MIDWEEK UPDATE 29 OCTOBER 2014
1 Plan your weekend
2 Forthcoming events
3 Dassault's Falcon 5X Enters Ground Test Phase
4 Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi selects Williams International FJ44-4M to power M-345 HET
5 Sukhoi handed over a batch of Su-34 frontline bombers to the Ministry of Defense
6 SAAB and Brazil sign contract for Gripen NG
7 NBAA's 2014 Convention Wraps Up as a Highly Successful Show
8 Breitling Pilot Nigel Lamb Wins the Red Bull Air Race World Championship
9 Advanced helicopter helps Army meet global commitments
10 Embraer rolls out KC-390 military airlift
11 Rate Card
1 November: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 or E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
1 November: Panorama Breakfast Fly in. Contact Helga 082 322 2979
8 November: Bosveld Breakfast. Potgietersrus Microlight Club and Limpopo Flight School invites all aviators and pilots from all over for a Bosveld Breakfast on the 8th of November 2014 at Potgietersrus Airfield. Contact: Nico - 082 852 5961 or Martin - 082 578 1657
8 November: Aero Club Annual Awards Dinner. Hangar 5 at Swartkops Museum. This is a prestigious event to honour our fellow aviators for attaining National Colours and other awards. The Aero Club should be supported by all recreational and competitive fliers as they are our fighters who ensure our freedom of the skies against ever increasing regulation.
14 -15 November: Mafikeng fly-in and hangar dance. Contact: Connie Conradie 018 387 1425 or E-mail: info@mafikeng-flyingclub.co.za
22 November: EAA Sun and Fun and Peter Hengst memorial Brits airfield. Contact : Karl Jensen karlpix@icon.co.za
26 November to 3 December: Yak-52 and Intermediate Class World Aerobatic Championships, Mosselbay. Contact: mbac.committee@gmail.com
29 November: Stellenbosch Flying Club landing competition. For more information go to www.stelfly.co.za
6 December: SAAF Museum flying training and open days. Contact Capt. Kobus Kapp 012 351 2342 or E-mail: webmaster@saafmuseum.org
6 - 7 December: SAC Ace of Base Aerobatics - Baragwanath airfield. Contact Annie Boon e-mail: chunge@mweb.co.za
7 December: ICAD (international Civil Aviation Day) Contact: Mark Swarts 082 878 0875
13 December: RV Fly in at Stellenbosch. Contact Alewyn 082 4126 1951 or alewyn@burger.org.za
13 - 14 June: Baragwanath 'Old School' Fly in. Contact Courtney Watson: cwatson@stithian.com
17 -19 July: Taildraggers to Nylstroom fly-in in conjunction with EAA Chapter 322. Contact Richard Nicholson Nylstroom Flying Club Cell: 082 490 6227
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Engine run-up expected before year's end; first flight in second quarter 2015. Photo © Dassault
Dassault's brand new Falcon 5X has entered the ground testing phase following power up of the first aircraft at the end of August. First flight is expected by the second quarter of next year and certification by the end of 2016.
The fuselage for the first aircraft arrived at Dassault's main assembly plant in Mérignac, near Bordeaux, in June and received its wings, new Snecma Silvercrest engines and on board systems during the summer. The initial ground tests covered electrical and fuel system, hydraulics, and testing of the Falcon 5X's advanced digital flight controls. All tests went as expected. Ground vibration testing will start later this month.
"We are extremely pleased with the way the program is advancing, and are fully on schedule for a second quarter 2015 first flight," said Olivier Villa, Senior Vice President, Civil Aircraft, Dassault Aviation. "Wing mating and other operations were completed in a single step without need for rework, using our latest Product Lifecycle Management digital modelling methods. Development has also benefited from the use of our new FalconScan tool, developed for on board fault diagnosis, which we have employed to facilitate ground testing."
Assembly teams are currently installing final on board test equipment on aircraft number one in anticipation of an initial engine run-up by year end and the commencement of taxi tests shortly thereafter. Final fuselage outfitting of aircraft number two is set to begin in November and work on the subsequent units will follow at one aircraft per month.
The initial ground tests covered electrical and fuel system, hydraulics, and testing of the Falcon 5X's advanced digital flight controls. Photo © Dassault
Snecma Silvercrest engine testing progressing
The development program for the new Silvercrest high-bypass engine is proceeding as planned, with eight power plants involved in the engine test and certification campaign. The engine has accumulated 1,300 hours on the bench to date. SNECMA commenced the engine flight test campaign in June using a dedicated flying test bed. "The engines have demonstrated nominal and max take-off thrust levels and shown very satisfactory operability and dynamic behaviour," said Olivier Villa.
