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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 1504.PDF
REGIONAL AIRLINE ASSOCIATION SHOW REPORT RAA PAUL LEWIS GUY NORRIS Uncertainty over the future of Fairchild Dornier, the pace of the rebound in regional airline fortunes and the ever-present nemesis of scope clauses were evident for the 1,300 delegates attending this year's low-key US Regional Airline Association convention, which took place in Nashville, Tennessee, 12-15 May The meeting attracted 173 exhibitors compared with 188 last year, following a drop in associate membership to 289 (from 345). Against this, however, airline membership has climbed to 57 (from 49 in 2001), a number of which were keen to view the Embraer 170 on its first US visit. UPGRADES Flight Dynamics HGS tests central to 0400 enhancement package Bombardier schedules early summer to achieve 99% dispatch reliability targets for Horizon Air Flight testing of Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics' HGS4100 head- up-guidance system (HGS) is to be completed on a Horizon Air Bomb ardier Dash 8 Q400 this month, as part of a series of upgrades to imp rove dispatch reliability and address major "teething problems" in the turboprop's service introduction. The Q400s, along with Horizon's CRJ700 regional jets, are already provisioned for HGS as part of Bombardier's type certificates, but must complete flight tests to ach ieve a Flight Dynamics' supplemen tal type certificate (STC), and be cleared for Category 3 Operations. The enhanced bad-weather landing and take-off capability is needed for Horizon to reach 99% dispatch reli ability goals set by Bombardier for early this summer. Bombardier cus tomer service vice-president Jeff Mihalic says: "Service entry has not been smooth, but we've pulled out the stops to improve it." The package also includes ad justments to counter environmen tal conditioning system flow prob lems, and the addition of doublers in parts of the fuselage to address structural concerns indicated dur ing fatigue tests at Bombardier, says Horizon Air maintenance and engi neering vice-president Gene Hahn. Horizon, which has received all 15 Q400s on firm order, has completed modifi cations on the first aircraft, and is working on the second. The remainder will be com pleted by year-end, with each expected to take 21 days. A similar modification pack age lasting 18 days has also been devised by Horizon and Bombardier for the CRJ700, around 16 of which will be delivered to the carrier by year- end. This will involve "struc tural modifications", and a crew alerting system (EICAS), says Hahn. The EICAS 5.0 upgrade involves updated software and improved sensors to cut down nui sance alerts, particularly on doors, flaps, slats and powerplants. "We still have not decided on a CRJ start date, but it will probably be in 1 w SfestJ * •-- -i- Q ?« " ™ * ' • n+ftmrm+r >:i~ •'v. \ / r \ is the fall and run to the spring," says Hahn. The upgrade's timing is linked to completion of the HGS4200 certifi cation due for the end of August. The CRJ 700 system STC is believed to be the first of its type to be sanc tioned, by the European Joint Av iation Authorities before the US Federal Aviation Ad ministration. The simula tion-based element of the STC is already under way in Berlin for European CRJ700 operators Lufthansa City line and Brit Air. Flight test ing, involving Horizon, is due to start in July with joint JAA/FAA approval expected shortly afterwards. HGS installation for Euro pean airlines will be concur rent with the EICAS 5.0 upgrade, clearing the way for CAT 3 operations by the revised engine indication and HGS4100 Q400 testing is nearing completion end of the year. FREIGHTERS Canadian pair work up ATR 42 cargo conversion Quebec-based ExelTech and Com tek Advanced Structures of Ontario are developing an ATR 42 cargo conversion programme, which is due for US Federal Aviation Admin istration supplemental type certifi cation (STC) in the third quarter. The conversion, also to be certifi cated under Canadian airworthi ness rules, will be undertaken at ExelTech's Montreal site, where regional aircraft heavy mainte nance and overhaul is conducted. The partners, who plan to deliver the first conversion delivery to an unidentified customer by year-end, say the upgrade will take 10 days. The plan, which could extend to the ATR 72, will compete with the bulk freighter conversion offered on the ATR 42 and 72 by Alenia and its subsidiary Aeronavali. Both convert the cabin into a "class E" compartment, and add transverse 9g cargo nets. The Canadian con version divides the cabin into five or more zones, providing cargo vol ume of around 56m3 (1,980ft3). ATR is developing its own ATR 42 freighter conversion, and plans to complete the first aircraft "tow ards the end of 2002, although we don't have a firm customer", says president John Moore. ATR says the market focus appears to be on the larger ATR 72-200. The first con verted version with a large cargo door is due for delivery to Swiss car rier Farnair after appearing at the Farnborough air show in July. ATR forecasts a market for between 10 and 15 conversions per year. Currently, 26 ATR aircraft - 21 42s and five 72s - are in cargo con figuration. Baseline conversions cost between $250,000 and $500,000 without the large cargo door, cost ing an additional $1.5 million. Meanwhile, the first converted Saab 340 freighter is expected to roll out in June, says Saab Aircraft Leasing. "We have no launch cus tomer yet, but we do have a lot of interest," says Saab. The $250,000 conversion forms part of a pro jected $2.5 million delivery price. 14 21-27 MAY 2002 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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