Commercial Aircraft Sales

The newly established European regional aircraft consortium — Aero International Regional (AIR) — is studying development of a high speed version of the ATR 72 turboprop as its first new product. Called the ATR 72-500, the new variant will feature six bladed propellers and a cruising speed of 350 knots (648km/h). The development of the aircraft comes in the wake of Bombardier’s decision to launch the de Havilland Dash 8-400 (see elsewhere this Newsdesk) which will offer similar performance. The two aircraft will be in direct competition. Development of the planned stretched ATR 82 has been downgraded for the moment.

New Pw2000 Version Certificated

The US Federal Aviation Administration has certificated the latest growth version of the Pratt & Whitney PW2000 turbofan family. Rated at 48,000lb (193kN) thrust, the new variant has been developed for use on possible stretched versions of the Boeing 757 and possibly higher gross weight developments of the Airbus A340. A durability improvement package introduced last year made it possible for growth of the PW2000 to the new thrust rating. The package uses advanced materials and thermal barrier coatings and cooling technologies to make the high pressure turbine airfoils more robust and durable. The package also provides compression system supercharging which reduces exhaust gas temperature, leading to substantially improved time on wing. The new PW2000 has a high level of commonality with existing 37,000lb (166kN) and 40,000lb (179kN) thrust members of the family, only the electronic fuel control system incorporating minor changes.

New Snecma Turbofan

French engine manufacturer Snecma has unveiled a new turbofan engine it would like to develop jointly with CFM International partner General Electric. At the moment known as the CFMXX, the new engine family is in the 30,000 to 50,000lb (134 to 224kN) thrust class and is intended to capture the A321 and A340 growth markets which Snecma is convinced Airbus will launch. For its part, Airbus continues to deny firm plans for an ‘A322’ or heavier A340. The CFMXX is also aimed at the FLA military transport which at the moment is turboprop powered. If there is another change of mind about the FLA’s powerplant and jets are used, the CFMXX is the right size. Snecma says its new engine will need to be considerably more advanced than the PW2000 and Rolls Royce RB211-535 to be worthwhile, while General Electric wants at least two definite applications before becoming involved. Development costs are estimated at about $US600m. Pratt & Whitney has just launched a new version of its PW2000 engine to fill much the same market (refer separate item).

Trimble/Honeywell Gps Agreement

Trimble and Honeywell have signed an agreement to cooperate in the development of Global Positioning System (GPS) based products for the commercial, military and space aviation markets. The alliance is intended to give both companies enhanced competitive opportunities over a broad range of markets in the rapidly emerging field of GPS services. Under the agreement, several of Honeywell’s Space and Aviation Control divisions will pursue opportunities with Trimble involving bilateral integration of the two companies’ GPS products and technologies. The companies will collaborate in areas such as technology development and application, joint product development and marketing and the supply of products to each other.

Avroliner Upgrade

British Aerospace has announced further upgrades to its RJ Avroliner family of regional jets to enhance performance and payload/range capability. The first involves making the largest of the family, the RJ100, able to operate from London City Airport’s short runway. A 33 degree takeoff flap setting is being developed to achieve this aim and demonstration flights have already been made. The LCY capability comes at the request of Crossair, which takes delivery of the first of 12 RJ100s later this year and wants to operate them to the airport. The smaller RJ/BAe 146 variants are already the only jets permitted to operate from London City. The RJ is also subject to a weight reduction programme which is aimed at shaving 680kg (1500lb) off the empty weight, the equivalent of seven passengers and their baggage. Two thirds of this has already been identified (mainly with the interior furnishings) while other reductions are being examined in the areas of new systems technology and new non structural materials. Other improvements due to be incorporated from 1996 include various drag reduction measures which will result in a 2% lower fuel burn and an increase in the cabin pressure differential, allowing the maximum cruising altitude to increase by 2000ft to 33,000ft (10,000m). Operators of older BAe 146s will also benefit from an initiative designed to reduce its ALF 502 engines’ maintenance costs by 23% over the next five years to less than $US40 per hour. Other improvements to the 146 will enhance its operational flexibility, among them incorporation of a manual Category 3 landing system (with 75ft decision height and 300m runway visual range) and steep 5.5° approach gradient for the 146-300, enabling it to operate into London City.