Airframe and systems testing underway
Meanwhile, Dassault engineers are proceeding with avionics and flight control testing on the integration test benches at Dassault Aviation flight test centre in Istres and on the global simulation bench at Dassault Aviation headquarters in Saint-Cloud. This test bench replicates the Flight Control System and the Hydraulic System.
Preparations are also underway for Falcon 5X airframe static and fatigue testing. The fatigue test article was delivered to DGA-Ta (former CEAT) in Toulouse, France earlier this month and testing is due to begin in January.
In addition to the standard qualification tests, aircraft equipment will be subjected to a pair of efficient endurance testing methods - the Highly Accelerated Life Test (HALT) and Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS). These additional tests are part of a comprehensive effort to ensure that the 5X is fully mature by delivery of the first aircraft. The testing will expose equipment and systems to extremes of vibration, humidity, temperature, pressure and other in-flight phenomena exceeding those that the aircraft will be subjected to in service.
The Falcon 5X benefits from production improvements such as Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software that permits the aircraft to be designed, built and supported using a single set of computer modelling data that is shared by Dassault and all suppliers and subcontractors involved in the project. The program uses the latest iteration of PLM, Version 6, which extends PLM functionalities to the system level, streamlining and accelerating the design and testing process.
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The M-345 HET provides the Air Forces with a very cost-effective solution. Photo © Finmeccanica
Following a selection process which included detailed preliminary studies and ended up in a formal Request For Proposal opened to several Engine Manufacturers, Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi selected Williams International FJ44-4M to power the new M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) aircraft.
FJ44-4M is the fully aerobatic version of FJ44-4A engine. It is a modern two-spool co-rotating turbofan engine with medium bypass ratio, mixed exhaust, and high cycle pressure ratio.
FJ44-4M is in the class of 3400 lbs thrust with low fuel consumption, and takes advantage of Williams well recognized track in maintenance services in order to further reduce operating costs.
The two Companies already started joint activities to finalize the collaboration framework which will lead to integrate the engine into M-345 HET aircraft in the next couple of years.
Background Information
M-345 HET represents the most recent solution proposed by Alenia Aermacchi for the basic/advanced phase of the military pilots training syllabus. The M-345 HET provides the Air Forces with a very cost-effective solution, thanks to the best in class performance level coupled with significantly low acquisition and operational costs. Cost figures, in fact, are very similar or even lower than those of powerful turboprops now in the market which, although being of the same weight class of the M-345 HET and equipped with similar on-board systems, provide definitely lower performance and, consequently, lower training effectiveness.
In June 2013 Alenia Aermacchi and General Defence Secretary/DNA (National Armaments' Directorate) of the Italian Defence Ministry signed an agreement to jointly define the operational requirements and to collaborate in the development of a new basic/advanced trainer aircraft, called M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer), conceived in the legacy of S-211/M-311 experience. Development is undergoing and the aircraft entry into service is envisaged at the end of 2017.
M-345 HET Technical Data
• Enhanced performance (speed, energy and maneuverability)
• Improved maintainability and accessibility
• Design load factors of +7/-3.5 g with high fatigue life
• Latest generation turbofan Engine with reduced fuel consumption and maintenance tasks
• State-of-the-art digital avionics and Embedded Training Simulation capability
? HUD (Head Up Display) in the front cockpit, a HUD repeater in the rear cockpit;
? Three Multi-Function Displays in each cockpits;
? HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) controls;
• Excellent potential as Light Combat Aircraft
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The features of the new generation frontline bomber include a maximum speed of up to 1900 km/h. Photos © Sukhoi
The Sukhoi Company handed over a new batch of Su-34 frontline bombers to the Ministry of Defence. The transfer ceremony took place at the airport of the Sukhoi Company's branch - Novosibirsk aviation plant. At the present time the aircraft plant operates at full capacity.
The State contract with the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation for supplies of the Su-34s to the Air Force up to the year 2020 guarantees stable workloads of the Sukhoi Company for the coming years and identifies long-term development prospects. Currently, Su-34s have been used successfully in the military and demonstrate high performance
The features of the new generation frontline bomber include, in particular, an increased up to 4000 km flight range, a maximum speed of up to 1900 km/h, and a payload of up to 8 tons. The Su-34 has a new weapon system and an air refueling system.
On October 10, in the framework of the common day of acceptance of the military equipment delivered by the Russian defence industry, the Sukhoi Company handed over a batch of Su-35 and Su-30M2 fighter aircraft to the Russian Air Force in Komsomolsk-on-Amur - the seat of its another branch - the KnAAZ aviation plant.
