Rotor Torque

Schweizer 300cb Certificated

Schweizer’s new 300CB trainer was awarded FAA certification in September with first deliveries to launch customers following soon after. The reduced cost 300CB is the latest member of the long living Hughes 269/Schweizer 300 family, and has been optimised primarily for flying training, plus mustering and agricultural work. The first Model 300CB was built over two years ago and flew for the first time in May 1993. External dimensions and dynamic systems are the same as for the 300C, but differences include a 180hp (135kW) Lycoming HO-360-C1A engine, a larger fuel tank, a reduced gross weight of 794kg (1750lb), (reducing costs and improving performance), and reduced maintenance requirements, while the pilot in command seat has been switched to the right hand side, in line with conventional practice. In Australia the 300CB is distributed by Brisbane based FlightLine Aviation.

Bell & Boeing To Merge?

Recent reports have suggested that Boeing and Textron have held discussions regarding merging their respective military helicopter divisions. The negotiations are believed to be at an advanced stage and would result in a new separate entity company being formed which would be owned jointly by Textron and Boeing. Boeing Defense and Space Group would reportedly be the major shareholder. The company would be structured along the lines of the two companies’ current partnership to develop and build the V-22 Osprey. The new merger could be the first move of the much anticipated rationalisation of the US helicopter industry, although Bell’s commercial helicopter operation, based in Quebec, Canada, is not believed to be involved in the proposed merger.

Kaman Opens Australian Office

Innovative helicopter manufacturer Kaman Aerospace has opened an Australian office in Canberra, headed by retired US Navy captain, Jack Costello. The office will be used to support Kaman’s bid for a number of regional defence contracts, to promote its aviation and high technology services and to sell the K-Max single seat aerial crane helicopter. Kaman is promoting its SH-2G Seasprite to meet the RAN’s requirement for a new ship based helicopter for the Anzac class frigates, and later the Offshore Patrol Combatants.

How To Make A Good Sales Impression

A Bell LongRanger has set what is believed to be a Bell record for sustained helicopter operations at altitude recently when it rescued the crew of a Pakistan Army SA 315 Lama operating in the Himalayas. The 206L-4 LongRanger demonstrator equipped with Bell’s high altitude kit comprising increased authority tail rotor system and wide chord main rotor blades was being demonstrated to the Pakistan Army. On the second day of demonstrations the LongRanger with five people on board took off for the Saddle area in the Sachen glacier field. When the helicopter reached a base camp on K-2 (the world’s second highest mountain) the crew were alerted that a Pakistan Army Lama had crashed in the area and that a second Lama was unable to rescue the downed craft’s crew, and so the LongRanger was despatched to attempt the rescue. It reached the crash site and over a three hour period brought the two Lama crewmembers and two sick soldiers down to safety. During the rescue the LongRanger climbed to an altitude of 19,300ft, establishing what Bell believes is a new record for its helicopters. Pakistan Army officials were reportedly impressed with the LongRanger’s performance. The high altitude record for a helicopter is currently held by a Lama, at an incredible 40,820ft.

Dragon Fly In Australasia

Auckland based Dragonfly Helicopter Sales is now promoting the little two seat Dragon Fly 333 helicopter in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Dragonfly Helicopter Sales is the exclusive distributor for the helicopter in the region, and already three are flying in New Zealand. The Italian designed helicopter was conceived by two archaeologists who had a requirement for a small aerial survey platform for their research work. Design work began in 1985 and a single seat prototype was built and flown, while the definitive two seater was designed between 1991 and 1993. The first production aircraft flew in May 1994 and 22 had been delivered 12 months later. The Dragon Fly 333 weighs just 245kg empty and is powered by a four cylinder Hirth piston engine producing 105bhp (78kW). It cruises at about 65kt (120km/h) and has a range with reserves of over 160nm (800km). The Dragon Fly is being certificated against the newly created Italian category of VLR — Very Light Rotorcraft. VLR certification is due in mid 1996, while it currently flies in Europe under Ultralight class rules. In New Zealand the Dragon Fly has a Microlight Permit to Fly, while the NZCAA will recognise the Italian VLR certification when it’s awarded. The Dragon Fly’s distributors are also aiming to get CASA to recognise the Italian VLR certification. Dragonfly Helicopter Sales can be contacted on 64 9 236 3611, or fax 64 9 236 3040. Tell them you read about it in AA.

