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Aviation History
1987
1987 - 1265.PDF
CAA signals tougher seat rules LONDON The UK is set to fall in line with impending tougher US standards of occupant restraint in smaller aircraft. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says it is "virtually certain" to adopt rules recently proposed by the Federal Aviation Admini stration (FAA), which are intended to prevent seat fail ure before airframe collapse in aircraft below 12,5001b maximum authorised take-off weight. The FAA released its proposals early this year. They call for tough dynamic testing of seats and new stan dards for emergency exits. The CAA's support comes in its response to a report by the Department of Transport's Accidents Investigation Branch (AIB) on a Piper Navajo which collided with the ground while approaching Rochester aerodrome, Kent, on November 20, 1985. However, the CAA has dismissed as impractical a recommendation by the AIB that the CAA consider demanding that seat-to- airframe attachments should remain intact at all non-lethal impact levels. The CAA says that this "might not be practical without significant strengthening of airframes". It supports the "spirit" of the suggestion. Teledyne takes initiative MOBILE Teledyne president Don Bigler has been emphasising the cost-effectiveness of running a team of six accident investigators to help fend off law suits. FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 25 July 1987 The company, which is self- insured, is "automatically" sued after an accident to an aircraft powered by a Tele dyne engine because engine failure is so often the prime suspect to the uninformed, Bigler says. "Everyone just assumes the engine quit," he adds, commenting that the assumption is often unfounded. His six investigators, "authorised" by the US National Transportation Safety Board to examine engines taken from wreckage, successfully fend off law suits which otherwise could go against the manufacturer, Bigler says. "The aim is to get the engines for inspection before the lawyers do," he adds. The NTSB is happy to let Teledyne staff examine engines because they have "greater expertise" in this area, Bigler explains. France starts data service PARIS ^^_ Air-minded French citizens can now obtain up-to-the- minute information on where to learn to fly light aircraft, sailplanes, ultralights, hang- gliders, hot-air balloons— even airships—without stir ring from the comfort of their armchairs. Using the simple communi cations terminal issued free with every subscription to France's Teletel databus, the would-be pilot has only to tap an eight-figure number and a seven-letter code to gain access to a comprehensive and continuously updated list of courses, locations, dates, and contact numbers. Other facilities offered by the Aviatel service include: % details of clubs and com panies offering tuition in advanced activities such as aerobatics, mountain fly ing, and helicopter and flying-boat operations # full listings of French aviation companies and official bodies 9 a guide to aerospace train ing and educational opportunities 9 a small-ads and bulletin- board section, allowing users to do business together and exchange views and advice. Anyone thinking of a sport- flying holiday in France can access Aviatel with a single international phone call. The necessary equipment com prises an IBM-compatible or BBC microcomputer fitted with a communications port, a modem, and Teletel terminal- emulation software. The final item can be obtained from two suppliers in Britain: the Computer Unit, Harrogate College of Arts and Tech nology, tel 0423 505631 exten sion 33 (BBC only); and Aldoda International Ltd, tel 01-586 5686 (BBC and IBM compatible). Intelmatique of France also offers a package for IBM-compatibles (tel (33) 1 43 06 16 36). Excluding the micro, total cost of the kit, which can be put to many other uses, is about £130. PRIVATE FLIGHT Corsica offers micro- amphibian biplane BASTIA ~ A single-engined amphibious biplane certificated in France in the microlight category will go on sale in September. The Hydroplum, manu factured by a company of the same name that performs fire- fighting work from Bastia, Corsica, will be priced at FFr85,000 as a kit or FFr180,000 complete. The company aims to obtain US certification soon. The aircraft spans 29ft 6in, has a wing area of 177ft2, and weighs 4001b. A 64 h.p. Rotax 532 engine gives a top speed of 81kt, a 65kt cruise, and a 984-ft/min rate of climb. The company says that take-off uses 330ft on water or 165ft on land. Landing takes just 165ft on water. The construction is mainly composite. The hull is built of glassfibre and Kevlar- reinforced plastic. The wing structure is glassfibre- reinforced plastic and foam, while the tailplane and fin are wooden. All of the flying surfaces, which are fabric covered, can be transported on a 15ft trailer. Hydroplum maintains that the small aircraft can cope with two-foot waves and has potential for surveillance as well as being a recreational aircraft. Hydroplum is prepared for flight in Corsica 15
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