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A SAAB Gripen in the colour of the Indian Air force. Photo © SAAB
Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with the Brazilian Federal Government (Ministry of Defence through the Aeronautics Command, COMAER) covering the development and production of 36 Gripen NG fighter aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force. The total order value is approximately SEK 39.3 billion. Saab and COMAER have also signed an Industrial Co-operation contract to deliver substantial technology transfer from Saab to Brazilian industry.
On 18 December 2013 Brazil selected the Gripen NG to be its next-generation fighter aircraft, through the F-X2 evaluation programme. Since then all parties have negotiated to finalise a contract. Today's announcement marks the successful conclusion of that process.
Saab and COMAER have signed a contract for the development and production of 36 Gripen NG fighter aircraft, plus related systems and equipment. The programme comprises 28 single-seat and eight two-seat Gripen NG. The total order value is approximately SEK 39.3 billion.
Saab and COMAER have also signed a contract for industrial co-operation projects, including technology transfer to Brazilian industry, to be performed over approximately ten years.
"We are proud to stand side-by-side with Brazil in this important programme. There is already a long and successful history of industrial co-operation between our two countries, and this historic agreement takes that partnership to a new level", says Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of Saab's Board of Directors.
The contract with COMAER for Gripen NG and the associated Industrial Co-operation contract will come into effect once certain conditions have been fulfilled. These include, among others, the necessary export control-related authorisations. All of these conditions are expected to be fulfilled during the first half of 2015. Gripen NG deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force will be undertaken from 2019 to 2024.
"The contract with Brazil validates Gripen as the most capable and modern fighter system on the market. It solidifies Saab's position as a world-leading fighter aircraft producer and strengthens our platform for growth," says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab.
The contract with Brazil strengthens the ties between Saab and Brazilian industry. Embraer will have a leading role as the strategic partner in the F-X2 programme. As part of the technology transfer plan, Brazilian industry will have an important role in the development of, and be responsible for, the production of the two-seat Gripen NG variant for the Brazilian Air Force.
Brazil joins Sweden in becoming the launch customer for the next-generation Gripen, which shares the same smart design and innovative technology as today's Gripen versions. Gripen aircraft are currently in operational service with the Swedish, Czech, Hungarian, South African and Royal Thai Air Forces, and also with the UK Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS).
The next-generation Gripen meets the market's demand for a sophisticated and flexible combat aircraft with sustainable costs. The aircraft provides more thrust, extended range and endurance, expanded weapons capacity, new sensors including an advanced AESA radar, highly effective electronic warfare systems and multi-function communications.
The Gripen NG for Brazil and Gripen E for Sweden share all the attributes of the next-generation Gripen design, but are also tailored to each country's specific national requirements. The commitments by Sweden and Brazil secure Gripen's industrial and operational future into the 2050 timeframe.
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"The exhibit floor and aircraft displays had lots of activity and excitement. The education sessions were informative and well attended. Perhaps most important, the show provided many reminders that ours is an industry characterized by passion and professionalism."
NBAA2014 featured about 1,100 exhibitors in the Orange County Convention Centre. Additionally, a total of more than 100 aircraft were displayed in several locations, including a sold-out static display at Orlando Executive Airport. More than 26,000 people attended the show
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Nigel Lamb Photo © Breitling
Britain's Nigel Lamb won the 2014 Red Bull Air Race World Championship on Sunday, October 26th with a dramatic victory under pressure at the season finale in Spielberg, Austria. With a fourth place finish in front of a sell-out crowd of 35,000 spectators, Austria's Hannes Arch ends up second in the overall ranking.
Although, the French pilot Nicolas Ivanoff won the race in the Austrian Alps on a sunny afternoon for his second victory this season, the 9 points that Lamb won with his fifth consecutive second place was enough to stave off a powerful challenge from local hero Arch. The British pilot secured first place with a grand total of 62 points from the eight-race world championship, which was the most exciting in the high-speed, low-altitude sport's history.
"It's just amazing," said Lamb, who came from far behind in the World Championship with a victory in the third race of the season in Malaysia and then got five straight second place finishes to overtake Arch and Bonhomme in the standings.
"I have to say my race did not go as planned, my times were not fantastic through the week. It was not a good day today in racing terms, there was never a time I thought I had the Championship secured, I had a good team giving me lots of inputs, the aircraft felt good and I felt very well supported. Also from my family they are very involved but Max especially, doing all the race analysis. It is very difficult having one of your children telling you what to do, but he found a good way of not trying to change my flying but just seeing the small adjustments, which make the maximum differences."
"Next year will be very challenging since nine pilots have been on the podium out of twelve, next year fourteen pilots. But I still have a good team, good plane, and hope to maintain the consistency; it really is teamwork that makes the success at the end of the season."
