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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 3388.PDF
BUSINESS & GENERAL AVIATION TRAINING Medevac role for EC135 simulator A low-cost helicopter simulator is being developed by US firm Fidelity Flight Simulation, with funding support from helicopter operator Stat Medevac. Fidelity is negotiating to deliver a Eurocopter EC135 full-flight simulator to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based air-medical transport provider early next year. Fidelity has delivered a number of Motus full-motion flight simulators for fixed-wing aircraft. The simulator combines a six-degree-of-freedom electric motion base with a multi-screen visual system, providing a 140° field-of-view, at a cost competi tive with traditional fixed-base general aviation simulators, says vice-president marketing, Mark Limbach. Earlier this year, the University of Louisiana at Monroe bought three Motus full-flight simulators, for generic piston-single, piston- twin and turboprop-twin aircraft, while the Kansas-based Turbine Training Center ordered a type- specific simulator for Cessna's single-turboprop Caravan. Fidelity's simulators are approved as Level 2 flight train ing devices. Its fixed-wing simulators were designed for the ab initio training market, the cockpits combining generic hardware with reconfig- urable software, but insurance-mandated training is creating a market for type-spe cific simulators, says Limbach. The Caravan simulator will be used in a training curriculum approved by the insurance underwriter. Stat Medevac helped Fidelity take its first steps towards devel oping a helicopter simulator. "We had been working on [helicopter] aerodynamic modelling for some time," says Limbach. "They provided initial funding to demonstrate a prototype model that flies like an EC 135," he adds. ENGINES GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC Growth version of LTS101 planned for US Dolphins Turboshaft to be developed to give Coast Guard HH-65 helicopters more power Honeywell is to develop a growth version of the LTSlOl turboshaft aimed at modernising the US Coast Guard's Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphins and potential new com mercial helicopters. The goal is a 25% increase in power, putting the LTSlOl in the 615-635kW (825- 850shp) class. A requirement to upgrade the LTSlOl-powered HH-65 is expected under the Coast Guard's Deepwater re-equipment programme. An HH-65 re-engined with more- powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2C1 engines entered flight testing last month under a USCG-funded demonstration programme. The Coast Guard is already flight testing a version of the LTSlOl with a 14-18% higher output, but the Arriel provides 26-28% more power. To meet the potential requirement for higher power, Honeywell will launch develop ment of the growth LTSlOl at the beginning of next year. There are two elements to the programme, a new compressor and full-authority digital engine control (FADEC), says LTlOl product line manager Bob Miller. The dual-chan nel FADEC will take 18 months to develop and the compressor 24 months. The growth programme is modular, says Miller, allowing retro fit of engines in service. "We have done major upgrades to the LTSlOl since 1995, and most of the engine has been modernised except the compressor," says Miller. The first growth step, to 580kW, introduces a cooled turbine for higher power or longer life and will be certificated and available by year- end for operators of LTSlOl-pow- ered Eurocopter Astars and BK117S. The next growth step will require the new compressor with increased airflow and pressure ratio. "This uses current technol ogy for low risk, so it will be devel oped on time," says Miller. The USCG Deepwater programme plan indicates the HH-65s will need to be modernised "in the 2007 time frame", he adds. ' ••*TTfc Global Express operators could be exempt from new security measures DELAY Security deadline pushed back The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has delayed to 1 February the deadline for opera tors to comply with the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program. The programme was introduced after last year's terrorist attacks to enhance the safety and security of commercial air-taxi operators, which use aircraft with a maxi mum take-off weight (MTOW) of 5,675kg (12,5001b), through a raft of strict and compulsory measures. Industry trade associations in cluding the National Air Trans portation Association say that about 850 operators would not be able to comply with the original implementation date because extra time is needed to train staff. NATA suggests the TSA may also delay the 1 December deadline for the Private Charter Standard Security Program which requires on- demand operators of private charter aircraft with an MTOW of 43,000kg or more to implement new airline like security rules. "We understand the TSA may increase the MTOW to 100,0001b [45,000kg], which will exempt Bombardier's Global Express," says NATA. NEWS IN BRIEF SJ30-2 CEILING Sino Swearingen Aircraft's (SSAC) SJ30-2 light business jet climbed to and levelled off at 49,000ft (15,000m) during flight testing on 10 November. The performance allows the seven- seat aircraft "to fly above airliners and high-altitude routes in open uncluttered airways", says SSAC. SCHWEIZER FIRST Schweizer Aircraft has delivered the first new 300CBi to Canada. The single-engined machine was sold to Great Slave Helicopters and will be deployed for exploration work in Canada's Northwest Territories. SATCOM CONTRACT Arinc has awarded Viasat a con tract to develop the airborne terminal for its SkyLink broad band satellite communication system for large business jets. Rantec is developing the antenna. Gulfstream is launch customer for the high-speed data service. 28 19-25 NOVEMBER 2002 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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