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Aviation History
1988
1988 - 0526.PDF
GENERAL AVIATION MHC offshore BK.117 WEST CHESTER MBB Helicopter Corporation (MHC), the US marketing arm of West German manu facturer MBB, has modified the interior layout of its proposed offshore version of the BK.117. Following what MHC acknowledges has been extensive development work, the type is now said to be ready for the market. MHC president David Smith says that the changes made since the variant was revealed 12 months ago emphasise the BK.117's versatility. The most obvious change from the initial configuration is the reduction in seating from nine to six. Apart from providing more shoulder room than was afforded by the three triple-seat units originally used, the new layout has permitted MBB to fit liferafts in each doorway. There is one rear-facing seat on the centreline facing two individ ual seats in front of a triple- seat back row. MHC claims that the offshore BK.117's major role is as a "versatile utility" machine rather than the "solid crewship" previously envisaged. It sees the helicop ter being used to position crews to offshore platforms, subsequently remaining off shore for inter-rig use. Confessing that it took "a few tries to get a configuration that will work," Smith says that the key to the BK.117's versatility is its "unobstructed 200ft'i" cabin. Passenger seats can be easily removed for cargo use, or seatbacks may be tilted forward to permit freight to be carried, without seat removal. Convenient for each seat are headsets hard wired for in-flight entertain ment and pre-flight safety videos. To facilitate greater use of cabin space, MHC reports a proposed rear cargo bin fitted beneath the rear transmission area. As if to confirm that The Puerto Rico police force has bought two BK.117s for anti-drug work emergency medical services, law-enforcement, and govern ment-agency roles provide the current helicopter markets, MHC announces recent orders or imminent deliveries in each sector. Phoenix-based Samaritan Air Evac is to receive a fourth BK.117 in April for EMS operations. The programme is operated by SilverStar Aviation. New York's Suffolk County Police Department will add a BK.117 to its fleet next month, bringing it into twin- engined operations for the first time. It will be used for surveillance and EMS work alongside three Bell 206B JetRangers. The BK.117 is expected to be well-suited to the unit's search and rescue work, which often takes place over water at night. The Puerto Rico Police Department has received one of two BK.117s it plans to use in the fight against drug traf ficking. The helicopter will be equipped with Flir, colour weather radar, and special grapelling hooks for airborne deployment. New Lears are on schedule TUCSON Testing of the Learjet 31 has been running two weeks behind its nominal timetable since the aircraft was made available for a Pentagon demonstration in connection with the Tanker, Transport, Training System (T3S). Nevertheless, the manu facturer hopes to have the aircraft certificated by mid- 1988, along with its Series 55C stablemate, reports Ian Goold from the USA. The Series 31 is the first new Learjet for several years and is being promoted as an entry-level jet configured especially for turboprop pilots. The aircraft has been flown at 49,000ft with the yaw damper disengaged, and Learjet tells Flight that it "flies well hands-off. Both aircraft will be certificated without stick-pushers or -pullers. Learjet says that the 31 will cruise for up to 2hr at 51,000ft, offering "true usability in the upper 40s". At these altitudes there is less Jetstream activity and Learjet says that this will mean reduced headwinds following faster climbs. The aircraft is said to fly directly from brake release to 46,000ft at maximum gross weight. Two versions of the 31 are to be offered: the -ER with optional extra tanks will have a 1,850 n.m. range (with four passengers, at long-range power setting and 45min reserve fuel), and the stan dard machine will have a 1,630 n.m. range. The 31 joins the earlier Lear 35 in being able to take off at maximum gross weight with all seats occupied. The manufacturer points out that the 31 was never intended to be a coast-to-coast machine, which would of course require about 1,000 miles more range. Rather, it is aiming to enable pilots to fly non-stop from New York to such places as Houston, San Antonio, or Denver. The eight Lear 31s available for 1988 delivery have been sold, although it might still be possible to reserve a 1988 Lear 55C, Flight understands. By the end of this month, Learjet expects to have moved all its administration staff from Tucson (Arizona) to Wichita (Kansas) as a first step in its plan to centralise management and production. Manufacturing operations at Tucson will be trimmed down in 1988, although the company might retain some leased space at the Arizona site. This may be needed should Learjet win T3S. Small differences to those aircraft would be the provision of avionics in the cabin and the lack of windows. Learjet says that the US Air Force seems particularly keen to avoid any temptation for the business jets to be regarded as "general's toys". BRIEFINGS Kent International Air port has signed a long lease with the UK Ministry of Defence to undertake respon sibility for ground handling of civil aircraft using RAF Manston. ;/ FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 5 March 1988
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