iscover
Bell Has Been Flying This Model 407 Proof Of Concept Demonstrator Since Late Last Year (Refer P64 April '95 Aa). The 407 Features Bulged Cabindoors For Greater Width, A Four Bladed Main Rotor (Off The 406) And Improved Allison 250-C47 Turboshaft. The Similar 407t Twin Will Have Two Allison250-C22bs
Rotor Torque
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Further Robinson Restrictions
Further to the US FAA’s restrictive AD placed on the R22 and R44, the US regulatory body has now formulated a new Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) affecting flying training operations and pilot experience on the two types. The SFAR is aimed at reducing the two types’ accident rates and stipulates that student pilots on the aircraft and pilots with less than 200 hours on helicopters, including 50 hours on Robinsons, be instructed on how to react to mast bumping, blade stall, low g hazards and rotor RPM decay. Further, pilots in command on the two types without the stipulated hours must complete an annual flight review, which covers unusual and emergency procedures. CFIs meanwhile must be versed in teaching students potential hazards. At the time of writing the CAA had not adopted the SFAR for Australian operators. The news comes as another R22 crashed recently in Australia. The R22, carrying a pilot and a Park Ranger crashed on top of a crocodile nest 90km north west of Jabiru in Kakadu National Park. The Robinson’s occupants were bailed up for a time by an angry crocodile which twice lunged at the downed aircraft before help arrived!
Raf Orders Eh 101s & Chinooks
The UK Ministry of Defence has split its long awaited order for a support helicopter between the EH 101 and CH-47D Chinook. The EH 101 has come out of the long running contest the big winner with its order for 22 aircraft, despite the RAF’s preference for the larger and significantly cheaper Boeing CH-47D Chinook. The preference for the Anglo Italian aircraft came from within the Defence Ministry as the order would support the UK’s helicopter industry and help protect the UK’s defence industrial base, even though some sources have suggested the EH 101 was more than a third more expensive than the larger Chinook. The RAF also has pointed out the extra costs associated with introducing a new type to its fleet, including logistics support and training, whereas it already operates 30 Chinooks. The Chinook order covers 14 additional CH-47Ds. Westland will deliver the first of the EH 101s from 1998. The EH 101 SHs (Support Helicopters) will be powered by three Rolls-Royce Turboméca RTM322 turboshafts, and be fitted with a rear loading freight ramp. The EH 101 SH has a dash speed of 167kt (310km/h), a cruising speed of 150kt (278km/h), a max payload of 5000kg and a max range of 540nm (1000km). It will replace Wessexes and Pumas. The Royal Navy also has 44 ASW EH 101 variants, named Merlin, on order, while the Italian armed forces are yet to order EH 101s, mainly due to a lack of funding. Meanwhile Canada may yet become an EH 101 operator. The recently released Canadian defence budget provides funding for new SAR helicopters to replace CH-124 Sea Kings and CH-113 Labradors (CH-46s). EH Industries is aggressively targeting the Canadian requirement and is able to offer the civil AW320 Cormorant at significantly lower cost than originally planned when Canada was a paying a portion of development costs in the EH 101 programme. Canada originally cancelled its EH 101 orders and withdrew from the programme on cost grounds in late 1993 when a newly elected liberal government came to power.
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