The earliest S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, built at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporations Company in Poland, PZL Mielec, has entered the flight test program me at Sikorskys Development Flight Centre in Florida.
The S-70i helicopter is usually an international variant of this Black Hawk helicopter and utilizes a global supply chain. This is the first Black Hawk helicopter assembled in Europe and launches the latest helicopter inside Sikorsky series. Production flight tests are planned at PZL Mielec later this current year.
Plans make a call for as a minimum 20 S-70i Black Hawks for being produced annually, starting in 2012, as well as for PZL Mielec being the hub of the program me for international customers.
Meanwhile,Sikorsky Aerospace Services has announced the signing from a contract when using the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command (RSLFAC) to upgrade its fleet of Black Hawk helicopters belonging to the UH-60A model configuration up to the more modern UH-60L aircraft configuration.
Depending on the success with the H-60 helicopter recapitalization and upgrade program me on US Army Black Hawk aircraft, the H-60 helicopter modernization program me includes comprehensive fleet upgrades.
The Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command A-to-L conversion plan's the international modernization programs me under contract with SAS.
The A-to-L upgrade program me incorporates key improvements including a T700 to T701D engine upgrade for increased power and reliability ,and upgrade flight controls, avionics and instrument panel modifications.
Additionally, the upgrade H-60 helicopters will likely be backed up with an innovative aircraft flight control computer and new wiring harness, top speed shaft and seal lead acid battery.
Third G650 Enters Flight Test
Gulfstream Aerospace's third ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 has joined the flight 鈥搕est program me for your company's flagship model.
The final test aircraft is thoroughly instrumented for measurement of aerodynamic loads and ice-protection system performance .Additionally ,the aircraft could be the primary test bed to the G650 avionics systems, just like extra features of Gulfstream's Plane View cockpit and new technology ,including a high level back-up instrument display that is relied on as a key pad for multiple functions.
"The additional in the third test aircraft for the fleet means the exam pace is acquiring, with development and certification flight activities quickly advancing," said Pres Henne, senior Vp of programmes, engineering and test at Gulfstream.
Adept Engine Presented After Seven Numerous years of Development
Durban- BASED adept Air motive has rolled out precisely what it says is the worlds first modern multi-fuel聽 lightweight, green general aviation (GA) piston engine ,the creation of that wasthat's simply funded by way of the Department of Technology (DST) Innovation Fund and maintained by British-based Augusta Westland Helicopters.
Apart from normal unleaded petrol (Mogas) ,by using an octane rating the small sum of 85, or standard aviation fuel (AVGAS) ,the Adept 320T engine can run on more lasting alternatives such as biofuel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) .
"Our technology benchmarks Nigeria around the finest aviation engineering on this planet," said Adept chairman, Andre Schoeman.
The liquid 鈥揷ooled engine with advanced electronic engine management was given birth to public recently at Virginia Airport,Durban,where it powered a South African-designed, all 鈥揷omposite SA Ravin 500 light aircraft ,which, consecutively, was fitted with another local innovation, a "glass cockpit" digital avionics suite from MGL Avionics.
Adept says the engine, which produces 320 horsepower, boasts low lead, nitrous oxide(NOX) and skin tightening and (co2) emissions and noise levels.
"This sets it besides existing technology and benchmarks new standards from the GA industry," said Schoeman.
At an installed weight of 158 kilograms, the engine is reportedly roughly 30% lighter than traditional piston engines of comparable horsepower and supplies fuel efficiencies as much as 30% far better than conventional GA power plants.
The architecture on the 320Ts compact engine is entirely not the same the battery life of traditional general aviation engines. It is just a 120-degree V6 engine, which is a dimensionally short, ensuring top level of strength, durability and smoothness. An end result, its nutritious, reducing vibration and materials fatigue.
Besides, the 320T drives its constant speed propeller through the speed reduction unit, which permits the engine to rev higher, increasing both engine efficiency and providing optimum propeller efficiency.
Adept, in any media release, added that from the cradle in to the grave, the 320T "is the foremost environmentally-friendly engine in world general aviation."Upstream with the manufacturing chain, Adept used be sure you prototyping design procedure that enabled it to make use of digital design data in 3D models from concept to final component, the statement added.
A single suite of hard tooling now exists for commercial production.
The emission-free foundry process found in the production of engine castings is a first in South Africa, as well as only long been designed by a huge European automobile manufacturer.
The process is the effect of a technology collaboration between Adept as well as German company, Ashland Sud-Chemie.
Adept further contains its carbon foot-print by using recyclable materials with its manufacturing process, the firm said.
Adept was established seven years back by Richard Schulz, Geoff Cronje and Raymond Bakker, with initial funding for any project from private investment company Tangle wood Equity finance (owned by company chairman Andre Schoeman).Since 2005, UK-based Agusta Westland Helicopters has provided significant support and is constantly fund Adepts certification process because of the European Aviation and Safety Agency (EASA).In 2007,the DST Innovation Fund invested R10,5-million to fund this company to some pre-production stage.
DHS Expands Global Reach
Dart Helicopter Service (DHS),a US-based producer and global distributor in excess of 3000certified helicopter accessories, has completed a unique distribution agreement with Nigeria 鈥揾eadquartered National Airways Corporation (NAC) intended to establish a stronger DHS presence in britain.
This agreement will enable DHS to consider its complete inventory of helicopter components to operators across NACs entire market spectrum, supplementing its operations in South and north America, Europe, Japan, China and Singapore.
With the help of NACs warehouses and repair facilities, DHS will offer available accessories to customers worldwide, minimizing rotorcraft downtime and ensuring quick delivery of parts and systems.
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