight testing of the baseline 170 is gathering momentum as Embraer reiterates its determination to certifi cate the 70-seater by year-end. The initial aircraft has completed 27h and 17 sorties since the first flight on 19 February. The aircraft's flight envelope has been cleared to 25,000ft (7,600m) and Mach 0.75. A second aircraft is set to fly shortly and will be joined by four more before mid-year, while testing on an aircraft has begun. Fatigue testing, to start shortly, will run for two-and-a-half years. 14 9-15 APRIL 2002 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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