Cheered on by the boisterous sell-out home crowd, Arch had been unstoppable all weekend. Flying last in the Final Four, Arch struggled early on the undulating course with its challenging 65-meter change in elevation and, forced to take risks on the second lap in an all-or-nothing bid to win the title, got hit with a two-second penalty for flying through one of the Air Gates with his wings not level, which dropped him to fourth place. Arch's raw time of 57.839 would have been good enough for second place behind Ivanoff's 57.468 but not enough to catch Lamb, who would have dropped to third in the race with his time of 58.052 but still have beaten Arch in the World Championship by a score of 60-57.
Spielberg Results: 1. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), 2. Nigel Lamb (GBR), 3. Martin Sonka (CZE), 4. Hannes Arch (AUT), 5. Paul Bonhomme (GBR), 6. Michael Goulian (USA), 7. Kirby Chambliss (USA), 8. Pete McLeod (CAN), 9. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN), 10. Matt Hall (AUS), 11. Matthias Dolderer (GER), 12. Peter Besenyei (HUN)
World Championship (final): 1. Nigel Lamb (GBR) 62 points, 2. Hannes Arch (AUT) 53, 3. Paul Bonhomme (GBR) 51, 4. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA) 42, 5. Pete McLeod (CAN) 38, 6. Matt Hall (AUS) 33, 7. Matthias Dolderer (GER) 21, 8. Martin Sonka (CZE) 18, 9. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN) 10, 10. Kirby Chambliss (USA) 7, 11. Peter Besenyei (HUN) 6, 12. Michael Goulian (USA) 3
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The CH-47F has a modernized airframe and Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit. Photo © Boeing
"This marks another benchmark for the CH-47F program," said Lt. Col. Michael Hauenstein, the Army's CH-47F product manager, Office of the Project Manager, Cargo Helicopters. "More importantly, we have met this benchmark ahead of schedule, within cost, and produced an aircraft that performs as required worldwide. We wouldn't have been able to achieve this if it wasn't for the partnership of the entire Chinook community."
The CH-47F has a modernized airframe, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit that improves crew situational awareness and the Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS), which offers enhanced flight-control capabilities for the multitude of conditions in which the helicopter is used.
"The Chinook provides a lifeline to soldiers," said Steve Parker, Boeing vice president, Cargo Helicopters & H-47 program manager. "There are soldiers alive today because of the dedication of this team."
Since the completion of the first CH-47F Chinook in 2006, 18 U.S. Army and National Guard units have been trained and equipped with the aircraft.
"The efficiency we have demonstrated is keeping the Chinook a highly relevant U.S. Army asset today and into the future," said Parker.
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The KC-390 is a joint project of the Brazilian Air Force with Embraer to develop and produce a tactical military transport and aerial refuelling airplane. Photo © Embraer
On 21 October 2014 Embraer rolled out the first prototype of the KC-390 military transport from the production hangar at the industrial plant of Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. The event was attended by the Brazilian Minister of Defence, Celso Amorim, the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Lieutenant-Brigadier General Juniti Saito, and delegations and representatives from more than 30 countries. This milestone rollout will allow the Company to perform important ground tests prior to the aircraft's first flight, planned to take place by the end of this year.
"This significant milestone of the KC-390 Program demonstrates Embraer´s ability to manage such a complex and high-technology project and to perform it on track," said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO, Embraer Defence & Security. "It paves the way for the beginning of the ground tests to prepare for the first flight."
"The KC-390 will be the backbone of the FAB's air transportation network. It will be able to operate in both the Amazon and Antarctica. The jet engines give the aircraft enormous agility in fulfilling all of its missions, faster and better," stated Aeronautics Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier General Juniti Saito.
Following the rollout, the aircraft will continue with initial systems evaluations leading to the first engine run, and then to the ground vibration tests and the other planned ground tests. This aircraft is the first of two prototypes that will be used in the development, ground, flight and certification test campaigns.
The KC-390 will be the backbone of the FAB's air transportation network.Photo © Embraer
The KC-390 is a joint project of the Brazilian Air Force with Embraer to develop and produce a tactical military transport and aerial refuelling airplane that is a significant advance in terms of technology and innovation for the Brazilian aeronautics industry. The aircraft is designed to establish new standards in its category, with a lower operating cost and the flexibility to perform a variety of missions: cargo and troop transport, troop and cargo air delivery, aerial refuelling, search and rescue, and combating forest fires, among others.
On May 20th, 2014, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed the series production contract for the delivery of 28 KC-390 aircraft and associated initial logistic support. Besides the order by the Brazilian Air Force, there are currently intentions to purchase for additional 32 aircraft from other countries.
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