Briefs

Lloyd Helicopters has recently been awarded contracts to the value of $25m in India, the Philippines and Thailand. The Thai contract is a three year renewal of current work, while in the Philippines, Lloyd will supply helicopters to Occidental Exploration Philippines and TransAsia Oil for offshore exploration work.

There have been new calls for a helipad to be installed at Albury Base Hospital following the announcement of plans to establish a rescue helicopter service based in Canberra. The helipad would allow the emergency transfer of passengers to Canberra in under an hour.

Bell Boeing have been awarded a contract to design changes to the V-22 Osprey for special operations. A follow on contract due to be placed in 1996 will cover the conversion of two V-22 EMD aircraft to special missions configuration. The US Air Force plans to acquire 50 special operations V-22s for long range insertion/extraction of special forces, to complement the current MC-130E/H Combat Talon fleet. The special operations Ospreys will be configured for all weather low level terrain following flight.

An all weather millimetre wave radar equipped variant of the Mil Mi-28 ‘Havoc’ attack helicopter was unveiled at the MosAero airshow in Moscow recently. The Mi-28N is fitted with a millimetre wave radar in a mast mounted housing and may feature a different EW suite. Mil expects to fly the new variant by the end of the year.

Boeing has delayed building a second Heliwing UAV while a review is undertaken into the programme’s future and prospects. The original Heliwing prototype was destroyed in a crash in June after most of the flight test programme had been completed.

The Northern Region Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter will remain based in Lismore, despite the NSW Government’s Review into Aeromedical Services suggesting that it be relocated to Coffs Harbour.

PZL-Swidnik has made some useful sales of its W-3 Sokol in recent times. Citiair of South Korea has ordered three, while Petrolbaltic of Poland has ordered a W-3RM Anaconda SAR variant. In other Sokol news, PZL-Swidnik is believed to be teaming with Israeli avionics specialist Elbit to fit modern avionics to the W-3W Huzar combat support derivative of the Sokol. The Huzar is being offered to meet an upcoming Polish Army requirement for a transport/combat support helicopter.

Pakistan Airlines has begun helicopter services using Mil Mi-8MTVs leased from Uzbekistan Airlines. The Mils link Islamabad with Abbottabad and Peshawar in the Northwest Frontier Province, plus Bhurban, a hill resort.

The NSW RTA’s well known orange and white Agusta A 109 has been sold by tender to an undisclosed buyer. The A109 was used for aerial traffic monitoring over Sydney plus aerial surveying of roads and bridges under construction, however improved traffic monitoring technology had reduced the requirement for the helicopter.

Robinson is working on float equipped variants of the R44. One will be equipped with utility floats similar to those fitted to the R22 Mariner, while pop out floats are also being developed.

The South African Police Services Air Wing has taken delivery of three new five place MD 500E helicopters. In other McDonnell Douglas Helicopters news, more than 50 MD Explorers are now on order, and the type is in service in the USA, Sweden and Japan.

The Mornington Peninsula Council has approved Bellarine Peninsula based Fox Air to operate joyflights from the Rosebud foreshore during weekends and holidays.

The first pre production remanufactured AH-64D Longbow Apache made its first flight on September 29. Production Longbow Apache remanufacturing will begin in mid 1996 with first deliveries to the US Army in early 1997.

By the time these words are read the Spanish Army may have decided whether to acquire the Eurocopter Cougar or Sikorsky Black Hawk to meet a requirement for 15 tactical helicopters.